Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

 Chair called meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Mr. Pewitt provided Invocation. Chair led into Pledge of Allegiance.

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

 Dixon stated has one addition Item 12a.

Holt/ Simpkins 5-0

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

1.

Recognition of Mary Bush Smith

 Dixon stated has recognition of Ms. Smith

 Simpkins presented recognition to Ms. Smith.

CONSENT

 Holt/ Simpkins with discussion

 Dixon pulled item 7 for discussion  

 Simpkins asked to pull item 6 for discussion

 Hinson asked to pull item 10 and 12 for discussion

5-0 

2.

Ratification Memo

3.

BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

a.       December 19, 2023 Regular BOCC Meeting

4.

Approval of Task Order (Design/Survey) – Dogtown Road

5.

Approval of Service Contract for Special Magistrate

6.

Approval of Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management

Item pulled for discussion.

7.

Approval of the Agreement for Gadsden County Legislative Advocacy Public Relations Services

Item pulled for discussion.

8.

Approval of payment to Classic Shirts, Inc. for the Veterans Affairs Department

9.

Approval of Policy Number 2024-001 – Public Works Boot Purchasing Policy

10.

 FY 2024 1^st Quarter Expenditure Report of transactions within the County Administrators

Threshold

 Item pulled for discussion.

11.

Public Officials Bond Review

12.

Approval for the Finance Office to Process Payment for Invoices Regarding the Greensboro Mega Reunion

Item pulled for discussion.

12a.

Proposal to Provide Redistricting Services

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

 6.

Approval of Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management

 Dixon stated have another set of vehicles approaching 5-6 years old. Sheriffs’ office is in a fleet management program. Would be no vehicle available other than a van if they have one. Opportunity to renew fleets. Staff did research and saw they spend $32,000 a month fixing vehicles.

 Chair asked what was the plan with current vehicles.

 Dixon stated eventually will go into fleet management system and be renewed.

 Simpkins stated she saw where the budget would be $45,000. They were just assuming they were able to get that amount, what happens if they do not.

 Jean Bordis, Accounting Executive with Fleet Management, appeared before the Board. They don’t like using auctions. Only use auctions when vehicles are unsafe.

 Simpkins wanted to make sure it was a benefit to them.

 Bordis stated projected they will save $170,000 over the next ten years.

 NeSmith asked CA if have approved vendor. Dixon stated yes.

 NeSmith mentioned it shows 31 vehicles. Ask if replacing same type of vehicles. Dixon stated the facility has asked to go from trucks to vans.  

 Simpkins asked if repairs are covered.

 Bordis stated maintenance is covered.

 NeSmith mentioned fleet mgmt. agreement #3 and asked what was the amount

 Bordis stated $400   

 NeSmith asked Attorney if any issues that could cause concern

 Attorney asked about open lease vs closed lease.  

 Chair asked about time frame

 Dixon stated they will bring this back to them.

 Chair asked for motion for Item to be tabled until next meeting

Holt/ NeSmith 5-0     

7.

Approval of the Agreement for Gadsden County Legislative Advocacy Public Relations Services

Dixon stated there is a scrivener error. The advocate has asked for addition up to $75,000. $60,000 is budgeted. Reserve for Contingency for add money.

Hinson motion to approve with corrections / Holt

 5-0

10.

 FY 2024 1^st Quarter Expenditure Report of transactions within the County Administrators

Threshold

 Dixon stated they asked for expenditures made within authority that would need approval.

 Daniels appeared before the Board and stated… item came before the Board for approval.

 Hinson asked to bring 12a back. He asked about utility payments. Asked about down payments and process.

 Dixon stated bills associated with Grant under elderly affairs.

 Daniels stated portion is approved with DOEA budget to help with seniors in their program.   

 Hinson asked if all funds come from state dollars. Dixon stated there is no county dollars in utility program.

 Hinson asked if $75,000 was federal. Dixon stated did not put many monies in housing

 Hinson asked if funding comes from state or federal

 Daniels stated that particular item was paid with grant funds.

 Holt stated all monies they get from SHIP are not local. They apply for diff funds to match up.

 Daniles stated Bank of America payments were… That is vendor they are paying.

 Holt/ NeSmith 5-0 

12.

Approval for the Finance Office to Process Payment for Invoices Regarding the Greensboro Mega Reunion

  Dixon stated this for approval for the finance office to process payment for Invoices for the mega reunion in Greensboro. This item was one of those in the Bicentennial. He stated Greensboro came in late and they were not identified specifically and finance has asked to get their approval.

Holt/Hinson second with a question

Hinson stated he read through the packet and asked that they make sure they get rid of the SSN showing on the packet.  

Holt/ Hinson 5-0

CITIZENS REQUESTING TO BE HEARD ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS

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.org 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. 

  Simpkins read aloud the above statement. 

 Rutha Black, 103 Jim Williams Road

 Ms. Black appeared before the Board.  Asked about thought process for wild hogs. Yard is constantly being destroyed and she is afraid.

 Hinson stated there were some in District 2.

