See if I can find one. Our May 5th, 2026 Rapid County Board of County Commissioner meeting is now called to order. If you would stand, the um commissioner ready is going to be our invocation and pledge of allegiance. All right, let's pray. Our father in heaven
father, we just thank you so much for another day of life. Father, I thank you so much for all the blessings you pour out on each and every one of us, Father, every day. Thank you, dear Lord, for just allowing us to pray to you, dear Lord, this morning, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And Father, this
morning, too, before we start this meeting, dear Lord, I just want to lift up the Mortmire family, Father, and the loss of her husband. Dear Lord, I just pray you'll please be with that family, the the children, the grandchildren. and have your hand upon all of them, dear Lord. And Father, now as we go into this
meeting, dear Lord, I pray for each and every person in this room, just pray you have your hand upon them. Dear Lord, have your hand upon this board. Give us wisdom and knowledge, dear Lord, from above to u make the best decisions for this county. Jesus name I pray. Amen. >> Amen. Amen.
>> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> At this time, we will begin our public
comments. And just a reminder, um, as you see on the screen there, the instructions, but just to remind you that there are three minutes. that when the 3 minute is up, if you would kindly take your seat so that we can uh swiftly move forward to the next uh person. Uh
if you would state your name and address um for the record and also um addressed your comments to the board as opposed to any individual person, refrain from any boisterous, profane language, insulting and any of that kind of thing. uh if you
would please and if you're just in overwhelming agreement with something and you just want to clap clap clap if you would just use the sign language for us it will help us to just continue flowing through. All right. Um we're going to
have um Miss Bo Hastings Good morning, commissioners. Good morning. Um, didn't forget about this meeting like I did the last one. I want to be thankful for Dr. Steel talking about how it got snuck in with that ice
facility at the last meeting at the last minute. So, I drove up here looking like crap. But anyway, I got the word across. But, uh, I guess everybody's here this morning to sing for their money for y'all. uh y'all don't mind spending money and it just y'all need to really
take a look at it and try to cut these budgets. I mean I you know Miss Spooner we spoke last September I think 10th when we were all outside about you were going to look at these professional services and try to cut some of them this last uh budget workshop. It wasn't
really a budget workshop. It was a doomsday meeting on well what's what are we going to cut if uh we lose property taxes? you know, well, of course, it's all the services for the the people here that we actually need, the veterans, the
seniors, the library. Um, but, you know, don't cut anything that actually helps the people, like maybe y'all paying some of your insurance. um instead of it being put on the Bradford County taxpayer. But uh people need to be aware of how
y'all spend money you don't really care, you know, and you ask questions about stuff and you don't get an answer. The commissioners will take your phone number, they never call you back. They'll take your email address, people, and you never get an email back. You call, you never get a phone call back.
It's just gaslighting. And I'm going to tell you, I'm sick of being gas lit. If I have a question, you are to be able to answer it. And if you can't answer it, then you need to put me to the right person to ask this question. And yet, I have to make a Facebook video to get a
text back to say, "Oh, well, I brought it to the last meeting." Well, why'd you take my phone number if you were if you were going to just bring the stuff to the next meeting? Because I've been interested in this gas tax. You know, we got more gas stations. Gas is going up.
We should be making plenty of money, but you can't find it nowhere. And you know, you have meetings where you say, "Well, we're going to have the guy over the road department put a sign up so people can see how much we're getting." And no, nothing. Just being gas lit. We are so
tired of the gaslighting. The people of Bradford County, the taxpayers, the hardworking people, we are tired of being gaslit. We want to know where our money's going. And we want to know that it's being spent on something good instead of garbage like you've been spending it on. And a bunch of it's
garbage cuz we going to see how many people's here singing for their money this morning that I don't think it should be on the taxpayers's dime. And u y'all need to get right cuz God's watching and I'm telling you times a ticking. Have a blessed day. Thank you.
Next we'll have Paul Still. Paul Still, 14167 Southwest 101st Avenue Store. Wanted to speak with you this morning about the Cypress Front Boat ramp. It was uh part of the um county manager's uh county uh report at the
last meeting and there was a slide in there and it says all permitting uh now complete. Uh I did not see any documentation uh about the actual dredging of the canal that's necessary for the boat ramp. Uh
there is a doc there is something in there that says that the Army Corps of Engineer permit determined that there was uh no permit needed, but I think that may have been for the actual on the ground boat ramp uh construction, not
the uh canal that was dug. Uh it also said FWC uh construction grant submitted April 2026. Uh when I wrote to uh emailed the uh Fish
and Wildlife Commission and asked for a copy of the uh grant application, they wrote me back saying Bradford County did not submit their application by the deadline. So it's not clear at this point whether there is actually an
application pending. So if there's no application pending u then obviously that project uh cannot go forward. So I would hope that you would ask uh staff at some point where the uh Cypress Run
boat ramp stands. As I've mentioned in the past, I have serious concerns about the design of that boat ramp. The big concern is the dredging of a new canal. Uh as again I don't believe that you can get a permit for that from the Army Corps of
Engineers. Uh and it is a significant environmental impact on Lake Samson. If you go out to Lake Samson today, you will actually be able to see that uh the design for the boat ramp canal doesn't
go out far enough into the lake. So that you actually would not be able to launch a boat uh at now or during significant times when we have dry weather uh because the canal ends at a point where
uh you the boats would be running into very very shallow water. So, that's a very serious design flaw. Again, it's uh very simple to design a system that would use the old boat ramp. That would
not require a permit because it would be a a just a simple maintenance issue. The other important issue that needs to be considered is uh you now have a grant to repave the road. uh and that because that road alignment is not correct at
this point, there's going to be some major changes in that area. So, those need to be considered uh when you go into uh making your application. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next, we have Kate Ellison. Thank you, commissioners of Kate
Ellison, 971 Southeast 32nd Way, Melrose, Florida. Thank you for exercising your wise judgment at the last meeting to stick to your plan of evaluating all the options for the use of the Douglas building. Sorry, I missed
it. The lease you were presented at that meeting was not ready. It left you with too much liability. And may I remind you, the cost analysis done by a professional shows that you risk losing quite a bit of money if you move forward
with a detention center. The other option you have is one that represents real growth and diversification for our community. Surely most of you prefer working with small businesses over government expansion anyway. Many fewer
headaches and in this case fewer ethical entanglements. The president was elected to lock up murderers and thieves, hardened criminals, he said. And ICE has detained many of those. ICE is also detaining families, grandparents, parents, and
children, women and girls. We do not need more prison camps for the criminals because there are not hundreds of thousands of them. This government overreach is at its worst. It's morally bankrupt and our county is better off
because your good judgment not to be rushed into something so questionable. That letter of intent you received on behalf of OM Imports presents the advantage of providing payment while you clean up the brownfield around the
Douglas building. Our county and especially the residents, plants, and animals living near this site needs this remediation. What an opportunity this could be. These two proposals are night and day. Please choose the daylight. I
have a few more petition signatures. Thank you. Um, next we'll have Kimberly Jenkins. My name is Kimberly T. Jenkins. My address is 4920 Southeast County Road 18 Stark, Florida 32091.
I say I live in Hampton all my life. I have uh questions regarding the funding um for the ship program and the determination of who receives the funding.
Um, I did call and I spoke with the manager over that department and I was giving information to contact someone um with Swany River Economic Council because my question was about roofing,
you know, roofs and and doors um because I was thinking that funding was coming in from the state or grants were being accepted And um I was given false information because when I
contacted uh Swan River Economic Council, they did inform me that they do have services for seniors over at the Andrew Circle, but that they have not provided any funding um in four to five years.
and so that the funding is um dispersed through the county commissioners because Bradford County is different than other counties as to how the funding comes in. And so then um my questions are
regarding that. um the the funding that comes in the determination of who uh the recipients are. I was told that there are 10 homes or 10 yes 10 residents, 10 homes that are chosen each year. And so
then I was asking questions like, well, when does the physical year start? And so then those are still my questions. When does the physical year start? the determination of the homes. Um, and if those people aren't chosen, because it's uh supposed to be uh 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10. If five of those people, do you go on to the next five? Um, and those are my questions. I think that was three of them. The physical year, how is the determination?
And oh, have those homes been chosen for the physical year? Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next we'll have Vonda Strong. My name is Vander Strong, Post Office Box 530, Loi, Florida 32058.
as I've come in here before um many many times um but today I come in with a list of people that are going to sing for their supper. Um and
I'm glad that there's a list of people that are going to sing for their supper. Um because on this list are names of individuals. There are some individuals that don't
generally have to sing. And there are others that are on here that need to sing for their suffer. One in particular is on here that h you've been told
has not complied with your wishes and you have fire rescue that has told you on more than one occasion that they're not cooperating with them and you've asked every time they've given
you a report are they cooperating with the parame medicine program. Are they helping with that program? And they tell you, "No, they're not." Me as a taxpayer, I don't think that my
taxpayer dollars should continue to go to that program when they're not cooperating. They continue to have excuse after excuse after excuse as to why they can't provide the services that
are needed. It's one thing to have the opioid money which you can give them, but it's another to give our taxpayer dollars to them. So I don't I think that they should explain
why they continue not to cooperate with the parame medicine program. The other is the chamber. We never hear exactly what they're doing with our taxpayer dollars.
They come in, they give you a handwritten statement and we never exactly hear what it is that they're doing with our taxpayer dollars. Yes, they're on whatever committees or whatever, but I think that we should
hear just like the other committees, the other recipients exactly what they're doing with these dollars as a taxpayer before you give this money. Just like you make the others, you should make them tell you exactly each year what
you're doing with my taxier taxpayer dollars. >> Thank you. Um that's all of the comment card that I'm missing on Wednesday's comment card. If not, we're moving forward with our um approval for the consent agenda. Do I have a motion for
approval of the consent agenda? >> I make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> There was a motion by Commissioner Reic. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Andrews. All right. Um um if any further questions or
discussion if not all in favor sign I >> any oppose um and moving on next is our proclamation declaring May 11th through the 17th 2026 as law enforcement week in
Bradford County. The U proclamation reads, "Whereas the con the Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15 through 2026 as peace officers Memorial Day and the week in which May 11 through
17, 2026 falls as National Police Week. And whereas the members of the law enforcement agencies of Graphic County play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedom of Graphic County. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand their
duties, responsibility, hazards, and sacrifices of their law enforcement agency. and that members of our law enforcement agency recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property by protecting them against
violence and disorder and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression. And whereas the men and women of the law enforcement agencies of Rapid County unceasingly provided vital public
service. Now therefore, the Brapha County Board of County Commissioners on the 5th day of May 2026 call upon all citizens of Rapid County and upon all patriots patriots, civic and educational organization to observe the week of May
11th through the 17th, 2026 as law enforcement week with appropriate ceremonies and observance in which all of our people may join in commemorating law enforcement officers. past and present who by their faithful
and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. We further call upon all citizens of Rapid County to observe May 15, 2026 as
peace off officers memorial day in honor of those law enforcement officers who through their courageous deeds have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their community or have become disabled in the
performance of duty. And let us recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our fallen heroes and witness thereof. I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the rapid conan to be affixed. And this will be by
the board of county commissioners, myself as chair, and the clerk um Denny Thomas. So you hear the proclamation. Uh do I have a motion for approval of the proclamation? I make a motion that we approve the proclamation. >> A motion by Commissioner Andrews. Is
there a second? Second by Commissioner Thompson. Any further discussion or questions? If not, >> actually I do. >> Okay. Um this is very a very important thing to me that it's recognized just today, May the 5th. Um in 1981, a dear
friend of mine, his name was Sergeant Steve Dennard, was brutally stabbed to death in the rock at Union Correctional Institution. folks that these people when they put those uniforms on whether it be in the prison or in our sheriff's department they put their life on the
line every day for us. So please when you see them let them know how much we appreciate them. Thank you and other further discussion. We have a motion and a second. All in favor by sign I >> I.
