on the consent agenda. Yes, ma'am. And it is uh station 9 is the Samson City Fire Station and it does fall still within the appropriated amount from the stake. So, we're still under budget on that project. Okay. All right. We have a motion and a second. All in favor by sign of I.
Motion carries five. All right. Next, we have a proclamation declaring May 2025 National Foster Care Month. Uh, Amanda And commissioners, if it's okay with you, I'm going to let Briana and
Sebastian speak. I'm a bit under the weather tonight, so I'm going to turn it over to Briana. Hello. Thank you so much for having us. Thank you all for having us. We're from Partnership for Strong Families, uh the Child Welfare Agency in North Central Florida. Bradford County is one of the
areas that we are really proud to serve. And I have Sebastian here from our team as well to tell you more about foster parenting. Good evening y'all. Good evening. Thank you all for having us. We really appreciate it. It is National Foster Care Month this month of May and it's
really just a time to honor the families that have gone and made the sacrifice and that are necessary to be foster parents and that have gone out and really just their stepped out into out of their comfort zone to love these kids
and to put them these bring these kids in their homes that have been through a lot of trauma. And it's it's also a time to raise awareness for foster care. Um I have the statistics right here. We cover 13 counties here in North Central Florida. And we have in our area
652 children in out of home care, only 150 homes. In Bradford alone, we have 53 children from Bradford County and only nine homes here. So that means those kids are being moved to different counties. That means those kids are having to leave their schools, their
friends behind and it makes it harder for them for adjusting. It gives them a more difficult time with that trauma and just continues the retraumatization. And you know, if we can get more homes in the community, that's our goal. If we can change one
child's life, that's huge. And it's also an opportunity to help that family because if that family is doing the necessary steps and is going through the process and is trying to get their home stabilized, they deserve that second chance. We all, everyone in this room deserves a second chance and so do those
families. So, it gives that opportunity for them as well. If they're out of county, it puts an extra economic pressure on them. missing work, having to, you know, give up wages to get right and having to drive all the way down to
Gainesville or clear out to Madison County. So, this is an opportunity for us to serve those families that are underprivileged and those kids that are underprivileged. So, thank you all for acknowledging this. We really appreciate it. Thank you. Is there like if somebody
wanted to be a foster? Yes, absolutely. So you would take a class. The class is about generally three and a half weeks. Um 21 hours total for the class. It's all virtual because we cover such a huge area. It's hard to get everyone in one place. So we
do virtual now. It's during that time period, you're also doing the home study and all. So by the end of it, usually takes about three to four weeks after the classes are done and once the paperwork's done and the final home study's done and then you find out
you're a foster parent. So only a few months to get through that process. And we cover the cost of the class, we cover the cost of the background checks. Um there's no fees involved with anything like that. You get a board rate. So, we
really just try to incentivize families to go out and help these kids and we tried to streamline the process as best we could. So, yeah, thank you for asking. Um, in fact, if anyone wants to learn more, I'm going to hand these out as soon as I step down. These are for
our monthly info sessions. We have three this month, one's tonight, so you won't be able to make that one, but we have two more this month, one next week, and one the following week. All virtual. It's about an hour and you get to learn from an actual foster parent and you get to actually hear her side of the story
as a foster parent and adoptive mom. Any other questions? Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. And did do you want to read the proclamation or do you want our attorney to read it or you all feel free to do? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair. proclamation
declaring May 2025 as National Foster Care Month. Whereas May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize that all of us can play a role in improving the lives of children in our community and work to provide the brightest future possible for our most cherished citizens. And whereas
beginning in 1988, US presidents have issued annual proclamations in recognition of May being National Foster Care Month. And whereas in Florida there are over 8,000 children in foster care. And here in says Lafayette, we
have an average of two children in foster care at any given time. And whereas the goal of the foster care is family reunification. And we know that healthy families raise healthy kids who go on to lead healthy lives. And whereas foster families are members of the
community who open their homes to children of all ages with all sorts of unique backgrounds and situations, but recognize that all children have a common need for love, stability, and support as they grow. And whereas, while these situations can be difficult, having strong community support
drastically increases the success of the foster care system and ultimately leads to health and healing for these children and their families. And whereas supporting foster care can take on many forms to include attending an orientation to learn about becoming a foster parent, volunteering or
financially supporting local nonprofits that serve foster kids and their families, providing a meal or letter of encouragement for foster families, coaching and volunteering for programs that have foster kids participating to provide an an additional example of healthy role model and caring adult in
the lives of these kids. Now therefore, the board of county commissioners of Bradford County does hereby proclaim May as National Foster Care Month in Bradford County and encourages all citizens to lead the way for other communities in how we work together to
utilize our resources and unique gifting to help support our community's foster children, foster families, and biological families. So proclaim this 15th day of May, 2025. Thank you. Do I have a motion to read our commission as read? Sorry. Yes.
