1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

    Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m. Pastor led into Invocation and Chair led into Pledge of Allegiance. 

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

 Green stated Demetrius Branca was here today and wanted to add his presentation to agenda. Green mentioned advisory board and asked to be put on next agenda. Chair stated they could have workshop on it.

Holt appeared at 6:05 p.m.

  Baptiste requested to include the interim contract for county admin for Stiell under his comment section.

  Chair requested to pull item 11.a

   5.

Approval of Agenda

 Green/ Wood 5-0

   6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

  Demetrius Branca appeared before the board and asked to adopt resolution

   7.

Consent

Green/ Simpkins 5-0

7.a Ratification Memo

7.b BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes:

1. January 7, 2025, Regular BOCC Meeting

2. January 14, 2025, Special Meeting

3. January 16, 2025, Legislative Priorities Workshop

4. January 21, 2025, Emergency Meeting

7.c Approval of Management Audit Attestation Letter

   8.

Items Pulled for Discussion

   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.

Alexie Rittman, 547 Dusty Hoise Rd. Quincy, FL

  Rittman appeared before the board to discuss concerns of fire service. He mentioned being kicked out of station and being disrespected from county EMS.

  Chair stated they will schedule mtg with EMS

Kimblin NeSmith, 183 Hardaway Hwy Chattahoochee, FL

  NeSmith appeared before the board to discuss youth program. He stated the commissioner’s received proposal that outlined not only the Gadsden Leadership and Law Academy, but also to include summer youth. Those 2 programs blend together.

Officer Vontez Jackson, Sheriff’s Office

  Jackson appeared in regards to NeSmith’s presentation.

Tony Hannah, P.O. Box 481

  Hannah appeared before the board to ask for workshop for PANS program and bus  

   10.

Public Hearing

   11.

General Business

  11.a

Funding Request for Dr. Camron Browning

Item pulled.

Holt stated Mr. Quick from North FL Rural Health was here to give a presentation. Chair stated they have to keep things in order and move on.

 Attorney stated for the record that chair has discretion to accept comment cards.

  Wood stated this item was pulled and he was not sure if Mr. Quick was for Browning or against him. It was not fair for Browning since he was not present. Holt stated she could do it in her comments. 

Holt motion to add presentation from Mr. Quick/ Green 2-3 motion failed

  11.b

Funding Request for Gadsden County Senior Services (Gretna, Midway, Gadsden Wellness, and Greensboro)

 Morris appeared.

  Chair mentioned clerk of court sent out email

  Green stated would like a more detailed convo with them as to what services they provide to seniors

  Morris stated in the past, there was an interlocal agreement for this.

  Latoya Fryson appeared.

  Antonio Jefferson, City Manager of Gretna, appeared and stated would appreciate their continued support.

Simpkins stepped out at 7:33 p.m. and returned at 7:34 p.m.

  Green stated should amend motion, can vote to give money but with intention that they will bring more info. 

  Jefferson stated provides clerk a financial report 

  Simpkins motion to approve funding for Senior Services and include budget amendments and funding being providing with intention of them providing info on what services they provide to seniors/ Green 5-0

  11.c

Approval of the Summer Youth Employment for 150 Students

 Morris presented

  Green asked about budget for this program

  Morris stated did reach out to finance, board budgeted 552k for summer youth

  Chair mentioned extending it to 8 weeks

  Holt stated employers are upset over kids not working; they need to put stipulations

Simpkins stepped out at 7:56 p.m. and returned at 7:59 p.m.

  Simpkins suggested to have workshop on this to determine number of students and what the expectations are. 

  Simpkins motion for workshop/ Wood 5-0

  12.

Clerk of Court

  13.

County Attorney

 Baptiste mentioned clerk report. Clerk received CRA funds from Midway. Needs to be motion to incorporate funds into FY, cannot vote tonight

  Baptiste stated working on fire contract

  Baptiste mentioned employees on leave with pay; recommended to CA to make change to pay status for it to be w/o pay

 Baptiste mentioned changes to the interim county administrator:

         Section 1.d

         Section 3.c

         Section 8, paragraph b, c

Wood stepped out at 8:25 p.m. and returned at 8:27 p.m.

Holt stepped out at 8:30 p.m. and returned at 8:32 p.m.

  Baptiste stated county does have discretion; has not been signed and cannot be a breach of contract.

Simpkins stepped out at 8:42 p.m. and returned at 8:43 p.m.

  Simpkins stated did not see the leave piece; They need Morris in his original position. They need to move Gadsden County forward. She believed Stiell would be an asset at this time.

  Chair motion to not approve interim CA contract/ Green 3-2

  Baptiste stated to rescind previous motion regarding contract from previous mtg 

  Baptiste stated to amend motion to not proceed on both contractual documents 

  Chair motion to not proceed on both contractual agreements for interim county administrator/ Green 3-2

  Green motion to keep Morris as interim until permanent position/ Holt 3-2 

  14.

County Administrator

 Morris stated no grants were in jeopardy at this time… 

  15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

 15.a

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

 Simpkins stated there were changes made to the budget and they have no one in that dept.

   Burroughs appeared and stated it has been a stop and go process. Simpkins mentioned that proposals should’ve came before board.

  Simpkins stated need to schedule mtg with boys & girls club board. 

 15.b

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

 Wood mentioned bridges being down; a lot need to be re-done 

  Wood mentioned million dollars that they were not expecting to get could use it towards infrastructure

 15.c

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

 Holt asked for Mr. Quick to come up. 

  Mr. Quick appeared before the board to provide update on North FL Rural Health.

  Holt stated wants a healthcare workshop

  Holt asked Attorney to look into …

  Holt wants non-profit workshop

  Holt asked Attorney how commissioners put items on agenda- Baptiste stated items has to be sent to administrator.

  15.d

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

 Green asked Morris about budget director position. Morris stated reached out to HR and will look at applications

   Green thanked everyone for the memorial for Lake Talquin drowning victims 

  Green stated temps will drop and will have shelter open on Thursday

 15.e

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

 Chair mentioned bonds 

  16.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 9:47 p.m.