[00:00:24]
DEAR LORD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS DAY. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING US HERE TODAY IN OUR BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL CLAY COUNTY.
JUST PRAY YOU'LL BE WITH US TONIGHT TO GUIDE US THROUGH THIS MEETING.
PLEASE PRAY YOU'RE BEAL WITH ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDER, ALL OF OUR MILITARY, AND WE SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER TODAY FOR OUR STAFF AND OUR EMPLOYEES IN OUR COUNTY THAT DO SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WORK SO HARD, AND I PRAY ALSO FOR MY FOUR FELLOW COMMISSONERS THAT ARE STANDING NEXT TO ME TONIGHT THAT YOU'LL JUST BE WITH US TO HELP US MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS, HELP US TO REALLY TAKE ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, ALL THE COUNTY INTO OUR MIND WHENEVER WE'RE MAKING THESE DECISIONS. I'M SO THANKFUL FOR EACH OF THEM AND WE KNOW WE GO THROUGH A LOT IN OUR JOBS. BUT WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US. PRAY YOU'LL BE WITH OUR FAMILIES, ALL OF THE KIDS, THE SCHOOLS, AND JUST WATCH OVER EVERYONE, JUST PLEASE PUT PROTECTION AROUND OUR COUNTY AND BE WITH ALL THOSE THAT ARE GRIEVING, ALL THOSE THAT ARE SICK, AND AGAIN, JUST HELP US ALL TO GET HOME SAFE TONIGHT. IN JESUS' NAME I PRAY, AMEN.
>> ALL RIGHT. OUR VETERAN- LED PLEDGE, WE'RE DEEPLY HONORED TO WELCOME COLONEL KRISTY PERRY TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TODAY. KERNT PERRY, A U.S. ARMY SERVICE MEMBER IS PREPARING TO RETIRE THIS DECEMBER AFTER A LONG AND DEDICATED MILITARY CONTRARY.
SHE IS CURRENTLY SERVING IN OUR ORGANIZATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SKILL BRIDGE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN CIVILIAN WORK EXPERIENCE AS THEY TRANSITION FROM MILITARY SERVICE INTO RETIREMENT. HER ASSIGNMENTS HAVE TAKEN HER ACROSS THE GLOBE, INCLUDING IRAQ, NORTH AFRICA, AND GERMANY.
SHE ALSO SERVED AT NUMEROUS BASES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. COLONEL PERRY IS HONORED WITH THE DEFENSE SUPERIOR SERVICE MEDAL, THE LEGION OF MERIT, TWO BRONZE STARS, THE COMBAT ACTION BADGE, THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF IDENTIFICATION BADGE, AND THE BRONZE ORDER OF MERCURY AMONG MANY OTHER ACCOMENDATIONS.
SHE CHOSE TO SERVE BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES, AS SHE PUTS IT, THAT FREEDOM IS NEVER MORE THAN ONE GENERATION AWAY FROM EXTINCTION, AND SHE WAS DETERMINED TO DO HER PART. COLONEL PERRY ALSO CONTINUES TO SERVE HER COMMUNITY AT THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND AS A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER AT BISHOP SNYDER HISCHOOL.
COLONEL PERRY, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY MILITARY SERVICE AND YOUR SERVICE TO US HERE IN CLAY COUNTY. WE'RE SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU WITH US. IF YOU'LL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE AND SAY A FEW WORDS.
>> I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING ME TO COME AND DO THIS TODAY. IT ACTUALLY IS VERY MEANINGFUL FOR ME TO COME BACK AND DO THIS, AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND DO THE SKILL BRIDGE PROGRAM HERE IN CLAY COUNTY, TO BETTER LEARN ABOUT HOW THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS. THANK YOU, SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MR. HOWIE WANAMAKER FOR SIGNING UP TO DO THAT.
I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME.
BOTH OF MY GRANDFATHERS SERVED IN THE NAVY IN WORLD WAR II, CAREERA, VIETNAM, AND THEY RETIRED. MY FATHER WHO IS ALSO HERE TONIGHT WENT TO ORANGE PARK HIGH SCHOOL, MY PARENTS WENT THERE.
MY DAD SERVED 30 YEARS AS AN AIRBORNE RANGER IN THE INFANTRY AND IS RETIRED HERE ALSO IN FLEMING ISLAND. BOTH MY BROTHER AND I HAVE ALSO SERVED TO RETIREMENT, AND MY HUSBAND IN THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND. ONE THING I HAVE TO SAY IS WE HAVE DEPLOYED MULTIPLE TIMES, BETWEEN MY HUSBAND AND I, WE HAVE TEN DEPLOYMENTS OVERSEAS, WHETHER IT'S IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, NORTH AFRICA, KOSOVO, WE ALWAYS CAME BACK TO CLAY COUNTY IN BETWEEN. PCSS AND DEPLOYMENTS, AND THIS WAS ALSO A PLACE WE SAY IN THE ARMY THAT WE WOULD TAKE A KNEE AND DRINK SOME WATER AND WE COULD JUMP BACK IN THE FIGHT. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE THIS A PLACE THAT NOT ONLY DID WE ALWAYS COME BACK WHILE WE WERE SERVING, IT WAS ALWAYS HOME FOR US. BUT NOW, IT'S ALSO THE PLACE THAT WE CALL HOME, THAT WE WANT TO RAISE OUR CHILDREN, OR FINISH RAISING THEM AS WE MOVE
[00:05:01]
INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR LIVES AND RETIREMENT. HOPEFULLY OUR SON IS GOING TO FOLLOW IN OUR FOOTSTEPS. HE'S LOOKING AT GOING TO WEST POINT AND SO WILL CONTINUE THE FAMILY LEGACY.I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND THE COMMISSIONERS AND WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY BECAUSE CLAY COUNTY SUPPORTS VETERANS NOT JUST IN WORDS BUT IN NEEDS AND WE CAN FEEL IT. WE LIVED IN A LOT OF PLACES AND WE HAVE SEEN WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY SUPPORT, BUT WE REALLY FEEL IT HERE.
IF THERE'S ANY WAY I CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE AND VOLUNTEER AND HELP TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO THAT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, CLAY COUNTY, AND THANKS, DAD, FOR ALWAYS BEING HERE FOR ME.
>> HOWIE AND I USED TO WORK TOGETHER.
>> I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
[PET ADOPTIONS]
MEETING FOR AUGUST 26TH, 2025. LET THE RECORD REFLECT ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE PRESENT. WE WILL MOVE INTO PET ADOPTIONS.OKAY, WE'LL START WITH OURB FIRST CAT TODAY, JILL, A SPAYED FEMALE.
DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR, TWO MONTHS OLD AND WEIGHS TWO POUNDS. THIS BRAVE ADVERCHERROR ISN'T AFRAID OF ANYTHING. SHE LOVES EXPLORING, CHASING TOYS AND SHOWING OFF HER FEARLESS SPIRIT. SHE'S READY FOR A FOREVER HOME THAT CAN KEEP UP WITH HER CURIOSITY AND GIVE HER ALL THE LOVE SHE DESERVES. ARE YOU READY TO BE HER HERO? NEXT, WE HAVE WHISKEY, NEUTERED MALE MIXED BREED.
TWO YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 42 POUNDS.
WHISKEY MIGHT HAVE A SOULFUL, SAD, SORRY MCLAUGHLIN LOOK, BUT HE'S FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE.
ACCORDING TO HIS FINDER, HE'S GOOD WITH KIDS, CATS, AND EVEN CHICKENS.
BASICALLY, HE'S A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY WHO GETS ALONG WITH THE WHOLE CREW. THIS EASY- GOING RETRIEVER MIX IS READY FOR WALKS, PLAY TIME, AND LOTS OF CUDDLES.
THAT FACE IS LOOKING FOR A FOREVER HOME THAT APPRECIATES A LITTLE PUPPY EYED CHARM.
OUR NEXT CAT IS WEDNESDAY, A SPAYED FEMALE, DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR. 2 YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 7. 1 POUNDS. TURN YOUR WEDNESDAYS INTO THE BEST DAYS. MEET WEDNESDAY, FULL OF CLEVER CURIOSITY, SELECTIVE SNUGGLES AND A LITTLE ADAM STYLE DRAMA. SHE LOVES QUIET OBSERVATION, HIGH PERCHES AND COZY SPOTS.
PATIENT, CALM HOMES WILL WIN HER LOYALTY, AND SHE'LL REWARD YOU WITH OCCASIONAL SNUGGLES, PLAYFUL ANTICS AND ENDLESS PERSONALITY.
ADOPT WEDNESDAY AND MAKE EVERY DAY A LITTLE MORE MYSTERIOUSLY WONDERFUL. LASTLY, WE HAVE YUCKY.
I GUESS THAT'S HOW YOU PRONOUNCE IT. A SPAYED FEMALE. A GREAT PYRANEES MIX. BOSS LEVEL COMPANION.
SHE HAS BRAINS, CHARM, AND A HEART FULL OF LOYALTY.
SHE'S THE KIND OF DOG WHO KEEPS A WATCHFUL EYE ON HER PEOPLE AND MAKES SURE EVERYONE FEELS SAFE. CURRENTLY RULING THE OFFICE WITH CONFIDENCE AND GRACE, SHE'S CURIOUS, CLEVER, AND ALWAYS READY TO SUPERVISE AND SNUGGLE. YUCKY -- I'M SORRY I'M SAYING IT WRONG, IS A DEVOTED COMPANION WHO THRIVES ON TRUST AND COMPASSION. BRING HER HOME AND SHEALLER BE YOUR GUARDIAN AND BEST FRIEND.
IF YOU'RE READY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND, OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ARE WAITING TO ADD EXTRA LOVE AND FUN TO YOUR WIFE.
FROM WAGGING TAILS TO PERING KITTIES, WE HAVE THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR YOU. WANT TO SEE WHO IS AVAILABLE? OUR WEBSITE AND MEET OUR ADORABLE CREW LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES. YOU CAN DROP US A LINE AT CLAY ADOPTIONS AT CLAYCOUNTYGOV. COM AND LET'S CHAT.
YOUR BEST FRIEND IS JUST A CLICK AWAY, AND PICTURES IS MELODY WHO WAS LOOKING FOR A FOSTER HOME WHERE SHE CAN GROW, RECEIVE SOCIALATION AND GET THE CARE SHE NEEDS UNTIL SHE'S READY TO BE SPAYED.
COULD YOU PROVIDE MELODY AND ONE OF HER SIBLINGS A TEMPORARY HOME? IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HELPING BUT YOU CAN'T BRING A PET HOME, TAKE A LOOK AT OUR AMAZON WISH
[00:10:02]
LIST. WE'RE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ITEMS FOR THE SHELTER ANIMALS. GO TO AMAZN.COM AND THAT COMPLETES OUR PET ADOPTIONS.>> WE RECOMMEND IF YOU ADOPT YUCKY, YOU CHANGE THEIR NAME.
>> HIDES RR CUTE, THOUGH. HE'S GOING TO BE BIG.
SHE -- IS IT A SHE? SHE'S A GREAT PYRANEES.
[CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS]
SHE'S GOING TO BE BIG. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, CLERK GREEN, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING? OKAY, DID I SEE ANYONE ELSE? I KNOW, TRACY -- I KNOW, I WAS NOT SKIPPING HIM. WE ASKED TRACY TO COME UP, SO LIKE AT QUARTER TO 4:00, SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE COME UP, BUT WE HAVE TRACY DRAKE, OUR PROPERTY APPRAISER.
DO YOU WANT TO COME AND SIT AT THE DESK OR ANYTHING? DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO US? WILL YOU TALK TO US? SO WE'RE KIND OF WHERE THIS CAME FROM IS THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, SO MOST CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS GOT THEIR TRIM NOTICES IN THE MAIL YESTERDAY. AND SO I SPECIFICALLY GOT A CALL ABOUT THE SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENT NOT BEING ON THE TRIM NOTICE. AND COURTNEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A REASON WHY, BUT YOU CAN EXPLAIN IT BETTER, AND SO WANT TO PRESS THE BUTTON? IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND TELLING US.
>> THERE'S NO REAL FANCY LEGAL REASON.
THEY JUST NEVER HAVE BEEN. SOME COUNTY SAID DO, SOME DON'T.
IT'S DISCRETIONARY. I HAVE NO PROBLEM PUTTING THE NOD AD ON THE NOTICE, IT'S JUST A TIMING ISSUE. FOR 2026, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO DO IT.
>> THANK YOU. I HAD NO IDEA WHY.
I TOLD THE RESIDENT, WELL, I'LL ASK THE QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> YEAH, I'LL BLAME MY PREDECESSOR. HE DIDN'T WANT TO ANSWER FOR IT.
HE JUST SAID, I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER FOR THE NON- AD VALOREM ASEXMENT. BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, TO YOUR POINT, WHEN THE TAX BILLS GO OUT, THEY'RE ON THE TAX BILL. WE GET A LOT OF PHONE CALLS THAT SAY WHY IS IT DIFFERENT THAN THE TRIM NOTICE? IT MAKES SENSE TO PUT IT ON THERE.
