CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair Green called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., Invocation was given by Elder Terry Shaw and Major McNealy led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

  Dixon amended to pull Item 4, add Item 10a-Cares Act Money Reallocation and Item 10b-CDBG Program

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

1.

Presentation Regarding National 4-H Week, Gadsden County 4-H Update and the 2022 Peanut Butter Challenge Kick-Off

  Dixon introduced above item

Robbie Jones, Gadsden County Extension Director,  appeared and spoke in regard to National 4-H Week celebration. 

Evie Blount appeared before the Board and spoke a little regarding the 4-H program. 

  Wilson Croley appeared before the Board and spoke on the Peanut Butter Challenge.

  Ty Vontae Starks appeared before the Board and spoke about the 4-H program.

  Evie Blount reappeared before the Board and spoke a little more

  Hinson said Havana Middle School had awesome agriculture program and resources.  Evie said sent information to all schools and last year two were all that got in touch with her.

CONSENT

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

2.

Ratification Memo

3.

Approval of Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien

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 October 4, 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.

  Chair Green read aloud the above statement.

Mike Watson, 2793 Sycamore Road, Quincy, Fl - Sycamore Road

  Mike Watson appeared before the Board regarding Sycamore Road and the shape it was in.

Bishop Willie C. Green, 296 Bradwell Road, Quincy, FL - General Concerns

  Bishop Green appeared before the Board and wanted to make sure everyone was well prepared for any bad weather that may come out way. 

His greatest concern was Commissioner Moore and knew everyone was taken aback by his resignation.  He asked if there has been any response from the Governor or Commissioner Moore as to why he resigned in such a quick fashion.  He said he was not making any accusations

  Green said only letter he received stated he resigned for personal reasons.

  Dixon said just as Moore was appointed by the Governor, he resigned just as such.  He was the one that took the letter and only information stated was it was for personal reasons. 

  Green said the picture assimilated hate and thought that would bring concerns from the citizens.  Expected there should have been some type of vetting process that should have been done by the Governor and hoped he could give an explanation.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

4.

Approval of Resolution 2022-029 FY 22/23 Budget

Item pulled

GENERAL BUSINESS

5.

Approval of Mosquito Control Certified Budget with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) FY 2022-23

  Dixon

Holt/Hinson with comment

Hinson asked if had full-time person-not at moment-sending someone to school to become certified.

  Robbie Jones appeared before the Board to explain the training and testing for the person that will fill that position.

Green asked if possible to get some type of literature regarding this. 

Chair called for the vote 4-0

6.

Approval of Attapulgus Highway SCOP CEI Selection

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith

Holt question-was there any local preferences and if not need to look at bid process.

Chair called for the vote 4-0

7.

Approval of Resolution 2022-021 Grant Budget Amendment for FY 2022

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

8.

Approval to Accept the following Emergency Management Program Grants: Emergency Management Preparedness and Assistance Agreement #A0268; Emergency Management Performance Grant Agreement #G0402

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith second with question

  NeSmith had question for Ms. Whaley

Tashonda Whaley appeared before the Board.  NeSmith asked if reoccurring grant-yes

4-0

9.

Approval of Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of Florida, Dept. of Health, Gadsden County Health Department and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith

Hinson question-hope can get aggressive with fentanyl issue.

Chair called for the vote 4-0

10.

Approval of the Contract Between the GC BOCC and the State of Florida Department of Health for the Operation of the Gadsden County Health Department

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith second with question – is that amount the same as last year

  Dr. Cooksey appeared before the Board to address-budget has increased

Chair called for the vote 4-0

10a.

Set-Up/Reallocation of the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Grant Remaining Balance

  Dixon introduced the above item.  This just moves money into contingency; part is what was set aside for Figgers. 

Holt/NeSmith second with question

  Green asked if this was some of the funds they had talked about using for the Boys and Girls Club.

  Georgette Daniels appeared and said those funds were no longer restricted and was being moved, some to contingency.  Will be moved into improvements of buildings, assistance for Boys and Girls Club for acquisition of their building, trying to make a land purchase.  This item will come back where the General Fund will accept the money.

   Hinson said only thing that gave heartburn, want to make sure transparency and when start moving $2.8 Million was properly advertised and this was not.  Reason why cannot approve because not properly advertised.

  Clayton said simply moving money into reserves-money that did receive and moving from one to another.  Going into reserves and not being allocated and spent. 

  Daniels said this does not move it, just sets up the grant fund.  Plan is to set up budget so can be transferred, but does not transfer yet.  Will come before them on the October 18^th as Resolution and will advertise both pieces.

  Holt said that was in the motion.

Chair called for vote 4-0    

10b.

Amendment to Community Development Block Grant Agreement M0026, Gadsden County EMS/Quincy Project

  Dixon introduced above item.  Said on Thursday, September 22^nd, City of Quincy approved property contribution on Joe Adams Road and now asking for approval to ask grant funder to approve not only building the new building, but to move the location to Joe Adams Road along with new EOC and Sheriff’s Department.