I offer a motion for approval of um declaring um me as national motion from commissioner. Second from Commissioner Dry. Any other questions? All in favor by sign of I. Motion carries five. Thank you all so
much for coming. Thank you. Thank you all. I do appreciate it. Okay, next we have Chief Carter, population declaring May 18th through the 24th, 2025 EMS week. Sure, good evening. Uh we do have
the honor of recognizing our EMS professionals next week during uh EMS week and so we're excited for that opportunity. We've got a few special events planned. Um the hospital here in Stark is going to to host an event for us. We've got a a breakfast and a lunchon that we're hosting over at our headquarters tomorrow. So, please feel
free to uh join us for that. I've emailed you the information. I've asked uh y'all hear me enough. So, I've asked Captain Bobley here to uh to read the pro proclamation. Good evening. Good evening. Read the proclamation. from the board of county commissioners of Bradford County,
Florida proclamation declaring May 18th through the 24th, 2025 emergency medical services week. Whereas emergency medical services is a vital public service and whereas the members of emergency medical services teams are ready to provide
life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves those survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. And whereas
emergency medical services fills health care gaps by providing important out of hospital care including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to tele medicine. And whereas the emergency medical services system consists of
first responders, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency medical dispatchers, firefighters, police officers, educators, administrators, prehosp nurses, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, trained members of the public, and other
out of hospital medical care providers. And whereas the members of the emergency medical services teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving lifesaving skills. And
whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of every emergency medical services providers by designating the emergency medical services week. Now therefore, the Bradford County Board of County
Commissioners in recognition of the necessary and life-saving services provided by our emergency medical services providers do hereby proclaim the week of May 18th through the 24th, 2025 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
The 51st anniversary of EMS week theme is EMS week, we care for everyone. I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities in honor of the EMS profession and the essential
services it provides. Do I have a motion to uh approve the proclamation as read? Motion from Commissioner Thompson. Second. Second from Commissioner SP. Any questions? All in favor by sign of I I
motion carries 50. Next we'll turn it over to our zoning director Andrews. Thank you Mr. Chairman board um as Bracken County Land Development Regulation Administrator, it's my opportunity, my duties to present to you various applications that come in front
of me to the board for their approval or comments or concerns. This includes the minor subdivision behind my back. This is a eight parcel, eight lot subdivision off of Southeast 4th Avenue, which is for South
Road. It's roughly 60 acres more or less. Most of the all of the lots are accessed via either the cave road on southeast 4th or off of southeast 140th or southeast 139th which is also county
maintained. If you'll see in the top right northwest corner of this parcel, there's a 40ft easement that accesses the 21 acre parcel. The developer is aware that brackai will not maintain nor provide road access any type of road uh maintenance on that 40 acre or that 40
lot easement. Uh the individual that has presented this to us is not here tonight, but I spoke with him today. This parcel will not be broke down into smaller lots. If they are, it will conform to our regulations for a family lot split that you put one family member
on an acre. But you cannot buy a 5 acre or 6 acre even 21 acre parcel you see up in the corner to uh resubdivide. You cannot resubdivide plant. This uh there's no infrastructure. Uh all these lots will be private well, private sector.
uh at this time the individual does not for foresee any covenants or restrictions but that could change in the future but again that's his priority if it meets our standards I have got an email back from the bracket county soil and water conservation district saying they approve of this uh
so once if if this board approves of this plat uh it'll be his regulations to uh his responsibility to go see Swany water management in regards to any other any other development I mean not any develop but how they see this plan but there
again there's no infrastructure there's no county main there's nothing that we have to be responsible that's including these two lots no sir those two lots in center are accepted are not a part of this plan that county road they're kick they're
not part of that plan that's correct they're kicked out the southeast 140 I believe those yes sir the county maintenance stops at where those two exceedions are and center. So again, we have um we really
have no we have no issues with this property or as far as I see there's no roads interior roads to maintain. Again, we've had the approval of the soil and conservation water district and this actually didn't have to be posted. No, sir. Public hearings on
subdivisions do not have to be publish our public hearing. Mr. chair and just to our legal counseling to Miss Andrews. So there are no foreseeable um legal issues or major concerns that
you see from the citizens around them. No ma'am not this time. No ma'am because they all have a uh they have a 35 ft buffer from the road which is the road rideway and they also have a 25 ft building setback buffer along the adjoining propert. So there will be um
that's maintained that actually that's a little above what it needs right well this property is on agricultural too so that's our requirements front is 30 ft from the road right away 25 side 25 rear which are building setback lines now you can't put a well septic system inside those
setback lines but you cannot physically put a building inside that setback line and so the command know she acknowledge there's no concerns that we need to have. I mean I'm not aware of any but generally the public hearing it's the
time where if somebody had concerns they would come and voice that to you directly. Yes ma'am. Any other question? No I'll make a motion to approve the minor sub. Mr. Mr. Chairman you'll need
to open public hear apologize. Is there anyone from the public that would like to uh comment or on this parcel? Okay. Okay. Seeing none, we'll do I have
a motion. I make a motion to approve the minors. I have a motion by Commissioner Doby. You already made a motion. We second. Yes, sir. Just need a second. Second by Commissioner Andrews. All any other questions? All in favor by sign I I
motion carries five. Thank you Mr. Chairman. That's all I have. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next we'll move on to item seven. Uh library Mrs. Carter. Mr. Trish.
