[Music] She also [Applause] [Music] get started. [Music] Father, we thank you right now. We bless your holy name again. Father, we come to
you. Guidance, deep understanding. Thank you for what you've done. We thank you for what you allow us to see, our ears to hear. And father we do become with our citizens
in our heart you know what's best for us is thank you now father but then we come pray for this country this state and these people this county thank you father your goodness and your mercy again help us to do those things which
is right and we bless your holy name now these blessing and all other blessings we ask in Jesus name I pray. Amen. 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. Welcome everyone to our meeting this Tuesday, September, 2025 6 p.m. Have a
conference line set up. Number there is 1 19171022. Access code is 32347. This is not a toll-free number. You may be subject to longest charges according to your business plan. When the chairperson opens the meeting for public comment, please follow the below
instructions. You wish to speak, please dial star five. The moderator will unmute your line. It's your turn to speak and notify you by announcing the last four digits of your telephone number. Please announce your name and address. You'll be allowed to speak for three minutes. Any person permission to address the board regarding an agenda
item will be given three minutes for comment. The commenter may only speak one time for each agenda item. That being said, everyone had a chance to look over your agenda. We'll go on to item three, approval of the agenda.
Motion to approve. Um so when we are looking at projects for CDBG and CDBGDR, um the thing that comes to mind is one of the the eligibility criteria is that you have to meet a national objective. Um the national objective in this case that is
most advantageous for Tamber County to meet is the low to moderate income um national objective. So that means we have to look we're looking at projects in those areas. Um so you've got there's about 400 a little over 400 million available through this program but we
know the vast majority of that 80% of those funds the state of Florida has said they would spend in mode of moderate income areas. And so when we're looking at your projects, we're trying to strategically position them to rank high and get as many points as we can.
And that LMI baseline criteria is always going to be that one because at the end of the day, the state is spending the vast majority of its funds in that area. So we want to get your projects where we can into that bucket. Um the other thing that we're looking at um you know is storm tieback. So we want to be able to
uh tie the project back to the storm in some way. Now, if you're familiar with the FEMA public assistance program, which I'm sure you all are at this point, um even that is more of a repairbased program. So, you have to have damage and they're putting back into place what was there before. Um
CDBGR is a little bit different. You've got a little bit more flexibility with this one uh to look to the future. Um but you also have uh the ability to um to kind of make a um indirect tieback,
right? So in some cases we might be looking at how the hurricane affected your economy which led to this project which may you know result in some sort of solution. In other cases we're looking at how you know flooding may have happened you know during the storm
and maybe it happens on a routine basis. Well, we're tying it back to that storm to show that it happened here. So, when we're looking at these projects, that's what we that's the lens that we view them through is we're trying to make sure you have that storm tieback and make sure that you are um where we can
trying to put, you know, trying to look and and leverage those LMI points. Perfect. Perfect. Okay. Thank you. Great. All right. So, uh moving on to project number two. Um and this is another stretching project. Um this is Deco
Beach, Dark Island, Cedar Island, and Spring Warrior canals. Uh the amount of money that we're going to request here is a little over 30 million. Um and the requested funds will be used to complete the dredging of these areas as well as provide form uh for design and
engineering um for dredging of Spring Warrior Canal. Um so while some of the design and engineering for this project has been completed uh there is some that is not and this is a bigger area. Um when we look at the project that we we looked at previously uh plus this
they're both canal dredging projects. The reason they're separated out two reasons one uh the project number one the steam hatching basin and heat and beach canals that's a little bit further along the process. Um number two is because in that area when we when we couple those projects together um we can
also achieve a higher health and life benefit. We can show that the data shows that there's um there's better impact there. So so that's the reason for those two. Um and of course both of these projects address you know storm dormant storm debris sediment accumulation
following storm surge and uh wind driven impacts. So um any questions on either one of those? All right, project number three, uh the Turner Road storm water project. And the amount of funds we have requested here is a little over 700,000. Um keep in
mind that number may go up a little bit um as we begin as we continue to look at the engineering and design costs, the administration cost, and all the things that go in there. Um but this would be used to implement a new storm water improve implement new storm water improvements along Turner Road. Um this
is a I probably don't have to tell you this. It's a repeatedly flooded area in your community and um it will assess and restore draish capacity to reduce flooding um that uh has rendered the rig impassible um for months at a time. Um so this would be covert upgrades, storm
water conveyance enhancements um mitigation of downstream obstructions and so that would be like vegetative debris and crowd altercations that have disrupted the flow of Weaver Warrior Creek. And um it will include uh the incorporation of limited rightway inside
access work to make sure that um the storm water infrastructure has place to go. Yes, ma'am. Is there any way that another area could be added to that? I texted that to Julie just a few minutes ago and you're talking about the
evacuation route. Is that and also well I was going to mention that later and also East Ellison. So Julie, just so you know, so East Ellison, we've applied for HMGP funding and you know, and that was for Adelia.
Okay. Um, and it's 100% funded. Well, if we get the 25% match funds, I can check and see where we are in that process or we can Are you wanting to apply for both
through both funding sources? whatever the poss the greatest possibility that would ensure or hopefully ensure that that that is worked on that the flooding issue is addressed and also that the evacuation
route from county road 14 um out to Lamont. I was trying to remember the name of that road, but we'll get it. I think it's called 14. Okay, so it's kind of road 14. Okay. So, um I can look and see where we are
in the HMGP application process. I think we've answered almost all of the RFIs. Okay. Um and almost finished through that stage. And then we also sent a priority to FDM last week because we don't have some of those are going to have to be
moved to tier 2, but that wasn't one of them. So, we knew that we had a shortage of about $4 million. So I can send you that information if that's if that's something the board wishes. Obviously I mean we can we can apply for both if if
that's Sure. Okay. Okay. Yeah. And and when it comes to adding new projects, the main thing is we'll have to get them agenda to go through the public hearing process again. So you'll you'll probably see me again. Looks good. So um so we can but yeah, we can we can definitely look at that and
I'll look at that HMGP application. Um, and if there are already applications where you've submitted HMGP and um, it sounds like you are at 100%, you'll get 100% HMG, you won't have the match. Well, so that was the DIA. So, so we've
applied for the match, but it's not guaranteed. I got you know how that works with Well, there'll be another CDBGDR smaller pot cycle that'll just be for HMGP match. So that hasn't been announced or it's not out there yet. But if you do
have those costs, so if you see that you've got an HMGP project, if this Ellison project is looking favorable under tier one of HMGP, which is where you want to be, um then uh if if there is match for this or any of the others, we can go after that HMG match through a
separate grant program. That isn't has the the timeline on it hasn't been announced yet. Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. Delena, do we have time to have a public hearing at the next meeting? We have time to advertise.
I have to go and look. We'd have to get it pretty quick. Okay. All right. Project number four is the Jody Morgan Road Paving Project. Amount of funds requested here is a little over 19 million. Um, and these funds will be
used to pave and widen Jodie Morgan Road. Um, this is the 14 mile unpaved road that runs through Taylor County. Uh, the road has direct access to US 19 and serves as a secondary evacuation route for coastal communities and uh is the primary access route for number uh for a lot of year-round residents. Um,
so the heavy use of Jody Morgan Road has caused um some substantial uh degradation of the unpaved service um and exacerbated damage from storm surge and flooding. Um so the project will upgrade the road space, improve drainage, install a durable pave service
capable of withstanding future emergency use and adverse weather events and um and serve as a vital secondary evacuation route. Uh project number five is the emergency shelter project and this is um right now is looking a little over um 8 million
requested for this uh and uh the requested funds will be used uh for the construction of emergency shelter that will provide special needs uh sheltering facilities as well as sheltering in place for uh facilities for emergency response personnel on the site and adjacent to the public safety complex um
that's being designed and constructed for Taylor County and the surrounding region. So, the new shelter would be constructed uh to category 5 hurricane uh wind standards um as well as in accordance with the um with design standards for for storm shelters. Um so,
at this time, Taylor County has no special need shelter that we're aware of and um and not facilities emergency response personnel shelter in place. So, this project would um address those needs. All right, project number six, uh, Steam
Hatchee Roads paving project. So, this is a little over a million and, uh, the requested funds would be used to repair and reconstruct the fourth and fifth avenues northwest. Uh, this includes resurfacing, subbase stabilization, covert repair or replacement, and storm
water improvements necessary to restore safety, reliable access for residents and emergency services. So, this address the storm uh damages caused um causing extensive washouts and pavement failure on critical road connectors for residential access and emergency response.
Next up, project number seven is the Katon Beach Roads paving project. Um this one's coming in close to 8 million. Um and the requested funds would be used to pave and improve critical coastal access roads in Taylor County. Um that includes Deco uh Road, Deal Beach Road,
Cedar Cedar Island Road, Keaton Beach Road, Dark Island Road, Ezel Beach Road, and Marina Road. And so these corridors um uh function as primary evacuation and emergency response uh routes for um the Katon Beach and Cedar Island
communities. And um we'll do some of the um same type of work that we described in the in the previous project. All right, project number eight. Um, this is going to be for two fire stations. Um, and the amount of funds is a little bit higher. It's a little
little north of two million. So, uh, the requested funds would be used to replace, uh, two critical fire stations in Taylor County. That includes the KB beach fire station and the Shady Grove fire station. Um, both sustained damage during the storm. Um, you all received a
$2 million uh, appropriations from the state legislature. However, based on recent bids for another fire station, um the estimated cost is um about double about four million. So, uh this project would um go after that gap funding that
would be needed to to uh make those repairs to the fire station. And number nine, Kelly Road and Henry Gibson Road uh paving project. Uh this one is about 4.5 million um is is what we're requesting and the requested funds would be used to pave and provide
necessary storm water improvements to Kelly Grade and Henry Gibson roads. Um these roads provide direct access to 19 um and are the most direct route for many communities north of Keon Beach um saving time during emergency um evacuations and it addresses storm
related damage and safe residential access to a primary evacuation route. So those are the nine projects. Um I I will tell you uh you know we're we are uh working hard with Melody and with
Lwanda to get um extremely strong and competitive applications forward. It is going to be an extremely competitive um process. Um about 43 counties across the state of Florida are eligible for these funds. There's there's limited funding. So, um, we're going to put everything in
it that we can, uh, to, uh, to tell the story and, um, we'll be keeping our fingers crossed and doing some training, too. So, uh, the the state typically will announce around two months after the cycle. So, I would hope by the end of the year we would know something.
All right. Any other questions? Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. This is a public questions or comments for the public on this put the key. [Music]
All right. Thanks. You're welcome. And I do want to let everybody know very quickly um is also assisting Taylor um Coastal Water and Sewer and Dr. Memorial Hospital and our own and on our own website today. We
posted a public comment period to enable we know our our own website did a lot of activity. So, we want to make sure that the public has every opportunity to comment. So, that is posted on the county's website, too.
