County Commissioners of Bradford County, Florida. It's July 1st, 2025. It's 9:30. At this time, I'm going to ask Commissioner Thompson Thompson to open us up with a prayer in flex. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege and opportunity of being here
this morning. Father, we just thank you for being so good each and every one of us. Father, as we go in this, help us make decisions that be pleasing to you and to our father. We ask all these things.
Amen. To the flag of the United States of America and to the forisible liberty and justice for all. Okay. The second item on the list for the public hearing had been removed from
the agenda and it will be back on the agenda for the 7 17th uh 25 meeting. Uh that's our next Thursday night meeting. So we'll move on to item three, public comments. At this time I have one public
comment card up here. Uh Mr. Paul Steel. Paul Ste167 South First Avenue start. I'm back again to uh hopefully get some action on what I raised last time which was the condition of our drainage system here in Bradford
County. I would hope that uh emergency management would be willing to do a creek survey for Alligator Creek and uh the Samson River, identifying where the blockages are and that uh public works could go in and uh make an effort to
remove those blockages before we have u another series of major rain events. We're really in good shape now because we've come through a very serious drought. We can easily handle six inches of rain in a month, but that res that
reserve can go away very quickly and it looks like we're scheduled to have some rain possibly this weekend. So, it's getting uh the drainage system cleaned out is extremely important uh that it be done. Now, uh, the other thing I wanted
to bring to your attention, I just read that, uh, one of the things that was vetoed by the governor was a $300,000 allocation to, uh, the Ark of Bradford County and they were on last at your last meeting for their budget review.
And I would urge you to check with them to see if that loss of those funds uh, has a significant impact on their activities. And if it does uh at least possibly ask them give them an opportunity to come back sheet once
again if they need more money to keep that program uh fully functional for us here in Bradford County. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, that's all the public comment cards I have. I'll move on to um item
four, approval of the consent agenda. Make a motion to approve the consent agenda. I I have a motion from Commissioner Dry. Second. Second from Commissioner. All in favor by sign of I.
Motion carries 5. Item five, uh the fire assessment resolution. Uh at this time I'm going to ask our uh county attorney if you would please read the uh resolution for the uh our assistance. Mr. Chair, a resolution of the board of
county commissioners of Bradford County, Florida relating to the annual provision of and funding of fire protection services and facilities within the county. Providing for establishment of Bradford County fire protection municipal service benefit unit and the imposition of fire protection
assessments therein. Estimating the total amount to be funded through the fire protection assessment for fiscal year 2025 2026. Establishing the method of assessing real property spec specially benefited by the county's provision of fire protection services
and facilities. Designating the county manager or design thereof as assessment coordinator. Directing the assessment coordinator to prepare a preliminary fire protection assessment role. Establishing a public hearing to consider imposition of the fire protection assessments for fiscal year
2025 2026 directing the provision of notice in connection therewith and providing an effective date or at this time. Do I have a motion to uh approve the resolution as read? Motion to approve the resolution is read. Motion by Commissioner Daltry.
Second. Second by Commissioner Thompson. Is there any other questions? All in favor by sign of I I. Motion carries by vote. Next move on to item six. Um, the first item on the list is um, uh, Britney
Sper. I am uh Britney Spangler. I am the assistant vice president of programs with Principal Children's Services. My first time here, so thank you for having me. Um just a little bit about who we are. We are a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping underserved children in Northeast and Central
Florida succeed in school and beyond. We provide essential support and guidance to families seeking high quality care and education. And we've been doing this for over 50 years. Um we set the foundation for lifeline learning success, one child.
I think I'm just going to put this up here for a second to show you our core values. And then for the reason why I'm here, we are asking the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners to support the school readiness program with a contribution of $3,750
and your 2526 budget to help the matching funds requirement of our program. For many families, child care is one of the costliest household expenses, yet an an essential expense, making it necessary for parents to continue to work or go to school to they're pursuing
their education. But due to its reoccurring and localized nature, the school readiness funds are not typically suited for grants for charitable contributions. So instead, this is generally supported by local governments or where applicable children's commissions. And I like to share this
slide because this is an annual report from Childcare Wear of America. On the far left, it gives you kind of some examples of the average cost of child care by age and different types of programs. In the center it shows you um the department of health and human
services. It should be less than 7% of a household income that pays for child care or is going towards child care. However, uh the reality is in a married household right now it's about 12% of the household income and in a single
parent household it is about 32% of the household income. on the far right. Um it's a little hard to see up on here, but the far right column is the average cost of an instate college tuition,
which is a little over $6,000. The middle column is housing, and the far left column is if you were to have two children in childare, say a four-year-old and an infant. So, you're seeing that cost exceeds both household and a four-year college tuition for one
year. So how your contribution helps um the money to fund the school readiness program comes mainly from the federal government but they require a community match of 6% for direct services. So from there the division of early learning will then match these funds again on a
onetoone basis uh as funding is available and your contribution of seven or 3750 will bring in approximately uh 58,750 in federal funds and then again when match one to one the total return on
investment is 62,500. So your 3,750 turns into 62,500. And then um with that all of these funds are directly used to solely to fund child care services for income eligible working parents to meet this
requirement. So it was asked for me to explain how your funds were previously used this past year. That return of investment uh we also asked for 3750 this last fiscal year. Um, so that 62,500 covered the annual cost of child care
for approximately 13 children. So again, if we were to receive the money this year, it would again cover the annual cost for about 13 children care. 100% of the county's grant again is used directly for childcare cost and no administration costs come from this
grant received. Families receiving funds are required to reside in Bradford County. So it is directly for the residents of Bradford County. Um there is a income threshold. Currently it is they family cannot make more than 150% of the federal poverty
level and cannot make once they're into the program cannot make more than 85% of the state median income. Um, this just changed um or was approved effective, excuse me, October 1st. The entrance threshold is going to be 55% of the
state median income um up to still 85% of the state median income. Families that are receiving services must be working and are going to school. if they do lose their job or for whatever reason can't continue to go to school, they have 90 days to either find a new job or
to find another type of school to start. And the most important thing of this is that this program is um is designed to help promote self-sufficiency. So families are required to pay a co-ayment and by doing
this um it allows the families to continue to work, go to school, be active um contributors to Bradford County, but also by allowing them to continue to work to school, it takes away uh additional requests or needs for the reliance on other assistance
programs. This next slide is just an example of the income thresholds um as of current right now versus what it's going to be October 1st. And that's just an example of a household or two in their household. Um, we also in addition to supporting
families with assistance for child care, we also support the small businesses of Bradford County and those are the child care programs that offer these services to families. We assess these uh providers with the class tool which measures teacher and child interactions
which is one of the most important factors of a child success excuse me. We provide free training and scholarships for professional credentials. And then we also um provide free advertising to those programs as well. Um regardless if they contract with us for the school
readiness program or voluntary pre kindergarten program, if they are a legally operating childcare provider in Bradford County, they can be in our system and we will promote their services to any family seeking childare. And to give you an idea of how we have
um touched the community this last year or year to date so far, um we on average serve about 189 children in the school readiness program every month with about 157 of those being from lowincome families. All 189 children attend one of
the or 11 contracted providers that uh are school readiness kids. We have 213 BPK children of Bradford County through nine contracted providers. We've offered 22 trainings, six were in person and
then we have had 16 online. And then we also offer a childcare resource and referral program which is a free program for anybody um that is not only for assistance with finding childare but any community resource. They can reach out to us in person, by phone, email, however, let us know what their needs
are and we would connect them to that. And we've had 455 of those instances so far this year in Bradford County. That's all. You have any questions for me? No question, but just comment. I really
appreciate the great service that you all provide. Dr. Quest. Now, are are you all going to be taking over the Rainbow Center? There is not an official lease but there it is in the talks that uh I believe
most likely that will happen but we don't have to just one of the little grants and goes to the rainbows. Oh nice. Yes that was going to come and I do appreciate everything you do. Thank you
so much. Thank you. I appreciate it. Okay. Item B, uh, Swany River Economic Council, uh, executive director and Matt Pearson. Thank you so much. It's been a while since I came to visit. I appreciate you inviting me down, Mr. Red. Good seeing you again. Um, I'm the uh, director of
the economic council and I'm here today to talk about senior services a little bit. We're also your transportation community transportation coordinator as well as your community action agency. And but these program funds we're talking today will kind of go along with our senior services program. And we're
happy to have a partnership with Bradford County going back for several decades. And so thank you for your your support through the years. Uh today we are here to ask for 6,463. Our senior services program just a little snapshot of what we did in the past year. We did 7,412
home delivered meals uh to the seniors in Bradford County. We provided 482 hours of homemaking. Uh we did 1,26 hours of respit for families who uh may have someone in our home that has dementia etc. And those are kind of the
three highlighted programs that we do. We also help out with adult uh diapers and stuff like that for seniors as well. and we provide emergency emergency alert response things from one of the next seniors fall and hit that button and 911 be called their house. So just to be
brief uh we're happy to provide services here and we appreciate any support that category county commissioners are willing to help us out with and mission that we I'll answer any questions that you have if you have any. No, no question, but just one suggestion
feature. Yes. Um the JTA um used to help us out at Mcclenny to do bus transport for people coming and going to work. Well, they have a bus that comes from Jackson to transport people to Gainesville to the VA or Shan
and it's daily. Um, and I was wondering if it's possible to maybe reach out to see if there's some connectivity where they can assist your Bradford. Um, but they'll do it for anybody. And you got I don't know how you do what you do with the little that
you have, but just a suggestion. I appreciate that. We're we're we're going taking people to Gainesville Medical offices at least two, three times a day because surely see our vans around. We we're on to go all the time. If there's a way we can connect with another group to share some resources, I'd be happy.
They they were who? They were a part of the Jackson and Transit Authority, but transported through Money throughout and over to Gainesville. I got you. Well, I'll I'll check in with DOT and see if we can find some connect connectivity possibilities with them.
Thank you, Mr. Jackson. and board. I will tell you I sit on uh the uh transportation disability board with Mr. Pearson and uh that's put on through the North Central Florida regional planning council. And uh I'll tell you what, if you ever sit in those meetings,
excellent job, Mr. Pearson, you do. And he's always trying to come up with ideas. How can we pick up more people and provide more services with the money that we have? And uh I thank you so much for that. And like I said, all the work you do and And the other thing I will
say this, uh, we get quarterly reports. I have never seen a quarterly report with anything negative. Any negative comments from any of the passengers or anything. It's always been positive. So, thank you so much for all you do for us. I'm quite sure there's complaints out there somewhere. I don't there's no way
we're that good. But we our team, we're on it. Our people are they try their best to provide a good service for those in needs. And thank you for the kind words. I'll share that with our team when I return. So, I'll see you next week in another meeting. All right. Take care. Thank you.
