Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

Vice chair called meeting to order at 4:04 p.m.  Vice chair led into invocation, and pledge of allegiance.

Citizens Requesting to be Heard on Non-Agenda Items (3-minutes 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. 

General Business

3.a. Preliminary Budget Discussion

Mr. Baptiste turned it over to Ms. Raynak.

  Ms. Raynak gave a description of the above item.

  Ms. Raynak explained the strategic crosswalk.

  Ms. Raynak stated they wanted the community involvement, as they can’t do this without that.

  Ms. Raynak shared economic growth plans.

Simpkins appeared at 4:11 p.m.    

  Ms. Raynak stated they do have 4 new buildings coming soon and they will need to increase budget for staff.

  Ms. Raynak stated the board has gone overboard with the donation of funds this year.

  Ms. Raynak stated they have been meeting with all the departments for their budget and the challenges they will be facing coming into the new budget year.

Holt appeared at 4:14 p.m.  

   Ms. Raynak Stated they have had a lot of meetings and workshops this year.

  Ms. Raynak stated Economic development has been discussed and they are trying to get some industrial development and also a farmers’ market.

  Stated they have had a lot of giveaways whether it be household items, and food.

  Stated there is over $15 million in projects for infrastructure they are currently working on now.

   Ms. Raynak went over the other revenue sources to assist citizens estimated over $29 million dollars.

   Ms. Raynak spoke about revenue projections.

  Ms. Raynak stated the net property revenue is going up, and going into FY26 at $20 million dollars.

  Ms. Raynak spoke about the FY26 tentative revenue summary per department.

Wood stepped out at 4:29 p.m.

Wood returned at 4:30 p.m.

  Ms. Raynak introduced the tentative revenues by fund.

  Ms. Raynak stated they are expecting the expenditures to be around $69 million dollars.

  Stated some of the things making expenditures rise are utilities, salaries…

  Stated the last page is discussion items for the board to take up and she opened it up for the attorney and board for questions.

  Green asked if she knew when they would have the other constitutional reports.       

  Green thanked Raynak for her thorough report.

  Holt asked if they can request an estimate on the report from the Tax collector.

  Holt stated they did not look into the maintenance or employment for the new buildings.

  Holt asked attorney if they have to maintain the buildings they build, and Mr. Baptiste stated yes, they do.

  Green stated they need to get an analysis on hiring more employees or contract out for the new buildings.

  Holt stated she thinks they should separate the parks from road and bridge.

  Raynak stated she sent numbers from past 3 years meetings showing what is being spent that is not budgeted, and she estimated it was half a million to 1 million per 1 year.

  Raynak stated she thinks there will be an audit report put out by the clerk to give a better idea of where they are financially.

  Holt stated with EMS vacancies; those have to be filled no matter what.

  Green stated they need to look at job openings currently and can any of them be combined and give an increase in pay.

  Simpkins stated she wants to make sure the public is getting correct information on their non budgeted spending and not all the money comes from the BOCC, as it can come from TDC, and other boards.

  Simpkins stated she wants to take a deep dive into the budget.

  Green stated the BOCC paying insurance for employees was an incentive to capture employees at one time, but they do need to relook at this.

Morris appeared via zoom.              

  Simpkins stated they need to take a deep dive into each department, and also the vehicles that they lease and are paying for.

Wood stepped out at 4:58 p.m.

Wood returned at 5:00 p.m.

  Raynak stated they have a meeting scheduled next week with enterprise on the lease of the vehicles, and she stated she can get the information back to the board.

  Simpkins asked if they budgeted for the equipment for mowers and tractors; Raynak stated no, it is not in public works budget.

  Green asked what the projected date of the audit report would be, and it was stated June 30^th.

  Laurel Bradley was asked to appear, and she stated the 30^th is the only day they would be able to hold a special meeting to go over the audit report.

  Morris stated he met with Apalachee regional last week and there are 3 people that have been satisfied to work with Gadsden County.

  Morris stated they will need to hire staff for the stevens school, the special needs shelter….

  Morris stated they are proposing a new software as they are in dire need of it, and the software will help HR, and payroll.

  Mr. Jackson appeared and stated….

  Wood stated EMS, Law enforcement, and Fire workload is the main reason they lose people.

  Green asked about next date for budget mtg and Raynak stated Aug 4

   Raynak asked if they want a meeting ending of June, beginning of July instead of August and Green stated yes.

Motion to Adjourn

Vice-Chair adjourned workshop at 5:44 p.m.