>> Any oppose? I vote. And next we um have um asking for approval of gas tanks fund to resurface the northeast 15th ways. Northeast 161st Street, Southwest 161st Street,
Northwest 182nd Way, Northwest 177th Avenue and Southeast 28th Street. And I just have would like to have a little discussion before we take the the motion. And Mr. Dodge, you can go ahead and do the the presentation.
>> Yes, ma'am. So, I felt obligated to bring up some necessary repairs to our currently paved asphalt infrastructure. Um, and the reason I'm bringing it to y'all's awareness is I would like to move that up in the priority list. Not
removing the three chip seal roads that we have not completed yet, but just moving these asphalt roads that need to be resurfaced up and then falling back to do the chip seal afterwards. Well, the the the concern I have, Mr.
God, and I, you know, I I trust um your judgment and and things, but I did drive through those areas and um some some can some can wait um until the other roads are done first. I know that
that would kind of bump them up to the priority, but um for example, the um the south northeast 15th place and 60 161st,
they're located um in near the country club area. They're all paved. They need do need a little maintenance. Same thing for 1802nd way, 161st. um northwest is out um towards the the
the Brooker area near the Baptist. It's along a residential area, all paved, but um Southeast 28th is over in the Lake Geneva area. All of these areas have
paving. It won't it won't cause any health or safety issues if they waited a little bit. But if the other roads, those dirt roads with the partial millings are not prioritized and done first, it's going to cause the health
and safety for the people who reside in those areas. And to me, we should put the health and safety first. And if we have the extra, then do the other ones. I know all of our roads have to be maintained. Um but we have to give
priority to these roads that are um impeding um the transportation from our uh first responders, ambulances and whenever we have inclement weather, roads like um 173 or 171 washes away and
causes um there to be difficulty in in reaching them and then you guys have to do a lot more to keep them up. So my position is to not boot not to boot them out first to do the cosmetic things, but
I think that we need to give priority to those roads that are really in critical situations that need attention to. For example, um 177 that's dirt with all of the all of
the dust that caused respiratory issues. 19th Northeast 19 lane. Um and Lord is Paul Lane. Um Strawberry Acres is 20 or 204 and Northeast 20th Avenue. It's Carter Road 227 and 6th Avenue and
Northeast 7th Avenue in the Pleasant Grove areas 59 58 59th Lou 48 and Hampton in the areas of Southeast 46th Avenue 45th and 101st. These are
areas in which people are having to breathe in a lot of particles from the dust of the roads. And to me, we need to get priority to these roads first, do the cosmetic things later. In district 5 off of 100, you got Southwest 75th
Avenue. You have 64th Avenue. All of those have the um the I call it dust um >> lime rock. >> The lime rock. So when you drive down those roads, it causes all of this emission that affects people's health
and livelihood. So in in my mind that these roads should take priority over the ones that are cosmetic. It's kind of like having a faith lift when your arm is broke. Which one do you choose? I'm saying repair the
broken limb. repair th those roads um that need to be done that cause health and safety issues for the people first. >> Yes, ma'am. No, and I I understand what you're saying. I will say that I think we've done a really good job of taking
dirt to asphalt or dirt to chip seal. I know last year and this year alone, we've done over 25 dirt to asphalt or chip seal, not counting our FDOT grants that went from dirt to asphalt. Um, I will tell you the reason I bring this up
and I bring this current pave uh asphalt infrastructure to you is because you have reflecting cracks that you have water impeding into that base material and once it gets beyond that then it is a lot more cost to uh go in there and
reconstruct that base and then reconstruct that road. That's the only reason I'm bringing it up to y'all. Um, just want to make you aware of it. >> Yes, sir. And then the question is for those particular ones what um I guess what priority to um that was applied to
select those particular because there are others that are similarly or in worse condition than these. >> Absolutely. A lot of it has to do with population um how many homes, how many residents it serves. Is it a cut through from 16 to 229
which is a heavy traveled area? Yes, ma'am. So that was kind of the priority and what what I thought I could fit into the budget. >> Yes, sir. And I'm not here to to criticize you. You've done an ex outstanding job with the resources that
we have. But when I drive through all of our areas for me, it's not just my area. It's all of our areas. when I drive through, I look at the areas that are in my estavation as the most critical and the one that are causing us the most problems.
>> And that's how we prioritize it. And I can tell you there's not any one person besides me that would like to see every road here paved. But we're working in that direction. We just got to do baby steps and eat it like an elephant, one bite at a time.
But we're getting there. We We've covered a lot of miles in the past couple years. Yes, she is. >> And and I agree, but I think those those other roads that need the the um chip ceiling and paving first should be done first and then wait on the cosmetic ones
here. Now, 177th Avenue because also they have the sidewalk project from DOT. It should it should be done right away because it was told to the citizens and you thought it and I thought it and everybody on the board thought that that was included in the DOT project that
extends from 16 to 229. >> Yes, ma'am. And that that happened once they made it a lap project and then it no longer was eligible for resurfacing. >> Okay. >> Under lap. But those are the concerns um that I have that we should prioritize
those critical roads first and then do the cosmetic. Well, I can say Southwest 161st Street. Um the section he's talking about is less it I don't think it's a quarter of a
mile, is it, Jason? Uh but they just cut timber off of a um an area there and those trucks have destroyed that little section of of uh property. It too was one that when they paved 161st
um ran out of out of asphalt, did not pave that area. So it's been there like that for years and it is in really bad shape. >> Yes, ma'am. That was prior to my time coming here. Apparently, they ran out of funding because they only paved 3/4 of the road. And this would be the other
quarter that uh ranked high on the priority list because they went out there and logged out there and that that road's deteriorated quite a bit. And it's just the small section that was not resurfaced back 10 years ago. >> Okay. So, it's not the entire 161st. It's just that little section that
intersects with two 235 because I drove I have to look at all of these roads 235 to um 161st. It it'll be uh 235 to 144th which takes you to New River Baptist Church. >> Okay. So, not the rest of the five miles of No, not at all.
>> And I will 101st that goes down to um Samson City Church of God. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I I just want to throw that in. And the road, and I don't know if y'all have ridden, but out at Samson City, that road because of some work that was done,
um, it is it is being destroyed. That road is cracking off on the signs. I mean, it it's in bad bad shape. >> Yeah. This section you're actually talking about is 225. We actually went in there and put Lime Rock shoulders on that road to help hold it up to try to buy us some more time on it.
>> Okay. But it it's really bad. That's right. >> So, one other question. I know that that 225 that you're speaking of would also intersect with 163, the one that has gotten the grants funding. They would eventually intersect each other. >> Okay.
Madam Chair, I just want to remind the board that we did at one point ask our public works director to go through and prioritize the roads and it went from the roads that we have our wish list every year for DOT scrap and scop funding and then it went to our existing
paved roads that over time degrade because they have been there for as long as they have and as Mr. Do mention the failure of the base material there. It right now you're looking at doing just a mill and resurface versus going back and
doing a full depth reclamation. So the cost to put that off again is significant. And I think that's what Mr. Dods is trying to tell us. And certainly I give him all the credit because again we've asked him and tasked him with doing these things and evaluating and
prioritizing and so therefore um I'm all for the list that he has here and moving forward you know with those roads and resurfacing those roads and then continuing to do the chip seal on the other roads as the funding and the time
for the contractor becomes available. So, um, with that, if you need a motion to approve, I would make that motion to >> Yeah, we will in a minute. Just any other further discussion. >> Let me let me just say if if if I make a motion and then whether it dies or
whether it goes to a second and then we have time to discuss at that point. >> Well, we were having a discussion um, Commissioner Dhy and I was allowing the rest of the board to make their comments before we received a motion. And that that's that's what I'm asking now if
there were any further >> discussion. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sure. Sure. I I got something to say. I I agree with what Commissioner Dry is saying. Um cuz I've talked with Jason about this quite a bit and um you know and he is our road superintendent. He knows more about roads than anybody in
this room here. And um and I also know that he actually contacted DOT to see if they would go out there and do a complete study on it, but they didn't have time at the moment. But um and and all they were going to do was just go out there and do a visual. And Jason's just as qualified as any one of the ones
that test roads at DOT to do a visual. And um so anyway, with that too, I can I can't speak for all the roads, but I do know that um I believe it's Southeast 28th. Um it's really more of a cold patch road than it is a uh uh asphalt
road cuz it's been patched so many times just coming in. There's patches everywhere. So, you know, that just tells me the road is just totally falling apart. And um you know, and if we just keep waiting and waiting and sure, I'd like to get a lot more roads chip. I really would I understand where you're coming, but if we don't take care
of these roads that are already paved and then two or three or four years from now, we go back and try and repave them and it costs a lot more money, then we're not really going in the right direction. So, that's I'm leaning on Jason's expertise.
um that's what he's recommended. And like I said, um when he first told me about this, I wasn't super excited about it, but the more I talked to Jason and listen to what he was saying, I understand where he's coming from. So that's that's all I got to say. Thanks.
