AT A BUDGET WORKSHOP AND SPECIAL MEETING HELD IN AND FOR GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA ON AUGUST 18, 2011 AT 4:00 P.M., THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDING WAS HAD, VIZ.

Present: Sherrie Taylor, Chair, District 5

Gene Morgan, Vice-Chair, District 3

Eugene Lamb, District 1

Brenda Holt, District 4

Nicholas Thomas, Clerk

Arthur Lawson, Interim County Administrator

Jeff Price, Sr. Budget Analyst

CALL TO ORDER

Due to technical recording difficulties, the chair opened the meeting at 4:20 p.m.

Mr. Price addressed the changes since last budget hearing.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET

TENTATIVE BUDGET - It is balanced

Changes made to the budget since July 28^th

Page 4 – Renamed Solid Waste as Neighborhood Services as a division of Public Works - eliminating the solid waste program – savings of $221,000 in expenditures and increase franchise fees by $20,000.

Moved Administrative Coordinator costs from County Admin to Neighborhood Services – moved $80,000 to that department

Increase EMS rates by $290,000 ; increase the insurance adjustments by $250,000 – net increase of $40,000.

Medical Insurance – new rates added to the personnel section in the 8/18 budget edition

Decrease Sheriff’s transfer by $74,000 in the 8/18 edition.

David Gardner – gave handouts – requested $100,000 for economic development efforts.

Pam Harrison D

Mary Dekle – Legal Services of North Florida - requested $10,000

Paul Arnold, Attorney for Legal Services

Major James Morgan, Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office

Captain Jim Corder, Jail Administrator

Clemons/Rutherford

Commissioner Croley’s remarks

Commissioner Lamb’s remarks –personally would prefer a new jail. Need a grant writer. Need to appoint a group of people to come back with a plan to build a new jail. In the interim, Clyde is working on it. Need to put more attention on the jail.

Commissioner Morgan – prioritize it and get it done.

Chair Taylor – best the thing to do is to float a bond. Citizen committee is good idea.

Directions to staff: Come back in 60-90 days with a plan to get the jail problems addressed.

Dale Summerford, Tax Collector addressed the board regarding renovation of space for new driver’s license responsibilities.

Commissioner Morgan’s remarks

Commissioner Holt’s remarks

Commissioner Croley’s remarks

Commissioner Lamb’s comments.

Commissioner Morgan’s comments.

Chair Taylor’s remarks. Set another date for another workshop.

Commissioner Holt’s comments – cut across the board – all constitutionals

Staff directions – look at some things that need funding. Bring back various options for cutting budgets of all constitutional offices at 1%, 2%, 3%.

Meet Monday at 4:00 p.m. for another budget workshop.

Bill from Preble Rish – need to determine if it is a legitimate expenditure.

Adjourned 6:50 p.m.

BOCC Priorities and Directions