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Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Kg7_630xXTs

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County Board of County Commissioner meeting is now called to order. You all stand for the invocation and the pledge of allegiance. Heavenly Father, as we gather here this evening, we give you all the praise and the honor and thanks for your love and your grace and your mercy.

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As we share in our commitment to our people, we ask that you grant us wisdom and patience and clarity >> so that we make the decisions that matter for our people. Lord, help us and grant us some insight into the impact

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that our choices make. Give us the courage to make the decisions that are good for the people. And may we listen to one another with open minds and speak with respect towards one another. and help us to keep the needs of our residents and our employees and families

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in our communities at heart when we're making our decisions. And let our leadership be guided by integrity and justice and compassion. Let us be ever mindful and grateful for our freedom and all the rights that we hold sacred, the

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right to vote and the right of the freedom of religion to worship as we so pleased. And thank you for the opportunity, dear Lord, to serve in this community. And now, Lord, we ask that you bless our meeting and all of the people here and those who are gathered online that are listening in. In the

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mighty name of our Satan, we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

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[snorts] Um, at this time, uh, I will, um, ask the the board [clears throat] to consider the walking on of an item that's not on the agenda, and this happens to be the Florida Law Enforcement Financial Assistance Grant.

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Um, that is time sensitive. So procedurally, um, Mr. Clano, I know that when we had something that's not on the agenda that we declared an emergency, ask for a motion and to add it on to the agenda. Can we proceed in that regard?

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>> Yes, Madam Chair, that would be appropriate. >> Okay. Um, this this is a timesensitive. It would provide um $858,176 to our sheriff department for their

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staff. and uh we have to engage um now so that it would be within the time limit that's required. Um and um Miss B just brought it to us and so if we needed to have any discussion

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priest to but if if you're good with that we'll just ask for a motion to allow that to be added to the agenda. >> I'll make a motion we add this allowed as read. >> Okay. Um motion by Commissioner Thompson

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and second by Commissioner Andrews to add this item to the agenda. Any questions? All if not all in favor sign I >> I. >> Any oppose? Okay. Now

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at this time we um [clears throat] have our public hearing. Should I turn that over to to our zoning person to open our hearing? >> So, at this point, maybe if we can start or you'll open the public hearing. If there's a motion to read by title, I'll

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read that title. >> Okay. There's a motion to read by [clears throat] title. >> Make a motion for county attorney to read by title. >> Motion by Commissioner Dor, second by Commissioner um second. You both second it. Commissioners read it. Um, any further

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question or discussion? All in favor by the sign I. >> Any opposed? Okay. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. A resolution of Florida County Commissioners of Bradford County, Florida closing and abandoning that certain 60oot platted street lying between block one and block 7 as per Platt of Lakeside recorded in plat book

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two, page 24 of the public records of Bradford County, Florida. Based upon a request by Doris Klein, Deborah A and John Edward Katherine Judith Cospa, Constance Batberg, Carson Bird, Thomas

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and Nancy Dano, Linda Dixon, Santa Fe Lake Houses LLC, Christopher and Karen Cox, Donna and Sumpter Barker providing direction to staff and providing the effective date. And at [snorts] this time, if there's any questions, are our planning directors here to answer any

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questions about that? >> Um, there is there um are there any questions? >> Any public comments? >> If I could, Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Are there any adjoining property owners affected by closure of that that street?

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>> Okay. Like they on both sides of the street or something of that nature? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? Okay. Hearing seeing none, um we'll close the public hearing.

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Uh and that's for [clears throat] motion in the vote. >> Make a motion we accepted as read. >> Second closure. >> Motion by Commissioner Thompson, second by Commissioner Lord. Any further question or discussion? If not, [clears throat] all in favor by the sign I. Any oppose?