And thanks for spending your time to um to look at all this. >> Well, and again, I I want to be very clear, those chips roads are just as important to me. my my job and my duty is to make the board aware of some situations with other infrastructure. And if I don't do
that, you you're not aware of it. And so that's why I felt like it was important to prioritize it, bring it before y'all. But again, I want to see as many dirt roads turned to chip seal or asphalt as as was as well as anybody else does. >> Okay, Mr. Don, I appreciate all that you
do and I know you go above and and beyond. I was just looking at those other areas um that are suffering uh greatly. Yes. >> And with that, those are my comments and um we had um Commissioner Doy, if you want to go ahead and state your
>> Yes. I will offer a motion that we approve moving forward with the roads that Mr. Dod has evaluated and has put on the list uh to resurface. >> Second by Commissioner um second by Commissioner Reic. Um any further
questions or discussion? If not, all in favor sign I. >> I. >> And one day. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um carried by 41. >> All right. Um
and now we have the um approval um for the application for historic marker at the Graphic County Health Department honoring Joyce um Reinhardt. Miss Reinhard worked at the health department and when I was a little kid
um and the original um marker was there just across from the park of of Church Street um which is now a nursing home or what do you call it an assisted living facility that's where she she worked and
they tried our office tried very diligently to reach out to the facility to allow the marker to be put there, but they did not hear anything back and this was um you know done some months back
and um um because they haven't gotten back to them. This has been since February the historic um group has been waiting. So now they're just saying go ahead and put it down at the health department off of Temple. So we'll ask for the board
approval to allow the market to go there. I'll make a motion to approve the application for the historical marker. >> Okay. >> And the Bradford County Health Department, honoring Miss Ryder. >> Okay. Motion by Commissioner Dor. Is a second to the motion. Second. >> Second by Commissioner Andrews. Any
further discussion or question? All in favor by the sign. I >> I moment that you've all been waiting for. um our organization um 2026 fiscal year budget request from the community
organizations. It's coming up now and um I guess Scott will turn it over to you if you want each one. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, as you can see, we have a list of outside organizations that are here to present uh requesting funding from the
board of county commissioners. Uh first up, we have the UFAS program. Um, this white head. >> Good morning, commissioners. How are you? >> I'm Lizzie Whitehead. I'm the livestock and natural resources agent at the UFIF extension office in Bradford County, and
I also coordinate this event through 4, Bradford County 4. Um, and I just wanted to request um, some funding to help support this event. Um, as you can see, these are pictures from last year's event. Um, it went really well and um, we had a lot of youth involved locally
and some kids that were out of county as well participated. Um, do you want to go to the the slide? Perfect. So, I am requesting for our next event in 2027 $2,500. Um it was the same request as last year and um this event is open to
all 4A members who show beef cattle. This helps give our local kids an opportunity to practice showing their um projects before they go into the county fair. And um it brings revenue for local businesses for people who come out of the county to stay at hotels. We have
vendors there who sell food. Um they also sell t-shirts and uh different things. Um, so we try to bring as much revenue to the local community and make this a huge event. Um, all proceeds, if we profit anything, it goes to our um, Rapper County For Association, and I'll
show you some pictures of what events that money goes towards. Um, so this past year in 2026, we had a little over 100 exhibitors participate. uh 141 head of cattle were there at the Bradford County Fairgrounds and about 550
visitors were there between Friday and Saturday. Um and we also had 32 businesses support this event. Um whether it was donation of items and prizes or money. Um so it's a really wellrecoognized event that people come to from year to year and new families
come to as well. Um I bring in a judge that um doesn't know any of the families to give a their best opinion of the animals. Um and we have um showmanship classes and also um we have cattle classes as well. So just to go over what it costs to put
on a cattle show. Um for us it cost $12,500. That's between facility clo facility cost um hiring a judge um also um insurance and banners and buckles. So all this money goes back to the kids into this event. Um so it costs a lot to
do this event and that's why I'm requesting these funds today. And any anything we profit from this event, it goes to our um Rafford County live team that I coach. It also goes to any 4 camps that we put on. Um any
events that our 4 agent puts on, Miss Bailey and our shotgun team as well. So this is our big fundraiser of the year. So, we have to make some kind of profit to be able to be able to do all these events for the kids locally. And I just wanted to thank you for your
support last year. Um, and I couldn't have done it without you guys. Um, it was a huge um, helpful to get everything I needed to get for this event to make it happen. Um, and I wanted to thank our fair manager, Miss Harley, for her help with this event, her learning what we've
done in the past, um, and also making it easier for me to put this event on. and also Jason Dodd from the road department helping with all the little things that I needed from him to make this event go. So, just wanted to thank all of them as well. And that is all I have. Do you have any questions for me?
>> I think I have some comments. >> Um, I just want to thank you, Lizzie, for always being there, always working extremely hard in what you do. Um, you are a true leader and it is shown every time we see you. Um, the kids are the future.
>> They are. and um bringing them a ride, teaching them things, um teaching them about being dependable and and being committed to something and um it's it's amazing what you guys do and I just want to thank all of you.
>> But um thank you for for being the leader that you are. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you so very much. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. >> Uh Lizzie, I have a question. Um, and great job by the way done so far. >> On the shotgun team, do you guys do a
play shoot? Do you guys do a fundraising event for CL shoot? >> No, I don't believe that they currently do one, but that would be definitely a good thing for them to do as a fundraiser um because there's a lot of costs involved in um supplying the ammo, but um I know the NRA um gives the our
for agent applies for grants for those and then they supply some of that. So, the NRA is really supportive of our program. So that may be it. But if there's ever another need to do a fund raise, that is a really good event that we could do. >> That would be really good. >> So thank you so much. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Up next, we have the Ark of Breath Academy. >> Good morning, commissioners. >> U my name is John Williams. some of the art for county and I just wanted to take a minute and just say thank you for your uh support that you've given over the years. Uh we very much appreciate it. Uh
wanted to highlight a couple of programs that we have going on currently just to uh let you know some of the things that we're doing to give back to the community. Uh so we have partnered uh with the community resource hubs uh and Feeding Northeast Florida to do food
distributions. uh we we believe in creating opportunities for our clients to give back to the community. And so through that, over the past year, we've uh been able to feed 2,800 individuals through our six uh food distributions. Um again, it's an opportunity for people
of all abilities uh to come and partner together to really uh create a better community at large. Uh, one of our most recent projects that we've started, uh, we're partnering with the, uh, Bradford County Health Department, uh, food for
kids, Bradford County Schools, uh, to house the backpack feeding program. If you're not familiar with that program, it provides, uh, food to students over the weekends uh, who may not have access to uh, resources. So, uh, really uh, creates an opportunity again for our our
clients to give back uh, to the community. Um we, you know, we're a nonprofit. Uh we we continue to look for other funding sources. Uh but we do appreciate uh the support that the commission uh has given in the past and
look forward to that continued support. Uh so again, I want to thank you. Uh we do have our summer gala this year. I know last year we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Um it was on the night of commission meeting, so you weren't able to attend, but we we moved it this year
to a different night. So, um, it's going to be July 23rd and would love to have you all attend if you're able to be there. So, again, thank you at this time. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer. >> And a question from the board from Mr. Williams.
>> I just have a question. How's the uh the woodworking shop and the uh the survey states and all that? You guys out and doing well with that? So again, that's uh that's another um you know, opportunity for our clients to uh be gainfully employed and you know, really
uh create an opportunity for them to be uh contributing citizens. Um in the wood shop, we do sell survey stakes, pallets, picnic tables. We also do raised planer boxes. Um I believe that was a suggestion that Commissioner Spooner um
you know had um picnic tables. We're uh getting ready to I think this Friday we're delivering a couple of picnic tables to the uh new boat ramp pavilion that uh is there on Lake Santa Fe. Um with the economy we've seen kind of a
dip on some of those things. Um but it's still actively um you know one of the businesses that we operate. Good. Thank you. you know, I do thank you a lot for the picnic tables for the uh Santa Fe boat ramp. That's that's a big hit down
there. So, thank you so much for that. >> Yeah. And I just as a shout out um just want to thank um you know the commissioner uh Rotary Club of Stark uh if you remember um did uh write some grants and um put that together. So,
we're excited to be a part of that. >> Thank you so very much. >> Thank you. Okay. And next we'll have Swan River Economic Council. >> Good morning, commissioners. My name is Matt Peters and I'm the director of the Swan River Economic Council and uh just
for you just so you know, I'm sure you guys are aware of this. We uh also provide transportation services. Last year we provided around 10,000 trips in Bradford County. Uh we help people with the light bills, etc. Today I'm here to talk about senior services. We requested
roughly $6,400 to offset our cost that we do to provide senior services in your county. With those monies, we're able to provide respit services for families with Alzheimer's. We do home delivered meals. We provide meals at a congregate meal site. Uh we do home cleaning and
different services for seniors in need around Bradford County. And uh again, just as the last gentleman said, we really have appreciated the working relationship we've had with the board of county commissioners here for decades and and I hope that relationship continues. So if you have any questions for me and the services we provide, I'd
be happy to answer those for you. >> Any question from the board? Now, I just want to say um because I I sit on the transportation disadvantage board from that and uh and also with um excuse me with Lenn Franc from the planning council and I I will tell you they do a
fantastic job of getting uh rides and mills and everything for um for our disadvantaged. Um it's it's just a great program and and thank you so much for all you do cuz and two board they're always looking for different ways to um
to serve more people and provide more services for the citizens of Bradford County. Excellent program. I really do appreciate it. >> Thank you Commissioner. I think Scott's here. >> Yeah. So it is a good working connection and thank you guys for your support. >> I just want to say thank you for what
you do. I see you guys traveling and taking people to their medical appointments all the time and without you I'm not sure what they would do and um it's just very fortunate that we have this in our community. So, thank you very much. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you for saying those kind words. I I'll relay that
information to the staff. They work awfully hard to get people from point A to point B safely. >> And I will say this because we get reports uh quarterly reports and there's we hardly ever see a complaint. It's a it's a very very smooth great run
operation. So thank you for that. >> I will share that information. Thank you guys. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Have a nice day. You too. >> Next we have the um skillman's post offer officer Watson.
>> Good morning. >> Let me start by passing these out since I don't have much time. This is a forward token of our appreciation. Our wife makes those cookies from scratch. We have a uh you know, those are our original recipes and they've been approved. Feel free to check them out.