Dixon said by next meeting might have plan; think have been working with IFAS

Robbie Jones, IFAS Director, appeared before the Board.  Will need to hire at least 2 animal control officers to monitor traps, also have costs with euthanasia costs.

 NeSmith stepped out 7:29 pm

Holt asked about large animals, big cats.

Hinson said saw one in Havana.   

PUBLIC HEARINGS

13.

Public Hearing (Quasi-Judicial) – Re-submission of Conditional Approval for the Havana RV Park Conceptual/Preliminary Site Plan (SP 2022-04)

  Stiell presented above item.

  Holt asked if could put on screen pg. 40 of 112 showing the property

  Robert George appeared before the Board.

  Chair asked who did traffic study.

  George stated DOT came back without seeing the study, and made comment that they need turning lane. It was prior to the study being done.

  Simpkins stated trucks are in Boisie constantly. 10% is low coming from that area.

  Simpkins asked if property is before the old Hobbit. George stated yes.

  Simpkins asked about residence

  Stiell stated they did not do citizen bill of rights. Mail ins were sent to all residents. Board has previously approved this. Only exception is what was before them now.       

  Holt moved to approve with turning lane and without the title/ NeSmith 5-0 

GENERAL BUSINESS

14.

Appointment of Commissioner and Alternate to the Canvassing Board

 Dixon presented above.

 Chair made motion to appoint Simpkins/ Holt 5-0

Attorney stated it read that Chief Judge must appoint alternate member

 Holt made motion to table alt member/ NeSmith 5-0

15.

Board Direction on Gadsden County Legal Services

 Dixon presented above item.

 Holt motion for item to be bided out/ Green

 Hinson thought they should give it one year instead of 2 years for this.

 Simpkins agreed with Hinson. 

 NeSmith stated they need more attention from legal services in house. Have issues with Ordinances that have not been reviewed. 

  Holt stated they have discussed this for a few months now. Can decide how RFP can be written. Need to look at performance.

  Simpkins needed clarification on things not done and whose end was this on. Need to extend this for period of time.

  NeSmith stated current law firm has not presented any deficiencies. Contract has come of point of renewal.

  Simpkins stated contract itself needed to be looked at. 

  Holt stated does require to put out RFP. If there was a problem, she brought it up with Mr. Pittman. 

3-2

16.

Discussion of Previously approved Ordinance No.: 2023-07 Amending Chapter 2 of the Code of Laws of Gadsden County, Florida, by Amending Sections 2-141 and 2-142 Relating to Expenditures for Miscellaneous Purposes

  Dixon presented above item

  Simpkins requesting amount to be amended. If there are purchases needed to be made, anything over $1,500 needs to come before them for miscellaneous purchases

Motion failed due to no second

CLERK OF COURT

17.

Updates

  No updates.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

18.

Updates

 Dixon stated will have updated list of items on parks.

Legislature is off and running, already passing bills

COUNTY ATTORNEY

19.

Updates

 No updates.

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

20.

Commissioner Eric Hinson, Vice-Chair, District 1

 Hinson mentioned a post:

Need to keep in mind the time is always right to do what’s right.

 Hinson reminded to turn on faucets tonight

 Hinson mentioned Congressman Lawson and his wife and praying for them.

Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith, Chair, District 3

 NeSmith wished Simpkins a happy belated birthday.

 NeSmith mentioned CRT event was phenomenal.

 Thanked City of Gretna for cleaning

  NeSmith asked Chair if any facilities to accommodate the homeless due to cold weather.     

  Chair stated hours the facilities will be open.

  Chair solicitated that some of churches could volunteer to provide food

  NeSmith mentioned to CA about sign on courthouse lawn. 

  Wanted citizens of this County to stay warm

Commissioner Brenda Holt, District 4

 Holt asked for update on Stevens School

 Dixon stated beginning discussion on available space.

 Stiell stated … came back with comments last week about addressing things. 

 Holt asked about info on. Asked CA to bring info before the Board.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

 Simpkins stated citizens… needed to know how could be a better assistance to her citizens during this time.  

 Dixon stated the City does not have meters that are read by system.

 Mentioned Jamieson Road and stated it needed some attention. 

 Mentioned Lake Talquin and need to look at getting channels marked.

 Thanked everyone for New Years Brunch

 Mentioned Attapulgus Hwy and asked status

 Young appeared before the Board. Started working on it yesterday.

 Mentioned lights. CA stated developing RFP.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

 Mentioned Lake Talquin

 Mentioned High Bridge Rd., asked about status

 Young appeared before the Board again. Stated looking at a 4 way stop.

 Asked for recognition for his Pastor Willie Green.

Holt/ NeSmith 5-0   

  Hinson mentioned a lot of accidents in Midway.   

  Chair stated they needed to have convo with dispatch.

  Dixon stated the way dispatch is set up is becoming problematic. 

  Hinson provided green light moment:

“The time is always right to do what is right”.

21.

Memo: Expenditures from Line Item 0001-54805 for October 1, 2023 - December 13, 2023

MOTION TO ADJOURN

 Chair adjourned meeting at 9:05 pm.