All right. Next, we have the uh concerned citizens of Bradford County. Uh Alicia McMillan. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Hi, I'm Kate. Miss McMillan is unable to come in today. Um, the concerned citizens of Bradford County is rooted in
the black community, but we welcome and serve residents from all areas of Bradford County. Children from all neighborhoods are looking for more after school and summer activities in in our county. I would remind you that when our
basketball program was up and running at the RJ gym, it was very popular and wellreceived. We were giving kids the experience and training that made them better players at the Bradford County middle and high school teams. I'd like
you to listen to what Miss Glenda Ree has to say. I'm Glendas, vice president of the concerning citizens. Um, we would like to thank the county commissioners for
always being a support to us for all of the things that we've done over the years. We also want to thank you for helping us to make this county a better county. Uh, our commitment runs very deep. Uh, we're located as Mrs. Kate has
already mentioned um in the east boardroom of Stark. Um, but we encounter all of the challenges with a loan on our face. And it did say earlier that uh we were asking for unspecified amount. That
amount is $15,000. If you would like to put that down force, I have a presentation to do um as it regards to the students that we serve. Um in at the summer camp we have
also served people um for our Valentine's in conjunction with the Brad County Health Department, the hub. We are one of the hubs in the the county to make sure that everything that they uh need is being met. So today we're going
to I'm introducing you to some of the students who are a part of our camp. We had about 45 students that we served and we said we serve those students to make sure that we're giving them some of the things that they would need so that they would not be uh held back in any area
especially in the area of education. I believe that you have to keep that going. You need to talk about words. You need to talk about numbers. Numbers that they may have had in first grade. So let's get them help get them prepared for the second grade as well. So that's
a group of our students there. Um, as I said earlier, we work with the Brack County Health Department in conjunction with the city of Stark. We have a playground on our campus and we have group number one, that's part of
group number one standing in front of the RHJ youth community playground uh providing them with new experiences. This is one through the Bracket County Library. were able to take them down to the library to experience the magic
ship. Uh all of this is so important to them. Some of them will never have the opportunity to experience it unless someone else is able to share that with them. And so we're doing that in every opportunity that we can possibly do. So
uh this was with Mr. Steel. I think you were part of that uh as well who's helped to give us some of those experiences that our students need. The brain bus comes to brand came to RJ and they had a full um uh program of
opportunities presented in soil. Uh something that I know that is dear to his heart and some of the other things that they provided through the bus in addition to our county commissioner u Mrs. Spooner who was there as well. She helped to make sure that this took place for those students so that they could
actually have the hands on with the with the rainbows. More experiences. These are experiences within the cafeteria and food is something that we always try to make sure that we help to provide for
help for them to help us cook some of the things that they do as well. This is a part of supplemental uh curriculum hands on is what we believe takes needs to take place in order for them to actually learn. We can talk to them until they're we're blue in the fl face
face and they're blue in the face as well. But when they actually are able to put their hands on this is actually where they start to learn. There is a soil and water the earth science that Mr. Paul uh was able to help bring to even the little children. Group one is
probably to 6 years old. That's group one. This is part of group number two uh that came through. They're also going through that as well. And then we have the worms. Not sure
what's mostly talked to the kids about healthy soil and worms as well. So I'm quite sure that they had a very good experience from it. The magic man again he was at the BR
County Public Library. Our kids had the opportunity actually to see this. It was educational for them. They had um share a talk with us about that as well. And again this is the nutritional factor of of the uh program. Bford County
School System provides the lunch, the breakfast as well as the lunch. As you can see, one of the employees from the uh Bford County uh food service office who's there to make sure that all of our kids have a lunch, a breakfast as well as a lunch, and we help them in u making
sure that happens. Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. Back in February, uh we wanted to we talked with uh the hub, we talked with faith health department. We wanted to make sure that we were offering our partners. Our partners are the people in our community. If you have
ever seen anything that we've written, we try to serve the students who are the youngest as well as the oldest. We wanted to make sure that they have uh uh someone that they can come maybe not always go to the doctor. the healthcare may not be there for them to uh pay that
co-ayment for that day. So, we have people that come from the health department who can actually talk with them about diabetes, about blood pressure. These are people that are needed in our community and we try to make sure we provide that service for them. So, we have a healthy uh
Valentine's Day for our seniors. We provided the food and we tried to make sure that everything that we served was healthy. As you can see, it's sponsored by the health department in conjunction with us.
I did want to say this as I close um that one of our biggest bills has always been and it's probably for you as well is insurance. We pay a little more than $9,000 a year
for our facilities. We've not been in a position since two 2020 um the pandemic and then having the gym not in a working order to be able to raise that kind of money to pay our
monthly bill. So, we've had to re resort to other areas. your giving us this $15,000 help us to make sure that our building is insured. Um, we're happy for everything that you've done for us. And I keep saying
that if it had not been for you all, we would not have been able to do some of the things that we have been able to do. We need your help and we need your support. And I I don't know if I can do this shout out or not, but I'm very happy. Last night I got a call um via
telephone that the the appropriation had been approved. Should I say that or not say that? Uh but we're happy that you all had the resources to find it to make sure that all of this took place. If you have any
questions, feel free to contact us or if you have any questions before the podium, you can uh ask those questions. Yes, just a comment to make um an appreciation to the work that you all do. It helps our community and our youth because they also provide a reading lab
and that's one of the most critical areas for young people. It um they're skilled in reading and they're offer a reading um a math lab. So those are two key areas, reading, math, and science. And providing that to our community
helps our students to improve and be able to meet the challenge um that they have in the academic. And you have two certified well, yeah, we're both certified. Um a former I'm a former business teacher, guidance counselor,
school administrator. So I'm working with the uh reading. I believe that if you cannot read, you cannot write. U Mrs. Norma Robinson is our math she was a math teacher throughout the school system um and she works with those students with the math so asking
questions allowing them to read putting words together so forth and I just want to say um it takes a big heart and a lot of love to do what you guys do and I just thank you for caring about this community and about the kids.
So God bless y'all and thank you for everything. Thank you. Thank you so much. Item D is Meridian uh Ashley Brooks. Good morning. I'm Ashley Brooks here on behalf of our CEO Cone. I'm our chief operating officer. Met with you I think
many times at this point. Um so thank you for having me this morning. Um, I'm going to go over a little bit about um just our what we're doing here and things like that. I know there were some questions too that you all had. One of those I'm
going to address as I go through this presentation about the number of clients we have served and so on. And then I'll also provide um a success story or two at the end that I have that was also requested. So, um, Meridian has been in this area
in North Central Florida for over 50 years, starting in 1971. We are nonprofit beh across North Central Florida. Um, and we are committed to supporting and restoring hope to individuals in all the communities that we serve. It is our
ambition to transform our communities together from the inside out. If you look at this map, you can see where we have um all of our sites in is where we have a campus off Grand Street. And then when it comes to
utilizing our crisis services, uh we have two, those are the circles. Uh one being in Elatcha and one in Colia. And and for the most part, Union County is going to our Gainesville location for those crisis services. We went through a rebrand in October of
last year. So, we have a new logo up there. You can see in the corner. It stands for heart, life, community. And we have a new uh values that spell out the word heart. Um looking at hope, empathy, accountability, resiliency, and
teamwork. And those are things that we strive not only to do ourselves um as an agency but also to to cultivate that within the individuals that we are working with. For sake of time, I won't read through each one.
Our programs um this is our continuum of care. Uh we provide a comprehensive continuum of care to address the needs of children, adults and families. So we have our integrated treatment which includes primary care, mental health,
inpatient, medication assisted treatment, crisis intervention, care coordination, um CJ which is working with our criminal justice system, mental health, outpatient, substance use inatient, substance use outpatient and residential treatment. Um looking at
education and outreach, we do prevention in communities diversion and recovery mostly working with jails and in the criminal justice system, co-responder teams, we do not have those here in Union County, but they we have them in other counties such as Elatchua,
homeless recovery services, and then last but not least, our supportive services, looking at afterare, housing, veteran services, and supported employment in this new day and age. Um, In this day and age, teleaalth services
um have become very popular. Uh when talking about teleaalth services, there are two ways those can be provided. True teleaalth is when an individual is in their own home or somewhere offsite at one of our um offices and then our
provider is either offsite or at one of our sites. Um and we do provide equipment individuals that may not have access to a tablet uh to do that. Some people feel more comfortable doing uh services from their own home. We also have inter office teleaalth where an
individual may come into one of our offices and then see a provider at one of our other offices. Um and we do that here in Union County when it comes to the substance use treatment services that we had set up with your support um through the clinician and utilizing our
MAT providers in Gainesville um to provide those medications such as buprenorphine as needed. So, um this year thus far, um 738 Bradford County residents have received a total of 4,543
teleaalth services to date. Um and this was concluded on May 27th. This of course increases access to care. Um it permits individuals faster access to treatment and allows them to be seen in the comfort of their own home.
And as I mentioned, they may qualify for a device which we uh work with clients to arrange for that. Looking at demographics, um a majority of the uh clients that we serve in Union
County um are white, 60.9% and the age group um the largest being 18 to 39 um and then pretty close 40 to 64 as far as age range. Looking at client feedback, um overall
75% of adults and 74% of children report improved functioning and reduction of symptoms overall. Saying things like I would return to Meridian if I ever have behavior health needs in the future. I would recommend Meridian to a family member or friend who needed help.
Meridian staff believe I can get better and Meridian services have helped me. So overall we're trying to meet the benchmarks there which you can see um at 33% 57% we are meeting based upon the the survey
here. Now looking at the services that we have provided to the residents of Union County based upon the services. So looking at the first line is adults. So for acute care which would be our CSU or addictions receiving facility in
Gainesville, we have provided that service to 66 residents in Union County um thus far this fiscal year. And again this data was ending May 27th starting July 1 of 2024. Outpatient treatment that includes
therapy 482 residents, adults, medication assisted treatment 109 adults, psychiatric care 349 adults and mobile response team 30 adults here in Union County. Looking at children,
acute care again, this would be to our crisis stabilization unit in Gainesville. 36 kiddos here in Union County receive those services. 299 kiddos received outpatient treatment, which would likely be therapy or care
coordination of some sort. 17 received community action team services, which would be um basically a higher level of care for kiddos who may have more intensive needs and need response in the community. And so those teams are
actually going out in the community to the kids in their home, maybe in the schools or wherever is appropriate based upon what they may be experiencing. 75 uh kids receive psychiatric care. That would also include medication and
then 51 um kids receiving mobile response team. And oftentimes we're responding to schools and homes for kids who um may be presenting with symptoms that could result in a Baker act with obviously the goal being to try to
divert that from happening. Um and and sometimes that's not possible. Our payer mix. So, Meridian accepts a wide range of payers, ensuring that local public funds are the payer of last resort. The majority of clients we see are at or below poverty guidelines. Here
in Bradford County, that's 82%. And 2% of services provided uh here in Bradford County were ineligible for any subsidy to address the cost of care. Indigent care is funded through Medicaid, state, DCF, and local matching dollars. The 40%
of services provided thus far in this fiscal year have been paid for with indigent fund care indigent care funding from the state and the county here in Union County. And 29% were covered by Medicaid. 22% have some form of insurance, but insurance only covers 9%
of the services these individuals need and receive. So, where we're at with the uh funding request, um Meridian is required uh per Florida statute chapter 394 section 76 to generate local match funds for our
state and federal funds. Our expected fiscal year 26 local match requirement for all of the agency is $2,346,000. And we are requesting the same amount as we did last year to go towards the local match required here in Union County
which is $83,000 $18.25. Um and that is the Baker Act match dollars. Um if you read the statute um it states that the state is responsible for 75% and that we are required to ask
the county for 25% of those bag match dollars. Yeah. So, that is our CEO, Lauren. Um, Lauren is our new CEO. She couldn't be here today, but she CEO in September of last year after Don Seavoy retired.
So, if there's time, I would like to share I have two, but I know I'm probably short on time. Um, I would like to share one success story um that I received from the clinic here in Union County. um they have been have been seeing um a client who is a 38-year-old male. He came to treatment with drug
drug addiction to methamphetamine and he was a referral from probation. Uh his drug use had a negative impact on his relationships especially with his mother. Um initially when he came he was very resistant um and he was was very u
unsure of whether or not he could stay sober. Um, currently he ha he is sober and has been staying sober by developing coping skills and learning the importance of self-care. Since he is not using drugs, he gets eight hours of sleep and is able to be more fully
functioning in his day-to-day life. His biggest regret is his mother didn't get to see him clean before she passed away. However, he has reconnected to his father and brother who are positive supports for him. A quote from the client's recovery plan is take time to
learn about yourself. So you can become your best self like I have. Well, just one question. I know you made the name just you you mentioned Union, but you it's the Bradford Union. It's Bradford. Oh, sorry. But just for us to
be clear, it's not Union throughout. Oh my good. Yes. But just so that you know the money is for drivers. Yeah. No, no problem. But also um you all have connected with our um our
response team, Mr. Weeks, and the uh connectivity with our county jail and bringing those services. And so that's an important piece of your your Yes. And I and I wanted to follow up on also and thank you again for the $87,000 that um you all did contribute to get that
substance use program started with a clinician. Uh we do have someone in that position uh Don and and she is working um to get those referrals from the jail, probation, wherever they're coming from, and we have uh put her in get her in our budget for next year
without needing the support from the county. Um so, thank you for allowing us to um have those funds to get those started. We have uh Brooke who is working um in the jail doing uh groups and and bridging individuals to post um
services was released. We recently got a jailbased MAT grant. Um that was from DCF to work even more or have more dollars to work in the jail. Um and so we will be setting up a meeting with the jail soon. That um just started believe
June 1st um to see what more if anything that we can do in the jail uh to provide jailbased MAT services. So um we thank you for your support and all that you have done. Look forward to continuing to work with you all.
Mr. Chairman, if I may. Yes. Um, so Ashley and I talked about this previously when we met and leading up to this board meeting uh with our uh meetings with the commissioners, there was some interest in seeing this data more often than annually um possibly
quarterly, not in a presentation format like this, but just in a a correspondence that would memorialize what's been done through the quarter. Is that something this board would be interested in or are you satisfied with the annual arrangement? Is that the consensus of the board?