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B. Thank you. Okay. Um, at this time we will hear our public comments. Um, we have three here. Um, Miss Bo Hastings

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and when you come up, you know, speak uh into the mic. If it's too high, just pull it down. Good evening, commissioners. The microphones always too dull for me and I have to pull it down. Um, I was going through the agenda and I know y'all are

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voting on the insurance tonight with >> Just Just for the record, just tell us who you are. >> Oh, I'm Bo Hast, >> your address and everything. Okay. >> 12917 Southeast 21st Avenue, Stark, Florida, uh, District 5. Uh, I was going through the agenda for this meeting

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tonight and I see the ad things up for your insurance where it's going up 1.5%. And then the co-pays went from 3,000 to $3,500 to $7,000 depending on individual or family. And then you're capping them

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at 800 for outpatient. But the inpatient we're going to do all these co-pays and this is 100% on the taxpayer. And I just don't think it's right. I mean, I've never had any job that paid 100% of my insurance and then y'all justify it

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with low wages. But when you add up what you commissioners make, it comes like I mean like Mr. uh Cornne stated in that one statement that he gave me when I brought this up about y'all making $82,000 and we're paying for all your insurance. So I'm wondering like the

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people that's here that's running for the new seats for county commissioners. Do y'all agree with the taxpayers paying cuz right now we pay $14,683 per person's insurance plus their co-pays. And I just don't think that's right. You're asking that to be on the

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taxpayer. And then like next Tuesday we got a doomsday meeting. I guess y'all are calling it a tax workshop, but when y'all have a workshop, you don't work on nothing. You just fearmonger and show commercials of all the things that we're going to lose. Well, the library is

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going to close and the fire department can't run and this can't run. But what are you doing here? I mean, you say we're a physically constrained county. If we're so physically constrained, then how can the county buy fair tickets even though it was at a discount for all the

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employees? I'm sorry, but that's not right. It's not right to put that on the taxpayers's back. And I'm going to tell you what, the taxpayers are sick of this. They are waking up and we're tired of it. And we're not trying to target a single person up here, but you're the

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ones that are in this position that took this seat and you're voting on this stuff. So instead of fear-mongering, cut your budgets. You know, Miss Spooner, you told us you'd go through that professional services. Y'all didn't have them for years. All of a sudden,

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they're back on. Fleet maintenance you opened last year, 3/4 of a million dollars. Did it save the taxpayers any money or is it just adding to the taxpayer? If we're so physically constrained, you need to go through and you need to cut your budgets instead of raising your pay, raising your

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insurance, and putting it on the taxpayer. It is not right. Thank you. Thank you. Next we have the strong. >> Good evening. My name is Band Strong, Post Office Box 530 Li.

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I too have looked over and see where insurance is going up again. So, we pay 100% for the county employees insurance and also we reimburse you for we

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reimburse them for their deductibles, but also you're going to vote on a cost of living adjustment. Well, why am I the taxpayer?

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Why am I paying for this? Why is it so important that I continue to pay for all of these things for employees? I look through and I see that we're not

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saving money. We continue to spend money like it's someone else's checkbook. I look and see what we support in general revenue. And not only do we buy

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uniforms, but we wash them also. Can the employees not afford to wash their own uniforms? I see that we have fleet maintenance, but what do they do in fleet maintenance?

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They don't buy in bulk because we buy all over town. So, what is this person? What are they doing? Where are they saving money? where where is it that the money is being saved

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on the taxpayers? I think that we should actually look at some of the small changes in these budgets because nobody is is trying to save money for the taxpayers. Every time we look at budgetary items,

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nobody is saving money. Nobody is cutting money cutting in their budgets. You want to cut off the senior center, the library, and speaking of the library, there should have been something done about that leak a long time ago, but that's on another subject because

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it it it makes no sense that you don't do anything with your maintenance department. But you don't do things and and you expect nothing to happen. I'm tired of it. I'm I'm tired of my

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dollars not doing what it's supposed to be doing, but you sit here and you try to gaslight me. You play in my face constantly. Where where is it that you're saving money? And by the way, the money that the sheriff's department gave back to

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you, if you really truly go back and look, it was reimbured money from the state. He didn't give you back any money. >> Thank you. Um, the last one I have I think it says Dean Tra. >> Okay.

