1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

   Holt stated to add raises for employees to agenda for discussion

  Baptiste stated they were in special meeting and set with limited notice; Want to make sure they follow notice requirement and they could add to May 20 agenda.

  Holt stated she wanted to bring it up because they may lose some key employees; she did not mind doing it on May 20.

  Baptiste stated they can amend agenda for May 20 to add that topic for discussion.

  Holt motion to add items PAMS, Bus, and employee raises to May 20 agenda/Wood 

  Baptiste asked for motion to be withdrawn due to limited capacity in this meeting. He asked Morris to add those items to agenda for May 20.   

Simpkins appeared at 6:08 p.m.

   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 statement.

   7.

General Business

  7.a.

Gadsden County Summer Youth Program

  Morris presented and asked HR to appear.

  Green mentioned the pool process and stated none of them were aware of that. Asked about funding for additional slots.

  Green stated they should interview all applicants as part of the process and they should use a point system.  

  Wood stated they need to do what they say they are going to do from the beginning.   

 Baptiste stated conducted mtgs with staff on this issue; staff did comply with the process - 

   Interviews were for placement purposes not hiring purposes. 

  Chair stated they added additional staff in January so they had more than enough time to do this.

  Chair asked about additional funding – Morris stated staff did look into funding

Wood stepped out at 6:36 p.m. and returned at 6:38 p.m.

  Raynak appeared before the board and stated they did look into other funding sources; board directed her to take money out of summer youth to another initiative they wanted to support. Budget is at 442k now – almost enough money to cover additional students. They would need to find another 34-35k.     

  Green stated if they have funding source, to make it for the kids who turned in all info in timely manner

Green motion to open this and provide jobs for all 248 kids who filled out apps completely/Holt

  Green stated need to talk about this in October as to how summer youth 2026 will be.

  Chair mentioned discretionary funds that each commissioner has.

  Baptiste asked if motion does not seek to have 248 interviewed. Green stated they did not have the time to interview all; motion was to give employment to all 248 students.   

  Simpkins stated cannot blame staff, just themselves.

Green motion to open this and provide jobs for all 248 kids who filled out apps completely/Holt 5-0   

  Baptiste stated this will have to be on next meeting’s agenda as well for budget amendment.  

  8.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 7:00 p.m.