Okay. Is that doable, Ashley? Yeah, we can do that. The quarterly report. Yeah. And you you don't have to present. you can just email it to to our office and we'll disseminate it to the board. Yeah. Um attorney just said the best thing to do would just be added to a
consent agenda. Any other questions? Thank you for the service from Thank you. Thank you so economic development corporation member Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for having me. Thank you for your
support this past year, and I hope to um have your support going forward. We've been working very diligently um over the last 12 months to bring economic development and activity to our community. Um, just to give you a little bit of information, um, we are preparing
for our annual meeting which will be October 9th. I hope you guys will join in, um, and attend that that event. It'll be at the Keystone Heights RV Resort. And, um, so this information on our board of directors is slated to change at that annual meeting. Um, but I
wanted to bring you some of our documents, some of the materials that we've been preparing. That's what's in the folders that you have before you. um and also introduce you know our our board of directors currently um I won't read out their name so you have the the PowerPoint in your documentation but
that way you have the information available and it is also on our website um so that you can see who is in leadership on our board of directors um at all times. So what have we been doing? Well, we we have been very very busy. Um we have
worked very diligently since our annual meeting. At our previous annual meeting, uh Mr. Cornne, the county manager, was on um our panel and able to answer uh questions related to economic development in the community. We worked together to apply for that community
planning technical assistance grant and were awarded the full $75,000. We completed that grant which um was the opportunity for us to develop the economic development strategic plan with a go-to market strategy, the development of many of the materials that you see in
your folders in front of you. um and also the implementation of digital marketing outreach. Um we've gone to uh several conferences um and worked together with the school district to create uh a a council of
sorts so that we can have a district advisory committee. Here's a quick snapshot of one of the documents that's in your folder. Then there's several more um in there. Now what is not in there is this copy of our
website that we have. Um one of the things that I have come to realize about economic development is it is sales and in order to be successful we have to have a very solid sales presentation. Uh business developers for organizations
when they're planning expansion they have a ton of questions about demographic information um labor force information. And so we invested in the GIS planning tool for Bradford County. Have that posted on our website where it
pulls in all of the commercial property that is currently listed on the market through Prey and Co-Star and pulls that into our GIS planning tool. So, anytime a leader from an organization wants that information, if they go in to that
website, they click on a property, it um gives them all of that detailed demographic information that they can ask for. It it shows them occupation data, labor force data. It's just a great plethora of information, and it's not limited to Bradford County. So when
I share information, I do encourage the leaders of those organizations to review it at a 60 mile radius um around the property, recognizing that if we are bringing in or attracting a large manufacturing organization, we'll probably have to pull in resources from
around us. And I also highlight the fact that the drag to Bradford County is a whole lot less traffic than going in opposite directions. So um we've had some really positive feedback from a lot of businesses. Of course, when I'm reaching out to businesses, my outreach
to them is if you're planning on moving, relocating, or expanding in the next five years, we need to talk recognizing that this is a long-term interaction. Uh, a lot of these businesses don't they don't plan and make it happen overnight.
And the goal is that we are top of mind, right? So, we plant the seed, we till the soil, then we plant the seed, then we water it. Every so often I'm still reaching out to those organizations and we have a good pipeline of organizations that have heard about Bradford County and are interested in coming here when
the time is right. Further, we've been working to uh build relationships within the community, within the state um and within the region. So um we have provide representation on Bradford County's behalf at the North Florida Economic
Development Partnership this year. Um, my role is elected to the board of directors to serve alongside Commissioner Andrews on the board of directors for NFDP. We also, um, have, uh, representation attending the Northeast Florida Builders Association meetings on behalf of
Bradford County. Um, we represent Bradford County at the Florida Economic Development Council meetings and um, work in collaboration with the International Economic Development Council. that organization provided some grant funding to review a good economic
development strategy and um provided input and support while we were building that strategy. We represent Bradford County at rural county days and of course we build relationships with state level officials through Florida Commerce, Space Florida, and Select
Florida. Um we've provided support and representation for Bradford County at several trade shows. one of um two of the larger ones, one being uh CES out in Las Vegas. I mean, that was five halls of um they they have their exhibition
halls within the the different uh casinos, which they're huge huge places to attend. So, uh we represented Bradford County. They're introducing our community uh to business leaders that are rep that are manufacturers um of
consumer electronic devices. We also represented Bradford County at Spacecom. Um recognizing that we do want to pull in some of that technology in government and uh space and aviation. So we go where uh the fishing is the easiest,
right? Um and then also representing Bradford at the Florida Rural Economic Development Association Summit, that Freda Summit that's um near Thanksgiving in November. And then we serve alongside and partner with the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce so that we
can provide adequate support um recognizing that Miss Pam Whittle does a fabulous job in the community of um ribbon cutting ceremonies and um building networking opportunities for business. We can come in and provide
additional support to that effort that's going on. And then we also work with her. It's not mentioned on here, but we do participate in the tourism development council meetings recognizing that all of these things have to work together synergistically um so that we can appear and present ourselves to
businesses that are coming as a cohesive unit. So um how have we been doing this? Well, we do a lot of digital marketing outreach via LinkedIn. Um, in the past 12 months, I've sent out nine over 9,000
inmail messages. So, um, LinkedIn has an opportunity for us to send out messages to organizations. It's a sales solicitation. That's that message that says, "Hey, if you're considering relocation or expansion in the next 5 years, we should talk." Um, and then I give them, you know, some of the top
value propositions of the community, low impact fees, um, and things like that. And those things are attractive to these organizations because everywhere else the cost to build, the cost to move is astronomical. My goal is not necessarily to sell the community in that first
method, but really to get an opportunity to have a conversation with them. Once I'm able to get into the conversation with them over Zoom, I can talk to them about some of the state level incentives. One of the biggest and most amazing incentives that the state of Florida currently has is the capital
improvement tax incentive. That incentive um is hinged on the creation of a 100 jobs and then capital investment into the community into the state of Florida. The state of Florida has offered um that they can offset their corporate income tax by drawing
down up to 50% of their annual revenues for 20 years. If the organization invests $25 million and creates a 100 jobs um and that investments in capital improvements, they can get 50% of their
investment back drawn down on their annual revenues up to 50% that year. And they can do that over a period of 20 years. Once they hit that 21st year, they then have 10 years with no max. So that whatever their annual revenue was
available to them, they can draw that down fully. This is an incredible incentive because at 50 million, they can get 75% of that investment back. And at 100 million plus with a 100 jobs, they can get 100% of that capital
improvement tax um incentive. So to me, you know, we've we've had some organizations that have been asking, "Oh, what about a land grant and things like that?" This is better than a land grant. Yes, you have to make the investment. Um there's no such thing as a free lunch, right? Everybody needs that's coming to the community needs to
be willing to invest in the community. Um and I feel like this is a really smart move by the state to ensure long-term investment. We don't want to be the place where businesses go to die. We want to be the place where businesses come to thrive. And so and we want to ensure their long-term sustainability
and viability in our community. So this messaging here um this LinkedIn activity is just a snapshot of what we do. Um we do use some automation so that way I don't have to manually copy and paste and and send those messages out. But this by far has been the most
effective tool to get me into real conversations with organizations that are really considering moving. Now why is this necessary? When I took courses through the IEDC, they told me that um 40% of opportunities for economic
development come through site selectors. So I asked the question, what about the other 60? Well, that comes from your local businesses looking to grow and expand. And recognizing the challenges that businesses in Bradford County are facing, I knew that we couldn't just sit back and rely on that. So, I went back
to what I know in business development and my background in global sales and said, "No, we're going to do things a little differently. We're not going to just wait on those site selectors." And I do build relationships with those site selectors, but I also work very diligently to make sure that we are doing our part to attract and draw
attention. So, you can see over 15,000 follow-up messages were sent. Thankfully, a lot of that's automation, okay? So, I didn't have to send those messages manually, but I did have to spend the time creating that campaign. What would I say if I were sending this
person a a message individually? I want it to be genuine. I want it to sound like it's coming for me. Um, I want them to feel like they're talking to me because really, it's just a prompt that goes through the computer, but it is our interaction that's going to sell the community.
This year we were able to submit a site here in Bradford County for Florida First Sights grant project. Um the requirement was a minimum of 100 acres and it must be serviced by Florida Power and Light. Um if approved and selected, that property would go on to receive
some due diligence, including the phase one um EPA site assessment and then also some marketing materials. Um and would be listed on FPNL's property site to be listed uh to manufacturers when they're they have their own business development
team. So when they receive an outreach um and a solicitation for property information that's available, this site would be selected or would be listed. and fortunately it was selected. So we had our um site visit just uh last
month. They came out, they visited the property. We're still waiting on the phase one site assessment details to come back and flood maps and things of that nature. But we're very hopeful and looking forward to working with FPL to make sure that um this property and the
property that um was selected has over 700 acres. It's just outside of the city limits uh behind the elementary school. So um very very good opportunity and it has um contiguous property along the rail. So I am trying to encourage
whoever purchases that property to consider you know building out a spur there um as that could really um improve and create opportunity with that railard aspect. And then um some of the
businesses and the business development, economic development that's taken place in the community, not necessarily directly from my hands, but we have, as you saw, our board of directors, a lot of the people that are on our board of directors are very much involved in the activities that are going on in Bradford
County. Um Wawwa coming in, um estimated capital expense coming into the community, 4.2 million with 30 jobs created. racetrack, very similar, 30 jobs created and we've had some smaller businesses, but each one of those opportunities adds up and um looking
forward to the Stark Auto Mall coming soon as well and along with some of these other businesses. Uh recently, Commissioner Riddick had shared that we have a need for um hotels and so I have been targeting hotel chains and I actually do have a call lined up on
Thursday hopefully to speak with um a hotel investor also happy to take any questions, comments, just comment and I appreciate all of your um work in uh economic strategic
planning process and wish to have your assistance in incorporating Bradford County strategic plan which the economic development plan is a part of and so future just having assistance with that as well and um but I do
appreciate all of your work and helping us with economic strategies. That's my pleasure. Thank you so much. And don't forget the outback or road. I have not that was um it's it's there's outreach out there. So
um for anybody any uh local business entrepreneur who has a desire to launch who is watching this meeting or will be watching this meeting um your commissioners want a steakhouse. So, let's let's make it happen. Let's turn that into a local entrepreneur
opportunity. I love seeing businesses grow. And if there's somebody out there that has an interest, please reach out um to the EDC. We're happy to provide support and give encouragement and um give guidance as best we can. Thank you. Thank you, Absolutely.
Item seven, courts report. I pretty much defer everything to the budget meeting. Sheriff's report. I just want to give a quick uh public shout out to Chief Sociological Police Department. U my brother reached out to
me. They upgraded their tasers. We were fixing the purchase and uh the deters and the uh things that go with them, the holsters and the the electronic probes and all that about $50,000 they donated to the sheriff's office. So, want to give a big shout out to them. And as we
approach the holiday weekend, looks like we've got a little rain reminder safety. We're checking the fireworks stands doing all those type things. Make sure everybody's in compliance. We want everybody in a safe and wonderful Fourth of July. remember what it's all about as we enjoying time
with our family and friends. Thank you. County manager report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There's a couple of things we need to discuss here this morning. Uh first of all, concerning the countywide energy conservation services program that we've been engaged with, Cider Electric, uh the county attorney would
like to point out um some issues that we have with the procurement uh process. So if you want to talk about that? So looking through the the kind of post that is before you just so I'm clear I have no position whether or not the
county wants to move forward with this type of proposal one way or another but the way that it was brought to us was under a collaborative purchasing um project and as I received and reviewed the information that really supports that. So we all call piggybacking. So
generally governments can piggy back off of another contract that is competitively secured kind of in the same type process that we would go under. So it it's a way to solve um multiple counties or multiple cities or towns having to put out forbid the same
type of service over and over again. When I looked at the information that kind of gets us to where um the argument is that we could piggy back off of a prior contract, it's not something that I feel comfortable advising you to move forward with because
u essentially it's not within the state of Florida. It's not within the time period when you piggy back off of somebody else's contract. It should be under similar procurement rules to your own. It should also be done in such a way where you're getting the exact same
service for the exact same price and that doesn't seem to be what was presented to you. So I would say if you do want to move forward just do it through an RFP process. I think that's the transparent way to just make sure that you move forward in a way that conforms our policy and I can answer
your question. Okay. So so what do we need? What do you need us to do as a board to move forward then? Well, I I haven't even heard whether or not there's a really for decision on if you're moving forward. I'm just this is more preliminary caution. If you do decide to move
forward in this direction, I would suggest that you do it through an RFP process, right? So, what what do we want to do here? Do you want to move forward or move forward with what we talked about with the presentation and everything
like what Snyder move forward with publish it would be an RFP move forward with an RFP to allow others to to bid on the project essentially I don't think so at this time I I I think what we need to do and M road brought it
up I think we need to look at other ways that we can figure out you know these different projects that we have right now. Uh, you know, whether it's the roof, whether it's partial roof, wherever leaks are coming from, and look at these things and and start tackling them one at a time. I think the, uh,
sheriff's office, uh, I think the sheriff mentioned that that they're doing some stuff on their side to make upgrades. I think our public works department through the maintenance department is doing some things. But I I I think that uh it was a
really good point that Miss Roden made that you know you rather than going out and and putting ourselves in a situation uh where there may be you know some borrowing of funds or bonding or or whatever it might be at this time. I
think that, you know, just trying to find some ways that we can through our capital improvement plan that we talked about building, find ways that we can make these renovations and the things that need to be done. So, that's
that's what I stand that we can do. And one thing that um that kind of was apparent to me is which we live in Florida and um we're going to have air conditioning problems for today. I mean,
we all deal with it at our homes and everything else. And I don't know that it um like we were talking about the cost of this um of course is is the issue, but I mean even if we looked at
maybe getting staff that take care of our hiring a staff member to take care of our air conditions. I mean that's one of the biggest thing biggest problems. I mean, honestly, if we had somebody on staff to do that, that would take care
of a lot of our problems. Um, and it's just going to be a reoccurring cost that we we deal with every month, every year. So, um, but that's my consensus.
