The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on November 21, 2000, at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Present were: Chairman Nancy Higgs, Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Randy O'Brien, Sue Carlson, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox.

The Invocation was given by Reverend Jay Seabrook.

Commissioner Sue Carlson led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

OATH OF OFFICE, RE: COMMISSIONERS TRUMAN SCARBOROUGH, NANCY HIGGS, AND JACKIE COLON

Chief Judge Preston Silvernail administered the oath of office to Commissioners Truman Scarborough, Nancy Higgs, and Jackie Colon.

Chairman Higgs thanked Judge Silvernail; and stated it is the custom of the Board to allow incoming Commissioners to share a few words and thoughts.

Commissioner Scarborough stated he enjoys serving on the Board with great people; and commented on the spirit of County employees. He stated the County has a great asset in its people; their generosity, kindness, and concern for their fellow citizens have made it a better community; and when people ask why he wants to serve on the Board, he tells them being with the people of the County is the most exciting wonderful experience. He expressed appreciation to the voters for letting him serve again.

Chairman Higgs stated she is pleased to be representing the citizens of the County; and thanked her family and friends who supported her in her reelection. She stated it is an honor to serve on the County Commission, and she will continue to work to make the County the best possible place for people to live. She stated to do this will require everyone working together towards the long-term best interest of all, and using wisdom, courage and vision. She stated the Board cannot ignore the lessons of the last two weeks; everyone hears about the civics lessons; and there are three that are important tonight. She stated the first is that every vote does count; and she is grateful that the Board made a decision last year to move forward with new voting equipment. She stated the second lesson shown by the events of the last two weeks is the importance of local government officials; and their integrity, rational decision-making, and fundamental fairness are qualities that are to be admired. She stated the third and final point is that the local officials did not expect to be making the important decisions to determine the presidency of the country, but they are doing so; some have risen to the occasion

and performed superbly, although always with criticism; others have not done quite so well; and no one knows when or if a situation will present itself and the Commissioners will be forced to make decisions of a similar magnitude. She stated if the Board applies the standards of wisdom, rationality, fairness and integrity every day in every situation, they will be ready when the decisions are difficult and the situation critical to make the right decision; and justice and fairness will be served. She stated she is not sure how the Presidential election will come out, but the civics lessons should renew the commitment to local government at the County level. She stated it is a tremendous challenge, and she welcomes it; she has had the opportunity to work with the community, staff and the other Commissioners, and looks forward to doing it again; and expressed appreciation for the opportunity.

Commissioner Colon stated it is a great honor to be sitting on the Board; she started five years ago becoming a public servant; and expressed appreciation for allowing her the privilege of serving as Commissioner. She stated it was important when she was running to have the support of her husband, family, friends and the volunteers; and expressed gratitude for having such a positive team. She stated she will continue to hold town meetings to be able to have a true representation and be a true voice of the community; she has heard that staff is professional, kind and warm; and she looks forward to working with such a professional staff. She stated she will be a team player; she is excited to work with such a distinguished panel; and thanked the Lord for the blessing of being able to be a public servant. She stated Palm Bay will always be in her heart, but she has made room for the beaches, Melbourne, and the rest of the County. She reiterated she is honored to be serving on the Board with her fellow Commissioners; and thanked the Lord for allowing her this opportunity.

SELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Colon, to select Commissioner Sue Carlson as Chairman. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Chairman Carlson stated she appreciates the Board's support in putting her in the position of Chairman; the County has gone through interesting times over the past two years she has been on the Board; and she is honored to be Chairman, and will do the best that she can, following the lead of former Chairman Higgs who did an excellent job. Chairman Carlson presented a plaque to former Chairman Nancy Higgs in recognition of her service to the citizens of Brevard County as Chairman of the Board; and stated it has been a pleasure to work with her.

SELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, to select Commissioner Truman Scarborough as Vice Chairman.

Commissioner Scarborough stated he would like to decline, and nominate Commissioner Colon. Commissioner Higgs requested Commissioner Scarborough serve as the Vice Chairman; and stated the Board should give Commissioner Colon the opportunity to get some experience before asking her to take that on. Commissioner Scarborough stated if he serves as Vice Chairman, it is not his intention to serve as Chairman next time because he just served the time before, and it is Board policy to fully rotate before a person serves again.

Chairman Carlson seconded the motion. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

APPROVAL, RE: CONTINUING TO USE THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN'S SIGNATURE PLATES UNTIL NEW SIGNATURE PLATES CAN BE OBTAINED

Motion by Commissioner Colon, seconded by Commissioner Scarborough, to grant approval to continue using the former Chairman Nancy Higgs' signature plates until new signature plates can be obtained with Chairman Carlson's signature. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Chairman Carlson announced there will be a reception following the meeting immediately outside the Commission Chambers.

COMMENTS, RE: LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION MEETING

Chairman Carlson stated on Monday at 3:00 p.m. the Legislative Delegation will be meeting in the Commission Chambers; and requested Commissioners submit any additional comments to her prior to that time. She stated at the Florida Association of Counties Conference the number one priority was election reform; she copied the 2001 policies so the Commissioners can look at them; she wants to be prepared to discuss things with the Delegation; and if anyone has specific issues they would like her to present, she would be happy to do so.

Upon motion and vote, the meeting was adjourned at 5:49 p.m.

ATTEST:

SUSAN CARLSON, CHAIRMAN BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

SANDY CRAWFORD, CLERK
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