I'm sorry. I know you're not Mrs. C. That's okay. Yeah. She was unable to be here tonight. she's holding down on the floor at the library working the circulation desk, but um I know if she were here, she'd want me to tell you all that she really loves her community and loves her library. And I can attest to the fact that she's constantly working
to make it a better place and we have a lot of good things in the future. Some of which I'll talk about tonight. So, um I'll go ahead and get started on that. Firstly, I would like to thank I think it's Bradford County Facilities Department for all of their help getting our library maker space ready. Um, this
is a project that's coming along in the future. It's going to be an arts and technology space and it's going to be for the tri county area. So, our friends in Baker County and Union will use it as well. But, they've just been super responsive and helping us to achieve this dream. And, um, I'll get into more
detail as we get further along with the project, but we're super excited and very appreciative for all the county departments that have pitched in. I don't know them by name or department, but they've been really helpful. So, appreciate that. I also want to quickly mention our new library hours which
start this Saturday May 17th. Um it's going to be Monday 9 to 6, Tuesdays 10 to 7, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 to 6, Fridays 9:00 to 5:00 and Saturdays from 9:00 to 5:00 and we will be closed um
for the present time from 12:00 to 1 during lunch hour just because of staffing. And now I'll get on to the real reason why I'm here which are our summer reading programs. I think there's two slides that have our calendars on them and whoever if they're not there. Okay. Um well, they're available at the
library online and on Facebook. So, um feel free to go check those out. Um we've got something for everything going on this summer, children's, teens, and adults. The summer programs will start the first week in June and run through the end of July. Uh we're kicking off
with a neon glow painting for all ages. um taught by Kathy Paddock and uh she is our programming and marketing librarian. She's also starting a new program called Little Money Makers for kids 8 to 14 which is going to teach kids how to earn and manage money um banking and that
sort of thing investing and get a head start on that. Um Kathy's awesome. She's working really hard on our maker space too. She's a a really good artist and so we're really excited about that. U Melanie Jackson and Latana Mitchell are the children's librarians. They're going
to host bi-weekly programs featuring performances by magicians, a petting zoo, pony rides, a video game truck, various arts and crafts, and the opportunity to earn prizes. And they are both outstanding. Lata Mitchell is a
rock star. If you go to her story times and or you're just outside hearing it, she's playing music, she's dancing, and those kids are just so excited. So, and Melanie as well. Um, they're both awesome. Amy Turney is our teen librarian and she's going to start off
her summer programs with a boba tea and keychain craft and that's on June 13th. I don't know if you all know what boba tea is. Um, it's some kind of weird I think Korean tea and it has tapioca in it and I guess it's all the rage. I haven't tried it, but um this will be
your opportunity to try some boba tea and make a keychain. And some of her other programs during out during the summer will be uh the Santa Fe teaching zoo, a zombie makeup demonstration. Um she has a professional actor special
effects and stunt man coming in to teach the teens how to do like zombie makeup and special effects. and she's has the loop back conservancy coming and uh we'll have some more arts crafts and a finale party. And Miss Da
Bose, she's head of circulation. She is going to be at the surf desk all summer help and check out books, help you find things in the library, help you scan facts and print your documents, use the computer, um notary public services, and pretty much anything you might need. Um
come see Misty. And if you don't know her already, um just come in and say hi. they're going to be friends instantly. Misty's also um I do want to mention some of these programs require a prior sign up. So, um just visit the library and pick up a
paper copy of our schedules. Uh go online to our website or um check out our Facebook page for more information. And that's pretty much all I've got. You have any questions? Thank you so much. Y'all doing an
excellent job. Thank you. All right, moving on to item eight for fair board selection. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. The fair board of selection committee met on Tuesday evening and has submitted a 16 name list for the fair board for your
approval. Excuse me. Just for just for some discussion um if you could um when I heard um this past comments and I um was very
optimistic about our selection and our selection process since we had a selection committee. So I was ex is excitedly looking forward to that process and I asked Mr. um Carnegie if um he could share with me what the
statute said regarding um the requirements and so forth. And when I ran over it today um it allows for and 616-1 allows for 25 persons and I know
that this board would see 20. Um so I want to um consider that and also um when I think about the fair um board I think about a diverse group. I think we put a lot of emphasis on the
agricultural aspect uh the the people who work with livestock which is an important entity of of the fair association. Um but also one of the greatest examples that we have is Klay County uh fair where they provide not
only the agriculture but horiculture, entertainment, concerts. One of my fondest one is the pot belly pigs and the lawnmower races. So, it's it's a cross-section um home economics, um arts
and crafts, um all kinds of things that appeals to a broad spectrum of people and then the amusement park part where the children ride who may not be necessarily interested in the agricultural part of it. And so when I
look further and um the part of the statutes uh 616708, it promotes um progress for geographical areas and it represents the people who represent that area which
would be bracken in the Union County area allows for facilities to benefit the development of educational agriculture, horiculture, livestock um equest charitable, historic, civic, cultural,
scientific and other areas including facilities for exhibit, concession, industrial exhibits, public gathering, cultural activities, entertainment, um even recreational vehicle parking,
auctions, trade shows, concerts and and the like. And then some of those um exhibits includes the arts and crafts, photography, antiques, home um demonstration, home economic, education, religion, and city groups. And I know
that the group selected the 15 people, but some when I looked at and reviewed um that the applicants just based on the um presentations that were there, it sometimes would hard to judge
