Um come back and um have our regular scheduled board of county commissioner meeting. We're going to call the meeting to order. Today is Tuesday, April 28th. It is now 900 a.m. We'll have the invocation led
by Daniel Helms. Thank you for being here with us today. The branch community church followed by the pledge of allegiance by Commissioner Walton Pelisier you guys. Let's pray. So Lord God, I'm grateful this morning
for the hope of uh of the gospel that uh that you loved me so much a sinner that you chose to send your son Jesus to die in my place and three days later he rose from the grave. And that beautiful message is the hope that I have of eternal life and for anybody that knows
you and belongs to you. And so I pray now for this meeting. I pray God that you would guide and direct the people in this room. I pray for any kind of pride or arrogance or selfishness that might um infiltrate decisions. I pray Lord that what is best for the people in our
county and what is best for the people around us Lord that you would lead them in that direction to do what is in the best interest of all of us. would you use them but to accomplish your purposes and will in our community Lord and I pray all of these in the name of your son Jesus. Amen. >> Amen.
>> Please join me as we salute our great nation. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. Um, if you have a cell phone, please make sure you silence that. Moving into approval of the minutes. >> Madam Chair, there needs to be a correction on the minutes. Um, so if you
will allow me to get to that page. My computer just fired up. Um, >> and while we're waiting on that, we have a Commissioner Newold is available by phone. Is that correct? >> Thank you. Yes. >> Page seven of our packet. Madam Madame
Commissioner on the minutes. Um discussion was a motion made by Larry Harvey, seconded by Commissioner Newold. Uh changing to remove Melrose Landing Drive, replace with Cessna Way and Cessna Drive and engineering the Melrose
Landing Drive is what it and it should say Piper uh way and it didn't include Piper. So, it's Cessna Way, Cessna Drive, and Piper and Engineering of Melrose Landing uh Boulevard or Drive,
I'm sorry, drive. So, that's the correction that needs to be made. >> All right, madam clerk. Okay, >> so I move approval of the minutes as corrected stated today. >> Second that. >> We have a motion, a second. All in favor say I. I. >> Motion carries.
>> Thank you. Uh presentations. Uh Mr. Lori with Fruitland Historical Society. You're welcome to come up and bring your group and Commissioner Harvey will read your proclamation. Madame Chair, fellow board members, audience, Putnham County Proclamation
number 2026-031 recognizing May as historic preservation month. Whereas local historic preservation is an effective tool for revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character while enhancing livability.
And whereas historic preservation is revalent for communities across the nation, both urban and rural, and for Americans of all ages, all walks of life, all ethnic backgrounds. And whereas it is important to celebrate the role of history in our lives and the
contributions made by dedicated individuals and serving to preserve the tangible aspects of the heritages heritage that has shaped us as a people and whereas the Futland Peninsula Historical Society, the Putham County
Historical Society, the Historical Society of Interlockan, Florome Park and Heritage Association, Historic Melrose and other community groups. groups are participating in historic preservation month during May of 2026. And whereas
the Putnham County community as a whole has embarked upon nu n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n nous commitments of preservation, historic and archeological surveys, nomination of significant cultural resources to the local, state and national register of historic
places, the protection of traditional neighborhoods, the integration of historic elements within redevelopment redevelopments and the recognition rehabilit rehabilitation and restoration of historic properties. Now therefore, Madame Chair, based on Leotaa Wilkinson,
chair of the Putnham County Board of County Commissioners, to hereby proclaim May 2026 as Historic Preservation Month and call upon the people of Putnham County to join their fellow citizens across the United States in recognizing
and participating in this special observance. Madam Chair, I move this proclamation forward. >> Second that. >> Have a motion to second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Anybody like the thing?
>> Do you need a hand? >> No, I I Well, thank you everyone. Um, I did want to point out that it's not only the Futland Peninsula Historical Society, which I represent, and some people here, but also the Putham County Historical Society. Nancy or Nicole Grace is here. our president um Howard
from the Palaca Preservation or Railroad Preservation Society is here with us as well as some um of the other groups that we mentioned. So, we do appreciate this. This is the fourth year that you've done this proclamation. Um as we all know, historic preservation and the history of this community is very important to us.
Um, it really kind of adds the flavor and the feeling and the culture and we we appreciate you recognizing this and and making sure to help protect that history for us and into the future. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> I think >> I have my heels on today. Uh, Nicole
Grace, president of the Putham County Historical Society. Um, beautiful. Thank you so much. It is very important. I don't know if you've noticed, but uh Rural Florida sells and we're on the market. Uh I just came back from Disney
and they're selling us and they're making billions of dollars on what rural Florida is. We already have it. Um, by recognizing this month as historic preservation month, that is going to excite and bring attention to that value
that we have because once these places are gone, they cannot be replaced. Thank you so much for what you've done. >> Thank you. Come on over, man. Stand up here with y'all. >> Quite as bad as everybody.
>> On three. One, two, three. Let me give it a couple. >> All right. Thank you. >> Congratulations. Thank you. >> I think so. Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm Larry.
>> Good to meet you. >> Thank you for that presentation. Next, we have the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Quarterly Report. Yep, that's it. >> Thank you so much. >> Good morning, Sarah. >> Good morning. Good morning. First of
all, thank you all for the opportunity to provide our quarterly economic development update. I'm going to walk you through some project activity, business retention and expansion efforts at site readiness work, and the partnerships that continue to strengthen Putham County's competitiveness.
Project pipeline and development activity has remained strong this quarter with continued interest from manufacturing and other high-v value sectors. We currently have five active projects in the pipeline representing 255 committed jobs and 553 million in
capital investment across manufacturing, energy, hospitality, and the IT sectors. We also received 10 new leads this quarter with especially strong activity in marine, chemical, medtech, aerospace,
biofarma, and industrial supplies. We've responded to eight requests for information or RFIs, submitted those to the Florida Department of Commerce, Jax USA Partnership, and FPL. Those eight leads represent 574
potential jobs, 372 million in capital investment. On the local investment side, county permits issued in Q1 reflect 14,636 square feet of new commercial space. Six commercial permits were issued during
Q1, totaling 1.98 million in value, which translates to an estimated 17,357 in new annual revenue to the county's general fund. We also continue to see major projects under construction, including Georgia Pacific, the 83
million in capital investment and FPL battery storage project, 200 million in capital investment. On the business and and retention and expansion side, the program remains the cornerstone of our economic stability in the county. This quarter, we completed
eight BRE visits, identified and resolved 12 issues, and uncovered one expansion opportunity that will lead to 50 new jobs. We supported these eight businesses through the program and made 14 strategic connections to help address workforce, permitting, infrastructure,
logistics, and operational needs. These visits continue to strengthen the relationships and ensure our employees have what they need to stay, expand, and thrive here. Putnham County's industrial assets remain a competitive advantage. We currently have 8.2 million square ft
of available industrial and commercial space in the county. Our 12-month net absorption is negative 106,000 square feet, which seems rather high, but it is fairly consistent with the broader regional trends. We submitted eight RFIs this quarter, positioning our sites for
high value prospects. We also advanced several key initiatives this quarter to strengthen our inventory of development ready sites. First, we continued our work with NFDP and Avid Solutions to develop a comprehensive funding strategy for site readiness in
the county. This work is helping us identify the most valuable sites for investment, understand the infrastructure needs and the due diligence gaps, and prepare for state and federal funding opportunities. Secondly, we partnered with local governments on grant applications to
extend water and wastewater infrastructure to priority sites in the county. These efforts directly support active projects and improve our speed to market for future prospects. Third, we held targeted meetings with site selectors and location consultants
this quarter to better understand what makes a site competitive in today's market. We received valuable insights on infrastructure thresholds, environmental and geotechnical expectations, workforce and transportation data, and marketability factors that influence
shortlisting decisions of these companies. We are now incorporating all of this feedback into how we prepare and present our sites for future RFIs and interests. On the engagement side of the work that we do, we strengthened and coordinated
with our municipal partners. We worked very closely with the city of Palatka on resoning, redevelopment planning, and joint EDA grant efforts. We met with Crescent City Administration and Palaca Public Works to align on infrastructure upgrades and business support needs. and
we participated in the joint city county meetings and engaged with Palka CRA to support shared development goals. A major focus this quarter was preparing for the opportunity opportunity zones 2.0 program. We continued to coordinate
outreach with county administration, county commissioners, the city of Palaca and Crescent City to develop a unified nomination strategy. We also engaged directly with the Florida Department of Commerce to understand the state's expectations, mapping standards,
evaluation criteria, and timelines. Based on this guidance, we refined our nomination framework, identified high potential census tracks, and established a coordinated approach to data mapping and narrative development. This work positions Putinham County to submit
strong, wellsupported, and strategically aligned opportunity zone 2.0 0 nominations. We continued active engagement with Jax USA partnership, NFDP, and Select Florida, sharing updates and
strengthening regional competitiveness. We participated in the Florida Department of Commerce and the Water Management District and FDOT sessions to stay aligned with regulatory infrastructure processes. and we represented Putnham County's at FPL's
illumination conference and at FEDC legislative events. During the 2026 legislative session, we planned, organized, and staffed booths at rural county days and staffed and a table at the Putnham County Day reception in Tallahassee. These events allowed us to
highlight local businesses, infrastructure needs, and rural economic challenges directly to our state leaders. We also engaged legislators to advocate for rural competitiveness and infrastructure investment in Putham County. We supported active projects
through resoning, advocacy, infrastructure coordination and resource connections. We also facilitated meetings with JSport, CSX rail and local companies to explore logistics and foreign trade foreign trade zone opportunities.
We convened the workforce development t task force in two industry specific roundts to identify shared challenges and solutions for workforce development. We participated in CTE advisory boards and St. John River state committees to align training programs with what we are
hearing from the employers on their needs. And we engaged with behavioral health providers to understand workforce needs in the health care sector. Finally, we hosted the Elevate investor breakfast and Elevate quarterly lunchon,
delivered an economic development overview to the Plata City Commission, and represented Putnham County at regional events and award ceremonies. Of special note, the chamber's economic development work was recognized by the Northeast Florida Regional Council, and we were honored to receive their their
economic development award in January. Before I close, I wanted to highlight an important new tool that we're introducing this quarter, the economic da development dashboard. This dashboard is designed to give our community, our partners, and all of you a clear and
accessible view of the indicators that shape Putnham County's economic health. It brings together data on workforce, investment, permitting, industry trends, and quality of life metrics all in one place. Our goal is simple. greater
transparency, stronger collaboration, and better informed decision-making. By making this information publicly available and easy to understand, we hope to empower anyone who is interested from the residents to the business owners to educators, investors, and
policy makers like yourselves to follow our progress and engage more deeply in the county's economic future. This dashboard will also help us communicate more consistently with our regional and state partners, ensuring that everyone working on behalf of Putnham County is aligned around the
same data and the same priorities. We're excited to debut this tool and we believe it will become a valuable resource for tracking momentum, identifying opportunities, and demonstrating the impact of our collective efforts. I'm going to move to the first. So this
first slide shows many of the metrics that I just shared with you. These are internally tracked metrics about our recruitment, our proposals submitted, and our active project pipeline. On the right hand side, secured outcomes, you will see project announcements, jobs
committed, and capital investment committed. We haven't had any announcements this quarter, so that remains blank. This slide is also to highlight our business retention and expansion program and metrics surrounding that. This is
also tracked internally and shows our uh visits and the outcomes from those visits. When we move on to slide three, this is all about development activity and permitting indicators. Tracking commercial permitting and real estate
activity gives us an early reliable si signal of economic momentum in Putnham County. These indicators show where the investment is happening, how the market is shifting, and what types of development are shaping our tax base. Workforce and talent indicators give us
real-time picture of Putnham County's ability to support employers, attract new investment, and sustain long-term economic growth. The answer, the fundamental questions every site selector asks. Can I find the workers here that I need?
General economic health indicators give us the big picture context behind everything that's happening in Putham County's economy. They help us understand whether the community is growing, whether residents are prosper prospering, and whether the local economy is becoming more competitive
over time. Quality of housing indicators indicate what our housing market is doing, how we are meeting the expectations of our residents, and how affordable our home homes are. Quality of life indicators help us to
understand how well a community supports the people who live and work here. They show whether Putnham County is a place where families feel safe, healthy, and supported. And they play a major role in business recruitment, workforce attraction, and long-term economic
competitiveness. As a whole, this dashboard shows how our economy is performing, where opportunities are emerging, and where challenges may be developing. It connects the dots between workforce and housing, between investment and permitting, and between community
well-being and long-term competitiveness. By integrating these data points into a single platform, we can make better decisions, respond more quickly to changing conditions, and communicate our progress. This will be a major focal point on the
economic development page of our upcoming new website at the chamber. It will also include uh an FAQ se section that outlines exactly why we track it, what it means, and where our data sources are coming from. I've uh printed
that out for all of you up there. As soon as we're um able to, we'll get this uploaded onto the website. It'll be a static PDF for now. When it's a new website, it'll be an interactive module. In summer, in summary, this quarter reflects strong project activity,
meaningful employer engagement, strategic site readiness work, and deep collaboration with our local, regional, and state partners. Together, these efforts continue to position Putham County for long-term economic growth and competitiveness. Thank you. And I'm happy to answer any
questions. >> Thank you. Um, looks like you guys have been busy this quarter, so we appreciate that. um on your economic development dashboard. That'll be on the chambers website. Yes, ma'am. >> And when do you anticipate that? >> As soon as I get back to the office. >> Okay. Very good. All right. There were a
few things that really stood out to me that I found quite exciting. Um the income, medium, average income for people has increased. Um that's that's great news for Putnham County. That's something that we all have collectively been working on and we know that that
needs to continue moving upwards. So, it's exciting to see that. It's exciting to see that the crime rates down and the graduation rate is up and broadband is accessible to 99 almost 99% of the people in Putham County. Um, I do realize that that's not um fiber in the
ground, which is what I would have liked to have seen more fiber in the ground, but um it it is it's a lot of Starlink because I know I personally have Starlink. I live out in a rural area and I have Starlink and I know a lot of people in the rural areas have that. But it's still exciting to know that we have
more accessibility for broadband and um that's very important. Are there any other comments or questions from the commission? >> Go ahead, Sarah. I want to commend you um bringing this forward. I know it seems a little long-winded to some folks, but um this lets us know what you guys are doing. It
validates the efforts that you guys are putting forward. Um you put it in an easy to understand format and I wanted to thank you. >> You're very welcome. >> Thank you. Any other questions? All right. Thanks for being here. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have the TDC quarterly update.
>> Good morning, commissioners. Uh, thank you for the privilege of being able to tell Putnham County story to the rest of the world. That's what we're doing um with the with the TDC and with everything that we do on a daily basis.