Thank you. All right. We'll move on to item 10 to receive bids for runway 12-30 rehab at airport 6:05 p.m. soon after as
possible. Agenda As you know, we received an estate amount of 3,525,329 for this project. Later on in the agenda, there's an extension request for the same grant. Um, but hopefully we
received some good bids tonight fairly quickly. We only received one bid and that was from Anderson Columbia Company Incorporated out of Lake City, Florida. Yes. Melody committee.
of the SID committee will be um Ward Collins, you and myself. And I do want to let the board know we actually extended the submission period because we were contacted by a couple of
other um companies that wanted to submit. So, I'm really surprised um that we only received daters from Columbia since we did did um the extension to submit Total base bid runway civil amount is
3,177,58125. [Music] Yes sir. committee will bring that back to us. Yes. Thank you, Bailey. I move on to next item, Constitutional Officers, other
governmental units. Item 11, Fair County Development Authority presently attended by Bob K. I know it makes you nervous when you see I have a thick packet.
I'll use your time wisely. over here. I've already got it. So, somebody else needs one. Let me make sure I'm technically confident here first. I do want to thank you for your time tonight
as I share what TCDA has been working on where we are focused and answer whatever questions you may be willing to ask as best as I can. I never take the privilege of representing TCDA or getting to share these quarterly updates
with you for granted. We're going to share what we've been doing, what we've accomplished, where we are focused in such a way that we create understanding and have the opportunity to share your insights for our benefit so that together we are successful in our mission to grow the industrial base
of Taylor County. 13 months ago, I made a commitment to you that not only would we work diligently, but that we would communicate effectively. And this quarterly update is a part of that process. Our
core trusts really never change and nor should we ever stray far from them. They are and I just remind you to nurture our existing industry to recruit new industry and to have qualifi qualified sites available so that industry that comes to town has a place to go. We've
talked about this before and I have updates in each of these areas tonight. These are the routes from which TCDA and Taylor County successful spring. There are some other things on the agenda, though. I'd like to give you a quick update on the GP site demolition, the
West Fraser site progress, an update on the TCDA 5-year plan, and additional information on Duke Energy's recent TCDA supporting our nurture existing industry. As you know, I met with every industry in
Taylor County in the past 13 months, and this is my 13th month. in this role, but we continue to experience tremendous support from Florida Commerce. And to illustrate that, EJ Gabbar, or to support that, not really illustrate it,
is coming. He's the director of business retention and ex and and development and expansion for Florida Commerce. He's going to spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week with us. And together we're going to go visit Big Top Shelters, NAMO, RDS Aluminum, Perry
Composite Material, Super Puffed, American Aluminum, Cam Locker, Wear Wo, and the Forestry Company. He's asking them what we've been asking. Are you getting the support you need? Are you getting the help you need? Is there anything that would be in the way of you
growing and expanding here in Taylor County and making sure he hears it firsthand? So, I'm going to use this in a twofold or a twopronged approach. I believe I'd say I've already done this. I'm sure looking forward to going with an expert and having a chance to see what he asks, what he learns, and what
our people say to him during this very important set of meetings. Next week, we have a full agenda. These are the companies we're meeting, but we have one day we'll be eating lunch with Land and one day with John and one day with Ward. And we're going to make sure we put him in front of a lot of people. Be meeting
with the TCDA board of directors as well. So, next week's going to be a busy week, but since we last met, we've connected with eight new industries expressing interest in Taylor County. We lost four.
I've gone inactive, and I'm going to hit on inactive in a minute, not now. We had one site visit three weeks ago, and I'm going to make a visit to their existing site tomorrow. And I've got a company from Texas coming in for Thursday of this week. So, not only is next week
going to be a busy week, we're in the middle of a busy week. This is that master list of projects that I always try to share. Always maintain and updated. As you know, I maintain a confidential copy that has all the names and addresses and emails and phone numbers, but we don't share
that. Um, and these companies, we respect their privacy and they expect us to respect their privacy. But in the context of what I can share, you you see me still focused in that four areas. We've got interested companies in wood products, munitions, aviation, flight
industry, heavy industry. And I thought one thing I'd add tonight trying to never let this be dull and if economic development ever is dull, that's a shame on me because it is not dull. Not for one minute. But I'll let you just get a take one minute and tell you something here. Just where did these
10 come from? So, if you just go down those 10, my TCDA phone line is forwarded to my cell phone. So, when someone calls TCDA, I might be sitting at the dinner table in North Carolina, but I answer the phone. Beta, that's exactly how they got on the
list. They called the TCDA phone line and I answered. Bravo, call came to a TCDA board member. Kappa, an email came to the mayor. Sigma, that call came to me. towel. That one came from Omnitras,
owner of Georgia Florida Railroad. Someone looking for rail sighting available property and now Taylor County is in the running. In fact, we've made the first cut. Theta Laura and I originally made contact with them during the early GP
closure days. They were looking at the site and GP turned them down and they went away. And that's one I said I talk about in an active later. They went away because they wanted to make a billion dollar investment on an existing site, but they've come back. So, they're
they're back serving around Saber County. Ego, they called TCDA and I answered the phone. They already have a a plant in South Florida looking to add a second plant. Maverick contacted Laura directly. Renegade, a friend of a friend
reached out to a TCBA board member and the friend of the friend that reached out to the TCA board member, that's the coming coming Thursday. So, you just never know. And I've had you all call me. I've had you give me leads. I've had others to it. And this just happens to
be where we're at right now. But I thought you would find it fascinating. I find it fascinating. There is no one conduit. There is no one channel. There's every channel. And you just can't never put a dam in the way because that might be where the next one comes from.
On the West Frasier update in July 24th, the sale is complete and you know that on October 4th the equipment auction is scheduled. So that's the day that everybody comes and if they want an oven or a saw or anything else, they come and
bid on it and then they have 120 days to remove that. And Cheryl is I told you he's done this before. or he's already got a a a contractor lined up to be there that day. So, if someone wants the equipment, they're there to sit down with him and say, "Here's how we'll get
it to you. We'll take it out and ox it up. We'll send it to you." But throughout this entire time, uh he will be continuing his building repairs and his general cleanup so that the site is getting ready for the next step. Two slides on foliage. First one's just
a general update. The second one's going to tie into some questions I've received uh from you and I know you're interested in which is when do we have a touch point in this process. So July GP extended their asbestous remediation completion date. They found there's more
asbestous than they originally reckoned and they've extended October 4th of next year from July 3 August 31st of next year. They continued to target a 4 million gallon a day withdrawal plus whatever storm water runoff. I believe
last month it averaged about 5.1 million gallons a day. They're using that water for fire suppression, cleaning operations during demolition. A lot of times you may be cutting something up. You have to wet it down first. All that becomes something that has to be treated. On August 12th, FD requested
from GP an R AI. It's request for additional information. So they ask for more information from them. They want more information about what they're going to do with the wastewater treatment plan. They want to know what they're going to do with the well line. And they want to
review the groundwater monitoring plan. Georgia Pacific [Applause] has until October 13th to reply.
But you should they can request a 30-day extension and you should certainly expect that they will ask it and would get it. So the RAI includes an anti- degradation assessment in which it requires an assessment of social and economic impacts. This requires GP to
seek public input. So there will be a public input, the first of three I'm about to tell you about sometime in the fall. It' be publicly noticed. It'll be in the newspaper. That will be an opportunity for the county commissioners in Taylor County to have public entity
anti-degradation assessment. I'm going to draw a conclusion. Let me get to my other two points and then draw the conclusion. So then separate from that on August 7th GP submitted a wastewater permit application which we've all read about in the paper to move the discharge point
back to the previous location upstream of US19. In other words, what they're saying is if we lose the lawsuit with four rivers and if the we lose it and it's not a monetary finding like you pay a penalty or pay a fine and you keep using it, but the remediation is you
can't use it, they have to have a place to discharge. So, they apply for a permit application. If that court case doesn't play out that way, they will continue using the pipeline. They made that clear, but they're doing what you would do. They're
making sure they have a plan B. Well, if they have to go to plan B, there's a public input that the state will require. So, the first one is a a GP requirement. The second is a state requirement. Second input time. That
would be probably early spring is about the time that would play out. You got the first one looks like this fall, the second one in early spring. If GP continues to pursue their application to move the discharge, and I hit this one just now, let me hit both of them now. Then they'll see public
comment on the change. So that's on the notice of draft asking for public input. And then they get all that public input and they put together a permit and they put out an intent to issue. That's when you get your second touch point. Now, slowed it down a little bit just to make
sure we're clear on my point. James, what's your question? So in reference to this application to request a permit to potentially send the
wast to the say yes is that after are they going to let the settlement between the two entities happen before that because I mean at that point I mean shouldn't that kind of have some some sub some some part of the
play is is this all get worked out of what the public the field is from the public and the board or whether we would want to stop that from going back in the river it seems like if they let that those two entities that deal kind of work itself out first and it don't really work in their favor they're kind
of got their hands tied they almost got to let them have you see what I'm saying I follow the question and that's why you're going to hear my recommendation if I may So everything in this process is interconnected and time sensitive.
Public comment period is coming so we should be prepared. I would not tell you what to do but I would recommend that in preparation for the public comment periods that are coming. If you meet with Chad Thompson in a working session
we let him explain it where you can ask all these questions and say then what happens? What if it's not then but that? What happens? and the county commissioners and and public at large understand when these points come and what the
options may be so that we can say if I had to look down that road this is the way I want to go but if I don't I'm not going to spend a lot of time worried about go down this road to Jamie the I'm not dodging your question but I really believe before I go much into I think I feel and I believe my recommendation and
Chad knows I'm making this recommendation is that we get him in here. He really is the subject matter expert and feel free to get anyone else you want. I'm not. But this guy was the environmental manager for Georgia Pacific. It's under contract to Taylor County to keep us a breast of the firm.
And these are exactly the kind of questions we should be asking is first I was asked when do we get a an inflection point? When do we get on this process to say something? So I'm telling you it's it's going to be this fall. It's going to be early spring. It's going to be late spring. But what do we do when we
get there? What do we say? We have to say you have we have to say not putting water in the Fen Holiday River under any set of circumstances. Then we can say, well, that means this, this, and this. I don't think you'll get to the point where you actually have your hands tied.
Other words, the state won't be forced into issuing a permit because a court case. I mean, you know, these we those things just don't quite play out quite like that. I don't I don't think they will. That's about as far as I want to get you. Trying to be
the smartest person on this tonight, but I want you to know I am the down here compared to Chad Thompson up here. But I do think it's important we understand we have really little time. If you think a few months ago, we're complaining about how hot it was this summer and now we're getting cool snap. Now we're talking
about having a public comment period this fall. That in my world is like day after tomorrow. We really need to be thinking about getting on Chad's calendar, getting him on your calendar so we can have that that time together. And if not Chad, you I certainly respect whatever decision
you'd be next. I was just Is that too early or should we plan on uh the workshop at the end of September? I think it's never too early to have the first meeting because you may need a
second meeting. You may even come and find out you had a bunch of questions and you have to go back to get some more information or wait for something else to occur. I don't think this meeting can also follow up with the workshop. That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm
saying. Okay. I'll email him. Okay. Thank you. I do want to tell you, Duke, she was supportive of us. We applied for a $25,000 grant which I told you about a quarter ago. We got 10,000. I titled
this reimagine Taylor County. This is for our outreach. This is our website. This is trying to get if people think about where I want to place my industry. Taylor County comes to mind. So that's what we're planning on doing with that. That's the way we wrote that.