SO WE'LL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TIMING IS -- THAT WE CAN DO THEM FOR NEXT YEAR.
>> I KNOW WE'RE VOTING ON THE SOLID WASTE ASSESSMENT TODAY. HER QUESTION WAS, HOW DO I BUDGET? SHE'S ON A FIXED INCOME, AND SHE WANTED TO KNOW. I SAID GREAT QUESTION.
LET ME ASK. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR PROPERTY APPRAISER? I DID SEE THERE IS A STATEMENT ON THERE THAT YOU PUT FOR US, AN ASTERISK AND A STATEMENT ABOUT THE POINT TWO MILLS BEING FOR CONSERVATION.
I HOPE PEOPLE WILL LEAD THE WHOLE NOTICE BECAUSE IT'S NOT CALLED OUT IN THE FRONT, IN THE TOP PART, BUT IT IS CALLED DOWN ABOUT MAYBE ABOUT TWO- THIRDS OF THE WAY DOWN THE PAGE.
>> RIGHT. AND IF I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
JULY 1, WE SUBMIT THE ROLL AND THE TAX WILL VALUE TO THE TAX AUTHORITIES.
FROM THAT POINT, WE HAVE 55 DAYS THAT WERE REQUIRED TO MAIL THE TRIM NOTICES. WHEN WE WERE REMINDED ABOUT THE . 20 MILLS WE WERE 21 DAYS INTO THAT PROCESS, SO WE SPOKE TO OUR VENDOR.
WE DID OUR BEST TO SEPARATE THAT OUT.
THAT WAS PLAN A. JUST COULDN'T HAPPEN. THE VENDOR, THE PRINT VENDOR COULDN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN IN THAT TIME PERIOD, SO THAT'S THE REASON WE TREATED IT THE WAY WE DID, JUST SO WE CAN IDENTIFY THIS, AND THIS IS WHAT THE PURPOSE IS.
SO WE'RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN WHERE IT SEPARATES OUT ON THE TAX BILL.
>> SO HOPEFULLY ON THE ACTUAL TAX BILL THEY GET IN NOVEMBER, IT WILL CALL IT OUT.
I APPRECIATE THAT. ANY OTHER? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. FOR RUSHING UPSTAIRS.
WE'LL TRY TO NOT DO THAT TO YOU AGAIN.
AND OUR DIRECTOR WRIGHT, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. EVERYTHING GOOD OVER AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE?
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
>> ALL RIGHT. DID I MISS ANYBODY ELSE? ALL RIGHT. APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
>> I MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER MINUTES FROM AUGUST 12TH.
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, AYE. MOTION CARRIES 5-0.WE'RE TO OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
THIS PORTION OF OUR AGENDA IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MATTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD.
AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DEBATE OR ANSWER QUESTIONS. YOU MAY EMAIL,
[00:15:03]
ASKCLAY@CLAYCOUNTYGOV. COM OR EMAIL YOUR DISTRICT COMMISSIONER. PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS ARE CONVENIENTLY PLACED AT THE MEETING ROOM ENTRANCE AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CLERK ON THE FAR LEFT OF THE DAIS. YOU ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES. BEFORE ADDRESSING THE BOARD, WE REQUEST YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AT TODAY'S MEETING.AND I HAVE TWO CARDS. I HAVE THERESA SANDAY.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON ONCE AGAIN, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SWORN PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
>> CAN YOU MOVE THAT MICROPHONE IN FRONT OF YOUR MOUTH?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ONCE AGAIN, PUBLIC COUNTY OFFICIALS AND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. THEY SPIT THE WORD LIBERAL LIKE IT TASTES BAD IN THEIR MOUTH, LIKE IT'S AN INSULT, LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN JUSTICE AND DIGNITY AND BOOKS AND BREATHING CLEAN AIR AND FEEDING HUNGRY KIDS ARE SOMEHOW THE ENEMY.
WE LET THEM GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE FILTHY WORD THEY LOVE TO HISS THROUGH THEIR TEETH AND PIN IT RIGHT ON MY CHEST. I'M A LIBERAL, A BLEEDING HEART SOAP BOX STANDING PROTEST MARCHING DIGNITY DEMANDING LIBERAL.
AND I'M PROUD OF IT, TO BE HONEST.
PROUD OF THE HISTORY I COME FROM.
PROUD TO BE THE IDEALOGICAL HEIR OF THE PEOPLE WHO PASSED CIVIL RIGHTS, WROTE SONGS OF JUSTICE AND PICKET LINES AND PRISON CELLS.
MARCHED INTO GUN FIRE AND RIDICULE FOR THE RADICAL BELIEF THAT PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER.
LIBERALS GAVE YOU SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, THE MINIMUM WAGE, WORKPLACE SAFETY, DESEGREGATION, CLEAN WALTER, PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
YOU KNOW WHAT MAGA GAVE YOU? A GOLDEN TOILET, A RIOT, AND A BUTH OF MOUTH BREATHERS IN TACTICAL GEAR.
IF YOU WANT CONTRAST, I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU.
MAGA SAYS THEY SHOULD HAVE WORKED HARDER.
LIBERALS SAY PROTECT THE VOTE. MAGA SAYS PURGE VOTER ROLLS.
LIBERALS SAY NO ONE SHOULD KNOW BANKRUPT FROM A HOSPITAL BILL. MAGA SAYS IF YOU'RE POOR, YOU PROBABLY DESERVE TO DIE. LIBERALS SAY, TO LET THE PEOPLE LOVE WHO THEY LOVE AND LIVE HOW THEY ARE. MAGA SAYS THAT GOD HATES THE SAME PEOPLE THEY DO. SO DON'T COME TO ME WITH YOUR BIBLE IN ONE HAND AND THE FLAG IN THE OTHER LIKE IT MAKES YOU RIGHTEOUS.
IF THAT'S WHAT PASSED AS CHRISTIANITY THESE DAYS, THIS CRUELTY BRANDED ON THE NECKS OF OUR CHILDREN, YOU CAN KEEP HEAVEN. IF LAIR RR THE ONES GOING TO BE GLORY, I'LL TAKE A BAR STOOL AND A HALF LIT DIVE BAR WITH SOME WRITERS, PROTESTERS, DRAG GREENS, AND LOST CAUSES. AT LEAST THEY KNOW HOW TO LIVE.
I WAS RAISED TO BELIEVE IN THE DECENCY OF PEOPLE, TO HELP WHEN YOU CAN, TO SPEAK UP WHEN IT'S HARD, TO LEAVE THINGS BETTER THAN YOU FOUND THEM.