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Brings us up a little bit. All right. Dean Trailer, 22801 Northwest 41st Avenue, Lau, Florida. Uh, 60year resident of Bradford County. And

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I want to take a few minutes and present [clears throat] some concerns that I have about management. Uh, and rather than making statements, I've got a series of questions and for brevity,

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uh, go and just read them. I'm inquiring about the status of the road project 41st Avenue, 219th Street, 53rd Avenue. Uh the road paper,

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uh there there's no activity, there's no signs. Uh there's no equipment. It appears that the project's done, but not knowing if it's done. reason I'm

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here because there's a lot of problems with that road. I've spoken with a lot of the residents on 41st to 19th that haven't been around the 53rd and they're overall people are satisfied

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that we have we now have paved roads after 45 plus years. But the quality of the road, the quality of the workmanship leaves a lot to be desired.

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Uh we've been shortch changed. It's my understanding that this was somewhere around $7 million contract. And

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looking what at what's been done, I've got to wonder if now [clears throat] that's my understanding is a state approved contract. Uh as to whether some of the funds that were appropriated have been used in

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other places throughout the county because there's there's shortcuts [clears throat] that have been taken. I don't think anybody in this room can convince me that that the county is able to run water uphill. And we've got a lot

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of places in the ditch banks that the water's got to run uphill or it's standing. In some places, it's standing to the point that it's covering the new asphalt, and that asphalt is crumbling. Keep in mind the road's only been in

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place for two months and we've already got edges crumbling because of either erosion or the narrow lanes. >> Thank you. >> Is that my three? >> Yes, sir.

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>> Talk a little bit more. >> We we have the three minutes and then I'll >> talk to talk to him after I leave. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. I want you to show me. Okay. Next on our agenda is the approval for

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the consent agenda. Um there motion approval. >> I'll make a motion we have approved the consent agenda. >> Second. A motion was made by Commissioner Thompson and by Commissioner Andrews. >> Um, [clears throat]

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>> and any questions, discussion? >> All in favor by the side. I >> I >> Madam Chairman, if I may, could we go ahead and take up the uh the walk-on at this point before

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>> Okay. Thank you. And I think um would you to speak upon it? >> Yes, ma'am. I I apologize. It wasn't anything that um I was necessarily here for if if it's the grant. I'm believe it is. It is the state money that we

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receive for being a fiscally constrained county uh to allow for um u salaries for fiscally constrained county uh sheriff's office deputies. >> Okay. >> Bless your heart.

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>> Okay. All right. Any question? Um questions. >> You said you have one. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, um the motion for approval.

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>> Just motion to approve. >> I make the motion to approve. >> Motion to approve what? If I have that, I will read it to you. >> What are you I mean, what are y'all doing? >> This is I'm sorry. Just for clarity.

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>> So So maybe maybe I motion to approve and accept the Florida Law Enforcement Financial Assistance Grant. >> Okay. Does that help? Okay. >> Yeah, that helped me. >> Yeah, I didn't know where y'all was going. >> Right. I make a motion to uh accept and

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approve the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Finance Assistant uh agreement grant and it is for salaries. >> All right, there's a motion by Commissioner Ric. Uh is there second to the motion?

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>> Second by >> Give me my >> No, sir. This is for me to sign. >> This is mine. >> Okay. >> I'll give them to back. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um,

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all in favor, please sign I >> Okay. Thank you. >> The total again. >> If total was 858,176,000. >> That's been an ongoing grant for like the last four years, right? >> Did it go up this year? >> I imagine it did.

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>> Yeah, it did. All right, thank you. Okay, moving right along. We have um Miss Laura Thompson is going to come and share with us from Georgia.

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[snorts] Thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to be here tonight. Um, as we have discussed the new plans and um, look forward to hopefully getting the

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approval to implement a change in the plans. We're looking to going at it um from a zero deductible plan to a yeah from a zero deductible plan to a 3500 deductible plan. Um, if I might, I

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just want to start off by saying that um, I've become involved with you guys um, in 2022 and we have always been discussing what we feel like is best for the employees and trying to move forward at the same

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time keeping our employees um, protected financially um, and also taking a look at what's best for the county. We have discussed many strategies um and

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for the 22 to the 23 year plan uh we renewed the plan as it existed and um during our 24 to 25 period we started um I what I feel is like heading in a lot

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better direction because I feel like that we started um financially getting um some plans that were more favorable for you um as the county managers.