Then energy site readiness. They have agreed to come up with the remaining firm funding for the recommended studies for the city of Perry property. So you recall we had the environmental phase one. We had the environmental phase two, but much like Mr. Jackson's property, they recommended the historical and
archaeological and geotechnical. And I said, "Well, that's fine, but we don't have any money for that." D said, "We can keep it under 20,000. They think they can." So, again, I just want to thank Duke for all of your support.
Okay. I um I really want to go faster. I I appreciate your time. What we did with TCBA in the last month was reviewed our five-year plan for last year and lined up with the work that Adams and Reese did on a strategic plan for Taylor County this year and put all that
together and we've revised our five-year plan. I'm not going to read these slides to you, but what we've done is incorporate those recommendations on what we think we should be doing. And so then I want to close with what is
TCA here for? We are here to execute an economic development plan that facilitates the expansion, recruitment, and creation of businesses which grow the county's long-term adorum tax base, retains and creates permanent value
added higher wage jobs in ter county, sustaining and elevating the quality of life for our citizens. On August 20th, we signed an MOU with Ford Commerce and Select Florida, designating TCDA as the primary economic development partner for Taylor County. Since my arrival, we have
focused on building teams that are fully functional and can work well together. When we communicate, coordinate, and cooperate, we always accomplish more. We put our success metrics down so that we can be measured and held accountable.
Success measured metrics aren't something we can hide from. We're either succeeding or not. Business retention, the number of existing businesses receiving support from TCDA. Job creation, new jobs created through business retention and attraction
efforts. Capital investment, total amount of private investment in Taylor County, site development, the number of sites made available for business relocation and expansion, and population growth, increase in population, particularly those related to job
creation. That's what you brought us here to do, and that's what we're committed to doing. When you're surrounded by a people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.
Thank you for your time. What questions do you have for me? I don't have any questions, Paul, but I want to thank you for keeping this board and the public up to date on what TCA is doing. And I thank you for your passion
and your dedication and the love of Taylor County. [Music] Thank you, Bob. [Applause] All right. The board to consider approval of big
committee recommendation for property casualty and workers compensation insurance. Uh the board of county commissioners advertised and received proposals from three companies for property casualty and workers compensation insurance
coverage. Uh the biggest committee was myself, uh Dino Welsh, our finance director, and Gary Nolles, clerk of courts. All three companies gave a presentation to the committee on August 15th. Um and after consideration, the
bid committee recommends the award of property casualty and workers compensation coverage to fact. Um the scores, the combined scores were 98.6 67 for fact in FMIT sheriff's risk
management fund was 83.67 they only submitted bids for um automobile and workers compensation um and void insurance was 92.67 67. [Music]
And I'm sorry, I did want to say that the result of going out to market was a savings of approximately $300,000, which is significant. And that's AC across multiple funds, not just in the general fund.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank uh commissioners um for the opportunity to speak with you about this this evening in light of that recommendation. Uh and and I I will say yes, it our the expiring premium
uh was $1,57,000 roughly. Our proposal come back in at 703,000. So it's in excess of 350,000 with our proposal. We were the low bidder. and are the low bidder. And we also
provided a two-year rate guarantee, which is a significant security blanket for Taylor County and the taxpayers. Uh I think this bid process has been very effective. I didn't end up here by accident. We uh started our process of
research and finding out if where you were through public records information early on before we approached uh the county and um and asked about you know this this process which you know you may or may not have already been planning to
put out but we participated in it and brought significant comp competition to to Tater County. Without that work and our position in this marketplace, you I can confidently say would not have seen that level of reduction in premium. That
is a sign 33%. You know, we all know the cost of insurance hasn't gone down. Um so, you know, that was just excessive premium that you've been being charged for years past. Um and and it's through the work that we've done that that savings has
been been recognized for you. And so I I I hear the recommendation based on the scoring rubric that was part of the RFP. And so when I I got this information on Friday by seeing the packet, you know, I had a moment of pause.
Obviously, I don't agree with the scores and there's always human bias built into that. Doesn't matter. I it would be that same way with me. I'll be biased for what I'm promoting and uh you know, if we had a great out. It's just natural, right? And there's a a level of comfort
that goes along with status quo. Let's just keep doing things the way we've been doing. We know it. And that's easy. Uh but I want to ask you tonight as you think about this to consider what puts Ter County in the very best position, not only uh in response to an RFP
process that you advertise and says, "Hey, we want qualified biders to respond and give us your best numbers," which we did. Um and uh we award based on these qualifications and so think about that and what it does especially in a marketplace where you
don't have a lot of options as you note you only had three respond one was only for segment of the coverage you have the top two providers in the state respond to you and we represent preferred governmental insurance trust which is the competitor for Florida municipal insurance now sometimes you say well
we're we're part of back and um and we want to stay with, you know, the with Florida uh Association of Counties Trust because we enjoy their services and benefits of you. You can still do that. You don't have to buy the the risk management package for them to still uh
still enjoy that. But so so what I did, I want to pass this out to everybody just for your consideration. So in thinking of how how could we possibly um have an you know an unbiased um comparative analysis. So I took the
RFP and I took our proposal and I took the existing policies and I took response and I stuck it in AI stuck in chat GPT said hey do a comparative analysis and score this and tell us give us some feedback and this is the results. This is something you can do. I
just printed it out for an example and I I use this and and in every scenario that I submitted, we were the clear uh winner and won this proposal and and that's what my um submission to you here is tonight. We
responded to an RFP for Taylor County. We brought competitive advant you know a competitive uh product and service to you that allowed you to recognize 33% savings in a in a pretty major line item in your budget that impact the taxpayers to take
account. We exposed absorbent premiums that have been charged by the incumbent and through a comparative analysis that removes the human human bias from that we score out as the highest and clear
winner of this R&P process. So I ask for you consider that. Remember that we are the low bidder for this process. We give you a two-year rate lock as part of that to guarantee. Who's to say, well, that's such a dramatic reduction in premium from your incumbent
that they're not going to start calling back that and recapturing that premium in the very next renewal. So, when you think about, well, we'll just go back out to bid again. Well, you only got two people. You only got two players coming. If we can't win this propo, this bid with what the work we've done so far and
the response that we've given, I'm very proud of the work our team put in to this 206 page response to this proposal. Significant effort goes into this. Um, there's a lot of information there and we do a great job of that. We bring a
superior service model to bear here at Taylor County. I'm from Liberty County. My office is there in Bristol. Live there my entire life. I work and live in the rural county and I understand the needs of fiscally con constrained and
rural counties and and I'm attentive to those needs. We have a very experienced staff to assist in that. Um Florida for uh preferred has they serve
over 375 or roughly 375 municipalities. 18 other counties have made this very transition from Portland Municipal Insurance Trust over to preferred. They enjoy a 98% retention rate. That data
alone is evidence that these are this this is a solid change. I stood before a commission a year ago and made a similar argument in a similar situation. The recommendation was the status quo. The commission evaluated this and was
taken back by the fact that they had been charged absorbing premiums when they were supposed to have a trusted organization that was working with them. You can't do this every year. You need to have some confidence in the people you're working with and it and that didn't sit well. on that
commission uh in uh you know contrary to their to the administration's recommendation decided to give us an opportunity to work for them and they have been ecstatic about that change. They they if you anybody that checked our references would have found out the
information they were fearful of the transition that no and they turned out to be nothing to be fearful of. very very smooth, easy, no very minimal impact on the staff and their time. I get that. That's something you worry about, especially if you haven't done
it. So, with that information, I'd ask the commission respectfully to consider the value that we brought, the work that that we put in my team, and I'm a small business owner. I I'm part owner of of this organization, and
I and I work and provide for my family. So, I'm very passionate about this. This is where I work and live, right here in the panhandle. And I need an opportunity to be treated fairly whenever we come out and do the work. We do the work and we provide a good product and a good service. I need the opportunity to work
for you. And I'm asking for your business. I think we've earned the right to ask for that business through what we've done. And so with that, I appreciate your time and consideration. I'll answer any questions you got, but thank you so much for the opportunity to continue to speak.
And I appreciate a motion to um have a vote to award us the bid based on the response and the RP lo to your I got a question. Yes, sir. For instance, if you
had it had the policy with you at Domin Hurricane, we got a roof put on the courthouse over here. a turnkey job. They say we had a building down at the side on
half Frank Road the whole building down. They building a brand new building back there turn key. We don't have to be go fool with contractor. We don't have to fool with watching the job. They doing every bit of it. Would that mean the same thing with your outfit?
Yes, sir. We have uh a phenomenal pre-torrm disaster staging and preparation um company and posttorm uh cleanup call. They have full commercial contracting capabilities. They they they
have 33 semiis and a host of equipment. They bring in a mobile command station and stage up right here. We do all that and we compete. Like I said, we have 18 counties that's made this and and and we have responded to the same number of storms as the incumbent carrier and we
understand the need for that for that uh for that response. So for example, Hurricane Michael, city of Mexico Beach, city of Port St. go right in the I in you know ground zero. They were their
um preferred clients before still are right through the storm and the cleanup. One of the most impactful in the and now we've seen but another example and I'm glad you brought that up is the control that we also flexibility that we provide that you do
not currently enjoy. I mean there's things if you want to hire local contractors this we could we can facilitate that through that process. Uh and there's other things uh we we mentioned to the committee about you know whether there was one coverage gap that we suggest that we change. We we
bid on it based on the RFP's instructions and and guidelines to be as close to apples apples as we could be but we we see a problem there. We think we should change that. There's some flexibility there and you know consent to settle things like that. we that we are all building in here and I can't go
right through the whole response RFP unless you want me to on your paperwork though it doesn't say turn key it we're not that's a great marketing and they've done a good job of that and I'm not saying their program is bad I'm not saying that I'm saying we have a competing program that does just
as good and our and our uh members enjoy those same level of benefits and there's nuances to those of course I I'm not saying that we've got a a program is way better than theirs. I'm not saying that at all. I'm saying we have a competing program that's just as good and we work
for you. And if you don't like it, you fire us. And that's why we have a 98% retention rate because we are good at what we do. And we provide a high level of service. We're passionate about it. And we work to respond in a rural county that's been overlooked for a long time. Probably hasn't been a long time. And
that's been an opportunity to stick the hands into the pockets of the taxpayers and extract absorbent premiums that are not needed. The insurance has not gone down. I don't know how long been but you know maybe last five years. How many times it
gone down? Are we going to get a refund check? Five years assess the premiums. However many years it's been over 73,000 been too much. So that's my that's my argument and and I think that
that we should be given the consideration for that and again please don't misunderstand my passion and my demeanor as I approach this issue but uh we won this RFP and we've given you the best package to protect citizens
of Tedar County and we secure and remove risk from increase for 24 months. You get a two-year rain. That's a big deal. Big deal. They could call back and we're not going to be here. If we can't if we can't win this responding to this.
So, of the 18 counties that have switched over, how long have they been with you? Well, obviously various time frames for various clients and we boy doesn't, you know, we don't service all 18 of those
counties. We we have a handful of points some of which were mentioned in this RFP for references that you can check but that is across the state and various service points. Um I don't know how I mean obviously some of them been there for 25 years.
