Call to Order, Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair called workshop to order at 4 pm. Chair provided Invocation and led into Pledge of Allegiance. 

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. 

  Chair read aloud the above statement.

John Browning, 408 China Berry Lane

  Mr. Browning would like to request funding for his dept of $75k.

  Stated not enough money in stipend program

Jim Roberts, 2875 Mt. Pleasant Rd.

  Mr. Roberts appeared.  Had issue with liability part of insurance. Stated they are fire dept first not just a nonprofit

Robert Maxwell

  Mr. Maxwell appeared.  

Kendrah Wilkerson, 711 N. Main St. Havana, Danny Hunter, 202 E Lake Road

  Made requests for changes

  Chair requested to come back to this and have separate workshop due to the many changes

  Chair stated no problem if want to present it now but would prefer to have more time

Chair stated will get with Admin office to schedule workshop with Town of Havana, City of Gretna and Midway?

Holt stated Attorney needs time to go over this as well.    

Tabatha Nelson, 216 Country Club Drive  

General Business

1.       Discussion and direction regarding the Fire Services Contracts

  Daniels presented item. Discussion will be led by EMS Director Chief Hood

  Chief Hood appeared.

  Chair asked if had any numbers on what insurance would look like

Simpkins appeared at 4:11 p.m.

  Chief stated crazy amount

Requested 3-year contract instead of one year for unincorporated areas

  Chief Hood mentioned the Stipend program 

  Chair asked about the incentive part of it.

  Commissioner Holt asked   

  Holt asked purpose for 24 hr notice

  NeSmith stated 2 issues they have. Asked Attorney if any volunteer fire dept currently have any liability insurance.

Attorney stated not to his knowledge.   

  NeSmith stated commission has spoken passionately about this. Want first responders to have all tools. Many issues that are diff in each fire dept. Would have been easier with just one Gadsden County fire dept.

  Attorney stated not made liability insurance a requirement    

  Chair stated this was a complicated piece. Did not have numbers to know

  Holt stated fire depts. need liability. Asked if had stipend before.

  Simpkins asked Attorney if they had liability for fire dept.

  Chief Walker stated fire dept covered under county liability

  Simpkins asked they are currently covered,

Walker stated that was his understanding from what she said

  Hinson stated a lot of lingering questions. Asked if could add additional amount to cover insurance.

  Daniels stated if they are currently being covered under the County liability insurance, they are already covering that       

  Attorney stated

Chair stated for CA to provide more info and talk more on this at regular meeting Tuesday

  Roberts stated in regard to trucks out of service, the County

   Mr. Paramore stated spoke with John Pat

What was in question was the non-own county apparatus.

Simpkins stepped out at 5:22 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 5:22 p.m.   

  Holt stated on page 9, should fill out tax form 

  Simpkins believed they need to give stipend to vol fire depts. Roster gives them record of who reported to fires.

  Chair stated may be some dept that do not use all $7,500. Maybe need something in writing

  Chief Hood stated most changes are the same. Red line thru Havana, they presented own contract

  Ms. Wilkerson stated when met with staff,

Stated Havana had similar concerns. Consider Havana included in this contract, made same changes and requests in this version.  

  Holt stated if have firefighters trained, need them to be where needed and be mobile.

  Hinson stated more convenient if someone lives in that area.

  Holt stated she stated that bc improves ISO rating

  Simpkins asked Chief Hood if met with Chattahoochee and Greensboro and if they were fine with contract. Chief Hood stated that was correct.   

  Simpkins stated they have dragged this out; met at tri-eagle a few months back. Need to get to a point where everything is not an emergency and not wait till last minute.

  Chief Hood brought to their attention that the contract also lists Chattahoochee and Greensboro with the Town of Havana. Wanted to be transparent; had concerns about new contract that was presented 30 min ago showing Chattahoochee and Greensboro.

   Chair asked Chief if could reach out to Chattahoochee and Greensboro so they could be on same page.

   Holt stated no way they could look at contract they just saw. Can only negotiate contract for so long.

  Commissioner Simpkins mentioned Town of Havana extension. Chair stated it is on Agenda for Tuesday  

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned workshop at 6:33 p.m.