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And yet we manage not to hurt the employees. And I just want to say that I do admire how each one of you guys are so compassionate about the employees.

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you were compassionate about your jobs and about your financial responsibility to the county and I'm just grateful for the trust that you have placed in me to serve as your trusted advisor for the health insurance.

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I would just like to say for years 24 to 25 we made some changes. Um, at that time, the current plan that we were looking at had a $750 co-pay for inpatient and outpatient services.

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We looked at some plans and we we um determined that we're going to try to move that $750 co-pay to a $1,500 copay. And these changes produce a savings of $35,346.75

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a month. That is $424,161 annually. We um you know we did good. The employees did not get hindered. Um, moving on to 2526,

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we implemented an additional um, inpatient and outpatient co-pay. We made some changes. We went up um to where the max [clears throat] out of pocket for um, the employee would have been $9,000.

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Um, we increase the outpatient co-pays to 3,000 and the inpatient co-pays to 3,000 per day for days 1 through3. By doing that, these changes produce a savings of 21,216.77

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a month and that equates to $254,6124 annually. what I would like to do this year as we have gone over the plans and um we we have discussed as I mentioned going to a

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$3,500 deductible um we've not had caps on co-pays before and so what I would like to do um is propose based on the meetings that we've had with the insurance committee and and

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coming up over with these plans over a lot of spreadsheets S um we we're we would like to implement um a cap on the co-pays um because we feel like by doing this we

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still will be able to enjoy a nice savings without really hurting the employees once again. um we've done we've done real well um in winning

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with our savings with the amount of money that we've had to um reimburse. So I would like to as I mentioned take it one step further. Um, also with this new plan that we're

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proposing, currently we were kind of on the hook for $9,000 reimbursement per employee. We will be reducing our max out of pocket um or for the employee, we'll be reducing or from

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what you have to reimburse. $3,500 would be the deductible and then we're capping the co-pays reimbursements at $800. Um, if we decide to go with this plan, we would be saving

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$19,6758 per month and that equates to $234,90.96 annually. I feel like wholeheartedly that um you know with the budget years

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you've instructed me to see what I can do to help bring the cost down. Um if we would have renewed as is we would be facing a 7.5% rate increase by going to this plan we will only be um facing a

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1.3% rate increase. And I feel like we can make this change without um hurting the employees. Um at [clears throat] worst, I feel like it

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may only the cap on the co-pays may only just going based off of our experience with the reimbursements, maybe 2% of the employees may be affected. I believe that this is a good plan for 98%

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of the group. And there again, I don't have a crystal ball. I don't know what the future holds, but I feel like we have one every year with these savings. So, I would ask you to please consider

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um going with the changes. Um, one of the things too just to mention, we we are able to do this and and take these savings without changing the co-pays to their doctors, to their specialists, um, to their urgent care,

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[clears throat] and to their pharmacy. So, there's only certain coverages that it impacts minimally. You have any questions? Now it appears that the um basically their out of

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pocket cost is about the same ex except if they went to um an out of network or independent facility then they are paying more. >> Yes. And they do not have any coverage out of network unless it's a medical emergency. But there are um like in the

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past to to your point an example um would be for ambulance transportation for instance um under the plan that we currently have it's a $100 co-pay per transport one way and then the new plan

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it would be subject to the deductible for ambulance transportation and if their deductible has been met then they would have to pay $150 $50 co-ay. That's one of the differences. Um, another difference, just for an example,

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is the complex um, CT, PET scans, MRIs, etc. It's currently a $75 co-ay whether you have it at an independent diagnostic testing facility or the hospital under

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the new proposed plan. um if it's done at an independent diagnostic testing facility, they will pay um $200. If it is done at the hospital, it will be subject to the $3,500 deductible. So,

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they would pay the cost, you know, of whatever the bill is up to $3,500. They would bring that for reimbursement because it falls under the deductible. And then if their deductible is met, they would have a $300 co-pay. And

