Board of County Commissioners

Gadsden County, Florida

Regular Public Meeting

October 18, 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

                                Crystal Jimenez, Deputy Clerk

 

CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

  Chair Green called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.; Roberto Flores, Founder and Pastor of King of Kings Ministries gave the Invocation and Holdyn Yaney, Chattahoochee Elementary third grader,  led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

 

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   Add Item 3a Disc Village to agenda

 

Hinson arrived

 

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

 

AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND APPEARANCES

 

1.

Proclamation recognizing Careers in Construction Month

   Chair Green read aloud the Proclamation and it was then presented to Camry Floyd.

 

2.

Audit Presentation

   Ryan Tucker, Purvis Gray, appeared before the Board to present the Board with the audit report.

 

He stated the County’s financial statements were not submitted to the State of Florida in accordance with F.S. 218.39 and that resulted in a delay in the County providing census data to the County’s actuary necessary for the actuary to prepare necessary data.

 

Was a significant increase in County revenue but told them to keep in mind thatwas CARES and ARP money.

 

Recommended to keep eye on EMS account, in deficient.

 

   Chair said they all had the opportunity to meet with the auditors.

 

Deputy Clerk brought to their attention they needed to vote to accept the audit.

 

COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT AND COMMISSIONER NESMITH MADE THE SECOND.  THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 BY VOICE VOTE TO APPROVE.

 

The County Attorney asked if there was an Agenda Item and there was not.  He asked if it could be presented at the next meeting.

 

COMMISSIONER HOLT WITHDREW HER MOTION AND COMMISSIONER NESMITH WITHDREW HIS SECOND.

 

3.

Update on Workforce Labor Data

   No-one was present.

 

 

Disc Village Presentation

  J. Jordan Cowart, Chief Operations Officer, appeared before the Board and gave a brief presentation on the program.

 

  Holt asked if anything has changed with regard to patients signing themselves out.  

 

CONSENT

   Holt/NeSmith

 

  Hinson asked if anything on Consent Agenda that is impacted by the budget. 

 

Dixon said money for Boys and Girls Club was already in the budget. 

 

Hinson asked for a workshop on the Boys and Girls Club. He said there was nothing on the east side of the County.

 

  Holt called the question/NeSmith second

 

Chair called for vote 4-0

 

4.

Ratification Memo

 

5.

Approval of Minutes

·         June 27, 2022 Workshop

·         August 24, 2022 Budget Workshop

·         September 13, 2022 Budget Hearing

·         September 20, 2022 Economic Development Workshop

·         September 26, 2022 Special Meeting

 

6.

Revision to the CDBG Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) Policy

 

7.

Revision to Affirmative Action Plan Policy Request

 

8.

Approval of Resolution 2022-032 in Support of Funding for the Boys and Girls Club

 

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 January 18, 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.

 

 

Pastor Willie Gaines, 5775 Ben Bostick Rd, Quincy – Speed Bump, Grass overgrown, and trash on side of road.

  He thanked the County for assisting with Second Annual Trash Round-up. 

 

He said their community is old and outdated and was being overlooked.  He said they have new homeowners moving into the area and they are concerned about Frank Jackson Road. 

 

  Holt asked Pastor Gaines when he held his community meetings and he said the second Saturday of each month.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

9.

Public Hearing-Approval of Resolution 2022-031 and Associated Budget Amendments

  Mr. Dixon introduced the above item and said was for approval of budget amendment and was for approval to move $ into

 

Ms. Daniels said the majority of the money was going into Reserve and the rest would go into General Funds.

 

Chair Green asked if there were any comments from the public and there were none.

 

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

 

10.

Fairbanks Ferry Road (SCOP) Re-bid

  

  Hinson mad motion for approval /Holt

 

Hinson asked where it would start and Mr. Lee appeared before the Board and stated it would start from 5th Street to Concord Road intersection.

 

Chair called for vote 4-0

 

Holt stepped out

11.

Fairbanks Ferry Road (SCOP) Re-bid Supplemental Agreement

   Dixon introduced the above item

Hinson motion to approve/NeSmith

 

Hinson asked the different between the two.  Dixon said second approves the CEI Agreement. 

 

Chair called for vote.  3-0

 

12.

Approval of FY 2023 SC208 Small County Consolidated Waste Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

  Dixon introduced the above item.

Hinson approve option 1 Holt returned at 7:07

 

NeSmith second 4-0

 

13.

Approval of FY 2023 SC208 Small County Consolidated Waste Grant Agreement Amendment No. 2 with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

  Dixon introduced above item

Holt/NeSmith 4-0

 

14.