Um I want to highlight some big wins that we had. Um Crescent City was highlighted in Travel and Leisure Magazine, which is a nationally coveted travel and and and tourism magazine. Um highlighted as one of the eight serene
Florida lake lakefront communities. So we celebrated that. That was a huge win for us to be highlighted amongst um other Florida destinations. Uh we're also g gaining some interest from motor coach tour operators. This is going to
be a great opportunity for us to fill some gaps in seasonality and you know service multiple people um preparing our businesses for for that influx of business during some slower times. Um fishing tournament interest.
We've got some huge opportunities coming to us in January um for some potential um nationwide um fishing tournaments that some of which we've never hosted before. So, we're excited about the potential for that. Um, also we're
working together with the community, uh, local businesses and, uh, other municipalities to create a best practices for hosting a fishing tournament in Putnham County so that you know what permits you need to, you know, you need to get, what resources, what
parking areas, who do you need to talk to for those parking areas. Just make it a seamless and easy process to host an event and specifically a fishing tournament in our community. The other big monumental thing that we did all of
this part isn't sexy. This part is not it's it's behind the scenes stuff that really makes our business effort go. It's our CRM conversion. We have a database that houses all of the contacts and all of the information about our
local businesses and we upgraded that and so we are able to to do a lot more with that and make it easier for our businesses to communicate with us and us to communicate with them. So that's a vitally important to what we do because we don't we rely on our businesses to
deliver um the experiences that we have. And then of course we have um been working on visitor data which I'll jump right into. Um we have some vacation rental data right for the first quarter of 2026. Our
vacation rentals stood at 45% occupancy but had an average daily rate of 187 which is pretty strong. Um the the other information that we gained from this data is how long they stay. The people
in vacation rentals tend to stay 4.7 days. At least that's what this what this quarter says. And that they had a booking window of 34 days. That means that they are making the decision to come to Putham County 34 days out. So
they have a they're making the decision about a month before they arrive. So that helps us from a marketing perspective so that we know what when to start to talk to them about their destinate the destination decision. >> Please stop for a question. Do you have
a question, Commissioner? >> I do. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. When when you get notified 34 days out or track this, do we know who's coming so we can target them on the visit Putna map or whatever the crowd sourcing? I
don't know all that. But I I get attacked when I go into big cities and my phone says, "Hey, we're having a party at this hotel." And you're like, "They don't even know where I'm staying at." >> That is a that's a great question. So, we have we have tools in place so that we can do that. >> Okay, good.
>> Um, right now we are laying the foundation. Um, and that and that's really been the key for for this time period is laying the foundation so that we know who our visitor is and what their behavior is so that when we have
the the website and the and the ad agency, we can really hit the ground running so that we know who we're targeting. We know and the next slide I'm really excited about. >> Um, but but that but that's all part of the strategy. Yes.
>> Okay. Good. So, we will be able to target them be be before they're in market and while they're in market. >> So, does short-term rental only um include um like does it include campgrounds and that kind of thing as well?
>> They list on a a VRBO or an Airbnb site. Yes. >> Okay. >> And most of them do. >> Okay. >> Um this is the slide that I'm really excited about. This is um visitor. We're comparing visitation versus visitor
spending. So you'll see, you know, we've got Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, New York, and Tampa as our top visitation markets. So that means the the majority of our visitors come from those markets.
But then you look over at spend and the people that are spending money in our community are there there's there's some changes in that. You've got Nashville, you've got Orlando, Tampa,
Atlanta, and then Jacksonville rounds out that that spend in the top five. So, what that why this is so important is that it doesn't matter if they come here. We really just want them to spend money. So, we're going to spend our
marketing dollars in the markets where the people are spending money. And that's how we see that greater return. And so now that we have these numbers and we know who is spending money, we can make a more qualified marketing buy
and show greater returns. So as far as marketing and product development projects, we came to you all um with several several projects that we had in place and and wanted to give you an update on those. Um, we we hired a a
content developer to write stories about Putnham County for our blogs and and we it's written in such a way that we can use them in social posts and different things. Um, we have more than 30 stories that we can we can use now. Um, we've
got video uh a video project that you all approved and six of our 10 videos have been filmed and um we're awaiting the finished product of those six. Um they range in topics of and they're
storytelling videos. So we are working with uh fish camps. We have a fish camp story. What is a fish camp? because most people who are not from Florida don't have any idea what a fish camp is. So, we want to tell them about the experience. Um, we've got a dining one,
we've got an agurism one that we just shot. Um, we had have um the river, a variety of different stories. Um, so that people can kind of get to know us as a destination. Um, Expedia, we did a
threemonth advertising by and we're still in the middle of that. advertising purchase um to see again more consumer behavior, who what they're looking for and um how they're interacting with us as a destination. So, we'll be able to give you some
updates on that next quarter. Um we we haven't even completed a full month of that, but the the the great thing is is that that campaign was matched by Expedia. So, we doubled our campaign by working with them. We also had a golf
media ad where we were able to gain more than almost 8,000 um firstparty data sets. So, when people first party data is really important because we get to communicate directly with the consumer. Um we don't have to show anything or do
they they said they wanted more information about Putnham County. So, we get to communicate with them directly. And so, we're building our first party data database and we have um that 7,700 from the golf media ad that we
purchased. And then we've got another 127 that came in from our Visit Florida ad. Undiscovered Florida is an ad that we placed. Um, it's a it's a marketing co-op through Visit Florida, but in April
we it hit the Smithsonian magazine. So, we've been doing social ads and and newsletters prior to that. And um the advertising in Smithsonian magazine hit um in April. So, we're excited about that. That will also be another source
of firstparty data. We've got also our branding and strategic plan that we've been working on and that it it that soft reveal is um going to be Thursday. And then um we're also um awaiting um your decision on the advertising agency and
website development. We've been busy in the community as well. We've got um branding stakeholder meetings. Um we had we held those um all throughout the county. We've got that strategic planning meeting that we held. Um
tourism team up events. We are actually going out to different parts of the county and inviting tourism related businesses to meet with us over coffee and just to say what's what's going on with your business. We want to know more about you. We want to know what you want
to see and from a marketing perspective, what you're experiencing from business from a business perspective so that we can collaborate more um effectively and tell their story better. Also, um we're we're very active in the
county waterways and trails committee. Um so, thank you, Commissioner Alexander, for chairing that. Kimberly has volunteered to um help in the process of moving Dun Creek State Park forward. >> Oh, great.
>> And I knew you would be excited about that. So, um we're going to be working together and collaborating some on that, but I wanted to share that with you because I know that's one of your things there. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, y'all. And just for the they have some Dun Creek State Park has some amazing programs. Um they're working
with Cornell University's burn for birds program. And I know we can't do that now, but um they have this program actually does control burns specifically to track what birds we can attract. Um
and with us having the large bald eagle um population here and we we really are an attraction um just naturally right >> for burers to come and visit and so we want to help Dun Creek um share that
that asset that they have. Um we participated in Florida Tourism Day, rural county days. Um during Florida Tourism Day, we were advocating for different issues that were specific to the needs of hotel years, vacation
rental owners as well as restaurants. Um so it was business focused effort on the tourism side. And then rural county days and Putinham Day was our chance to really tell Putnham County story >> um to visitors and to the legislature.
Um we I also serve on the visit Florida marketing committee. Um, it's a statewide committee that really talks about how we market the state and the different initiatives that we that we participate in as a as a destination, but also statewide. And then um the
Florida League of Cities um I was given the opportunity to speak um to talk about our waterways and how you can use your natural assets um to grow your local economy. Um, we had a a huge quarter with events.
Um, just a couple of highlights. There were many, many more than this. Um, but just a couple of new events that I wanted to highlight. The Nissan ZFest brought more than 200 Nissan Zcar collectors to our community. They spent money here. They stayed here. um they
they they took over Crystal Cove Hotel and um they will be will be coming back in 2027 even stronger. So we're looking forward to working with them. Also, the National Tractor Pull Pullers Association, Grand National Southern
Swing was the first time in since 1979 that they had been in Florida and we were able to host um two nights of tractor of quality tractor poles um in Satsuma um at just at Dirt Motorsports
Park and um they they did a great job. they had more than 7,000 um attendees and um they provided us with um their metrics of success and we provided that to you all. Um also some
familiar events, the Mammoth March that's held at Dun Creek every January. We're talking with them about how we can make their um experience even better. Um and then you know you all know everything that goes on here. I'm not going to bore you with reading the list,
but there's that's just a snapshot of what happened in the first quarter. And um we are just looking forward to continuing to tell Putnham County story. That's our biggest and and greatest responsibility and um now we have the
data to tell the right people. So, we're looking forward to continuing to to do that every day. >> Well, thank you for your presentation. I'm proud that you guys have um gotten out of the office a little bit and went and sat down with local businesses regarding tourism. I think that's very
important because businesses are working every day. They don't have time to come to you. So, the fact that you're leaving the office and going out and talking with local businesses that that makes me feel good um because I know that that can that can make a difference in getting boots on the ground and speaking
directly with with our um with our local businesses. Is there any other comments or questions? Yes, ma'am. Um I was after meeting with you, I was very impressed that we have a Ivy League school um doing research in Putham County on birds. I just, you know, that's amazing
that that's some really highly renowned educational facility is doing research in Putham County. You know, we've always been kind of the frowned upon one I always felt like down here and and of all our counties in Florida. But that that's that's big for us. And if I I've
said it before, I'm going to say it again. When you work with these uh any of these events coming, y'all get together on the dates. The the tractor pull thing coming on the uh weekend of the fair. I'm glad they had a huge turnout, but you'd have had a bigger one if the fair hadn't been in town. So, if
you have any input on that, please work to separate those dates. we are um we are working a lot more closely with those event planners so that they know um not only what what else is happening but that we actually connect them so
that they can you know because sometimes I mean and this weekend is a perfect example there's there's the mug race there's there's there's something happening the Crescent City music fest all of these things are happening at the same time what even if they dec because
there's only so many weekends in a year True. >> And so if they can collaborate and stretch that marketing dollar, I think it would be beneficial. So we are continuing to try to foster that philosophy. Um that that's a different
way of thinking. And so um we're we're working on that. Thank you, sir, though. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Alexander. >> Thank you, Kimberly. And to to Walton's point, um, what you guys are doing now is is creating a resurgence of interest
in in Palada and Putnham County. And it's the old adage, beggars can't be choosers. But you've got to take the events when you can get them. And as we become a powerhouse in the recreation and visitation area, then we can start, you know, providing a little more input as to when they come, they can come. But
right now, we're just happy for them to come. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. We are happy for them to come. And and one of the things that we are doing is just making sure that they're aware. We are kind of shephering them through how to have a great event
in Putnham County. >> Yep. Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And I think it abodess well for us to remind the public that the chamber can only do so much, right? You can only ask them to come. We can
only put on the best presentation, but it's up to our citizens to kind of step up and tell the right story. Tell the story that's good. Not, hey, this is terrible and that's terrible. You know, it's for my 25 years in business, it was hard to define customer service, but you
knew when you didn't get it. Okay? And that's what I always told my employees. You know when you don't get it. And it's up to us to tell the right story. You know, just recently the Bosswick Blueberry Festival. There are a lot of people out there. Well, they had some challenges, no doubt, but let's tell the
story that it was a great event, you know, and come early and do this. There's a lot of hard pe working people that did a wonderful job and and it's all over Putinham County. It's not just this place or that PL. It's all over. And everybody, every community wants to
have their own little thing. I get that. I totally understand that. But it's up to our citizens to buy in and tell the story about Putnham County, especially to people in Nashville, Tennessee, that want to spend money here. Well, come on, Nashville. Come on down to Putnham
County. We'd love to have you, you know, but um and not not just spend money, but we do have other visitors that come. Maybe they don't spend a lot, but they love the area. They want to move here. They want to sell their place in the six feet of snow and come to Florida where
we're not freezing to death all the time, you know. Uh so we got a good good story to tell that we're in the hub of many many counties and we're still rural and we like it that way. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. And um I just will close by
saying it's always exciting to see all the different events in Putnham County. The fact that we have three or four things as commissioners, we can't make every event. I can tell you uh uh Commissioner, you went to three events this weekend. I went to two. I mean, just back toback you're you're spent
trying to get out into the community. But it's exciting the fact that we our citizens and our visitors have multiple places to choose to go to and whatever, you know, they want to want to do. So, I'm excited about that. Thank you for your presentation. You did an excellent job. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right, we'll move on to Miss Young, Deputy County Administrator for Countywide Project Update. Good morning, chair. Thank you. Uh we will begin the countywide project updates. Just as a reminder, this is not every project list or initiative underway by county departments, just those that are most important to the citizens administration
or the commission. With that, we will begin with Port Putinham update. The port infrastructure development plan has been completed. Design and engineering for the new bulkhead are approaching 90% completion. The permitting process is underway and the antique crane has been removed. The Putnham Aquatic Center is undergoing a remodel. project has an
expected end date to be midsummer. All lifeguards have undergone the reertification and are ready for the upcoming summer swim. Parks and recreation is working with Calvary Life Center to open the second pool and will be open as soon as water conditions are safe. John Theabold Sports Complex, the
upstairs concession stand and bathroom building is being refreshed with new exterior sighting and is getting ready for district tournaments which will be here the first week in June. Francis Sport Complex, the new concession stand and bathroom building is nearly complete. The new batting cages are going to be breaking ground in the next
few weeks and staff is working on refreshing the dugouts. Also expecting completion before the district tournament the last week of May. Project play. The splash pad project refresh is complete. New aqua tiles were installed for a safer place to play and the equipment has been refreshed. Floor home park. We have completed floor home
baseball field by building a clay mound, setting base anchors, and installing new home plates and pitching rubbers. For the first time in years, we have a user group who is utilizing those fields for competitive school play. Dun Creek Boat Ramp, the north side. The pre-construction meeting has been completed on site with all parties. Construction is expected to be completed
by the end of this year. Dun Creek boat ramp, the south side, design is at 50% review. Fort Gates Fairy Landing. Uh we no funding source has been identified uh for the required repairs to open the Ocala forest side. Staff continues to work through the details regarding the
legal access of the ferry road. Dirt to pave 2024 construction is underway. Dirt to pave 2025. Award for all roads is expected to be made during today's meeting. County Road 315 South Resurfacing Project from State Road 20 South to Marian County line. The
construction is underway. East Paca septic sewer project phase 4 construction is underway. San Mateo water extension project 388 meters have been installed. 214 of those the plumber has completed the installs and consumers are being buil and in the or in the process of being built. The other 65 are
contracted with the plumber and another 16 went out for bid. North Putinham drainage project construction is underway. Construction is expected to be completed by Q1 in 2027. County ride resurfacing 2025. The construction is complete. Curry road lift station generator. The bid package is currently
on the street. Proposals are due back May 14th. Gilbert wastewater treatment facility efficiency grant. The award is expected to be made at today's board accounting commissioner meeting. Mobile generators for the lift station. The grant request is under review. Bardon Bridge repair design is with FDOT for
review and re-evaluation of the load ratings. HMGP Putnham County Boulevard lift station generator is awaiting final request for reimbursement to finalize the project and close it out. Gilbert wastewater treatment plant expansion project contract negotiations are underway with the top ranked firm.