Holt/NeSmith

  Chair said although just given to them, have been talking about this for a while. 

  Hinson said first time he was seeing this and could not vote on something he has not seen yet.  

  Justin Stiell said this was just a formal request of DEO, does not change the agreement, just location of the building.

  Hinson said in words of past Presidents-could not confirm or deny-

  Green said heard Hinson’s concerns

  Holt said CDBG, once awarded, will not go back and not award-just requesting location be changed.

Chair called for vote.  3-1 Hinson opposed

CLERK OF COURT

11

Updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

12

Updates

  Dixon said no updates

COUNTY ATTORNEY

13

 Updates

  Knowles said have Ordinances for them-one deals with economic development; also Planning and Zoning Board-may have too many members-have 12 members and need 7.  Other is looking at alcohol ordinance.  He asked the Commissioners to let him know if they wished to workshop these matters.

  Hinson said brought up earlier about alcohol and felt have too many liquor stores in county. 

  Green said this is the reason to workshop this item.

  Knowles said Holt has asked about notice requirements on advertising and is in Ordinance and not necessarily required by statute. 

  Green said hoped he would mention the heir property workshop-will be next Saturday on the 22^nd.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

14

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Hinson said love cures a lot of things.  Battle a lot but love everyone. 

Received several phone calls and did not know the answer-Public Works-thought put something in for bonus for all workers.  Dixon said have not done that this year, but have taken employees to $15/hour.

NeSmith stepped out

  Dixon said everyone below $15/hour will go to $15.00, will address ones already making that amount across the county.  

  Senior Citizens-wondered when would have conversation

NeSmith returned 7:20

On how to improve senior citizens. 

  Green said just recently asked Administrator about workshop and how can house them under the County’s umbrella.

  Dixon said have drop-dead deadline and RFP comes out in couple of weeks. 

  Hinson also said ? Lane was a private road in Havana. 

Holt stepped out at 7:25 p.m.

Holt returned 7:27

  Hinson said got funding from CARES and ARP-prices are astronomical now-think need to give Seniors $250 food cards for food assistance, going into holidays.

  Dixon said could save for workshop to discuss the whole package and would be easier for him and his staff. 

  Hinson said wanted to give back to ones that gave to him.   

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

  Holt said Gadsden County Senior Citizens-want to make sure still looking at becoming vendor for them.  Chattahoochee looking at getting money for theirs.  Need to workshop.  Regarding falsehoods that Taylor’s program not getting money because of Holt is not true.

Need update on Stevens School and other programs getting funding for.

Holt said ordinance on indigent care is one that new commissioners need to look at.  Definitely one is the Industrial Board-they are only other Board that can bring in tax.

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, Vice Chair, District 3

  NeSmith said several meetings ago, Holt mentioned need a workshop and as have been stated, in Hardaway area are very behind. 

NeSmith asked if have developed process for County Attorney evaluation.  Need policies in place so have system that works well into future. 

  Wanted to reiterate are awaiting and know forthcoming, requested 3 items to come before them from the economic development director, strategic plan and ?

  Have two new businesses that have opened and was not aware until read in the paper. 

  Also new business in Chattahoochee, Baker Cleaners. 

  Regarding property just approved, is that moving now-yes.

  Congratulated Eric Hinson, just was elected Chairman of Value Adjustment Board.

  Earlier Governor signed motor fuel tax rate…

  What is plan to assist homeowners after gas tax relief ends? 

Asked if could start looking at moving away from carbon-based fuel and looking at electric vehicles.

  Thanked Chair, Holt and Hinson for progress made with generator in back of Butler Building.

  Asked they thing about county-wide motto-Gadsden County does not have one.

  Have not looked at organizational structure, policy, ordinances-all outdated. 

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

  Green recognized Holt

  Holt said when come up with ideas, need to come up with money for them.  Need to do research before come in here.  Programs costs.  For things want, need more staff. 

  Green said have lot of projects that have not been completed.  Want to see growth now and know will not happen over night and need to find money. 

  Have for District 5 2 days left for bulky items-don’t want items on side of road for long period of time. 

  Invited everyone to come to lake this Saturday-huge community yard sale at Cook’s Landing.

  Disc Village will be at next meeting to give preventions on fentanyl drug.

  Spoke on private roads and wanted to make sure was addressing them again.

  As Bishop Green stated, was fortunate enough to not have Hurricane Ian hit here and hope can be a big brother or sister to help impacted counties recover.  Would love to try to figure out how could collect items to send down to help.  Something to ponder.

  NeSmith said Tim Mosley contacted him this morning and will be driving to area on

Thursday and have list of items he is trying to collect.

  Green light moment-“Always remember haters start rumors, fools spread them and idiots believe them.”

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned at 8:05 p.m.