CITY COMMISSION MEETS:
FINAL BUDGET HEARING;
IN SPECIAL SESSION, REGARDING
FIRE AND HURRICANE HELENE
2024 September 24
FINAL BUDGET HEARING;
IN SPECIAL SESSION, REGARDING
FIRE AND HURRICANE HELENE
2024 September 24
The Cedar Key City Commission met Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 5 pm at City Hall.
MILLAGE AND FINAL BUDGET
After six budget meetings, much conversation, some exasperation, and much transparency, commissioners unanimously approved the final millage rate of 4.4936 and passed the budget for fy 2024-2025.
After six budget meetings, much conversation, some exasperation, and much transparency, commissioners unanimously approved the final millage rate of 4.4936 and passed the budget for fy 2024-2025.
This Final Budget Hearing ended at 5:05 pm.
SPECIAL MEETING: DOCK STREET FIRE, HURRICAN HELENE
DOCK STREET FIRE
Mayor Colson remarked that all federal, state, and county agencies responded to the fire in efforts to assist Cedar Key. Colson’s more full-throated accolades were for city staff, public works, police, office staff, emergency director, and volunteer fire rescue personnel.
Mayor Colson remarked that all federal, state, and county agencies responded to the fire in efforts to assist Cedar Key. Colson’s more full-throated accolades were for city staff, public works, police, office staff, emergency director, and volunteer fire rescue personnel.
Colson reported that Duncan’s debris removal should be completed tomorrow morning, Wednesday. The monumental effort to remove the debris before the oncoming storm and before pollutants fouled waters for clamming was first assisted by Levy County personnel. efforts were completed by a private debris hauler.
HURRICANE ELENE
Emergency Operations Director. Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported on his National Hurricane Center webinar earlier in the day that the Center predicted Hurricane Helena’s projected storm surge is the highest they have seen, some 12 to 17 feet.
Emergency Operations Director. Fire Chief Robert Robinson reported on his National Hurricane Center webinar earlier in the day that the Center predicted Hurricane Helena’s projected storm surge is the highest they have seen, some 12 to 17 feet.
ROBINSON‘S MESSAGE TO CEDAR KEYANS IS CLEAR:
• Leave this town.
• Understand that no food, no medicine, no housing, no help, no water, no power will be available to you.
• No ambulances will be able to get to you.
• Even if Cedar Key does not get a direct hit, it will be affected, direly.
• Your remaining on the island puts his staff and himself in harm’s way.
• Leave this town.
• Understand that no food, no medicine, no housing, no help, no water, no power will be available to you.
• No ambulances will be able to get to you.
• Even if Cedar Key does not get a direct hit, it will be affected, direly.
• Your remaining on the island puts his staff and himself in harm’s way.
RETURN TO THE ISLAND
• People returning to the island must have a reentry pass. No exceptions. Even though you may be well known, you may not reenter without a pass.
• Understand that looting has occurred in the past.
• Understand that the re-entry pass is for your protection and your property’s protection.
• Should the situation dictate, a curfew will be in effect from sunset to sunrise. Protection of residents from floating gas tanks, downed power lines, and more may necessitate this measure.
• People returning to the island must have a reentry pass. No exceptions. Even though you may be well known, you may not reenter without a pass.
• Understand that looting has occurred in the past.
• Understand that the re-entry pass is for your protection and your property’s protection.
• Should the situation dictate, a curfew will be in effect from sunset to sunrise. Protection of residents from floating gas tanks, downed power lines, and more may necessitate this measure.
WATER CONCERNS
The best thing to do is, as Robinson says, leave the island when a storm approaches.
The best thing to do is, as Robinson says, leave the island when a storm approaches.
John Rittenhouse, Geral Manager of the CKWSD, announced that:
• Water will be turned off.
• Water service will be restored as soon as possible.
• It takes time for water staff to assure that lines are safe and secure.
• Water will be turned off.
• Water service will be restored as soon as possible.
• It takes time for water staff to assure that lines are safe and secure.
The meeting adjourned at 5:42 pm.
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