Commissioner Gene Hodges discussed ownership of the Big Dock
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At the request of Commissioner Gene Hodges, the Cedar Key City Commission discussed the city's interlocal agreement with Levy County, in which Cedar Key accepts ownership of the new pier. During a Commission budget workshop in early September, Commissioner Hodges expressed surprise and dismay that the city now owns the pier. He said that maintenance of the pier will strain the budget.
As an agenda item on the September 16 meeting, Commissioner Hodges moved to reconsider the agreement to accept pier ownership. Hodges' motion was seconded by Commissioner Scott Dennison.
Throughout discussion of the motion, Hodges insisted that maintenance of the concrete pier, "can put the city down the drain." He added that the CRA money will run out (in twenty-one years – Ed.). Former Commissioner Vanessa Edmunds, who was in the audience, was called upon by Mayor Heath Davis, to explain the details of the agreement. (Edmunds had negotiated the interlocal agreement with Levy County Commissioner Lillie Rooks.) She emphasized the urgency of getting the pier rebuilt after it was severely damaged by storms in 2004. In January 2007 the agreement was made. Commissioners Sue Colson and Pat O'Neal are the two sitting commissioners that were in office in 2007. Colson defended the agreement, saying, "The City and businesses have been at the mercy of the county regarding the dock." She added that we must own it and maintain it and accept our responsibility.
Commissioner Dennison brought the discussion back to the cost of maintenance when he referred to inadequate money in the proposed Public Works budget for 2008-2009.
He asked that Levy County be invited to help with the maintenance because the county benefits from the economic draw of the pier.
Mayor Davis noted that there is no sunset clause in the agreement. At Commissioner Hodges' request, there was a roll call vote after a hasty voice vote. Commissioners Davis, Colson and O'Neal killed the motion in opposition to the "yes" votes of Hodges and Dennison.
After the meeting adjourned Commissioner Hodges said that he had wanted to go on record in opposition to ownership of the pier.
In other Commission business, the paving of what are now private roads was discussed and nearly resolved. If the city is given ownership they can be paved. CRA Director Greg Lang suggested and informal estimate of paving costs and possibly including those roads in the current paving project. | 