unless you knew that personally what their background and history included. And I um I'm supposing that the selection committee based based it on maybe their personal knowledge because some of them didn't have any
background information attached. You might have a resume or a summary or recommendation. Some had which scored very high. Um but but given that um broad scenario that we want or should
include, I I would um ask the board to consider either um including the additional at least two additional persons from that group which would broaden the uh group uh or allow for uh
for more participants on that board so that we have a broad spectrum. But I think the direction that you had gotten was more agriculture, more people who work with the um farm animals as opposed to the
broad spectrum which we need to promote our um what we wanted to do future. Yes. Any other questions? Well, whenever I looked them over, um I found the same thing. And um there
was I think there was seven that um just put their name in for the position. And because we know who they are then or or the individuals on that panel, I assume
they all knew who they were. That's how we we chose them is by just knowledge, not by resume, not by a letter or anything. And um I think that the board
um really needed something to kind of look at and go over in order to make those selections um to be fair be fair to everybody. And I think that's the way when we and I know that
um given what they were facing, we are um trying as quickly as we can to fill that void with everything that's going on. Um, like I said, when I looked at it, I
I wondered how they made those how they made the election that they didn't and I assume that they felt. Anyway, let me ask you a question. Uh, Mr. Cargate, I know it's hard enough to get
five people to agree on anything. There's 20 people on this board, but if there's already 20 on it, there's only five more names and for them to even submit anything, they must be very interested. Would it hurt to to pick up the other
five or four or three more of them or is that's what I'm getting at. What I mean, and then that way some of these people I don't even know. Some a lot of them I do, but some of them I don't all the way down. But I'm I'm just saying that that way we don't start off these are the ones this
is all the ones that we had out and if we picked up all of them then nobody can say anything about anything. We're starting off fresh, new, clean and um you know cuz cuz you're also you're going to have to break this board down
eventually to get anything done. So I'm I'm just the the short answer to your question is yes it can be done just just so actually how many do are we required
by charter the charter states 20 to 50 20 to what now? 20. There's a lot of names I look and see on here that's, you know, helped for seven to 10 years, you know, behind the scene. They put their time and all
in. So, I mean, my feelings is I would pick all of these uh you know, cuz I mean, we're still going to be understaffed on the board. you know, sometimes they feel, but I mean, I would I would accept everybody
to start off with. I mean, that's my opinion. And if I may, um, I think that the group that we we chose are is an excellent. Absolutely. I mean, um, very
very excellent excellent people that will do the do a very good job, but unlike Mr. Thompson. Um, and you really I think we we pick up the rest of Yeah, cuz I'll be honest, you the last five I only know one on the
last, you know, anybody feeling anything. Did you motion at me? Uh, Mr. Thomas, did you I would love to give Can we Can we before we go there? We're still open for discussion. Yeah. Okay. Go ahead.
And uh so Mr. Chair, I agree. I think uh just like someone mentioned as far as having that many people certainly you're going to have to at some point whether there's 25 or whether there's 50 there's going to be a
consensus or a majority somewhere. So um now if those five would like to volunteer for the planning and zoning war I'd be glad to take it for that too. But anyway, certainly um not to make light of it, but you know, again, it's
going to come down to the decision of a large group of people and um you know, no different than this board right here having make decisions. So, I think uh certainly like the idea of being able
to not just have a a single focus, but you know, being able, you know, we're going to have to generate some revenue out there. So there's going to have to be activities that take place to help generate that. So I think having a different uh opinions and and ideas will
certainly help. And you know, again, it's going to be up to that board to decide whether or not things happen one way or another. Anyway, I agree. That way we're not singling anybody out. we're moving forward and um just starting off on the right foot to get this thing going. Um cuz that like I
said that's all the people that signed up to be on it. We put them all on there. I I can go wrong with that. So I mean and and then moving forward because you may have others that it's not
limited just to agriculture as we have to have people who might have entertainment skills or knowledge or people who can bring in groups. um to our community. So won't agriculture is one part of it but not the whole right and like I said there's a lot of names
on this entire list and I it might once I get to talking to them but I I don't think Mr. chair. I mean, we have to look at it as an event. I mean, certainly the fair and the agriculture is a very big piece of that. You know, what events are we going to
try to draw, you know, to the area again make it successful for everyone? Did you want to speak? You're good. Okay. All right, then moving forward. Do we have a motion to accept all the ones on this
paper and move forward? And also um they they have recommended that they would like to have Paul Huntley as the chairperson. So we should vote on that too now. Do they want do one but Mr. Chairman, I would ask that the motion be made to accept
all applicants. Okay. First. Okay. No, you can do you can do them together and Paul as chair. Okay. So, do I have a motion to accept all the applicants and then uh including making Paul Huntley
the uh chair of the uh newspaper board? I Okay, motion second. Is there any other questions? Yeah. And then you um contacted those that person to say that he's want to take on the chief role. Mr.
Hley. Mr. Hley. Yeah. I missed the first part of your question. Ma'am, did you ask if that person is willing to ch um take on the chair role and you're saying that he is the person that was recommended by the committee or That's that's correct. And as as the chairman
mentioned, we met with him this morning. whoever. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any other questions? All in favor by sign of I I motion carries. Moving on to the court
report. We don't have any information uh this week. Excuse me. I didn't mean I had all day. That's right. But there's no
way. You snug that one in on your girl. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was looking down the phone for this. I was laughing when I saw this news this afternoon. The sheriff's brother didn't get chosen either. He was Jimmy East. Yeah.
