1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

    4.

Amendments to the Agenda

  Morris stated the below amendments

Request to be added under Consent:  7.i.  Task Work Order - WSB Engineering FDOT Grant Application Process

Request to be added under Consent:  7.j.  New Chairman Facsimile Stamp

Request to pull item 7.c - Agreement to allow USDA Service Center contract lease to move to a month-to-month until a new request for lease extension is received from the USDA Coordinator

Request to pull item 11.f.:  Approval of a Lease Agreement with the City of Quincy for Property Identified for the Boys and Girls Club

  Green asked to add employee suspensions for discussion

  Green stated wants direction from attorney

  Williams stated they should have report in 3-4 weeks with investigation for employees; recommended to bring this back once investigation is completed

   Green also wanted to add to advisory board for hiring an administrator

  Green stated they voted for the board, should expedite process

  Holt stated would like to add budget director position to agenda; Simpkins recommended her to discuss it in her comments section.

  Wood request to pull item 7.e for discussion

    5.

Approval of Agenda

Holt/ Wood 5-0

    6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

    7.

Consent       

  Green motion to approve consent excluding item 7.e / Holt 5-0

7.a - Ratification Memo

(Clerk of Court)

7.b - BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

1. December 9, 2024, Special Meeting

2. December 17, 2024, Regular BOCC Meeting

7.c - Agreement to allow USDA Service Center contract lease to move to a month-to-month

until a new request for lease extension is received from the USDA Coordinator

7.d - Ratification for Approval for the Chairman to sign the 2025 Older Americans Act Grant

Contract

7.e - Approval of the Agreement for Gadsden County Legislative Advocacy Public Relations

Services

7.f - Approval of the Judicial Inquiry System (JIS) Inter-Agency Agreement provided through the

Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA)

7.g - Approval of Adopt-A-Road Agreement with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Pi Psi Lambda

Chapter

7.h - FDOT Grant Application/ Resolution

7.i - Task Work Order - WSB Engineering FDOT Grant Application Process

7.j - New Chairman Facsimile Stamp

    8.

Items pulled for Discussion

7.e - Approval of the Agreement for Gadsden County Legislative Advocacy Public Relations

Services

  Wood stated going to pay 70k, thought it would 30-40k; asked where did that come from

  Morris stated this was a request from this organization to continue services.

  Chair stated last year was 60-65k

  Al Lawson appeared and stated it was always 75k; has brought about 89 million to the county over the last year. Legislative meeting will be on Feb. 24  

  Attorney stated when he spoke with Lawson, both contracts were lump sum payment of 75k immediately; after talking with him, he is doing what he considered more appropriate which is where he fills it out of every month and gets payment of 1/12 of it.

  Wood stated his concern was how late in the game they are with getting things to legislature.

  Green/ Holt 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.

Jevin Matthew, 1140 W Clark St. Quincy, FL

  Mr. Matthew from CareerSource appeared to discuss what they have done. Stated they have ran out of money for training since they have had already 28 people since start of year.

Cynthia Davis Holloway, 50 Dora & Buster Rd. Quincy, FL

  Ms. Holloway appeared before the board. Chairman of GC Black Heritage Cultural Organization. Thanked them for supporting for 45 years. Invited all to parade on Feb. 22 at 11 a.m.

  Simpkins asked if there were additional activities or just parade and festival; Holloway stated she was chairman of parade only.

Bishop Willie Green, 296 Bradwell Road Quincy, FL

  Bishop appeared and thanked them for serving the county. 

Pastor C. Hill, 40 Sweet St. Havana, FL

  Pastor Hill appeared on behalf of Gadsden Wellness Center.  

Pastor J. Gordon

  Pastor Gordon appeared on behalf of Gadsden Wellness Center.

Holt stepped out at 7:20 p.m.

Gary Michael, 6429 Havana Hwy

  Mr. Michael appeared before the board to discuss Gadsden Wellness Center.

Green stepped out at 7:23 p.m.

Holt returned at 7:24 p.m.

Pat Michael, 6429 Havana Hwy

  Pat Michael appeared to discuss activities at the center.

Green returned at 7:28 p.m.

James Hinson, 265 Hayward Dupont St. Midway, FL

  Hinson appeared to discuss Gadsden Wellness Center and what they’ve done as far as travel. 