THAT'S LIBERALISM. THAT'S NOT WEAKNESS, IT'S STRENGTH. TETHERED WITH CONSCIENCE.
IT'S MORAL COURAGE. IT'S LOOKING AROUND THE MESS OF THE COUNTRY AND SAYING WE CAN DO BETTER, WE SHOULD DO BETTER. SO LET'S TRY.
MAGA DOESN'T WANT BETTER. THEY WANT POWER.
THEY WANT REVENGE, THEY WANT A FUTURE WHERE YOUR CHILD'S PRONOUN IS PUNISHABLE AND YOUR WIVE'S MARRIAGE IS A CRIME.
THEY WANT FLAGS AND CHURCHES AND PRISONS INSTEAD OF BOOKS.
THEY DON'T WANT A SHINING CITY ON THE HILL. THEY WANT A BUNKER, A COUNTRY SEALED OFF FROM COMPASSION, RUN BY FEAR AND RULED BY BILLIONAIRES WHO HAVE NEVER SET FOOT IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL. I'M PROUD TO BE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. CALL ME WOKE, CALL ME SNOWFLAKE, CALL ME A SOCIALIST OR WHATEVER YOUR PLAYGROUND SLUR THEY HAVE COOKED UP IN THE CESSPOOL THEY HAVE COOKED UP THIS WEEK.
YOU CAN CALL ME A LIBERAL AND I'LL SMILE BECAUSE IT MEANS I'M STILL TRYING, STILL BELIEVING, STILL HOLDING THE LINE FOR THE SOUL OF THIS COUNTRY.
BUT DON'T YOU EVER CALL ME A LIBERAL LIKE IT'S A BAD THING.
>> HI, MY NAME IS MARY JO GRIFFIN, AND I LIVE IN FLEMING ISLAND. AND I'M FAIRLY NEW TO THIS AREA.
AND I BELIEVE I HAVE SOMETHING TO READ FOR YOU, IT'S CALLED THE DREAM.
THIS COULD BE THE LAND OF PROMISE, IT COULD BE FERTILE FIELDS WHERE EVERY CHILD EATS.
EVERY DREAM BREATHES. WE COULD PLANT FREEDOM IN THE SOIL, WATER IT WITH EQUITY AND WATCH THE HARVEST RIDES LIKE MORNING SUN. BUT WE TILL THE FIELDS OF DESPAIR INSTEAD AND CALL IT PROGRESS.
I RAGE FOR WHAT WE COULD BE IN AMERICA.
THEY ETCHED ON PAGES BUT NEVER IN ACTION FOR THE TIRED MASSES. THEY SWORE TO WELCOME.
ONLY TO CAST THEM INTO CAGES, FOR THE TEACHERS WHO
[00:20:01]
TEACH WITHOUT PAY, FOR THE HEALERS WHO HEAL WITHOUT CARE. AND FOR THE POETS WHO SCREAM INTO THE SILENCE, WHY DO THEY FIGHT WARS FOR OIL BUT NOT FOR JUSTICE? WE POLICE THE CITY FOR IMMIGRANTS, BUT ABANDON THOSE CITIES TO ROT. WHY ARE THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS WORTH LESS THAN A BILLIONAIRE'S YACHT? THEY WILL SAY I AM ANGRY.GOOD. ANGER IS THE FIRE FOR RAGE TO CHANGE. THEY WILL CALL ME UNPATRIOTIC, BUT WHAT IF PATRIOTISM IS NOT THE WILL TO PERFECT THE DREAM WE WERE NEVER PROMISED? THEY WILL TELL ME TO LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT, BUT I WILL STAY.
I WILL FIGHT. I WILL TEAR DOWN THE GILDED FACADE AND DEMAND WHAT IS RIGHT. I DREAM OF AN AMERICA WHERE THE SWEAT OF YOUR BROW EARNS DIGNITY, WHERE NO MOTHER CHOOSES BETWEEN FOOD AND RENT.
AND WHERE THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN ISN'T THE COLOR OF YOUR SENTENCE. WHERE MY CHILDREN, YOUR CHILDREN, AND THEIR CHILDREN HAVE A FUTURE AGAIN.
THIS IS MY AMERICA. THE ONE I WILL CLAW TOWARDS.
>> THANK YOU, MS. GRIFFIN. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO
[CONSENT AGENDA]
WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS 2 THROUGH 14, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS ANY COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION? ANY? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
[15. Approval of Legislative Priorities and Appropriations Palm Card (M. Covey)]
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES, 5-0.
ITEM NUMBER 15, APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND APPROPRIATIONS PALM CARD. MEGAN.
>> AS MADAM CHAIR, AS MEGAN COMES UP AND SHE CAN BRIEF YOU ON SOME SPECIFICS WE DID SEND THE CARD FROM THE LAST BOARD MEETING TO MERCER. HE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT AND WE MADE ADJUSTMENTS BASED ON COMMENTS FROM THE LAST BOARD MEETING.
>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE CARD. AND REMAIN RELATIVELY UNCHANGED SINCE THE PREVIOUS MEETING. AND THE APPROPRIATION PROJECTS ARE LISTED ON THE BACK, USING BOARD FEEDBACK, WE DID GO AHEAD AND ADD THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE PROJECT. BUT OVERALL, FUNDING AMOUNTS REMAIN THE SAME AS WELL. SO OUR NEXT STEP PENDING BOARD APPROVAL TONIGHT WILL BE TO WORK ON THE PROJECT FORMS AND WORK THROUGH MERCER AND OUR DELEGATION'S LEGISLATIVE AIDES TO FINALIZE THE PROJECT PROPOSALS. HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK.
>> THANKS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY THOUGHTS, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS? BLESS YOU.
>> I JUST HAVE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, ONCE WE APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, REGIONAL COUNCIL WANTS TO CONSOLIDATE ALL OF THE PRIORITIES FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION IN A COMBINED EFFORT FROM NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL.
ONCE WE APPROVE IT, WE CAN FORWARD IT, THAT WOULD BE
ANYTHING ELSE? I DON'T SEE ERIC HERE TONIGHT.
WE COULD JUST HAVE HIM HAND CARRY IT, BUT THAT'S OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
DO WE NEED A VOTE ON THIS? I GUESS APPROVAL.
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 5-0.
[16. Bid No. 24/25-094 Green Cove Springs Library Roof project]
THANKS, MEGAN. WE ARE MOVING ON TO NEW BUSINESS. ITEM NUMBER 16.BID 2425-094. GREEN COVE SPRINGS LIBRARY ROOF PROJECT.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. YES, THIS IS THE AWARD OF THE BID FOR THE ROOF PROJECT AT THE GREEN COVE SPRINGS LIBRARY AS YOU INDICATED. WITH THE RECOMMENDATION APPLYING LOCAL PREFERENCE SO WE WOULD BE AWARDING TO A LOCAL CONTRACTOR AT $105,000.