Um, I um I think that we need to continue exploring um alternatives um to reduce our costs. Now, for example, the jail's uh
electrical consumption amounts to a quarter of a million dollars a year. if there were um avenues that we can pursue like with the solar energy that would reduce that cost not the whole project
but I think not to dismiss the idea of of pursuing uh how we can reduce that now Mr. I had seen on the on the internet um another form of
conservation with with solo that would adhere or contour to the shape of the roof of the jail. So if we can find something that's cost effective and be able to reduce that quarter of a million dollars just for the jail for an example
that's something I think we should pursue. Not not to say we won't, you know, go after those things. Um, but we take in mind what our attorney has shared with us that we were going to, we'd have to follow those guidelines so that we would be within the state's
rules. But let's not dismiss the idea that we could possibly use solar in the near future for reduction of that big cost. That would be a tremendous saving over Okay. So, let me get this right. So, if we don't move forward with RFP,
then basically our contract was signed or so is it is that is that what the board wants to do? because I I know with Snider, you know, I I still had some other questions, but in the the talking about long-term, I
mean, in 20 years, 25 years, if it worked out properly, you know, we stand to have an extra $2 million in the bank. But I'm just throwing this out there because like I said, if we don't if we don't move forward with a RFP, then we're done. And then we pay them the fee
for what they've done and oh, thank you. And that's it. So, is that is that what the board's I'm just asking. Is that what the board would like to do? Which which way? Well, like I said, um the things that he
brought brought to us, there's many of those things that Mr. D said that are are issues that we should be I mean really addressing ourselves. And if we don't have the staff to do it right now, I really think that we need to consider.
Um I don't know if if we I I know salaries are huge and everything, but like I said, um so many of those projects, changing out the toilets in in the courtroom, I know that we can do
that. Um fixing the the ceilings where it's leaked, I know we can do that. Um addressing the the air conditioning, you do need professionals to do that. Um, but there's a lot of that that I think we can take care of inhouse with the
right staff and and maybe an inmate crew. Um, I mean, there's inmates that that are put on squads because of their their ability. They were air conditioned people on the street. They got put in prison and they know what they're doing.
And so I think that um for me um it's it's just a huge cost and I understand that in 14 years that um we'll see something but
right now for me it's that seems to be the concern. Yeah, we don't want to abandon the conversation about the repairs, but I think we just need to address it in a different way and just go back again and figure out how we can make that happen.
All right. Okay. Then the consensus is we don't want to move forward with the RF. The other thing just wanted to mention that last week we spent uh four days in Orlando at the Florida Association of Counties annual conference. um very very
informative, very uh very much a learning experience, good good use of time. The keynote speakers, the very I thought were outstanding. Um the breakout sessions were very uh informative and one in particular, one of the breakout sections was regarding
the the elimination of property tax. So, uh, what I took from that, we all probably took different things, but what I heard was, uh, an exploratory committee has been formed and they will go forth and try and come up with ways
before the next session begins to effectuate the elimination of the property tax. Um, how that money will be distributed to the counties or uh, how that what that looks like, nobody knows. It's um, it's anybody's guess. So that's
what we took from that and uh once again we had very very good participation from the board of county commissioners and um looking forward to doing it again next year. That's all I have. Mr. Chairman, can I can I steal one more thing? I forgot objective for coming. Apologize. You're
here. One is working with fire reg. We were able to update with last year's appropriations. So, I was just talking with Bill about every chief, but that was has been done. That upgrade has been done with a million and a half dollars appropriation. So, thank you to our
senator and our local representative Brand Bradley getting that accomplished. And as of last night, uh the other appropriations for our in vehicle mobiles will be done to get us the latest and greatest of statewide systems. So, I want you to see them give them a
good shout out in regards to it. uh our county manager for going to Tallahassee with us fighting for a new junior senior high school. Uh we did that on Junth actually made that trip up there and spent some time in TAS our school superintendent. So a big shout out a lot
of stuff going on behind the scenes to make things happen and uh getting us there and you commissioner Rig were putting out some stuff on very serious issue. It's a scam but not a scam. Uh people that are receiving notices in the mail about reference to get a deed to your property. You go to the clerk's
office and print one off yourself or your own property or you can go down there and get for $3, I think, a certified copy of that deed. Uh got a company mailing out to all home owners. It looks official. Looks real official. We just put it out yesterday. May have been caught by it. You don't read that
real fine writing. Uh they're charging $89, I believe it is, uh to send you a copy of your deed. Don't do it if you see it come. It does look real efficient. They even send you a return mail envelope, but they would. So, we got some more we're facing. We're
going to get that information out as we get it. But, uh, thank you, Commissioner Rick, for that as well. Thank you. Thank you, Sher County Attorney. Hopefully by now everybody's filed their financial disclosures for the year. The deadline. Beyond that, I just hope that
everyone has a safe 4th of July. Commissioner's comment. Uh, Mr. said go what county manager said. Um I think that it was a a great conference. There was a lot of good information uh again about the u the future of the
property taxes and also wildlife board. a lot of our rural areas and the properties the shepherd's already left. But uh when you start looking at areas that could be developed to increase
economic development um there is uh through uh some of the outside organizations looking to create those corridors that you know could ultimately be an obstacle you know for
those things. Certainly, I think that uh it's important to our state, you know, with the the wildlife corridors, but at the same time, uh with the state being in the position that we are with so many people moving into our state, uh we have
to be able to accommodate in some form to be able to provide jobs, you know, for the people that are here and also for the people that are moving here. So anyway, very interesting topic and um
that that's all I have. Happy 4th of July everybody. Yes. Um again I would like to express my appreciation for the opportunity to learn opportunity and to network with other uh county representative at the
Florida Association of Counties and come and to bring some ideas and thoughts back to our community. uh and the topic of the property tax is a a big one that could impact our our community. So, we need to be diligent and stay on top of
that and advocate for our community. Also wanted to uh um to acknowledge uh and would ask for to be on the next agenda to recognize the three hubs that we have here in Bradford County. Um we've um submitted an application for
the national achievement award and our our county is being awarded that. Um so I would ask for representatives from those areas to come and and be recognized at the meeting. Um also, um I
I know that it's our consensus to not move forward with the Snider um project, but I would ask the board to um explore the idea of looking at a smaller project, which would be our county jail to see if there's some project that we
can do um that would reduce that cost. Um also I would ask if you would allow um Mr. the heater to come shortly and just run through the event that is going to happen this week with our splash events
before the July so that we can all um be cognizant of that and participate in it. And I'll ask um represented from our fire department, you know, in light of the tragic situation where people may
harm our firefighters or or people in law enforcement just Um, I don't know what may be done to just make our people cognizant of what danger that they might encounter when they're going out on a
legitimate call and could be ambushed. um and with the heat uh that we've been having early uh what preparation we might be doing to address that for Bradford County um um in case
we have emergencies where the heat index is too high for people to be out and about. I know we had some thoughts about that last year, but be thinking about what we can do um to assist our community. Um also with the recent um
news about um children abductions that we be cognizant of that Florida is has the third highest rate of child abduction in the country. So in Florida um is one um where it's just easy to
happen. So just being aware of those things so that we do all that we can to educate our our young youth. Um So do you want Michael to come up now? Yes. If you could just to run through the activities for the next couple of
days so that we I appreciate the opportunity. Uh just to bring everybody up to speed, we are moving forward with our fourth annual Stark Splash Bash that will be July 4th and 5th this year. It will be back at the county fairgrounds. We're excited to
have live music uh performances uh Faster than Flash, a band that's known by a lot of folks around here. We'll be performing a 4hour concert starting at 5:00 p.m. The day will kick off with a parade at 9:00 in the morning. Uh for the second time, we are going to be
taking a unique route. The route starts at the Old Southside Elementary School and goes by every nursing home in the city of Stark. Uh I reached out to the staff, the the staff and the clients, the veterans and the seniors are very excited about it. This is the only opportunity they get to see anything in
the community since they don't norally get a chance to come out for Christmas on Call Street or anything like that. And so they are very excited for the parade this year. Uh we have about 25 26 at last count uh participants. The band will be performing. The marching band
will be performing. Uh and we've got uh Bobby Payne, former representative, will be our grand marshal this year. So, we have a lot of stuff that's going on. The gates open at the fairgrounds at noon with water slides and foam spray for the kids. Concerts at 5. We've got some food trucks that are lined up and we've uh
signed a contract, excuse me, for the fireworks that will be launching at 9:45 p.m. Um, I'm excited. This is my final shoot before I get my cert uh my my federal pyro technician license. So, we'll be able to do our own shows moving forward at a very reduced cost because I
can just do them myself. Save us from having to pay for contractors and that sort of thing. So, we're excited about what's going on. And then of course on the 5th we'll reopen at noon for the kids just to play on the water slides doing stuff like that for the afternoon. Uh we have a couple of special guests that are coming in here. The
Ghostbusters are going to be making an appearance. Uh some of the Star Wars characters, Batman, Superman, a few other costume characters will be appearing during the afternoon on Saturday. So we're excited for what will be a pretty significant event as we get ready for next year's event which will be our fifth and our nation's 250th
birthday. And then one more last thing. Um, Mr. Carnegie, he told us last meeting that if we wanted to submit to the Florida Association of Counties, uh, for the calendar, I think today is the
deadline. And Mr. Hager has some pictures that we could share with us. And so, um, I just wanted to Yeah, my daughter is a photographer and has spent the last couple of years, unbeknownst to me, uh, doing a lot of wildlife and
nature photos at Bradford County. She's got drone photos over Santa Fe Lake in Bradford. Uh flower fields of flowers, uh good oldfashioned old Florida style, the moss and the and the trees and the oaks and everything like that one. So,
we've got I've got about 20 or 30 photos that were sent to me this morning that I will be happy to share with you. You guys pick and choose what you want, but I think you'll be very pleased with what we have to county. Yeah, just coordinate with Amanda and uh and get that done. Got it. take care of that. Thank you for
your time. Yeah, I'd just like to say I went to Orlando too to that conference. There's a lot we brought back a lot of the classes and all it was good had good
instructor very very you know we take it for granted that you know the citizen sends us down what we bring back is is for them I guess thanks
in the privilege here and everybody have a few. Yes. Um, pretty much everything's been said, but um, I just want to wish everybody a happy Fourth of July and pray that everybody be safe and um, like
they said um, at the conference last week, it was standing room only in property taxes. So, we're not the only county that is very nervous about what's going to happen. And it and for the the regular citizen, um it sounds great. Oh,
I'm not going to have to pay property taxes, but you think about the services that the property taxes pay for to be without them. It would not be one of the best things for our county. So um
a lot of concern um but a lot of good information in that and each time we go we learn a lot about it. But I I say all that to tell you this, just as a citizen, stay
watch the news and stay um informed of what's happening at that level um with our counties because um like I said, we none of us really know what's going to happen, but um to a county this small
would be detrimental. So just keep your nose to the grind and thank you again and I love Bradford County. I would hate to drive. Oh, that's a madness.
Country boy got lost every day. I just started walking turned down a oneway street. One way GPS now. There you go. You was only going one way though, right?
