CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair Green called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., Bishop Willie C. Green gave the Invocation and Chair Green led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Dixon asked to add the Swearing in Ceremony of Commissioner Jeff Moore as Item 1-A, pull Item 6 for discussion and add Item 11-A Approval of Millage Rate for TRIM Notification and Set the Date, Time and Place for the Public Hearings to Adopt the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Gadsden County Budget

Holt/Hinson 5-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

1.

Recognition of Pastor Charles Morris

  Commissioner NeSmith read aloud the Recognition for Pastor Charles Morris; it was presented to him and he had a few words to say.

Swearing In Ceremony of Jeff Moore

  Gadsden County Court Judge Cathy Garner appeared and swore in new Commissioner Jeff Moore that Governor Ron DeSantis had appointed after the resignation of Commissioner Anthony Viegbesie.

CONSENT

  Holt/Hinson 5-0

2.

Ratification Memo

3.

Approval of Minutes

·         March 25, 2021-Emergency Meeting

·         June 15, 2021-BOCC Workshop

·         October 5, 2021-Pre-BOCC Workshop

·         October 19, 2021-CDBG Public Hearing

·         May 24, 2022-Special Meeting

·         June 2, 2022-Budget Workshop

·         June 7, 2022-BOCC Regular Meeting

·         June 14, 2022-Procurement Policy Workshop

·         June 16, 2022-Budget Workshop

·         June 21, 2022-BOCC Regular Meeting

·         June 22, 2022-BOCC Workshop

4.

Approval of the Revised E911 Rural County Grant Award Agreement for E911 System and MapSAG Annual Support and Maintenance

5.

Acceptance of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant

6.

Approval of Mosquito Control Certified Budget and Agreement for Detailed Work Plan Budget FY2022-2023

Item pulled for discussion

7.

Adoption of the Gadsden County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan 2022 Update and Approval of Promulgation Letter

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

6.

Approval of Mosquito Control Certified Budget and Agreement for Detailed Work Plan Budget FY2022-2023

   Dixon said there was correction in numbers.

Hinson asked if they had everyone they needed-Dixon said searching for certified Mosquito control person.  Can call Public Works at 850-875-8672 to be sprayed for mosquitos.

Holt motion to approve amended amount of $50,120 /Hinson second 5-0

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

Anyone wishing to speak on agenda items or non-agenda items should schedule or notify the County Administrator’s Office before attending the meeting and will be asked to follow the Gadsden County Public Meetings Citizens Access Guidelines.  Also, public comment for Commission meetings can be submitted via email to CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.gov until noon on August 2, 2022.  Comments submitted after the deadline but prior to the meeting will be added to the official record, but the County cannot guarantee that Commissioners and staff will have adequate time to review comments prior to the meeting.

  Commissioner Jeff Moore read aloud the above statement.

   Mike Watson, 2793 Sycamore Road, - Sycamore Road-appeared before the Board.  Sycamore Road is in very rough shape and needs work.

Commissioner NeSmith said he did have the opportunity to ride that road and it was in very bad shape.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

8.

Approval of Resolution 2022-018 Grant Amendments for FY 2022

  Dixon introduced the above item.

 NeSmith/Moore 5-0

9.

Approval of Mosquito Control Agreement with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS)

  Dixon introduced the above item

Holt/Moore

NeSmith asked difference in this and the other item and Dixon explained.

Board voted 5-0

10.

FDLE Grant for Fiscally Constrained Counties for Salary Increases for Deputy Sheriffs and Correctional Officers

  Dixon introduced above item.  Will give Gadsden County $500,000 to pass through to deputies and correctional officers and is recurring.  County will be putting another

$500,000 into budget as well.

Hinson asked if they could have information, Green said to wait for proper motion

Moore made motion to approve/Hinson second  Dixon said to turn to page 3 and will see grant and the requirements. 

Col. Collins appeared before the Board.  Governor’s goal was to have fiscally constrained counties be able to compete with bigger counties.  With grant channeled through BOCC will have them at minimum threshold.

NeSmith asked starting salary for deputy and it is $39,500.

Dixon said that was the recommended minimum.

Hinson said his goal was to make sure numbers where should be. 