THIS PROJECT WAS NOT ON THE REDUCTION LIST BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY OUT TO BID AND STAFF WAS ALREADY LOOKING AT THE LEAKS AND THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING THERE AT THE LIBRARY. SO WITH THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL AS UNDER NEW BUSINESS WAS BE WANTED TO POINT OUT LOCAL PREFERENCE AND IT WILL REQUIRE A BUDGET TRANSFER
[00:25:01]
OF $30,000.QUESTIONS. >> MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE A QUESTION. SO IS THE -- I FEEL LIKE WHEN I ORIGINALLY READ THIS, THE FULL AMOUNT WAS OUT OF RESERVES.
>> BECAUSE THEY AGREED TO MATCH THE LOWEST
BID. >> WELL, IT WAS AN ERROR WHEN IT SAID $105,000 ORIGINALLY.
>> OKAY, GOOD. IT'S ONLY OVER BUDGET BY $30,000.
>> I THINK ALL OF US COULD PROBABLY AGREE.
THE ONE THING I WANTED TO COMMENT ABOUT IS GOING THROUGH THE FIRST BUDGET CYCLE, IT PAINS ME TO TOUCH RESERVES EVER. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MAYBE WE ALL COULD CONTINUE TO BE COGNIZANT OF.
SOME OF THESE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THAT ARE NECESSITIES LIKE ROOFS, WHEN WE ALL SUBMIT OUR REQUESTS FOR BUDGETING, LIKE THESE ARE GOING TO HAVE 'S- TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS.
BUT THAT IS LIKE YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, BETTER, LESS BAD NEWS.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS FOR KAREN? COMMENTS? I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION IF NOT.
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAFRK, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 5-0.
THANK YOU. WE ARE NOT AT OUR 5:00
[26. Bid Opening Tabulation (K Smith)]
TIME CERTAINS YET, SO I WOULD MOVE TO LETTERS OF DOCUMENTATION, WHICH WE JUST DISCUSSED.THE GREEN COVE SPRINGS LIBRARY. SO I WOULD IMAGINE WE ARE AT OUR COMMISSION AUDITOR.
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. I LEFT A MEMO IN EVERYBODY'S OFFICE FOR YOU GUYS TODAY.
AND ATTACHED TO THAT MEMO IS A LIST OF PROPERTIES.
SO AS I SPOKE ABOUT LAST BOARD MEETING DURING MY DOGE UPDATE, STAFF AND I WERE GOING TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO SOME AREAS IN THE COUNTY THAT WE WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD FIND SOME EFFICIENCIES.
ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT WE HAD ALREADY STARTED LOOKING INTO AS FAR BACK AS LAST YEAR WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT ON THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX WAS MOWING AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR FIELDS. SO, EARLIER THIS YEAR IN JANUARY, OUR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT WAS CREATED TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF THE MAINTENANCE AT OUR COUNTY FACILITIES AND MOVE OUR MAINTENANCE FOR OUR PARKS AND REC FACILITIES AND ALSO OUR COUNTY- OWNED IES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDER OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT.
SO CURRENTLY, WE HAVE TWO TEAMS UNDER THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST TEAM IS THE ATHLETIC FIELD MAINTENANCE TEAM OF SIX EMPLOYEES OUT AT THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX.
THEY MAINTAIN THE CONTRACT OUT THERE, WHICH WE'LL TALK ABOUT AND ALSO THE FIELDS OUT THERE.
SO IN THAT TEAM, WE ALSO HAVE AN IRRIGATION TECH AND A RECREATIONAL TURF TECH AND THEY ALSO DO MAINTENANCE AT OUR OTHER COUNTY FACILITIES AND PARKS.
SO THEY'RE NOT ONLY AT THE SPORTS COMPLEX BUT THEY DO ALSO GO TO OUR OTHER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A GROUNDS MAINTENANCE TEAM OF 11 EMPLOYEES.
OF THOSE 11 EMPLOYEES, EIGHT OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR MOWING THE PARKS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN HOUSE. SO IF YOU LOOK AT MYTHAT I HAD OF THE CONTRACTED MOWING PROPERTIES ON THE BACK PAGE, IT SHOWS WHAT OUR INHOUSE MOWING PROPERTIES ARE.
SO YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE 12 ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PARKS AND THREE BOAT RAMPS.
SO THIS TEAM ISIS IN CHARGE OF PERFORMING PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS SUCH AS NET REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS, TRASH PICKUP AND DISPOSAL, TREE AND SHRUB PRUNING, MAINTENANCE OF PARKING LOTS, PAR
[00:30:04]
ENTRANCES, RESTROOMS, BRIDGES, FENCING, BENCHES, PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING AT OUR PARKS THEY MAINTAIN, NOT JUST THE MOWING. IN ADDITION, THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT OVERSEES THE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE FOR FLORIDA LAWN MEDICS, AGROW PRO, AND CHALLENGE ENTERPRISES. SO LIKE I SAID, IN ORDER TO TRY TO FIND SOME EFFICIENCIES, WE TOOK A LOOK AT THIS OF WHAT IT'S COSTING US FOR OUR CONTRACTS AND WHAT IT WOULD COST FOR US TO BRING THESE CONTRACTS INHOUSE AND DO THE MOWING AND MAINTENANCE INHOUSE.SO ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE MEMO, AND THERESA, WILL YOU PULL IT UP FOR ME PLEASE?
>> SO THE FIRST CHART YOU'LL SEE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MEMO, THIS IS WHAT IT'S CURRENTLY COSTING US FOR OUR CONTRACTS.
SO YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE TWO CONTRACTS, THE FIRST ONE IS WITH FLORIDA LAWN MEDICS. AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY MAINTAINING 26 FACILITIES. SO AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FACILITY LIST THAT I PROVIDED TO YOU, THESE ARE WHAT WE KIND OF CALL THE COMMUNITY PARKS, SO THE SMALLER PARKS IN OUR COUNTY. AND THEN THEY ALSO, WE HAVE ADDED THE FAIR FAIRGROUNDS TO THEM AND EIGHT OF THE FEMA PROPERTIES ALL LISTED ON THE SHEET. YOU CAN SEE THE PRICES THERE THAT WE ARE PAYING ANNUALLY FOR THAT CONTRACT. THE SECOND CONTRACT RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE FOR AGRO PRO, AND THAT'S AT THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX. AS PART OF THAT CONTRACT, THEY ALSO PERFORM SPRAYING AND CHEMICAL APPLICATION FOR US, BUT THAT IS NOT PART OF THIS DISCUSSION THAT WE'RE HAVING TODAY. IT'S A SEPARATE PIECE, SO THAT PRICE THERE DOES NOT COVER THE SPRAYING THAT THEY DO OUT AT THE REGIONAL PARK.