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because there are more things um in here that have changed, um that is why we wanted to put a cap on the copay. We we wanted to um we felt like the cap on the co-ay would kind of

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help us know our risk and what our worst case scenario would be. And it would also um let them choose what co-pays they would like for reimbursement if they should need it. So like for

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instance if if they have an ambulance ride currently we don't we don't reimburse for you know for the co-pays for ambulance but under this new plan because it falls under the deductible um we would reimburse but say like if their

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deductible is met and they have a $150 co-pay [clears throat] um they could use that $150 towards their $800 max cap. All right. Then what have been a question for Miss Thompson?

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>> No more than we already asked. I mean individually we all had to meet with her and I think she went over everything and I think what I like to see there's only a 1.3% increase but then the savings that goes along with that. I think u that's something that is notable for

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sure >> because I I believe as long as I've been here that's that's the less it's been >> on the on the one to one usually it's around 7 to 10%. >> If I remember correctly when we made

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that first jump where we went from a $750 co-ay to the$,500 co-pay correct >> I want to say it might have been like a 0.04 04 >> percent increase that year but this is um definitely the low the lowest

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otherwise that it has been and um you know may I remind you you know we have had some sick people and um we're just you know

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I I look back not to get emotional but I mean I look back now like I say I've been been involved with you guys since 2022. And as I look back, you know, I I love open enrollment. I love seeing everybody come through there. And I look back and you think about the faces of

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people who are not with us anymore. We've had some sick people. We've had some high claims. Um [clears throat] but but we have been able to accomplish giving them wonderful coverage. um the financial burden that you have spared on

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your employees by being so generous with the health benefits is I think it's commendable and and we've had some high claims and I feel like that this is the best way to kind of deter

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some of the misfortunate claims that we've had. I think it's going to give us a good foot for even next year. [snorts] >> Commissioner Thompson,

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>> I'm going tell you something. We've dealt with y'all for years. Y'all always helped us. Y'all always saved us money. So, we need a motion for this. I'm ready to make it.

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>> Any other questions, please? >> Sure. [clears throat] I just want to say I I appreciate what you've done and um and I too agree. We we've got very good employees and we need to take care of them. >> Yes sir. I mean >> so thank you. >> If you can't give them more pay you can give them good benefits and that that

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that really means the world. I mean because in a sense you know they are able what you don't want and and sometimes there's just no choice but to go with higher deductibles higher out of pocket but what you don't want is

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if if god forbid you know you don't want to put them in a situation where they won't use it. So sometimes it comes, you know, sometimes you just have to, you know, do things different, but as long as we can keep saving money, you

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know, we're going to keep trying. >> And I'll be honest with you, you have every year. >> Thank you. >> So I know she's my sister, but I'm going to brag on her. >> Well, I tell you, thank you, Lord, for the job that that you you've done every

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year for us. And um And like you said, it's it's good to know that we can help staff when when they need it the most. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And um and sometimes um where they could go and [clears throat] make more money if they've got good good benefits, it it

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makes them stay where they're at. >> And um so I thank you for the job that you've done and it's incredible that you're able to do it with that much savings. So thank you again for your hard work. >> Thank you. Okay, [clears throat]

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>> Madam Chair, I'd just like to say that the motion would need to include uh adopting the AB AMED insurance uh policy as read to include the 1.3% increase and also adoption of the reimbursement policy.

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>> I'll make that motion as read. Okay. Um, Commissioner Thompson is making a motion as articulated by our county manager. Um, and is there a second to that motion? >> Second. >> Second.

