CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE                                                                             Chair started workshop at 2:02 pm. Chair stated they were there to discuss ARPA and budget. Green provided Invocation. Chair led into Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3-MINUTE LIMIT)

The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners welcomes and encourages public participation at all meetings of the Board. Citizens are free to speak for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda items. Public comments and participation are also encouraged for items on the agenda.  Additionally, if you are unable to attend a meeting in person, comments from the Public can also be submitted via email to CitizensToBeHeard@gadsdencountyfl.gov until noon on the date of the meeting. 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. Citizens are further encouraged to participate via Zoom using the credentials on the County’s website. The Board’s meetings are also broadcast live on the Board’s Facebook page.  Simpkins read aloud the above statement. 

GENERAL BUSINESS

1.         Introduction
(Edward J. Dixon, County Administrator)

2.     FY 2024 Tentative Budget Highlights
  (Jenifer Burgess, Budget Manager / Georgette Daniels, County Administrator)

·    American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Remaining Funds

·         FY 2023-24

·         FY 2024-25

·         FY 2025-26

 Daniels stated Burgess will be giving presentation on remaining ARPA funds.

  Green asked about funding for Sheriff’s department. If funds have been transferred out of ARPA funds to whatever account needs to be in.

  Daniels stated in process

  Green asked if had a date on when money would be released to employees.

   Daniels stated would have to come from Sheriff’s department.

  Chair asked if needed agenda item to transfer fund.

  Daniels stated they do. It was coming from one fund to another.

  Chair asked if it was on the agenda item for next meeting. Daniels stated no.

  Simpkins asked if they could add it in Tuesday’s meeting. Daniels stated it was too late to advertise. 

  Simpkins asked Attorney if It had to be in the local paper. Attorney stated Gadsden County Times or Democrat.  

  Burgess appeared before the Board. Purpose of Workshop was to get Board direction on how to allocate ARPA funds. Need to be allocated by December 2024 and spent by December 2026.

  Burgess stated remaining funds is $3,469,048

 Hinson appeared at 2:14 pm

 Burgess stated they made recommendations on how to allocate funds.

Simpkins returned at 2:16 pm

  Green asked if still going after grants for parks. If they get those grants, could they move those allocated dollars out of Parks and to something else. Could get a lot out of FRDAP and other grants.

  Daniels stated they are still utilizing FRDAP grant process. Can go over that $50,000. Daniels stated if they were to get additional funding through FRDAP grant process for Parks, then yes, they could re-allocate funding to something else.

 Chair stated Holt will be attending through via speakerphone.

  Simpkins asked about the $475,000. Asked if they would be able to sustain their Elderly Affairs Department

  Simpkins asked what was the long-term plan regarding sustainability.

 Green asked if they could give a number of the Grant they received already.    

  Dixon mentioned homemaking program

Dixon stated since they paid debt off, one of the things they thought it could fund was Elder Affairs   

  Chair asked about funding that has ended with one program

Asked about $475,000. Asked what that grant was called and when did it start.   

  Green asked what was the estimate amount budget wise

   Daniels stated it was over $800,000

  Green asked what was the estimate amount if awarded grant

   Daniels stated $500,000 

  Simpkins asked if $500,000 was not total for both of them

  Green stated wanted to get a general understanding … what they were looking at to sustain the $380,000

  Daniels stated currently generates about 2 million a year

  Simpkins asked when was the debt service paid off. Daniels stated she believed it was last fiscal year.

  Hinson stated he was an advocate for the Seniors. Mentioned public-private partnership. Hinson stated they should not be talking about anything else other than infrastructure. 

Chair stated he agreed with Hinson on Infrastructure

Daniels stated they could see what they are recommending but of course the Commissioners make the final decision

 Holt asked how were they funding the Veterans transportation. Daniels stated it was through their general fund. She stated they have to fund those; they do not generate money.

  Chair asked Assistant CA if they had same grants for Veterans office  

  Daniels stated could not speak on behalf of Mr. Jackson

Elderly Affairs partnering with the foundation set up by Board to look for additional funding.