If you check out the QR code, all the proceeds will go to Skilman's Post. Uh my name is Lenny Watson. I am uh I guess I can use this. I'm 20-year uh retired veteran and here recently um I took a dilapitated property and I've been
turning into what I called Skilman's Post. At first, um, I was just going to try to retire and live in the woods and play with my animals. And, um, I like to serve. I like to volunteer. And so, I started putting together a boy camp. Oh,
let me pass these out as well. It is called the Wrangler Ranger Camp. Um, I've done everything from private enterprise with private security, logistics. Um, I was a combat medic when I served. I spent time in Fallujah,
Iraq, Afghanistan and other places. Um, my core strengths are project management, operations and communication. So, um, I believe that veteran led groups tend to have, uh, you know, really good relationships and callings in the community. And, uh,
my goal is that I feel like the 8 to 12 year olds are that cushion, that age group before they're impacted to the point where they haven't kind of went over the hill. they're still a sponge. Um, and when you teach a boy especially, and I want I want to emphasize that in
the future the camp can lend to other services where little girls I already have contacts that I'm dealing with other veteran outreach programs where I deal with uh disabled veterans and we do retreats and stuff, but my focus is the boys 8 to 12. Um, because you know, when you teach a young boy how to fix
something, then they stop being consumers and they start being producers. And um I truly believe in that. Um we feel like that um I want to create a supportive space for the youth and families to foster healthy communication. So as I evaluate the
children that you know this allows parents to come into play and actually get an alternative to see you know how their children are performing. Certain times that happens where they may not know what's going on at home until their child is exposed to a different program and then they can kind of connect the
dots through that. I may see something in that child that the parent is kind of overlooking and we can kind of come to a solution if there's any uh problems or if there's you know uh if that particular child has abilities or attributes that they don't tend to share at home for one because they're
distracted mainly by the screen. So the idea is to definitely take away the technology and put things for them. Uh and we like to emp emphasize a big picture approach. Let's see here. So through the community uh integrity,
dedication, community engagement, I feel like it's very important that we have the support of the community because it increases the overall quality of the camp. Um I personally have spent more than $100,000 of my own money and it's not a matter of uh if but a matter of
when. But we know that with community support the quality can be advanced and we can really reach out to uh other programs and get the other community involved. Um, so we want to forge multi-capable young men through a rigorous introduction to fieldcraft,
technical proficiency, field repair, and leadership. Uh, the Rangler Ranger Camp is a training ground where discipline meets grit, teaching young boys to be self-reliant jacks of all trades who are as comfortable with a wrench or a compass as they are in the saddle. Um, we will include problem solving, team
building, and obstacles to challenge campers mentally, physically, and emotionally. Uh what I've researched and found is that what's happening amongst our youth is that outside of the screens when they don't they lack the want to they don't have the options you know they can rely on the technology to
figure out what to do but when you take that away from them they have no idea and they have no drive. So I like to put together uh obstacles so to say where I I challenge them by attention to detail. I may give them a uh for example some
instructions and it'll be as simple as uh changing a a tire changing activity. Um and I'll have them in groups and I may have multiple tools where it be a four-way, a wrench, um impact gun, things of that nature. And I'll have them in a preliminary class where I
teach them how to use these tools. But then when I add the objective in that fine line, it may be where on this tire, let's have the yellow stripe facing forward. And what happened is it exposed little boys. For example, one may be very assertive, one may be very like uh proactive, but they don't pay attention
to detail. So, they may jump in there, grab the tool that may uh operate the fastest, but it's also the heaviest, and they may want to get done fast. When you put a clock and you put music in the background, it creates other stimulus and distractions. So, um, uh, in their
evaluation, let's say that particular child jumps to it and it gets it done, tries to use the fastest piece of equipment, but doesn't pay attention to detail, and then on the other side of that tire is a red stripe, and now the red stripes facing out. So, in our evaluation, we're under able to unpack that and and provide that information to
the child, and then we can problem solve, and we can we can go through a process to where they understand how to uh get through an objective. Um, let's see here. So, uh, we want to also instill respect, uh, courage, collaboration. Um, you know, it's all
about teamwork and, uh, we want evidence-based outcomes. I like these objectives because they are evidence-based. You know, we're not just, you know, out here playing flag football. And, you know, as they, uh, learn uh, things early in the week, all those skills and different things that
they learn will be implemented later in the week. and they'll be more independent and using the things that they learned to get through harder and more extensive objectives uh towards the end. Um so let's get to the budget needs overview. Uh mainly for foundational infrastructure which is the build of
course we want sanitation, water systems, operational and safety equipment and of course uh cleanup. So we're asking for 70,000 um for our infrastructure and uh for startup capital and first period operations and we want to this
will ensure viability. Uh having this support allows us to sustain this and keep it going season after season after season. Um so and we will have clear accounting you know whether it be quarterly whatever the the the requirements of the the commission uh for reporting. I know that's always a
concern, but we have no uh problem doing that. And we're very local. I probably could run to home from here. Um let's see here. So, of course, like I said, startup costs include development, safety, infrastructure, and essential equipment. Um bunks, barracks,
sanitation facilities, recreational tools. Um here's a breakdown of some of what that would include, which would be like clearing brush, of course. Um, this is not necessarily 100% as far as the description, but it gives you an idea. You know, you're going to have to have
bunks, barracks, facilities that, uh, can be reconditioned each cycle that we have different groups of children. So, I personally have already been building and implementing this stuff, but uh, we're really looking forward to the support so we can go ahead and get it completed and we can get these, uh, kids
coming through. Okay. So, um another idea here, well, outdoor shower house. We want we want we want them to be comfortable because when we don't have when things are operating smoothly, we eliminate a lot of the excuses and reasons why the boys, you know, don't
necessarily fulfill the objectives. We want it to be smooth, want to be clean. We want it to be uh a finely well tuned uh machine, so to say. uh things like off-grid kitchen uh of course communication um and gear, you
know, um everything ranges, you know, we have archery range, wood shop, tools, supplies, lumber, you name it. Um it's a very creative space. Let's see. Uh waste management, of course, you know, this is having, you know, a dumpster and uh things of that nature cuz there's going to be uh trash and things that have to
be taken out. And then of course being able to uh refit the uh camp in between cycles. So um the direct benefits for one we like to take the load off of some of the other things like by building this program I I I feel like it will
take some of the burden off of some of these children who are having issues. U we're not saying every child who's coming to camp is going to have issues. But what's happened is as I've been building this and as I've been reaching out to the community, there's this calling. there's this need. I'm I'm getting pulled to Department of Children and Families and and other institutions
like that. Meanwhile, um you know, we just want to we know that by having the facility and everything in order, it'll expand the programming. You know what I'm saying? More accessibility. Um and um without having that support, you know, we just it'll just weaken the infrastructure and the consistency of
the camp. Um, so, uh, we'd like you guys to join as a committed partner and collaborate with us to expand the reach and deepen the impact across the county's, uh, communities. And we want to build for the long term. And, uh, I think it'll be a mutual value because, you know,
nothing against the the young girls because I've had a lot of questions come up as far as, so what about the girls? And honestly, as the infrastructure and everything continues to go, I will have segments not only for the veterans, but for girls, lock-ins, overnight camps.
Um, right now it's just a day camp where children will be dropped off in the morning and they'd be picked up in the evening. They'd be provided a meal. They have uniforms and all that kind of good stuff. But, uh, and I think it'd be great for the community. I don't really see, um, it happening much in this area.
And I think it's a great need because we're we're kind of in the middle between Gainesville, Jacksonville, and uh some other places. And and I think the the young men are the future. I want to kind of instill a little more masculinity into the program so that we can um you know, have men that
eventually uh give back to the community. So community values, you know, values instill trust. We want dedicated leadership. It's a clear mission and we would love the funding partnership. Uh this will produce high quality and it allows us to grow as
well. So um nope. Any questions? >> Just one quick question. How far have you gotten into the physical structure of building up your structure?
>> Um I would say I'm about 70%. And that's just based on, you know, all I I've haven't sought any outsour out outsourcing any resources. I've been pretty much dedicating all my blood, sweat, and tears to it for the
last 3 and 1/2 years. Um I I travel extensively for reclaimed materials, whether it be fence posts, lumber, fencing, you know, um every quarter I'm renting bulldozers and excavators. and I
recently uh actually uh acquired an extra 5 acres of property for my Ecoin Trails. Um I affiliate with I have uh affiliations with places as far as in Keystone Clay Ranch. I've got other
programs the the Army National Guard and Army Corps Engineers. I've got a lot of uh programs and stuff in the chamber that are just kind of cycling through and coming as things come into place. Um, so I would say about 70%. Right now,
depending on how things continue to progress, I'm looking at the first launch at probably the last week of overall summer. But I'm not limiting the camps to summer. Like once everything's in place, I understand there's fall, you know, there's it's everything comes with
a season and a theme, whether it be fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas. I'll plan on implementing certain programs whether they be for a week or a weekend and it's just going to be something that cycles all the way through. >> You have a question from the board.
>> Thank you very much. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. >> And next we have the original tourism task board executive director Scott Jones. Thank you. Morning, Madam Chair, members of the board. I'm Scott Cuz I have the distinct
honor and pleasure serving both as executive director for the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and through Contract for Service Original Florida Tourism Task Force. Let's see here. So, I want to talk to you a few minutes this morning about who we are, what we
do, then a very brief summary. Um, we're part of a statewide network of 10 councils. We're an association of local governments uh throughout the north central Florida. The mission of our organization is to improve the quality of life of our region citizens through enhancing public
safety, protecting regional resources, promoting economic development, and providing technical services to local governments. region covers 12 counties, 40 municipalities. 15 of those municipalities uh most of the county seats and some of the larger communities
are me uh members including the city of Stark. We cover 8,000 square miles, population over 600,000. Under state law, uh counties are required to be members of the regional council. Cities can choose to be voluntary members. The organization was created 1969. We
celebrated our 50th anniversary a number of years ago. We're now coming up on 60 years. And Bradford County has been a member organization since uh 1974. There's their 12 member counties. Oops.
There's the 15 member cities. We're governed by executive committee. Our current officers are Commissioner Alfred from Elatro County. Our vice chair is Vice Mayor Hawkins from the city of Jasper in Hamilton County. Our current treasur is uh Louie Hutchson from the uh
city of Hawthorne. Uh our current secretary is uh county commissioner McNeel from Union County, one of your neighbors. And our media past chair is um Mayor Hope from the city of Archer. We also have a number of exeicial agencies that participate in organization, Department of Commerce,
Environmental Protection, Transportation, and the three water management districts that cover our region. We have five principal areas of activity. First is regional. We maintain a strategic regional policy plan to guide the future growth and development of our region. We also serve as areawide clearing house to review comprehensive
plan amendments and federal grant applications. Secondary is public safety. We staff the north central Florida local emergency planning committee comprised of first responders, emergency managers from throughout the region. Uh they provide first responder training for hazardous material
awareness. Uh they also we support the north central Florida regional hazmat response team. Uh and then under state law, every county is required to do a site visit of small quantity generators of hazardous waste. Most of this is automobile service facilities for used
vehicle fluids. Second most common is direct cleaning facilities. Our third area of activity is economic development. We're federally designated economic development district. We maintain an economic strategy to diversify the economy of our region working with a economic development
strategy committee. Amber Shepard serves on that committee to represent this area. And also a number of years ago, the council formed the original Florida tourism task force to promote North Central Florida for ecoourism, heritage tourism, and cultural based tourism.
We also provide local government assistance directly to communities for assisting them in complying with community uh planning requirements as also following grant applications and ministering projects for community development. Uh the fifth and final is transportation. Matt Pearson was up here
earlier. Uh we serve as the official planning agency for that program. Developed the annual service plan. Uh staff the uh coordinating boards and me quarterly. Uh Commissioner Re serves as chair of that board. And uh SW economic council is your service provider providing paratransit services to
elderly, disabled and low-income individuals primarily for medical appointments. So our request uh today is for the your membership contribution to the regional planning council uh for the coming fiscal year would be $5,821.
Uh that is based on 30 cents per capita uh based on your most recent population estimate from the University of Florida Bure of Economic uh business research. It's $11 increase from your current dues. Your current dues are $5,810. Uh benefits is uh return on investment
is of services for transportation disavian some $23,000 directly to the county. Uh public safety for the uh first responder training uh the county share is a little over 13,000 and the economic development work is a little over 14,000.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, that hazard um generator monitoring is required each year. That's an enhanced service a contract for service of a little over $7,000. and it's been the same for uh over 20 years.
The uh request for the original Florida tourism task force uh the task force is made up of uh tourist development council staff and industry hospitality individuals from across the region. They have a formula for membership based on a percentage of your bed tax or tourist
development tax. Uh the county receives now close to $300,000 from bed tax for motel and uh campgrounds and trailer parks. Um and your request this year is the same as last year at $3,000 based on the first
two cents of your bed tax. Uh those funds are used to uh leverage a state regional rural economic development grant uh to advance the marketing program for the organization. They do digital and print advertising. Uh
provide scholarships for local staff to attend marketing college from the southeast urban society each uh summer. And then also distribute literature and brochures on the area to the visit Florida welcome centers at I95, I75, I 10 and US 231.
