Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

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

Amendments to the Agenda

 No amendments.

Approval of Agenda

Green/ Wood 5-0

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.  

PUBLIC HEARING

First Public Hearing for Adoption of Tentative Millage Rate and Tentative Budget for FY2025-2026

   Chair requested a recess

  Chair resumed meeting.

  Baptiste stated Raynak will provide presentation

  Raynak appeared and provided presentation.

  Board must approve tentative millage and tentative budget tonight     

  Baptiste read resolution 2025-047 for the record

  Baptiste sworn in citizens who wish to speak on millage rate

    Marcella Blocker, 144 Brangus Lane Quincy, FL

Asked for them to consider rollback rate.

   William Farr, 564 Middle Creek Rd.

          Appeared to propose reduction in millage rate.

   Cathy Farr, 564 Middle Creek Rd.

          Appeared to propose reduction in millage rate. She also stated PowerPoint was misleading.

  Hugh Stevens, 701 Quincy, FL

         Appeared to discuss millage rate.

   Mark Moore, 5924 Memorial Blue Star Hwy

           Appeared to discuss millage rate. 

   Doug Croley, 255 Longview Lane Havana, FL

           Appeared and mentioned cutting expenses and was in favor of rollback rate.

   Neill Wade, 1259 Timber Run Havana, FL

          Appeared and stated was in favor of rollback rate.

    German Walas, 2329 Juniper Rd. Quincy, FL

            Stated they need to cut expenses and do rollback rate.

  Derrick Elias, PO BOX 2171 Quincy, FL

          Appeared before the board.

  Catherine Russ, 1144 Hill St. Quincy, FL

         Appeared to discuss millage rate and opposed raising millage rate.

  Mike Watson, 2793 Sycamore Road

           Appeared and was in favor of keeping millage rate the same or lowering it.

   Brent Watson, 3325 Solomon Rd. Quincy, FL

          Appeared

  John Stehmeyer, 930 Kemp Rd.

        Appeared to discuss millage rate.

  Mark Trevithick, N. Calhoun St. 

  Bonnie Foschi, 917 Sugar Hill Havana, FL

  Ed Hall

  Deborah Morningstar, 112 Blue Heron Point

          Recommended to go to rollback rate.

  Elaine Howell, 855 Greensboro Hwy. Quincy, FL   

          Appeared

  Dylan Turner, 1538 Glade Rd Havana, FL

          Opposed raising millage rate.

  Holt stated 9.5 was tentative and never intended for it to be that. 

  Simpkins asked for rollback rate of 8.6

 Holt stepped out at 7:51 p.m. and returned at 7:53 p.m.

Simpkins stepped out at 7:56 p.m. and returned at 7:59 p.m.

Green stepped out at 8:02 p.m. and returned at 8:05 p.m.

   Baptiste read amended statement       

 Holt motion for 9.00 mills/ Green

  Croley appeared and asked if could make comment after motion; Baptiste stated process of this hearing

  Holt motion for 9.00 mills/ Green 3-2

Simpkins, Wood opposed

  Baptiste went on to budget

   Chief Andre Walker appeared to provide presentation on fire services.

   Holt asked for repair list per truck 

  Ms. Perkins, Public works appeared to provide presentation.

 Green stepped out at 8:37 p.m. and returned at

  EMS, Chief Ford, appeared to provide presentation

   Sheriff’s office presentation, Colonel Collins

Green stepped out at 9:02 p.m.

Simpkins stepped out at 9:03 p.m.

Green returned at 9:04 p.m.

Simpkins returned at 9:08 p.m.

  Baptiste read proposed resolution 2025-048

  Doug Croley appeared.

  Derrick Elias appeared.

  Michael Brown, 635 Charles Brown Rd Quincy, FL 

  Baptiste stated motion to approve resolution 2025-048 

  Holt motion to approve tentative budget/ Green 4-1

Simpkins opposed

  Baptiste needed motion to advertise on Sept 19 for final hearing on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.

Holt/ Green 5-0

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 10:07 p.m.