I wonder um what would be the differential between and his board his proposal board. Well, I would like to say that I'm only one committee member. I don't
think I'm biased. I read every propos every page of the proposals and I think I asked some very critical questions when we had our oral presentations. Um but I will say as far as the the cost
the proposal submitted something that I think we all need to understand is that fact has provided a statement that they will match any competitor's pricing for similar exposures coverages terms and condition contingent on the ability of
the competitor to verify that its rates are established by an independent actuary and its reinsurance. insurance structure is currently in place. So that was something that I felt like was a valid point. And so even though on paper
um they were the low bidder, we have this price match guarantee from fact that I I took under consideration. Well, I would say that would be very unfair to us. We did a number. It's supposed to be a sealed bid.
um and put a catchall that says, "Well, this is our number, but if they're lower, we'll take it." That that they should have they had a number they had to respond to in that in that RFP. That's you know, I don't know how you do. Well,
well, we're going to give them a number, but if they don't beat that, we'll we'll just we'll just match whatever they do. [Music] And I would I would really prefer that tax speak to it. I don't want to speak on their behalf, but I think they can speak to their own product. They're here
as well if if the board will allow that. So was that put aside, you know, and and Mr. I am not please. I don't mean that as a a personal insult when I say there's a human bias. It is it is the area I would have a human I said that I would have a human bias if you asked me.
It's just natural. it's going to happen and there's a comfort level that goes I know the swing in the scoring was primarily around service a fivepoint deduction on service you very subjective um area there but what was was the
pricing what was the discern determining factor for you no I I think the scores were extremely close on the pricing and that's why you know I think there was an $8,000 difference in the bid between your
company and fact it was they were very close but the fact that they would price match um gave me a comfort level but that wasn't the deciding factor I think you've you've read the packet obviously I have not um not on their I have not seen their um or their response
but you saw the big the ma'am yes ma'am okay well then you know the answer to that question well no I didn't know the price match thing I didn't see that in there okay yeah so I I did not see that but but I would say in that scenario if that is the the way it's evaluated
there it is useless for the for for us to respond to an RFP in that scenario because it never went well that's only 30% of the total you know the total evaluation that you know it's 30 points so that I don't know
that that's a true statement either because there are other determining factors Yeah. And and and so that was one reason why I conducted conducted that exercise was looking for let's let's let's try to get a comparative analysis that takes a human element out of it and and goes
down, you know, black and white and how does that score out? And so you can see there, you know, in that in that scenario, this is evidence that that, you know, of of the point that I'm trying to make. Um, we had we had from a from a service
standpoint, we had I don't know. Did you have an opportunity to check any of our references? Mr. Salana for service. I read your references. Yes, I did. I read your packet page page by page and I
really don't think I need to be crossing. I'm sorry. I didn't mean we had some back and forth dialogue. That's when I asked. I apologize. Question for someone from board here.
I'm sorry. Thank you. Thank you. Good evening y'all. I'm Denise with the Florida Association of Counties Trust. This is Tom Connley with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust. Uh we did not come prepared to make a presentation. We did that through the committee with Miss
Peton and Mr. Nolles and two three weeks ago. I would like to address some things that I would like to address some things that were said this evening by our competitor who bid against us. Um he questioned the fact that we lowered our premium by
$300,000 um to keep your business as the incumbent. I would say to him, his company lowered their price in Dotto County by $650,000. No ma'am to retain their business.
That's correct. No ma'am. No, none of my clients. She speak. Thank you. Okay. It was preferred Governmental Insurance Trust. It's not a client. He is a agent. Um we do not you're not representing ourselves as agents. You're
buying direct from us. Um, so there there is a difference here. Um, and I I want I want to make sure you all understand things aren't always as as they are presented and as they seem. Um, he mentioned the 18 counties um,
commissioner that you referenced in effect family. That is not true. There is one one member that we lost last year. Just one. So, I just want to put in perspective, um, you all have been
members of our trust for 39 years. Um, it behooved you, it benefited you greatly to go out to RFP. I'm glad you did. I'm glad it is going to provide you the savings that you desperately needed. I began communicating with Miss Peton in
December before Christmas, long before Christmas, that our board of trustees was well aware of the budget shortfall that you all had. Tom and I live right next door in Jefferson County. We are so
in tune with the fact that you had three hurricanes in 13 months because so did we. lost five humongous trees out of my yard that damaged my home. We are well aware of the need. We are well aware
that Fley closed. We are well aware that West Frasier closed. We are well aware that that was a combined loss of jobs of s over 626 jobs to your community. Our board has been working since before December in
order to garner you these savings that much of it would have come without the RFP process but again the RFP process benefited you. Um, I am confident that the rankings, although they may have contained human bias, were based on the
fact that we are also proud of the RFP proposal we put together. And we're proud of the benefits that we provide that they do not mostly surrounding education and
training that is available for all of your county employees. I'm going let Mr. Conly talk to you a little bit about the FMIT side which is property um workers comp and auto. Good evening everybody. Um
I wrote down several points I could I could counter that Mr. Richard pointed out. I'll be happy to cover them all, but basically I just I can't believe that he stood up here and he attacked your staff and he basically told told
you you can just use AI. Forget what your staff said. They're completely biased. They did a poor job. That was basically what he said. He's a salesman. He's here to make a commission on the sale. Denise and I make salaries. We our
paycheck is not going to change based on your decision tonight. Just keep that in mind. Things that he may say his contract will increase if you go with him. That's what he talks about bias. I can put a bias on what he's standing up
here and saying, but I cannot believe that he's attacked your staff. That's that's just that's unacceptable. Let your staff do their job. They've made a recommendation. I'll be happy to counter these things, but I don't want to believe those points that were all
many untrue. Sir, I got a question. Are y'all going to guarantee all the rate stay the same for two years? We have a two-year guarantee. If that's something the county wants to do, that's up to you. It's not always
the right thing. Right now, we're in a a property market that's is what we call soft. Rates just went down this year. If we can keep the hurricanes away this year, we we think they'll probably will go down again next year. So,
We'll be happy to talk about a two-year rate guarantee, but it's that would be up to you. I'm not going to push it on you either way because it it can usually the insurance companies pushing it on you that it's benefiting them, not you. You would not
have seen a property rate decrease if you had locked in. It can go either way. Mr. Chairman, Tom, I I I cannot recall. Do you remember what the most substantial rate increase that we've
seen in say in the past five years? I want to say it was was it last year or the year before? Last year was was rough. Yeah. Everybody saw and that do you recall the percentage of increase it was last year?
Everybody was 50 to 75%. I was thinking we were 48%. So that was substantial last year too just to what it's it's really it's more of a global reinsurance market thing and
what and how it impacts Florida but it was mainly in such a such a high dollar you know the pricing is is statewide disaster impacts correct
not only in Florida but around the globe you know in fact it's all a little thing, but Florida is is the highest risk zone on the planet. So those things are always going to impact more here. Swans's up and down either way. So I just want to make sure that I
understood you and I'm not. Okay. So when you talk about a basically a fixed rate for for two years and if the market decreased and we're on a fixed rate then we lost
that opportunity right but I guess on the flip side of that we had a storm this year it might be a good idea can we just can you just guarantee the lowest That's right.
It's a It's a roll of the dice. If it makes you comfortable and that's what you like for budgeting, then you can do it. This is a soft market, so we're more inclined to offer two years. I know that wasn't in the RFP, and I
don't want to get too far off off track of what, but this is an annual, right? So they would be our we don't sign a contract with with this group. Um it's an agent of record until it
changes. So now that staff has prepared the RFP um if if the board wishes to go out to bid more often, you know, we we have a better starting point than we had once we prepared the RFP and went through that process. But certainly it's
something that we can revisit how however often you'd like. All right. So moving on. Uh we have a recommendation from staff to award to FAT and FMIT and we heard comments from
Boyd Insurance as well. So we will obtain a motion to uh approve one of these entities in our insurance carriers in the following year. We have a motion. I'll make a motion that we take the bid
committee's recommendation and stay with a motion to uh take a bid committee's recommendation. We have a second. by Mr. Newman. All in favor? I'm against it.
All right, we move to item 13 to discuss chair boat and emergency. I sent y'all Mike Williams all your money. Um, most elementary
sent y'all a letter in the email. Did y'all get them? Okay. I'd like for Miss Wana to read it out loud if she would and then I want to make some comments. Mike, you don't want to read it. It's your read. No. Okay.
I've read it 100 times and for me talking to this. Okay. Dear Taylor County Commissioners, I am writing with deep concern regarding the removing of emergency management from the sheriff's office. I cannot stress enough how dangerous and
irresponsible this decision would be for the people of Taylor County. The sheriff's office already has the knowledge, training, and experience to handle every kind of emergency. From hurricanes to natural disasters to local crisis, they are battle tested. They have the structure, the communication
systems, and the boots on the ground to respond quickly when lives are on the line. To strip emergency management away from them is not only unwise, it puts every single resident of this county at risk. If we start from scratch, who would you hire? Who out there has the
experience to replace the team we have in place right now? Training new people would cost taxpayers a fortune, and even then, no amount of money can buy experience in the middle of a disaster. In just 13 months, Taylor County was hit with three major hurricanes. If another
storm strikes, I fear to even imagine untrained and inexperienced personnel trying to handle it. When that happens, we the people will be the ones who pay the price with our safety, our homes, and possibly our lives. Who is going to be driving the emergency vehicles
through flood waters and hurricane debris to rescue our neighbors? How long will it take to train these staff? And what will us what will it cost us both in dollars and in lives to learn the hard way that we already had the right system in place? Breaking apart a working system will create confusion,
slow down response times, and ultimately cost lives. We are right now in the middle of hurricane season, the absolute worst time to even consider such a reckless change. In truth, there is never a good time to gamble with people's lives, but doing this now would be nothing short of a disaster waiting
to happen. I strongly urge you, do not move emergency management out of the sheriff's office. Keep it where it belongs with the people who have the proven ability, training, and courage to protect us when everything is on the line. Extremely concerned resident Mike Williams.
Thank you. You're welcome. I'm going to ask to first I want to say thanks for listening to what we have to say and hope you keep openminded about it. We would like to see it reversed. And there's a few few things I want to bring you up. I'm going start out with
emergency management and then I'm going to bring it into the budget part on emergency management. You want to save by cutting law enforcement and taking emergency management away from the sheriff's office. Just this alone could cost us a
lot more money. don't want to hire Danny Glover because he has the training of the knowledge it takes because he's already in that place. He already has a job there with where he has support. Now, if y'all do
hire him, he's going to have to get his own. Is the county going to hire somebody to help him or is he going to have to do it all himself? By splitting the emergency management away from uh splitting it off, Danny will have to take on more responsibilities. He's not
going to have a single person answer to. He's going to have six. If if takes the position of being under her and the rest of God, uh that's going to be more responsible
for him and I can't speak for him, but I think with these added responsibilities, he'll want quite an increase in pay. So, how much more is this going to cost us as county residents? This isn't saving money. It's wasteful
spending. And let's let's say Danny says no to the offer. Will will be without a manager right in the middle of hurricane season. I don't think that's very wise.