Good evening, Gordon. Tonight, I plan to present a brief update on revenue and expenditures for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2025. If you take a look at the single sheet I passed out, we will re be reviewing the general fund, the fire
rescue fund, and the road department fund. First, we have the general fund. We began fiscal year 25 with a fund balance of $17.9 million. Revenue for the first two quarters was just under 10 million. Expenditures total almost 12
million, resulting in a use of the fund balance of $2.5 million for the first two quarters, making the current fund balance 15.4 million as of March 31st. If revenue and expenditures continue at the same rate, you can expect the fund
balance to be around $12.8 8 million by the end of the fiscal year. Do you have any questions about the general fund? And next is the fires fund. We began fiscal year 25 with a fund balance of 835,000. Revenue for the first two
quarters, including budgeted transfers from the general fund, was 4.1 million. expenditures totaled 3.9 million, resulting in a savings to their fund department's fund balance of around 212,000 for the first two quarters, making the fire rescue's fund balance
just over a million as of March 31st. If revenue and expenditures continue at the same rate, you can expect the fire rescue's fund balance to be around $1.2 million by the end of this fiscal year. Any questions? Uh finally, we uh let's review the road
department fund. We began fiscal year 25 with a fund balance of just over a million dollars. Revenue for the first two quarters, including budgeted transfers from the general fund, was 1.1 million. Expenditures totaled 1.2 million, resulting in a use of their department's fund balance of around
$55,000 for the first two quarters, making the road department's fund balance 968,000 as of March 31st. If revenue and expenditure expenditures continue at the same rate, you can expect the road department's fund balance to be just over 900,000 by the
end of this fiscal year. Any questions for any questions? Clerk, you have any questions? We've been information. We've been talking all day and usually r before we come over. We have anything. I didn't even look at that little quarterly update. I was going to I was
going to go with you on that. Nothing to report too long. Have you got any answers? Okay. Next, we move on to the sheriff report. Um, excuse me. the chair isn't here, but um it's important to me and I'm sure
it's important to the board too that you know this is the first year we didn't do a proclamation for law enforcement. We didn't know about it. You know, they had it over in Union County and we always always have done a proclamation for our law enforcement and I'm urging the board
and um retroactively to do one to honor our law enforcement people. That's important. And I know that they were have to check on that. Yeah, we can we can put it on the next agenda. Okay. Thank you,
Mr. Okay, we move on to item 11, uh, county managers report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have a fire assessment update and some other fire department issues that we want to discuss. So, at this time, I'd like to ask Chief Carter to come up and get started.
All right, I've got my 45 minute PowerPoint presentation ready for you this evening. Just kidding. You've seen that one enough, I think. So, um I I did want to mention I think when I I said earlier that our lunchon and breakfast for EMS week was tomorrow. It's actually next
week. So, I misspoke. I just want to clear that up. Um Tuesday night was a was a great night. We had a uh a board meeting out in the town of Brooker, town council meeting there. Miss Andrews was was in attendance. I was attending virtually
and uh so they voted uh 50 to move forward with their second reading of the fire assessment. So they're fully on board and committed to participating in the fire assessment in the town of Brooker. And so very happy to see that, excited for uh that progress moving forward. Couple things come with that
and few things that we need to get answered and and ironed out here this evening. One of those would be since they've agreed to that and moving forward with building a fire station out there through the state appropriations that none of those things
cover the cost of staffing that station, right? And so I think that's what we need a commitment from the board to tell me to go ahead and move forward with uh adding that funding for staffing into my budget for next fiscal year. Um now the
numbers for adding staffing and broker were included in the original fire assessment study. So whenever that study was originally done, we had our three current stations operating and then we had added another station anticipating that we would add staffing in Brooker. Those numbers are two years old at this
point. So it may not be, you know, we may not be collecting exactly 50% of our fire assessment. Um, however, we may be if more commercial properties have come in. So we really don't know unless we were to do a whole another study exactly what we're going to be collecting. Um, so again, with that, the
cost to staff that station for personnel, operations, everything all inclusive would be right around $627,000. And that's what I'm asking the board for a consensus tonight to move forward with me adding that into my budget and planning that for the future. Um so I
guess that would be my first ask. Now along with that we will um be developing anou with the town of Brooker for utilization of their fire station. So the the appropriations came what they were awarded to the town of Brooker. So
everything to deal with that building of the fire station has to go through the town of Brooker. I'm simply acting as the project manager. They have a part-time clerk and they just aren't able to handle the lift that that this project uh requires. And so I'm I'm managing the project for them, but none
of the funding is running through Bradford County. It's none of that is is going through us. It's all going through the town of Brokers. They'll be writing POS. They'll be doing that whole process. Um and so again with that um they would
own the building. So once the construction is done, the town of Brooker will will own the station. Now they would agree to a long-term lease of that building, you know, dollar lease for 99 years, whatever we've done in the past, um and whatever we deem appropriate. So um it's a little bit different with the apparatus with the
engine that was awarded to the town of Brooker. um they have agreed to uh title that truck and once it's titled to them they will title it over to Bradford County. Um so again with the fire station that would include um repair and
maintenance costs, insurance costs on the building, uh utilities, all of those things would be encumbered by the by the county. So, but they would be contributing to the fire suspectment and they would be uh you know, we have to also remember that it's not just helping the people inside the town of Brook,
it's also the people in the surrounding area that live in the county. Um, and yes, sir. And, uh, dollar-wise, what would they be actually? So, uh, the town of Brooker itself, I believe they have asked the the property appraiser and they have right around
180, uh, dwelling units inside the town of Brooker. So if you do that math, it comes out to somewhere around $20,000. The one 180 um times 167 go with that rate. So it comes out to about $20,000. So if you look at it, they probably would be covering the
repairs and maintenance on that facility with the contributions from the act. That would be about it. Right. So I think it's important to for this board to realize that, you know, the um the the county is going to bear the line share of that of that funding. uh and
the cost for adding that fire station. But again, they are willing to participate and they're they're happy to participate as a matter of fact. And I heard that they got a a round of applause after the vote was passed at the commission or their council meeting. So, I think it was a very uh positive thing for the town. They were happy to
do that and and excited to move forward. I've also informed them that we don't need to do anything. We're not moving any ground until this board decides to walk the fire assessment through the finish line. So until we get everything done and buttoned up around here, um I' I've advised them that we should not
move forward with anything. U and they they agree with that. So I agree. Um Cha, you you mentioned I guess at our previous one of our previous meetings that there are some funding I think it it's like for three years the state
grant. Yes, ma'am. So is that one of the things it's not a guarantee? I know, but it's something that you it could be applied for that would help to cover it. Um, yes, ma'am. That is that's something that we would certainly look into. They haven't announced if that grant or when that grant is going to be funded for