NeSmith asked how many deputies short-

Commissioner Moore said to remember this was recurring money from state and felt no-brainer

Green called for vote 5-0

11.

Procurement of Audio Equipment and Video Displays for the Gadsden County Commission Chambers

  Dixon introduced above item.

Holt motion for option 1/NeSmith second

Moore asked if was upgrade of what had, if needed, broken…

Dixon said was broken

NeSmith wanted to make sure this was properly vetted and was best price and County Administrator assured him was best price for what they needed.

Green called for vote 5-0

11a

Millage Rate

   Dixon introduced above item an was recommendation to keep millage rate at 9 Mills. 

Holt asked if motion has to be read out.

Holt motion option 1/Hinson

Daniels appeared before the Board and said what they set tonight could be lowered but could not be raised

NeSmith said that was his concern, they could set higher and then come down.  He asked Daniels based on predictions of commissioners, do they have a budget that would meet all desires of wish list that have been gathered from commissioners.  Daniels said close, could support what has been shared already. 

Hinson said had collapsed bridge years ago and County almost went bankrupt because of lack of funds.

Green called for vote 5-0

CLERK OF COURT

12.

Updates

   Thomas said have sent several emails over last few months.  Sometimes it’s about reports, sometimes about problems and if fixed, and then do not have to come before the Board.

1.       Audit is late-should be delivered by June 30 and goes to Auditor General and all granting agencies and very important.  Every 2 years County required to do actuary on retired employees health insurance to determine County’s liability.  Are required to hire actuary to perform OPEB study; information then given to external auditor and those numbers used in audit report to determine final net position.  Is required to be done every 2 years.  Hired actuary, McGriff, in January.  Human Resources was required to provide information to them, takes several weeks to do.  Info was not provided and Clerk sent email to that effect.  Audit report due to be reported to State by June 30th.  Just received confirmation that final information was done July 20th.  Audit is late because their staff did not timely provide information.   In government certain things that time sensitive.  State can withhold grants, Some departments, SHIP, already heard from State on withholding funding and can withhold revenue sharing.  Was simple thing that needed to be done to provide info and was not done.  Clerk said was furious about it and unacceptable to him because never happened before.  Sent emails and he and Administrator had conversation on July 5^th.  Will take several weeks because County failed to provide info in timely manner. 

2.       Retired employees are entitled to carry insurance, COBRA, and they pay for it.  Received call on July 1 from retired Gadsden County citizen and was informed may not have health insurance.  Have paid 3 months to County’s Human Resource department and those checks were held.  Have spoken before about holding of checks, Clerk is custodian of county funds and if any department receives funds, should be turned over to Clerk in timely manner, daily basis.  Have been other issues with Human Resources and checks being held.  CHP has complained about that department being rude, unresponsive, and info not done on timely manner.  Have emailed previously and recently started being slight improvement.  Totally unacceptable at all levels.  Need to be forwarded in timely manner.

3.       They are governing body and amended their Procurement policy.  From Clerk’s standpoint as long as money in appropriate budgeted line item, fine.  When comes time where not, needs to be fixed.  If not budgeted line item, from Clerk standpoint, against law for board to vote for things, to incur debt when not proper money allocated for it.  Bring budget amendments timely to fix problem.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

13.

Updates

  Dixon said what Clerk alluded to was correct, was a problem and thought was glitch and turned out was systemic failure.  Was not aware of and in research over past few weeks have found some issues and responded to issues involving retired employees, citizens and all issues he spoke of was housed in this area. Have made changes in how and who does information without getting too deep into personnel.  Ms. Daniels office has assumed all authority of dealing with incoming funding, money and review of contracts, monthly, quarterly and annually.  If was a failure on their part, they did not recognize sooner and wished the Clerk would invite over to his office for this type conversation and would have gotten to it sooner.  It is his responsibility to deal with and feel have dealt with it, at least 95% have dealt with and will deal with remainder this week.  Believe situation has been remedied.  Will meet tomorrow with Finance Director and Daniels to close all loopholes and to ensure does not happen again.  Trying to get away from adversarial relationship.  If truly interested in getting to bottom, don’t send nasty emails or make nasty phone calls.  This was ongoing mistake for quite some time.  Have managed to fix and will be reviewing in coming weeks to ensure have proper accountability in place to make sure does not happen again.  As far as budgeting line item, attempt to put everything can in a line item.  More than aware that am phone call away from Chair to request meeting so can ask to approve something that is not in line item.  Have no desire except to follow rules.  Is disingenuous to suggest anything else.

