Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

   Vice-chair started meeting at 6:01 pm. Ms. Thomas provided Invocation and led into Pledge of Allegiance  

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

  Dixon stated no amendments.

NeSmith/ Green 4-0

Awards, Presentations and Appearances

1.

Recognition of Shontel Rittman

 Hinson stated Rittman was not here

2.

Recognition of Don White

 Hinson presented recognition of Don White

Holt appeared at 6:09 p.m.

3.

Recognition of The Pi Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

  Hinson presented recognition of the Pi Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

4.

Recognition of Ruby Bradley

  NeSmith presented recognition of Ruby Bradley

CONSENT

  Vice-chair asked for motion

NeSmith/Holt 4-0 

5.

Ratification Memo

6.

BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

a.       March 5, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

b.      March 12, 2024 Havana Fire Services Workshop

7.

Approval to Sell Surplus Vehicles at Auction

8.

Approval of Contract Extension with AECOM, Inc.

9.

Approval and Signature on the E911 2024 Spring Rural County Grant Application for E911 System and MapFlex Annual Support and Maintenance

10.

Approval of the Johnson Control Planned Service Agreement for Backflow and Hydrant Inspection at the W.A. Woodham Building

ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION

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. The Board’s meetings are also broadcast live on the Board’s Facebook page.

  Vice-Chair read aloud the above statement.

John Browning, 408 China Berry Lane, Havana, FL 32333

   Concord Volunteer Fire Department Additional Funding

Letter of Support for Concord VFD to become a Special Fire Control District

Karen Bass, 407 E 9^th Ave Havana

  Ms. Bass appeared before the Board to discuss Havana contract.

Janice Eakin, 474 Timber Run, Havana 32333

  Ms. Eakin appeared. Stated the vote they take tonight for Havana contract could be life or death.  

PUBLIC HEARINGS

GENERAL BUSINESS

11.

Board Direction regarding the Interlocal Fire and Rescue Service Agreement Between Gadsden County, Florida, and the Town of Havana, Florida

Holt returned at 6:48 p.m.

   Hinson stated would like Board to approve Attachment B Havana Contract

  Green asked if anyone from Havana was there. Council Bass appeared. Green asked what legislative act did they ask to assist with any services in Havana. Council Bass stated they have asked for support to redo the Havana police station. Hopefully Governor would sign

  NeSmith stated received several letters regarding this issue. Need better process.

  Simpkins stated going back and forth about 25k; they spend that in one activity. The dynamics are so different and they gave instructions for a process which was to meet with each fire dept.

  Holt stated she looks at data. She stated several other counties that do not have this kind of system and there was a reason for that. Willing to vote for a full-time station in Dogtown and putting in fire hydrants needed.

   Candice Tremble appeared and mentioned fire insurance.

  Hinson stated he thought he was coming to just approve it and that it would be a no-brainer.

  Simpkins stated fair is not always equal. Need to do the right thing and they have work to do.

  Green asked to give the real number, not 25k. Simpkins said 25k to increase contract and up to 25k for Stipend.

  Green asked about cost analysis; wants to be realistic about the numbers. Asked what they were looking at if Havana walked away. Dixon stated did not have cost analysis

  Ms. Eakin appeared again.

  Jim Cohen appeared before the Board.

Green stated no issue with funding but more of the contract part.

   Lauren Gydis, 132 Small Pond Road, Havana FL     

  Tabatha Nelson appeared. 

Hinson/Simpkins 2-3

Motion failed

  Holt motion for attachment A, County Contract with Havana/ NeSmith 4-1

12.

Approval and Implementation of the Compensation Study

  Dixon presented above

Hinson asked to bring back and vote on it; have workshop first.

Hinson motion to table item and have workshop

Motion died due to no second.

  Simpkins stated she requested salary analysis for every position; was comfortable going through phase

  Hinson stated should have workshop when dealing with money

  Green stated spoke with management and worked through his questions 

  Burroughs appeared. Went through plan and phases 

 Green/NeSmith 5-0

13.

Approval of the Gadsden County Implementation Plan, Health and Human Services Department and Coordinator Position

  Dixon presented above.

Green motion to approve item and exclude half cent/ Holt 5-0   

CLERK OF COURT

14.

Updates

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

15.

Updates

Bulky items reminder.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

16.

Updates

Thanked everyone who showed up for a funeral.  

DISCUSSION ITEMS BY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Ronterious Green, Chair, District 5

Asked to wear blue next meeting for autism

17.

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Hinson said District 1 will start bulky items pickup.  

  Recognition for Autism Awareness Month/ NeSmith 4-0 

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Thanked everyone for proclamation for Ruby Bradley.   

  Asked CA why Housing was moved upstairs. CA stated there were space requirements and privacy requirements to think about 

Commissioner Kimblin E. NeSmith, J.D., District 3

  Stated Lake Talquin Open was awesome.

  Asked CA about Summer Youth

  Burroughs appeared and gave brief update on Summer Youth

  Mentioned special fire control district and asked about revenue sources. CA stated they were talking about looking at that

  Asked CA about Providence Rd; CA stated in design phase.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Stated as a commissioner, initial goal was to prioritize transparency and fiscal responsibility. 

  Bothers her when she hears people saying they still don’t have anything for their citizens; they need to move on tangible things that their citizens can see.

  Stated they are growing but have a long way to go; taking too long when getting funding. 

  Need to make sure engaging citizens 

  Make sure that when they leave those seats, that they have a positive lasting effect on this county 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Chair adjourned meeting at 10:35 p.m.