AT A MEETING OF THE GADSDEN COUNTY VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD HELD IN AND FOR GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA ON OCTOBER 10, 2022 AT 9:30 A.M., THE FOLLOWING PROCEEDING WAS HAD, VIZ:

 

Present:               Eric Hinson, District 1 Commissioner, Chair

                                Kimblin NeSmith, District 3

                                Gay Steffen, Homestead Representative

                                Frederica Young, Commercial Property Representative

                                Cathy Johnson, School Board Member, District 1

                                Louis J. Baptiste, VAB Attorney

                                Marcella Blocker, Clerk’s Designee at VAB, Deputy Clerk

                                Crystal Jimenez, Deputy Clerk

 

1.        Reconvene Meeting from September 29, 2022 and announce all pending petitions have been settled.

 

2.       At ______9:34 AM_______________, Marcella Blocker took roll call and the meeting was called to order. It was stated for the record that all pending petitions had been settled. 

 

3.       Approval of Minutes

a.       August 2, 2022

b.      September 29, 2022

 

__MS. JOHNSON___________________ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES WITH A SECOND FROM _MS. STEFFEN_____.  THE BOARD VOTE ____3-0_______ BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE.

 

Commissioner Hinson walked in at 9:47 am.

 

4.       Discussion of Attorney Fees

In the past, the VAB Attorney was paid $2,500.00 with the BOCC paying 2/3 and the School Board paying 1/3 of the fee.

 

Commissioner Hinson asked what was the pay period of when the contract was negotiated. He asked what year it was?

 

Marcella said she has been here for 10 years and they have not since she has been here.

 

Commissioner Hinson discussed how times and cost of living has changed since this contract has been discussed. He also mentioned how the County is in good position to do some great things. He suggested, with the experience and time put in of the attorney, he suggested $10,000.00.

 

Commissioner Nesmith wanted to know if the amount they decide on has to back before the two boards to approve of it? Commissioner Hinson said no.

 

Marcella said Mr. Monroe would send the County Commission their part of the bill and then send the school board their part of the bill. So, he would get two checks, but totaled the $2,500.00.

 

Commissioner Hinson said the school board can pay up to $15,000.00 without board approval and the County Commissioners can pay $35,000.00 without board approval.

 

There was discussion of increasing the fee to $_10,000.00__________.

 

Ms. Steffen asked if they are able to increase the amount during the two-month process if the attorney has more than average communication and research to do.

 

Marcella said it is up to the board.

 

UPON MOTION BY __COMMISSIONER NESMITH____ AND SECOND MADE BY __MS. JOHNSON___, THE BOARD VOTED ______4-0______________ TO APPROVE THE VAB ATTORNEY COMPENSATION OF $__10,000.00____________.

 

5.       Adjournment

With no questions or comments and no further business, Commissioner Eric Hinson thanked everyone for volunteering their time.

 

__COMMISSIONER NESMITH____ MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 10, 2022 WITH A SECOND FROM _MS. STEFFEN_____.  THE BOARD VOTE _4-0__ BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE.

 

 

                ___MS. STEFFEN_____ MOTIONED THE MEETING TO BE ADJOURNED AT___10:27 AM_____.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                GADSDEN COUNTY, FLORIDA

 

 

                                                                                       _______________________________

ERIC HINSON, Chair

 

 

 

 

_______________________________

MARCELLA BLOCKER, Deputy Clerk