And if he doesn't, I don't even know that we could hire a qualified manager for what uh what the county would be willing to pay. So, I mean, we got to give that some thoughts on those areas. And as far as more towards the budget goes, at the last meeting when we came
up here, I was very specific asked, "Are y'all going to cut his budget?" And a few of them said, "No, we're not going to cut his budget. We are going to just not give him the increase that he's asked for." We were
told that specifically, but now you're going to cut him $300,000. Let's take that $300,000 that we're going to save on insurance and go ahead and give it to him. Let him use that. He told me he was not going to cut any services as long as he got his budget
from last year. By cutting a lot of the law enforcement, we the residents and the visitors to our place are going to be the ones who suffer. We could lose officers, support staff, and other key
personnel. We don't want to go backwards. We need to keep that expanded. Also, without the funding, we will help lose help from the prisoners uh the prisoner services that he provides. We'll have to hire people to
haul prisoners around. We just keep it like it is. He can take take care of everything that he's been taking care of. We'll lose to help at the festivals, grass cutting, and even hanging the decorations in the park. They sent out
prisoners to help the parks. Yeah. And who's going to do that now? We're going to have to hire private companies to do the work. There's no way private companies can do the work as chief prisoners and the law enforcement.
[Music] Not to mention, y'all are going to make a whole lot more work for Lwanda. She's already doing enough work for two people. She keeps up a lot of lot of she wears a lot of other hats.
You want to cut out funding and services, you want to cut out funding and services. So, this should reflect on our tax bill. Our tax bill should be going down if y'all going to cut services, not go up. And if y'all get your notices,
everybody's taxes have gone up. We the residents of F County strong against sheriff's budget cuts. We hope that y'all will reconsider that move tonight and keep it like it was. Any
questions, Mr. Williams? Long as I'm right here in y'all in St. will not have to worry about services one way or another, we going to make sure y'all taken care of. I mean, that that's me. Yeah,
we heard I've heard from, you know, the same kind of assignment from a number of folks after this decision was made with uncertainties and all the concerns that continue to mount with the proposed change. So, so
understanding those positions, is it possible this board would consider allowing emergency management to remain in the sheriff's office? I don't want to have to pay more money for for Danny than what we're paying him right now just because he's going to take on more responsibilities and not have any help.
He's going to trouble heard from the public and I understand that concept, but I haven't talked to the board because of the sunshine thought. So, would the board be willing to keep emergency management within the sheriff's office?
I'm not. What's What's the reason? But but you're saying you're going to continue to provide the service. We're going to handle services because we're responsible for the services no matter what. We're responsible for what the management does. We're responsible
for what sheriff does and all. I mean, that's Well, what's your reasoning for not wanting to leave it where it's at where it's safe right now and it's all less expensive. It's going to cost us more money to move it. Y'all are trying to save money. We take that $300,000 and
put it straight back in there. We're even again. We don't cross that bridge. That's another That's a whole different story. That's part of the That's part of the agenda. But that's what we came to discuss. And these some of these other guys are going to talk too. They just don't understand it. I don't think
that it's a a really wise decision. So, I hope that someone will put a motion up to keep it in the sheriff's office. I really do. I would just say the serious budget reduction was 200,000, not 300,000. 200,000. Okay. Well, let's just take
200,000 of the savings and put it back into his account. And I thought it was 300 because what where is that? How much is it? I'll tell you where you get 300. Because the sheriff come and told us to take the M cruise and go do it ourselves. All
that's going to have to operate anyway. We didn't we didn't quit. The sheriff's want to give it back. Said you don't do it no more. Oh, we didn't. He told me if you had the same budget, you keep the same same surfaces gone. Yeah, but that was an ultimate if y'all don't do this. We went we come to these constitutional officers and we asked for
budget reductions from everyone. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I understand cutting cutting cost, but law enforcement defunding police ain't my book. Still got a $9 million budget.
Still cutting the budget. defunding anyone. Yeah, I think we can find more ways of save money just like with insurance cutting off law enforcement. This my opinion. So I hope and I have heard from a number of folks you know in those
areas that were impacted by the storm and I will make a motion to allow emergency management to stay in the sheriff's office. And the reason for that is because of all the growing concerns and uncertainties that are continuing to mount within these folks that have contacted and reached out to
me. So I've made it a motion. Well, I want to hear from some of the other guys before y'all make it until let's discuss it first. Y'all tell them opinions, too. Come on. Thank you. Thank you for hearing me.
Most of you folks in here already know who I am. Those of you that don't, I'm a citizen of Steie, but I'm also commander for the American Legion, Post 291. And I'm also
first vice commander for third district, the state of Florida for the American Legion. based on the conversations we're having. I'm not here tonight with my uniform on. I'm here tonight as a citizen that
encompasses the entire county and to say that the people that I have had come to me and we have a lot of veterans, we have a lot of elderly because we live in a rural county and these people are sparse. They're not
living next door to each other. They don't raise their window and spit on their neighbor. They're far and few apart. And they depend on our sheriff's department. They also depend on our emergency management.
They depend on it because they from time to time they need them. I don't know how many calls. Look at your records. How many calls have you got from various places in this county that the sheriff's department is already
attuned to know and respond in the proper manner? Now, you're wanting to change all that up for the simple sake of saving money. I don't agree with you and I don't agree
with you at all. And if you really sat down and you had a prayer meeting with yourself, I cannot see how you would even consider changing this up.
I know that everyone that I've talked to is not in favor of changing and taking it away from the sheriff's department. And these are the people that voted you in. These are the people that put you where
you're sitting right now to serve the community. Well, I don't think you're serving the community too well because I don't think you're thinking it through. And I'm here tonight to make that a record, not only for me, but for the
citizens of Taylor County. They come to me each and every day when I'm sitting down there at the Legion and they come in and they say, "She, what's going on with so and so and so and so?" And we go right through the same program we're talking right now.
I don't think you're making a good decision. The budget cut is a he said, he said, she said, we said, and it's it's been a rivalry, and it shouldn't be that way. It should be an open, mature discussion
and reaching out and touching every aspect of what makes this county move forward. You don't throw the baby away with a bath water. And that's what you're doing. You're doing it because the sheriff's department, yes, they got a
big budget, but the sheriff's department is one of the strongest and most intricral parts department of any county for your growth and people coming in. First thing they're going to ask, what kind of response time? Sheriff's
department, this that am I safe? Well, we just had a budget cut and we took emergency management away from them. So, boy, that's some good that's some good uh advertisement for the growth of the county, isn't it?
That's all I got to say. And I would appreciate it if you would reconsider this because the citizens are waiting for a good valuable answer to this and those are the ones that put
you in office. Thank you. Can I have some questions? This gentleman here, he's coming this gentleman first. This guy, this gentleman was coming. Let him come. Ladies and gentlemen, commissioner, my
name is Arie Northwest from Stee. I'm but a lowly citizen of Catching, but uh we try and put in what we can. My wife works with the pantry over there and uh we try and help out wherever and whenever we can. What I
am asking is I have a very curious question within my own mind. I'm a very logical human being. I work on logic. I believe there's logical minds within this commission board.
And logic to me doesn't in fact if just a few minutes ago you you you folks were afraid of changing uh one thing because you've been so long with it. Now you want to change this all
of a sudden and what that's not logical. Uh, and if what we already have works really well and we can handle that, then why in the world are we going to change something? Why fix something that ain't broken,
right? It ain't broke. Don't fix. Thank you y'all. Appreciate it. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. My name is Mana Collins 79 years in Taylor County.
Um, my question is when was the emergency emer 2018? I I'm sorry. My hearing aids I believe it was 2018. Been that long.
So, and my second question is why why was it changed from where it was to the sheriff's office? Do we know the question answer? Oh, better service. I believe it was requested by the
sheriff at the time. to Miss Meline. My recollection is the sheriff requested that emergency management be moved to under him at the time and the board agreed. Okay. Um
so who who had it before then? We had the county did. And so you're asking to take it back. Is that okay? The next question I have is
if all the things are in place, then why does it need to be consistently money added to that? Why couldn't there be a decrease? Because everything's in motion and why couldn't it be moved
easy enough? Because I think some of them are talking about the messages that we got. I can tell you I got plenty of messages from the sheriff's office, but I if it's going to save us money
and and I would like to see on paper the difference between what they charging and what it would cost y'all. Could we do that or do you have that information, Miss Badlin? So it would be the same am
basically the same amount of money because most of emergency management operation is grant funded. There's what's called an EMPA grant, an EMPG grant, and then there's a county match that the the county actually funds for
emergency management. Okay. So what that pays for is the emergency management director's um salary. It pays for some of the operations out of the EOC, but what you see as far as a storm
response, that's that's totally separate from the emergency management budget. So each agency responds per our comprehensive emergency management plan and then we submit
what's called PA projects to FEMA through the state and we get reimbursed for labor cost equipment you know fuel and any costs where we respond to a disaster um like a hurricane a name disaster are reimburse
so those are those are funded and then reimbursed. So, we're we're it's not it's not just one pot of money that pays for all of emergency management functions. Sounds like it to me. Okay.
So, as a county resident for so many years, I I believe saving money is actually a good deal. Thank you. My name is Jeff Ro. I live in Steam
Hatchee. I don't disagree with what I've heard. Um, I've been in Steam Hatchee permanently since 2018. And I can tell you why the sheriff requested to take over the
emergency management. Because he cares about us. Was what? Sheriff Padet and his staff care about us. Was he in office at that time? Apparently, he was. But I can tell you
from personal experience that Sheriff Padet and his officers care about us. It's a personal thing. He knows where I live. He knows where all the people live on all these roads, which I wouldn't want
to travel at night in a storm, but our officers know where they're at. I've been through four disaster. And every time I have stood and helped with somebody else, there was a sheriff or a deputy standing next to me. I saw
that they were there and This brought up something that was to me very logical. Y'all just voted to stay with what you believed in and trusted for years.
And it was just stated if I'm Did I get this correct? It's not going to cost any more money at all. Yeah. It's not going to cost us any more money whether we have somebody outside or if we keep sheriff patent on paper. Yes, sir. Cool. Well, not
good for cat. Yeah. So, let me let me explain that just to make sure that we're clear. So, when we have a disaster, when there's a local state of emergency, so the county always responds that's the same way. We
have a plan in place. We all have emergency support functions. So, the response is the same. Okay. But the so each agency expends funds and then we ask FEMA for reimbursement. So what
we'll call the blue skies emergency management administration which is through the EMPA, the EMPG and the county match funds. That's what that's what covers the blue skies. Once there is a local state of emergency
that everything changes. Each agency, each emergency support function is is basically responsible for their own response. They, you know, they may incur overtime costs, whatever those costs are, those are all submitted to FEMA for
reimbursement. Does that make sense? It it does, but what I'm I'm trying to get more simple about this. Okay. It's not going to cost us anymore. It's not going to cost us any less to keep Sheriff Pad in charge of what
he's already done. Very well. You're not saving us any money. And I would like to see that motion that you just talked about, Mr. for doing that. We keep him just like you kept your insurance company cuz let's face
it, insurance companies, I like what they had to say, but these people are in our neighborhoods when we need them. There are there's not a paper thing there. They're there and they work. So, let's not let's
not fix something that is working. Let's just leave it alone. I'm satisfied with it, but I haven't heard anybody say that they wanted to see a change. It just doesn't make sense. So, thank
you very much for listening. Appreciate your time. Thank you. And basically, he said the same thing I was going to ask. It's a wash moneywise. If the sheriff is going to do it or we
have this another organization that's going to do it, that's going to be new people going to train. The benefit right now with the sheriff for all of us, for all of T county is he knows us. His people know us and they know how to
maneuver during emergencies. Be it a storm, be it some other type of disaster, they know us. And if we're talking a wash, even if we're talking a little bit more money, the peace of mind to everybody in Tail County to have
someone and a group of people that knows what they're doing and can go out and take care of it is critical. As you said, older adults, I'm older, may not look, but I am. Okay. And that's what I
wanted to say is the same thing everybody. We really need to keep in place what we have because it is working and it's not saving us anything and it won't benefit us any. Thank you. So we have two people on the line.