We do this through a very dedicated staff of individuals or officers located over in Gainesville. And I thank uh you for your time today. In a summary, we're part of a statewide network. Uh twothirds of our board is made up of elected officials. Commissioner Re currently serves on that board. Uh we're
coordinating planning agency programs range from regional planning to public safety, economic development, low carbon assistance, and the PART transit service program. So, thank you for your continuing support and partnership over the years and look forward to continuing uh through next year. Madam Chair, happy
to answer any questions. >> Any questions? Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Um, next we'll have the um children's services. >> Good to see you. >> Thank you. Good morning. My name is Britney Spangler. I am the um vice
president of program for Episcopal Children's Services. Uh just a little bit about who we are. We are a nonprofit organization that's dedicated to underserved children to s succeed in school and beyond across Florida. And in this last year, we have
expanded to Georgia. And we provide essential support and guidance to families seeking highquality care and education. This year is our 60th anniversary um that we've laid the foundation for lifelong learning and success one child at a time.
The reason why I'm here today is I am asking um the commissioners for excuse me a uh contribution of 3750 in your 2627 budget. It's the same amount that we have asked in the past. This kind of gives you a little bit of
the big picture of why we need your help. This is an annual report as provided by childcare of America. Um the middle part of the slide you will see that the department of health and human services says that the cost of child
care should be under 7% of a family's household income. And right now uh Florida the average is 12% for a married couple and 32% for a single family. on the right hand of the slide with the
chart that you see, if you have just an infant and a four-year-old in care, that cost of child care, the annual cost now exceeds the cost of housing. Um, on the far right of that, you see one year of college tuition and how much lower that
is compared to child care. And what we do at ECS for Kids is we help navigate the affordability through our school revenue subsidies for families. So the school readiness program is a federally funded program and they do require us for a community match of 6%
for direct services. Then the department of education and will match that on a 1:1 basis. So your contribution of 3750 will bring in approximately 58,750 in federal funds and then again on the
1:1 match making it 62,500 and the county's funding will be solely for to fund child care services for income eligible working families to help meet this requirement. This last year um the funds that we
received was able to cover approximately an annual cost of care for about 13 children. So this next year asking for the same amount of funding it will also cover approximately 13 children for the annual cost of care. And again 100% of the grant will use directly towards
childcare costs and no administrative costs or other program costs come from the grant funds. the funding that you also provide. Um there's a couple of different requirements for these families. This will go directly to Bradford County residents. They also have to meet the
income requirements of um which is 55% of the state median income to enter into the program and then they can earn up to 85% of the state median income um to stay in the program. They also have to be working or going to school at the
state's requirements for minimum hours. And then families receiving services, they are required to contribute a co-pay based on their household size and income. And this is to because the program is designated to promote self-sufficiency and encourage families to remain active contributors to the
community. And by fostering this independence, the program not only benefits individual families, but also strengthens the community by reducing resilience on other assistance programs. This is just two examples of the income thresholds for families. Um the top one
is for a family of two and the bottom one is for a family of four. And then not only do we provide services for families with um receiving financial assistance, but we also support childcare programs in the community. Um most childcare programs are mainly small
businesses that they receive training, technical assistance and coaching support from our staff. Um the free training and coaching is on site and uh it helps improve child and teacher interactions, instructional quality and compliance. We also have between our
education department and our professional development department uh scholarships, credential support, and other trainings that are free that can lower the cost of small business costs. And then again, um, any child care program in this in the county can actually advertise their services for
free through our system, um, which will then be given to any families that are seeking child care in um, Bradford County and they're looking and want to compare what's available, hours of operation, cost, those different kinds of things. So to kind of give you some statistics
for this year so far, um our fiscal year is from January, excuse me, July 1st through June 30th. And so far, um an average of 215 children are served monthly and we have 11 contracted childcare programs in Bradford County to
serve school readiness children. We've been able to send out 124 funding notices to new families. And we have 183 children participating in our free voluntary pre kindergarten program for four-year-olds. And we have 10 contracted childcare programs for those
services. We've offered 16 trainings from our education and professional development department. And we've had 32 instance or excuse me, 34 instances of technical assistance where we've had staff going out directly to these childcare programs for assistance.
And so far we've had 267 instances of contacts from families reaching out to our staff for information. Um, and examples are consumer education, financial assistance, community resources, childcare listings, or anything else that they want to know about community resources in Bradford
County. So that's it. I just wanted to thank you for your continued support and see if you have any questions. Any questions from the board? Thank you all for your services. Do you still have your your little garden? Do they still the kids still have their little community garden?
>> We have Yes, we have um one of the other programs. It's not a program that I work for directly, but our agency itself has Head Start, Early Head Start, and that's one of their programs that they do is the chap. Yes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. And next we have concerned
citizens of Bradford County, President Alicia Mike Miller. Morning. Morning. Alicia Millan and I'm going give you the address of the facility 1080 North Pine Creek Start Farm. We
like to thank you all for your service and your support over the past 49 years. Next year we will be in existence for 50 years. And our purpose is with the outreach program and we help our
community starting with our children all the way up to our elders. Right now, our facility is on a major renovation, but we still offering our summer program, which we take kids for four
weeks from K through 6th grade, and they are fed both breakfast and and lunch. And we have educational programs that's incorporated with again our camp, math and reading. We found out those the most
two important areas for our kids to survive these days. And then at the end of the year of the summer camp, we take them on a trip. And um we have our seniors, we have our hug programs where we give lunchons throughout the year
based on different disease and educational health issues that they have. Um for the seniors we have our food drive that is every second Wednesday of the month and during that time we have our educational hub where
people can come in and get educational and information about the health and whatever issues. It's a first come first serve basis. We also provide um for the youth of Breford County a annual Christmas program each year where we
give um away toys and u a big party, refreshments and food. And um this past Christmas we was able to give over 20 something free bicycles to the youth and we have had over 200 attendees that
attend. We also have um a Thanksgiving lunchon for the community for the seniors where we invite all the seniors to come in and we give them a free Thanksgiving um lunch and we also invite the ones who help us
as volunteers to come in and have a free lunch. And it's that it's our way of saying thank you for your service throughout the year. Our fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th. and we all about children, but we realize that we only can not only do the children, we
have to do the whole family. And that's what we've been doing for the last 49 years. And we thank you all for the contribution you all have made before. And we're asking you all again this year for $10,000. Um there's a brochure, a packet that is
given to each of you that playing our mission and is also in the back. It allows you to see some of the programs and the flyers of things that we have offered in the past and our summer program that we're in in about embark on
next month. At this point, do you have any questions? >> Not a question, but a comment. I know you're undergoing some major renovations um thanks to some appropriations and and county assistant as well, but I see that
you're expanding the use of the campus and I see that they have a um a regular baseball um is it called a travel team? >> Yes, a travel team >> that is utilizing the baseball area. >> Yes, they also is um incorporating some of our kids right here in Breford
County. the travel team is from the area from Bradford County and I think um Klay County, but they're housed now at our baseball park. Um and they're going to bring in some of the community kids of
Berlin County, anybody who wish any kids that 10U 11U that would like to play on the program, um they are encouraging them to participate in the program. We have a big Mayday program that will take place on next Saturday, Saturday after
next May 16th. That is when our big fundraiser for our summer program. And all the funds that we receive fundraising and from contribution uh only a small percent of it is used
95% is used for just the programs. Our our um organization is ran on volunteers only and we have just a few that we pay during the summer cuz we ask professional teachers, retired and and
current teachers to come in especially for all the different educational lab to teach the kids. >> And I was particularly impressed with your um your math and reading um program you had this past summer and look forward to it this year. Any
questions? >> Yeah, Madam Chair, I have a question and this is for you and also for Miss McMillan. Um, as the pay center for girls program continues to evolve uh from Klay County into Bradford County and with the reach program, um I don't
know how much discussion you all have had with that, but you know, maybe eventually having the PACE program based there in RJ. We will we we are we me and Miss um Commissioner Spoon has discussed that and we're looking forward to partnering with him. >> Good. Yes. But we need to get our
facilities um uh in shape for them to be able to come in. Okay. And that renovation uh is in place right now. And we want to thank you all for helping us for the with the different appropriation. Without you
all, a lot of that work would happen. And we like to thank you all for that as well. I thank you commissioner Jordy about um the suggestion of the past folks come and come for a visit. They had I think it was the Kuanas or the Rotary they
came and did a presentation and they did go and look at the facility. So I think you the plan is um you know is to utilize that space to do their counseling or involvement with the youth. Once we get our gymnasing up and
going, we're going to have year round programs for the youth and the senior citizens that is right now our whole back. But things is moving and you know you know um as my father always say Rome wasn't building a day it take one day at
a time but it's going to happen. we it's going to happen and we like to thank you all for the support that you all has given us over the past um years and make sure we will be celebrating 50 years of being in this. Thank you.
I'd just like to say thank you for all you do to volunteer, the hours and everything that y'all put and it's so obvious that you put your heart in this and so I'd like to thank you guys for everything that been done and and for what we are going to see in the future.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Any other questions? Okay, next we'll have Meridian Behavior Healthcare U the chief executive officer Lauren Coleman. Good morning. Yep. Thank you for the introduction. I'm
Lauren Cohen, the president and CEO of Meridian Healthcare, and I appreciate you having me here today so I can share a little bit of the the impact that uh of the work that we've been doing here in Bradford County. Um many of many of the things wouldn't be possible without
your continued support and partnership. So, I also thank you for that. Uh just a little bit about Meridian. Um established in 1971, we've been providing behavioral health services uh for over 50 years. Uh deeply committed to serving the residents here in
Bradford County. Um focused on whole person care rooted in hope and empathy. Um our mission is to transform communities uh starting with one life. Some of the values that we focus our work on are our heart values. So we've
got hope, empathy, accountability, resilience, and teamwork. Uh the foundation of our core services. Uh an overview of the programs that we offer. Uh we have a comprehensive continuum of care addressing the complex needs of children, adults, and families.
Uh driven by our commitment to community well-being. We continue to add services, expand, grow, and evolve to meet the unique needs of individuals and communities that we're serving. Teleaalth services continue to uh be an option to
expand access especially here in Bradford County. Uh the data that is included in this report is from this current fiscal year which began on July 1. Uh the data is through March 31st. Our fiscal year ends June 30th. Uh but
given the timing of the report, the date is through March. Um, so so far this fiscal year, 626 Bradford County residents have received a total of 3,800 teleaalth services through March. We continue to offer a program where we
can support individuals in need uh with devices at no cost to them um for individuals who who may not have access or ability to get to traditional services in the office. Some of the information on who we're serving here in in Bradford County is on
this slide. Uh providing a snapshot of the demographics of the individuals we're serving. I think understanding who we're serving helps shape the direction of the services and the specific unique needs. Uh 3% of our clients identified as Hispanic. Uh we've got the the
breakdown of age as well on this slide. This year we actually installed client feedback kiosks in all of our sites so we could not only understand some of the feedback from the individuals by location um but be able to drill down on
some of the specific uh comments, suggestions, uh where clients are are feeling supported, where the opportunities are sight by sight. Um, so these are the scores for our Bradford County clinic specific, not just our whole agency. So
this is a new part for this fiscal year. So this fiscal year, um, when we installed these these kiosks, the overall satisfaction for our Bradford County clinic is 4.5 out of five and the likelihood that these individuals would recommend Meridian is 8.9 out of 10. Uh
so this year sort of serves as a baseline for us to continue to work on building these these scores. Um across our whole organization though we're looking at 79% of adults and 80% of children reporting improved functioning and a reduction of overall symptoms.
