County News

The Weems Radiology Department is excited to announce the availability of ULTRASOUND services!  Amanda Wilson Byrd, a lifelong resident of Apalachicola, will be the Sonographer in our new Ultrasound Unit.  We will start taking appointments on February 4, 2019 and we will start seeing patients on February 7, 2019. If anyone would like to schedule an appointment for an ultrasound, please call (850)653-8853.

Need help using the Building Permit Public Search Portal? Watch this video for a quick tutorial on how to search for permits.

Choosing a Contractor

1. Ask to see his/her license and call Franklin County Planning & Building at (850) 653-9783 to verify the status and insurance.
2. Verify references from past customers.
3. Check with Contractor Licensing, local Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations for any complaints.
4. An occupational license is not enough in the construction trades.
5. Beware of alleged contractors who ask to be paid in cash or ask for large payments up front.

After You Choose A Contractor

1. Make sure your contractor obtains a permit and posts it on the front of the property.
2. Do not make final payment until all “job finals” are signed off on the permit placard.
3. Make sure your contractor provides you with copies of lien waivers from his subcontractors and suppliers.

Beware of Unlicensed Contractors

• If you are planning to build a room addition, add on a second story, begin remodeling on your home, or have work done that requires a building permit, take care to select a qualified person to perform the work. Under state and local ordinances, any person you hire under contract (verbal or written) to perform construction on your property must be a licensed contractor. The contractor must be state certified or registered. All printed advertising material such as business cards, newspaper ads and telephone book ads must show his or her state license number.
• Beware of anyone that asks you to obtain the building permit as an “owner/builder,” this may indicate that they themselves are not properly licensed to obtain the permit.
• Also, beware of people that claim that you will save quite a bit of money by not obtaining a permit. A permit will only lead to compliance with the appropriate building codes, these are only minimum requirements.
• Unlicensed contractors may not have insurance coverage. Any injury that occurs on your property may be a claim against your insurance.
• If you wish to check on the license of an individual, you can call Franklin County Planning & Building at (850) 653-9783.

LEON COUNTY, FL – Today, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) announced the county photos selected to be featured in their 2019 FAC Calendar: Old Florida. Franklin County will be featured as the front cover. This year’s theme was chosen by our members in the month of July and a photo submission contest was held until mid-September. The Calendar is provided complimentary to Florida’s commissioners and senior county staff and is a small thank you to our members and corporate partners.

“This year’s calendar theme honors Florida’s rich and diverse history and the generations of Floridians who have contributed to the success of this great state that we call home.” said Florida Association of Counties President and Hendry County Commissioner Karson Turner, “The FAC calendar is great way for counties and citizens to showcase their local history.”

The theme for the 2019 FAC Calendar was chosen over the summer. Once the theme was selected, all of Florida’s 67 counties were asked to submit their best history photos or photos of their favorite historic site in their county with more than 300 photos being submitted. From the submissions, only fifteen were selected for the 2019 FAC Calendar.

COUNTY QUOTE

The fifteen photos chosen to represent fifteen different counties and the great variety of bodies of water we see in Florida include:

• Cover: Franklin County
• December 2018: Leon County
• January 2019: Levy County
• February 2019: Palm Beach County
• March 2019: Putnam County
• April 2019: Okeechobee County
• May 2019: Flagler County
• June 2019: Pinellas Beach County
• July 2019: St. Johns County
• August 2019: Nassau County
• September 2019: Hendry County
• October 2019: Pasco County
• November 2019: Osceola County
• December 2019: Santa Rosa County
• Back Cover: Collier County

Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit association representing the diverse interests of Florida’s 67 counties. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.

Monday – Apalachicola, Alligator Point, ST Teresa and Lanark

Tuesday- St. George Island, Carrabelle

Wednesday- Eastpoint, Alligator Point, ST Teresa and Lanark

Thursday- Apalachicola, Carrabelle

Friday- St. George Island, Eastpoint