Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

September 27, 2022

6:00 p.m.

 

Present:               Ronterious “Ron” Green, Chair, District 5

                                Kimblin NeSmith, Vice-Chair, District 3

                                Eric Hinson, District 1

                                Brenda Holt, District 4

                                Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator

                                Clayton Knowles, County Attorney

                                Nicholas Thomas, Clerk

                                Marcella Blocker, Deputy Clerk

                               

CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair called meeting to Order at 6:01 p.m., Jamaal Lockwood gave invocation and Jordan Moore led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Pull Item 9 & add Item 15a and Item 15b-Emergency Resolution

 

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

 

CONSENT

  Holt/Green 4-0

 

2.

Ratification Memo

 

3.

Approval of State Aid Grant Agreement

 

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

 

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 September 27, 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.

  Green read aloud the above statement.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

3.

Approval of Resolution 2022-020 Grant Budget Amendments for FY 2022

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Holt/NeSmith

 

Hinson asked for brief explanation

 

  Dixon said this was additional salary to deputies for $500,000 and would raise their salaries to the explained level.

 

Chair called for vote.  4-0

 

4.

Approval of Fraud, Abuse and Waste Policy

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Hinson/Green 4-0

 

5.

Medicaid Provider Supplemental Wage Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Holt/Nesmith  Hinson question

 

Hinson asked if this was for everyone-Dixon said this only EMS

 

Chair called for vote 4-0

 

6.

City of Gretna Animal Control Interlocal Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

 

 Holt/Hinson 4-0

 

7.

Approval of the Agreement with the Krizner Group to Provide Interim Human Resources Services While Simultaneously Providing an Overall Assessment of the Human Resources Department

  Dixon said need to make change-contract will be $57,000 and will be manning the
HR office until find proper person to take over.

 

Hinson/Holt

 

Green asked for clarity on $57,000

 

Dixon said previous contract only went through September 31st.  $28,000 went through the end of the fiscal year.

 

NeSmith asked if have an agreement with Krizner at the moment-yes

 

Daniels appeared before the Board to explain and said this was like a task order.

 

Chair called for the vote.  Board voted 4-0

 

8.

Consideration of the Execution of an Option for the Purchase of Property located at Gadsden County Parcel ID# 3-24-2N-4W-0000-00311-0000

  Dixon said have opportunity to consider purchase of property on Pat Thomas Highway, owner requested $20,000 retainer and will give an opportunity to have appraisal done, etc.  Money is returnable if decide to not purchase property.  Price will be negotiated but is asking price of $750,000 and is 52 acres.  Is an opportunity to jump-start economic development. 

 

  Green said have had opportunity to discuss this property and have to step out at some point to invest in economic development in the County.

 

NeSmith motion to approve/Holt second with question

 

Holt said stipulations were on page 3. Hinson asked if anything on east side of county that could generate development.

 

Dixon said have spoken with folks in Hampton Heights area and have had conversations.

 

Chair called for vote 4-0

 

9.

Approval of Budget Amendment for the Purchase of Property Located at Gadsden County Parcel ID# 3-24-2N-4W-0000-00311-0000

Item Pulled

10.

Off-System Project Maintenance Agreement Realigning the Dover Road and SR 10 (US 90)

  Dixon explained this item and said FDOT attempting to realign

 

Hinson/Holt 4-0

 

11.

Off-System Project Maintenance Agreement for the Sidewalk on CR 274 (Barack Obama Blvd) from Ben Bostic Road to Martin Luther King Blvd.

  Dixon introduced above item.

 

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

 

12.

Havana Middle School Sidewalk Project Supplemental Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Hinson/Holt

 

Dixon said costs has increased due to increase in materials.

 

  Hinson said goes up to Concord Road and have large family in area, could another grant be written to increase to Concord Road.  Dixon explained this was old grant 

 

4-0

 

13.

Ralph Strong Road Sidewalk Supplemental Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Holt/Hinson 4-0

 

14.

CR-159 Dover-Scotland Road Guardrail Project Supplemental Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Hinson/Holt  4-0

 

15.

