GADSDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

PROBATION PRIVATIZATION WORKSHOP

JULY 2, 2013 AT 4:30 P.M.

COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING CHAMBERS

9 EAST JEFFERSON STREET, QUINCY, FL

AGENDA

Present:               Doug Croley

                                Eric Hinson

                                Brenda Holt (arrived late)

                                Gene Morgan (appeared by telephone)

                                Sherrie Taylor (arrived late)

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk

                                Robert Presnell

                                Marcella Blocker

INTRODUCTION
	Robert Presnell introduced the item.
PRIVATIZATION OF THE GADSDEN COUNTY PROBATION DIVISION
	Richard Stewart, President/Co-Founder, Florida Probation Service, LLC, appeared before the Board and introduced his staff and gave a brief overview of their services. Harold Bazzel, Vice President/Co-Founder, spoke to the Board and stated he understood the number crunching and believed this was a good fit for the County and would save money.
COMMISSIONERS’ QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
	Commissioner Taylor asked if someone was present from the county probation staff and asked what would happen to the current employees.  Mr. Presnell stated Martha Chancey was present.  Mr. Bazzel stated they would to everything possible to keep all employees.  She asked if she could speak to Mrs. Chancey.  She explained that while they didn’t have the high-tech equipment they had but they had everything else. Commissioner Holt asked if a program was available to them.  She asked her what their percentage of collections were.  She asked if they helped with job searches.  She asked how many employees they had.  She asked Clerk Thomas if they offered anything that would help his office better. He stated Florida Probation Service She asked FPS how they were able to get the collections up. She stated she wanted to Commissioner Croley stated some of his questions had not been covered.  He asked Mr. Stewart how many officers Would replace current employees and he responded 3.  Mr. Stewart responded they were collecting .93 on the dollar. Chair Croley stated there was a due diligence on behalf of the taxpayers. Commissioner Morgan asked term of agreement-Bay 36 months and Franklin thinks same. Commissioner Hinson asked costs of inmate in jail a day. Mr. Stewart said they did different programs in different counties.  He mentioned different programs they offered. Chair Croley asked Commissioner Taylor said REP was good, want she asked that they look at what software was out there to assist in upping the collections. Mr. Presnell said there Chair said it was not his role to be placing self-interest of BOCC employee above  Want to see competitive RFP Commissioner Holt said Mrs. Chancey had asked for help and technology years ago, why RFP without looking at what could be done to make things more efficient.  Commissioner Taylor stepped out at this juncture of the meeting. Commissioner Hinson-spoke with Judge several times- they gave great presentation but when started thinking, with this situation, need to do more research and would like to see  Commissioner Taylor returned at this juncture. Commissioner Morgan arrived at this juncture of the meeting. Hinson-as of tod Presnell-look for efficiencies and re-address this in future. Croley-doesn’t make sense if won’t consider saving $140,000/year. Commissioner Morgan- has heard about this from other counties, think better for our county probation office, opportunity to safeguard taxpayers money.  Supported this. Commissioner Holt-has no problem in looking at this after seeing what the County could do.   Not emergency to be decided today. Chair – leaving workshop with understanding commissioner wished to not do something at this time.  Holt-not true-want staff to look at that department Existing probation office to be looked at to make department more efficient and re-evaluate next budget. Holt-what happens if get software to help.
ADJOURNMENT   Adjourned 5:35 p.m.