M Mr. Chairman, before you close us out, I just wanted to add that uh not only did we have great participation from the board of county commissioners, also our county attorney, Rich Commando, was there for the for the FACA conference and also our public works director, Jason Dodge, was there for his spacers
annual conference. So, Bradford County was well represented and um very appreciative for that level of participation. All right. Well, thank you everyone for being in the meeting today and I thank y'all board for for y'all going down there. I did not participate, but I do
appreciate y'all that went and um again I I thank everyone being in the meeting today. Uh just remember July 4th. Uh there is men and women that are will be overseas and um protecting us so that we can celebrate July 4th. So, uh,
uh, when you're eating that hamburger or hot dog, just remember there's somebody over there protecting you. So, um, greatest country in the world. So, uh, again, thank you everyone for being here. We're going to take about a
five minute. Yeah, five minute recess. Then we'll go right into our one other thing. One of one of these days I'm going to learn to mention everything at once rather than have to interrupt. But um just wanted to mention that all board of county commissions offices will be
closed uh the 3rd and 4th and I know the clerk's office is closing at noon on clerk's office will remain open because the courts will be open folks an admin day that they can take anytime during the year. Um tax
collector property appraiser and elections will be closing at noon. I'm not sure about the sheriff's office. We don't sleep so you can with all of you. Okay, that's all. I promise. Okay. How about the landfill? The the collection
sites will remain they'll remain open on Thursday. On Thursday, they'll be closed on the 4th. Okay. All right. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Again, thank you. And uh we'll take about a 5m minute recess before we start the uh budget hearing. And um this
meeting is a journ Board of County Commissioners, Bradford County, Florida. It's uh July 1st, 2025. It is uh 11:05 and uh we'll open up the budget workshop. Uh at this time, if you don't mind, I'd like to open this uh workshop
up with uh prayer. Um I feel like you can't ever have enough prayer for anything and um and we definitely need help with our budget. So, let's pray. Our Father in heaven, Father, we can't thank you enough for another awesome day and
another day to live. Thank you, Father, for all your blessings you pour out on each and every one of us. Thank you, Father, how you've always blessed Bradford County. And Father, I just pray now as we go into this budget workshop. Father, I just pray you'll give us wisdom from above to make good choices,
good decisions, Father, that will help all the citizens in Bradford County. and I just pray you'll lead and guide each and every one of our steps as we move forward with this budget. Thank you for everything you do for us. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Let's do
the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for its one nation indivisibley and justice for all. Thank you all. Uh, we'll open up this meeting. I'm going to uh ask for Dana if
you would please. Good morning, board. One more before you is a spreadsheet that condenses anticipated revenue and expenditures for fiscal year 2526. This is a working budget summary. Before I get into the spreadsheet, I want to
point out a few things. Available fund balance. We use these funds to help balance the budget. These are included on the revenue side. The budget summary reflects the anticipated available fund balance of September 30th for each fund based on quarterly estimates through the
second which is October to March. I'll be working on reports for the third quarter that just ended yesterday over the next few weeks. So these available fund balance balances could change a bit. These fund fund balances are estimates and could be affected by any
large minute purchases between now and the end of the current fiscal year. These figures have already been adjusted for the purchase of the fairgrounds note which occurred in April. Additionally, on the revenue side, it
includes revenue at 10 mills on property valuations received from the property appraisers office. It includes estimated revenue from other state and local sources based on current year revenue. It does not include anticipated revenue
from the proposed fire assistant yet. On the expenditure side, it includes AMED renewal rates at a 12.7% increase. These rates could potentially go down pending further negotiations. It includes all county funded CIP items
slated for fiscal year 2526. It includes a 3% COLA. It includes current FRS or retirement rates. It includes outside organizations at last year's amounts and the placeholder until you approve. It
includes all budget requests received from board departments and constitutional offices. And please note the fire rescue budget request does include Brooker at this time. If you will turn your attention to the working budget summary I've passed out,
you will see that expenditures total 86,914,000. The expenditures are broken out by type on the right hand side of the spreadsheet. Uh regular expenditures total 31,759,000. Grant expenditures 13,45,000.
transfers out 29,911,000 and reserves are at 11,838,000. If you look in the top right corner, you'll notice that the board has a reserve of around $9.4 million. Last budget
year, we set up an emergency fund. The Government Finance Officers Association, the GFOA, recommends general purpose government maintain an unrestricted fund balance in the general fund of at least two months of regular operating revenue and expenditures,
which for you equates to just over $7 million. If you take the 9.4 million we have in reserve minus the two-month emergency fund of 7 million, that makes your new general fund reserve for contingency around 2.4 million.
For comparison purposes, last budget year there was around $5.1 million in reserves after the $7 million emergency fund was established. Um, that's all I have. Do you have any questions for me on that?
Anybody have any questions? This is not a question but a comment. And I know, you know, just the the two months, but two months is not a lot of time. And so we have to consider that, too. About $3.5 million.
I I do have a question. So um with the um bar assessment pass, so that will basically be an extra 1.6 1.7 mil that would go to the 2.5. you just talked about,
right? Okay. So that Okay. So that would bring that back up to over 4 million. No. So if you pass the fire assessment at 50%, our projected recovery is going to be at 1.6
million. Okay. So you got to think just just to kind of capture what what indicated, you know, you heard anticipated what we anticipate our budget to look like for 256. And you can see that we're estimating 2.4 million
available in the general fund reserves. That's nearly 3 million less than our current fiscal year. And so if we add a 50% fire assessment, we're projecting about 1.6 million in revenue. Even with that added revenue, our general fund
reserve balance is still declining. And the two she talk about the GFA that's the one that that's where the state comes in and takes control that's spending you get
much more if you you know if you think the 3 million is what you're declining add 1.6 million to your decline that now changes your decline to you know rather than three. So that's what I'm trying to say. You're still It helps
helps a lot. We're we're grateful. We hope that it gets passed on on the 21st at 50%. Right. Um but it it still we're still showing a trend of the climbing and and that's what we wanted to show you guys. Um that's not also taken into
account in fiscal year 26 27. We're going to have to contribute about half a million from the general fund to solid waste. And this year uh that we're proposing coming up 25 um 256 we only had to contribute I want to say around
22 million from the general fund based on what we had available left over from the fund balance in it in solid waste not not millions it was um
I think it was about 200 220 we had a member at And I said you got a pretty healthy reserve fund balance, but that's going to go away. It's going to go away. And one other question, I guess. And have we met a threshold for all of our
employees not to be at the $15 um minimum. So, just to expand on what the chief deputy clerk said about solid waste, as you know, we increased the uh fee two years ago, I guess it was, from $75
annually to 125, but that still leaves us with a half million dollar short. So, um is what it is. One way to offset that is to increase the solid waste assessment again until we can get up to the point
where we break even. And just just to be clear that is so our decline even though it was so much but that also included the 1.7 million we spent prepar based on her already taking out that major expense. Okay. Okay. Any other
questions? Yeah we got 3.5 committed to the city for the project and that came out the So I mean that money's not there anymore. It's like 300,000 which I believe
the that's here marked already for the roof. Any other questions? You don't have any other questions for me on I just wanted to speak about what our printing decline. It still looked like
um so I just spoke on that basically, you know, our reserves were growing and now based on some major expenses and based on some new recurring expenses, um our our reserves are now starting to look like and I think that's just
important for us to report back to you all so you can be aware of what our trend is looking like as you're considering, you know, other budgetary um matters. Um, some other things I just want to bring to and that doesn't even bring up property tax. I would say that
staff, clerk's office, and the county manager's office after this budget's approved sometime after October, we probably need to sit down and have a very serious conversation on what our budget could look like producing $15 million because that's what we
essentially bring in 15 million. If that goes away, we're talking some serious changes, but um serious cuts, serious services being cut out. That's just something we're going to have to if it looks like based on things
are looking like you have that conversation. Yeah, I agree completely. The the only glimmer of hope that I have is that if they go through with this, they'll carve out fiscally constrained counties in
so that we don't actually lose 15 million. But you know that's just being optimistic all that based on the numbers. I mean at 300 million or I think it was 20
of the counties 20 of the constraint counties. That's not a lot. It's not a lot. We'd still be Something else I just, you know, as we're having budget conversation just to keep in mind,
congratulations for you adopted your initial resolution that sets the rate at 50%. Um, and that again projects a revenue about 1.5 million to go towards fire operations. So, we're really hoping that that will go through on August
21st. Um, if it doesn't, we'll need the board to have some conversation with at that time to see what we may need to cut from the budget if we don't get that revenue. Remember, we've added over 600,000 to fire operations station. So, we're just need to keep
that in mind. Um, regarding the fairgrounds, uh, just want to kind of put it out there. Has the county performed any kind of inspection as far as any kind of are we projecting any major building upgrades, any repairs
that we may need to budgeting, how are things looking there? We've already added 22,000 to our budget to account to ensure those buildings. So, that's been an additional cost that is part of this budget and we just wanted while we're talking about our budget and
CIP or anything that we need to be projecting our forecast. I know as of right now, Rick and Chris in our maintenance department have been down there doing some inspection. There's been some HVAC issues that they've taken care of. Um, that's the initial shop
right now. Um, but we still need to go through that a little closer to see exactly the age of everything down there and I can give y'all an update at the next meeting. I think that would be really helpful in the process of building the budget and and we need to
reevaluate our CIP to account for any major expenses. This this is the time for us to kind of be thinking about all the stuff. Yes, ma'am. Um, I would also just the board. We do have $350,000 available in your
budget from the funds that were formerly funds that you can use towards our roof project. So, it might be a good idea to go ahead and start having some conversations with our contract engineers on what that would look like,
putting a bid package together if we need to. Um, so we can go ahead and try to get ahead of that. We just want to throw that out there so we can be discussing and I will touch on that real briefly if you don't mind. Uh so we initially had went out for some bids for
that project for the roof. Uh we kind of put it on pause till we've seen what y'all wanted to do with the Snyder Electric deal, but um I will be bringing that back before y'all and with high hopes that we won't have to use all that 350,000. Now, were they bids or were they close?
Close. I'm sorry. Was it over 25,000? Um, but there's different options. So, some of it was just sealing the outside perimeters, which is the main need right now. Um, and what was re recommended by a roofing company at that time. So,
without getting into it too deep, without having it in front of me, I would say that I'll take a look at that and we'll get some quotes and ideas together and bring it back for y'all. And if it has to go to seal did, then that's what we'll be doing. anything over 25 the board's purchasing policy
requires just um and then lastly uh just to talk a little bit about state appropriations. It does look like the state is going to be appropriating the amount of the 500,000 to go towards our courthouse renovations
and ADA um upgrades. Just a reminder on the CIP slated for coming up here, we already have about 500,000 that we had put in there that we were going to save each year. So, if we get that 500,000 plus what we've already budgeted, that's
about a million there, a little over a million actually that we're going to get. Um, I wanted to just have the board discuss or see if you would be okay if we go ahead and reach out to the county contract engineer about that project to see what remember the total project was
1.9 million and we have based on our CIP and what the state's going to allocate about a million that we put towards the project. So, we probably need to talk to the county engineer about what can we do with the million dollars against the 1.9.
Um, I know in the case with Brooker, if we don't show some kind of movement, they may not give us a second allocation in the next budget cycle. So, that's why I just wanted to bring that up today and say, you know, can we go ahead and with the county engineer, let them know what
we're anticipating our our budget to be next year and maybe what can we do with that budget. So, um yeah, and so if we could look at it in phases, if if we have the it's going to cost us 1.9 mill and we have,
you know, a million dollars to work with, maybe do it in two phases and see what that would be. Yes, ma'am. Yeah. And Jason We've already had that conversation. We're going to reach out to NV5 and uh come up with a solution to
see how we can most effectively spend the money that we have that we've been allocated has been earmarked. So, we'll be jumping on that uh very quickly. Which also um we had a discussion this morning about the improvements to Highway 100 at the airport. That was
also funded at about 50%. Which is $77,000. So once again, we're already already have plans to reach out to our engineer and some of the design work has already been done. Not quite sure how much. So
uh we'll finish up the design work and then move forward with possibly self-performing the construction out there on 100 so that we can get as much done for the 770,000 as possible. Of course, that'll require anou with the Keystone Heights Airport Authority, which uh we've already been talking
about that as well, and the city a piece of well and kind of like what what we're talking about at Brooker with the fire station. I mean you do you know who you can get to do the job with as little as
possible. I mean do the job where we can get more for our money. Know which one to to talk with about that. Jason, well I mean that's our goal on everything. Um and and a lot of it is, you know, the willingness of the contractors and and
what they're able to do and not do. But we can look at that. Yes. Cuz if we've got a million, I mean, the hope would be that we would get a lot out of that. Yeah. And you know, there's a lot of
that that some of those things we can do inhouse where we can save some of that to put that effort forward somewhere else. Um, and I think that's a conversation for the county manager, the clerk's office, and also the judges to be involved, courts to be involved to see what we want to start on first.
Reach out to our engineering firm and look at that and put a scope and fee together for that. No, this is not a time to have this conversation, but we desperately need to feel more of his positions. We need
desperately bad a maintenance group that you know can like like we said take care of some of this some of these things. I mean we have a good report that he's pulled together and um but I know that you're down how many positions?
