1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

   Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m. and led into a moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance.    

    4.

Amendments and Approval of Agenda

   Morris asked to pull 6.a

  Green stated spoke with Attorney about employees being on suspension and asked for it to be added. Chair stated to add it as item 11.c

 Green motion to add item 11.c / Holt 5-0

    5.

Approval of Agenda

 Holt/ Green 5-0

    6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

Economic Development Presentation

    7.

Consent

  Wood pulled 7.e for discussion

Green/Holt 5-0

7a.    Ratification Memo

7b.    BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

1.       December 17, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

7c.    Approval and Signature(s) for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien

7d.    Public Officials Bond Review

7e.    Approval of Staff to Engage Clemons Rutherford & Associates Inc., (CRA) to Develop a Work Authorization for the Required Professional Architectural Services for the Chattahoochee Library Telehealth and Career Center Grant Funded Project

7f.    Approval of Older American Act Program III -American Rescue Plan Amended Contract

7g.    Approval of the FY 2025-26 Proposed Budget Calendar

7h.    Approval of Gadsden County Indigent Burial Service Provider

    8.

Items pulled for Discussion

7e.    Approval of Staff to Engage Clemons Rutherford & Associates Inc., (CRA) to Develop a Work Authorization for the Required Professional Architectural Services for the Chattahoochee Library Telehealth and Career Center Grant Funded Project

  Wood stated would like some adjustments

  Morris stated county received 3 million; will have opportunity to construct for hurricane

Asking for approval of drawings

Green/Wood 5-0

    9.

Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items (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 on the County’s website at www.gadsdencountyfl.gov.

  Chair read aloud the above statement.

Eddie Richardson, 536 Circle Drive

  Mr. Richardson appeared before the board to discuss affordable housing.

Jane Dixon, 4204 Grove Park Dr. Tallahassee, FL

  Ms. Dixon appeared. Works with consulting firm where they assist housing authorities to acquire affordable housing. She stated they could maybe enter in agreement to utilize property on Strong Rd.  

Simpkins stepped out at 6:14 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 6:14 p.m.

10.

Public Hearing

11.

General Business

11.a

Board Approval of the State Division of Emergency Management FEMA Public Assistance Grant Agreement #Z4924 for Hurricane Helene

  Morris presented

Holt/ Wood 5-0

11.b

Board Approval of a Contract with Purvis-Gray in Response to RFP 24-02 Professional Public Officials Bond Review.pdf CRA work Authorization.pdf OAA-III Amended Contract.pdf FY25-26 Proposed Budget Calendar.pdf Indigent Burial Service Provider.pdf 2 Auditing Services

  Morris presented.

  Holt asked Attorney if contract was good – Williams stated yes,

Wood/ Holt 5-0 

11.c

Discussion of Employee Suspensions

  Green stated situation needed attention. They have employees on leave with pay and wants to make motion to allow staff to continue admin investigation to get closure

  William stated to have outside firm do investigation – asked to be involved himself since it is a law firm.

  Wood stated not sure about attorney being involved- green stated he was fine with Williams being involved 

  Green asked for cost.

  Burroughs appeared and stated the cost is flat fee of $9,850 

Green motion to hire firm for investigation/ Wood  

  Green withdrew motion

Holt motion to … / Green 5-0

  Attorney stated needed a motion for…

  Attorney wanted to be clear that this event happened before he got here.   

  Simpkins stated for attorney to look at firms and chair decides who to go with for the investigation

Motion to authorize attorney ….

Holt/ Green 5-0

12.

Clerk of Court

  Mr. Thomas appeared before the board to discuss reports he has sent. Went through a grants report. Total of 55 grants totaling $52 million

  Most are reimbursable – need to front the money   

  Clerk mentioned the Interest earnings report – Clerk does not receive any of that money.