This weekend is Employee Recognition and Family Fun Day at Lake Talquin. 

Omesha James appeared before the Board to give details.

Clerk also mentioned for the record, in budget process there is money going to Health Council.  Have not received anything from Board stating for the record confirming what was said that Mr. Dixon does not work for Health Council in any capacity.  Think needs to be clarified and for record, needs to be proof.  If he is still working for that entity while being County Administrator, that it is case study crooked.  For the record, wanted to verify/confirm that he made a request to the Board in writing about money that was solicited for Black History event and understood up to $15,000 from people doing business before the Board.  Since Clerk is custodian of funds, if any money taken in, it should have been provided to Clerk.  However, previous Chair said money was returned and he asked for accounting, who contributed, what money was received and what was returned and not heard anything back.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

14.

 Updates

  Knowles said have preliminary meeting on August 10 for heir property program. 

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

15.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt requested Proclamation for We Care/Hinson

NeSmith said have stated wanted to change terminology.  Green explained have not come before Board yet.  Dixon said working on that.

Green called for vote 5-0

Holt asked for Proclamation for Ms. Mary Ann Peoples-Williams/Moore 5-0

Holt said when looking at recurring funds, need to include any that may not get in lobbying efforts with fiscally constrained counties because may have to be put back later.  Need to look at funding.

In looking at some of emails, think could be worked out, she’s one to push for more employees and better things and need to up game some times. 

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Hinson said for him, Proclamation may sound small to some, but people doing things in community for 30 years have made an indelible mark and support giving it.  Think need to at least have meeting about everything Clerk said and have check list of what was changed so everyone knows.  At risk of losing money for housing based on what Clerk said.  Wants workshop with County Administrator, Clerk and can check off when fixed.

Green said did not think need to have meeting/workshop about everything Clerk said, need transparency and need to know things are fixed.  Needs to be brought back to Board with Clerk present so can confirm issues have been fixed. 

Thanked attorney for heir property class. 

Congratulated Mr. Moore on his appointment.

Excellence Church in Midway having back to school supply drive on August 7^th at 2:00 p.m,, Gregory Taylor is pastor. 

August 5^th food truck Friday in Midway. 

  Sunday,
August 7 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. the Havana Development Corporation is having 11^th Annual Back to School Resource Fair at Old Havana Northside High School.

Thanked Board, have super Board.

   Hinson said have Al Lawson and gave City of Midway that they cannot afford.  Not trying to purchase Havana Northside.

Commissioner Jeff Moore, District 2

  Moore told Green he ran a very efficient meeting and looked forward to getting to know everyone.  

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

  NeSmith asked Administrator if could come to next meeting with various categories and definitions of recognitions.

Thanked Administrator and Mr. Lee for work on Haraway Highway.

Did get email regarding the issues and looked forward to response to keep making Gadsden Great.

Had phenomenal program (Summer Youth).

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

  Have been talking about collaboration a lot and had opportunity to collaborate with City of Quincy and that was very important to see 2 boards come together. 

Some had opportunity to attend State and National Conference. 

Had opportunity to have own Economic Development workshop a few Saturdays ago.  Asked people to reach out to their county commissioners.

Thanked Public Works for signs in District 5 and thanked PIO.  Thanked Dixon and staff for affording opportunity to citizens for getting to know county government. 

Road Striping-asked for schedule while back as relates to striping of roads and really need list.  Cannot see lines on High Bridge Road at night and already very dangerous road and need to get on it as soon as possible.

  Holt said next Thursday the Senior Citizens having a skip day at Oak Grove

NeSmith thanked Stiell

Green said this was first official meeting as Chair and to Board that selected him for this opportunity, thanks. 

All have opinions, but remember, your own imperfections and your opinionated opportunities the issue and person you are judging is somebody with breath and somebody with feelings and I advise you to choose your opinions wisely.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 7:48 p.m.