U.S. Senate Honors National Champion UWF Argos Football Team
February 17, 2020
The University of West Florida’s national champion football team was recently honored by the U.S. Senate.
Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio submitted the resolution “”Commending the University of West Florida Argonauts football team for its National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship victory”. It passed the senate unanimously.
Click the resolution below to enlarge.
Century Audit Finds Millions In Deficits, Signs Of Financial Emergency
February 17, 2020
A draft audit shows signs of a financial emergency in Century and multi-million dollar deficits.
The audit found the financial emergency conditions exist due to missed debt service payments, not transferring payroll taxes in a timely manner and issuing payroll checks without sufficient funds in the payroll account.
“The Town has experienced significant financial difficulties over the last few years and subsequent to year-end,” according to the audit for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019.
The audit found of the town finished the year with a $3 million general fund deficit for governmental operations. Assets exceed liabilities at the close of the year by $5.8 million. But of that amount, $4.9 million was in capital assets (property, roads, drainage systems, etc.) and $3.9 million was restricted by debt service payments and other uses.
The business activities of the town — such as water, sewer and gas — had a balance of $540,000 in unrestricted net funds. The natural gas fund lost $263,000.
Across the board, the town had an unrestricted net position of a $2.4 million deficit.
The town failed to make debt service payments due in March 2017, 2018 and 2019 on gas system revenue bonds.
As of September 30, 2019, there was a deficit balance in the general fund of $3 million and in the natural gas fund of $1.7 million. Both of these funds have borrowed significant amounts from other funds of the town.
Audit findings included:
Financial Condition
The town’s overall financial condition demonstrates signs of a state of financial emergency as described in Florida statutes. Overall factors contributing to this condition include lack of short and long-term financial planning, improper cash management activities and lack of analysis of existing tax rates and fee structures for proprietary operations.
The natural gas fund borrowed $222,000 during the fiscal year from the general and water and sewer funds to cover general operations. In June 2018, the town council approved a repayment plan of $300 per month for $2.9 million borrowed inappropriately from the restricted special revenue fund. The audit noted the town should evaluate costs incurred in prior years for possible reclassification, if such costs met the nature allowed for infrastructure improvements.
This condition has existed for the past three audited periods.
The auditors recommended that the town develop long and short-term financial plans to improve its financial condition.
Cash Management
- The Town experienced the following cash management issues during the fiscal year:
- Payroll cash account was overdrawn numerous times during the year.
- Payroll taxes were not remitted timely to IRS.
- Payroll checks were provided to and cashed by employees prior to the issue date on the check, causing the Town’s payroll bank account to be overdrawn.
- Excessive late fees and interest charges incurred on credit cards.
- Late and missed debt service payments by the water and sewer fund and natural gas fund.
- Inadequate funds held for customer deposits in the natural gas fund.
This was a recurring finding not corrected from the previous fiscal year’s audit.
The problems are caused by the town council not receiving timely information about the cash position and cash needs of the town which has prevented timely transfers of cash between bank accounts. Turnovers in the town clerk and department leadership over the past few years was also cited, along with operating deficits in the natural gas fund.
The town council “should receive timely information about the cash position and cash needs of the town to ensure adequate funds available for weekly paychecks, payroll taxes, and debt service payments,” the audit states. It was also noted that credit card payments should be made on time to avoid late fees and interest charges.
Credit Card Usage Policy and Receipts
The audit noted that multiple receipts and supporting documentation for credit card charges was not maintained. The business purpose of several credit card transactions was not documented, particularly on purchases of food, fuel and various supplies. The town does not have a policy requiring employees to provide receipts for transactions nor document purpose of purchases.
The previous audit found the same problem.
Reconciliation of Accounts
Interfund general ledger accounts were not reconciled. Audit adjustments were required to adjust for the actual audited amounts and allow for proper balancing of the interfund accounts. The same problem has existed for three consecutive years.
