Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair called workshop to order at 4 p.m. Chair led into Invocation and 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.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 on the County’s website at www.gadsdencountyfl.gov.

  Chair read above

GENERAL BUSINESS

1.

Introduction

   Dixon introduced. Stated there will be a highlighted presentation

Simpkins arrived at 4:05 p.m.

2.

Preliminary Budget Discussion

  Jenifer Burgess appeared. Mentioned discussing economy snapshot

  Went through page 2 of packet.

  Explained inflation can have several effects on local gov

  Went through legislative outlook

  proposed const. amendments Would provide annual inflationary adjustment to exempt value of homestead properties.  

  Mentioned housing trends – local gov rely on property taxes as primary source of revenue

  GC currently at 9 mills

  FL Residential Market Sales Activity chart  

  Went through revenue FY 2024 – 92% of ad valorem taxes received

  Budgeted 30 million and received 22 million

   Burgess went through expenditures of general funds

  Budgeted 30 mill in expenditures

  Summary of fund balance –

Increase in FY 2023 at 9.4 million

  Went through FY 2025 Preliminary Budget outlook

  May see increases in base line budget

  Burgess stated need to take in account salary survey, healthcare & pension costs, EMS & Fire services, cost of installing new fire hydrants, Ad valorem revenue estimate, Housing prices, Capital funding for long term investments in infrastructure and parks, legislative changes, Constitutional Officers, summer youth program, Lines of credit for natural disaster events & construction projects.  

  Burgess went through the new departments: Elderly Affairs, Economic Development, Parks & Rec

   Parks and rec not new department but has a new director

  Chair asked about estimate numbers to fund these new departments

  Burgess stated next workshop will have better idea on what depts. are requesting.

    Chair asked about summer youth program – asked about decrease from CareerSource

  Dixon stated been a change since that convo

  NeSmith stated had convo with exec. Director and will continue to underwrite those students. It has been rectified.

  Chair asked about other 20% for gen. funds

  Burgess stated they did not know, some of it was monthly

  NeSmith wanted to make sure budget is aligned with strategic plan

  Chair stated all that has been asked will be seen in budget

  NeSmith asked about proposed legislation – it could impact ad valorem taxes. Will it be proposed in 2024?

  Burgess stated yes 

  Chair stated not just a county thing, going around all of FL.

  Dixon stated was going to pass with 95% of vote – stated campaign was not really necessary

  NeSmith asked about 16.5 reduction in housing sales – could be misleading

  Burgess stated it includes Tallahassee, Jackson, Wakulla  

  NeSmith stated would like to see stat for only Gadsden         

  NeSmith asked Dixon if additional revenue streams that are available

  Dixon stated yes – will send options

  NeSmith mentioned summer youth – school ended last week; summer youth will start when?

  Dixon stated June 24^th  

  NeSmith mentioned Elderly Affairs – If there were additional grants/ resources

  Dixon stated has not been able to win one yet – has had convos about doubling efforts to go after funding – program has to generate additional funding.

  NeSmith mentioned deficit in EMS

  Dixon stated has been looking at a deficit as they run the program month to month. Looking into what they could do, it was a necessary service.

  NeSmith asked if they could get quarterly ad valorem revenue

  Simpkins stated need to think about the homestead exemption – it will have big impact on them. They cannot be dependent on taxes from citizens

  Simpkins asked what was the return on investments being spent with each department. 

  Simpkins mentioned putting policy in place for salaries

  Simpkins asked CA when will the next budget meeting be

  Dixon stated will try to get things done – set on numbers.

  NeSmith asked if CA will meet with them individually and Dixon stated yes.    

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned workshop at 4:52 p.m.