1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

   Chair called meeting to order at 6 p.m. Bishop Green led into invocation and Chair led into Pledge of Allegiance.  

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

  Morris stated below amendments:

Pull item 11.d.

Add item 11.f 

  Holt wanted to add PAMS program to agenda and healthcare bus funding

  Baptiste stated looked into PAMS and bus; spoken with Rev. Hannah

  Baptiste recommends for commission to not take action with funding for PAMS and bus

 Holt stated it was for discussion; Chair stated to get legal concerns out of way first

 Simpkins motion to approve amendments/ Hinson 4-1

Holt opposed

Chair mentioned Green was online.

   5.

Approval of Agenda

Simpkins/ Wood 4-1

Holt opposed

  Simpkins motion to remove item 6.b/ Wood 5-0

  6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

6.a Recognition of the Big Bend Rodeo

  Simpkins stated they did not formally recognize the rodeo and wanted this on agenda.

  Simpkins presented proclamation to Big Bend Rodeo.   

6.b Recognition of Ms. Aliza Hutley

Pulled.

  7.

Consent

   Holt/ Wood 5-0

7.a Ratification Memo

7.b BOCC Meeting/Workshop Minutes

7.b.1.  April 1, 2025, BOCC Regular Meeting

7.b.2.  April 3, 2025, Public Safety Coordinating Council Meeting

7.c. Code Enforcement Lien Satisfaction

7.d. Approval of the State of Florida Department of Revenue Child Support Program Standard Sheriff’s Contract

7.e. Approval of 2024 Older Americans Act Program III Amended Contract

7.f. CareerSource Capital Region Interlocal Agreement Amendment

7.g. A Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Gadsden County, Florida, Expressing Its Support for the Designation of Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO), Formerly Known as Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC)

7.h. Approval of Settlement Agreement with Coombs/Geathers/Lawson v. Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners

7.i. Approval of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) RWQ 25-01 Asbestos Inspections of Private Residential Dwellings

7.j. Approval of the ‘Old Courthouse Renovation 2^nd Phase’ Agreement (No. 25. h.sc.100.009) issued by the Department of State

7.k. Approval of the Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment Agreement (No. 23PLN40) Amendment No. 1 presented by the Department of Environmental Protection

7.l. Adopt-A-Road Agreement with the Gadsden County 4-H Saddle Club

7.m. Approval of 2025 Small County Consolidated Waste Grant Application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

7.n. Approval of Donation to Crossroad Academy

   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. 

Gary Murray, 481 Woodberry Rd

  Murray was not present.

   10.

Public Hearing

   11.

General Business

 11.a.

Approval of Resolution 2025-028 Grant Budget Amendment for FY2025

  Morris presented.

Simpkins/ Holt 5-0

 11.b.

Appointments for the Small County Coalition

  Morris presented.

  Chair motion for Simpkins and Wood/ Holt 5-0 

  Amended motion to add Morris or designee/ Holt 5-0

 11.c.

Approval to Confirm the EMS Director

  Morris presented.

Green/ Holt 5-0

  Dewayne Ford appeared before the board.

 11.d. 

Approval to Accept the Donated Boat Ramp on Iron Bridge Road

Item pulled.

 11.e.

Approval of Supplemental Questions for the County Administrator Position Application

  Morris presented.

  Green asked if questions would be included in package; chair stated it was for application purposes   

  Holt/ Wood 5-0

  Simpkins requested that applicants are sent to their website to apply and not on indeed.

  Robinson appeared and stated she agreed with Simpkins and Holt; they are going to get same pool of apps

   Baptiste stated they were out of ordinance as item has already passed and advised for them to move to next item.  

  11.f

Board Approval to begin the negotiation phase with Proposers Responding to request for qualifications RFQ 25-02

  Morris presented.

  Chair asked if they have to give public notice to put on agenda or can they vote tonight?

  Morris stated this was just asking staff to negotiate and did not need public notice

Green/ Holt 5-0   

  12.

Clerk of Court

No updates.

  13.

County Attorney

  Baptiste asked for workshop regarding kratom ordinance

  14.

County Administrator

  Morris stated issue of unauthorized use of county vehicle and it has been resolved.

  Request for proclamation for EMS week

   Green/ Simpkins 5-0

  May 16 food drive at Ward’s Lot; May 20 Public Works Week; May 21 Senior Fun Day

  Green mentioned summer youth program and wanted to make sure all students essays are read and they are all interviewed.

Wood stepped out at 6:51 p.m. and returned at 6:52 p.m.

  Robinson appeared and stated they used a lottery system to select students. They picked 30 students from each district. 

  Baptiste stated need motion

Wood motion to allow public comments/ Holt 5-0

 Tomeka Lightfoot, 1300 West King St

  Lightfoot appeared before the board to discuss summer youth issues.

Dahlia Mitchell, 909 W Franklin St

  Mitchell appeared before the board to discuss summer youth issues.

  Green stated they did not follow process

  Baptiste asked for item to be tabled and refrain from voting  

  Morris stated HR would need adequate time to interview all applicants

  15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

 15.a.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

  Simpkins stated had opportunity to celebrate with Havana Northside reunion

   Simpkins mentioned commissioners having retreat

  Simpkins mentioned having EMS program for students

  Simpkins asked if board will meet in July; Chair stated normally they do not meet so staff can have summer vacation

 15.b.

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

  Wood mentioned rural renaissance bill

  Wood mentioned Cooksey title and asked where they were with that

  Baptiste stated he confirmed today that check was accepted; possible solution was for board to vote for Morris to sign docs to correct issue but Board is not ratifying the sell.  

  Wood motion to give Morris authority to sign docs to transfer sold vehicles w/o county permission and they are not ratifying the sell/ Holt 5-0

  Wood stated Gretna day was outstanding

 15.c.

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Holt mentioned county properties and getting businesses in.

  Holt stated they need help in planning & zoning; they need 2 planners

 15.d.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Green thanked public works for the pick-up

  Mariah Bradwell proclamation

Green/ Holt 5-0

  Green mentioned new restaurant in Midway; they need an easement

 15.e.

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Chair mentioned having parking lot re-constructed and adding fence.

   Simpkins thanked probation dept. for job well done for giveaway at jail. 

Wood stepped out at 7:48 p.m.

  16.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 7:48 p.m.