Well, we currently have three positions to be filled in road and bridges for uh that 25 26 budget um maintenance. We are kind of better than where we've been in a very long time. Uh we now have a
maintenance supervisor with a uh helper slashmaintenance man. Uh and both of them are very qualified in what they do. There is always going to be the contract with trains for the chillers and the boilers and stuff like that that for us to hire
that that type of employee, it's just not financially feasible for us to have a 40hour a week employee to do that job for what they get paid. So that's always going to be there. But the small HVAC systems and stuff like that, the maintenance staff is doing a very good
job handling that and plumbing issues, electrical issues. So, I think we're in really good shape, better than we've been for a while. Lock positions that were vacant. Well, if you consider what was there prior to me coming in 2019? Yes, ma'am. There
there is quite a bit difference. Any other questions for me? Mr. Chair, that's all I have. I just wanted to um make sure that I shared those reports with you as you all are having conversations about the budget and consideration how to fund recreation. As you know, we do have a
reserve. We have 2.4. Um so we have it. It's just be aware of what our trend is looking like and be aware of what our expenses and be aware of the future of property taxes. property taxes and also um we have no
idea what it's going to cost to maintain that fair. I mean I don't know if Brad has any kind of idea there's no no money coming in there. I mean if it's going to be fully county fun
right now I believe uh we've had several conversations over the last two months. Um there's no guarantees and and I asked Amanda hopefully here soon we can give a better idea of cost. You know what it costs
between our insurance, our utilities. As y'all know, the church is there. Um the church doesn't plan on going anywhere for the short term. Um I think our board has discussed working with the church short term for several reasons, but one of them being financial income.
Obviously, um we did develop some subcommittees. Um it looks like we got some direction as far as the uh 2026 uh fair goes. Looks like we got some people that are interested in being here for March. That's a big income for us.
Um we got a couple other events. Everything that we've discussed has been income driven. Um, I know that today the fair manager is going to come up conversation with you guys and and that was the anticipation. And to answer your question, Denny, I think that the fair
board's in uh intentions is to be self-sufficient. Uh, if it can't be self-sufficient, then we really need to we really need to consider what we're doing because it shouldn't be able to be self-sufficient. With that being said, it may take
it may take two years to get there. Um, now I feel like we can take that in conversation of taking off some of the county's expenses a little at a time. So, if we can uh afford to pay in 26 our
own insurance, maybe our own utilities, maybe in 27 if we can get to a conversation of a fair manager, we we have a conversation of paying, you know, 30% of that uh salary. Uh the next year would be, you know, a goal of 50% of
that salary along with the utilities and the insurance. We're just going to have to gradually get there and don't really know exactly what that number is. I think that that's a conversation that needs to happen today. We need it sooner than later. Even though the board has done a really good job and a lot of people's come in
and Miss Amanda, Mr. Scott has done a great job facilitating trying to get us in the right direction, but we really need somebody. You know, we have full-time jobs. It it it's going to take somebody beating the bushes and dragging stuff in to get an income. And that's
not only what the fairgrounds needs, that's what the county needs. We need somebody to bring income in so it pays for itself because as the conversations that we're having here today, they can't the county can't can't sustain, you know, like Danny's talking about and pay
for that long term. I have no idea how they made their money. I just have to guess it was from Midway Rise or the fair probably where they made most of their money at. To be honest with you, we don't know. That's crazy. It's crazy to say how we
didn't know the money was coming from one to two or anything else or how much how how are the current finances being managed and when income comes who how that process? So so right now currently
we have it set up where all the uh all the bills and all the revenue and everything goes through Amanda. Okay. And then, for example, we got a check last week from the church and uh I took it down to the bank and deposited it and then Amanda deposited some other revenue
earlier or late last week. So, uh that's what we're doing right now. We're just we're just kind of holding it together. Um but yeah, there has to be some serious conversation about getting a full-time fair manager on board because we Amanda
and I have no capacity. Even with Taylor helping out, it's just more than it's gonna get done. You know, nothing's going to fall through the crack, but the point is we don't have the capacity to go out and do what Brad's talking about, which is what needs to be done.
And that's been my understanding that at the midway rides for the fair, you have to schedule on a year out. I I I think we're very fortunate um that we have some interest um I think that
some of the Midway vendors understanding it's a wholesale start over. I think we got some direction for just say that there's no guarantees. We have a subcommittee that's working hard and trying to plan that but and even planning knowing that we don't have any
money to uh front, you know what I mean? So, so we're working with the Midway vendors on how to accomplish that because they'll come out, you know, with a good fair and something that's beneficial financially. Fair. I think you had a vendor at the at the meeting last week, didn't you? I'm
sorry. You had a vendor at the meeting last week. We did. We did. So, the board hasn't voted on anybody in particular. That's the only reason, you know, limited on what we're going to talk about because we haven't voted on anything or went in a solid direction.
But um the the main thing and and and I did talk to the board last week about speaking on their behalf. We haven't voted in anything. So let's clarify only one person. But we would really like to discuss uh the fair manager and understand
and I feel terrible bringing this up. Let me talk before y'all let Rachel talk. Uh because I feel terrible about it. But to get the right person, this needs to be a 75 to $90,000 a year employee. It's a full-time job and you
need somebody that's going to really work hard and that's the consensus of the board and and the I believe it's consensus of everybody who's involved. You know, Mr. Cornne and so on and so forth. So, just as you have the conversation,
um, understand that the board, the fair board understands that this is not the county's, um, burden, that it's the fair's burden, but we ask the county to help us get to the point where we can, you know, handle
that burden on our own. Um, because that is the anticipation is that the board, the fair board funds itself. uh maybe even who knows contribute some general transfer back to help pay for the money that was put out. That would be awesome.
Um and and the the sky's the limit and and I think everybody thinks that that can happen if the right person is selected. So, I think the conversation of uh the the how much you're going to pay this individual, the conversation of who's
going to be in charge of hiring and firing and selecting this individual, that that really needs to be discussed sooner than later. So, there was no cash that
it was less than $5,000. There's still some stuff illegal, so I don't know where all that's going to end up, but it's not enough. That's Sorry, that's amazing to me. Um, and I have no idea where the FDLE investigation is in terms of how close
we are to wrapping that up. Um, it could be that some other money is found. I do not know, but I think we'll have a a much clearer picture after after that investigation closes, see the results. Um, have you all, you know, reached out
to Klay County and getting some ideas on how they um facilitate their program? Yes, ma'am. We have we reached out to Baker County, Lake County, Glowville County. Uh, because we're really starting from ground zero. I can't
express to you enough that the direction it was before is just not the direction, but we don't have any. We're start over. That's the best I can tell you. So, yes, we've reached out. A lot of people do it a lot of different ways. Um, and understand that these
people that you're reaching out to, they're already established, so they're they're funding theirel. So, so it really doesn't help us. We all know where we want to be, and that's where we want. I think our biggest hurdle is figuring out how to get there
um without putting too much of a burden on the county. I think that's the biggest challenge that we have. Um and and like the clerk said, you know, we we knew that y'all knew that when you voted in to buy it and you knew what was coming with it.
So here we are, Mr. Chair and Mr. Cornne and Brad. So right now with the the the fair board, has there been an executive committee established as far as you? Okay. So when it comes to making those
decisions about their manager as far as say irony and fire will that come to just to the executive board as far as I know we'll have to vote on that and the board will have to agree to yeah there so there's a couple of different models
that you could consider you could allow the the fair executive board to run the whole operation when the hiring and firing and job description and all that would be one model a second model would be to have the county manager do that do the hire and of the fair uh in in
cooperation with the fair know if there's there's probably a third model that we could suggest but I hadn't thought of it yet. So okay I would I certainly would suggest and recommend that the smaller the better. Uh, so with your involvement with the executive
board, I think that puts you at about what five maybe maybe five voting members then. Yeah. I mean, I have my own views, but I I think a commissioner already said that on it myself at least one. Uh, it's it's your money and you have to sit before this board and answer
what happens over there. At the end of the day, the county owns it. It needs to have interest in it. And I know that that reflects directly off of the county manager. Um, and and that may be fine with y'all. That's that representation, but there needs to be county representation when we're talking about
this employee. That's Brad's opinion, not the board, not the fair board opinion, my opinion. So, I wouldn't object to that other than I think we would need to have at least So, if it's not be five, you would be five, that would be six. So, I think that still want to have an odd number
on that board just for And y'all may be perfectly fine with Scott representing. Oh, yeah. you know, and and if that's the case, that's fine. My my driving point behind that was somebody from the county needs to be on that because investment
well and we know that you got a great board. Um it it really did it turned out extremely well. Um but we it was our decision to buy it. Um, and so we don't want to just leave you guys
out there and and us not try to help you in any way that we can. And I mean, I know that you brought this and this is what we can do. That would be a big help. But, um, I'll speak like you said, I'm one person. Um,
when there's a need, I don't want to be left out. I mean, I want to help you um, do whatever I can. I mean, it might not be a whole lot, but anything that I can help you in any way. I'm I'm here. All you have to do is just get in touch with
me and and um and I'll be there to to do whatever I can. And I think the others would feel the same way. So, we don't we don't we don't want y'all to think that we just we put this burden on y'all and now, hey, that's your work. So, um so
whatever we can do, u please let me know. And and I don't want to put words in in Brad's mouth, but he and I have had conversation and he's indicated to me that there's great potential through fundraising. Is that right? That's correct. A lot I mean there's been a lot of conversation. The board that that was
put together really has a lot of experience. Um now we're still we're still hurting cats uh a little bit, but there is a lot a lot of experience, a lot of people and and a lot of drive. uh you know the last meeting that we had a lot of people
stepped forward and there was conversations about there's just a lot of fundraising and there's a lot of opportunity in my opinion u for income um you know you you've got individuals it's already spoken here tonight that love to do fundraising stuff you know
and you got barbecue offs and off it's sky's limit well and and I would like to do something like if you'll keep me on the straight straight and narrow and what because I'm sure that there's things I could do and could not do, but there was a lady here in our last
meeting who um wanted to do something for us for um recreation. And so um I would love to do that if if that's some if that's okay with y'all. and I I've been trying to get to the meeting, but
last week we were down south and so but um but I will try to attend the meetings like Mr. I I would I would love to do that. The other thing that's important while
besides just coming up with a salary for the person, but what are the expectation? What does the board want that person to do and what does this board what does the county want from that person? So I think it will be very very important to be real clear about
that and come up with you know set of expectations you know description of what what that position would would be involved with. Yeah, those conversations have went on with some as far as uh
the Charlie Johns has come up um not just the fairgrounds but you know what this individual one would be responsible for and then two what kind of resume you know I think Mr. Scott said it best. You're looking for a unicorn and we know that. But the right
people's, you know, on the board to hire. I believe with the right salary, you're going to get somebody that wants to come in here and really work hard for it. And they should. You know, we've talked about it Bradford County being a hub. You know, you're between Jacksonville
and Gainesville and nothing's, you know, we were really been flooded, believe it or not, with some emails of people that really want to they want to use that bigger Um, we just got to have somebody there to facilitate it and, you know, I know that Jason was looking at repairs and
and I'll wait for him to give, you know, his report, but in my opinion, the fairgrounds don't be paying for that. All reality, you know, that's that's not a county burden. So, I don't think anybody on that board, speaking for myself, but intends on putting any more
of a burden on the county. So yes, to answer your question, I believe whoever, however we vote in and the board, this this board agrees to allow to hire this individual. Um, I
think they need to sit down and really really think about who it is and what boxes need to be checked to fulfill that. That's my opinion. What do we need to do to move forward? Well, I think we need to uh I think I
need to sit down with the executive board and have a conversation with them and develop a plan on how to recruit uh this unicorn that we're looking for. Um before we do that, I'll reach out to some of the other uh fair managers in
the area. I have a personal relationship with Tasha Hider over in Klay County and I've already communicated with her and she's willing to help us any way she can. So, that'll be one of the resources that we use. Um, I just I I agree with Brad and I believe we need to move forward with diligence uh trying to find
a person to come in and take over. Is that the consensus of the board to move forward with this and get it going? So, can I just suggest that maybe with Scott's approval that the executive board sits down with him, we come back,
we'll just come back with a plan of long-term plan. Um, that's like I spoke about maybe even, you know, year 26, the fair board's paying for X percentage of this salary. You know, I mean, we we have to put goals in there. Um,
otherwise, it's going to be on the county's back, you know, right on. So, um, if if y'all I guess will give direction to Mr. Cornnegay, then we'll sit down and come back to the next county commissioner meeting. They can put it on the agenda and we could propose a a salary number and a
direction. Yes. Yes. I don't think we can get it done by the next by the July 17th, but why don't we shoot for August? So, just I can comment on that. Sure. We're presenting the tenative budget on August 5th. So that's why I was going to
ask is it would be very helpful to us if between now and our next meeting we have some kind of number that we plug into the budget. I I think we can do that now. Can we have a consensus on what salary range should be u with well and I
if I can just interject one um when we interview these people I think it's only fair that they know what they're walking into too. We're starting from ground zero. We can't pay you $150,000 a year. U we're starting at
ground zero. And so when we make this decision about salary, I think that it that we should make them understand that as we grow, you grow and um so that they understand what they're stepping into. I
think some of the conversation has been uh the salary being incentivized of the income of the fairgrounds starting out at the base. I think that'll be some of the presentation that we can put together for y'all. um and develop a plan that you know ju does
just that. And the salary range that I think keeps coming up is 75 to 90. That's not the again I can't say this enough so I don't get in trouble. That's the board the fair board hasn't really discussed that voted on that. I don't
even know if they need to or if it matters because y'all were the one paying the salary to start with. I could be wrong here, but I would think that y'all said that and then we pretty much just agree with it. My Yeah. Yeah. So, most important thing I believe is going
ahead today and setting that salary range. That way it gives us the opportunity to put together a job description. Um, communicate with other fair managers in the area and develop the plan that that Brad's talking about. So, we just need
consensus on a salary range and then we'll move forward. like you reg. Yeah. And just a couple of points know discussing insurance. So what the county currently pays or what we have in the budget for insurance of the fair property because we own the buildings now. So we've added
that property to our insurance policy. We haven't added the liability insurance because that is still going to be maintained by the fair association. So I guess my question to Mr. Cornay and Amanda is is there enough revenue
from whatever your revenue sources is to handle that annual liability insurance cost. I think it's around what is it? Yeah. So, I just want or do we need to what's the budget now that we're building? We never need to build a
a salary. Do I need to build in any maintenance cost? Do I need to build in any insurance? I need to know. Well, it's around 20,000 around 20,000 for and is this the county employees
fair employees has to benefit now if we're funding it. Yeah, that's been part of the discussion as well. Will this person be a 1099 employee or a county employee? And I think the consensus up to this point has been a 1099 employee.
