The County Commission met last night for a work session.

Although the commission did not have any items on the agenda, several citizens raised concerns during the meeting.

First, a citizen who lives on Georgia Belle Circle addressed the commission regarding a fire hydrant located on her property. The citizen says she was advised by a firefighter in 2015 that the fire hydrant was too low. She was told to call Ocoee Utility District, which she did. The citizen had a letter dated 2015 from the water company saying someone had checked her hydrant and it was fine and no repairs or adjustments were needed. This past May, a neighbor’s house caught fire and the fire department could not use the hydrant and had to connect three separate hoses to connect to another hydrant down the street. Ocoee Utilities told the citizen they would reach out to her to make the repair after speaking with authorities. Commission Chairman, Tom Crye, assured the citizen that the Commission would send a letter to Ocoee Utilities about the issue.

Several other citizens spoke to the commission about the SPCA.

Several citizens raised concerns about a board member who received a cashier’s check from the organization for work performed at the shelter. Some made the allegation that board meetings are being held behind closed doors and should be public and that volunteers and staff are leaving the organization because of the current leadership. Several requests were also made for Commissioners to visit the facility and see how things are going.

5th District Commissioner, Cindy Slater noted that the employee in question is an independent contractor and receives a 1099.

County Commission Chairman, Tom Crye explained that the county has a contract with the SPCA as a 501c3 and does not have the authority to make changes to the current board members.

Two citizens who live in the Benton Pike area also expressed concern about the expansion of new subdivisions in the area and traffic flow and congestion.

County Commission Chairman Crye requested Commissioner and Cahirman of the Road Committee, Tim Mason put a traffic light request for the area on the Road Committee agenda.

The next meeting of the Country Commission will take place on Tuesday, September 3rd at 7 pm.

You can watch yesterday’s meeting in its entirety at mixtv.tv