Palmetto Bluff Road project design is at 30% and under review. Height road culvert replacement is an HMGP grant review for funding. Rody Road drainage reconstruction is also an HMGP grant review for funding. The gasification
project at the landfill, the main slab is poured. Two of the slabs and vessels are in place. The last pore of concrete that will hold the oxygen and nitrogen tanks is formed at this time. We are waiting on the specs for the tank anchor placements to bore. We are shooting for a mid to late May to start testing the
machine and then a June for a ribbon cutting and full operations. >> All right. Are there any questions? >> All right. Um, what is HMGPD so the constituents understand what that is?
All the acronyms that we use >> hazardous mitigation prepared people in our in our audience and in the public to know that that we have that availability and to please take advantage of it. All right. Um, thank you for your update. There are no other questions. We'll move move into planning
and development public hearing reszone ordinance 2026-009. Uh thank you madam chair. Uh for the record Michael Graves planning and development services. This is case re 26000000001. Uh Gary L and Marissa D. Karns are
requesting a zoning map amendment from commercial neighborhood C1 to residential 1HA R1HA on 3 acres located at 1551 South uh State Road 100 in Melrose to allow the development of a single family residence. Surrounding
zonings include agriculture and residential 1HA. Uh the subject site has a future land use designation of rural residential and approximately 450 feet of access on state road 100. According to the national wetlands layer and the FEMA flood zone layer on the GIS
reference map, the m the lands do not appear to contain wetlands and is located in FEMA flood zone X, which is not a special flood hazard area. Should the applicant's request be approved, the applicant will then be eligible for obtaining all building and site work permits compatible with the R1HA zoning
district. Here you can see an aerial overview of the property. Here you can see the future land use and here you can see the zoning. Staff recommends approval to the request to amend the zoning map from commercial
neighborhood C1 to residential 1HA R1HA. Uh staff finds that the proposed resoning is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the adopted comprehensive plan and meets locationational requirements of the residential 1HA R1HA zoning district providing the land development code and
the comprehensive plan. At the March 11th, 2026 meeting, the planning commission uh unanimously recommended approval of the same. Uh any questions? Commissioner Harvey. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Michael, how did this land become C1 to
begin with? Do do we know that? Because >> this is really should be always should have been either a or residential. >> So while staff has no definitive answer unfortunately at this time, it is speculated that due to its location next to the Vulcan mining facility there, uh
that the intention when it was first reszoned was for it to become a commercial development to support the miners. Uh but because the future land use was not compatible, no commercial development ever occurred. >> I kind of assumed. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> All right. Is are there any questions
for the presenter from the board? This is a public hearing. Is there anyone who wishes to speak on this item? Please come forward. State your name and address for the record. Good morning.
>> Aloha. Good morning all. Originally from Hawaii, >> we bought this property. It was a commercial/residential zoning. Got two zonings. What happened was we were going to build. We came to see him and his boss.
It was a permit. >> We told him that I'm going to put a a convenience store. So, we got a permit, took it home. Unfortunately, we have to go back to Hawaii. So we decided to put it back to the
market. So we paid it as a commercial. It's a lot of money for some of us. So what's going to happen after having three offers? His folks his office you guys office told us no we
can't give you permit for a commercial there. So just waiting for months and three offers to people to buy property to put nice commercial, you know, investment there.
We ending up paying 750 bucks to you guys to the county or city to get a residential. The end result was we lost money. We bought this as a commercial and the runaround what we got was oh the state
screwed up. They never did the right map in who knows how old years. So it means as a customer as a local community taxpayer I don't know how many because we were told three other land owners got refused having this I
shouldn't have to mention that it's not my kana means it's not my business to bring all that kind of warrants to you folks three other people not me that's not I'm the fourth one that got refused by the state and the city no you can't build anything you can't run a
business I think that's unfair It's biased. So we spend that kind of money. If you guys gonna give me the money that I paid back, pay me back. That's all I care. You guys can take it. Just give me back my money. Couldn't care less the
amount of time I wasted for just buying that property. That's not our mistake. It should have been caught by you folks. I don't know how all these people in the planning DPP been in office and then all of a sudden we got the hit. Why is that? how long
it's been going on. I'm not from here. I can be politics too if I want to because I run for office in Hawaii. You can Google me. And it's so sad. We bought this property in Hawthorne. It's pulling teeth. We have a family
broken crisis. I think so because I own a store in Gainesville. I'm closing it too. I seen it. You know, it I I feel sorry for the people that wanted to live here, keep their family here, you know, raise their
kids. I'm not from here, but I seen it. I'm also a member like you. I never get paid in Hawaii, but I run for neighborhood board. The people come to us if they want to put a halfway house. We listen to the people. We say yes or no. We have no, you know, we have no uh
control of the law. We don't make the law, but we're the neighborhood. We're the neighbor that that makes you guys have a job for a lifetime. Listen to us. We need you folks. I'm nobody here, but hear me. We I'm not the only one. And I don't know how brave the people around
here can talk like this, but it's so sad why we have to deal with this. You guys should start either computerized now. Get all those land that that you know it's going to be a big red like as us we have to go through fix those don't wait
till us to go through the headache you know the depression it's not it's not right for me it's not right you know I'm happy to to work with you guys whatever it takes but just give me back my money and if you guys want to make it residential or just make it like a
business you don't want a C1 give me C2 how about B1 B3 B2 give me something but that You guys throwing away to the gator and eat me out alive. Don't do that. Be fair to people. I'm sorry. I don't know how you guys run your office. You
know, I wish I can run here because this is my county, but I can't. We have to go back to Hawaii. I know how to fight there, but I fight good because I'm all I'm all for policy. I I don't care about the rest. I want people to grow their
family, keep the family here. And it breaks my heart people that comes to my store to our to our area of community between Keystone, Melrose. It's sad. I don't see any kids that would like to be there for their family, for their mom
and dad. Everybody's dying and then the kids are gone. >> Can I can I stop and ask you a couple questions? >> Sure. >> So, you're the land owner? >> Yes. >> And you originally purchased it as commercial. >> Yes. >> And then you advertised it as commercial, but you were told you couldn't sell it as commercial. Ma'am.
>> Okay. I just want to make sure I understand that. And um Okay, that was your question. So, um can I get an answer from staff as to what happened or how we got here? Because I'm not sure how we got here either. >> And thank you for coming forward.
>> Good morning, Madam Chair. >> Good morning, >> commissioners. For the record, Zachary Baker. Um the comprehensive plan future land use element rural residential prohibits commercial development unless that commercial development is regulated by a planned unit development which is a
a zoning map amendment. So no matter how they wanted to develop the property, a zoning map amendment was necessary. Uh the the reszone standard reszone process is $750 and is very much just an application kind of cut and dry. uh
whereas the PUD requires a sightsp specific development agreement and incurs an application fee which is twice as much. Um that aside, the element J of the comprehensive plan is our future
land use I'm sorry is our uh um >> property rights >> property rights element. Thank you, Michael. of the future land use or of the comprehensive plan. And what that does is it stipulates that the county cannot um require or prohibit or any
other way uh impend on somebody's conveyance of their property. If you want to sell your property, that is your property to sell. Now, whether or not you can develop that property in accordance with however that person wants to develop, that's where we come into the regulations and the zoning
requirements and the PUD and so on and so forth. Um, so I cannot speak very much more on on um Mrs. Kern's uh allegations. It's been a while since we met on that property. I do recall them wanting to do uh the convenience store
and when we were discussing the PUB, we said, you know, you could also put some residential elements in there as well if you wanted to kind of live where you work or work where you live type deal. Um, but it's been um I want to say a good eight months be since we've had
that initial pre-application meeting. >> Okay. Uh, Commissioner Harvey, you recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, you heard just a few minutes ago about us. Why don't we clean up the area? But in truth, it's really up to the the person
who wants to reszone their property. Some people might want commercial, some people might want residential. today, we're actually going to try to clean up that property for you. So, and and you you know, I want to say this, you're not a nobody. And and nobody should feel
that way. You come before your elected officials for us to to hear this case and you are somebody here in Putham County. Um but we can't just cart blanch go out there and change people's property without them asking us to do that. So, that's my statement. Thank
you, madam. >> Miss Kern, you're welcome to stay right there. Um, Commissioner um Alexander, you're recognized. >> Zach, I got a quick question for you, sir. So, is she eligible to sell the property as commercial? Because because it is zoned as commercial and the future
owner can apply for the PUDS. >> So, um, buyer beware. Do your own due diligence. She can sell the property as industrial if she'd like to. And if >> commercial, >> whatever, commercial, industrial, right?
We don't We don't regulate realtors or anything like that. So, if somebody tells you, "Oh, yeah, you can build the Taj Mahal on this property." Well, you got to check with zoning first before you do that. We're not limiting the the sale of this property. Um, as of right now, it's
a commercial zoning. Uh, depending on the outcome of today's public hearing, it may be residential and whoever may prospect that land um should do their due diligence as to what they can do with that property. So she she wants it to go to to residential.
>> Okay. >> So So she cannot leave it in a commercial zoning. Is that what you're saying? >> She can leave it in a commercial zoning, >> but then she would not be able to do anything with it. >> If she wants to develop it as commercial, the comprehensive plan requires a planned unit development.
>> So she would have to file for a PUD. >> Yes, ma'am. or someone in the future would have to file for a PUD. >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> But if it's reszoned to residential, then it'll have to be reszoned back to commercial at such time if a commercial development was applied. >> I mean, I can understand how this is confusing. I'm just sitting here saying
that. >> Yeah, we're trying to walk through it so we all understand it. >> Sure. So, if if the reasonzoning application is uh approved today, it'll become a residentially zoned property. And then yes, if somebody wants to do a commercial development on that site,
they would have to go through the process to amend the zoning map to a designation which would support that commercial use. And it may be they may have to do a future land use map amendment too depending on how intense they want that commercial use to be.
>> But it's currently zoned commercial. It's currently zoned C1 uh commercial light and it has a rural residential future land use category and those two designations rural residential and C1 zoning are not compatible.
>> So could she have chosen to not uh to take off the rural residential future or not without a a zoning a map amendment? >> She could have made an application to amend the future land use map. Yes, ma'am. Um, at that point it would have been a very similar process to today.
It's just instead of changing the zoning, they'd change the future land use >> and then she would have wound up with the commercial property she wanted to >> there. Uh, there is another issue with the future land use map amendment. However, in that if you take a look at the map on your screens now, uh, you'll see that the
>> there isn't a map on our screen. >> Oh, uh, that's >> Thank you. >> Sorry. >> It's okay. >> My apologies. Uh the uh map displays that the current property is rural residential future land use and has adjacent future land uses of agriculture
and mining. Uh there is not a future land use category that staff could support to transition this property to that would allow for commercial development that is in compliance with the uh comprehensive plan unfortunately. So, while she would still have the right
to apply, it would still have a recommendation most likely of denial from staff, and I can't speak to the planning commission. >> So, um, >> attorney commando, could you weigh in on this? I want to understand that Miss Karns, I want Miss Karns to understand
all of her options. The fact that she feels like she's forced to do something does not sit well with me. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So the applicant could amend the future land use map as well and then that would provide other alternatives. Now whether or not the
commission um would approve that based on the surrounding compatibility that is still an option. >> Miss Karns, >> um are you at this very moment in time are you pressed for time?
>> No. No, not really. But but um >> would you like to have another meeting where we can sit down and we can table this and we can sit down and make sure you clearly understand all of your options. Do you think that would be fruitful? >> You know what? >> Or do you feel like you've already gone
down everything you can do? Because I we want we don't I don't want you to feel like you've been forced to do something. I want you >> I was I was >> I understand that's how you feel and I and and if I were in your shoes I can't I can't say I wouldn't feel the same way. >> The thing is is the city and the state or counties. It's the county, the city.
It's not the city. >> It's the counties. >> If you haven't remapped it, they should have done their letters from long, long time ago, whatever it was. But don't make us put ourselves into it and forced us to buy another zoning and make us pay
and lose money because residential, commercial, come on, you know, not rocket science to figure that out what's the difference on the price. And they should at least give us an opportunity run our business from our home. That's what I think at some of the missing parts to grow the county. >> And that's what you're wanting to do is
you're wanting to have a >> Yeah. You know, if you don't want to give me the C1, give me C2, B1, B2, B3, whatever it is. But don't do that. You know, you guys, you know, this is your errors, not the community's error. >> Yes, ma'am. I understand how you feel. >> It's not about a whole lot. But the
thing is, I don't want this thing to happen to anybody. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I want money. If I have to lose the whole thing, so be it. I already filed the taxes for 2025 because I bought it last year. So, it's already the federal. I told him already. I told my tax guy, I'm going to lose money, but I'm going
to fight for it because I'm not the only one fighting. You guys going to have to learn all of these things. And I don't think you guys ever heard of this issue. And it's been going on there. I was told, "Oh, you cannot have your commercial zoning there." Even though oops, hello. You guys put that in as
what it was zoned because there's no traffic light. And there is no there's no intersection. So it means the rest of the people that running their business with no intersection, they're allowed to have their B1, C1, C3, whatever it is. And I cannot have you got to be kidding
me. I think that's biased. I don't think it's fair. Can >> Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> Thank you, madam. Miss Karns, we're trying to help. We really are. I just need to know what do you want? That's what I want to know because we heard a minute ago, and I'll let you answer in
just a second. I promise. We heard a PUD allows for you to have a commercial business with a residential unit on the property. So I want to know, do you want like Commissioner Wilkinson asked, do you want to go forward today or do you understand you could sell this land and
somebody else could do a PUD with commercial? You can keep the property. You can do a PUD yourself with commercial with a residential element on it. The choices are all yours today. you made this application. You went through this process. Maybe maybe you felt like
you were disenfranchised. I'm sorry if you did, but you did this. And we're here today to try to help you and give you the relief. But if we're going to hurt you, I don't want to do that to you today. >> Tell me what you want me to do and I'll be glad to help you.
>> That's that's really nice. The first one is good. You can have a house there. You run your business, commercialized it. That's very nice. That's that's that's really uh generous. If if if a a family or a business owner investors wanted to
have their home there and run a business ates the same time, bless you guys. Bless the people whoever own me. Give me a commercial zoning as well. That would be perfect. You know what I'm saying? That would be a good relief, you know. >> All right. So, >> this is your district, right? >> This is your district.