Capital Asset Tracking
There are capital assess that have not been correctly recorded in the town’s records, and the town has not completed an inventory of assets. The condition was also found in the 2018-2019 audit.
Town of Century Response
The Town of Century will submit a corrective action plan to address the audit findings. The town council is expected to discuss, and perhaps approve, their responses during meetings Monday night. NorthEscambia.com will publish an additional story with the town’s responses.
The draft audit must also be approved before being submitted to the state.
Pictured: The Century Town Council meets on February 3, 2020. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Meetings This Week
February 17, 2020
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings this week:
Monday, February 17
Escambia County Offices Closed Presidents Day – All Day.
Tuesday, February 18
Board of Electrical Examiners Meeting – 9 a.m., 3363 West Park Place
Pensacola-Escambia Promotion and Development Commission – 10 a.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Florida-West Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors – 1 p.m., 418 W. Garden St.
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority – 4 p.m., 1019 N. 12 Ave.
Board of Adjustment – 8:30 a.m., 3363 West Park Place
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Human Relations Commission – 4 p.m., 3200 W. De Soto St.
Public Workshop on Carpenter Creek and Bayou Texar Plan – 6 p.m., 6000 College Parkway
Thursday, February 20
Board of County Commissioners Public Forum – 8:30 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – 9 a.m., Ernie Lee Magaha Government Building, 221 Palafox Place, BCC Meeting Room
Escambia Soil & Water Conservation District Board – 9 a.m., 151 Highway 97, Molino
No Arrests In Armed Robbery Of North Escambia Liquor Store
February 16, 2020
The investigation is continuing into the armed robbery of a North Escambia liquor store a couple of months ago.
A black male wearing a camouflage jacket and a camouflage mask walked into the Grey Goose Liquor Store on Highway 97 at the Florida-Alabama state line on December 6 and demanded money, according to the ECSO. So far, there have been arrests.
The Grey Goose robbery came just two days before the armed robbery of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Davisville (click for previous story). The two businesses are about 1,000 feet apart.
Two people have been arrested for the grocery store holdup, but the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has said the two robberies are not believed to be related.
Anyone with information on the December 6 robbery of the Grey Goose is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP. Crime Stoppers callers are eligible for a cash reward and do not ever have to provide their name.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Area Fire Departments Take Part In Live Burn, Other Training Saturday
February 16, 2020
Several area fire department took advantage of great weather Saturday for training held in two locations.
Live burn training was held in Flomaton, as a condemned structure was burned. The Flomaton, Barnett Crossroads, Lambeth and Friendship fire departments took part, along with the Century Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
In Bellview, Tower 7 from the Ferry Pass Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Engine 1-B Watch from Bellview trained together Saturday under the instruction of Lt. Jim Allen.
For more photos from both locations, click here.
Pictured top: Live burn training in Flomaton (courtesy Bamascannews). Pictured below: Training at the Escambia Fire Rescue Bellview Station. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Traffic Delay Spots To Watch
February 16, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday,
Feb. 16.- Detroit Boulevard will be closed west of U.S. 29 at the railroad tracks through 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 for railroad reconstruction. Detroit Boulevard between Untreiner Avenue and U.S. 29 will be open to local traffic only. All other traffic will be directed to Hannah Street, Untreiner Avenue, and Broad Street.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Pensacola Bay (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 16.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29-New Market Street will experience intermittent road closures through Saturday, Feb. 22 as drainage work continues. Traffic is detoured to Parkside Street and Milestone Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards are in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
- · I-110 Striping Operations from Gregory Street to Davis Highway- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 through Tuesday, Feb. 18 as crews stripe and place pavement markers along the roadway.
- · U.S. 29 Underground Utility Operations from Kenmore Road to West Hoper Road- There will be intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 28.
- · Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Bridge Maintenance- The westbound, outside lane on the Lillian Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 as crews perform bridge deck repairs.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place for through March 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Crews continue roadway earthwork and preparations for base material. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic has been transitioned to the new bridge. Crews are working on grading, concrete ditch pavement, and removal of the temporary acrow bridge. Watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 16.
