1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair called meeting to order at 6pm.  Chair led into invocation and pledge.

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

  Simpkins requested 7.e. be pulled.

Simpkins/Green 4-0

Simpkins stated due to this bringing people to the county, TDC can fund this.

Simpkins rescinded her motion to pull 7.e. and Green rescinded his 2nd

Holt appeared at 6:04 p.m.

Wood stated saw dust event was not on the agenda.

Wood motion to add sawdust event under 7.d./Green 5-0

   5.

Approval of Agenda

GREEN/HOLT 5-0

   6.

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.

Tracey Stallworth, P.O. Box 1339

  Mr. Stallworth appeared and provided documentation for his request.  He requested $45k to provide food/household supplies for seniors.  Stated he is a 501c3 non-profit.

He stated it will be help for all 6 municipalities.

Holt stated Mr. Stallworth should get with Morris to get the item on the agenda.

   7.

General Business

  7.a

County Administrator’s Position

  Baptiste stated they have been asked to address the application for the County Administrator.  He stated the citizens advisory committee requested to readvertise the position.

Baptiste stated he just handed the board a document which is the advertisement they put out for the CA position.  He stated HR received over 100 applications and only 20 met the requirements.

  Green stated he wants to entertain adding the application to the process.

  Hinson stated everyone has to fill out an application, so he was confused why that was not included.

  Simpkins requested to use the resources they have available to the them as far as the initial recruitment and search itself.  She referenced Florida association of Counties.

  Green asked if there was something specific Simpkins was looking for.

  Simpkins stated they should contact Florida Association of Managers; they supply timeline, and put the advertisement out for the board.

  Mr. Morris requested Ms. Robinson come up; Ms. Robinson appeared and stated the position was advertised with….

  Hinson stated the goals and objectives are listed online.

  Simpkins stated they don’t have the demographic of the communities listed.

  Baptiste requested to seek clarification on the motion.

  Simpkins stated to answer Baptiste question is to add….

  Holt stated goals and objectives are not listed online and she thinks they should be to get a good candidate. 

  Green stated each commissioner come up with 2 questions, email to Morris, and then when they come back for regular meeting address it being on the application.

  Hinson stated staff should submit questions as well and they pick the best 10.

  Wood asked Ms. Robinson what are they sending the applicant; Ms. Robinson stated the whole packet that the commissioners have is what they send.

  Simpkins stated once they submit the 2 questions they need to move along because they keep dragging this process out.

  Simpkins asked Ms. Steele about a video being creating showing who Gadsden County is.

  Baptiste stated the Citizen advisory committee stated they recommended the previous applicants need not apply.

   Baptiste stated they are over the time for this item.

  Mr. Jefferson, Chair for the citizen advisory committee appeared, and stated they did have 5 people that were good candidates but did not want all applicants to reapply.

  Baptiste stated they can’t pick and choose who to tell to reapply, so all applicants need to reapply.   

GREEN MADE A MOTION TO INCLUDE THE APPLICATION /WOOD 5-0

GREEN MADE MOTION THAT EACH COMMISSIONER AND STAFF SELECT 2 QUESTIONS TO SUBMIT TO MORRIS TO BE AGENDA ITEM AT NEXT MEETING/HOLT 5-0

HOLT MADE MOTION THAT APPLICATION IS OPEN TO EVERYONE TO APPLY INCLUDING PREVIOUS APPLICANTS/HINSON 5-0

GREEN MADE MOTION TO MOVE 45 DAYS/HOLT 4-1, SIMPKINS OPPOSED

  7.b

Approval of Funding for the Six Municipalities (Chattahoochee, Greensboro, Gretna, Havana, Midway, and Quincy)

  Morris presented above item. 

  Wood stated the next event is May Day and that’s where the money should go.

  Holt asked about policy and procedure for this item.

  Green stated they all know these events bring people to the county.  He stated he wanted to make sure they are considered as partners.

  Holt stated that’s what they have TDC for is events like May Day.   

  Hinson stated he’s in agreement with May Day as long as all municipalities get the same $10k.

  Mayor Russ of Gretna appeared to provide a video for May Day and a brief description.

Green stepped out at 7:12 p.m.

Green returned at 7:14 p.m.

GREEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM SUBJECT TO A CONTINGENT ADJUSTMENT BY BUDGET DEPARTMENT/HOLT 5-0

  7.c

Approval of Resolution regarding the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

   Baptiste stated this is from the letter the County received from the office of the Governor; He stated the staff needs a motion to be able to complete a letter to send back to the office of the Governor.

  Simpkins asked if they identified a single point of contact; Baptiste stated he is already working with an employee and requested that employee remain the point of contact.

 GREEN MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF TO COMPLETE A LETTER TO SEND BACK TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR/SIMPKINS 5-0

  7.d

Approval of Funding Request for Havana and Chattahoochee 20th of May Celebration

  Chair presented item.

  Holt stated she is in favor of May Day and wants to fund it.

  Green asked what the amount is because it is not listed; Wood stated they did not come up with an amount.

Holt stepped out at 7:25 p.m.

Holt returned at 7:26 p.m.

  Chair asked what Wood thought the actual cost would be; Wood stated he really doesn’t know.

Wood stepped out at 7:27 p.m.

Wood returned at 7:28 p.m.

  Morris asked Ms. Rose to come up; Ms. Rose came up and stated they were tasked with finding money in the budget for the 6 municipalities, May Day, and the mega reunion.

   Simpkins stated there are different amounts listed for 7.b and 7.d but it’s under the same ordinance.

Wood MADE A MOTION TO GIVE $5k EACH/HOLT 5-0

  7.e

Approval of Funding Request for High School Mega Reunions (Havana Northside, East Gadsden, Shanks, Greensboro, and Chattahoochee)

  Morris presented above item. 

  Simpkins stated these particular reunions fall under TDC and they are prepared to fund.

  Ms. Steele stated TDC already funded Havana’s reunion $5k.  She stated TDC can only fund each school $5k each. 

  Chair recognized Ms. Dot for everything she does in the community, and asked her to come forward.

  Ms. Dot came forward and stated she has been with Gadsden County school board for 17-18 years.  She loves her job and the children. 

  Baptiste stated 7.e is going to TDC so they needed to make a motion for that.

  Ms. Carol appeared and thanked the board for supporting the reunions.

WOOD MADE A MOTION TO SEND ITEM TO TDC/GREEN 5-0

   8.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair called motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.