CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 Chair called meeting to order at 5:06 pm, asked Mr. Farr to give the Invocation and the Chair then led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U. S. Flag.

AMENDMENTS AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Green/Holt 5-0

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD (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.

   Chair NeSmith read the above statement aloud.

  Commissioner Hinson stepped out 5:09 pm

  Commissioner Hinson returned at 5:09 pm.  

PUBLIC HEARING

1.

Introduction of Proposed Final FY 23/24 Aggregate Millage Rate

  Chair NeSmith said this was the second of two required Public Hearings on the Gadsden County 2023-2024 fiscal budget and millage rate.  He said the proposed millage rate is 9.25000.

  Mr. Dixon read the proposed millage rate into the record.

  Chair said

2.

Introduction of Proposed Final FY 23/24 Budget

3.

Questions from the Public

Cathy Farr, 564 Middle Creek Road, Quincy, FL

  Mrs. Farr appeared before the Board to ask that the millage rate not be increased for Gadsden County.  She asked that the Commissioners actually reduce the millage rate.  She looked at the budget on-line and saw that the County employees were budgeted to receive a $2,000 bonus

Bill Farr, 564 Middle Creek Road, Quincy, FL

  Mr. Farr appeared before the Board and said he was reiterating what Cathy had said earlier.  He also asked that the millage rate be reduced, at least to 9.0.

Allen Suber, 1002 West Franklin Street, Quincy, FL

 Mr. Suber appeared before the Board and thanked them for the work they do and asked they do not raise the millage rate for the County.  He said the property owners would be the bearers of the taxes.

4.

Chairman Introduces Motion for:

·         Approval of Final FY 2023-24 Millage Rate

  Chair said he would entertain a motion for the millage rate.

Holt moved approval motion died for lack of approval.

  Green said he wanted to make sure they were listening to their constituents. He did not

Green motion to maintain millage rate at 9.00/Holt Board voted 5-0 by voice vote to approve.

Commissioner Holt addressed the bonus given to the employees and said they were below where they should be and

  Green also addressed the bonus, it will not be a continuing bonus and the employees were on a lower pay scale.

·         Approval for Final FY 2023-24 Budget

  Chair said they need a motion t

Holt/NeSmith

  Commissioner Hinson asked where Mrs. Farr saw on-line where the bonus was. 

  Mr. Dixon said a bonus was to all sheriff employees and ? from ARPA.

  Green said they were approving this for a balanced budget but they would be able to move money in the budget but would not be able to go over the budget.

  Hinson asked about the money for Seniors

  Chair called for the vote.  The Board voted 4-1 Commissioner Hinson opposed.     

MOTION TO ADJOURN

  Adjourned at 5:32