What's the what's the last two numbers of the first one? Okay. Okay. So, okay. So, what's the last four number? 1713. 1713.
1713. You will state your name and address. Yeah. This is Jim and Steve. Thank you guys for allowing me to speak here. Hey, u I know a strain with the sheriff's department and the commission. uh
whether it was uh anybody wanted it or not, we we all know there has been. But I know you're not going to let this interfere with doing the right thing. And I do support what Michael Newman has said. Uh let's wait. Let's get a
complete budget. Let's figure it out. Let's see if we're actually saving anything. And it's not just about saving something. U Mr. Padet was our deputy down here in St. Hie Beach. She worked at beaches for a long time. He does know
he knows where that little gentleman says where he lives. Bob said else can do that eventually, but we're in the middle of hurricane season again. And uh I'd like to leave
it the way it is. By the way, I remember when we had our disaster with our water company back in the earlier 2000s and you know it wasn't our emergency management water industry. Actually, it was Dixie County Emergency Management
that always bothered me for whatever reason why that happened. But, uh, I support the sheriff holding on to emergency management. And thank you. Thank you, All right. Uh, any questions from the board? I know we got a motion on the
table by Commissioner Don. So, yes, sir. I I did make the motion and I stand by that motion. I I do agree with um keeping an emergency management sheriff's office. I haven't understood the concerns again and and you know all
the uncertainties that have have been raised with this decision for transition. So my motion staff has has so we'll go for a vote. We got a motion. Do we have a second
Newman's motion to keep emergency management where it is? We have a second. I have a second motion for lack of support. With that, we will move to our county
staff items. Item 14, the board to approve change order number one in the amount of $23,926 to to the contract for renovation and new construction work through the HP for
the home of parentus inspection and abatement as a evidence grant coordinator. Hey everybody, can you hear me? Thanks Melody. Um the change order is in
the amount of $23,926 for the demolction and construction of a home that had already approved for Karen Amber and we are asking for the change order and the requires that removal before we
can do the demolition. Any question? Yes. Will this 23,926 come from? It comes down to the um hurricane. So no cost to the county. No cost to the county.
Mr. Chairperson Melody, do we we have that in contingency, right? That's correct. Yeah. So, so there was an amount set aside for contingency by commission to second. I moved by commission. All in favor?
I All right. Thank you, M. Good. Item 15, the board to review and approve amendment number five for a sixmonth time extension to the Florida Department of Transportation public transportation grant agreement financial
project 436767-1 for the Perry Airport runway 12-30 rehab project agenda by Malie Cox. This was the project we received the bid on earlier tonight. The great was in the
amount of $3,525,321. As you can tell, the bid came in um right at the budget we passed. So hopefully we can move forward with that very quickly. There is no match for the county. We requested and received a rural economic development initiative
wid [Music] second. by commissioner. All in favor? I All right. Item 16. The board to review and approve the citizen participation
plan required to receive grant awards from housing and urban development program including but not limited to community development block grant programs ident. This will be in addition to our current county policy manual for managing
federal grant awards. This is a new plan that's required from the county for citizen participation on CBT grants that we will keep the public for that we will hold public hearings that we will advertise in the local paper that we
will advertise on our website. There are some programs CDBG housing that requires a system committee. Um the CDBG that we are submitting does not require that. But this is just um
another another plan we are required to have by um the federal government. So I'm asking your approval as is the requirement to submit the disaster recovery grant. Any questions, discussion from the board?
Questions or discussion? We'll take a motion to approve by second. Thank you. All in favor 17, Mr. Larry Leot to thank you.
17, Mr. Larry Leot to discuss damage. Hey everybody, thank you all for listening to me. My name is Larry Le. I live at 8739 out in Worth Road in Greenville address county. Been there for 31 years.
I was hired on with the county road on site in 20 22 I believe December 2022. And I've enjoyed working for them. I love some of the guys I work with. It's great. It's a good job and it suits me
for what I need, you know, financially. But on February 16th, I was coming in the works on a Sunday and it been raining off and on all morning and it rained on me on the way in. And when I got to the run site, it wasn't raining
hard, but it was raining enough that I needed to put on my rain coat. So, I put my raincoat on inside my truck. unlock the back gate and as I was going in the back gate, I looked to my left and there's three dumpsters up there that we
use and there's access road beside those dumpsters. The metal had been stacked up on the top of the metal bin. It was a cut up shed like a 8 by10 shed. They cut it up in big pieces. They stacked it up on top of the metal b. When I ran in, there was
three two one big piece and two smaller pieces laying out in the access rug where you couldn't get through. So, I got up on the hill and look to see which dumpers I could use through the day. And I was going down and I was going to stop and get that seat metal just if I could
just get it up against the side of the dumpster. You would be out of the way and I can get some help later on come in and we fix it. But as I pull around there and parked just to get out and go the bottom fell out. I mean it come rain and the wind
was blowing so hard I thought I thought I was in edge of a tornado. I really did. It scared me. And I sat there in my truck and then the wind picked that sheet metal up the biggest piece and just blew it over the front of my truck and just turned it and blew it right
down the side. Then a smaller piece come up and hit the back end. But there was nothing I could do. I couldn't get out of the way. It happened so fast. And uh it wasn't 10 minutes after all that happened. Everything just calmed down. So I got
out and I stood up the 10 out of the way. I went on in, opened up my two compactors, got them all squared away, got the office opened up and getting ready for my day. And I didn't even pay attention to my truck. I went over there and parked my truck and
got all my stuff done and it was still about 10 minutes of time for me to open. I usually open at a quarter or two. I still had about 10 minutes where I want to open and I walked out there and looked at the front of my truck to see what kind happened. I said, "Oh no, this
is bad." So nothing I can do about it on Sunday and Don was gone on Monday. So, I went to see Don on Tuesday morning and we took pictures of it and everything. We found that accident report that y'all I think y'all had it. If you don't, I got it here. But
anyway, we found that report. He got the pictures and said he would turn it into Miss Moana and see how they want to handle it. And uh the insurance company, the Taylor County Insurance Company sent me a letter
saying they denied my claim. that it didn't they had no proof of that happened the way it did. I called Miss Rachel Fuller. She was a claims adjuster and I called her and she said if you'd got a video of all that
happening we would have paid the claim. I mean it would have been no no you know you couldn't prove your own but 5 10 minutes and I'm not thinking about no video. I'm thinking about staying my butt because of that pain. And I mean,
it scared me. It really did. I let it go at that and I talked to Mr. Wanda and we we decided we try to work things out different way. But anyway, here I've been turned down. I
guess I just I don't know. You're the only hope I got. How much how much are the damages to your vehicle, ma'am? How much are the damages? What's the cost? Less than $2,000. 29.
It's 1976, right, Mr. Larry? 1976. Yes, ma'am. 87. So, a little under 20,000. And if I can, if you don't mind, he did we worked with the initial adjuster and we went round
we've gone round and round for months because I've never received that type of response before. If you'd only had a video, then there wouldn't be a problem. And so we escalated it. She's no longer with an adjuster with that group. So we
escalated it up to her, which would have been her boss. and we got a totally different answer. It was this never would have been considered because it's an act of God. So Mr. Larry has has gone round and round with the adjusters over
this, but ultimately they don't cover employees personal vehicles and because we have a policy in place that you know basically ties my hands as far as you know I couldn't authorize payment
that's why Mr. Larry's here. So, who in the, like you said, having the video, but when something like this happens, who's going to think, well, the insurance company may deny me, so I need
to take my phone out and and video this. And as you stated, you were afraid at that point in time because you really thought it might be a tornado that that was passing through. So
in my heart, I know this man is telling the truth about what happened. He's a rolloff worker. He's one of our lowest paid employees. You were there on the job early. You're
always early. You're dependable. You're one of our dependable employees. And yes, it was an act of God, but he was on the job for us. And so,
I feel like that we should pay for his vehicle to be prepared. Now, going back, it's going to not be the first time that we've done something like this, except
when we paid for another person's vehicle to be fixed, it was not an employee. They ran up on the concrete thing over at the courthouse. You know what I'm talking about, Commissioner Dimps? Yes, ma'am. and and we paid that claim
and it wasn't even an employee of ours, but we've got an employee and he's he's on the job early. He's faithful and we need to repair his truck. That's the right thing to do.
But we also had one that happened in a storm out of the compound. We didn't pay it. Did they come up here and ask? We were told there was no way that it could be there were we were told there was no way it could be paid.
It was my vehicle in charge. It was my vehicle. I would just say I understand the act of God, but at the same time, I mean, I was told about the situation. I wasn't told about there was rain involved and such of that. And you
got an employee out there checking the sign out when they come on duty. And they did see some debris that should have been in the bin that no fault of Mr. Leot that the debris was out on the ground. But
I feel like he was doing his job. And you know, I wouldn't have walked out there either in the rain, you know, but I feel like before he had any customers, so to speak, he was out there trying to do his job and try to get the place cleaned up so that people didn't run over it. So, in my mind, I could thank
him for trying to get the pieces out of the way because guess what? If it wasn't his vehicle, we got another citizen come running through there and they run over, then it could have been another vehicle we sitting here trying to have to repair. And so for me I yeah it's you we can word it
and you know talk different ways to not do it or and based on what insurance is saying but can't appreciate what he was trying to do. So is there a policy in place you said that speaks to that? There is and so I think that and that's
all we have. I mean that's what staff has to go by. So, we do have a policy in place that if people use their personal vehicle to do county business or even if it's parked on county property that it's
not, you know, that we won't pay the deductible. And so, that's where we get into, you know, that's where we get into the point that I can't authorize payment. Now, if this is something that the board wishes
to consider on a case-by case basis, that is absolutely your I mean, that's your right to do. I just want to make sure that we can give people the right answer. If the answer from the insurance company is no and you want to hear any appeal of that, that's absolutely
I mean that's within your obvious Mr. Chair. I was listening to the facts of this situation. And here's my take on it is that someone
made a mistake when they put these uh things that were not in the uh bin correctly, right? And then as a practical matter since they weren't as approximate cause of your injury to your vehicle was
because it wasn't placed correctly in the uh in the bin and then um it rained like crazy and it and the wind blew and blew it into your vehicle. So if I was representing you in uh uh trying to get
the getting paid for the your vehicle, that's the way I would argue it. And I think I would be successful. Does that make sense to you? I can't I can't understand. You can't understand what I'm saying. I'm saying pay you
legally is for I sounded kind of like a lawyer, but I mean basically he's saying given given the situation, Mr. it if he was representing you in this case given the situation
that he would get be able he felt like he would win to get your money to get your vehicle repaired. So I'd like to make a motion to pay for the man damage because he was doing us a
good job and he got a motion by question to Y make these repairs. We got a motion by Mr. Moody to make the repairs on your vehicle. Second by Commissioner Fel. All in favor?