>> Zach, can you answer me a question? Just hang on just a second and I'll be right back to you. >> If we leave the property alone today, Mr. Karns, I'm talking to Mr. Baker, right? >> Yes, sir. >> If we leave the property just like it is today, you said earlier somebody could
do a PUD with a residential element on there, right? >> That's correct. We would need the application to do that. But yes, >> if we move it to residential, can they do a commercial PUD with a residential unit on there? Yes. If the zoning map amendment is
approved today, then another property owner or the same property owner could apply for a PUD. Same thing. >> Okay. I just want to do the right thing. I think we all do. So, we want to help this lady out the best we can. And
sorry. Yeah. >> Do we So, so do we want to table this and let her have >> That's up to the I guess can do both residential and and and commercial. Leave I think leave the zoning alone. I think >> so. >> I don't know.
>> Can can can we table this for today and have a sit down? Mr. Commissioner um Harvey is your um is your district uh commissioner and I would think it would be good if you guys sat down together and sat down with staff and see if we
can make a plan that works for you. And um we absolutely want to see our people live here. We do. We want to see our children grow up here. We want to see this board does. I can't speak of a previous board, but I can speak of this board and their comments based on the
comments they've made. We want to see our our community grow within. We do. We want we we we don't want you to move away. We want you here. We if you're a contributing taxpayer and a contributing to society, we absolutely want you to stay. And I'm sorry you feel the way you
do, but give us an opportunity to for to sit down and see if we can can work this out. >> Well, thank you. Because we came here with open heart. My husband's a retired Air Force, you know, and and he's gone all over the place, but coming over here, you got to be kidding me. Lord, help us. Why?
>> Because we want to retire here. And >> we truly don't want you. We want you to retire here, too. So, please um give us a chance and thank you for coming forward today. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Or with that, I need a motion to table. >> Madam Chair, real quick.
>> Yes. Um if just so the everyone's understanding if we table the decision today we can't come back with anything other than the consideration of the zoning map amendment today. So if if we table it and we have a meeting and it's
decided that she wants to go for the PUD, it would be a brand new application, a new staff report, a new planning commission recommendation. We wouldn't be able to change the applicant's request through the process. Well, the applicant could amend their application and then we could talk about
it and then I think at some point the board could wave the fee since she's already paid the fee, >> but we would still need to restart the entire process over for a PUB. >> We would still have to go through the noticing requirements. >> What? Okay.
Okay. >> I don't think the lady would have any problem with restarting the process. Problem is with the fee. She don't re restart the fee part is what I'm thinking is the whole issue here. >> But she gets credit for the what she's already paid.
>> That that's your decision. You could decide to wave the fee in in light of the fact that she's already paid it. >> All right. Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Yes, ma'am. Can we just uh go ahead and move this forward? I make a motion that we table this for today. Uh and also within
that motion, I would like to make a motion that we wave the fee or apply the fee to the upcoming application. >> Okay, we have a second. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I.
>> I. >> Thank you, Commissioner Nibold. I was wondering if you were still there. Um Zach, if you'll come up to the podium real quick. I got another uh unrelated question about why we're under planning and development. This is a hot topic that's I've seen on
social media, so I'm going to ask you directly. Um, has an application been received for a data center in Putnham County? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. So, at this point, >> say that louder. >> No, ma'am. >> All right. So, no application has been received in Putham County for a data
center. >> That is correct. >> All right. Thank you. With that, we're going to take a quick recess. Thank you. All right, we're going to reconvene the meeting. >> Do we still have Commissioner Newold on the phone? >> Yes, you do. Can you hear me? Okay.
>> Yes, sir. Do you have anything you wanted to say? I'm I'm just You just have to yell whenever you're ready to speak up. >> I I will. I I appreciate the opportunity to attend remotely. Thank you. The technology seems to be working well. Um I can hear and and and and see the
proceedings. Thank you. >> All right. Just let me know if you need to say something. We're going into the public comment on agenda items. This portion of the agenda is designed to allow citizens an opportunity to bring matters to the attention of the board. It is not reasonable to expect that the board will engage in debate or deliberation about matters on which the
board has received no prior information as part of the agenda. Please limit your time to three minutes. Public comment cards are conveniently placed at the meeting room entrance and should be submitted prior to the meeting to the deputy clerk who sits to the right of the podium. So, anybody wishes to speak,
there's a blue card back there. And we'll first we're going to go through cons will go through agenda items and then at the end um on number 10 will be public comment on miscellaneous items. So, um if you'll do you have any comment cards on agenda items? All right. Agenda
items. All right. Um, going into a consent agenda, any commissioners wishing to pull anything? Commissioner Newold? >> I have nothing to pull from the consent agenda. >> Thank you, Commissioner Alexander. >> Just a second.
>> Yes, ma'am. I'd like to pull u item C, please. >> Item C. >> Commissioner Harvey. >> I have no items, Madam Chair. Commissioner Palisier, >> I'd like to pull item B as in boy. >> B is in boy. All right. We have items B
and C pulled. And I have nothing to pull. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to move the consent agenda of items A, D, E, F, G, H, and I. Forward, please. >> All right. We have a motion on the floor. >> Second it. >> We have a second. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All
in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. All right. Item B. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, you recognize me. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, just want to keep this on everybody's plate and aware of what we're doing here and uh what we're
moving forward to is going to be a huge uh improvement to our county. Uh, and I'm I'm spearheading, I guess, the the VA thing with help from others. Uh, Commissioner Wilson is u she's the spearhead of the IT expansion and this
is just going to be a good thing for everybody in the county. Um, our veterans administration is just they're rock stars over there and they've got people coming from counties around and uh they're just working in a little cracker box hole over there and we need
to get them some more room to where they can uh be more comfortable and um available to take care of more veterans. So, this is going to be a huge huge uh improvement for us and the u the VA I mean the VA the IT department they are
in a very cramped space downtown and they need to be moved and um give them some more room. Um put them on one level floor all the stairs and without equipment and everything. It's just it's just a better a good fix and I just want to let everybody know that this is moving forward and uh I think going to
be a great asset to the county. >> All right. With that, do you make a motion? >> Yes, ma'am. You want to put them together or you want to >> There they're There won't just be B. >> Okay. Um C is not mine. >> No, I was asking you to move B forward. >> Yes, ma'am. Make a motion that we accept
the the consent agenda item B. >> Second. >> We have a motion to second. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. Commissioner Alexander. >> Yes. I just want to quick uh quickly discuss the uh chamber contract approval for the tourism website development
advertising agency. uh when this was first brought before us, I don't know what, six, eight months ago, um I was, for lack of a better term, disappointed in the way that it was presented. And I asked uh our TDC staff to go back and
provide a more concrete idea of what we were spending and what we were getting to justify what they were what they had planned on doing. Um, and with that being said, Kimberly and Laura
worked very hard and brought me back and brought us back exactly what they planned on doing, exactly what the deliverables were. And um, with that being said, I would like to make the motion that we move item C forward. >> Second.
>> Thank you. We have a motion to second. Any further discussion? >> All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. Thank you. >> All right, going into new business. Again, we will have public comment on miscellaneous items. Please turn your blue cards into Miss Ashley if you have
one. New business, administration, uh, second quarter budget reports. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh, Brier Tilton for the record. >> Hey, Brian. We'll be going over >> We'll be going over the Q2 budget report. So, this goes from October 1st
to March 31st. And um the first two pages will have the commissioner's discretionary dollars. And these are the dollars that y'all are given at the start of the year to put towards projects that y'all feel are necessary or needed >> that are infrastructure only.
>> So, I'm going to go ahead and move along to the general fund. Um so, general fund revenues look normal and well, the revenue should meet projections by the end of the year. Our taxes are collected more front heavy. So you'll see that it's at 90%. Um
permits, fees, and special assessments as well. Intergovernmental is your grants, grant payments, state revenue shares, and um licenses. It's going well. And then your other revenues include interest, rent, sale of lands or surplus equipments. And all in all the
personnel services and operating expenses for the general fund are below 50% and the total budget percent spent is 45%. So all in all looks well. Um transportation fund 101 is looking a little different. Uh well not different
but taxes are a little on the lower side. We've been expecting that. We've been seeing it over the years. Um the taxes are your local option in 9th cent and it is lower than last year's um at this time of the year. uh your intergovernmental is lower. That's your intergovernmental county tax and
constitutional constitutional gas tax revenues. And those are low compared to last year, but again, we've been seeing that year-over-year. Um the operating expenses are going well. The personnel is below 50%. All in all,
the total fund expenses are at 43%. All right. The fire fund taxes are going uh are at 99%. So we're almost at our point where we needed to meet and those are front heavy too. So we get them more at the front. So you're not going to be at 180% revenue by the end of the year.
Um your intergovernmental has a negative amount in the uh revenues and you'll see you might be wondering why that is but we had the HMGp win retrofit revenue and that was moved back into a previous fiscal year because
the expenses were in uh the last year. Um, your charges for services and other revenue are above the 100% threshold. So, they're doing really well. And your personnel is at 46%, your operating is at 30%.
And as your capital gets spent and the West Putnham Fire Station gets reimbursed and everything, you'll see the intergovernmental go up a bit. Um, then we have the sanitation fund. Permits, uh, fees and special
assessments are looking great. Um, intergovernmental looks really low because there's a $3 million budget and only $100,000 has been given, but that's the gasification grant that was awarded or accepted in January. >> Makes sense. >> You'll see that as that project gets
going through the years or year. Um, other revenue is high again at 170%. Those are your interests. It's going it gets you're getting high yields with those. And then your sales of recyclable materials. Personnel operating are both under 50% and the total funds expenses
are at 38%. Okay. And then East Putnham Water Fund, the 405 fund, there's a negative 31,000 in the intergovernmental revenue and this was because 31,160 was moved into the previous year for HMPG lift generators.
Um, but as the Army water supply and the FDP septic sewer projects are done, you'll see those revenues accumulate more in there. Um, charges for services, they're on track. They're at 48%. As more people get added, it'll bump up that last 2%age, and by the end of the
year, you should be fine. Other revenues high as well. And then your other financing sources are your transfers from the general fund and BP. Uh, operating wise, uh, you're at 30%, personnel, you're at 40%. um capital projects are going along and as those get completed and the
reimbursement paperwork is turned in, you'll get those revenues and intergovernmental and the total funds expenses are at 15%. So all in all it looks good other than the weird intergovernmental revenue right now and again that was moved to the previous year. Okay. And then the last one is St.
John's Harbor Water Plant. They're doing really good. Their charges for services are at 53% and that means they would be able to cover their operating expenses for the year and their operating is at 17% total. They haven't spent anything for personnel services and operating is
at 38%. So they should this fund is rather new. Y'all um loan them a million dollars and then now it's starting to get rolling and they should be able to sustain their operations. >> Okay. >> Any questions for me? Um, I don't know this will that you'll be able to answer this, but regarding St. John's Harbor
and the million dollars, where are we at on that project as far as bringing it into compliance? >> Did somebody answer? >> Sure. So, um, I think it is with Hansen and Associates to get all the plans designed to do the revamping of the
wastewater pond and all that kind of stuff. JT may be able to answer better at the percentage that we've got that. It just seems like we haven't heard heard of anything on that one in a while. So, I was just making sure it wasn't sitting still. >> No, no, no. It's not sitting still. It's all the designs being done. They've made some adjustments to the pumps and all
that were inside the buildings. So, I mean, some of that stuff has been ongoing that we've done with our in-house staff. >> Okay. Do we have a timeline with with D to come into compliance? I know they're working with us and I appreciate that, but at some point their grace is going to be over.
>> All right. All right. when you have time. I'd like to get an update on that. And then on the second thing, uh, regarding the fire, uh, Mr. I Mrs. Young, whoever wants to answer this, as we've paid overtime with the fires and everything that's happened, do we need to make any budget changes or do
anything to cover um, the additional time that we've had? >> Not at this time. We're under a state LSC as well as a local LSC. So, we will work through FDM and FEMA of course to um capture any reconciliations that are available, reimbursements, and then um
being that we still have six months left before we close out the year, it's likely we'll be able to close everything out before we close the books. Um or otherwise, you'll see the transactions similar to what you saw in those intergovernmental funds where you saw a posting, the revenue physically came in
and we backdated it into prior fiscal year. So, at this time, there's no budget adjustments needed. Okay. So, what you said was we're under a state emergency and a local state of emergency for >> our state declaration and you have a local declaration. >> All right. Just making sure that everybody understands that. All right.
Are there any other questions? >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Next, we have public works resolution 2026-33. Uh that's a road vacate uh along Sanonteo Road. It is a parcel of
property owned by the county that when you look at the whole road, it run is in the county rightway. And it's caused some confusion with planning and development, driveway permits where uh a resident that might want to put in a driveway covert or a new uh new house is
okay, I got to cross county property. It's not really property. We're trying to clean it up and just show that it's county rideway coming off Old Sanonteo Road. So, it's just cleaning up the parcels and the rideway along that road. >> So, then they would be able to replace their cover to do what they need to do. >> Yeah. It just makes it easier for
everybody and easier to see what's going on on the GIS. >> All right. Are there any questions for the presenter? All right. Coming back to the board. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to move approval of the resolution number 2026-033, a resolution of the board of county commissioners of Putnham County,
Florida, declaring a county owned partial as a public road right away. >> Second. We have a motion and a second by Commissioner Palisier. Is there any other comments or questions? All in favor say I. I. Motion carries. >> Uh public works re road resurfacing list
sort of is what it is, right? >> Yes, ma'am. Uh you'll see that we put three years on there. Um we're trying to get ahead of the ball by doing that. There's a couple of goals in mind. Um once we get this approved, we can go into design for resurfacing 26. We should be able to have that done by the
end of July to go out to bid in August so we can start construction during this fiscal year. It will also allow us to go ahead and start designing 27 and have that ready to go at the start of fiscal year 27 so that we're getting stuff done in 27. You'll also see that it's a
little heavy in districts one and three. Um, our goal for that is there's if we can get those done, we'll use the millings on some dirt roads in those two areas to where we'll move from two road graders in that area to one and we'll be able to move that road graater out to
the west end in the next year. So, that'll help because there's a we all know the west end, we got a lot of dirt roads and we could use more help out there. >> Yes, sir. I'm trying to do the same thing in my district where we don't have as many uh roads that we would have to move equipment to. trying to figure out that the small roads that are in
between. We all know that moving equipment is costly, right? >> Are there Commissioner New Bulgar recognized? >> No, I I I appreciate the plan. I think it's well thought out. Um I support the the recommendation from public works. Um I think it's it it benefits
everyone across the county over time. Thank you. >> You know, you're going to continue to get jokes for all of all of the work done in district in your district. Just saying. >> I was waiting on that. Comm Commissioner Harvey recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, thank you, Mr. Stout, Mr. Grimes, and all public
works, Mr. Suggs for the hard work on this. Um, West Putnham got a lot of resurfacing lately with FDOT, but we just approved a road to go through West Putnham, MSBU, >> correct, >> at the tune of 1.8 miles, which was
never heard. Usually a commissioner gets around a mile a year. Um, so we just did that in lie of resurfacing to get So we're county commissioners at the end of the day. We're county commissioners and we're trying to knock out areas of
problems. We're trying to connect roads to roads to move people and so so district 4 didn't get any resurfacing. I'm fine with that. But we got a road out there. And my concern as always, and we've always talked about this and the
other commissioners hear me say got 330 miles of dirt roads in District 4. If we get one mile a year, folks, I think my grandkids, grandkids won't see every road repaved. And not everybody wants a paved road either out there. That is very true. So you get some people that
go, I don't want you to pave my road. Um, I moved down here to live on a dirt road. Well, there is no good dirt road. But this is a great compromise for us to take care of other districts and for for the emphasis to be on other other areas
and other segments. So I get more of this and give up that which we don't need. We already have our roads basically resurfaced because of DOT and other things we've done over the years. So, I just really want to applaud you for putting on the the thinking cap
here, the people I mentioned, and go we can knock out these areas. We can put millings down and we can move a road greater out. And that that's really what our goal is and what we want to do is to move people and make better roads. So, I applaud this. I think it's a wonderful
thing and I think it's been years in the making to finally come to pass today. So, I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Commissioner Paliser. You're recognized. >> Um, when Mr. Stout came to me with this idea, I was ecstatic about it. I'm very
willing to sacrifice that one year to get that extra motor grader the following year and tighten up our grading schedules in the West End. I think that people are going to really really like that. Instead of that maybe six week grading schedule, it's going to be every four. You know, I don't know what the number is, but it's certainly
going to be better than it is now. So, it's well worth the sacrifice of one year of of not getting any pavement for the gain with all the dirt roads that Commissioner Harvey and I have in our area out there. So, it's a it's a win-win and I appreciate you being forward thinking on those type items.