Approval to Award RFP No. 22-03 Federal Lobbyist Services

 Dixon introduced above item. Said although Alcalde & Fay received highest score no one knows them.  Made proper presentation but at end of day this is about winning and success. 

 

Green had opportunity to speak with administrator and also does not agree with evaluation.

 

  Holt motion to approve Ballard Partners, Inc.  Hinson second with question.  Hinson asked if this was acceptable and were they doing this the right way.

 

Knowles said they could select a firm and then a contract would be brought back to the Board.

 

Green said they were voting on the award of the contract, no the contract itself.

 NeSmith said committee that scored respondents-Green said information was in packet.

 

  Hinson said need to make sure have numbers right.

 

  Green said he was also puzzled about the numbering.  He said he would like to have a presentation.

 

Green asked if could table

 

  Holt said Administrator stole her words, she made motion because of lobbyist looking at has already started. 

 

  NeSmith asked administrator the committee made recommendation of Alcalde and Fay-he said they are not going to make presentation.

 

   Hinson said he was in favor of this but look at scores-hard to approve

 

  Holt stepped out at 7:29 p.m.

 

  Dixon said would be glad to get Ballard and Alcalde here for presentation

 

  Holt returned 7:29

 

  Green said thought would be easier if they had documentation so could review.

 

He asked if Holt would consider rescinding motion and she said she had question first.  Hinson said he would rescind his second.

 

Hinson motion to table until next meeting/Holt 4-0

 

CLERK OF COURT

 

15.

Updates

 

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

 

16.

Updates

  Mr. Dixon said former County Judge Stewart Parsons passed away and will have memorial service at Courthouse on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

 

Also at 10:00 on Saturday will be workshop on heir property and wills at County office.

 

Staff is doing a fantastic job reaching out. Appreciate Mr. Lee’s leadership. They should have received the evaluation information.  

 

COUNTY ATTORNEY

  Workshop will be here in this chamber. Bring all questions, other attorneys and law professors will be present. There will be a full house. On the shade meeting, cannot find court reporter to be present. Maybe bring it back on next meeting as agenda item. Time sensitive since settlement is on the table.

 

17.

 Updates

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

 

18.

Report and Discussion of Public Issues

 

 

Commissioner Eric Hinson, District 1

  Sends condolences for Judge Parson’s family. October 23rd-30th, is FAMU Homecoming.  Economic Development workshop on 26th and Non-profits on the 27th. Thankful and grateful to have his parents.

 

 

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

 Holt was going to recognize Anthony Powell, who was in audience and had to leave had a meeting to go to. Sends condolences for Judge Parsons.

Reason she made motion regarding Boys and Girls Club, because they have to look at Havana, Gretna and Chattahoochee. Need to prioritize a list for funding. Should’ve passed it because they are getting a break with them. They already started dividing the money up. Normally, you have your people ready by July 1.   

 

 

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, Vice Chair, District 3

  We are one Gadsden, in the words of Rod Young. Sends condolences to Judge Parsons family. His interactions with him have been wonderful. They need to establish policies now that will outlast them. Made a motion that the board approve that the County complete an annual evaluation of all commission staff members. That they have the evaluation completed at the latest 45 days prior to that employees’ anniversary/Holt second. Passed 4-0

 

  Hinson said if they get a new board, they can change every statute. Commissioner Nesmith said they create a policy because they create a spirit. Chair Green said they all agreed and it will be going forward. Commissioner Nesmith said Mr. Powell is one of their local heroes. He said it is imperative that they move from their emergencies. Commissioner Nesmith asked if the County Administrator is not available.

  Commissioner Holt said the assistant administrator would be next. They need a budget employee. By looking at audit, need a budget director. Ms. Daniels said the audit was before she got here. Chair Green said that conversation needs to be had at an appropriate time.

  Hinson said if something happens to the administrator, they can appoint who they want. Chair Green said they need to workshop it.

  Nesmith said they need to create policies. He said starting yesterday, through October ?, is bulky item pick up. Healthcare is important.    

 

 

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

  Chair Green asked for project updates. Still waiting on striping of roads. Gave his condolences to Judge Parsons family. Possibility there may be some roads closures on Saturday.

Made a motion that they recognize the Future Builders of Gadsden County. Nesmith second. Passed 4-0.

 

Nov. 3rd, Tim Mosely with the Still Matters foundation making trip to Ft. Myers area. Consider doing something so that they can help fill the trucks going to that area. Nesmith second. Passed 4-0.

 

Thanked everyone for a great meeting, gave his greenlight thought.

“you are never too old to set another goal or dream or a new dream, you are never too old to start in pick-up something that you left off.”

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Adjourned at 8:03 pm

 

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