Resolution to support Lilly Springs fails after owners seek bulk water transfer permit from SRWMD

By John Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission was soured by the actions of the owners of Lilly Springs in Gilchrist County on Monday.
The Commission, which had earlier voted to support a resolution for the springs property to remain in Public Use, denied Resolution 2009-30 during their Monday, August 17 meeting.
The five board members were advised that the partners, Richard Corbin and John Barley, owners of Lilly Springs, have made an application for a bulk water transfer permit through the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Gilchrist County attorney John McPherson presented the proposed resolution to the Commission in their August 17 meeting.
The Commission was advised that the owners of the 10 acre property which runs along the Santa Fe River in north Gilchrist County had made an application for a bulk spring water transfer permit after they appeared before the county commission during their August 3, 2009 meeting.
The board agreed on Monday that public use of the Lilly Springs property was still a good idea, but they changed their mind on passing a resolution after finding out that the partners were seeking a bulk water transfer permit and trying to sell the property to the State of Florida.
Commissioner Randy Durden made the motion to deny Resolution 2009-30, and Commissioner D. Ray Harrison, Jr. agreed with a second for discussion.
Commissioner Tommy Langford told the board that he was still in favor of the Lilly Springs property becoming a public use park, but he couldn’t support the resolution after the owners made an application for bulk water transfer permit.
The board voted 5-0 to deny the resolution.
The partners had begun negotiations with the Suwannee River Water Management District to sell the property to the State of Florida. According to the Commission, the partners were asking $1.8 million from the State of Florida, but the SRWMD reported they were willing to consider $500,000 for the 10-acre tract that included Lilly Springs.
On Monday afternoon SRWMD Executive Director David Still and Governing Board Chairman Don Quincey addressed the board to present a payment in lieu of taxes involving the state owned land in the flood plain.
While the two officials were standing at the podium, Ron McQueen, Gilchrist County administrator, reminded the board about the Lilly Springs bulk water transfer permit application.
The board asked the executive director if he would keep Gilchrist County in mind when the decision is made. The Board also reminded the appointed executive director that they are not in favor of the partners receiving a bulk water transfer permit.
Still explained to the board that the governor’s recent action involving water permits states that the executive director has the power to review and approve all water permits.
A meeting scheduled for August 27 at the Live Oak headquarters of the SRWMD involving the Lilly springs bulk transfer permit will give the public an opportunity to speak on the application.
Still reported that each and every member of the public who attends the meeting will have an opportunity to speak on the pending application. Still told the board that he could approve or deny the permit; but if he denied the application, the governing board would review the denial recommendation and make a final decision.
The meeting to review this application is open to the public and will begin at 3 p.m.
The SRWMD headquarters is located at 9225 CR 49 near Live Oak, Florida.