Franklin County still split over RESTORE act council

County commissioners still find themselves split over the creation of a local RESTORE council.

The board tabled the creation of the council on Tuesday while it considers competing proposals on the makeup of the council.

The RESTORE Council would consider local projects proposed for funding through any money Franklin County receives from fines levied on BP because of the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

On Tuesday the commission debated two separate make-ups of the council, one put forth by Alan Pierce which would have 10 members including a non-voting chairperson.

The members would include representatives from Apalachicola, Carrabelle, and the Eastpoint area, the school board, the Tourist development council, seafood workers and seafood dealers, realtors and environmental advocacy groups.

Commissioner Smokey Parrish had his own proposal which he felt would provide greater representation to people in the unincorporated areas of the county, especially his district which falls mainly outside of the Apalachicola City limits and would be underrepresented under Alan Pierce’s plan.

The cities of Apalachicola and Carrabelle believe that under the RESTORE Act they have equal rights to RESTORE money and may want to create their own councils without county interference.

The county commission found itself unable to agree on the makeup of the council this week, and said they will revisit the issue again at their first meeting in January.

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