And I do have one question and don't throw me out of here, but um moving forward if we can't find that full-time person would be would for right now would be interested would we be interested in trying to find somebody part-time until we can find that
full-time person. I think we put all our effort into finding the full-time person initially and if we go two or three months out and we haven't found anybody then we can bring somebody in full time. Is that about right bre? Yes, I would agree. And just because Scott and Amanda
have done I can't brag on them enough as far as this goes. Uh especially Miss Amanda doesn't like us a whole lot right now cuz we've worked her to death here lately. But uh with that being said, I think we've got as long as we get a direction. Um I I think the needs
are being met until we can, you know, fulfill this position. to answer your question. I I I truly believe we could find with the right salary uh the the right resume I think we could find somebody that I consensus the 75 to90,000
range and also I believe we have consensus that it would be a 1099 employee and not a county employee and within that job description as far as you know metrics for that particular person certainly and I know because what
what Brad's mentioned I know that we've talked about is you know having that person you know bring events and things like that you know that are going to happen and I'll use Jason as an example and
Jason pays his own salary several times over just in the CI work and uh some of the other things that that that he brings you know to the county so we certainly want to make sure that that person is set to a certain standard of
metrics that we can, you know, quantify exactly, you know, what's coming in and make it happen. But thank you for what you've done so far. Appreciate so far. Thank you, Rachel. Are you good with all that? Yes,
sir. We were just kind of working9 and um if I have any followup questions I can get with you as far as any other budget items that we might want to include that we can bring back to the board if need be. Okay. Um Amanda and I were having this conversation this morning because when I talked to Brad
yesterday afternoon um you know the question is what what is the financial picture right now? revenue versus expenses. And being what are we two months into it almost? We we we're still
unclear if exactly where we are in terms of revenue and expenses because the we're hamstrung by the FDLE investigation. But once again, like I said earlier, once that's done, we'll have much better
idea, much better picture of where we are. The best we can tell This not an official statement. This is just my estimation. I think currently we're in a situation where we're breaking even.
Is that fair? Fairly breaking even. But if the if the fair picks up any more expenses before it brings in more revenue, they won't survive. They're paying bills, insurance, that stuff.
And I just want to add just for comfort levels because because I know if I was sitting in your seat not being involved that y'all know how much God and Amanda have to do every day. Um until we get this seat filled. That's
the reason we don't have all these answers. You know what I mean? We we don't have time. And to be honest with you, y'all can appreciate this. we're really restrained by law on what we can meet and go do versus having an employee that can go out and attack and find out
um and then come back to the board and just report instead of actually, you know, people working together. Y'all know how it works. So, um not having an answer right now seems like we've just been floating around for two months, but but we sort of have because we can't get
but so much done. You know, like I said, we have full-time jobs. uh Mr. Corne and them have responsibilities. You don't have nobody to give a direction to um that can sit down and and give a report uh to Miss Rhoden and them right now. You know, somebody shouldn't be able to
walk up here and say, you know, ju just like everybody else does in every other department. We pay this for insurance. We do this. This is our budget. This is our income. This is what the we're asking the county to fund at this time. We we can't do that until we get somebody to take, you know, care of that
and run with it. So, I just wanted to say that it's we got to have somebody before we can really get an answer. So, it's kind of where we're at. And your meetings are the third Tuesday,
the fourth board in next month's meeting. Brad, you you'll be back in here. I I think we've I think we decided that everything's going to be at building one. Excellent.
Three. Three. Three. I'm sorry. Building three. So, down at the fairground? Yes, ma'am. So, uh do they have the media capability down there that they can live stream the meeting? No, but I mean it's open to the public. They're more than welcome. There's
enough room. We've got seating and we put out enough chairs for anybody who wants to come and participate to the meeting. Right. There there's no legal requirements allowed. Good. All right. Thank you. We're good. Okay. Paragraphs. Mr. Chair, I can go
back to the budget and I know I brought this up couple times last meetings and I know that our insurance continues to go up. You know, I think Yeah, we're around
16,000 thou away or is it somewhere between 12 and 16? I think about 14. I was right there. Regularly, folks. Right on. Um, I I've talked to several commissioners throughout the state uh
about their insurance and I don't know that unless somebody can correct me, I don't know that there's anyone else that provides the same uh health insurance benefit that we provide. And they all have a shared cost
in that. And so, you know, we're in a situation that that, you know, could be dire and certainly we've got to figure out ways that, you know, we can, you know, save or, you know, at least uh generate revenue. That's that that's more of a
savings. But, um, really think that's something that that we need to look at. whether it's, you know, three different plans or, you know, however it turns out that that we can, you know, try to, you know,
pull some of that expense back. Like I said, I know I'm not the favorite person in the room for saying things like that, but I mean, we have to be real because again, you know, some of these counties that that even generate a
lot through their tourism or, you know, whatever else they have going on, the same benefit that we are, we don't have any. You're not wrong, Commissioner Rain. We are run that provides free health insurance to our employees. For a long
time, the incentive was we were not able to give wages for many years. And so we're finally at a point where we are being more consistent with the cost of living adjustment uh to be able to try to balance that. Um but that was for
many years, you know, the reason why we we we didn't because we weren't, you know, our salaries were not very comparable to other count sizes, you know. So that's the the benefit that was kind of the the take. Um certainly if if if we're going to have an impact with
property taxes, that would have to be a conversation we have. I don't know how we can avoid it if we lose revenue, even if it's just a maybe not the full amount, but a small amount. That to me seems like where we would need to start.
You know, instead of cutting services to our constituents or our citizens, we may have to look at, you know, other areas such as insurance. And there are opportunities where you can do it on a tier basis. Um, and that we can explore. Um, but it's something that I think, you
know, if it's looking like our revenue may be going down and if our trend is declining that we may have to have some of those conversations and that's not an attack or directed on the employees, but that's more on the the agencies. You know, just like, you know, here we are talking about, you know, the governor's
talking about property taxes, but, you know, we're still avoiding this conversation about insurance costs in the state. And that's huge. you know, whether it's homeowners insurance, health insurance, you know, so again, as that continues to go up, you know, we just have to be aware of that and be
able to, you know, save where we can, you know, as a county because of all the other needs that that the county has. Anyway, I just wanted to bring that up. Well, I I know it's a conversation that we may have to have down the road, but as you mentioned, because this the
average salary for the employees was not comparable to other larger counties who could pay their people more uh and then they could afford to pay their salary insurance, but that was the motivating factor for us. Um but if you look at the
average salary for Franklin County residents, it's very low. other management people they can afford it but the average you know again it it's it don't see that often in other operations where an
employee doesn't contribute even though the state of Florida doc it's a great health insurance great benefits but there's still a small percentage that the employee does does pay so it's again for many years we weren't able to give our employees a
salary that um raises and so that's why we you know we did employ insurance and again we haven't given you know some increases to our employees but there was a period of time where we were still trying to you know backdated on that but
we're trying to catch up with our salaries. I know in the clerk's office we we have a hard time u keeping our staff. It it's very challenging because we get them trained up and they go straight to the audition circuit. I I we
just part of KIA um and and our our benefit package has been you know what we try to to sell which is the free health insurance. So it has helped but I do recognize I recognize the cost. I too recognize the cost and I think that we
we will be forced to have to address it especially um with our the potential of losing tax revenue have a choice. Yeah. Roughly 300 employees, that's $4.2 million a year. And I will say this, I understand that
what exactly what you're saying is what I'm worried about, especially with our road department. Those guys don't make that much money and you take these benefits away from them, you will be struggling. Um, yeah. And it's it's it's countywide.
It's not just the clerk's office or the road department. It Dylan, how many did you have in your recruit class last week? Had to hire 19 firefighters to replace people that left and it's hard to keep them. They can go to another county and
need a lot more. We take a little bit in the gas. But if we want to keep good people here, we have that incentive for people. Okay. But then I'll move on to the second item,
recreation. Um, well, you all know where we're at. Uh, you also know where I'm at. Um, we can afford everything else we want to do. Um, I will say this. Um, as y'all
know, the city's on board 50. I went to the TDC board meeting, made the presentation there. Uh, they voted unanimously for the 150,000 plus. And, uh, and that was, believe it or not, I didn't even give them any cost
breakdown. So, they said if I had cost breakdown, if we thought we needed some extra, they would be willing. But uh but they told me I could definitely come back and tell this board the 150 for sure the TBC board. So and and I'll be
honest and I was thinking it's I could almost echo exactly what Brad said about the fair board. It's the same situation. uh if we want this to move forward for our kids, if we gave it two years to see where it's at and then we could re-evaluate if
we didn't want it eliminated if it's um but all indications again it it reminded it was just parallel on with the fair because it's um it everything I've heard it should become self- sustaining
um and and if it wasn't in two years it would definitely where we could definitely cut back. There wouldn't be adding more to it. Um, and like I said, I just I know things are tight and I understand
about the uh the property taxes and if stuff like that happens, that's when we'll have to take drastic measures, right? Then I understand that. So, I'm not I'm not putting that off. But at the same time, I'm not going to live in fear and not doing something for our children
just because of a what if. And uh so that's that's that's where I stand on that. Um and if we have to do it, we have to do it. I I fully understand. But um so board, that's where I'm at on the recreation. Um
again, you all seen all the presentations. You've heard everything. Um it's just like any of our other budgets. we would have to take it out of the reserves. There is money in there. Um, do we want to take it the bottom line is
do we want to take a chance for two years to see if it will become self- sustaining and to help our children? That's that's that's the bottom line. And Mr. Chairman, if I might add, once again, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I think what I hear you saying is if the if the doomsday
scenario plays out and we do lose significant amount of revenue, I would expect that the recreation funding would be one of the first things to go. Exactly. Exactly. I mean there'd be a lot of things that would be that would be going a lot of but um but yeah I
fully understand it and it would be all aboard. Well I think one of the differences is that you know we committed $1.7 million to the fair and now we have to continue on with that. So
I I don't want to compare the two because certainly they are the same in a sense that you know you need a fair manager and you need a recreation manager and you need to be able to get a self-sustaining deal within a couple years. But again that commitment of the $1.7 million that we pulled out of you
know our reserves our general fund you know towards that that that was you know certainly where the commitment is and you know there's Mr. Cornne and and I spoke with
ex Senator Lee Constantine. He's now a commissioner in seminal about some things that they did for, you know, their recreation department down there, which is was huge. You know, they've got a lot of money coming in. But, um, I think Mr. Cornay may be
reaching out to their office to try to get some answers. And it would it would kind of fall under TDC, but it's under a different district, I think. T I think is what they called it. Yes, sir. T. And um you know, it's it's it it goes back
to our our Fed taxes uh you know, to to allow for um an additional amount that when people do come into the county. So then again, it's something that, you know, we're letting other people help pay for. Um but there is some A couple
of things that that are involved with that is one is I think Mr. Corning there's some bonding that may have to take place to be able to to do something like that. But until Mr. Cornne talks to their staff and you know we'll just kind of you just see where that goes. But uh
you know again just trying to find a way to do it without you know pulling those monies from you know some of these other reserves that we just talked about earlier that are dwindling and uh could uh you know eventually and and again when I say and I've said this before
when I say save to spend you know we're saving the money up and then we're spending it spending to save. We spend that money but then we don't know if that money is going to be there next year. We don't know because of this property tax issue and things like that that we're just not, you know, really
it's uncertain and I understand what you're saying about what if, but this thing's growing legs really fast and it's I mean it's coming hard. So, you know, and and and you know, people people like the narrative, you know, people like to to think that, you know,
they wouldn't have to pay property taxes. Yeah. One of the things the sheriff mentioned at the last board meeting for funds that they may have access to. I think around $75,000 for what we have in our current
including what we whatever we have to make around 50. So that I give you the 125 and if we could possibly commit um 25 then it's continued on the recurration
being able to maintain themselves uh for that period of time. So that person's salary temporarily for example would be based on what we may currently have the 75 plus the 50 and the rest come out of
the income uh or revenue generated by by recreation department from all of the events that the company had. Um and then their longevity be would be contained upon generating money over the course of
the the next few years without impacting a big chunk of our budget if something like that involved and the 15 that we give to teams that be put into this. Yes. We wouldn't do that
anymore, right? We just give it to the the recreation department. That's 15 for that. So it's really 135 and just well for the the recreation aside from the 15,000 we give to the
outside organizations for outside recreation. We have budgeted next year 16,800. That's we can't put that towards this project because that's what we need utilities and maintenance of the city pleaser
the other well I think I think the ask would be for the 135 5,000 along with the 15,000 that's already budgeted for uh outside organizations. Is that about right?
