1.

Call to Order, Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

    Chair Hinson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Vice-Chair Green led into invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

   4.

Amendments to the Agenda

  Mr. James requested to pull under general business item 11.c. and item 11.d., and add under general business item 11.f., Approval of BB219 Broadband MPCF project amendment between Gadsden County and FL Commerce for Havana Facility.   

Commissioner Green asked to move his comment section up on the agenda due to needing to leave early.

 Commissioner Wood asked why they pulled item 11.c. Mr. James stated they had some cost issues and they wanted to make sure they add Scotts town park. The item will be at the next meeting.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

  Commissioner Green asked to have someone at the front door at all times. They are some people who prefer not to park in the back.

  Commissioner Green mentioned the Christmas parade that will be on Friday, and invited the Commissioners to karaoke night at Bantam Bay for his birthday celebration. 

COMMISSIONER GREEN MADE A MOTION TO HAVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION ADDED ON THE NEXT MEETINGS AGENDA AND COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE.

  Commissioner Green stated they need to go back and discuss protocols for meetings and revisit the process of how they elect the Chairman.

COMMISSIONER GREEN MADE A MOTION TO REVISIT THE PROCEDURES AND DUTIES OF THE CHAIRMAND AND COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE.

   5.

Approval of Agenda

COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED AND COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE.

   6.

Awards, Presentations, and Appearances

 6.a.

Ty Smith, 425 Highbridge Road

  Mr. Smith appeared and stated he was the new Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce for Gadsden County.

  7.

Consent 

COMMISSIONER SIMPKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 5-0 TO APPROVE.

7.a Ratification Memo

7.b. BOCC Meeting/ Workshop Minutes: 

        1. November 17, 2025, Regular Meeting

7.c. Approval of FL Department of Health, Bureau of EMS Matching Grant Application

7.d. Approval and Signature for Special Assessment Liens – SHIP

7.e. Approval and Signature for Satisfaction of Special Assessment Lien

   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 Hinson read aloud the above statement.

  10.

Public Hearing

 10.a.

Approval of Resolution 2025-059 & Budget Amendments for FY25

  James presented above item.

  Raynak appeared to expound on item.

  Simpkins asked if they were setting line items for budget that was already done.  

 Commissioner Green stepped out at 6:35 p.m.

  Wood asked Chair to invite Clerk to go through this with them.

Holt motion to not approve until workshop

Baptiste stated motion is incorrect

Motion withdrawn

  Wood asked if anything would happen if they tabled. Raynak appeared and stated they cannot close books until budget is balanced.

Holt motion to table until workshop/ Simpkins

  Baptiste stated the Clerk has 60 days to make all budget amend and their deadline was 2 days ago. 

  Baptiste stated these amendments have nothing to do with budget approve for 2025. 

Raynak appeared and stated that was correct.

Holt motion to table until workshop/ Simpkins

Simpkins withdrew her second and Holt withdrew motion.

COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND COMMISSIONER SIMPKINS MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 3-1 TO APPROVE. COMMISSIONER HOLT OPPOSED.

COMMISSIONER SIMPKINS MADE A MOTION FOR A WORKSHOP REGARDING BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE.

 11.

General Business

 11.a.

Approval of Change Order #4 between Graybelle Construction for the W.S. Stevens Covid Shelter

  Mr. James presented the above item.

COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE.

 11.b.

Approval of Grant Agreement between Gadsden County and FDOT

  Mr. James presented the above item.

COMMISSIONER SIMPKINS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND COMMISSIONER WOOD MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE.  

Commissioner Wood stepped out at 7:06 p.m.

Commissioner Wood returned at 7:08 p.m.

 11.c.

Approval of Public Restroom Plans for Gadsden County Parks and Recreational Department

 11.d.

Approval of Work Authorization for CRA Design Package Phase 2 for Old Courthouse Repairs

 11.e.

Approval of LAP Expiration of Agreement/Time Extension for 446637-2-CR 12 Fairbanks Rd from CR 157 Concord Road to Leon CO Line – Phase II

  James presented.

  Chair asked if going to widen road; Young stated yes.   

Wood/ Hinson 4-0

 11.f.

Approval of BB219 Broadband MPCF project amendment between Gadsden County and FL Commerce for Havana Facility

  James presented.

Wood/ Simpkins 4-0

  12.

Clerk of Court

No updates.

  13.

County Attorney

  Mr. Baptiste stated he brought copies of their noise ordinance. They met with code enforcement on the issue and he suggested they have a workshop on this.

  Mr. Baptiste asked for authority to investigate issues that the Clerk has brought up in his emails. The Clerk mentioned issues with TDC and their treasure hunts, and also the use of county buildings. He wanted permission from the board to get information from third-parties.

Commissioner Holt stated for Mr. Baptiste to meet with the Clerk first before getting third parties involved.

CHAIR HINSON MADE A MOTION TO GIVE MR. BAPTISTE THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE ISSUES BROUGHT UP BY THE CLERK AND COMMISSIONER SIMPKINS MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE.

  14.

County Administrator

  Mentioned Christmas activities.

James mentioned items that will be on next agenda.

James stated they were moving forward with Boys & Girls club. 

  15.

Discussion Items by Commissioners

 15.a.

Commissioner Shawn Wood, District 3

  Wood mentioned noise complaints.  

Commissioner Wood stepped out at 7:24 p.m. 

 15.b.

Commissioner Ronterious Green, District 5

Moved up.

 15.c.

Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins, District 2

   Simpkins stated would like them to look at bonds.

Chair stated for them to have special meeting. James stated they were trying to set it for next Tuesday.

Simpkins wants procurement policy on next agenda.

 15.d.

Commissioner Brenda A. Holt, District 4

  Commissioner Holt mentioned the issues brought up by the Clerk and stated the Clerk was addressing the wrong people and he needed to address whoever he wrote the checks to.

Commissioner Holt asked Mr. Baptiste if it was possible for him to respond to the Clerk’s email and send him to the organization that the check was wrote to.

COMMISSIONER HOLT MADE A MOTION FOR THE INTERIM ATTORNEY TO RESPOND TO THE CLERK’S EMAIL AND SEND HIS REQUEST TO THE BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE AND COMMISSIONER GREEN MADE THE SECOND. THE BOARD WENT INTO DISCUSSION.

 Commissioner Simpkins asked if the attorney has spoken to the Clerk regarding this. Mr. Baptiste stated not regarding the Treasure Hunt; his intent was to go back to TDC.    

 Commissioner Holt asked Mr. James to look at funding for hospitals. She also asked Mr. James if he has changed the title of a Grants Writer. Mr. James stated they have a Grants Administrator, Mrs. McGlonn. Commissioner Holt stated a Grants Coordinator is the position that is supposed to come up and present information on grants. Grant Writers continuously write grants and she needed to know if that has changed. 

 Commissioner Holt asked if Mr. James has met with Rev. Hannah regarding PAMS. Mr. James stated they will meet on Thursday. Commissioner Holt mentioned that the bus belonged to the Health Council.

Commissioner Holt mentioned the 15 employees that never received their raises and she would like for Mr. James to bring that information back in the next meeting.

 15.e.

Commissioner Eric F. Hinson, District 1

  Chair Hinson thanked the board for approving the Broadband Multi-Purpose Community Facility project in Havana.

  16.

Motion to Adjourn

Chair adjourned meeting at 7:53 p.m.