Next year, Sun N' Lake residents could control board

It won't come soon enough for Joe Eck, but next year, the Highlands County commissioners plan to vote on an ordinance that could change the way Sun 'n Lake elects its board of supervisors.

Finally, Sun 'n Lake could have three popularly elected supervisors.

On Tuesday, in executive session, the commissioners heard from their attorney about a settlement agreement with the Sun 'n Lake board. After commissioners came out of the 1 hour, 15 minute secret meeting, county attorney Ross MacBeth said the board will schedule a public hearing on Jan. 5.

At that meeting, the board could adopt an ordinance that would require the Sun 'n Lake supervisors to call for balloting as early as the Aug. 24 primary or Nov. 2 gubernatorial election.

If the commissioners adopt the ordinance he's preparing, MacBeth said the method of electing supervisors would be three popularly supervisors, and two landowner supervisors, based on the amount of money they pay in property taxes.

Popularly elected supervisors would be voted on by anyone who lives at a Sun 'n Lake address and is also a registered voter of Highlands County. Currently, the five-member board consists of three supervisors chosen by landowners; two supervisors are picked by the residents, if they pay their annual property assessments.

Like many Sun 'n Lake residents, Eck has been unhappy for years that big property owners have controlled the board. Eck wanted the change to happen sooner, but MacBeth said next year is as soon as the election could feasibly happen.

Sun 'n Lake has an election scheduled on Jan. 22, Eck said. If the commissioners don't adopt the ordinance this year, landowners will again elect three supervisors, he complained.

There would not be enough time to legally advertise the meeting, MacBeth said. Also, County Administrator Michael Wright said, elections are cheaper and more efficient when they can be held in conjunction with primaries and general elections.

Another Sun 'n Lake resident, Larry Stange, said he'll be satisfied if the election is held next year, but asked why so many residents are afraid of "second-class people," who handle bedpans. If people who work at the hospital are unsuitable to vote and serve on the board, he asked, "What are we?"

In other business, the commissioners heard a presentation from Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative about a rural mobility plan.

FHREDI, partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation, has developed several bus routes - like Avon Park to Lake Placid and Bowling Green to Zolfo Springs - which FHREDI Executive Director Lynn Topel said topped a planning session list three years ago.

Several groups could benefit from a bus system, said Rob Gregg from the Center for Urban Transportation Research, including seniors, low income, and people who aren't physically capable driving. During a break, Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine said the probations of drivers whose licenses are suspended because of criminal offenses or drunk driving are often violated because they have no other way of getting around, and are caught driving.

The Highlands County route could be started with $600,000, but it would have a ridership of 112,000 per year, according to the presentation. East-west routes were also recommended from U.S. 27 in Avon Park to U.S. 17 in Wauchula, which could attract 37,000 annual riders.

The commissioners voted to take the presentation under advisement.