SO WE ALSO HAVE ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS, OUR FIELD SUPERVISOR, THAT BASICALLY GOES BEHIND AND CHECKS OUR PARKS AFTER OUR CONTRACTORS HAVE MOWED THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE UP TO OUR STANDARD. SO ABOUT HALF OF HIS WEEK IS REVIEWING THE WORK THAT'S DONE BY OUR CONTRACTORS, SO WE ALSO HAVE THAT IN THERE FOR A TOTAL ANNUAL PRICE OF $507,121.25. TO MAINTAIN OUR CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE FOR MOWING. ON THE SECOND PAGE, YOU WILL SEE AN EVALUATION OF WHAT IT WOULD BE TO BRING IT INHOUSE.
SO THERE ARE A LOT OF NUMBERS HERE, SO I'LL TRY TO BE AS CLEAR AND CONCISE ON THESE. SO WHEN I SPOKE WITH OUR GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR, ERIC JONES, HE INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO BRING THE MOWING INHOUSE FOR OUR 26 PROPERTIES, THE FAIRGROUNDS, THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARK AND OUR EIGHT PROPERTIES, THAT WE WOULD NEED TO ADD ONEONE WITH A LEAD MOWING TECH AND THREE MOWING AND MAINTENANCE TECHS.
SO YOU CAN SEE AT THE TOP, I HAVE THOSE SALARIES WHICH INCLUDE THE BENEFITS THAT WE WOULD PAY FOR THOSE.
AND I HAVE WORKED WITH OUR PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT AND OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO GET ALL OF THE NUMBERS THAT YOU GUYS SEE HERE. SO IN OUR FIRST COLUMN HERE IS OUR YEAR ONE. SO IN YEAR ONE OF TAKING OVER, BRINGING THIS INHOUSE, YOU'LL SEE THAT COST THERE.
IN THE SECOND COLUMN, IT'S YEAR TWO THROUGH SEVEN, AND I'LL EXPLAIN IN A SECOND WHY I HAVE THAT. AND THEN THE THIRD COLUMN, YOU WILL SEE YEAR EIGHT.
AND THESE ARE ALL ANNUAL SAVINGS.
SO YOU CAN SEE YEAR TWO THROUGH SEVEN AT THE BOTTOM, IT SAYS $194. THAT WOULD BE ANNUALLY.
SO EACH YEAR IN YEAR TWO THROUGH SEVEN.
SO THE MIDDLE PART OF THIS CHART SHOWS THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE WOULD NEED TO BRING THIS, THE CONTRACTS INHOUSE.
SO FOR OUR ONE CREW, WE WOULD NEED TO PURCHASE ONE MORE TRUCK, ONE TRAILER, AND THREE ZERO-TURN MOWERS SO THOSE ARE THE PRICES WE HAVE THERE IN YEAR ONE. WE ALSO HAVE MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT AT THE BOTTOM AND FUEL AND MAINTENANCE. I HAVE THOSE IN EACH YEAR JUST TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN THE EVALUATION.
YOU CAN SEE IN THE MIDDLE HERE, WE HAVE A FEW PIECES OF
[00:35:05]
EQUIPMENT. AIRIATOR, TOP DRESSER, AND FAIRWAY UNIT. WHEN WE TOOK OVER -- WHEN WE OPENED THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX, WE HAD PURCHASED THAT EQUIPMENT. SO I'M NOT INCLUDING THAT IN THE EVALUATION HERE TO BRING IT INHOUSE BECAUSE THAT WAS PURCHASED NOT TO BRING THE CONTRACTS INHOUSE. HOWEVER, I HAVE IT OUT IN YEAR EIGHT BECAUSE THOSE ITEMS HAVE A SEVEN- YEAR USEFUL LIFE, SO IN YEAR EIGHT WE'LL NEED TO REPLACE THOSE. YOU CAN SEE THE PRICES THERE.SO IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FIRST COLUMN, WITH PRICES, OUR TOTAL INHOUSE COST WOULD BE $383, 258.21. THAT WOULD BE A SAVINGS FROM OUR CONTRACTS OF $123,863.04. SO AGAIN, WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE MIDDLE COLUMN, YEARS TWO THROUGH SEVEN, WE DON'T HAVE THE COST FOR THE TRUCK, THE TRAILER, THE MOWERS OR ANY OF THAT EQUIPMENT.
I DID BRING THE MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT AND THE FUEL AND MAINTENANCE AGAIN JUST TO BE CONSERVATIVE. I DON'T THINK THAT WE WOULD SPEND THAT AND HAVE TO REPURCHASE WEED EATERS, BLOWERS, EDGERS, STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT I WANTED TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN THE EVALUATION.
SO YOU CAN SEE YEAR TWO THROUGH SEVEN, THERE IS AN ANNUAL COST OF $312,400 WITH AN ANNUAL SAVINGS OF $194,721.
IN YEAR EIGHT IS WHEN WE WILL HAVE TO START REPLACING OUR EQUIPMENT. SO YOU CAN SEE THAT IN YEAR EIGHT, OUR COST GOES UP TO ABOUT $687,571, WITH A NEGATIVE FROM WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING FOR OUR CONTRACT, SO THAT WOULD BE A NEGATIVE $184,449.
IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE SAVINGS WE HAVE YEAR ONE THROUGH SEVEN, IT WOULD BE A SAVINGS OF $1,292,190, SO WE'RE STILL ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS AHEAD. AND I DON'T HAVE IT GOING FORWARD FOR YEAR 11, BUT FOR THE TRUCK AND THE TRAILER, THOSE HAVE A USEFUL LIFE OF TEN, SO YOU WOULD SEE IN YEAR 11, WE WOULD ALSO HAVE THOSE IF I EXTENDED IT OUT TO THAT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. BACK TO PAGE ONE.
>> FIRST PAGE. WE HAVE FEMA PROPERTIES.
>> ARE THESE ALL VOLUNTARY HOME BUY- OUT PROPERTIES?
