1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

  Chair called meeting to order at 9:02 p.m. Chair stated Green is unable to attend due to job responsibilities. He led into invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.

   4.

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. 

Antonio Jefferson,

   Jefferson stated he was here on behalf of GC Development Council

Holt appeared at 9:11 a.m.

  Jefferson asked for them to invest 165k in econ. dev. Council 

   5.

General Business

  5.a.

Introduction

  Chair stated they need to set up revenue shortfall

  Morris stated Raynak was unable to attend and Ms. Bennett was going to take her spot today.

  Chair stated they need to know where they are at with unfunded mandates before they start spending money.

  5.b.

Budget Workshop #3

  Ms. Bennett stated they have created a presentation for them today.

   Bennett went through presentation.

  Bennett stated if they fund every ask from each dept. and fund current expenses, that would have them at a shortfall.    

  Chair stated the people need to know that they have a 2.2 million shortfall. 

  Chair asked why numbers were not brought to the board.

  Morris stated they can go down the list that shows the cuts. Every shortfall that they are aware of is in the presentation.  

  HR appeared and went through CHP rate comparisons for FY 25-26

Current Board rate is $2,100 for family coverage    

14,277 a month for employee & spouse coverage

$17,652 a month for employee and child coverage

Wood stepped out at 10:05 a.m.

Wood returned at 10:08 a.m.

  Bennett went on to next item, county property insurance.

FY25 budget - $977, 090

Current Actuals - $1,659,594

Commissioner Green appeared online

  Holt mentioned liability insurance and asked if it was included; Bennett stated yes.

  Green asked about putting insurance on facilities not built yet.

Simpkins stepped out at 10:18 a.m.

  Chair asked about county insurance carries; Morris stated they will look at all entities.

Simpkins returned at 10:22 a.m.

   Bennett mentioned next item on list, use of restricted tax revenues and assessments.

  Holt mentioned SNAP cuts. Now is at local level.

  Holt stated they need marketing campaign for EMS. Mentioned people petitioning in county due to half cent.

Holt stepped out at 10:38 a.m.

Holt returned at 10:41 a.m.

   Green asked what shortfalls they will have in budget cycle.

Bennett stated Raynak is online.

Chair recessed workshop at 10:53 a.m.

Chair resumed workshop at 11:14 a.m.

  Bennett went on to ARPA. There are ARPA projects that require general fund to complete

They need to know what projects they would like to fund.

Need to add $440k from fund balance to complete parks project.

 Wood stepped out at 11:21 a.m.

  Holt stated they need economic dev and infrastructure study

Wood returned at 11:23 a.m.

   Chair stated lighting was important for safety

  Simpkins wanted to know what is in 24-25 budget; what funds are available.   

  Baptiste stated if incident happens on property, county has potential to be sued. There is no lease agreement that he could draft to avoid being sued.

County has no legal duties with trespassers. 

Chair recessed for lunch at 12:15 p.m.

Chair resumed workshop at 1:33 p.m.  

  Simpkins stated they need to update their software and how they do business.

  Baptiste asked a question regarding reserve for discretionary projects

Bennett stated it would need to still come before the board.

  Wood stated this was not the year to look at increases; they need to look at cuts.    

  Chair wants Morris to look at budget and come back to the board. 

 5.c.

Economic Development Budget Presentation

  5.d.

Questions

  6.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned workshop at 2:04 p.m.