  Clerk mentioned road paving report

  Clerk mentioned the half cent tax – a lot of money that is undispersed - 5.1 million dollars

  Clerk stated starting new pay period will bring tax collector for payroll purposes.  Need fund of their own.

  holt asked what was the purpose – Clerk stated they get audited separately, this was just for payroll

  Clerk mentioned payment of bills – everything they do is effort to get clean audit report which they have always got. Also, to follow the law. When Clerk questions something, board should answer. Was frustrating to hear comments about not paying things; they have a duty to fulfill and if they have a question, they could call the finance director.

  Clerk mentioned cybersecurity – requested in the budget on June 1^st for funding. It was not funded and he was disappointed.

  Chair asked about licensing – Clerk stated it was different from cybersecurity, they needed funds to cover cost of equipment and they still need that money.

  Chair stated to bring it back as an agenda item

  Holt asked if required by finance to put minutes from approval of board to attach to invoice.

  Clerk stated it was a routine thing; finance director may ask for add. info.   

  Simpkins asked for Clerk to submit request again.

  Green thanked Clerk for coming. Was under impression they already approved this through GR fund

  Clerk stated board decided to fund EMS through ARPA and now other projects will be funded through GR

  Wood asked about 5 million for hospital – Clerk stated

Green stepped out at 7:05 p.m.

Green returned at 7:07 p.m.

Wood stepped out at 7:10 p.m.

13.

County Attorney

   13.a Request for a Shade Meeting for:

1) Jackson vs. Gadsden County

2) Gadsden County Republican Party Executive Committee vs. Gadsden County

Holt/ Green 4-0

Wood returned at 7:13 p.m.

14.

County Administrator

  Morris stated…

  Morris mentioned Project by Sheriff

  Colonel Collins appeared and provided overview. asked for 34k to fund initial phase of task force 

  Green asked what they were asking from other municipalities – Collins stated not asking them, just their commitment.  

  Holt asked if any other grants they can apply for - Collins stated there are grants

  Green asked about funding source – Morris stated he can take a look and maybe could move things around without going into reserve.

  Wood motion to give authority to Morris to find money and if not found, come back in emergency mtg

  Simpkins asked if 2 weeks was too long – Collins stated it was too long for him, his issue is the funding source

  Williams recommends to direct Morris to find amend. In budget to spend within his threshold and if cannot find money, bring amend. back to board.      

Holt/ Green 5-0

15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

15a.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Asked if they plan to come together to plan or are they just doing an email.

Chair stated he wants a meeting and has always wanted that over an email.

Green stepped out at 7:45p.m.

 Green returned at 7:47p.m.

Simpkins stated the 16^th would be good for the municipality meeting at 4 p.m.

  Simpkins asked where they were at with the … Morris stated will get with Planning and Zoning

  Simpkins mentioned striping – Morris stated they were finding own equipment to do it themselves   

  Curtis Young appeared and stated it was only for residential – not for main roads

  Simpkins stated to look at railroad tracks – Young stated will bring list of railroad tracks to the board  

  Simpkins requested that HR director advertise position for County Administrator and to have… so that emails go directly to them.

  Simpkins request workshop for 13^th

Wood stepped out at 8:00 p.m.

  Special meeting on 14^th at 5 p.m.

 Wood returned at 8:02 p.m.

15b.

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

  Wood asked for update on Cane Creek and Millpond

  Young stated they will get funding for temp repair on Cane Creek

Holt returned at 8:07 p.m.

   Wood mentioned county administrator –

  Holt stated there was no cause stated when CA was terminated

  Wood stated in the future, would like for the Commissioners to decide      

  Green stated all of this should have been taken into consideration when they decided to terminate CA. 

  Wood wanted more attention on buildings  

15c.

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

15d.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green mentioned Old Federal Road issue

  Green stated would like to name buildings after …

  Green had a legislative ask in regards to tiny homes.

    Morris stated no new ordinance needed for tiny homes in FL

 Green mentioned signage for Lake Talquin drowning victims

  Morris stated there will be a dedication for them; they have the signage. 

15e.

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, Chairman, District 1

  Chair mentioned striping and lighting – need workshop 

16.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 9:11