Board of County Commissioners
Gadsden County Tourist Development Council
May 5, 2025
10 a.m.
Present: Carolyn Ford, Chair
Alonzetta Simpkins, County Commissioner
Charles Williams, Midway City Councilman
Ronte Harris, Quincy City Commissioner
Richele Robinson
Staff Present: Leslie D. Steele, Tourist Development Director
Louis Baptiste, Interim County Attorney
Adriana Quijada, Deputy Clerk
Leann Jinks, Clerk Secretary to the Boards
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Welcome
Chair called meeting to order at 10:18 p.m.
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Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance/ Roll Call
Chair led into invocation and pledge of allegiance. Clerk did roll call.
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Regular Meeting
February 3, 2025, Regular Meeting
Harris/ Williams 5-0
b. Discussion and Action FY 25/26 Budget- - (Leslie D. Steele, Tourist Development Council Executive Director, Rose Raynak, Finance Director, Pheshe Bennett, Budget Technician) Steele provided update.
Robinson asked about treasure hunt; Steele stated it was an even that brings people in, just met with committee and they are going to have 7 locations.
Robinson asked if they prepared written report; Steele stated she could ask for one.
Raynak and Bennett appeared before the board to talk about preliminary budget
Raynak stated adding $7500 to dept.
Bennett appeared
Bennett stated there was a reduction in legal advertising
Robinson asked about amount regarding grant fund; Bennett stated $87,800
Robinson asked about black history amount; Steele stated spent $41k
Simpkins asked if they allocated in budget for events that may come up; Steele stated It was in line item 54811
Harris request to follow same guidelines as those requesting ahead of time.
Baptiste stated moving funds to reserve was not an agenda item. Recommends to put it in next agenda
Robinson asked about reunion funding; Steele stated it was 30k
Budget mtg on May 27 Harris/Robinson 5-0
c. Discussion and Action Marketing Funds and Event Grant Fund Request 2025 James A. Shanks Mega Reunion 2025 Greensboro High School Mega Reunion 2025 Chattahoochee High School Mega Reunion 2025 East Gadsden High School Mega Reunion 2025 West Gadsden High School Mega Reunion
d. Discussion and Action Stallworth Associates and Global Annual Juneteenth Celebration Event Grant Fund Request
Steele presented items c & d and recommended to approve these events. Hayes asked about Stallworth event; Steele stated it was an annual event highlighting Juneteenth Robinson mentioned Juneteenth breakfast and asked for itinerary; Steele stated yes, TDC board will have own table.
Harris hoped they do not lose focus on May 20th celebration
Harris motion to approve items c & d /Hayes 5-0
e. Discussion and Action Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism 2024 Payment Request and 2025 Participation
Steele presented
Steele asked for motion to pay Peter Patel travel re-imbursement from 2024 Harris/ Robinson 5-0
f. Discussion and Action for approval of Marketing Strategy- - (Leslie D. Steele, Tourist Development Administrator, Dante Filyau and Michael Hall TDC Marketing Firm MediumFour)
Steele presented.
Filyau and Hall appeared through Zoom.
Steele stated there are 7 phases; phase 4 has started
Steele stated needs motion to approve final strategy
Robinson motion to approve final strategy/ Harris 5-0
request to amend above motion: Robinson motion to pay $75k to Medium Four/ Harris 5-0
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Next Schedule Meetings Budget Meeting on May 27 10 a.m.
August 4th TDC Meeting 10 a.m.
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Adjournment Chair adjourned meeting at 11:42 a.m. |
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