  Chair stated need to focus on infrastructure. He stated they need to provide resources to Director

  Holt stated the problem was that she asked for a grants department. There are grant dollars for Infrastructure.

  Green stated they have hired a grant director now; asked when she could provide a synopsis  

  Chair mentioned neighboring counties budget was $200 million due to going after Grants. Asked if they had individuals here in the County who was going after grants besides the Director.

  Green stated even if the others are not experienced to go after grants, need to have that individual who is spear heading.

  Simpkins stated when she is looking at the budget, they are paying some nice salaries... believed they are capable of putting grants together. Each department could provide their information.

  Simpkins stated they need to take advantage of what they have.

Holt appeared at 3:00 pm

    Chair asked Daniels asked how did Chief find Grants.

  Daniels stated she could not speak for Chief Hood but were grants unique to the area that he works in.

  Chair stated if a department brings in $100,000 and they could supplant...

  Daniels stated there were rules against that. Cannot use a grant to supplant what they already funded     

   Simpkins stated they spent around $200,000 towards Summer Youth Program…

  Hinson stated they probably changed it to this year to 14 years old.

  Hinson stated the Directors should be able to identify a Grant.

Hinson stated he did not think they needed to.

  Green asked about the projective outlook on the funds … asked when did they have to solidify

  Daniels stated by December 2024

  Green stated if they hired Economic Director then they need to hear from him. 

  Daniels stated this list was developed based on the guidance provided from ARPA funding.

  Chair asked if all the directors hired go to workshops or conferences where those grant resources are constantly discussed…

  Dixon stated for first time almost everyone traveled this year. They all are searching for Grants.

  Green stated that was his concern as it relates to the Economic Director was what he was needing for Infrastructure. Need to know what their future looks like.

  Holt stated the Economic Development portion requires funding. Asked what kind of funding

  Dixon stated they would recommend to them that they dedicate a piece of that revenue source to economic development to build that pot.

Chair asked CA if they have a Grant Coordinator.

Dixon stated no.

  Chair asked when was next strategic planning workshop

Holt stepped out at 3:34 pm 

  Hinson stated a person in Housing created positions to hire people...  

Holt returned at 3:36 pm.  

  Green stated need to sit down individually with Economic Director. Asked Dixon what they could use for Infrastructure

  Dixon stated if they could give him a couple weeks. Been meeting with plan counsel.

  Chair stated this was an urgency for them. Need to be focused on getting jobs in Gadsden County.

  Dixon stated they have Cities doing stuff now.

  Holt stated did 10-million-dollar bond for Roads.

  Simpkins asked if they were to get Bond would they be able to use that towards the new bond

  Daniels stated they could pledge the revenue to pay the debt service.

  Hinson stated once they start building infrastructure, they need to start looking into moving prison near Liberty County, not as many people there.

  Hinson mentioned engineering firms and them raising money. 

  Dixon stated they were still running behind money from last firm.

   Hinson asked about refurbishing of the buildings...    

Green stepped out at 4:03 pm    

  Dixon stated it was difficult that they took that method, more complicated than they led on.

Green returned at 4:06 pm     

  Dixon stated the County generally gave people 0 -100 dollar a month lease in exchange that they will maintain all facilities.

  Hinson asked what if the whole AC unit is broken… do they take care of that responsibility.  

  Holt mentioned about St Johns not being on the paper…stated supposed to get a list of parks and what is needed.

Daniels stated she knows some bathrooms need attention.    

Holt stated St Johns did not need a bathroom?

  Holt stated they have $25,000 for community cameras. Stated she thinks they will need more. 

Holt stepped out at 4:23 pm  

  Hinson stated he was embarrassed of the condition of the park. He noticed holes in the restrooms and spider webs. Need to look at all parks. Parks are about quality of life.

Holt returned at 4:25 pm

  Chair asked CA if they have a parks coordinator.  

  Holt stated they were getting to where they need to be with these things.

  Hinson stated they need to bold enough to take care of all parks.

  Chair told CA to get with School Board to work on lights.

Questions/ Answers

MOTION TO ADJOURN                                                                                                                             Workshop ended at 5:02 pm