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Fund Shift Equals Extra $1.8 Million For Molino School Project, Library
April 21, 2011
County Administrator Randy Oliver’s plans to reprioritize local option sales tax (LOST) funds has been approved, with $1.8 million in additional funding to be funneled to the old Molino school project. Oliver recommended that the county commission increase the total budget for the old Molino School renovation to $4,389,156.
Current plans for the old Molino Elementary School call for the main building to become a community center and museum. The project’s original plans called for a library, complete with the usual shelves of books, children’s areas and computer terminals. But without funding to operate its daily operations and employee salaries, library plans were shelved. In addition, the county needs thousands more to complete building renovations for a library, including the addition of more structural supports under the building’s 72-year old floor to accommodate thousands of pounds of books.
Without additional funding, only a simple library computer kiosk for ordering books will be installed.
The LOST spending reprioritization recommended by Oliver would allow the library to be completed, along with a new location for Tax Collector Janet Holley. Her office will move about 10 miles north to the new 7,000 square foot green building in Molino, along with the tax appraiser’s office that will be relocated from Farm Bureau building on Highway 97 in Molino.
Comments
15 Responses to “Fund Shift Equals Extra $1.8 Million For Molino School Project, Library”
Actually, Trish, I have a lot of experience working with volunteers and community service workers. I AM a volunteer and have set up and run these programs for churches and other non-profits who wished to utilize this source of labor. I have had problems with a few along the way, but overall, they’ve been eager to work and very cooperative. I treat them with respect and demand the same in return. It’s worked out great for me.
To Just Wondering:
Evidently you have never had to work with volunteers much less individuals needing to do community service hours or people who have to work for receiving public assistance. Most places will not take community service or public assistance workers because 90 percent of them either don’t show up when they are supposed to or think they can show up then do nothing but sit on their behinds killing time. Believe me I know of what I speak, I have tried the “someone has to give them a chance, there is nothing in our area and they certainly can’t go to Pensacola because of transportation”. Learned the hard way! Now I seldom work with them. They do have to interview and I set down the rules. Must show up on time, dress appropiately, if you can’t come I expect a phone call in advance, and you will actually work. Want to guess how many then want to work for me? Am I asking them to do something out of line? Regular volunteers are nice but ask any non-profit how hard it is to get dependable volunteers who are willing to show up on a schedule. Most people think that volunteering means working when you feel like working, not when the facility actually needs someone. And don’t forget, working in a library is not sitting on your tail reading a book. Boxes of books are heavy, must be able to bend and stretch dealing with the book shelves. Must have the ability to learn the dewey system and actually know your alphabet. Must have good eye sight, making sure books are kept as they should be means a lot of eye strain. Must be people friendly or no one wants to come back. Then I haven’t even brought up what has to be learned on the computer system. For every community service person it seriously takes two good employees to clean up after them. Community Service and public assistance individuals don’t care what kind of job they do, they know it is only temporary then they can be on their merry way. There are that 10% that are good but as a business the work hours involved in the 90% dones not make it feasible.
Seriously almost $4.4 million?! How much would it cost to just build a NEW facility? Certainly NOT that much money. What a waste of money. I want to see this 72-year-old building preserved but not at that cost.
I have been told there are some very disturbing signs around on the back of the school warning of asbestos in the building.Someone may want to check this out before any money is wasted or people are allowed in the building.
Exactly what I said, Lucky Man.
Its about time the County Commission discovered that the MIDDLE of this county is in Molino and not downtown Pensacola. I loved the results of the last census. In case you missed it, the population of Escambia county between 9 mile Road and Molino, grew by 15%. EVERY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY LOST CITIZENS, either gone away, or moved to Molino. So, three cheers for this decision.
I work hard for a living and make a wage for doing it. Why doesn’t our system make those that are living off of the system such as wellfare (for years) work for it. Why not have them work at this library with building maintenance, lawn maintenance, sales etc for the money they are receiving. Seems fair to me!!! I love the idea of revitalizing a wonderful little town like Molino. Great history would love to see some of that come back.
Thank you, Happy. I should have realized that myself, lol.
I still think that my idea for the staffing would save enough money to allow for this to become a reality.
Just wondering>>>>
LOST funds = Local Option Sales Tax.
Local option sales tax funds are used for “CAPITAL PROJECTS” such as:
*Paving roads
*Improving drainage systems
*Fire, law enforcement and public safety services
*Building libraries, sidewalks, community centers, parks and
recreational facilities
*New and improved court systems, community services and
public facilities
Thank you Mr. Oliver! The Molino area really needs this library. The county commissioners now have their turn to do the right thing for this area. The library will be a hugh asset to an area where the need is great.
What does LOST stand for?
I agree that we desperately need the library here. It’s too far to go to Pensacola or Century for most of us. I have an idea for the staffing/funding issue. Why not have only ONE paid employee, the person who is in charge of it and the remainder be volunteer workers who are either working off community service hours or have work requirements for public assistance? That would handle it and actually, probably leave the library with a surplus of manpower.
I was at the BCC meeting – they are reallocating the money – we are so very thankful this is to be done. Lots will be happening on the site of the complex. Every commissioner seemed positive – the final vote is tonight (Thursday).
is a fund shift like a phase shift or something? how do these things work anyway? all i know is that the community of molino needs a good shot of luck, especially the kids. just imagine the kids that can’t get into century or atmore to do their homework or assignments. not ever one has high speed internet, you know. this would be great for the community in other ways too. anytime you hold dear a piece of your history or heritage, life is enhanced. molino school educated a bunch of kids down through the years and so what better way to restore and utilize it now than to have a really cool library. folks believe me when i say, this area is going to really see a tremendous growth spurt in the next 5 to 10 years. 4 million is a relatively cheap investment and will improve the property around here tremendously. molino is a really beautiful area round about. good luck getting this thing for yall’s kids and ever one!
Does anybody really believe it will take $4 mil. for this? You could buil a new mall with that much .MORE WASTE
Hey-Maybe you can get some of the money the fed is going to give to those people living in houses they couldn’t afford. Why let them keep their ski boat and there house? I got plenty of tax money to spread around-if not Obama will milk it all out of me one day anyway!!!