ARCADIA -- Trails and sidewalks will draw the attention of DeSoto County commissioners when they meet Monday --instead of their regular Tuesday sessions.

Commissioners are expected to approve a Local Agency Program Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, under which FDOT will design and build multi-use trails, sidewalks and related facilities under a $900,000 fund.

The project will include almost 11,000 feet of paved trails and walkways, along with facilities associated with a trailhead such as restrooms, shelters or playgrounds. The area for this project includes Morgan Park, Turner Avenue, West Hickory Street, N.W. American Legion Drive and State Road 70.

Design is to be completed by June 30, 2010. Construction will begin late in 2010, and work will be completed by the end of 2011.

Sidewalks also are planned in the area around West Elementary School under a federal program called Safe Routes to School. DeSoto County is proposing to enter a contract with Semper Fi Services LLC to build sidewalks along N.E. Hickory and N.E. Cypress streets, and S.E. Mills Avenue. The cost is $163,321.07.

The Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority asked to make a presentation for commissioners about the FY 2010 budget. This year, the authority has good news for the county: Not only is DeSoto's water allocation going to increase by 7.1 percent to .042 million gallons per day, but the county's fixed cost payment to the authority will go down by more than $111,000. Moreover, the authority's payment to the county will go up by more than $78,000.

The bottom line is that DeSoto County will be getting more water at a lower cost.

Commissioners will consider whether to renew the moratorium on county impact fees. Those fees, normally paid by a business or developer to reflect the impact of the project on county resources, were suspended last year in view of the economic downturn. Commissioners, as well as county residents, expressed concern that impact fees might deter some businesses that would otherwise want to locate here.

At the beginning of this year, the commission voted to reinstate the impact fees, but at only a fraction of their original value. However, after several residents testified at meetings in February and March, commissioners once again suspended the fees. That moratorium is set to expire on June 30 unless the board extends it.

The county was asked if it has any interest in accepting the Mills End Community Center and pool. The Mills End Community Group no longer wants to maintain it and proposed to transfer title to the 1,800-square-foot building to the county.

It includes a kitchen, fireplace, bathrooms and a pool. The facility is on the southeast corner of S.E. Adel Street and S.E. Ninth Avenue in Arcadia.

The commission meeting begins at 3 p.m. Monday at the DeSoto County Administration Building, 201 E. Oak St., Arcadia. After a dinner recess, the meeting continues at 6:30 p.m. Usually held on Tuesdays, the meeting was rescheduled because commissioners will be attending a state meeting the following day.

E-mail: shoffman@sun-herald.com

By SUSAN E. HOFFMAN

DeSoto Assistant Editor