this year or when the notice of funding opportunity will come around this year. Um, so we're still kind of in a holding pattern on that and we don't know, they always change the terms of um how much they fund or what the, you know, what the cost share allocation is as well. So, we don't have those that information
yet. Um but when that opportunity comes available, we'll certainly look into it. So an application, so would it be just the county applying or can this um the city of Brook apply? And could some of the other municipalities like or it
would be the county that would apply. Um we would apply because we we are the ones who employ the staff. So it would be the county that would apply for that. Yes, sir. Now, ain't they pros and cons on that? there are after year three you have to incur the cost of those of those
employees. So it gives you a three-year buffer to be able to build up and the point of that is if you have a fire assessment it allows you three years to increase that if we need to or um whatever the case may be to fund that staffing. I'm not suggesting that we increase them but uh not certainly not
proposing that but it that's the purpose of the three years if it allows you to start preparing to incur those costs. Can you actually explain a little bit of that as far as like I mean after those three years I mean Yeah. So after those
three years um like I said we either we either incur the cost of that or we uh we terminate those employees. So did we import last year? No ma'am we did not. I think we did have to go back and look. There was one year that we did and
we didn't were not awarded the year. I'd have to go back three years. Mr. Chair. Yes. Chief, when you said that the prices that you had for Brooker were from two years ago, now that's
going to increase. Where are we sitting with the rest of the county? The prices that we came up with two years ago. That's that's what I was inferring was that it was um that's for the whole assessment. That's not just for uh just for broker, that's for the the entire
cost of the fire department. When we ran those numbers, now they projected out a couple years. But when we ran those numbers two years ago, it's different than what they are now. And so I thought you meant specifically. No, sir. That's for the whole county. Yes, sir. And and I think it's important to remember though, if we've had more development
and we've had more businesses and residents come in, um they would contribute more than what was originally projected with the fire assessment as well. So we again we don't know that we won't be collecting 50%. Without doing a a whole new study which I think is is
not cost effective cuz it because we could possibly be uh collecting more than 50%. Yes sir. With all the new homes in the uh in the commercial building. Sure. What about Yes, sir. Well, let's talk first.
That's my number two. Uh okay. So, what I'm asking for tonight is consensus to from the board to move forward with adding 6 approximately 627,000 um to my next fiscal year's budget in order to provide staffing for town
staffing and operations for town as as long as the board passes the assessment. Correct. Okay. That's my third bullet. Absolutely. Yes, I agree. Do we need to vote on that or just a consensus? The board get consensus as well. Okay, we
all agree, but the but the funding has to be in place. Agreed. The assessment um and at that meeting Tuesday night, uh Mark Williams, M&R Construction, uh was on site who did have a a a drawing of the a potential building. Um and he's
able to uh provide that building as well as two a two bay uh facility for the apparatus enclosed not a pole barn two two bay facility for the apparatus 400 $500,000 that were allocate that was allocated by the state. So um that it
was important that we put that out there as well. again, he was confident he could come in under budget on that. I just to the point that you made, Mr. Chair, you said so long as um the board moves forward with the adoption of the
final resolution setting the Yes. And I just wanted to make a point to you guys or to everyone that on August 5th, uh the clerk's going to be presenting the tenative budget to you. So should we go ahead when we present
that tenative budget to include dollar amounts which will be before you adopt the final resolution on August 21st and it will be tenative and there can be an understanding at that time that this is a tenative budget and it could change
depending on whatever action the board takes on the 21st. But I just just at least that is what we're going to be presenting to you all. We want to make sure we can add it to that budget when we defend the budget, too. Yes. I I would think that'd be the way to go, rather than it'd be easier to back it
out. Yes. So, we had consensus. Yes. All right. Got it. Okay. Haven't said anything. Um so just like this has gone all we certainly need the assessment to
fund right but we also have to be very aware of still only 50%. still have major
holes in our in our budget we need to fill. I know there's a lot of talk about doing a lot of other things. So we have to decide certainly public safety is paramount
but we really need to and chief with your help and your staff's help we have to make sure however we're staffing this we're utilizing people that we
have including you know all hands on deck and just making sure This is this is going to grow as the county grows, but this is growing faster than the county
is. So, we all need to be aware of that and we need to keep that in mind when it's like I said, other things that come up or making decisions on going after the safer the safer
grant safer grants finished. keep those folks on. Again, it's just more expenses that we have. So, I just think that we we all need to be aware because as of right now, we're
paying 100%. Right. So, if we get 50%, we're we're better off than we were. I mean, I'd like to get more, but but I don't want to break people either. Well, half a something's better than all the nothing, but at the same time, it continues to go
downward and not upward. So, I don't know how your personal budgets work, but mine's going that way. Mhm. I'm not happy. Mom's not happy. So, anyway,
and It's something that we've been faced with the whole time and we know that and you know certainly that the 50% is going to help. just need to remember that at some point at some point in time and I know
you said you're not asking for it now but whether it's this board or whether it's another board is going to be faced with still trying to figure out how to get this get the revenue up equal to the
expenses. I think you make great points and that's that's why I wanted to bring this before the board tonight was make sure we were all on the same page and everybody was clear. um about everything you know all trans full transparency moving forward. So that up to this point I believe continue that I do believe
so I want to thank you publicly for some of this out and uh making sure that we're crossing our tees and dotting our eyes and uh and making sure that everything's done properly. So I second that. Yes. Um okay. So, I will move forward
with adding that into my budget for next year. I'll get that over to finance for their review. Um, before you move on to the next, I I believe because you're from the town of Brooker. Yes. He was ways in the same
brief comment. Okay. Steve Little um just outside of Brooker and I was at that meeting um a couple nights ago and the head of the meeting remarked that it was the largest crowd he'd ever seen at a Brooker Town meeting and one young man
got up and spoke and he talked about how his grandfather had a heart issue and it took over a half hour for an ambulance to get there and his grandfather passed away a few days later and we're on the far edge of the county
and it's just a very very long response time and I appreciate any support that you can give for the people that are out there in our county. Thanks. Thanks, Chief. All right, so moving on to logging. Um, you know,
similarly to what was discussed in the last fire assessment workshop, there was indication that, you know, if Brooker did not participate in the assessment that there would the county was not going to be providing staffing station. So, Lah is the only municipality outside of city of Stark that has not opted into
the fire assessment. City of Stark is a is their own unique animal because they do have their own fire station and fire department. So, Claudia does not have that. They have a fire station, but we staff it. We man it. um provide the the the uh support for that station. So
um I'm asking this board what I can relay back to their board to say listen this is not a threat. These are not consequences but strictly operating procedure and and good business practice. What is um what does that look like if Lahi does not participate? Right
now we have an engine a fire engine and a um and an ambulance station at the Lahi station. do we look at uh moving, you know, those resources over to Hilton Springs because the people in Hilurn Springs would be paying the assessment.