I I thank you and thank you. We're going to fix your car. We're going to fix your truck. And thank you for the job you do for us. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'll give you a ma'am.
I'll give you a call tomorrow. I got to go to Lake City tomorrow to the VA outpatient clinic. Okay. Okay. But hopefully Okay. Thank you. Thank you all. Thanks, sir. All right. We'll move on to county
attorney items of 18. the board to consider approval of draft sales tax service charge ordinance and approval to advertise. Pursuant to y'all's instructions, I
prepared a an amendment to the ordinance um and also prepared a proposed notice. So if you want to run it a motion to to advertise a motion by commissioner to uh
approve the draft and advertise. We have a second by commission. All in favor? Yes sir. Item 19, county administrator item. The board to consider approval of your five job description for emergency management
director. Since the county has um administered emergency management, there has been a change in Florida state statute regarding the requirements to be an emergency management director. Um this
is found in state statute 25231 through 252.90 and there are minimum training and education qualifications. So we have listed all of them in the job description. They are highlighted but
this is basically amending the job description so that we have a correct job description for emergency management director. question. If if we had a candidate
and they did not quite meet all of that, could we hire them um and allow them to uh become qualified by the end of their probation time or
whatever time you you so the current statute um doesn't have the ability to remove an emergency management director if they don't meet those qualifications. I'd like to make that clear.
But in um I got an email actually today from emergency from FDM stating that pursuant to the state statute that's in effect, they would have until June 30th of 2026. So if we hired a candidate who did not
quite meet the qualifications, we could make that contingent upon meeting the requirements. Now um and we can speculate, you know, about legislation. Um there and that's just all questionable right now. As far as at the
end of 20 June 30th, 2026 if there are counties who emergency management directors do not meet the qualifications, it is unknown of what action the state could take at this time. But I imagine as we get closer to
that date, it would become quite clear. And just as an aside, um Dr. Glover has indicated that he would would like to move to the county. Um if it's if it's okay with the board, I'd like to have
that recommendation on the next agenda since we have a special meeting public hearing on September 8th, which would be next week, so that we could so that we could have a determination made and know whether we need to recruit for another
emergency management director or if he could transfer to the county. Will he have to take any additional training or or will his experience count or I think where are we with that? So, um I actually spoke with him about
that today. Um and we are going to make a checklist and go down one line at a time. I'm not entirely sure that he meets the experience requirements as of today, but we're going to look and see
how close he'll be by June 30th, 2026 because he's been in the position almost a year at this point. Yeah. Okay. So, we're certainly getting closer. And he has taken a multitude of training classes um in the last almost year.
And he's got certificates. He does. And I'll have that in your packet. SP on these. Yes. There there has been an investment made um to make sure that he has the
necessary training. And so if he is selected, there won't be any interruption in our services, right? No, there would not be. And for our
conversations with you, um we should not expect any interruption in services in terms of when there's a hurricane or or anything else, right? So, we have um a comprehensive emergency
management plan that was created in 2020 by emergency management and it was approved by the board of county commissioners in 2021 and that lays the the framework of what basically the response during an emergency. I mean it
addresses blue skies as well. But I think what's important for I hope everyone to understand is the response during a local state of emergency should not change. It should remain the same as
it's been for many many years. And at the end of the day whether blue skies administration is under the board or the sheriff the ultimate authority rests with the board. And each entity has their own emergency support functions
which they perform independently is what I'll say. Right. And and you're saying exactly what we've talked about before when you know I have questions or concerns about any interruption in services. And you know I just I can't imagine where these
people are coming up with these allegations and and why are they afraid? who is using scare tactics to scare these people especially in the south end when you know we're I'm not hearing
anything that causes me concern that they won't be taken care of. Well, I would say that, you know, Taylor County has has great support from our state partners
and that in the case of an emergency that we would continue to intermissions for either strike teams or search and rescue teams or, you know, deputies or, you know, people to, you know, cut
trees. Um, we had a number of of chainsaw teams that came, you know, that were loan to us from the state. I would not expect any different. Um, and I know the sheriff's office has done a tremendous job of responding um during
emergencies and I would not expect that to change. That would change. Isn't it fair to say? I mean, the emergency man outside of all the controversial discussions, but it's fair to say that Emergency management is an
administrative function. Blue skies. Yes. Yes. And the sheriff's duties during an event would still really be the same on the response side of it. That would be what I don't want to speak
for the sheriff obviously, but that's the way our emergency support functions. I'm just saying as part of the spelled out in this function. Yes, they would. So, we're not telling the sheriff to quit that side of to quit
responding to the citizens at all. Has there been any indication from the sheriff or the department that they will not help us? Because I know when I was here, I asked him specifically, would we have the the equipment and the
assistance and he said, said yes we will provide that. So you haven't heard anything different from that? No. Okay. Now another question that um has come to my attention is all the
equipment that was purchased or any equipment that's purchased through emergency management stays with emergency management. Correct. So the guidance that we've received from from department of emer of emergency
management is that any assets that were purchased with EMPA or EMPG funds should stay with emergency management. I know that there is some um response type vehicles that I believe
are purchased out of the sheriff's office budget and if that's the case that would stay with the sheriff's office. We actually I talked to Dr. Glover today and ask if we could sit down and create an inventory so everyone's on the same page of what was
purchased with emergency management dollars and what was not. And I think that will be the most helpful tool for all of us. What kind of vehicles are you talking about that might have been purchased out of the sheriff's budget? So, I believe
some high water response vehicles were purchased out of the sheriff's office budget because the as a law enforcement agency, they um they are able to um receive federal um surplus equipment and
they belong to that to that group where they can get things like Humvees, high water vehicles, you know, whatever is needed for response. and I I believe that they were purchased with the sheriff's office funds and they would
stay with the sheriff's office, who would be the the ones responding in them naturally. goes back again goes back to if they're needed and whether they're with the sheriff or whatever, but if they are with the sheriff that that they
would help us, they would help the citizens by using those high order vehicles or whatever else that he has. So, I guess bottom line, I just want to assure the public that there's there's there's not
going to be a change in terms of of the assistance that they'll get during a disaster. Well, unless the sheriff decides he's not going to do that, and surely he won't. I think that the way I frame the question to the Department of Emergency
Management is if there was a resource issue um with any agency, whether it be the sheriff's office or the fire department or whomever, if there was a resource issue, if there were not enough employees to respond or a disaster was
larger than we could respond to locally, how would we, you know, how would we request out and I was told that if you enter a mission, we will get you strike teams. We will get you whatever you need prior to landfall if it's a hurricane.
Either way, then we're going to be covered. That's my understanding. That's good. That's what I wanted to hear. All right. So, no other discussion. We will obtain a motion to approve this job description.
I move motion by commission. Second by commissioner. All in favor. Item 20. The board to consider approval of request for transfer of general fund reserve for contingency for funding
needed to replace roof at the techn. So, there was there has been an issue with some minor roof damage that was reported um after and it could have started with the DA. I apologize. they're all
starting to run together. But um so initially we thought that this was damage associated with a hurricane, but once we asked a contractor to go in and take a look, it all seems to be there's minor damage with the hurricane, but the
majority of the damage is basically underneath the roof. So it's the the wooden structure has has rotted. And because we've already done a we've already put a metal roof on top of the
old roof, we can't put another metal roof. So, we have to go through the whole asbestos, you know, mitigation or abatement process. And the quote that we got for that was $130,000.
Now, we pulled the I talked to the tax collector and we reviewed the contract and the contract is pretty clear that the board is responsible for maintenance. Um I don't and I don't think is
is this routine I mean is that maintenance or is this storm damage? It's not storm damage. So so none of the effects of any of these storms have contributed to this issue. That is my understanding. So this is basically age and
don't know where we're saying but don't know where but but there's a metal roof on there currently correct yes and so none of this storm issue has contributed to the the leaks or the degradation of the integrity of that structure.
That's my understanding that this is due to the the wood underneath that has rotted. But if if the I mean is there a leak or was there anything has been determined that is tied back to those storms? The reason I asked that is if it's an insurance claim versus
maintenance those obviously are going to have to be paid out of contingency or be claimed on on our insurance. But and I don't know because I've not been on that route. I I just seem to have a hard time thinking that there's there's been no effect of any of the three major
disasters we've been such. Well, that kind of rock wood said, right? But well, I mean, I guess that's their opinion. I would Could you get a second opinion from another contractor? I mean, and do we own that building?
We do not own the building, but we have a like a 99 year lease where we're responsible. So, we replace the roof or we put the metal roof on 10 or 15 years ago. said that we can't put another metal roof. I mean, we can't
replace it again. You can only do that one time. Well, I share the concerns of Commissioner Newman and you know, there's a possibility that um the the tax collector may move to a
different location, combine some offices or something. Unless this is just something I think I'm going the right way. maybe coming um you know to spend this kind of money on on something that we not we may not
have in a pretty short period of time now with this 99y year lease can we get out of this lease if he decides to uh do what he wants to do? Uh okay let me answer the first question. So um
so within the lease um under special conditions it states structural damages to the facility or major repairs are the responsibility of the subly sour unless the damage is the result of acts of
vandalism or negligence by the sublyc its officers agents or employee employees. So, I know when you know when we replaced the roof the first time, we went through the lease and felt like that we were bound by it and we had to replace the
roof. I did have a conversation with the tax collector and I don't know that we can just leave, you know, just vacate the building and leave the roof undamaged. Now, did you look over this, please? I can't.
Was is there any um well what's the 99 years out? It's quite a while. So in reference to insurance while the business I mean we don't own the building obviously I don't think our insurance would even cover it. Wouldn't
that any insurance claim have to be from the owner's insurance? Well that's a state is it? It is a state insurance not going to cover someone else's building. Actually, I think it is it was covered, but it this wasn't this
was this was determined to not be storm damage. So, the determination was made after their initial assessment that this is, you know, it wasn't just that a few sheets of metal were missing. This is
underneath the metal where the wood has rotted. So, it I can see if we can get another another quote, another opinion. I think we've tried that and we only got one response to the request for quote, but I
mean, we can we can call somebody else. There's no problem. Well, I I have to ask this question. So now if we put a tin roof on there at some time Mhm. Okay. And now we have rotten wood under there.