That would put us at the 150 because the bottom line is whatever the city of Starks put in 150. So we need to match what they're putting in to to be a part of it. That's that's the only that's the only fair way. I can't and I can't I won't go back to the city and
say, "Well, we only got 100." But, you know, so it's got to be fair. It's got to be matched because that's the way you presented it. Exactly. Exactly. So, it's got to be the 150 and the 150. Now, I will say this, and I won't I've had a lot of phone calls with um
with people interested and um with also wanting um want to pledge money to put in this, but um but at the same time, I've asked them to hold off until the county moves forward. Um and and not be
a negative whether the county moves forward or not. I will continue to move forward and I'll work with the city. I've already been talking with Drew. I will work with the city and the TDC board to make this happen for the children. But uh but I say that to say this. I think once the citizens see if
the county puts in the 150 and this everybody puts in the 150 to get it started, I really believe before 6 months is over, you're going to see a tremendous amount of money come into that account from citizens contributed
to what has started. Once they see we have that we have buy in and everybody has buy in, I don't think that next year you're going to have to ask for the 150. I'll just throw that out. I won't mention names of the people that have called me that have um pretty much said
this they're going to make this happen. But um but that's you know but but at the same time everybody wants to see by is is the county going to buy in with the city and really make this work and and I truly feel like if we do again within 6 months
you'll see people coming forward and put money in to make the recreation go so that next year I won't even have to ask for the 150 from the city or the county. I'm still committed to what what I said at the end of the meeting last time that
was brought up is statutoily we have to be paid a certain amount but if you can deduct child support out of somebody's check then I think you can deduct you know for the kids out of my check. So, whatever that looks like, um, like I
said, you know, that's that's the commitment that I'm willing to pay for myself personally. And again, today is July the 1st. And as I said, from now until the end of the year through payroll deduction, and however that needs to happen, I'm willing to put in the $193 and the change that it comes to
for $5,000. So again, like I said, I Commissioner, I understand what you're trying to do, and I I fully support recreation, but I also support, you know, that we're watching the money that we're spending and where we're pulling that money from. So, because we have so
many other issues, you know, that that that, you know, it's just like every time we you we we talk about one thing and we say, "No, we're not going to do that." And then something else comes up, that's another expense, you know, and it just continues on and on and on. And
again, you know, how do we ever get to the point to where we roll our millillage back? I guess the bottom line is, again, I'm just asking for a two-year commitment. I'm saying I don't think you're going to have to do it in the second year, but
the the citizens and the people that are calling me just wants to see is the county really serious and going to team up with the city of S to make this happen. So that's that's the bottom line. And um and if this happens, if the county puts
in the 150, we can donate all the money we want to. You can donate 100,000 Chris if you want, whatever you want, put into that fund like the other citizens that are going to be doing. So um that's that's where we're at. So trying
to get you to the golden number there, Commissioner. I'm not going to be I'm not going to be the majority of it. So Right. Just trying to make I'm trying to get us across the finish line here. So, so anyway, so we can't vote on it anyway.
You got something you want? Yeah, you're right. You cannot vote on it, but I think what the chief deputy clerk would like to see is a consensus of an amount and what she needs to put in her budget. So, I guess the the ask would be $135 or
$135,000 allocation and a $15,000 reallocation of outside organization money. Correct. Is that is that about right? Yeah. whatever the board we just need know so that way we just need direction on a consensus on what we need
to build into the budget so that way um August 5th the clerk is presenting you all with our best budget we can come up with on whatever correct and and like I said then we can vote on it and whatever the the next
meeting or on the 17th or whenever you'll vote on it you'll vote on it with the budget with the approp I think we should do that. Move forward with it. Yeah. Do we have a consensus of of the board
to move forward with it or where are we going to get all this from again? Going to be the Yeah, that's right. Okay. 75,000 from the sheriff, but this I know we have 2.4 million in your
general fund. That's you know it fits to one half a dozen the other but you know we budget so they turn it all back into us the end of the year. Um, but she's got a reserve and
it'll come out of that reserve and if there's a consensus, I mean, we that's if you want there's still time you can put it for an official vote if you need to at the July 17th meeting, but I just need to know today or that July 17th meeting before August 5th
into the budget. Yeah, you can certainly vote at the 17th meeting, but all all really needs to happen is uh direction to the to the court, put it in the budget. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.
Okay. I didn't say no. I want to go back to the pair, but tackle one elephant at a time. Well, that's three or four. That's the consensus, correct? We have a consensus, it sounds like,
then to go ahead and budget the full 150,000. Well, 135,000. We're not going to give 15,000 to those outside organizations. They go towards um this budget. So that's how Dana's going to work the budget, the
presentation of the audit based on the consensus, the majority consensus we have here. Um, Commissioner Dhy, you had a question about the fair. I think I was just saying we we we have so much to take on right now.
Again, that's, you know, that's a commitment that we made. We wanted to keep the fair grounds for the citiz and we made that commitment. We were able to do that in
so certainly as that organization grows. That's our commitment. You said 75,000 share. Where was the other 50,000 coming from? That was to
the parks that it's going to be your reserves. So 15,000 is what we have in the budget that goes to the outside recreational. So we're going to sound like do away with that and dedicate that 15,000 to this rec department budget.
Um and then the remaining interest for your reserves, your general fund res. And same with the fair manager as well. Okay. Item three, local preference. Yes, Mr. Chairman, there's been uh some interest from the board uh to address
the local preference option in the purchasing policy. So um I know that in the recent past it's become that it it has been very restricted in terms of the number of uh respondents when we bid out certain projects.
If the upside to eliminating the local preference is that we would we would start to bring in different contractors and have a more competitive bid process. So, uh, that's something you guys need to discuss and give us direction on whether or not we want to revise the
purchasing. Who was it that was having the conversations about it? Another board member. Oh. So when you say open, I mean just the idea of past was to try to give as much as we
can local people um give the opportunity to our local um persons. But sometimes um sometimes to our benefit if it were more open to others just not just our local
that we would get a better deal and sometimes like say sometimes better quality. Um so I I think um we have to think about that what's going to be best for
we yes local we always think of first but to help ourselves out we need to be a little more flexible opens I agree um you know I think that when
you know like instances in the past where you know you people put a lot of work to put proposals together. I mean it's it's a lot of work. I mean you might have somebody dedicated 40 hours you know total but you know to putting
together a submitt you know with the with the bid take off with you know putting all the papers together that need to be you know far as the bid requirements and everything else. and then to just allow somebody to say well
I can match that then you know it be why why spend any time doing it and I think you you push a lot of quality people out that so you know I agree and and you know and I think that maybe if it's somebody from
the outside that we still have you know something in there requirement to where you know there's a percentage that they need to, you know, let's say somebody from out of town and they're bringing in all the materials from out of town, you know, that there's a percentage that they have
to spend locally, you know, with a local hardware store or local, you know, they hire an electrician locally to do the electrical work, you know, something like that. So, um, you know, in that way, I think you you you still get the
quality, you know, companies to come in to do the work. You know, you're not just I mean because you know I could say you my price is 10 million, yours is five, but then you
know I get to match that price. Why did you think yours was 10 million in the first place? I don't know if you can do it for five. So um so as I certainly see uh you know a reason to examine that
local policies are as far as and I don't I don't know exactly what that looks like you know from uh contractually I mean how we put that together and then do you want to deal with those
things on a on the individual basis but I mean for right now question really somewhat simple you want to see a change to policy or or not want to I tell you, um, because we did this, we went through this, um, I seven, eight
years ago, nine years ago, we went through this exact same thing. Uh, I can say this for sure with all certainty that that the local contractors that are you that we're using now that are are winning some of
these bids definitely use all local contractors and they buy all local materials. Um, and and I thought and I understand I I understand the points y'all are making and they're and they're
very good points, but um but if if we're truly trying to help out our locals, all our local subs, suppliers, that's where that local preference comes into play. Um, I don't know, and you're you're the attorney. I don't know if you
can actually award the bid to somebody else and say, "Now look, you can have the bid, but your electrician, plumber, and AC guy has to be somebody from Bradford County when they're when they're already because these contractors already have their subs that
they like to deal with, period." And we can talk about that visualize because I mean generally the way local preference works is if you have two two responses that come in that are close you're going to it's the tie goes to the run.
Yeah, that makes sense. But I mean there are requirements, you know, just like MBE, SB, WB type requirements that can be put in an RFQ. Uh, you know, so I think that, you know, the same carve out, but
uh but what commissioner already saying is is accurate. What happens is you have people that just aren't going to comply because of perception that you're going to give it to a local person over a true competitive bid. And that's where we are right now. Yeah. Within in our policy,
could we have if the local bidder is within say 5% then he could use the local preference. But if he's not within a certain range, he cannot use local preference. In other words, like the example you gave, if one bid comes in at uh 20,000 and and
somebody else that isn't local bids 10, one, I doubt our contractor would would do it for that. But if you did, no way. You should have bid if you really thought it could have been done for 10, you should have bid 10. So I'm I guess what I'm asking is there a percentage if
you're over that. Let me put it this way. I'm trying to make sure that our local contractors don't just throw a number in the hat knowing that if they don't win, they can just do the local preference. That's that's my See that? Yeah, that's what
I'm trying to say. well, find a way to hold their feet to the fire, right? So, they actually turn in a true bid, right? Instead of just I got it, right? And if it's within a certain percentage, then yeah, you can use local u
you can't you can amend your policy to essentially say that if you're within 2% or 5% that the award's going to go to the local contractor. That's true. And again, I'm not trying to cut local people out. Just saying what's happening
is people on the outside they're trying to work are just, you know, they're they're fed up. They're saying we're not bidding on it. You know, why should we spend, you know, 40 hours putting something together and somebody else just throws a number out there. Yeah.
And and knowing that they can match ours and know and we're doing all the work. That's That's what I'm saying. Yeah. Yeah. So, so I guess what we'd like to see is modify it, amend the policy. Yeah.
You know, maybe whatever that it's a threshold or whatever that you know, we're able to award a contract if it is somebody local, they're within that percentage. And then I think we would we would continue to get people from the outside bidding in because I
mean that's a small window to try to aim for you know for somebody. Yeah. Yeah. So keep the local reference system just in the policy. Okay. The with the uh with the threshold being 5%.
Okay. All right. Done. Yeah. All right. Okay. Well, is there anything else for that's that's all I got for my worksheet? All right, you good everybody? Yes, sir. We're good. Okay. All right.
We just hang out for a little while. We just love