Some of the services that we've provided this fiscal year so far. Um this slide includes the numbers across our continuum of care. So, we've got our acute care, which is our inpatient unit, our crisis stabilization, um, and inpatient detox facility. We've got
outpatient treatment, medication assisted treatment, psychiatric care, and our mobile response team. I do want to highlight some of the things that we've done specifically this past year. Uh most of which with your partnership expanding our medication
assisted treatment services um which includes our groups and individual treatment here in Bradford County um as well as medication assisted treatment buponorphin and viviprol access here. We also have expanded our partnership with
the Bradford County Sheriff and the jail by implementing jailbased medicationass assisted treatment. Um that's just in the last couple months. Um we're really excited to continue to build that program um and partnering with Bradford Fire Rescue and Parame medicine as well
on community based services and our um in jail services. We also started our central receiving last year. Um and that facility serves as a central intake point for anyone coming under a baker act or voluntarily.
The central receiving facility has um expanded services to support individuals not just to get them connected with the next level of care whether that be inpatient or outpatient resources. um but also provide some care coordination to help with some additional factors
beyond just medication and symptom management, uh transportation challenges, housing challenges, or some of those additional psychosocial stressors that often contribute to somebody's impatient hospitalization. Here we're detailing the payer mix. Um
86.26% of clients we see in Bradford County are below the federal poverty guidelines. Um 2% of those services were ineligible for any subsidy to address the cost of care. 48% of services have been paid for with indigent care funding from the state and
county. 28% of services were covered by Medicaid. 24% of individuals have some form of insurance. That insurance only covers 8% of the services these individuals need and receive. Um the funding we provided last year went towards um uncompensated care for
individuals mental health and behavioral health substance abuse treatment that had no other payer. So individuals that did not have any insurance and um were not covered by any third party. Um so it allowed us to continue providing care to
those individuals. That is what the funding for this year will also be utilized for. Um, as you know, by Florida statute, we are required to obtain local match for any of our federal and state dollars. Um, our expected fiscal year 27 local
match requirement is 2.6 million. Um, so this year we are requesting a 2% increase in our funding, bringing that request to $84,678.61. Um, this increase brings us closer to our required match, um, and supports our expanded services provided through
central receiving and some of the other initiatives we discussed today. Here's my contact information, but I'm happy to answer any questions. I'm just going I just want to express my appreciation um to Meridian and also to
our parame medicine program working together that you all have been able to expand into the county jail and also the medical assistance program is a program that is funded through you guys that saves our county money. So, I'm just really excited about the movement of
that and the jail staff was just very pleased and I met with you guys about um couple weeks ago and that's moving forward. >> We we are thrilled with the partnership. Um bringing these critical services to to those in need in the jail is a huge
initiative for us and um we couldn't be happier with the warm response that we've received and the partnership here. Um, any questions from the board? >> Okay, >> thank you so much for having Thank you.
>> Um, next we have the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce executive officer is Pam Little. Good morning. >> I just want to come back to you guys and let you know we are again asking for
$9,375. And I know that seems like an odd amount, but some years ago we were requested to reduce our amount by 25% which we did. And we've been surviving off of that for many years now. Um, a
lot of what we do is work with we work with the county, with the city. I mean, we're always getting calls, Pam, do you have? And, um, as I look through this room, I've worked with quite a few of these people as well. That's what we do. We support everything that's going on.
Part of our mission is residents place to live, visitors a place to come, and businesses a place to locate. And that's some of what we do. That's why we work with the economic development group. That's why we work with Miss McMillan and we got your tents for Mayday. We
have those kind of things. We do that and we make sure it happens. Thursday, National Day of Prayer, those tents will be there and those chairs will be there. We coordinate that, you know, we make it happen. I know a lot of people say, "Oh, it just happens." No,
it doesn't. It's stuff we do. Um, we recently had to replace ropes on tents. you know, you don't think of that, but they just deteriorated and we had to buy new rope that was not cheap, you know? I mean, there's just
expenses that go with those things. Tables, tents, you know, just all the stuff that we do. As I was thinking about this month, you think, oh, May, we've got National Day of Prayer, that's already been coordinated, things are happening. We have May Day, that's already been coordinated, things are
happening. Memorial Day service. We've already been with American Legion. That's happening. You know, it's just it's what we do. It's marketing. It's hard to put a litmus test on that. How do we know it happens? We see the people there. We had
awful lot of people at a ball field here a while back. Um, you know, we had quite a few people at a pickle ball court not long ago. I mean, but we were there. We even have a lot of people that How many of you made it to the new oil change
place at at Murray Ford who's been with us for a long time and supports this community in a lot of ways and we were there to support them and that's what we do. Um it's after hours, it's late hours, you know, I mean I've done a few
marathon meetings with you guys even where we were here kind of late and um plus we work with the city. Do we have a request in with the city? Yes, we do. This also covers your membership for you to be a part of this to say you're having a little bit of helping all these
guys out here, Arc communities and schools, concerned citizens, you know, that's that's what we do. We lift up our community and all votes rise with the tide. That's it, guys. Thank you. We
appreciate you thinking about us. We appreciate your pan all that you do. Our community and chamber comments cor. >> I do. Um I heard you have a member that's retired, >> a TDC board member.
>> Yeah. >> Yes, we do. >> Um are you guys planning anything that we might come and just give our best regards? >> Our meeting is actually May 21st. That Thursday will probably be his last meeting. For those of you who don't
know, John Miller's retired retiring from Tourist Development Council. Um, he no longer owns the Magnolia Hotel. So, he's vacating that seat as a collector of the bed tax. So, his last meeting will be Thursday the 21st. So, we'll be
at the grill if y'all want to come by. And thank you, ma'am. Just like you said, every event we have, openings, whatever, fire station, ball fields, you're always there. Really do appreciate all you do for us. That's for sure. >> That's what we do. >> Just call
>> strawberry festival. I I just Well, that's what I was saying about, you know, county days. >> May is kind of a slow day. Rural county days. And I do have some dates on rural county days. It's very tentative, but it's probably going to be in the teens
in March this year. And I went March really between the fair and the strawberry festival. Thank you. But we'll be there. >> The temperature or the day of the week? Guaranteed. >> Well, it could be that hopefully this year we'll be there in March. So, we'll
probably be holding the tent down from the wind. So, we'll be there. >> Okay. Thank you. We appreciate you guys too and all that you do, all that your staff does as well to help us and support us. So, thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Next, we have the community for schools executive director, Cindy De Valerio, my kids um elementary school teacher. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> I do not have a PowerPoint presentation. You all know who we are and what we do.
So, I'm kind of here to give you an update today, but I will leave you with updated flyers. Thank you all for your continued support. You all have been wonderful. Many of you all have helped with golf tournaments, mentoring. All of you all have done different things through the years to support us and
we're very grateful for that. Communities and schools actually began as a 501c3 in 1999. So, we've been around for quite a while. Our mission is still the same. We're here to support students 6 through now 11th grade. used
to be six through nine, then it went sixth through 10th, now 6 through 11th to be successful academically, for their future career-wise. Not everybody's cut out for college. So, we do try to push trade schools, certification programs, etc., which in
my thinking then later builds a better community. Yes, Miss Booner, I've been around for a long time and my goal's always been to help Bradford County and to work with students and that's still my heart. My current goal for next year is to expand into the middle school. We
are there with our mentoring program, but we're not there on a daily weekly basis to assist students with support that I think would help and empower them. Middle school ages, and you hit the nail on the head about 8 to 12 year olds is a critical age for forming
personalities. You also hit the nail on the head about screen time. That'll be another day. I'll come back and talk to you about screen time, but screen time is consuming our youth and beyond that there needs to be other things in their life that they can be skilled at, viable at, um, etc., etc. That's a whole
another chapter. To give you a little bit of update of our year though, we've served over 110 students and our two programs umbrella under Bradford Community for Schools. Our take stock and children's program, we have 40 students currently. All are
scholaripped. scholarship comes through donations, fundraising, a little bit of state funding, and then supporters in our community. Of the 40 students already scholarship, they all have a mentor, an active mentor. 14 of them are
actually receiving a full four-year ride from another um grant that I've written through the Department of Education. So for Bradford County, which I love Bradford County, but that's a big deal for a student to get out of high school that maybe did not have parents that went to college and have the opportunity
for a full four-year ride. Of the 110 students this year that we served, um 28 of them are graduating. So, I'm very proud to say once again for those of you all that golf and join us in the fall for our golf tournament, you'll see once again the sign, the first sign you meet
says 100% graduation rate, there's 186 graduates at Bradford High School this year. Maybe maybe 187, but right around there. 28 of those are our students. Um, we're a very small but mighty team of
six part-time people. Um, I call us the dream team because we are we're the hands and feet of Jesus every day on campus to help students. We do not have big salaries. None of us want big salaries. We do not have benefits. We don't have sick days, vacation, or any of that. We're really there just to do
what we think we can do to promote our program and help Bradford County. Our students goal is graduation obviously, but along the way we also offer other services which is in this brochure. Um, Meridian is one of them. There are a lot of different things that many of our
students need and require. We try to offer those or make the connection or partnership for those. Uh, the feeding program, the backpack weekend program. We have several students participating in that. Um, we have the hanger, which is our clothing resource room that's
decorated like a nice boutique. Students get clothing, they get school supplies, work attire, shoes, personal hygiene items, whatever may be needed to help them be successful. We also had a local church this past year, Lifespring Church, that actually supported 20 of
our students for Christmas. 20 might not sound like a big deal, but it is when you start looking at high school students and what their needs and wants may be. So, in our in our brochure that I will leave with you, there's a lot of different things that we're doing. We um work a lot with the SWAT tobaccof free
project. Our students have become involved in that. We'll have our summer work program again for students that qualify. Um we just try to keep a lot of things going on for our students. We do a monthly lunch and learn where students come and have pizza. You can always draw a teenager if you bring the pizza, but
they're learning about all different sorts of things. We've had recruiters come from the military. We've talked about Santa Fe trade school. We've had guest speakers come in. So, we're just trying to give them viable options that will give them good opportunities, keep them in Bradford County, help them be
successful, and then of course graduate. We look at their grades, we look at their behavior, of course, we look at attendance. Those are things for a lot of our students that you're not in school, you're not getting an education. So, we try to do things to motivate and help them. I would like to thank the
school district because they do provide our office space and expenses that go with that. I'd like to thank our board. We have a board of 11. Names are on the back of the brochure once again who are very involved. They're a working board. Um, always there to help. We do monthly
bingos. If anybody likes to play bingo, come on down to the downtown grill. Uh, not in May because we I call this Mayber. May is a very busy month school related, but normally our bingos are the first or excuse me, the last Monday night of every month at 5:30. So, we do
that for fundraising and then we'll do our yearly golf tournament again in the fall. So, that's just kind of an overview. I'm very proud of where we are, where we've come and especially of where we're heading. Thank you all for your continued support and I hope we can count on you once again. Would you all