Was How did that How did that happen? That's what I'm trying to get at. How if you put a new roof on in a tin roof, then how did the structure underneath become rotten? Was it already that way and they
just put a new roof on or was the roof um um not the quality that we know that they would expect. Right. So this was done by an inmate this was performed the work was performed by an inmate work squad and
the person who ran that squad um is deceased. So I don't I don't know. I did ask um Mark that question because I could not remember you know, at what the time period, but I remember now, it was it was a an inmate
work squad. So, ultimately, I would think if it was a workmanship issue, we would still be responsible. Maybe this maybe the state's got more leverage under their insurance carriers. They got this building that they
obviously own under their insurance. I mean, could they potentially look at it and Send me the lease. I will. I don't disagree, Mr. Chairman. I mean, if it's our responsibility, we're not going to leave that building rotting down. I'm not trying to say that. But if
if there is a way through the state's insurance or our insurance given the storm impact that may have contributed. I don't know if it was rotten when it was repaired or not. I have no idea. But I have an idea of what this repair is
going to cost. And I'm not that way. It's because they have to remove because it's asbestos and that all has to be Yes ma'am indeed. I mean I understand quite expensive but if if that rehab or
repair can be connected to the disaster phase I'm not a contract. We tried we tried and they said this was existing damage. The insurance company determined that it was pre-existing
and they have a reason to a reason to what? To determine that. They did. They didn't want to pay. That's what I'm getting at. Thank you, council. Well, this is the same insurance company that just replaced the roof of the courthouse. So, I don't
we wore them out then, didn't we? Well, we did talk about it quite a bit. Send me the lease. Let me I will. We can table this. I want to ask you men, folks. $130,000 and we know the size of that building
out there. Does that sound unreasonable to y'all? I think it's the rehab and asbestous, but that's the disposal of that product, I think, is what's driving that cost. Yes, I think that's true. We're going to table the item.
Thank you. All right. Could I could I answer what you asked because I've had experience with that? Sure. When I dare you came through, I didn't
think I had that much damage either. And people come in, I had uh water leaks through the house. When we took and looked at the roof, I was told that a day
done like that shook the roof. They was holes this big in my roof. And it wasn't the damage didn't come until that storm come. You need to take a look at that roof. If there's holes in that roof,
it's storm damage. I'm moving on to item 21, the board to review and approve grant application to the Florida Commerce Florida Rural Infrastructure Fund program requesting funding assistance in the amount of $210,000 to provide accessibility to
exit the new shipping receiving area at Big Thunder Station agended by administrator. So, um this grant application is um a result of a I would say a team effort uh
between TCDA, the county obviously and Big Top and uh Commerce was involved um in order to make some funding available to them to expand um to provide an exit
to the southeastern border and of the property to provide accessibility to exit the new shipping receiving area at Big Top. Um this new exit will accommodate the new expansion and growth of Big Top. Um includes replacing
asphalt and base material, striping signage, landscaping and soding. So they cannot apply for the funds directly. So, they are asking if the county can apply on their behalf and the
county would be requesting funding assistance in the amount of $210,000 and Big Top would be um would be yes. Um they would provide the additional $290,000. Now, if I could ask a question to
Conrad, I'm assuming that we would need to ask for some type of agreement between the county and big top as far as how these funds are handled. Um, remember when we had the rail grant and part of it was
paid by the county and part of it was paid by another entity. Do we need to have some type of of um agreement with Big Top addressing that? We sure do. Okay. So, I would say if the board
approves this grant application, I can um I can communicate with commerce and and then um also we would ask Mr. Bishop to write up whatever type of agreement we need addressing addressing how this would be handled. Well,
commerce could give you uh also some some ideas of how how that would be uh how that contract would would be. Yes. You know, and also how you um have an agreement with big time because
it's something that more or less has probably happened in the in the past with with other entities that kind of split like this. So I would start with commerce. So I'm assuming that we would not you
know the cost of the project would just be split and you know we however we need to address the reimbursement. Um if you know that's something that we can work out if if the board wishes to move forward. Every time every time you do a grant
it's subject to um you know to approval. was subject to their sole discretion to stop, you know, all those things that that you read in the commerce um grants, right?
I mean, they are tight and rightly so. I'm not saying that they shouldn't be, but uh something that uh they should help you to determine that we're going to be safe in doing what's doing what we're doing.
Okay. So, Mr. Um I would make a motion to approve this grant application and also for our attorney to um prepare these documents that you're talking about.
Why don't you put in that is subject to us having commerce that we're doing the right thing. Right. that add up to my motion also and part of the economic development in and out ingress and egress.
We'll add all that to my motion. We have a motion by commissioner. We have a second. All in favor add on. Just add on. All right. To item 22, the K administrator to discuss
informationational items. The only thing I have is um I realized yesterday was the end of solup season. Um I've asked for our environmental services director to get us the new rolloff schedule as soon as possible. We'll get that posted on the website and I'll also send it to
the newspaper reminding people of our new um our new schedule. All right, we're going to see comments and concerns from the public for nonaggenda items. Nonaggenda items. He just asked for public comment
for non-aggenda items. Yes, he did. It's your turn. Non-aggended items. Non-aggenda items. Now I put my two cents in. But um to refresh your memory,
I'm Collins. Our address was 1490 East Beach Road. Um I messed with my roof and then come Well, we had Debbie, then we had then
the big biggie took my whole house. It's not the walls and the whole roof. But right there, the whole roof I got pictures I found with um Elevate Florida
that it says we have coastal communities. I believe that's where I live is the coast. And I recently after all this time of filling in their stuff, sending out this
paperwork, that paperwork, all this time, they tell me that they are denying they didn't deny. I It said a notice of Elevate, Florida
application withdrawal. They withdrew my all of my stuff. So I'm in the coast and the reason they said we want to assure you
we are writing to formally inform you that your application for the LA Florida program has been withdrawn effective 728 of 25. And then it goes on to say, "The reason noted on your file is property owner
noteligible, which means your application did not meet the program eligibility criteria." And it says of where I lived. That's why they redrew it because I live
at the beach. I live in the V zone, the VE, whatever. This was part of FEMA's mess. They knew where I live to start with and I had spent all these months and then they're just going to withdraw
my application because I lived at the beach. I lived at the coast. Uh, I asked several of your members to see where that coastal help money went,
who received it, because it listed all the counties, you get so many thousands of dollars. So, I I need to know where that money is spent because if it's not spent in the coast, why is
it called coastal community program? You referring to the Elevate Florida money? I'm sorry, my hearing. You're referring to the Elevate Florida. Yes, Elevate Florida. Correct. U when the
representative when they were here, they're the ones who told me to go ahead and apply. So, I applied. My number was 0 0921. And believe it or not, I had to redo
that thing five times. They give me five new numbers. And I kept telling them, I said, "Something is wrong because you're redoing my stuff." But I I just would like to know where that money went because
all this stuff I mean tons of stuff I found out and they knew where I live. We answer for Florida. Yeah, I don't think the criteria is within that program as to who what applicants were approved or not. There's and the flood zone certainly played into
that. I'm sorry. I No, ma'am. The program has defined criteria as to what applicants were qualified or deemed unqualified. The flood zone area was one of those requirements as I understand it. I don't
work for Elevate Florida or emergency management, but that's what has been explained to me. So, as far as where all the funding went, it would have to be qualified applicants who met that certain criteria. How can they live at the beach
and meet that criteria? Well, that depends on where the elevation lines are and how their their land lays within those drawn lines which were determined before let's look at that map because nobody
everybody is in that zone. So, where did they community coastal community program help? That'll have to be answered by the Elevate Florida folks and they have all those terms. I sent them an email. I actually sent it
to the governor, but it was given to Elevate Florida. Sure. And they said, "Oh, it was in the ve the V whatever they are." Yes, ma'am. But how can that help coastal community? Mr. Chairman, I can answer that.
Not in the V office, Miss Badlin. I think I can help answer that question. Okay. So, if you needed your home elevated, that program would Oh, yeah. They would elevate it, right? But, but who got that? Nobody got it.
Yes. No, there were some people who did who did. Where were they living? Because I'm higher than Keat Beach. I'm higher than any of the other places. So, I would actually have
to look at their address on the map, but I believe that there are some areas there that are not in a VE zone. They're in an AE zone, which would mean they would qualify. So, and you have to remember also that Steen Hatchee folks are considered
postal. So, I know that. So, that would be who So, well, they they also have a instant elevation. I mean, it's like a hill. So they wouldn't be that many right there next to the river.
So anybody around the river get money? So again, I don't have I don't have names and addresses. Can I ask for y'all to do that to get me information on who was qualified to get it in the Kustler area?
Didn't Didn't a newspaper provide the the number of people? numbers, not Yeah, you have numbers but not addresses, right? But I know there were a number of people who were who received funding and it may only be for elevation. I think it just depends on the individual circumstances.
We don't have that the information because the application was put in with only Florida, right? It didn't go through the county. So, the county did the funding. I'm just asking the county to do this for for me because if they will elevate a house
that's right next to mine. If they will do that for them, how come they won't my my foundation is still there, right? This
back after the 93 no-name storm of the century, our columns, they have a 3x3 foot, what do you call that? padding and in there is rebarb in every one of
those bricks. None of them broke when it went up. I didn't just put two. I put four. I put four of them things in each of my columns. The only columns that went down
was the one where the store, those big machines that he had, the freezers, all that come my wall. Not my wall. The house next door. Not
the front of it. The house across the street. Come this way. my whole roof with. So, if I could have picked up my roof, would I had a house? M. Why don't maybe you get with Lwanda
this week and maybe she could help maybe could help get you some answers on no guarantees because I say all that information comes from the Elevate Florida has all that information. Yeah. So, I would maybe recommend maybe
get with Miss Lwanda this week and see if maybe she can get you some answers to your questions. I have a second question because you um it was in the paper that Steve
hatching to Deadland Bay Marina sign up for recovery Florida. I said, "Do you have anything to do with FEMA?" No, they do not. So, I haven't got a call back from them, but
they are supposed to be helping people rebuild. Can y'all find out if that with government? So, that's that's more HUD money. That's a direct housing program um from HUD.
Okay. Yeah. So, did you apply, Miss Madlin, for that? I I haven't gotten any. She asked for my phone number. Okay. She filled out all the information on the computer. I would be getting a phone call from this number
to make sure I answered it. I put it in my phone. It's not run. Okay. I don't know where they are in the application process. Is that your question? U Well, big test.
What's What's your question with that one? Can y'all help me do to do what? To find out your find out find Well, one, I'd like to know where where they spent that coastal heard that part. But number two is will that recovery
Florida help me? I mean, are they just not going to call people back or I Yeah, I have no idea, but I can see if I can get an answer to that. Okay, I can give you the number or maybe I can even I'll call it
tomorrow and see. I will do that. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you. But again, I would urge you to get pictures of that roof because the insurance should pay for that because it
it was how else could holes get in 10. Thank you, ma'am. All right. Thank you for your time. Anyone else? Anyone? Mr. Patrick's still online. Yes. Anyone
want to speak? Are you talking about Mr. Zer? Yeah. Jim, I don't know. Um, Mr. Jim still has his hand up. We can check. Okay. What's the number 173?
Jim, are you there? No, I already talked earlier. I just was listening to Oh, I got it. Got it. Well, we appreciate you listening. We were just checking on making sure you didn't have something else.
Thank you. All right. All right. We move on to board information. Commission, I don't really have anything, but I just um hope that that we have cleared up um a lot of the concerns with a lot of the people in the south end. Uh that and we
feel like that the services will not be interrupted. I hope this gives them some peace of mind that that there'll be somebody there to help them. Um, I appreciate all the people that came out. Um, you know, we may not
always agree, but it's our job to listen, right? And thank you so much, Mr. Mr. All right. A motion to
[Music] favor. It's over. [Music]