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>> Okay, it's been popular motion and second. Any further questions or discussion? All in favor by the side. I >> I >> thank you, Lori. >> All right. Um our next item is the

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physical year 2627 our cost of living. So to consider these um three options um do you [clears throat] want to say something about it? >> Just madam chair in your packet you saw the uh memo to the to the board um the

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consumer price index this year for the 12 months ended in May was 4.2%. So as is customary um for the past several years you're presented here with three options a cola at 3% 4% and 5% and

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the corresponding increase uh associated with those amounts. >> What is the wishes of the board? >> Any thought discussion questions? >> It's tough. Um, of course we want to do as much as we can, but in the situation

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that we're in, um, it's it's really really hard. Um, I guess that I feel like that we would do the 3%. Any other thoughts? I agree with Miss Andrews and the

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comment that Miss Thompson made about, you know, we're able to give them good benefits when we're not able to give them good pay, but you know, at least a 3% increase, uh, you know, does help there. But, uh, certainly the benefits of the health insurance is

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it's substantial. I mean, to go anywhere and have, you know, a good plan like that, I think that uh, I would agree with Miss Andrew 3%. Yeah, I think we definitely ought to give them something. Um, I was looking more towards four because

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[clears throat] of the 4.2 um on the other, but I also know that we have them provide very very good insurance for them. Um, but at the same time, I also know we have very very good employees and um if you got good employees, you take care of them. That's how you keep them. Uh, you don't take

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care of them, they'll go find another job. So, um, you know, I I would say at least the 3% for sure. >> Agree with that. >> Yeah. [clears throat] I, you know, when you consider the cost of living, gas, grocery, just in

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general, um, it's, it's hard to keep up, um, for our employees. And so, um, I I do think it's important to at least, um, consider, uh,

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a 3% COLA increase for them. Um, this is a lean year in which we're also looking at our budget and looking at things that we can cut. Um but we have to be able to preserve um the employees that we have and um and some don't make

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the great salaries, some do, but um the average do not. Okay. Um so with that, I'll entertain a motion to [clears throat] do what the board feels

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is best. So, if it's the consensus of a 3% cola, then I'm ask a motion for that. If not, um, we'll consider something else. >> I'll make a motion for 3%. >> Okay. Um, motion by Commissioner

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Thompson for the 3%. Um, is there a second to that motion? >> Second. The motion that option one 3%. >> Okay. Second U by Commissioner Dory. Any further discussions or questions?

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All in favor by the sign say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Five. >> Option one. Um, let us hear from my clerk. Thompson. >> Um, really don't have much. Dana has the

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proposed notice rates for fiscal uh 2627. She's going to present to the board. [clears throat] Good evening, board. >> Evening. Uh, >> the board will need to set a proposed millage rate for fiscal year 2627

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tonight in order to stay on schedule with the trim timetable. The trim timetable calls for the clerk to present a tentative budget on Tuesday, August 4th. As you probably know, the the newly signed Senate Bill 4F has changed the

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default baseline maximum rate of 10 mills that a county can adopt. The default baseline now is limited to the standard roll back rate, which requires a simple majority vote. Millage rates up to 110% of the roll back rate now

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requires a 2/3 vote. Anything over 110% of the roll back rate now requires requires a unanimous vote. So, do you have a the spreadsheet has the different options? It should be

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in your packet. All right. What are the wishes of the board? I'll go over you want to go. >> Yes, ma'am. >> So, the the spreadsheet before you um outlined your options [clears throat] in setting the fiscal year 2627 mill rate.

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The rolled back rate is 9.6976, 6976 which would generate just over $16 million. This is an increase of 583,000 from fiscal year 2526. A decreased rate of 9.5 would generate

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15.7 million. This is also a slight increase of 255,000 from fiscal year 2526. A decreased rate of 9.0 would generate 14.9 million. This is a decrease of 574,000

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from fiscal year 2526. Now, these three rates would just require a simple majority vote. Um, if you your current rate is 10.0 mills. If you keep the rate at 10 mills for fiscal year 2627,

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you may expect to generate 16.6 million, which is an increase of just over a million dollars from fiscal year 2526. This would require a 2/3 vote. There are other options listed on um the spreadsheet there. But as you discuss

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your options tonight, please remember that whatever you set your proposed millage rate at tonight, the property appraiser will use that rate on the trim notices that are scheduled to be mailed out to all taxpayers on August 17th. On September 10th, the board will hold its first public hearing where you will

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adopt a tentative millage rate and it is not recommended that you increase the proposed rate you set tonight. An increase would have an impact to the trim timetable and it would require the property appraiser to mail out new trim notices. So before [clears throat and snorts] we conclude, I ask that the board please set the