have any questions, comments, thoughts? >> Just comment just thank you for doing an outstanding job and for the big children of Bradford County. >> And um you may have already given it, but >> do you have your brochures? Yes, I'm going to pass those. Okay, I'm gonna let you all pass them down so I don't take
too much of your time. >> All right. Any other comments, questions for Miss D? >> Just thank you so much for what you do. >> Thank you, Miss Andrew. >> Thank you all very much. >> Thank you. And next, we'll have the
North East Florida Economic Development Corporation Strategic Alliance business partner, Miss Amber Shepard. Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for the opportunity to present to you today. Um, I just wanted to start out by sharing when people hear economic
development, they kind of wonder what all that entails. And Northeast Florida Economic Development is committed to several um verticals of interest and mission. Number one, our primary focus is to attract new businesses to the community. Um but a secondary component
of that is also building what is here and what already exists so that we can strengthen what remains. Um we help businesses that are interested in expanding in the local market, in the national market and international market. So whatever level of growth a business might be at, we can help
support them um and help them identify strategies for success. And then finally um because economic development and workforce development is near and dear to my heart, I really feel that one of our our third um components is the the
workforce development component. When we attract new businesses, it's really important to us that we make sure that these businesses that come to the community are willing to immerse themselves in our community um and willing to build relationships with high schools, with the school district, with
the the career and technical colleges so that we can build those workforce certification programs. when I meet with um the leaders of the community, that was one of the things that was uh clearly articulated to me that it was really important that the students that
are that are growing up here are able to have good paying jobs, a livable wage where they can raise a family here in the community and they don't feel like they have to go somewhere else. So, um that has been in the forefront of my mind as we have endeavored to be successful with the economic development
corporation. Our current board of chairs are um and directors is listed. Derek Thomas is with Clay Electric Cooperative. He's the um chief government relations officer with Clay Electric. And I'm sure you recognize a lot of the names that are on
here. A lot of local business owners um and leaders in the community. And of course, this will change come October. So, so what have we been doing um since 2025? Last year we had our annual meeting where we gave um presentations
from Florida Commerce and Select Florida. Space Florida was supposed to attend, but unfortunately Matt Chestnut had um an injury uh skiing and wasn't able to attend, but we were able to share with the community a lot of the grants and incentives that are available for businesses that are seeking
opportunity to expand and are interested in Florida. Uh we've continued the execution of our economic development strategic plan that was prepared earlier in 2025. Um launching some of that um that operational and tactical support in
July of 2024. Um from that plan, we've completed the executive meet and greets where we've invited business leaders to come to the community. We've had a lot of uh national business leaders come to the community, state level business leaders and even some international business leaders. Uh I hope that you
guys receive the emails that I send and please know that when you receive an email to come to the executive meet and greet. That is sincere. I would love for you guys to attend. I know that your schedules are busy. But um I I have been told by site selectors through conference after conference after
conference, you can't market dirt. And I just am looking forward to the day when we get to say we've launched a project that was sold basically based um solely on dirt because that is something that is valuable. It is something that people are looking for and we are seeing a lot
of success for even undeveloped areas. So um I'm looking forward to that day when we can tell them yes yes you can. Um, we've recently had new businesses coming into the area uh to look at the
301 Commerce Center and so we continue to bring those opportunities to the community. We love to have you guys come and I will share with you the feedback that I've received from those executive site visits. Um, one gentleman told me
that he had visited five or six different uh, communities across the nation and he said Bradford County was the one that stood out the most to him. So, I think that that's uh, really eyeopening to the the community support that we have here and what we share with
people when they do come, they see the value. So, we just have to hope um that things continue to move forward and that their business goals align with what we have to offer. But I think we're on a really good track. We hosted the opportunity zone 2.0 workshop with Florida Commerce at the um Charlie
John's Conference Center thanks a big thanks to the chamber and opening those doors for us especially like short notice. Um, you know, I have to say working with the chamber, the chamber it Pam at the chamber, she's like the community cheerleader and pep rally
coordinator and she gets everybody together. And honestly, I couldn't be as successful as I am in my role without the work that she does. So, a big thanks to her. Um, we actually onboarded our first intern from Santa Fe College, showing them some of the tools and
techniques that we're utilizing, helping them to grow in their marketing. um and their their professionalism and business administration skills. And we're working with um the chamber currently for a presentation at the eye openener breakfast at the downtown grill on the
3rd. We have a gentleman who was a TED talk speaker who is coming to give a presentation on organizational culture and how to grow that strategically and make it strong. We've identified interest for the 301 Commerce Center with that letter of interest that was
presented by OM Imports. And we're looking forward to receiving the RFP from the county so that we can market that um and see if we can attract even more interest. So that way the county can really evaluate all of the options that are available and choose something that's going to be best for the
community that will that will do two things. One, it will create revenue for the county, but then also will create jobs. And then we also implemented the Northeast Florida Development Diaries. And unfortunately, I've not had any of you on my podcast yet, but I look
forward to securing some time with you guys um in the the coming months. You know, I think it'll be really good. And as we're preparing for that, just keep in mind, I love to tell your story professionally. Um nobody's path is straightforward. Everybody's path um is
kind of takes that those winds and those twists and those those curves. And so when we get to share that um that experience that you've had, what led you to this place? Why do you love Bradford County? Why are you in the role that you're in? Not only does it inspire business leaders, but I think it's a
tool that our high school students can utilize. They can see that just because of where you are today doesn't mean that's where you're going to be forever. There's always doors of opportunities that open if we do the hard work. So, um, in addition to those things, we've
also attended and been a part of a number of boards and conferences. Um, I sit on the North Florida Economic Development Partnership Board, um, as the economic development professional uh, for the community. And I did forget to put on this list, but thank you to
Scott uh, Coons who reminded us that I do also sit um, on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council Economic Strategy Committee. Um and then we also have membership and representation at NEPA, FEEDC, IEDC. So um you know some of the the bigger
groups in the community u being NEPA being the builders association but the Florida Economic Development Council and the International Economic Development Council. Building those relationships helps to build relationships with site selectors. Um so hopefully that will you
know yield results in visitors coming to the community. um additionally represented Bradford County at rural counties days, helped to arrange some of those meetings with um some of the the legislators and hopefully this coming year we'll have even more meetings to
attend. Um took my first trip down to Sun and Fund looking to attract some aviation opportunity. Did have an opportunity to meet with a group um that I hope may build their headquarters here one day. just not uh you know a lot of times when we meet with businesses it's
a lot of tire kicking and it's long-term relationship building. So I'm sure you've heard Pam say over the years it could be 5 years from the time that they have a vision to the time that the the ribbon cutting takes place. So um those things take some time. And then our MRO
Americas um had an opportunity to follow up there with Coons Corp, which was one of the executive meet and greets that we had and found out that we received the the blessing of the um company director based out of Germany to move forward
move forward with the theorybased uh practical uh or excuse me the theory based learning through Blunt Hall in Santa Fe. And then the goal is if everything works well with that test run of that theorybased portion, they will be building a facility out at the
Keystone Heights airport for aviation recovery training. So that is still moving forward. And then of course the the Freda conference um a two-day event where we have the opportunity to connect with other economic development professionals um from rural communities
around the state of Florida and then representation and relationship with Florida Commerce Space Florida Select Florida. Um it's not in here. I just was notified yesterday that Florida Commerce is interested in hoping to do a rural um tour and they're going to be coming to
Bradford County and Putnham County and we'll be having an event. I believe the event will be held in Putinham but as soon as I get more details I'll share that so that you can attend as well. So um when we first started this conversation, we talked about um tools
and techniques to draw in attention. And I just wanted to share with you the sheer volume of activity that goes into um to marketing just on the marketing side. That's not including conferences, not including um the activities that we have around the community with the
ribbon cutings and the relationship building here locally, but reaching out um across the state a little bit, but more primarily reaching out across the nation and internationally seeing if there's businesses that are interested in expanding. Um since July of 2024,
we've reached out via inmail to over 18,000 people. That's a lot of outreach. Um And then from there, now you'll notice there's no email on here because we quickly realized that people don't want to read their email anyway. So, we're just burning through marketing
email domains. So, no point in spending money in that. We focused on the channel that is the most active, which is LinkedIn. Um, you can see we've had a large volume of of acceptance requests. So, there's a an acceptance process when you're trying to connect with people on
LinkedIn. We've had 32% of our requests being accepted. um over almost 41,000 follow-up messages. And thankfully, we have some tools that use automation, so I'm not manually having to sit there and message everybody. But when you see the
responses received, 3,000 responses, that is a manual involvement. People say, "Oh, no, thank you. I'm not interested." And we reply back kindly. Um, 385 of those people have expressed interest in our very specific offer of, hey, if
you're looking to expand or relocate in the next 5 years, we should talk because we recognize that this is a long-term plan. We have to build that pipeline. Um, and it's much like growing a garden. You have to till that soil, pull the weeds, you have to water it, plant the
seeds. So, we want to make sure that we are top of mind when they're ready to launch. Um and from that from that 385 people 163 have scheduled an intro call with us and not 100% actually make it to the meeting that gets stood up quite a
bit. So 135 have come to the meeting with 15 having site needs documented. So there's a lot of again tire kickers that come to the conversation. We talk about their potential. We let them know what we're here to do, how we can offer them, the incentives that we can guide them
through, and then hopefully when they're ready, they come back to us. I've heard from a number of of opportunities that um a number of leads that we have the most wellput uh well most well put together presentation of any of the
economic development groups that they've met with across the nation. Um that drone manufacturer that's listed there with a pending site visit, that was one of them. I'm hoping to follow up with them uh this week to secure that site visit. I think we're leaning towards
June hopefully. Um Heritage Homes was actually here last week, so that was pending, but it has now been completed as well as the industrial developer um also came last week. And the industrial developer is coming back on the 12th for another view of the community. They're
looking at building what they call a 9010 industrial uh business condo flex unit. So 90% of the building would be industrial warehouse space with 10% being office space with the exterior looking like a medical office building, but the
backside would have the rollup doors and and the docks and and things of that nature. So um looking at some property um close to the city. Um but hopefully we can bring all of that together and bring it to fruition. So uh Raina Group
is in phase one still. They have submitted their application to the FAA um for 100 acres would be phase one and then and and eventually that would grow over 7 years to like 700 acres taking up
that facility. Um I did let them know that we are very fond of our flora and fauna and that we want to see as much ecoourism potential. You know that's linear walking trails and things like that. So they have built that into their concepts that there will be green space.