>> AND JUST FOR THE LISTENING PUBLIC, THOSE ARE PROPERTIES THAT WE THROUGH A PROGRAM, VOLUNTARY HOME BUY- OUT, ARE PROPERTIES THAT HAD PERSISTING FLOODING AND FLOOD INSURANCE HAD TO PAY MULTIPLE PAYOUTS, SO THE PROGRAM WAS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BUY THESE, FOR US TO BUY THESE, THAT WE WERE PROVIDED THE MONEY TO BUY THEM, BUT PERPETUAL CARE, AND ONE OF THE USES OR SEVERALF THE USES FOR THESE PROPERTIES WERE PARKS, PONDS, AND SUCH.
WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC. MY QUESTION, I GUESS, TO STAFF IS HAVE ANY OF THESE PROPERTIES TRANSITIONED TO PARKS, PONDS, OR SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS THE PUBLIC? BECAUSE THEY'RE TROUBLED PROPERTIES. AND THEY'RE SMALL.
THEY'RE A QUARTER ACRE OR A HALF ACRE HOUSING LOTS, A LOT OF THEM ARE.
>> AND MOST OF THEM ARE IN MY DISTRICT.
I CAN TELL YOU SOME OF THEM ARE IN COMMISSIONER
BURKE'S. >> ONE IS IN COUNTRY CLUB.
>> HOW THAT ONE GOT ON THE LIST.
>> IT FLOODED. ORANGE PARK COUNTRY CLUB IS LOW LYING AREA.
>> THE FACT IT'S EVER GOING TO FLOOD AGAIN.
THAT'S THE THING. URMA WAS KING TIDES LIKE ONCE IN 500 YEAR FLOOD. ANYWAY.
THE PUBLIC IS NOW PAYING FOR MAINTENANCE OF THOSE PARKS.
OR THOSE PROPERTIES. AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, BUT NOW WE GOT THEM. PERPETUAL CARE IS A LONG TIME.
AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THOSE PROPERTIES FOREVER NOW.
>> I HAD ASKED STAFF AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS HAD A
[00:40:02]
CHANCE TO GET BACK AND ANSWER, BUT I ASKED STAFF TO LOOK INTO ASKING FEMA IF WE COULD PAY BACK THE MONEY AND SELL THE PROPERTIES.BECAUSE HERE'S THE REALITY. MOST OF THEM ARE ON BLACK CREEK.
AND THEY ARE -- THE NEIGHBORS OF THEM, I KNOW IT'S IN YOU'RE ACROSS THE CREEK FROM YOU ARE THE ONES I HAVE, THE NEIGHBORS DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC IN THERE. THE ONE -- WE WERE GOING TO LOOK AT PUTTING A KAYAK LAUNCH. I THINK THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE AT PLANNING COMMISSION THAT NIGHT THAN MAYBE WITH THE OLD ROAD DISCUSSION. IT WAS -- THEY DON'T WANT IT.
THEY DON'T WANT PUBLIC ACCESS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> DON'T WANT TO PARK NEXT TO MY
HOUSE. >> AND THAT'S A GATED NEIGHBORHOOD. SO I DON'T KNOW IFIF -- IF WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT, BUT IF WE CAN SELL THE PROPERTIES TODAY, THEY WOULD SELL AT A PREMIUM FROM WHAT THEY WERE PAID IN ERMA EIGHT YEARS AGO, AND PAY BACK THE MONEY TO FEMA.
>> I THINK THEY COME WITH THE DISCUSSION, WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE USE OR DISPOSAL IF THAT'S AN OPTION.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THAT'S AN OPTION.
BUT IT'S A BURDEN THAT OUR TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING, WITH NO VALUE ADDED.
>> IT'S PERPETUAL, FOREVER. ANYWAY, THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE.
>> OKAY. >> MADAM CHAIR, I'LL GO.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, HEATHER, I APPRECIATE YOU COMPILING THIS.
IT'S A LOT OF WORK GETTING ALL THIS TOGETHER.
AND THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR COMPILING ALL THIS.
SO, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK GOING INTO CONTINUING TO FIND EFFICIENCIES. ONE OF THE COUPLE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE REGARDING THIS, SO WHEN YOU MENTION NUMBERS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE EIGHT TECHS WHO ARE MOWING 16 SITES. WITH THE ADDITIONAL STAFF, IF YOU WERE TO BRING IT INHOUSE, YOU WOULD BE GOING TO 12 TECHS MOWING 37 SITES.
AND LIKE I SAID, YOU KNOW, FORTUNATELY, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS MY WHEELHOUSE, IT'S WHAT I DO PROFESSIONALLY. I JUST, I HAVE CONSIDERABLE CONCERN AS TO BY ONLY ADDING FOUR MORE STAFF MEMBERS, COVERING DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF PARKS, RIGHT, AND LISTEN. I WILL ALSO SAY THROUGH DOING THE RESEARCH ON THIS AND TALKING TO SOME OF OUR PARTNERS ON THE ATHLETIC FIELD SIDE, I'M GETTING TWO THUMBS UP FROM THE PRESIDENTS OF A LOT OF THESE ASSOCIATIONS. THEY SAY THE COUNTY IS DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB MAINTAINING THE PARKS.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PARKS THAT WE CURRENTLY DON'T MOW, SOME OF THESE ARE PRETTY BIG.
AND JUST FOR THE WAY THAT COMPANIES VALUE THESE IS OFF OF ACREAGE, SO THE LARGER THE PARK, THE MORE EXPENSE. YOU LOOK AT NUMBER 33, 21,000.
MOODY PARK, THESE ARE BIG UNDERTAKINGS AND I THINK OF ACTUALLY HAVING RIDDEN A MOWER MANY TIMES MYSELF, THAT'S A FULL DAY SOMETIMES OR AT LEAST THREE- QUARTERS OF A DAY ON ONE PARK. SO THEN YOU ADD THAT MANY MORE.
IT'S NOT THE FACT FOR ME WHETHER I THINK STAFF CAN.
IT'S DO THEY HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO STAY AHEAD WITH ALL THE RAIN AND STUFF THAT WE HAVE, YOU GET BEHIND THESE THINGS, THESE THINGS COMPOUND, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT. AND REALLY, FOR ME, IT'S MORE SO MAKING SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE THE -- THEY GO TO THEIR PARKS AND THEY'RE MOWED AND THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF, AND THAT'S KIND OF ONE OF MY BIG CONCERNS.
>> SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. AND WE HAVE HAD -- I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF OTHER COMMISSIONERS ASK THAT QUESTION AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THE PROPERTY, AND YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON IT A LITTLE BIT, THE PROPERTIES THAT WE ALREADY ARE MOWING INHOUSE AND MAINTAINING INHOUSEARE OUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PARKS.