That really helps out. Thank you. >> All right, back to Is there any uh other comments? We're waiting on a motion. >> Madam Chair, >> hang on. Madam Chair, I move approval of the recommended roads to be resurfaced as stated in our packet. >> Second. >> Have a motion and second. Any further
discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All right. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. >> All right. Fine reduction. Codes case 2010- 00265. >> Madam chair, is the applicant in the audience? >> Is there anybody in the audience on this
code's case? All right. Seeing none. Madam Chair, I'd like to move approval of staff recommendation of the enforcement action of $1658 back to the citizens of Putnham County if pay within 90 days on case number
20110-00265. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Right. >> Motion carries unanimously. Great presentation. >> Good job, Z. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Um, public comment. Now is
the time that we can speak on miscellaneous items. This portion of the agenda is designed to allow citizens an opportunity to bring matters to the attention of the board. It is not reasonable to expect that the board will engage in debate or deliberation about matters on which the board has received no prior information as part of the
agenda. Please limit your time to three minutes. Public comment cards are conveniently placed at the meeting room entrance and should be submitted prior to the meeting to the deputy clerk who sits to the right of the podium. Um we have some cards and um while we do that there were some emails
that were received and they will be included in correspondence uh with with the minutes. So with that uh we'll give us just a second. First we have Tyler Wilkinson. >> Tyler, just state your name and address for the record and then uh you have a
few minutes to speak. >> Yes, ma'am. My name is Tyler Wilkinson. I live at 166 Fulton Road in Barden. Thank you for paving Fort McKe Road. Um, as you know, I was very vocal online about the AI data center, and I do
appreciate the transparency you just gave, but one of the concerns I have about the AI data center is that will this protect Putnham County in the long term because it might not be permitted now. What about 5, 10, 15 years from now? The people of Putham
County, the common person of Putnham County does not want a AI data center ever. Uh there's multiple things that uh across the country and multiple examples that we can see of why they do not produce economic growth. They do not sustain jobs. It is literally just in my
opinion a cancer to any community they come in. It wastes resources and it takes from people and opportunity and land. But I do really appreciate the transparency that that y'all have given on that and thank you for protecting that. But I just want to ensure that no
AI data centers will be approved and that measures will be taken to protect us against that. And another concern that I have is the flock cameras that are installed in Putnham County. I understand that there is credible and
good uses for them, but in light of what we see in the world and what we're seeing other countries and what we've seen other governments do with this same technology, I have a concern that this technology
could be used to spy and hold residents data against them in the future. Now, I'm not saying this is what's going on now, but this is a concern. I think that fla cameras should be taken out of Putinham County and that they should be abolished completely. Uh my message was
short and sweet. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Mr. Wilkinson. >> All right. Uh next up we have Melissa Ray. >> Hey, Miss Ray. >> Good morning. I'm going to try not to chatter. It is freezing in here. Melissa
Ray 108 Barbara Lane. Sometimes I come before you and it's very pleasant. Sometimes it's not. And I apologize. This morning is not going to be a very easy conversation. I am coming before you again today regarding my ship grant from 2014. I'm
once again asking respectfully requesting your reconsideration. On February 24th, I approached the board during public comment to request to be placed on the agenda for a discussion regarding my ship grant. At that time, I also shared concerns about lack and
delay of information I had been receiving since the end of December of last year through February of this year. I was assuredly advised to follow up via email, which I did the very next day. I did receive a response from from staff.
In my email, I requested be placed on the agenda in accordance with the precedence that was set during an interaction between the county and Grand Pines in 2024. Grand Pines Apartments requested a subordination on a quarter million dollar ship loan. This was the second
time a subordination was requested by them. It was approved in 2022 and in March 26, 2024 placed on the consent agenda and unanimously approved. For clarity, that is twice that the county approved a subordination of a $250,000
SHIP grant while I, a citizen and constituent of Putham County, was never even given the opportunity to present my request directly to this board. I would also like to mention that the written ship subordination policy I was provided states that request must be submitted
through ship administration by the lending institution. I apologize that I did not bring a copy of that with me today, but is in several emails. I followed that process in good faith. My lender submitted a request as required, but was met with contradictory
information. Additionally, I personally received conflicting guidance in a March email where I was directed to appear before the AHAC committee despite the written policy indicating that these matters require BOCC approval. This pattern of
inconsistent direction creating confusion and ultimately prevented me from accessing the process as it is written. Lastly, I would also like to clarify once again that my situation does not involve refinancing. I did not have a re pre-existing mortgage to
refinance. The language in my agreement specifically references refinancing, not financing. An equity loan, which I was applying for, does not replace or modify an existing loan and therefore does not meet the standard definition of
refinancing. I was informed that through an email, the county mortgage note form is a one-sizefits-all. So, when refinance is stated, in my case, it would mean finance.
I'm sorry, but the county's claim that refinance should be interpreted as finance contradicts the plain meaning of those terms which are not interchainable interchangeable under standard contract law. If the county intended a broader restriction, it was their responsibility to clearly define it in the original
legally binding written agreement and any ambiguity I just lost my place. I'm getting messages like crazy. I apologize. and any ambiguity must be interpreted against the drafter. Reinterpreting the terms after the fact is inconsistent
with both the contract language and established legal principles. Based on that, my first request is that the county allow my equity loan to proceed without treating it as a default under my existing SHIP agreement. If that is not something that can be done today, then my second request is to be formally
placed on a future BOCC agenda so that I may present my request directly to you as outlined in the policy. At the end of the day, I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking for equal treatment and for the opportunity to have my request heard and considered by this board. Thank you for your time. >> Miss Ray, you're getting a home equity
line. Is that correct? Is that what you're saying? >> We are hoping to get Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. All right. All right. All right, we'll address this whenever we finish with the public comment. Thank you. >> Uh Ralph Haggy. >> Good evening. Good morning. I'm Ralph
Hegy, 112 Paul Drive, Hollister, Florida. Uh, I just got a quick paragraph here to read. Um, it's from Putnham County Standard Housing Code section 307.4.
Um it says it shall be unlawful for owner of occupant of the residential building structure or property to utilize the premises of such residential property to open storage or
any inoperable motor vehicle uh ice box, refrigerators, stoves, glasses, buildings and rushes uh rubbish. of simil similar items. It shall be the
duty and responsibility of every such owner or occupant to keep the premises of the such resident property clean and to remove from premises all such abandoned items as listed above
including but not limited to weeds, dead trees, trash, garbage, etc. upon notice of a housing official. Uh my question is this. Uh does that go to the squatters
that are uh you know and interlocking and uh and and there's one behind me where where I live in Hollister. I'm just wondering if this pertains to them people um
because they have no running water, no septic, no nothing. And you know, with a burn band on, you know, they burn, you know, to keep warm. And I'm just, you know, I'm kind of worried about that. But, um, I'm just wondering if is there
a way that can they like if they don't clean up their property, can they like add it on to their taxes or something to where, you know, penalize them within 60 days to get it cleaned or whatever? Uh I
mean I'm just throwing out suggestions here. So uh but I mean who who is to enforce that? I mean who who enforces these people to do that is the question I got. I mean is it you all or is it the
sheriff's department or who who actually does with this uh uh code I just read you? Uh something, you know, has to be done about it because we're getting so many squatters and so much trash in Interlock especially. And it's uh
nobody's going to want to bite nothing there if they see all that. I'm just saying it's a it's a we got to do something. We just can't let it keep going. Uh somebody's got to draw a line somewhere. But um so I just suggest
maybe if they don't if they don't do it, you know, put it on, you know, give them a 60-day notice and they uh you know if not then we'll just put it on their taxes. I mean I'm just throwing this out there but u other than that that's about
all I got to say about that but it is a problem very big problem. So >> yes, sir. And and I'll just say real quick that uh we do have a process. They have to be turned into codes violation. Um codes does go out there and there is the process that they have and it does
end up becoming just what you saw earlier where there was a codes violation and they had to come in front of us and there was a a process. There is a process already in place. But the first thing that has to happen is somebody's got to somebody's got to turn them in. That's the first thing. That's the law. So I've explained that to you
before. It's not something we get to to pick and choose. And then second, then the codes go out there and there's a process. There's a a due diligence period where they get the right to clean it up, but it does affect their property and it does go against their property values. >> Well, I have talked to the code
enforcement guy. I don't know his name. I know his face, but I talked to him and told him about the people that live behind me and yet they're still there. And >> you have to call and and give like a formal complaint. You have to put it. You have >> Oh, you got to write it in or something.
>> You have to call it in and give your name and address of the complaint. >> Maybe that's why it ain't getting done. >> I'm not sure, sir. But yes, sir. There is a process in place. >> But well, anyway, I this is concern really. I hope you all take that in consideration. >> Again, it starts with a citizen complaint. Complaint is where it starts.
Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Dan Steel. Oh, I'm sorry. I got got different people. U Miss Miss Young, did you want to comment? >> Sure. on the um Miss Ray's concern. Just wanted to add some clarity to it. If if you have time for that,
>> go ahead. >> So, Miss Ray has been working with staff as well as guardian staff on her request. On March 23rd, she was advised via email that the due process is to appear before Ahack. Ahack would review the situation and make a recommendation
which would be forward to the board accounting commissioner. She's also advised that we've discussed it. It's her request is not consistent with local or state policies. However, she has every right to ask for an a waiver and would need to submit the information in
order to do so. Uh the next meeting at that time was scheduled for April 8th. Miss Ray did submit an agenda item for April 8th, but on a completely separate initiative. She did not ever request to be on the AHACK meeting for the subordination exemption request for that
meeting. her lender reached out this week and the same information was shared. The next AHACK meeting is July 8th. In order to be on that meeting, she would need all of that information submitted to us by July 1st. We will bring her to the A-Hack meeting. Then the A-Hack board would make a
recommendation. Then that recommendation would come to this board. All right. >> Yes, ma'am. All right. Thank you. Um, Mr. Steel, you're recognized. >> Yeah. I'm Dan Steel, 202 May Lane, Interlockan. Uh Larry, about two months
ago, I asked you if you would uh drive out to our area and take a look at our roads and some of the situation with people living in trailers, tents, everything like that. Have you been out there yet? >> Yes, sir. >> Pardon? >> Yes, sir. >> You was? >> I was. >> Uh what all you see?
>> Saw the same thing you see, sir. >> Well, uh Okay. Uh did you drive on the road with your new guy? >> I'm sure. I'm sorry. I'm debating. I'm >> Anyway. Yeah, I I don't really believe that or not. Anyway, uh Joshua, the new
district 4 candidate for commissioner, uh last Tuesday night, he came to our MSBU meeting out there at Interlockan and he contacted me Wednesday and wanted to take a look at the area. We spent almost two hours riding around. I don't
know what Larry's seen, but we looked at tents in the woods. Trash. You couldn't hardly see the ground from the trash in front of the tents. We went pe past people's houses that have got trash so much in the yard. It's on the other side
on the county side of the fence. Uh we went on uh roads where uh Tuttle had graded out there and the next road over to where our greater operator had graded. You could have did 40 and 50 mph
where the other GR greater operator grade them. The our greater operator I had to stop. It got so darn rough out there. I can't even take my fifth wheel trailer out to go camping unless I let the air halfway
out of the tire so it rides smooth going down the road. And I'm getting kind of sick of it. And I'll tell you what, there's got to be something done about our area out there. There's one neighbor not too far from me, just uh less than a quarter
mile away that cleans out houses. Must be. I don't know. He does. He's got a big trailer probably 15, 18 foot long loaded with commercial black bags. He's stacking them on county property down the road from his house.
He's got some in his front yard. And I've actually, and I've got witnesses, the garbage truck will back up to their house. Sometimes the driver and the guy that loads the tracks back up there and for 10 minutes throws bags in the back of the garbage truck. That's how bad it
is out there. And then now I guess they wouldn't pick it up anymore. So now they're just stacking alongside the road. Now what are we going to do about this now? I guess I'm supposed to take waste my gas, my time, go to these people's
houses, write down their address, come back, fill out the complaint, put my name down, which I don't care about that, and turn these people in when you've got people right here that are getting paid to do a damn job. Now, I'll
tell you what. You want to hire me? >> I'll go do it. I'll ride every darn street in Putnham County. I'll write every place up. I'll sign my name to them. All you got to do is put gas in the truck and give me a truck driver out. >> Sir, still your time's up. Thank you. >> Huh?