Sherrie Taylor, 217 W Clark St. Quincy, FL

  Taylor appeared before the board and stated they are asking for funding of 45k for Gadsden Wellness Center. 

  Green asked if this would be a yearly ask; Ms. Taylor stated she hoped not.

   Holt stated this should be under general business

  Taylor stated Gadsden Wellness needs their help; did not mind coming back

  Simpkins motion to approve 45k for Gadsden Wellness Center

  Attorney stated they are required to have a balanced budget and when they approve funds, they have item on agenda and with money outlining where its coming from

  Simpkins stated when a citizen comes requesting funds to put it on agenda and to give her an opportunity to vote up or down.

  Simpkins motion for this to be on next meeting/ Wood 5-0

  Chair mentioned having a special meeting on this next week 

  Chair stated they excluded Boys & Girls club and Senior citizens

Simpkins stepped out at 7:59 p.m.

  Green stated has no problem with special meeting due to sense of urgency

  Holt stated they need a budget director looking into this; they may not be able to move money around.

Green stepped out at 8:04 p.m.

Green returned at 8:05 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 8:08 p.m.

  Wood stated they need to be professional and do things the correct way   

Green stepped out at 8:13 p.m.

Green returned at 8:15 p.m.

Dr. Camrum Browning, 4034 FL GA Hwy Havana, FL

  Browning appeared before the board.

  Browning stated was here to submit formal proposal for funding of 300k; Browning Medical & Wellness

  Chair stated Browning was willing to work Mon-Fri and that was unheard of 

  Wood stated Clerk mentioned 7 million unspent for hospital

  Holt stated this was a workshop; thought it was a great idea.

   Green stated would like to go through brochure; sounded like it would be worth the investment

   Holt stated to meet with all entities

  Chair stated would like to bring this back in 2 weeks so the board can vote 

  Simpkins requesting this be brought back in next mtg

  Holt stated they all want healthcare and this had nothing to do with him; need to look at the county as a whole.

  Green stated to have a workshop in between the 2 weeks.

  Mayor Basset appeared and stated residents are worried about not being able to see a doctor due to Dr. Newberry’s retirement.       

  Mayor appeared.

Dorothy Thomas, 586 Shiloh Road

Item 11.d

   10.

Public Hearing

   11.

General Business

  11.a

Appointments to the Gadsden County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

Morris presented the above item.

Holt/Green 4-0

  11.b

Approval of State Funding Grant Agreement for Cane Creek Bridge # 504020

   Morris presented

Holt/ Wood 5-0

  11.c

Approval of Hanna Mill Pond Road Closure Agreement

  Morris presented

Holt/ Wood 5-0

  Morris expanded on item.  

  11.d

Appointment to the Tourist Development Council

  Morris presented

Holt/ Green 5-0

  11.e

Approval of Task Orders with the Integrity Group for Office of Management and Budget

Services

  Morris presented.

Wood/ Green 5-0

 11.f

Approval of a Lease Agreement with the City of Quincy for Property Identified for the Boys

and Girls Club

Pulled.

  11.g

Approval of Appointments to the Apalachee Regional Planning Council (ARPC)

  Morris presented.

  Holt stated would like to continue on this council

Wood/ Green 5-0  

  11.h

Approval of the landscaping and ongoing maintenance of the memorial site commemorating

the tragic drowning event of August 18, 1962, along with the installation and upkeep of a

Life Jacket Station at Robinson’s Landing

  Morris presented.

Green/Wood 5-0

  11.i

Approval of the Off-System Bridge Project Agreement, Right of Way Resolution, and Road

Closure Resolution for Little River Bridge

  Morris presented

Holt/ Green 5-0

Wood stepped out at 8:23 p.m.

  11.j

Approval of Resolution 2025-015 Grant Budget Amendment for FY2025

  Morris presented.

Green/ Simpkins 4-0

  11.k

Approval of Resolution 2025-18 Budget Amendment for FY2025

  Morris presented.

Simpkins/ Green 4-0

  12.

Clerk of Court

No updates.

  13.

County Attorney

No updates.

  14.

County Administrator

No updates.

  Chair mentioned hiring freeze and asked if they have it now; Morris stated they do not have a hiring freeze.

  Chair stated they need to be careful about how they spend money now. 