Uh but, you know, I'm I'm I'm also not a fan of moving resources out of a out of an area that have resources. So, um I'm really just asking for for some input from you all as to what I can relay back to their board as far as what it looks like if they don't participate
in the in the fire assessment. Yes, sir. Oh, you you are going to have to relay to them that we need their participation and I'm sure that you you'll do a good job of that. But it's important to have their participation so
that we don't have to do that. We don't have to need resources because they need it there too, right? Um but the citizens have to understand the importance of we're working at one county and we need their participation with it. And and the
way that I've phrased it to many people is that if some we have someone who lives next to Hilurn Springs Fire Station currently they get a a response of one supervisor. You know that's their first next door to their station. That's what we have there. Ludy has an ambulance and a fire truck stationed at
that facility. So, um, you know, but the person in Hilbert Springs would be paying for one supervisor, whereas the person in Liby would not be paying for a fire engine and an ambulance to be there at their back door. Yes.
And too, they got a tanker that stays up there too, don't they? We we have tankers at every every station that I mean that's the counties too. Correct. Correct. All the equipment up there is actually B counties. That's correct. So yeah, I mean if they don't that's my
opinion. I might be speaking out of terms but yeah um that's our equipment and but I feel like they should go with us too to help us out. I mean if not then we'll put equipment at strengths. My hope is that
that it doesn't come to that right fine too. I mean I was speaking for my sake I hope was that we get everybody on board and uh we just keep keep things going just like they are right now I I agree I have to agree with the other commissioners it's my opinion is the
same way it was with Brooker Mr. Chair we need total yes also it's important that that we and the city of Ludy try to keep that station there because we have a school right there too correct and I think it's really important that with
our children. They're, you know, in a very busy intersection and highway right there. Um, you know, again, I think that, uh, you got your work cut out for you, but, you know, I think that's something that they should consider
also. if I may. Um I think the broker was um in fact they had spoke I mean said they weren't going to be in it and said they weren't going to
do it and because people had called them and and said they couldn't pay it and everything and I think it's important um maybe try one time um maybe one of the commissioners could could go and y'all
go to the meeting and explained to them again that when we started this this was an effort that we we we took all the problems everybody that was here we we listed all the problems I can't pay for
it um it's too much all these out buildings and what we did was we came back we worked on all of those problems and we have a method now that will work for them if you can't pay it if you meet a certain standard then you're
exempt. And if they need help doing that, surely their board would volunteer to set up a day. Well, some of us will volunteer. No, that's not I
mean what the issue is. It's up to the chair. Yeah. But yeah, I know that it worked for brokers. Um, and I think that there was a clear more I mean that they understood more about, you know, what we
had done, what we had put together because this was supposed to be a plan that won the the the people of Bradford County helped us put together and I think they did and um and the finished project is something that addresses the
problems that initially were brought to us. So I think maybe at least try one more time, do like we did in Burger, one of the commissioners maybe can go and and um and sit with them and talk to them and and tell them. I mean, like you
said, like the gentleman that was in ours, 26 minutes to get to someone dying of a heart attack, that that's a long time to have to wait. and lobby needs to understand what we are going through
right now and um they don't want to go through that. Well, and I think that you know the the difference is with Brooker, we're able to show them building plans. We're able to show them, hey, we're going to build you a fire station. We're going to do and so they see that. They get to have that in hand whereas Lah
already has that. And so it for them, for Brooker, it was seeing something in the future, something that's going to to be built. Whereas for Lahi, it's we that's why I need direction tonight is just to be able to say we're not building anything extra, but there is a possibility that some of it goes away if
if you don't participate. And I think that's that's kind of what I would like to communicate with them. When will we be there next? The first Monday. Okay. So, June. Okay. At 7 p.m., I believe. I agree because
that they they need it. Like Commissioner Dry said, you got school right there. I mean, they they need it, you know, but but everybody in Bradford County needs it, you know. I said 26,000 the other day. I think it's 28,000 people. They they all need everybody in
the county needs. You'll never hear me stand up here and advocate closing fire stations. Yeah. Yeah. And I understand. But but fair is fair, right? And what's right is right. And everybody should participate. Yes, sir. If they can. And if they can't, you've already made provisions for them not. Okay. that
helps me to be able to communicate with them a little bit more clearly on what steps would be moving forward. Um, so I appreciate that. And then the third thing that I wanted to mention was just um, you know, the importance of of us continuing moving forward with the fire because if not everything we just talked
about is null void. I think that you all understand that importance, but I just want to uh that absolutely and I appreciate the support of you and uh it's been nice been very uh been a lot of work, but it's been a good a good process and everybody's been
involved from the clerk's office to the county manager's office obviously and you all certainly appreciate the team effort and the sheriff and the tax collector and the tax and property appraiser. Everybody, it really has been a been a team effort, but we're not at the finish line yet. So we still got to get get across there. Yes, because it