>> Your time is up. Thank you. >> Yeah, I want something done. >> Mr. Harvey, you're recognized. >> All right. All right. Next we have Allegra Kitchens. >> Allegri Kitchens, 1027 South 12th Street, Palaca, Florida. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> I've come here to speak in support of two things. First of all, >> Allegra Kitchens, 1027 South uh 12th Street, Paca, Florida. I've come to speak in support of two things. First of all, the first amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees
our right of freedom of speech. It doesn't say that you can't do hate speech, that you can't do good speech. It's unlimited freedom of speech. Secondly, I stand in support of Commissioner Walton Peliser, my commissioner that I voted for, as I voted for all of you, but Mr. Peliser, I voted for him every time he ran, and
when he runs again, I will vote for him. Uh while what he said may have been a tad uh rude to some degree about the Iranian regime, he was not talking about the Iranian people. The Iranian people like the majority of the Germans under the Nazis but in the 30s and the 40s and
like the majority of the Russians under the communists in the 50s,60s,7s and 80s are good people but they are ruled by an evil demonic regime which subjugates them. They are our enemies. The regime of Iran is our enemies. Our enemies say
death to America, not our friends and not our brothers. The people of Iran, the citizens and the citizens of the people of Iran and the United States support the United States and support the overthrow of the demonic tyrannical Iranian government. And I just want to
say I support what Mr. uh Peliser said. Again, it may have been a slang term. The military uses worse terms than that. And I certainly people who knew know me know I would have said something way worse than that. So I just want to defend his right to uh give his opinion
of the enemies of the United States. Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um with that um back to commissioner comments. I'd like to address a couple things. Um first of all, flock cameras is not something that
this board ever voted on. It's not something that came before this board. It is not our decision to make. If you have a problem with block cameras, then I suggest you take it up with the elected sheriff. He is the he is it's falls completely under him and you're welcome to have that conversation with
him. Um, regarding uh data centers, I do want to have another conversation about that. I know that another county had um discussed um was it Nassau County that discussed banning those? Uh could we have some discussion regarding that? um
particularly is that an option um county attorney. >> So you're talking about uh Nassau County is pursuing a moratorum >> moratorium. Thank you. >> On the data center issue. Um and you know what being that I represent a number of counties. I do not represent
Nassau County, so I'm not going to give them legal advice. But with Senate Bill 180, I think that's really a dangerous place to be. And the reason why I say that is even though Senate Bill 180 that was passed last year is in the emergency operations sections of the statute, it
does say that a county cannot and it doesn't just say pass. It says a county cannot propose um or approve any comprehensive plan amendment that is more restrictive or burdensome than the current plan. Well, the companion to that kind of discussion
is that in a moratorum, the whole purpose of a moratorum is you have to be actively pursuing changes to your regulations. So, I don't know how you would reconcile those two things um and still be in compliance with state law. Now, Senate Bill 180 will sunset October
1st of 2027. So, I expect that there will be a number of local governments, counties, and municipalities around the state that are going to make some sort of changes. But as it stands right now, um there is a there was a bill that was passed during regular session. Um the
committee substitute for a committee substitute for I believe it was Senate Bill 484 does provide some additional protections. It does give local governments the authority to maintain
and exercise control for the responsibilities of land development regulations as well as comprehensive plan. It does provide uh limited public records exemption. Think of it like economic development where they can keep stuff out for 12 months. It does. It It
originally started on the Senate side where it required some tariffs, but those were I'm sorry, the tariffs are still in the requirement of the public services commission to promulgate rules that moved from a requirement to more of
a suggestion. Um it does require that I think part of the tariff discussion was that if one is coming into a community whether it's county or municipality um that those tariffs would have to pay for any sort of infrastructure changes so that
um if there was a large anticipated electrical draw it wouldn't be a special assessment to the remainder of the people who are serviced by that provider to have to pay for that infrastructure improvement. Um there was also some
discussion as part of that bill for uh consumptive water use. There was discussion as to the department of environmental protection as well as with the water management district. Um with them there's not as strong as I think I
would have preferred. There's a requirement to use reclaim water but the caveat to that is only if it's available. So there are a number of changes. The governor has not yet signed the bill. However, it did pass both the House and the Senate. I would expect based on the government governor's
comments that it will be signed before too long. And then special session starts today that's really dealing with um the reortionment or redistricting. But one of the things that is in discussion is the AI bill that had passed the Senate. It did not pass the House. That is really I think geared
more towards um a lot of the discussion is protecting minors. um to make people aware when you are speaking to an AI bot. Um there's the legislaturator is going to have a discussion as to whether or not they want the federal government to kind of impose those rules or whether
or not the state of Florida is going to take the lead on on providing some regulations. So that's kind of the state of where things are as we speak. >> Um so did the governor did indicate that he was going to sign that that bill, Senate Bill 484. Are there any
restrictions on agriculture land on that? I thought I read something where there where he was limiting or pro maybe prohibiting data centers from going on agriculture zone land. I thought I read that. >> That may be true. And there's been so much discussion back and forth. I need
to go back and look at that. >> Okay. All right. No problem. Um, Commissioner Harvey. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, for bringing this item up. As you know, we've been bombarded on social media. people sit behind there with a keyboard and they're an expert and they don't call us and
find out. Um, you know, the conversation's simple. We work for y'all. There's none of us up here that don't think that we work for the for the citizens of Putinham County. If you have a question, please call us. You know, um, nobody wants to see these data
centers use up the amount of stuff that they supposed to use up, but I don't have enough information on it to make a decision right now. But truly, from what I've heard, I don't like it. But truly, just give us a call, please. We're we're readily available. You know, yesterday I
I responded to three emails and all of them apologized for believing social media. So, again, we work for you. Um, give us a call. We'll be glad to help. And Madam Chair, on another item,
I'm glad that we have freedom of speech. I'm glad we have public comments for multiple occasions. I'm glad we have the ability for people to come up here and share their grievance or their problem with us, but it shouldn't be used as a
weapon. And I'll just say that. And today I felt like it's kind of a weapon to to some things. You know, I'm looking at the MSBUs and for those in the audience that don't know, that's municipal service benefit unit. People in West Putinham pay an annual rate to
get most of their roads graded. It's not like the county's doing it. The county, we set this up many years ago, Kevin Derser did, did when he was a commissioner, and the county pretty much said, "Okay, good. Y'all take it." And if you drive the road in front of my
house, we paid $215 a year for 15 years to get that road paved. We paid it, not the county. So there's mechanisms in place, but I'm counting over 18,000 partials under MSBU control in West
Putinham just in my district alone. And a comment was made about squatters. Well, squatters don't squat on their own land. They squat on somebody else's land. And you know what happens to your land when somebody does that and you live up north or you live in Phoenix,
Arizona? You get a letter that says your property is in disarray. You get a letter that you're being fined because of the condition of your property that you didn't even do. You had no idea that it was even being done. And when you go
to the most subdivided undersold lots in Florida, Enelarch and Lake Estates is that area. Trust me. When you have 75 by 125 lots, okay, these people from all over the country
think they own a piece of Florida. They do, a very, very small piece. But if somebody's squatting on that property, sure, we want to know about it, but the mechanism is to contact the landowner and let them know there's a problem
before fines start to occur. And that's going to be that's always been the big million-dollar question is how do we control that? But again, I support freedom of speech. Come up here and slam me if you want, but I ride by them all
the time. And we do turn them in and we do try to take care of it. But know that the people that are using it are not the ones going to pay the fine. It's the homeowner. It's the land owner that lives out somewhere else. and maybe they should have better control on their
property. I can't talk about that. I can only tell you what I do on my property and I want to keep it clean. So, Madam Chair, if I felt a little frustrated today, I was. But I don't like any of our commissioners being picked on because we all work very hard in this community. So, that's my comments. Thank
you. >> Thank you. And I will I will say I remember back in the 80s, Interlark and Lake Estates was sold as $99 down to $99 a month. And a lot of people bought into that and then they never moved down here and they still own it and they've given
their property to kids or whatever and and that's certainly an issue out there. And the other issue you have in your district is you have a combination of roads. Not every road in Interlark and Lake Estates is public road. Not every one of them is MSBU. There are many private roads. So when somebody turns a
road and they go, "Well, what's the diff? Why does this road good and this one's not?" That's part of the concern is that you've got three different you've got private roads, you've got MSBU roads, and you have public roads. So, it's it's a challenge in your area. And to be honest, I wouldn't want to be
your district. Just saying. Uh, Commissioner New I mean, Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. Well, um, I'm a lot better looking than he is, but anyhow, I don't know how you guys confused. Um, Mr. Commando,
has there been any new legislation proposed regarding the AI data centers or any type of zoning changes still going to have to go before the commission? >> So, um, as you have the discussion, I think
it's kind of helpful to separate AI and separate data centers. >> Yeah, data center. >> The data center legislation was the one that I was talking about before this, uh, committee substitute Senate Bill 44. Um, the AI bill is going to be one that will be discussed this week during special session.
>> Excuse me, let me rephrase that. Will a proposed data center still become come before the county commission to be approved for reasonzoning? >> Yes, it would. >> So there's no >> the governor signs the bill. >> There's no Yeah, I think even if the governor doesn't sign the bill, we still
come before you. >> Okay. But so there is no way that you see that a data center could be built within the confines of Putnham County without being brought before the commission. >> That's my that's my opinion. Yes.
>> Okay. With that being said, the five of us spent the better part of our last year fighting for the watershed and the water resources of this county. I very seriously doubt that anything that would
be detrimental to our watershed would appeal to the board of Putnham County. >> Well, I think I think that what happens on social media is um people see it and they run with it. And in this case,
there was an advertisement for a piece of property and and then I think Mr. Brown said it earlier. You know, you can sell your property however you want to sell your property. If you want to advertise it as X and Y and B, it could be all those things, but that doesn't
mean it really is. And so, um, buyer beware, just like he said, you got to look, do your own due diligence. And, um, just because somebody's marketing a piece of property for a certain thing doesn't mean that it would get approved. I I am appreciative of the process of a
Senate Bill 484 and the fact that it will come back to the county. Yes. Did I say it wrong? >> No. No. I just was going to follow up on your question. >> Okay. >> So, the bill you were talking about with agricultural land was House Bill 107. >> Okay. >> That bill was was more restrictive.
However, during legislative session, it was laid on the table in favor of them pursuing the Senate Bill 484. >> So, it didn't come along with 484. >> That did not make it through to the final bill. >> All right. Well, what's happened in the in the past, just so the public knows, is um things not everything gets to come
in front of the county commissioner for approval. For example, solar farms. We didn't get to vote on solar farms. We didn't get to vote on the um battery plant. We didn't get to vote on um the schools. The state the state does that.
the state decides. Well, we yes, we have an agreement with them, an interlocal agreement, but the state's the permitting entity, not the county. So, there's a lot of things that people think that we have the power to do, and sometimes the state strips us of that. Another one which was brought up today is the codes enforcement.
Codes enforcement. Somebody has to report the problem. That's a state law. We have literally had a a legislature who voted on that law call and ask us to turn somebody in and our response was if you care that much about it, you turn
them in. You turn them in because it's not um that's the way the law says. The law says that the codes enforcement has to have somebody turn it in. They have to give their name and address. So, I find it ironic that the two people that come in and come in every month and complain about the same issue
immediately get up and leave and they don't listen and don't let us address them because if they sat here and let us address them, then they would know that it's we're doing everything we can. We've got a whole codes enforcement group. They go out and they do they're doing the best they can, but again, somebody's got to turn them in.
>> So, that was the followup to my comment earlier. >> Okay, go ahead. >> That was a follow-up. Go ahead. >> No, I have a follow-up to that. I wanted to add um I don't know if most of you saw during the recess that um officer Z as we referred to her came up and let me
know that she has been training uh an additional two maybe three codes enforcement officers and are we fully staffed now? So we should see a decline in our backlog. Um she's had those folks trained. She said it's been killing her to be off the street and not doing her
job, but she wanted to make sure they dotted their eyes and crossed their tees. So when they brought a case before us, it was ready to go. I applaud her for doing that, but uh I look forward to seeing some of these cases being resolved. >> All right. And then one other thing that was brought up was Miss Ray. Um I took
some good notes. And Miss Ray, I want to apologize that I was not at the meeting. I was not feeling well. Um I was not at your at the meeting, but um as far as subordination, the when when she mentions Grand Pines, I believe there's a huge difference. So could you help me understand that difference? Well, the I
think the confusion is the circumstances. So, the policy outlines circumstances and her circumstance doesn't fall within the guidelines of the policy. So, what Miss Ray needs to request would be essentially exempting her individual situation from the
policy. Again, that is a um request that would be heard by Ahack and then a recommendation from AHACK as to whether or not they approve exempting that policy to the board of county commissioners would then be remitted from that board to this board. So that
that is why the circumstances are different. So whenever um the pol the policy states certain exemptions and those exemptions are like in an emergency situation that kind of thing can do you I don't have those in front of me. >> I don't have it in front of me or
qualified hardship um qualified hardships that that the policy remember we're dealing with both a local policy and a state policy. So both make some provisions. Um and so that's where the circumstances matter and so that is why
the due process of this request has to follow the the alternative which because we're literally asking to make an exemption from the policy >> and the okay and so what she has stated in her previous conversation was that she was I think asking for the
subordination because of a loan that she's getting to create a nonprofit. That's what we that's what our understanding is and that does not meet the criteria. >> Ma'am, if I may, I never had a chance to give the reason I'm requesting the subordination. >> That's fine. >> So, there's three points. One, the
information I'm given is very contradicting. I have the policy that I was sent in writing right here in front of me and it does not mention Ahack at all. This is what was sent to me and my lender by the SHIP administration. It says the policy of the county is not to
subordinate it and requests for waiver of the policy must be in writing from the lending institution and submitted to the Putham County Ship Administration. Nowhere on this policy that is in writing as a subordination policy does it mention the Ahack.
>> Okay. >> And so what I always default to a written policy rather than a verbal policy. Yes. >> So if that's not correct, that needs to be first >> addressed. And like I said, from the very beginning, the information giving to the citizens that are trying to do
things by the book, this process has been delayed from December till now we're almost in May. >> And that's the first point. >> Yes, ma'am. >> The second point is the wording of my contract says a refinance. We didn't
have a mortgage. We've never mortgaged our home. We bought it outright cash. There's nothing to refinance. >> And and you're and you're you got your money for a down payment assistance or for a repair? >> Rehab. >> Okay. For rehab. And it's more than 50% paid back.
>> Yes. >> Okay. So you you're asking for subordination on the remaining balance which is roughly >> 16,000 maybe. >> Okay. All right. And so your next request is to be put place on the agenda. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> Okay. All right. Okay. Thank you. >> And madam chair. >> Yes. >> So looking at the policy, the basis to consider such merits are emergency needs arising out of natural disasters, emergency repairs which eliminate a threat to health, safety, or the
documents that eliminate an immediate or imminent danger of the dwelling. Refinancing to a lower interest rate on the first mortgage if the closing costs can be recovered within four years. Refinancing for educational purposes. Refinancing for medical emergencies. and
whether or not there's sufficient equity to support out all outstanding mortgages. Those are the basises that basis. >> Read the last one again. I'm sorry. >> If there's sufficient equity to support all outstanding mortgages. So those are the criteria that are considered by the board and the AHAC is a delegated
authority extension by the board um which is created under statute doesn't have to actually be part of our LHAP or policy. So those are the things and Miss Ray did include in her request there's an email request where she was asking to support the nonprofit. So that you're
correct that's where that kind of concept came from. It didn't have to actually be presented here before the commission. So based on at least the information that the county has this doesn't meet your own criteria. So that creates kind of problems for other people. And understanding that the good
news is that there's not a mortgage on the property. So, there's nothing that would prohibit Miss Ray or any other applicant from refinancing to take additional money out as part of the refinance to then just pay off that outstanding debt. And that's kind of the idea. >> I got you. Okay. All right. All right. I
think we're done with public comments. Um, moving on to in our agenda to commissioner committee updates. Is there anybody that has a committee update? Starting with Commissioner Newold. Um
nothing really committee-wise. I'm working on a project for um animal code enforcement that is moving forward. We'll see some activity in that space in the near future. Other than that, I don't have anything to report. >> All right. Do you want to go ahead and give any commissioner comments? That way
you don't have to uh stay on the phone if you don't want to. >> No. Um I will defer. I appreciate the opportunity. Um, I will do that when I'm in person. And thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner Alexander. If you want to give committee
updates along with um just go ahead and give committee updates. >> Okay. I have none for the committee updates. I do have some comments later down the road. >> All right. Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> I have none. >> Commissioner Palisier. >> Um, I recently resigned from the CRA board.