Um so it's not just going to be cleared and parking lots. So I think that's really nice. What's not listed on this um because it's not technically Bradford County, but I will say it's from our efforts. Uh Silicon Beach AI based out of Jacksonville has also put in an
application for the Keystone Heights airport for the Klay County side for 100 acres for um a center of excellence for Department of War uh drone center of excellence. So, they've submitted that application to the FAA and unfortunately
we're now at the mercy of the FAA to review and and let us know. Um, let's see. And hopefully we'll have hydro energy and drone manufacturer coming within the next couple of weeks and we just
continue on in our process. So, I really appreciate your your time this morning. I know our previous request and your current membership is at $10,000 annually and I have not submitted a formal request for increase, but of course we would always be appreciative
and willing to accept should the board decide to increase that help us um extend the funds even further. Thank you all if there's any questions or comments. >> Just thank you for your work and service. Um any
questions? No, thank you. Thank you. >> All right. My pleasure. And our annual meeting is scheduled for October 8th. We're planning a play shoot. We're going to get in that clay shoot game before everybody else uses a double up. So, um, we'd love for you guys to attend. Thank you so much. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Um, okay. And last but not least, clinic executive director via >> Bah. >> Yes. >> B. Good morning, commissioners. Soon to be afternoon. I am going to be very quick
for that reason. Um, I ca, my name is Pa Lucka. I am the executive director at Acorn Dental Clinic. I started in Acorn in 2013 as the dentist and then slowly worked myself up to clinic director, dental director, and now ED as of February. I have been at Acorn because I
absolutely love Acorn. And so, I'm going to go through a little bit of the history before I explain how your money helps the patients at Acorn, your residents. Um, Acorn is an affordable, comprehensive nonprofit dental clinic that sees kids, adults, and seniors. Um,
we serve 24 counties, but of the 24 counties, 21% of our patients are made up of Bradford residents and 20% of our visits are Bradford residents. We, um, see about 307 patients from Bradford and they come for 879 visits. So, what that
means is we really try to emphasize comprehensive care. Emergency care does happen at Acorns. If someone has a toothache, I'm a sucker. If they walk in, I will always see them. Um, but I really do try to emphasize coming back and getting ahead of things before they become problematic. The money that you
provide subsidizes care. So, I'm going to explain what that means. Um, last week, KISS met there was a child who whose mom called the clinic on Wednesday afternoon. She was in pain. I saw her. The child was 10 years old. She had medical complexities. She was on the autism spectrum disorder and she had
alpha gal syndrome but she couldn't tolerate the clinic. The noise, the sound, the smells. We have a metal playground in the backyard. She went and played on the playground. I anesthetized her outside and on the monkey bars I took out her tooth that was infected for her. The mob had gone to private
practice and the cost was going to be $45 for the tooth to come out. At Acorn, her charge was $120. When you give funding to Acorn, that money subsidizes the cost between what it would cost normally for that procedure and what we charge to that
patient. So, of those 300 patients that you that or 307 um residents from Bradford County that we saw, if they came 879 visits, if each visit was a loss of $100, that was an $87,000 loss that
Acorn would have received. So, the money that you provide helps to cover that loss. We appreciate the funding that you give. It does go towards your residents directly in the form of care whether it's cleanings, fillings, um
extractions, dentures, partials, crowns. Um the cost for the procedures differentiates. There's always a like an extraction costs less than it would filling just based on disposables. But just know that the funds that you give are utilized towards patient care this
year. So last year um I'm going to talk about the future for Acorn. This year we are opening a food pantry for residents. It is actually opening tomorrow. We partner with Bread of the Mighty. We are hoping that patients understand that oral health care starts with the foods
that you eat, but also whole healthc care is the same. We are going in the process of opening a clothes closet for residents at that area as well. Um, what I'm hoping is that as patients come to the clinic, they have other opportunities and um, other amenities
that they're able to utilize. We are a rural clinic. We are at the border of Elatcha County and Bradford County. So, a lot of our residents are not from the cities. They are from the country. So, to have an area where they can stop, a one-stop shop for things is what I'm hoping to expand services for. The money
that I am receiving or asking for is going to go straight to patient care, but I am just letting you know other things that will be offered at at the clinic. I have just come into this role. I'm very nervous right now, so I apologize. I just came into this role in February. I've always just been the dentist and I've always loved being just the
dentist. I am still on the clinic floor, but I do ask that if you guys are free and want to come out and see the clinic, please do. I to anyone. I love partnership. I love collaboration. And I'm hoping to have the Acorn has been there for 50 years. I'm hoping to see it
for 50 more. Thank you. >> Questions? >> Comment. Thank you all for the amazing work that you do out there. >> Any questions, comment from the >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Um that was all of our community
organization. Uh at this time we'll ask the clerk if you have a report. Okay. and from our sheriff has report and my county manager's report. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to
refer back to a couple of items on the agenda. First of all, item five, the approval of the gas tax funds. The total amount for those six rows that um Mr. mentioned is $520,433. That will be part of the CIP that will
come before you on the 21st of this month at your workshop. So, all that be documented in in that process. Also, item seven, the uh item we just completed, the community organization requests. Um this will also come before
you on May 21st at the budget workshop. Uh that'll give you time to evaluate each request individually and also consult with county staff should you have any other questions. >> Can I go ahead
>> on that? When we go over that, can we see what we did last year? >> Absolutely. Yes, ma'am. >> Mr. Corn and Miss Andrews, I I spoke to Da. Yeah, there she is. Yeah, she's going to put that together. Oh, >> okay.
Thank you. All right. Uh, and also, um, Senator Bradley had to leave. He apologizes and he indicated that he has no report. Uh, finally, I draw your attention to the last page of the agenda. Um, upcoming meeting dates. Our budget workshop is
Thursday, May 21st at 5:30 p.m. Uh, your regularly scheduled board of county commission meeting is immediately following that workshop on May 21st at 6:30 p.m. And then your next regularly scheduled board of county commissioners
meeting is Tuesday, June 2nd at 9:30 a.m. Followed by the second meeting of June on the 18th at 6:30 p.m. That's all I have, Madam Chair. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. And now the commissioner's comment. Mr. Do.
>> Uh, I don't really have any other than, you know, just going through the request. Um, and like I said, I did you walk down and speak to Miss Lafayette a little while ago and um I think we're uh considerably more than the request that
we had last year. So I think that that really needs to be looked at hard. uh we have some new requests and then we have some that are increased from uh not only the prior year but prior years. So, uh, we certainly need to, you know, take a look at that and, um, where we'd like to
fund all of them. Um, you know, especially, uh, uh, like I said, a new program. Um, I really like the things that you're saying and and the the program itself, you know, talking about, you know, for the boys and then also, you know, we talk about pace, you know, for the girls. So, we're certainly
trying to cover, you know, all of our youth and make sure that we're going in the right direction for our youth. So, um any other, you know, opportunities that may be out there for for each of you, u um you know, I would, you know, certainly recommend whatever type of fundraisers are out there to you try to
get involved with those too cuz um you know, our funds are very limited and certainly um you know, if there's any anything we can do to help with those fundraising activities and you know, I'm sure that each of us has done that in the past. most recently of course
Commissioner Riddick with the rec department and um I know all of you have you know been involved in different things but uh certainly any way we can help and and try to you know get it to where you know the fundraisers are are helping you all without the the big
requests that are coming to the county. Um, and uh, that's really all I have to say. And I I may get up and leave right at 11:45, but I do need to be somewhere. So, uh, I'll sit as long as I can. Thank you. >> This is the most important place you got to be.
>> I know this is >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Ready? >> Yeah. I thank everyone for being here today. Thank you for all y'all do and um, and and that program that you're trying to get started, that's be an excellent program for these young boys.
I I tell you, I see it. Um it's a it's a shame. A lot of our our kids nowadays don't even know which end of a weed eater to hold. And um it's it's it's >> you know, it's and like you said, to change a tire or something like that, something that back in my day would be a
common thing is is not common anymore because of the screen time. They they work their thumbs more than anything else. So, but I I do appreciate the the program you're trying to get started and uh we'll see what we can do. but work with you and everyone else. I I
appreciate what y'all doing. Thank y'all so much. >> Okay. Um Andrews. >> Yes. Well, I had written down to um acknowledge our fire department for everything that they have been through
and and u the homes they have saved. It has been um quite a challenge for them. And then we received information that in my district there was a fire and um I
believe there was fatalities. Um, like I said, those people, um, words can't express how much I appreciate them and how much each one of you should because, um, what they do is life-saving and, um, they deal with things just like
with death like this is, but what they go through, um, emotionally and and all, that's a lot to deal with. And so I I ask you to pray for them and u pray for the family that was affected in the
fire. And um thank y'all for being here. >> Okay. I'll be as brief as possible. Commissioner Rick u mentioned to you early on um to keep in prayer the Mortimer family. Um Daryl Mortimer was a former employee actually of the county
rural department and also the city of Stark rural department but he passed away Sunday and funeral arrangements are being made for him for this um on Friday uh here in Stark. Um but um Janet Mortimer our city commissioner is his
spouse. Um also I just want to acknowledge the um passing of the volunteer firefighter um Mr. James Kevin Cruz from the Hillyard County area perished in while um fighting the fire and I just can't emphasize how important
to adhere to the burn ban. Um we still have people in our community that are not and um it just it's inexcusable not to. Um and Captain W is back there in the back and every day um we're these
men and women are going out to battle um these fires and we need to do everything that we can in our own power to be responsible enough not to contribute towards it. Um, also the just a reminder the police memorial for May the 14th, 5:30 that's
going to be in Lake Bubbler and we need to if if you're able to so that we could honor our folk. the u also the national day of prayer that was mentioned earlier 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the 7th at the city square um and concerned citizens
mayday um program on May the 16th starts at 11:00 and it'll be at the RJ complex and I want to give a shout out to um Candace Ostein. She chairs the tobaccof free Bradford committee and they have done an outstanding job in educating our
students about the harms of tobacco, the vaping and and drugs. And um she gave accolades to all of us who served on our committee, but she is the one who should be recognized for moving that forward u for the tobaccof free environment. Um,
and with that, I just wanted to thank our clerk's office, too, and helping us getting through our budget workshops and all of the things that have been articulated in terms of looking at everything that we can do without what we can cut, looking at our professional
services, um, all of those contracts, and I know you guys are working on that, but looking at everything that we have budget-wise, um, that we can evaluate to see if we can make improvements. on is important for us um in our workshop and
I know that I uh I know I guess I fussed a little bit but I want uh us to try to prioritize those critical roads in our community that are unpaved so that we can elevate
the life and safety of people who lives on live in those areas. And with that, I >> Madam Chairman, if I may, you you reminded me um >> the burn ban is still in effect. >> Yes. >> We want to reiterate that. Um I know we
got a little bit of rain last week. Uh I live in the southeast end of the county and I got less than a quarter of an inch at my house. So um the other areas of the county that did receive um some rainfall, still not enough to to cause us to even consider lifting the burn
ban. So, just want to keep everyone um aware of this and do not slip into complacency complacency just because we got that little bit of rain and the burn band will continue until um the staff determines that it's no longer needed.
So, thank you. >> And I also want to thank the jail and and and Marian working together so that they can um improve opportunities for people to get treatment for substance and mental health. um care. All right,
with that uh if not there more, this meeting is a journ.