Iron Bridge Road Supplemental Agreement

  Dixon introduced above item. 

 

Hinson/Holt 4-0

 

15a.

Approval to Change the Personnel Policy, Section 4-Pay Plan, Adding Language Provided by FEMA to Clarify Payroll During Declared

  Dixon introduced above item

 

Holt/NeSmith

 

Hinson question-said looking

 

Chair called for vote 4-0

 

 

State of Emergency

  

 

Knowles introduced above item

Holt/Nesmith 4-0

 

CLERK OF COURT

 

16.

Updates

  Mr. Thomas was present and said there has been conversations regarding the hospital and wanted to clarify some things regarding the terms.  There is a 15-year contract with 2 5-year renewals.   No longer pay them money and why have money in indigent tax.  Has to be used for hospital and indigent services.  $4.5 Million left on bond to be paid.  One thing could consider was accelerating paying bond.  HCA (parent company) only leases portion of hospital.  County owns building but has use of unleased portion.  Counties that receive less than $10 Million from ARP, can receive   Would encourage them to read the Ordinance, Statute before diverting money. 

 

  Hinson asked how much was disbursed to health department-$400,000/yr.  Hinson said that was a state-funded organization and asked how the County could enhance it. 

 

  Dixon said contract with health department will be forthcoming soon.  When talking about health care-different animal, not dollar for dollar. 

 

  Holt said this would be for a workshop and need to see all plans Clerk mentioned. 

 

  NeSmith thanked Holt for mentioning workshop.  Lot of moving parts with healthcare.

 

  Clerk said another important factor in the numbers.  When started was only collecting $1.2 Million and now up to $2 Million.

 

Dixon asked if non-compete clause in contract-will discuss in workshop.

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

 

17.

Updates

  Dixon said hurricane news, have fallen out of cone of influence and looks to be coming to shore around Tampa.  Do expect to have 40-45 mile an hour winds on Thursday and will meet tomorrow to review.

 

Hinson asked if the State of Emergency covered constitutionals and he said covered all of county.

 

  

 

COUNTY ATTORNEY

 

18.

 Updates

  Knowles said trying to settle a case and asked to schedule a shade meeting next Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

 

NeSmith motion to have shade meeting next Tuesday at 5:00/Holt second 4-0

 

  Knowles said did pass pharmaceutical settlement and once receive money, will ask for workshop.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

 

19

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

 

 

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Hinson reminded citizens to take pictures of house and property before storm for insurance purposes.

 

He said have received questions regarding sandbags. 

 

  Jeremiah Lee appeared before Board and have taken dirt to different parks and available there. 

 

  Hinson mentioned large item pick-up.  Green said his date was October 31-November 3rd.

 

  Received call that a commissioner resigned and withdrew from election for personal reasons. 

 

Wanted to thank the Board for bringing this agenda item and thanked the Clerk.

 

 

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Requested Proclamation for Careers in Construction/NeSmith second with question


NeSmith wanted to make sure had Ms. Bradley here that it fits within the policy.  Board voted 4-0

 

  Want to review policy on advertising on meetings for review.

 

  Want to look at sewer lines going out west on 90.   

 

 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, Vice Chair, District 3

   Recognized his aide.

 

Congratulated new attorney in the County, Landous Anderson.

 

  Time to evaluate their staff people.  Need policy or develop one.  Need to set up system. 

 

  Asked if ED plan would come before them-yes.

 

 

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

  Thanked Joe Adams and High Bridge community for coming to meeting last week regarding stop sign. 

 

  Mentioned Bulky Item pickup dates-

 

Failed to mention the beautification of the chambers.  

 

Thanked Tashonda Whaley for her work with Emergency Management. 

 

  Dixon said new generator will be installed next week

 

  Green said Mr. Thomas Taylor, County employee, passed and gave his funeral information.

 

Hinson also announced Linwood Herron passed away.   

 

  Greenlight moment-Every day may not be good, but something good in every day

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned 7:18

 

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