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proposed mill rate tonight. you know, based on our current um situation, it seems that we would need to keep that millage at its current rate of 10. >> You want a motion for that? >> Yeah. And we can have discussion and see

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if if there are any other thoughts about it. >> No, we can do it at 10. >> Okay. I I agree because if you set it at 10, we can we can lower it if we want to at the next meeting. But also that gives us time to um get that fire assessment

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kicked in and everything else and then see how we're going to do because we're we're starting to do pretty good and there's no sense in shooting ourselves in the foot now. So we need to I think it just live and finish. >> I'll make a motion we put it at 10 m. >> Okay. Motion by Commissioner Thompson to

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accept the mill at 10. Is there a second to the motion? Second >> second by Commissioner Re. Any further questions or discussion? >> No. All in favor by the sign. >> I did you have your

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>> Did I have one? >> No. It looks like you had a phone up like I want to ask something. Well, I did want to mention that, you know, we have talked about lowering the military and we've talked about it

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for the last three years and so we haven't done anything to get there. So, I'm a nay house can be, you know what I mean?

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>> Adjust. Yeah. >> So, did that I hear that motion and the vote of >> I got I made the motion >> and second all in favor by saying I >> and you were. >> Okay, that's 41. Okay. >> That is sufficient for the two3 vote on

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the maximum. >> Thank you. Anything else from the clerk? >> No, ma'am. >> All right. And for my sheriff, captain. >> Does y'all have anything? The sheriff

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has no report. >> All right. From my county manager. >> No, ma'am. I don't have anything to report that. Well, I will remind everyone that we have our uh workshop on this coming Tuesday at the Charlie

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Johnson at 6 p.m. for tax reporting. >> All right. Um, Mr. Commando, >> thank you, Madam Chair. I don't have any commissioners. Um, I don't have

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Commissioner Thompson. >> Yeah, I'd like to thank each and every one of y'all for coming out tonight. Uh, I'm going to be honest with you. I thank Robert's Insurance. They've helped us for years and years. And thank you, Lori. And, uh, y'all have a good

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weekend. I go fishing. Yeah, I just want to let y'all know I will not be here for the workshop. Uh got an out of town uh two-day event in Tallahassee, Lord. So, I will not be here for the workshop. >> Okay.

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>> But I I do want to add to that that I think with um what Mr. Cornne has done to present uh the impacts and what literature's been put out there. Um, again, I I just uh certainly understand the the want and the need to maybe hear

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some comments or, you know, to, you know, let people know, but um, yeah, like I said, I think that Mr. Cornier has done a a good job presenting that already. So, >> that's all I have. Thank you.

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I do think it's important to um keep our community, our residents informed as much as possible to share everything that we know um so that the people have a broad picture of what our situation, our current situation is and the

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potential situation might be. Um and and as much detail as we can share, we will. Um, I'd also, you know, like to citizens to know that it's a it's [snorts] a it's a tough time and we have to make some

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tough decisions and that's why it's so important that we have as many details regarding our budget as possible so that we can make good informed decisions about um what we need to do going forward. Um, also I just

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wanted to ask u solicit um some input from the community coming up. Um, the deadline is August the 21st, the Florida Association has a calendar contest and there the theme this year is on sunsets.

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So if you live for example in a lake area or just if you have some pictures that you've taken of sunsets in Bra County, I sure would like to see Bradford County on the calendar that shared all around the state. And so if you could u submit any uh pictures that

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you may have uh you will be given credit for the photo and we can submit it to the Florida Association of Counties. Um, also I'd like to acknowledge and I know one of um we have a representative from the sheriff department, but um

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there was a longtime sergeant there in Putnham County, uh, Sergeant Clifford Nelson from the Putnham County area that had passed and they had his his service this past weekend and I just really would like to acknowledge him and his contribution to law enforcement and I

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know that there were a lot of uh law enforcement people attending his service. Um, so we just wish to acknowledge them. Okay. And with that, if there's nothing else, our meeting is now