>> Okay. >> Um, busy schedule. Um there's more than I can fit in in there. Meeting times didn't work with some of my scheduling. Um but would not mind picking up anything else that might be available if you need some help with. So kind of get with me and let me know what what those might be.
>> All right, sounds good. Um appointments is there and I I have no committee updates at this time either. Appointments. Commissioner Alexander, >> I have a couple I'm working on. I will update hopefully by the next meeting. >> Commissioner New, do you have any appointments? >> I have none. >> All right. Commissioner Harvey, >> I have none, Madam Chair. Commissioner
Pelisir, >> I have none. >> All right, moving into comments. Clerk of court. >> Good morning, commissioners. Um, just as an update, our uh customer service center building has been completed and is we're ready to move in. So, we'll be doing a ribbon cutting coming up on May
8th, and I'll ensure that all of you get an invite. County administration gets an invite, and uh we're looking forward to having y'all down there. >> All right. Very good. That's exciting. Um, county attorney, >> nothing additional, Madam Chair. Thank Thank you for your comments today. I know we asked you a lot of questions and
uh made you earn your keep today. >> County Administrator. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh just a few things. Uh first of all, if we could um if we could uh ask uh Deputy Administrator Grimes if he could give us an update on where we are with the uh
with the fires that we have and then we'll follow up with the conversation about uh extending the local state of emergency. >> Yes, sir. Well, it's still good morning. Thank you. >> Morning. >> So, um, as you know, last week we
started actually Friday the week before with a fire in the Milick Road area. Uh, consumed about 50 acres around several homes. Um, we were able to quickly extinguish that with our partners from the Florida Forest Service. Um, that one we brought down. We were pretty much
wrapped with it up with it about Saturday. Um, and then Sunday came along and I thought one of our former pastors hit it on the head when he says uh he liked to start a new week there because it gave him fresh feeling. I said, "Well, there's nobody that wanted a fresh start on s Sunday this week than your fire
rescue folks because um they did a lot of work over a oneweek period um that pretty much wrapped up that railroad complex fire on uh Sunday afternoon. So, we spent a week on on just that fire alone. Uh many of you know and have seen
it consumed roughly about 4,800 acres. Um we ours fire was originally caught somewhere in that neighborhood of about 500 acres on that s Sunday afternoon. Um but as many of you may know that the when the train
started the fires along the tracks, it had started some up in the Klay County area as well and those fires did come down and reach our county. the fires were directed to come together as a plan by forestry. So, they did some burnout operations to bring those two fires
together. Um, just so everybody knows, inside of that that a lot of people didn't know, Chief Back actually gave me the information yesterday inside that area of operation, there was about 380 homes that were saved, not even burnt, damaged, heat, smoke, or anything else. And around 80 businesses um that were
not um damaged on that fire. So, our fire rescue folks um with our amazing partners did great work um to keep everybody's property safe. Um so, all in all, that fire went well. We did not have any we did not sustain any injuries to any of our folks. Um but we
do want you to keep in mind of the two people that have lost their lives during these wildfires um that were postcary to the fire itself. Both of them medical conditions um because it not only stressful in a situation, it is often difficult to unwind off of those type of incidents. So, um, we did have lost one,
u 25-y year veteran from the Florida Forest Service that serves most of the time in Klay County. Um, and we did lose a volunteer firefighter in the Nassau County area that was fighting, I think it was the maybe the Brantley County fires. Um, so, uh, all in all, the local
task local fire rescue folks and our local forestry folks are off of the railroad complex fire. Um, that's still being monitored by a task force that's been brought in by the state of Florida. um forestry that's monitoring that every day. So, we're still there. Um you'll see things probably over the next few
weeks where we'll probably see an active reburn uh because what'll end up happening is the pine needles and stuff and the trees will fall and you'll see some additional fire type activity, but we're we're ready to handle that as it comes. Um so, that whole area is being monitored. Um late last week, I can't
even tell you what day it was when the Mondex started back off. Um that fire has been had been burning for about three weeks. Um it was a lightning strike if you guys remember that storm that passed by shortly after the fair. Um it had been mitored by the land owner out there. Um it was driven by the the
the winds we had um middle of the week last week. Um that fire went from probably about 150 acres. It's up to about 400. It's still contained. Um it's still being monitored uh by the Florida Department of Forestry. Um, and then we
also have a fire at Pace Court. Um, I've often said that one needs a social security number. We've had it since the 31st of January. Um, that it's it's a muck fire that's been burning and everybody knows it's hit the news. It's had uh delays from your um schools um
traffic delays. Um now what we're seeing there is it's really creating a dangerous situation for our firefighters. um is you're starting to see trees fall because um a lot of people don't realize when that muck burns it's burnt about 3 foot of that leveled off which exposes a lot of the roots to the pine trees and they're
starting to fall over with the winds. So we've really had to been cognizant of our folks that we're sending in there to do mop up. Um, and that one currently, um, the Florida State Division of Forestry brought in a a strike team, which so everybody kind of understands what that means. Um, is it six like
kind, uh, fire rescue type apparatus that they brought in, um, they're from West Palm Beach, um, Broward, Asterero, um, and maybe a few more that have come up here. They were a state request. They
were staged at Cecil Field. um our forest area supervisor Jason Fosche was able to secure them for here and they today are working mop up at Pace Court and Milikin. So um as our local folks because believe it or not when these fires happen our 911 system doesn't shut off. Uh so we still have the same
problems we have every day. So our folks still have to answer those calls. So um we realized then early on in these and thank you so much to our emergency management department with Mr. Stefan and Miss Danny. Um they recognized it early with works with chief back and
ordered up some resources. Um we ordered up two engine strike teams um from the state of Florida and also a brush strike team. We were able to secure the um local I mean the two engine strike team structural strike teams from um some of
our local partners out of St. John's um Flaggler, City of Palm Coast, and Marian County sent up units uh to help with structural protection. Um also, um we ended up getting a um task force uh that
was requested out of Central Florida um Oyola Orange, Palm Bay, um and all have sent units up and they actually were at our EOC for a better part of a week um that helped us run structural protection. And we actually ended up letting uh that unit actually respond up
into Klay County to assist them because um as we had gotten our fire away from our residents and our businesses, we were able to let that unit assist Klay County and let some of their folks um take a break because it was really hard because we were not the only agency or
the only county that is in a wildfire predicament, right? that when we requested these, the whole entire state was under pretty much was underneath a red flag warning um with huge winds and low humidities. So, as you asked for these resources out of other counties,
they're a little more cautious because they may have something at at their home field, right? So, um it was very So, we're very very thankful for the ones that were able to be sent. Um they did a lot of work for us. They were great to have here. Um uh they they came up here, they just they just wanted to work,
right? So, I mean, they were very, very good. Uh, very thankful to have them. But, uh, right now, today, I'm going tell you that we're in for those fires are in good shape and in good hands. Um, I do still worry about our ongoing fire conditions. I think we're still in for a
long haul. Um, this that little bit of rain that some people have been fortunate enough to get over the last few days has not taken us out of a any type of drought situation. Um, matter of fact, we've got today for the board chair to continue our burn ban. Um, it's important. Um, it's going to take, we
kind of joked about it's going to take rain with a name, uh, because we really seriously need a lot of rain. Um, I was able to speak to the land owner on the Mandex fire and said he usually walks through chest deep water to get where that actual fire is. And I promise you, he walked it two and a half miles and
never got his feet wet. Um, so it's going to take a lot of rain to overcome that. It's not going to be a quarter inch shower in the afternoon or even a oneinch shower in the afternoon um, as we move forward. But um that's kind of where we are state today. Um our fire rescue folks like I said did an amazing
job. Uh how in the world the old castle mulch plant is still there is is beyond my recollection. It's that's was thankful for the good Lord and some answered prayers as we were praying in the truck. Uh but it's still there. We didn't lose it. Um if anybody knows that
mulch is very very easy to catch on fire and along with old dead cypress trees. Um and we didn't lose any of that. We had several fires in the piles that we were able to capture. Um, but I'll tell you, you know, we have an amazing team
here. Um, people don't realize that we all shift roles and gears and things that we don't normally do, right? So, um, we had made sure our business community stepped up like you wouldn't believe. Um, our citizens stepped up like you wouldn't believe for donations.
Um, I think the county ended up feeding firefighters one day. the business community did it the rest. >> Um, and I mean, you're not talking about buying 10 meals. You're talking about buying 120 to 150 meals twice a day. Um, the American Red Cross did great. I mean, they've they put it together every
afternoon, but it was our local businesses that cooked and gave those meals to the Red Cross. Um, so beyond thankful for that kind of stuff. Miss Julian and Mr. Suggs coordinated all the other stuff that we just couldn't do, right? I mean, because the this show
still has to go on, you know, as we got that going on out there. But, um, Miss Julian made sure that the firefighters ate every single meal um for for a week. And I mean, that is no small task um especially when you're trying to get them in, get them out, get them back in in in the field. So, um that operation
continues today. Um but, uh big thank you to the community. Thank you to the commissioners for our support or your support. Um, but like I said, everybody did a a phenomenal job uh to not lose any residential homes in that because we could have been just like the
poor folks in in Brantley County, Georgia that can't have the same thing today like that they I cannot imagine what those folks are experiencing. Uh my sister actually lives in the neighborhood that burned down. 52 of her neighbors lost their homes in that fire. So, as we had it very bad, we always do
have people that had it worse. So, I'm just very thankful for what we were able to get accomplished in this last few weeks. >> Yes, sir. Thank you for Thank you for that. Um, rain with the name is exactly right. >> I never thought I'd ask for one of those either, but you're right. Um, and on the
burn ban, we do have um another burn ban that that has been asked to be signed again today. And again, like I mentioned before, those work by law a week at a time. We have to review those every week. Um, I know citizens sometimes wonder why we don't make it for two or
three weeks or a month. Well, that's why because the state says you got to review it every day, every week and take a look at it and then sign it. So, just you guys have authorized me in the past. I assume you're going to continue to authorize me to sign those as needed, right? >> Um, and and as far as the businesses,
what was wonderful about that in our community is you didn't even have to ask. >> Nobody even asked. They just show up. And that's one of the things that absolutely warms my heart about this community is people in this community love it and they want to help when they
can and some can't other than maybe a prayer and we'll be glad to take all the prayers we can get but at the end of the day we we have a wonderful community and I want to thank the businesses and the individuals who stepped up to help out our um firefighters and everyone working
working the fires. Um going into um do you have anything else? I'm sorry. administrator. >> Uh yes, ma'am, if I could. Uh just a few followups and then and then one new business. You know, talking about the LSC, you know, uh there was some
agencies around us that went and did the uh local state of emergency and and it was requested for us, but I wanted to say publicly you five were proactive in what we're doing. You took this initiative several weeks ago and because that we were able to move things into
place and get things moving. so much quicker. That's why we had the success we had. Not only do we have an outstanding group of of folks that work for Putnham County and Fire Rescue and and you got Mr. Grimes and Miss Holmes. I'm sorry. I did it myself, didn't I?
Miss Young. Uh thank you, Commissioner. That's your fault. Uh but uh but all honestly, that's why we're able to do the things that we do because of what you were proactive in doing and giving us that state of emergency. So, uh, want to say kudos to you guys for that because that really made a huge
difference. I want to give a a shout out to Reverend Carl Flag who reached out each and every one of us. Uh, what what did we need? What could what could he do for us? And, uh, my my response back to Reverend Flag was prayers and rain. And I believe he got both of them for us.
So, uh, I just want to make sure, uh, he knows how much we appreciate it when he reaches out because when he reaches out, he's reaching out from the heart and we appreciate that. So, uh, those are some of the things that, you know, Mr. Grimes touched on it. We have folks from Tallahassee to Palm Beach here and and
all parts in between. And because of that and that service and that dedication that they bring with them, we were able to do the things that we did and saved all the houses and businesses. And he's absolutely right. Mr. Grimes is correct. Without them, it would have been a much different uh scenario. So,
uh, thank you guys for that. Uh my last comment is about the resurfacing list. We've talked about this for a while. When we look at areas of being able to create efficiency and save dollars, uh it took a leap of faith on you five uh
for for putting that plan in place today. Thank you, uh Mr. Stout and Mr. Nullles for putting that together. I think you're seeing the dividends of what that staff out there is doing now. So, I think moving forward on on this three-year resurfacing list is really
going to pay huge dividends. It's going to be cost-effective. It's going to be efficient and we're going to be able to move resources around where we couldn't before. And again, that's because you five balled into the concept and we appreciate that very much, Madam Chair. That's my comments. >> Thank you. Um, we'll go into commissioner comments. Commissioner
Newbold, did you have any comments you wanted to make? I know I asked you before, but are you're still there? >> Well, I'll keep it short. Nothing substantive. Um, you know, thank all of our EMS staff, all of the all of all of the the folks organizing everything
around um, you know, just the fire safety and the the being able to save homes and and those people really have gone above and beyond and I can't thank them enough. Um, uh, you know, I was worried that the Blueberry Festival wouldn't come off
because of the, you know, the fire danger and and and things of that nature. Um that was a big success. Thanks to every all the volunteers and you know the difference that makes to the the Boston community. Um those are the only things I have. I appreciate you
guys um allowing me to come in from afar. Um very helpful and um I will see you all later in the week. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Nold. Commissioner Alexander, you're recognized. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Again, um, thank
you to our fire and EMS staff, J.R., Julian, and Mr. Suggs, that we are very fortunate to have you guys. We are very fortunate to not have lost a business or a home or more importantly a a firefighter or staff. So, thank you guys. That's very, that's an amazing
feat. Uh, a couple of things came up. I didn't have time to put it on the new business simply because we it came up in our pre-commission meeting yesterday, but wanted to u bounce something off of my other commissioners um and see what your appetite might be.