because we did have a consensus of the board earlier for the 50%. So should be good on it. Okay. All right. Thank you, Chief. Real quick, Miss Rachel did that. Clarify everything that
Okay. Perfect. Thank you very much. All right, Mr. Chairman, I just want to go over a couple of things regarding the fire assessment uh as an update. First of all, the timeline. The um the initial resolution public hearing will be held on July 1st of
2025. A week or two after that, the notices will be mailed. Each assessed property will receive a mailed notice explaining the assessment for their property. The notice will also have a phone number to call for questions or concerns regarding the property assessed or to
request. On August 21st, 2025 will be the final assessment resolution where there'll be a public hearing and we'll finalize the amount of the assessment and move forward. Just to reiterate what we know about our
municipal partic participation, both Hampton and Brooker have each passed an ordinance to be included in the assessment. Ludy has completed the first reading of the ordinance and Stark has opted out of the assessment at this time. That may or may not
change. And uh Chief Carter touched on everything else I have here. So um I do not have anything else to report. I may Yes. Are we are we in communication with the city? I mean, you said it may or may not. Is there hope
that it will? There is hope. Um I just don't know how the political piece is going to play out. Everybody good? All right, moving on to the uh county attorney report. Okay. Um county commissioners, I'll
start with Commissioner Del. Well, I see one of our deputies back there, but just want to again, Miss May, thank you for bringing up the proclamation and certainly recognize our law enforcement and what they do in our community and we appreciate all of you.
I know that that the board the rest of the board would agree that um you know whenever the sheriff comes in and gives us his report and uh it's you know very encompassing
and I think whenever we need something the sheriff the sheriff's always been there. So again, thank y'all and correction officers, too. Yes. Not not to leave correction officers out. I know it's law enforcement and correction correction officers and jail.
So certainly our jail staff, too. Um I I had the um privilege of attending on the 9th. It was a the Magnolia Park. Um we had some new developers who had built four homes
there. It's just below the Bracken Hospital uh on South Parker Street. Beautiful development and I'm really proud of the um the young men who were involved with that. And I hopefully we'll have more
um development like this in our community. And so I just wanted to acknowledge that it was called Magnolia Park on on Parker Street and the Michael Beard and um Prince Andre Lee were the
um contractors of the buildings for that shared with the board. And also I wanted to just acknowledge and to say thank you to our law enforcement and whatever department they may have worked in. Um that we really appreciate your
your sacrifice and your hard work in our community. And also, I know this month is is for first responders as well as our teachers, our educators, and just express appreciation to all of those groups who are who are honored during
this month with our EMT as well. Um, also, you know, graduation is coming up next week and so oftent times near the graduation time, you know, the kids are just in La La Land and they're so h happy and excited and just um encourage
them to keep safe on the highway um and particularly in their celebration process because we want them well in to be able to go off to their next venture in life. Um, and I too wanted to thank our our
group and our all of our departments working together, Mr. Carnegie and everyone just trying to work together so that we can put together a a great budget um that it's going to benefit our county um and that we can look at
critically um so that we make the best decision for for our community. And I appreciate the position that the board took and looking at our care association board going forward so that we can just kind of start out and a good place and
just move forward with that. So thank you. Yeah, I'd like to echo some of what Miss Commissioner Spooner said. I mean our departments I know y'all are y'all have worked
diligently professionally on this. each and every one of our departments and uh I thank each and every one of citizens that comes. We ain't got many out tonight, but it's good seeing old faces and
uh you call it old old faces. It's been a while. Not old. I mean Yeah. And I would like to say um tonight we we've dealt with some very
big issues and I am so extremely excited about the fair board. I think that um it would have been very hard to have found a better group of people and um I'm excited to see what they're going to bring to the table and
um and I know they're going to do a good job looking at those names. So um very excited about that. very excited about fire department. I know it's going to cost but it's hard to put a number on a
person's fly and for the town of Brooker and the area around it. I thank y'all for um of course thank you guys for all the hard work that y'all done. And I know we put you through a lot with all the changes that we ask, but um you always
pull through and we we really appreciate you too. And of course the fire department and the police department, correctional officers, your job is putting your life out there on
the line for us. And um we don't have words to express how much we appreciate that the job that you do. So thank you all. And um that's it. And again, I thank everyone for being here tonight. Thank you, Sheriff
Department, correctional officers, um our jail, every everyone. You just really appreciate fire department. Thank you so much. Um and and again, our staff, Miss Cor, our attorney, Amanda, Rachel, clerk. Um I I really do
appreciate all the hard work y'all put in. and and two to the people that um that set on to pick the fair board to go through all the applications and everything. I really do appreciate all the time y'all put into it and uh and and I'll tell you what, I really believe we made the right
decision by what we made with the fair board to uh again to get things started off on the right foot, get things moving forward and uh and I'm excited. I'm really excited about our new fair board. Um I I just know there's going to be great things happening for Bradford
County for all the citizens. So again, thank you everyone and um there's nothing else to come before the board meeting.