Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

AGENDA AND NOTES

Budget Workshop

May 28, 2015

4:00 p.m.

Present:               Brenda A. Holt, Chair, District 4

                                Eric Hinson, Vice Chair, District 1-arrived late

                                Dr. Anthony “Dr. V” Viegbesie, District 2

                                Gene Morgan, District 3-absent

                                Sherrie Taylor, District 5-absent

                                Robert Presnell, County Administrator

                                David Weiss, County Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

WELCOME

 Chair Holt called the workshop to order at 4:02 p.m.

Mr. Presnell outlined the hand-out for everyone.

$60,000 decrease for library factored in

Constitutional Officers’ budget not due until tomorrow-currently proposing 2.5 increase to cover expenses

$1 Million funds from reserve being used-will leave approximately $6.2 Million

Included same amount as last year for Economic Development-$640,000

Dr. V – Comp Plan- address park for St. Hebron-St. Hebron is only park approved for FRDAP program

Need direction on non-profits and Senior Citizens; same with Health Department

Commissioner Hinson arrived at 4:18 p.m.

Town of Havana came up with plan to add another bay, living quarters and small kitchen for ambulance personnel and budget includes $75,000 to assist with that

Road Stripping under budget so can get more done this year

Included budget to increase animal control officer-Hinson said he had brought that up and could wait on that until special session finished

Capital. Outlay projects- chiller at hospital; air handler at Jail; vehicle for Building Inspection; Vehicle for County Administrator’s Office; Hinson said needed to be very careful because didn’t know where was going. Hinson asked why car needed for grant writer

Items Needing Board Direction-

Economic Development funding

Small Business Service Center

Gadsden County Health Dept

Quincy Senior Services

Hinson wanted to discuss hospital, if County paying for everything, what is benefit, what do we get out of it

Dr. V wanted to revisit contract with CRMC-$1.5 put into it goes to CRMC and County get nothing in return

Hinson said they also give security to company in Jacksonville instead of using one of three local companies

Holt-own hospital, building paid for, get certificate of need back

Dr. V-need to restructure contract

Hinson-Senior Citizens-Meals on Wheels-Presnell said was a Federal program

Holt suggested Havana look into the program

Non-Profits

Legal Services of North Florida-Hinson asked questions

Dr. V said had no problem with providing amount they had last year and wait to see what comes from State

Main Street-Ben Chandler stepped forward and said currently Quincy and Chattahoochee are only ones that meet requirements-others did not been-Havana in process to apply and should meet requirements next year

Check on Trust fund for repair of chiller at hospital-Holt asked for legal opinion from attorney

Lobbyists included at last year amounts

Hinson asked number of employees that had cell phones-suggested paying employees a certain monthly amount and let them use their own phones-Asked that comparisons be brought back

BOARD PRIORITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Adjourned 5:30 p.m.