NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 23, 2013
Contact:
Jessica Welch
Office of Communications & Public Services
(850) 926-0919
Wakulla County Administrator Participates in Gulf Consortium Discussion on U.S. Treasury Proposed RESTORE Act Rule
Crawfordville, Florida – The Gulf Consortium had a full agenda at its September meeting in West Palm Beach but discussion on the recently released U.S. Treasury proposed rule implementing the 2012 RESTORE Act took center stage. County Administrator David Edwards, Wakulla County’s representative on the Gulf Consortium, attended the meeting and participated in the discussion.
Commissioner Ralph Thomas said, “It’s important that we understand the proposed rule and what it means to Wakulla County.” To make sure this objective is met, Edwards will lead a presentation at the October 7th Board meeting explaining the proposed rule and his concerns. A meeting of the Wakulla RESTORE Act Advisory Committee is planned for October 9th for the purpose of discussing the proposed rule and getting citizen input. At the October 21st Board meeting, Edwards will present an official County response to the U.S. Treasury on the proposed rule and ask for the Board’s approval.
The Gulf Consortium will collect feedback from Gulf Consortium members to formulate their official response on the proposed rule. Information on the Gulf Consortium and its membership can be found at: http://fl-counties.com/advocacy/gulf-consortium.
While at the Gulf Consortium meeting Edwards was able to participate in the Florida Small County Coalition discussion of issues impacting Florida’s small counties. One major topic was the adverse effects of the state Medicaid billing formula passed in the 2013 legislative session that substantially increases the County’s cost share of the state’s Medicaid cost over the next five years. Another big concern covered was the FEMA flood map initiative and the increased costs of insuring homes and property in designated flood zones. Edwards also participated in the County Administrators Roundtable discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing county administrators. The mandates and implementation of the 2013 Ethics Reform legislation was among the items covered and how it impacts local elected offices.
The proposed U.S. Treasury Rules and instructions for submitting comments can be found at: http://fl-counties.com/docs/default-source/restore/federal-register-2013-21595.pdf?sfvrsn=0. For additional information, please contact Sheree Keeler, Wakulla County Intergovernmental Affairs Director at (850) 926-0919 ext. 705.
