Residents in Highlands County will not soon forget 2004. This was the year our county was hit by two of the worst storms in its recorded history and a third that was of less significance but still damaged the county. These storms occurred in consecutive months toward the end of the fiscal year, one of the busiest times of the year for county government employees, as they prepare budgets and finish major projects and yet county employees were about to answer the call of their community while finishing said projects. All totaled, our county sustained approximately $500 million dollars of property damage. Some damages will never be repaired and the emotional cost to the citizens can not be calculated.

Still, there were no significant storm-related injuries and while it took several weeks for business to return to usual, projects of major significance were completed. One such project was the courthouse and jail expansion, the largest project of its kind ever undertaken in Highlands County . This project required cooperation and input from nearly every county department.

As each year approaches we look for ways to improve over years past. As a result of the 2004 hurricane season, several needs arose that our county doesn’t have the resources to meet. The State of Florida looks to inland counties to host storm refugees from the coastal communities. Highlands County does not currently have enough wind-compliant shelters for the number of residents and evacuees that find shelter in our community. The county has asked our legislators to investigate the possibility of bringing additional funds to this county to build wind compliant hurricane shelters, particularly in the south end of the county.

Although all road projects were finished in 2004, the Board will need to find a sustainable source of revenue to maintain the county’s road system. The current source of revenue is not sustainable and is very prone to inflation and loss due to an unstable gas market. Finally, while I have my 30 years in with the county and seriously contemplated retirement this year, the Board asked me to stay on and I happily accepted. I hope that I can service this great community for another four to five years.