Crist OKs money for Valencia; vetoes airport funding

In signing the 2010-11 Florida state budget Friday, Gov. Charlie Crist approved $21.8 million for a new building at Valencia Community College’s Osceola campus, but vetoed $2 million for a roadway at Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

The Florida Legislature during its session approved it and both were awaiting the governor’s signature.

In a May 13 News-Gazette article, college spokeswoman Lucy Boudet stated that the proposed building has not been designed yet nor has an architect been selected. However, she stated the approximately 108,000 square-foot building, which would house the library, classrooms and chemistry labs, would make it the largest on Valencia’s Osceola campus. Boudet also stated the building might include space for the University of Central Florida as part of the college’s Direct Connect to UCF guaranteed transfer program where students complete their four-year degree on the campus.

“Osceola’s Valencia Campus is an important economic engine for Osceola County,” said state Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee. “The Library/ Tech lab building is a vital step to recharging Osceola’s economy.”

The $2 million for the airport, had it been approved, would have been about two-thirds of the $3.1 million needed to provide a roadway, drainage and utilities to a business park intended for aviation-related medium- and small-sized businesses. The proposed roadway, which would run east off Hoagland Boulevard, was designed to provide access to two hangars in the first phase of the business park’s development.

Back to School Tax Holiday OK’d

Gov. Charlie Crist recently signed House Bill 483, the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, which establishes a three-day sales-tax holiday from Aug. 13-15, on school supplies, books, clothing and footwear.

The tax holiday is expected to save Florida families $26 million, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

During the sales-tax holiday, Floridians will not pay sales tax on books, clothing and footwear that cost $50 or less or on school supplies that cost $10 or less.

Do business with School District

Osceola County School District’s Purchasing Department will host a training session on how to do business with the district Thursday, June 10, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Media and Instructional Technology Training Room 1, 817 Bill Beck Blvd. (Building 2000) in Kissimmee.

This training session will be an informative overview of the registration and solicitation process. Staff members will be available after the presentation for assistance with the registration process and to answer questions about specific commodities and services that the School District procures.

Call the Purchasing Department for additional information and to reserve a spot at 407-870-4630.

Hydrilla treatments on Cypress Lake

The South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were scheduled to begin on Wednesday a significant effort to control hydrilla growing over 1,745 acres of Cypress Lake.

The invasive plant can clog waterways, impede navigation and affect wildlife.

The agencies will first apply the herbicide Aquathol over impacted areas of the lake using a team of helicopters. A day later, aquatic plant experts will use airboats to apply Galleon, another herbicide that robs hydrilla of its ability to feed itself.

The work was originally planned for March but was delayed because above-normal rainfall.

For more information, go to www.sfwmd.gov.

Museum plan, feasibility study to be presented

The Veterans Tribute and Museum of Osceola County on Monday will present to the County Commission its feasibility study along with a business and marketing plan for the proposed museum of military history on the former Coggin dealership site on West U.S. Highway 192.

Commissioners will begin their regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. Valencia Enterprises, consultant for the veterans group, will present the business and marketing plans and the feasibility study.

“It is of the utmost importance that the veterans community be well represented at this meeting to show their support for the Osceola County Veterans Museum,” stated Donald R. Smith, chairman of the Tribute and president of the Osceola County Veterans Council, in an e-mail.

Smith added that it has taken six years to bring to the forefront a museum in which all veterans, the community and visitors can take pride.

Commission meetings are held in the Commission Chamber on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building, Courthouse Square.

In a related item, the Osceola County Tourist Development Council from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday will hold a workshop at the Osceola County Stadium Clubhouse Conference Room, 631 Heritage Park Way, Kissimmee. The museum proposal is on the council’s agenda as well.