- · U.S. 98 Turn Lane Construction between Reagan Road and Serosa Drive- The eastbound, inside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 through Thursday, Feb. 20.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements. East and westbound lane closures at Bostic Lane will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue at the following seven locations: Villa Woods Circle to Marble Court, Oriole Beach Road, Grand Ride Circle to Fordham Parkway, El Rito Drive/College Parkway, American Avenue, Alpine Avenue, and west of Ortega park Drive. Crews continue curb and gutter, traffic separator, roadway work, and irrigation repairs. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be shoulder closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Flomaton Native Serving With Helicopter Squadron Blue Hawks
February 16, 2020
As a member of the newest Maritime Strike Squadron helicopter squadron, Airman Apprentice Jack Coppenger is continuing a tradition while also creating a new legacy. Coppenger is an aviation machinist’s mate who is responsible for helicopter mechanic work and making sure everything is maintained and ready to go for the pilots serving with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 which supports the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.
“My favorite part about my job is learning mechanic work,” said Coppenger. “I have always been interested in that for my future career.”
Coppenger is a 2016 Flomaton High School graduate and native of Flomaton, Alabama.
According to Coppenger, joining the Navy is a fresh start for him after he moved out of Flomaton.
According to Navy officials, maintaining maritime superiority is a vital part of a Navy that is present today and prepared for tomorrow. The impact affects Americans and their interests around the world, as more than 70 percent of the Earth is covered by water and 90 percent of all trade travels by sea.
Helicopters are equipped with the ability to conduct replenishments at sea, search and rescue missions and support operations. Sailors assigned to HSM-78 participate in these operations, along with anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface weapons systems missions.
The helicopter squadron’s mascot is a blue hawk, which is symbolic of the dominance, versatility and lethality Seahawk helicopters have in combat.
The foundation of the Navy the nation needs includes a focus on warfighting, warfighters and the future of the fighting force.
“I am confident that we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “We will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
HSM-78 sailors play a critical role in supporting the Navy’s aircraft carriers. Aircraft carriers and carrier strike groups remain the centerpiece of our nation’s security strategy, supporting and protecting America’s national interests around the world. Carrier strike groups operate across the entire spectrum of military operations, according to Navy officials.
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Coppenger is most proud of earning Blue Hawk of the Month in November 2019.
“They pick one person in the squadron who performs the best and that is what I did in November, so I earned that award,” said Coppenger.
For Coppenger, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Coppenger hopes to continue.
“My grandfather was in the Army and Coast Guard,” said Coppenger. “It makes me proud to be able to carry it along in the family.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Coppenger, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Serving in the Navy makes me very proud to do what I do and allows me to learn how to be a good mechanic,” said Coppenger.
District Basketball Championships: Tate, Jay Both Fall Short
February 16, 2020
In FHSAA boy’s basketball District championship action Saturday, both Tate and Jay fell short.
Milton upset top seed Tate 48-47 in a 6A heartbreaker, and Jay lost at Paxton 55-32 in 1A.
B-17 Bomber Flies The Skies Above Escambia County
February 16, 2020
Escambia County residents may have seen a B-17 bomber in the skies Saturday.
It was part of the Liberty Foundation’s 2020 Salute to Veterans Tour. The B-17 known as “Ye Olde Pub” was built in 1944 and is newly painted with the markings of the 379th Bomb Group.
We are told the B-17 flew over North Escambia Saturday morning for maintenance checks.
The plane tours the country for flight experiences and was at Pensacola Aviation, 4145 Jerry L Maygarden Road through Sunday afternoon.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Spanish Speaking Volunteers Needed For Primary
February 16, 2020
The Escambia County Supervisor of Elections is looking for Spanish speakers willing to assist with the Presidential Preference Primary.
This volunteer opportunity will take place Tuesday, March 17.
If you would like to find out more, please email Vicki Mizrahi or call her at (850) 595-3900.