So, through the course of my discussion with Mrs. Young, we talked about the success of the local ball tournaments and and what a great driver that has become as far as an economic driver. We see people driving in and recognizing
what a great community we have. It it builds our businesses. It builds interest in our real estate. Um it builds interest in us and as a community. But as these ball fields are used, we we're actually we're beginning to run out of space. Um and it takes
time to permit to build and you know to provide those spaces uh for our community. But we have an option as we have additional baseball fields within the city that are not being utilized.
Fred Green, Shaw Buck, and um Forester. So, I wanted to talk to you guys and see if you would allow me the opportunity again to speak with the city and see if
they were interested in allowing us to use those facilities or lease those facilities and take over the maintenance on those potentially. We now now have a full-time turf guy. Um, we have new equipment that we that we've bought. Obviously, I'll
have to talk to staff, but I wanted you to see if you guys would give me the blessing to pursue that avenue and bring back a formal presentation, if it's feasible, what it might cost, and then we could at that point decide whether if it's something we want to move forward with.
>> Most definitely. >> I I would be interested um in seeing I thought Fred Green was being used. >> They they are to a degree, but I want to have a more more management more control over all of the facilities so that we
can provide the oversight when scheduling tournaments and such. I >> I don't have a problem uh with you having conversation and I appreciate you bringing it up for discussion. Um, I just want to make make it clear that everything would have to come back to the board%. And that that was my last comment
>> that we don't make um any perceived promises because sometimes people think that when a commissioner says something it's like golden and therefore if it's on Facebook or if it's on Facebook it's true. So I just want to make sure that when you're having conversations that conversation.
>> Absolutely. And that's why I brought it before the board. So we have accountability, we have transparency and I wanted the authorization from my fellow board members to pursue that avenue to provide us the resources should these >> see what their needs are and that kind of thing. I'm good with that. I just
again I want to caution um because people perceive things that just sometimes aren't true. And so having a conversation with the city and saying what are you doing? What's your because I think I heard on one of the county on the city meetings they had some plans for Fred Green. That's why I mentioned that one particularly, but just see what
they um Eddie Cutright runs their recreational department. He does and um >> um see see what he what they have planned for, what they have funding for and um bring whatever you know I I don't have a problem with that. I just would like to make sure that they understand
that everything's coming back to the board. >> Absolutely. And that was why preface it would it would come back before the board for a vote. So what I would like is a a wave of approval from you guys and I will be working with Miss Young on that >> to see if it's feasible and uh we'll go
from there. Secondly, um I have not been engaged in any type of partnership with the city. I don't know if that's something that we can do. Um, but as an economic driver, um, I was talking to
some of the staff, um, from the TDC and we were talking about different events that had gone on and how we might make those events better and more efficient. Um, and the topic came up of the Tilman House parking lot. It's just a random dirt lot that they throw boats and
motors in and people during events. If would there be an opportunity to partner with the city to pave that and make it a more organized facility so that even like blue crab festival or something like that we could place addition add additional vendors on an
asphalt surface or additional vendors for our bass tournaments. Is there an option to partner with them for design and funding that because it is a benefit to the entire community just not this not just the city it is a benefit to the county or how does that work? I I'm not
sure, but I I will say a couple things that you are in the historic district in that building. And so, of course, there's a historic board on that. And then second, um when you pave something, >> it usually has to go into another category of water retention, draining,
and that kind of stuff. If they're already using it for parking, then can we just continue using it for parking or I mean, it's not like they're precluding people from parking there, right? >> Absolutely not. They are not. Um the the goal would be
in my opinion and and again that's why I bring it before the board. Um there are certain things that I I don't have experience in and I look for guidance from staff and from my other commissioners but um >> and I appreciate that. Um >> the appearance would be better for our
community downtown and it would also provide a better space for vendors during events as well as parking and organization. we could put additional parking there and not just kind of willy-nilly. So that that would be the reason I brought it forward and that that's the premise of the discussion.
>> All right. >> So I think Mr. Grimes had a comment. >> Yeah, Mr. Grimes, you recognized. >> Madam Chair, you did a great job handling it. I was just a little overly concerned with the size of retention pond you had to put on a parking lot uh where you'd probably lose >> then you would lose space. Yep.
>> Yep. But if I could while we're doing plugs, can I do one for fire safety? >> Sure. >> So, as is it just slip my mind until Mr. Newble said something. If the community could understand about during these wildfire seasons is having their house somewhat wild and fire ready, like it
meaning is cleaning out your gutters to make sure there's no leaves, pine straw, things like that inside your gutters. Making sure the fire department has a defendable space around your home, which usually means about a 50 foot radius around your home that's clean and free of debris. um especially flammable debris being vegetation and also the
entrance to your home if you can barely get there. I'm not going to be able to send a fire truck there. So, it's very important to have access to these places because as you will find out real quickly, um a lot of driveways are not firetruck conducive and I mean at the time of the emergency is not the time to
find out. So we could have people just start looking at that in their neighborhoods and if they have community meetings is keeping your house somewhere ready and defendable because if it's not if we can't get there we can't defend it. >> So M I understand what you're saying about the um the drainage on that.
Obviously we all know that but I didn't know what the options were for a semi-permeable surface or how that might be affected. So >> the city may have already looked into that >> and they may. So, um, again, I was just looking for a wave of support to explore different options downtown for the
betterment. >> Well, I don't disagree with that. I'm just cautious. Um, and this is just me obviously speaking. We haven't really discussed our new budget going forward and and there's a lot of things that we want and there's a lot and there's other things that we need and we've had that
conversation before, but I I worry to some degree as we go into our new budget how much money we're going to have because I don't how much funds we're going to have because I I don't think we're going to have a year like we had last year and last year was tight. Um, I
think we could even find ourselves in a more restrictive um, budget than we did this this year that we're in. Um, there's just so many unknowns. I'm cautious about that. Um, that's just me speaking. I don't mind you having a conversation and coming back and telling us whether or not they've they've
already considered it or haven't considered it or whatever. If you want to have that conversation, that'd be great. But I just am cautious about the funding. But I'm going to be that way. I can assure you for in the next but this whole budget cycle I'm going to be that
way. >> I don't disagree. >> Okay. >> To to coin a phrase but as we've seen with most of these projects in the government it takes many many years and and these are just very preliminary discussions but people say that you know you sit up here and you don't do
anything or you don't take action. Well I want people to be aware of what we're doing uh some of the foresight that we have and and some of the options that I'm looking at. So that that's partially why I bring it forth and it's also partially for guidance and know we are stronger as a group than we are
individually and if there's pitfalls that are obvious from the get-go I would expect you guys to bring them for me so I don't spin my wheels and waste my efforts there. >> Right. Right. Right. >> And that that is the purpose of this. So thank you. >> All right. chair, >> just as commentary of this conversation
and hearing um kind of the intent >> if if if there's going to be a conversation with the city, it was evident that they weren't exactly sure where their transportation impact fee dollars would go, this project would qualify. It would be an expansion of pavement services. Um so if the city, if
this is a joint initiative, just a recommendation um as to where some of the the funding could >> Oh, yeah. From their um from their impact piece. >> From the city's impact piece. Correct. >> That's good. That's why I bring this forward. >> Yeah, that's great. That's a great great thought process. Yep. So, you're gonna you're gonna have some conversation,
Commissioner Alexander, and come back. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Is everybody good with that? >> All right. Anything else? >> All right. Commissioner Harvey, you're recognized. >> I think Commissioner Alexander quit while he was winning. It was the point, right? You were winning, so you quit. No
more comments. >> You got to quit while you're >> That's right. Well, Madam Chair, thank you for acknowledging me and want to say um again, we've been really dedicated to our p fire and public safety. Um that's
been years in the making and how much investment have we put into that to make a better fire and public safety around Putinham County. And um and I I applaud the men and women. Uh I said in a speech one time that we run they run in when we
run out, you know, and it's very important to know that they drop their fork and they leave their dinner table and they go protect your place. And I wish we had 50 feet around places and and lock them, but we don't. Might only have 10 feet between house and house
some places. But I agree that, you know, we need to do all we can for our fire and public safety and and we have and we've invested in that heavily and you're seeing some of the results of that. Do want to say that we are still in a drought as we talked about. Um, you
know, the lakes in West Putham are in in bad bad shape. Probably the worst I've ever seen. And uh we need to be mindful of that and wells are still going are running out of water. Um, we did get an inch of rain last Friday night, which
was wonderful. I was out taking videos of it. I was sharing with Mr. Suggs and Jr. Um, that it was finally raining in West Putnham, so there we were all thanking God for that and we continued to do that. Um, but an inch of rain
didn't make a whole lot of difference, I will say. But it did make a puddle, but before the rain ever quit, the puddle was gone and the land soaked it up, which still was very nice. Want to say to the blueberry festival, what a great event that was. I know they have some
challenges to deal with, but you know, Mr. Newold, Commissioner Newold and I bust tables and dig garbage. And I had a lady from from Jacksonville say, "You're a commissioner and you're taking out the garbage." Well, it's a wonderful thing to be able to sit there and talk about
the county with people that are not from the county in an environment where you are cleaning tables off and we had a great time doing that. I know all the commissioners were out there doing something and it was just a really really good event and I applaud the
Blueberry Festival, the people that worked in Boswick, uh Christy and Linda and I I can't name them all but it's amazing and when I left in the afternoon cars were still parked out on 17 trying to get in. So, um, it was really good
and save Robman bass tournament was recently held and that was a good event and the commissioners were out there as well and had a great time that day and just really want to say you're right, Commissioner Alexander, we didn't work this hard to defend the water to watch
something else take the water from us. So, you know, we worked very hard, this board did, uh, in saving that environment and we're going to continue to do that uh, and be mindful of that. And madam chair, thank you for your leadership here today. I'm apologize. I
was a little frustrated, but uh none of us need to be picked on and none of us need to be accused of something we didn't do. And um maybe it is time we stand up and say that's not correct. So thank you very much. And those are the end of my comments. >> And I'm sure like all of us, you write
your area that you represent on a regular basis. >> So uh Commissioner Peliser, you're recognized. Um, I'll jump all around here as I usually do. Um, safe travels home to Commissioner Newold. I hope he's still on the line hears that. Um, I did
ask him about the success of the blueberry festival and he told me just phenomenal. He said cars lined up 17 just people eating pancakes till noon time. It was just great. I wish I could have been there, but I had a niece's wedding to attend in North Carolina,
which was a very nice event and u very happy to be there. I'll say uh far as our money, we have the two best u all of us male commissioners have two female wives, Miss Wilson and Miss
Young, who tell us no all the time about what we can or cannot have moneywise. So, uh and and that's a good thing. That's not a bad thing. Um thank you, Commissioner Wilson, for clearing up the data centers chatter. trying and I'm not
sure what we did but we we gave all the information we have. >> I've been preaching it. We know nothing. Have heard nothing. There is nothing. So there's still nothing. So you got that. Um again, burn man's still on. Encourage everybody. Please be careful even with your if you're barbecuing on a grill
outside. Please be mindful. Cigarette butts, you know, any of that stuff. Just please be careful because it is such a danger. Um, I think I've heard we're 20 to 25 inches in a drought and every month that number just goes up, you know, until we get some significant
rainfall. And and I think did you say it, Mr. Grimes? We need rain with a name. >> And uh that's what it's going to take to put some significant rainfall on the ground to uh to to to combat this. Um, I want to thank Miss Kitchens for her
personal support uh message. And um on a super super happy note, uh I have a uh friend and brother here who um he's one of my Masonic brothers, uh Raymond Winters, who celebrated a milestone yesterday. He is 80 years old and one
day, >> happy birthday. >> So, uh he said that wasn't No, Commissioner Harvey said that wasn't a milestone. I said, "Wait till Yeah, wait till you're 80. Tell me it's not a milestone." But I I think it's a pretty big one. Anyhow, um I think that is it
for me. Um just u keep on keeping on. If you got a rain dance, whip it out. Let's get with it. >> All right. Thank you for your comments. Um regarding the local state of emergency, thank you um Mr. Suggs for reminding us that we were proactive in that and getting that done so that
whenever the time came, it was already in place. I appreciate that. Um this is a sprint, not a marathon. Somebody said that and I totally agree with that. We are going to continue to see droughti conditions even though you get a half inch rain or an inch rain or whatever happens. We um we're going to continue
to um we need citizens to be mindful. Don't throw your cigarette butts out. Follow the burn ban. Uh clear up around your house as much as you can like um uh county administrator deputy administrator uh Grimes said. And I also want to remind people that the lack of
rain means the road grading suffers. So when you're out on the dirt road um you know only days after the grater pass by it will be like a washboard and that's simply because of the dry conditions we're in and they can't get out there fast enough I know for some
people but that's that's the nature of our environment and we're doing everything we can. Our public works is doing everything they can to keep up with the roads but because of the dry conditions it definitely makes a difference. We did have several things going on this weekend. And the blueberry
festival was quite successful. I heard which, you know, again, it wasn't on it was might not be true, but 1,200 pancake meals served that morning. That's what I what my the number I heard. Um I know 600 um pies went out the door by before
10:00. And um so Blueberry Festival was a big success for that community and for the overall community because what they do, what that community does with the funds they receive is they give it back. They improve the community center. Last year they participated and helped with
the um the cover over the playground. They participated in that and then they also give out to the nonprofits that are making a difference in the community. So they are very community mindful and that money doesn't stay in a pot. it goes back out in the community. We also had the Veterans Freedom Fest over at the
fairgrounds Saturday and I appreciate um the people that put that on. It was well attended. I got to stop by there for a little bit and it was um big barbecue and everybody who was there was having a good time. Lots of free stuff for the veterans and then they also had some
kids stuff. So, it was a great great And then a couple bass tournaments happened this weekend. And like we always say, if if you can't find something to do on the weekend, you're not looking because if you just go to the chambers website or you go to visit Palaga, visit Putinham, all the different websites are sharing
all the different things that are going on every weekend. And it's great to have a lot of options available. And finally, I'll um end with thank you again to our firefighters and the crews that were out there. We appreciate the relationships
that we have built that um pay dividends whenever we need them and they come back in our community in the way of uh state and federal uh resources. We had a lot of um heavy hitters coming in. We had Wilton Simpson come in. We had uh the
lieutenant governor come in. Um we had the director of the EOC for the state come in. and it was great great to have them in our community and great to for them to understand our needs and be there to help us. So, we appreciate all
that. But, but we really appreciate the boots on the ground and like um Mr. Grimes said, it's not over. The mop up is still happening. There are some dangers with that as well. It is it's not that we're in the gravy yet. We're not in the gravy. We're still working
the we're we're still working it and uh got a lot of work to to do and like he said on the pace fire. That fire's been continuing since the end of January. And that's some of the stuff that you'll expect is the smoke conditions. So if you're asthmatic or you have allergies,
please uh stay inside and do your best to protect yourself and just be mindful of the conditions that we're in right now. And with that, is there anything else to come from the board? All right, this meeting is adjourned. >> Thank you.