CALL TO ORDER, INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 Chair called meeting to order at 3:02 pm. Green provided invocation. Chair led into the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

GENERAL BUSINESS

1.       Review and Approval of the 2024 Gadsden County Legislative Priorities

 Dixon stated this item is presented to the Board for review and approval of the 2024 Gadsden County Legislative Priorities. 

 Asking for $605,377.58 for Pat Thomas Ecotourism Park

 Asking for a million dollars for Elderly Affairs

 Next project is upgrade to Edward J. Butler building. Requested amount $2,420,552.50

 Dixon mentioned Water and Sewer Expansion for I-10 Interchange. Requested amount $4,000,000.   

 Green stated was hoping communication with city manager. Need to have it submitted within next couple weeks.

 Chair mentioned projects around the Walmart area. Asked if increasing capacity for pipes

 Dixon stated the pipes are not problem, the pressure is. Will be needing tanks in order to sustain high pressure systems. 

Warter and Sewer expansion for Jefferson St E. Requested amount $3,000,000

 Mayor stated if sprinkler system went off, 

For their growth, need to have water and sewer

 Green asked Mayor if she knew how soon could get numbers

 Mayor stated will work with Nixon to get numbers.

 Dixon mentioned Manufacturing Training programs for Youth and Adults. Requested amount $2,000,000.

Chair asked if there has been follow up, Dixon stated yes.

 Dixon mentioned project of sports arena complex 

 Simpkins asked if the priorities are in particular order. Dixon stated he was just reading thru them. 

 Dixon mentioned new fire trucks, hydrants and water systems. Requested amount $21,000,000.

 Dixon stated next item was the new Public Records Center. Requested amount $2,000,000 

 GC New Health Department

Simpkins stepped out 3:34 p.m. 

Simpkins returned 3:34 p.m.

 Dixon mentioned Courthouse renovations; requested amount of $3,068,000.

Hinson appeared 3:35 p.m.

 GC Arena and Livestock Pavilion; requested amount of $2,268,000

 Dixon mentioned the GC Municipal Requests 

 Simpkins stated would be helpful if priorities were ranked. Was told it would be helpful to Delegation.

 Green asked if could rank now.

 Hinson stated the municipalities would rank them and bring back to BOCC.

 Dixon stated should probably go ahead and rank them

 Chair asked what should be #1 on priority list

 Green recommended new fire trucks, hydrants and water systems #1  

 Hinson asked about midway. Dixon stated did not get anything from Midway

 Hinson stated would be good to know which department these are coming from.

Simpkins stepped out 4:22 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 4:24 p.m.

 Green asked if they have a lobbyist. Hinson stated no.

Dixon stated could put it as 1A and 1B

Green stepped out 4:33 p.m.  

 Hinson asked for this to be 2^nd priority; wanted to make a motion to make everything a priority now

 Dixon would like to walk thru the items

Green returned at 4:37 p.m. 

Green suggested that they go thru packet instead of going back and forth and spending 45 min to an hour discussing one project.

Simpkins stepped out at 4:47 p.m.

Simpkins returned 4:48 p.m.

 Chair stated for Havana Public Safety Facility to be #2. Commissioners agreed

 Green stated would like for both Water projects to be #3.

 Simpkins asked Mayor if it was the same thing they were requesting.

 Chair asked about #4 on priority list. Go back to projects they already funded. Sheriff Public Safety and EOC complex #4

  Greensboro Town Hall #5 and then Sports Complex #6

 Simpkins mentioned Arena and livestock pavilion

 Arena and Livestock Pavilion #7

 Green mentioned #8 GC Pat Thomas Ecotourism Park

 Green mentioned #9 Manufacturing Training programs for youth and adults.

 Hinson Asked about housing in state level; a lot of folks losing homes

  Green asked about numbers for Health Department

 Daniels stated they were not requesting funding, just support

 Simpkins mentioned Expansion of Jail to meet future needs of the mental health and sub abuse contract with children & families; Set as #10 for priority.

Green stepped out at 5:32 p.m.

Green returned at 5:34 p.m.

 Chair asked for rec for #11 on priority list.

 Recommended Elderly Affairs for #11

 Green recommended #12 for upgrades/ renovations to the Edward J. Butler Building.  

Green stated he was fine with Courthouse renovation or Edward J. Butler renovation for #12

  Simpkins stated thought they requested historical preservation grant; Dixon stated this was just in case it did not come through. 

   Green recommended #12 Courthouse renovation

  #13 Upgrade/ Renovations to Edward J. Butler Building

   #14 Mobile Unit Sherriff’s Office request

   #15 Records Building, #16 Sherrif Annex Building

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 read aloud the above statement. 

 Regina Davis, 315 W Washington St Quincy, FL

Davis was confused on ranking these priorities.

 Dixon stated every municipality has been invited to submit what their priorities were.

 Green stated every municipality had opportunity to submit something to county.

 Green stated in future, have cut-off date of receiving projects

 Simpkins asked if submitted in writing a request to send that to them.

Simpkins stepped out at 4:17 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 4:19 p.m.

Sheila Knowles, 528 E. Park Ave. Tallahassee, Fl 32301

 Ms. Knowles appeared before the Board to discuss Legislative priorities.

Adjournment
Chair adjourned at 5:52 p.m.