Wood returned at 8:25 p.m.

  Holt stated they never voted to have a hiring freeze

  Green asked if they were looking to fill the budget director position; Morris stated they started to look at applications today but none met qualifications.

  Simpkins stated they need a new system in that department

   Simpkins motion for Justin Stiell as Interim County Administrator/Hinson

  Green stated this was same individual that left them and it was kind of puzzling; he was not sure if Stiell wanted to come back  

  Green stated need to reach out to FACT for budget

  Wood stated Clerk was expert in budget and should ask him what he could do to help.

He stated he did not know Mr. Stiell.

  Bishop Willie Green appeared again and stated the process was a little flaw. Urged them to move quicker to find a permanent CA, instead of looking for interim.

  Tracey Stallworth appeared.

  Simpkins motion for Justin Stiell as Interim County Administrator/Hinson 3-2

Green, Holt opposed.

  15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

 15.a

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Simpkins motion for recognition for Katherine Robinson 80^th birthday/ Green 5-0

  Simpkins mentioned light on Shady Rest Rd and stated it has been out. Requesting timeline on when it will be prepared. 

  Simpkins asked about striping; Young stated no budget for striping.

  Simpkins asked about solar panel; Young stated they were ordered and will arrive about next week.

  Simpkins asked if received funding from previous grant cycle; Curtis stated no roads were approved.

  Simpkins mentioned Animal Control

  Allen Meeks appeared and stated he reached out to Jacksonville Humane and they have not answered.      

  Simpkins asked Attorney if they were supposed to follow state statute when they negotiate contracts and execute them.

  Attorney stated yes; the law as it relates to contracts, depends on contract and area.

  Simpkins asked which type of contracts are they supposed to follow state statute; Attorney stated it was never good to give hypothetical on a legal question.

  Simpkins stated they are spending a lot of money on legal services; they have spent 41k in the past month. They took budget up to 300k for legal services.

  Simpkins motion for legal services contract to be terminated/ Hinson

   Green asked what would be the repercussions in doing this. 

  Bishop Green appeared again.

  Tracey Stallworth appeared and stated they are about to cost the county a million dollars.

Stated will go to governor and ask to remove some commissioners from board.     

  Zach, 460 Oak Road, appeared.

  Wood stated he had no say in hiring this county attorney

  Tracey Stallworth appeared.

Wood stepped out at 9:54 p.m.

  Green stated they did not fire the previous attorney; the contract was up and they were on a month-to-month

   Simpkins motion for legal services contract to be terminated/ Hinson 3-2

Green, Holt opposed.

  Attorney stated there were pending legal matters and they need to pick someone quickly. They have appeals due.      

  Chair motion to hire Attorney Louis Baptiste as Interim County Attorney/ Simpkins

Simpkins stepped out at 10:02 p.m.

  Holt stated they cannot hire him without looking into his history

Simpkins returned at 10:03 p.m.

  Green stated they need to have a special meeting on this.

   Ms. Steele came on and said Mr. Baptiste was on the zoom; Did they want to bring him into the conversation.  Hinson said yes, bring him on.

  Mr. Baptiste appeared through Zoom. Chair asked if he would accept position.

  Chair asked to introduce himself.

  Baptiste gave a background on his career.

  Holt asked if he has served as county attorney before and Baptiste stated no.

   Chair motion to hire Attorney Louis Baptiste as Interim County Attorney/ Simpkins 3-1

Green excluded himself due to personal issues

 15.b

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

No comments.

 15.c

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Baptiste asked If motion to terminate county attorney was with or without clause.

Holt motion to send letter to Midway asking them to address CRA funds that county sent/ Green

  Holt mentioned lighting and asked about costs; she asked Young to get back with her on that.     

 15.d

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green stated was not happy with tonight but will move forward

  Informed District 5 citizens of a bear    

Green stepped out at 10:40 p.m.

 15.e

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Chair stated to amend motion

  Baptiste stated he has not reviewed William’s contract; could call a special meeting to determine with or without clause.

  Simpkins motion terminate contract with cause/ Hinson 3-1 Holt opposed.

Holt stepped out at 10:45 p.m.

  Stallworth asked if they were opening to non-profits; Chair stated that would be brought back up  

  16.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 10:48 p.m.