SO THE LEVEL OF MAINTENANCE THAT WE HAVE AT THOSE PARKS ARE AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY PARKS BECAUSE THEY DON'T REQUIRE AS MUCH, LIKE YOU SAID, THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE FIELDS THAT OUR ASSOCIATIONS ARE PLAYING ON WEEKLY. AND THEN ALSO, TYPICALLY, THOSE PARKS ARE THE LARGER PARKS. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED A COUPLE THAT ARE ON OUR CONTRACT LIST THAT ARE THE LARGER PARKS.
I ALSO, ANOTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION JUST TO REMIND YOU THAT CURRENTLY, WITH OUR EIGHT INHOUSE STAFF, AND ERIC JUST CAME UP SO HE CAN EITHER CORRECT ME OR ADD TO WHAT I'M SAYING, OUR EIGHT INHOUSE STAFF NOW ARE NOT ONLY DOING THE ASSOCIATION PARKS, THE MOWING AND
[00:45:01]
MAINTENANCE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO DOING THAT MAINTENANCE THAT I MENTIONED LIKE THE ENTRANCES, THE RESTROOMS, THE PARKING LOT, THE SHRUBS, THE PICKUP OF GARBAGE, MAINTAINING THE BRIDGES, FENCES, BENCHES, AT THE PARKS, AT THOSE COMMUNITY PARKS THAT WE ARE CONTRACTING OUT TO MOW. SO OUR CONTRACTORS RIGHT NOW ARE JUST MOWING THOSE PARKS, AND THEY HAVE TO TRIM SOME SHRUBS AND TREES, ERIC WAS TELLING ME ABOUT THAT. BUT ALL OF THE OTHER MAINTENANCE IS DONE INHOUSE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SO OUR INHOUSE STAFF IS NOT ONLY TOUCHING THOSE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PARKS BUT THEY'RE ALSO TOUCHING ALREADY THE PARKS THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. DOES THAT MAKE A LITTLE MORE SENSE? SO IT'S NOT JUST EIGHT PEOPLE WITH THE 12 PARKS AND NOW THREE FOR 27.>> CAN I ASK YOU A CLARIFICATION QUESTION? WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THE EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE EXTRA TIME ON THEIR HANDS TODAY?
>> NO, NO, NO. THEY ARE MAINTAINING THINGS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTRACT. OUR CONTRACTORS ARE THERE TO MOW THE PARKS. AND TO CUT SOME OF THE SHRUBSSHRUBS THE TREES. THEY DO EXTRA STUFF LIKE I SAID, MAINTAIN THE RESTROOMS, PICK UP THE GARBAGE, WHICH WE WOULD NOT HAVE OUR MOWING CONTRACTOR DO.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS.
ERIC JONES, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR.
TO THE POINT OF -- TO YOUR SPECIFICALLY THREE TO FOUR STAFF MEMBERS TO TAKE OVER THE WORK OF WHAT THE CONTRACTORS CURRENTLY ARE DOING, OUR ASSOCIATION PARKS ARE A LOT LARGER THAN A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITY PARKS. IF YOU TAKE A VISUAL, TAKE OAK CREEK PARK, GOVERNOR'S CREEK BOAT RAMP, SANDS PIER, WILLIAMS PARK, THE BOAT RAMP, THERE'S A MULTITUDE OF SMALLER PARKS. THERE'S A COUPLE LARGER ONES BUT THERE ARE MORE SMALLER ONES THAN LARGE.
AND BRINGING THIS INHOUSE, WE'RE NOT BRINGING THREE NEW PEOPLE ON A CREW TO THAK THE TWO CREWS WE HAVE, CREATE THREE CREWS.
WE TAKE THREE EXPERIENCES PEOPLE WHO ARE LEAD MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS WITH ANOTHER EXPERIENCED PERSON ON THE TEAM UNDERNEATH THEM AND SPREAD THE STAFF OUT AND TRAIN THEM UP. ALSO, IN DOING SO, WE'RE GOING TO BREAK THIS INTO AREAS AROUND THE COUNTY.
SO WE HAVE A CREW THAT WILL LEAVE FROM OUR SHOP ON 315 AND GREEN COAST SPRINGS AND HEAD OUT 16, HEAD DOWN TO KEYSTONE. ANOTHER CREW WILL HEAD OUT TO WILLIAMS PARK AND RUN UP THE WEST SIDE OF CLAY COUNTY, AND WORK THAT AND WORK IN THROUGH 220 AND THEN THE OTHER CREW WILL GO UP AND GO THROUGH OAK LEAF, OUT THROUGH FOX MEADOWS AND WORK THOSE AREAS. IN DOING SO, THEY CAN STILL MAINTAIN THEIR ASSOCIATION PARKS.
THEY CAN PICK UP THESE COMMUNITY PARKS AND STILL ACCOMPLISH GOALS OF THEIR OTHER TASKS THEY HAVE TO DO AT THE PARKS ON TOP OF OUR TECHNICIAN POSITIONS THAT WILL DO THE PLAYGROUND SAFETY INSPECTIONS, THE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE WHEN VANDALISM COMES, GETTING EVERYTHING OFF THE SLIDES, PLAYGROUNDS, BATHROOMS, SOAP DISSPENCERS, THE BRIDGES AND THINGS WHEN THEY'RE SET ON FIRE, HAVING TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS. KNOCKING A FENCE OUT WITH DADDY'S ATV, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
PUTTING THE FENCE BACK UP. WE HAD TWO OF THOSE CASES OVER THIS PAST WEEKEND. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE'RE NOT JUST -- WE DON'T HAVE EXTRA TIME ON OUR HANDS. WE'RE NOT JUST SITTING AROUND.
WE HAVE A LOT WE HAVE TO DO. THE COUNTY IS A LARGE COUNTY FOR THE STAFF WE HAVE. AND I OPENLY INVITE THESE THREE MEMBERS TO COME IN AND TAKE THIS INHOUSE. I THINK AESTHETICALLY, WE CAN MAKE A BETTER APPEARANCE THAN WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR PARKS AND MAKE IT MORE PLEASING TO OUR
COMMUNITY. >> ANOTHER FOLLOW- UP QUESTION I HAVE, AND I THINK THAT'S MY -- THAT'S MY CONCERN, IS I DON'T KNOW IF THREE PEOPLE IS ENOUGH. THAT'S KIND OF MY CONCERN.
MY CONCERN IS NOT BRINGING IT INHOUSE.
IT'S MAKING SURE WE HAVE HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND SO TO SPEAK TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T BECOME, WE WERE AT A SERVICEABLE POINT. WE COME IN HOUSE.
NOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH, AND THINGS AREN'T GETTING TAKEN CARE OF. ONE QUESTION I HAD WAS, THE CLAY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS.
THAT'S NOT A NUMBER ONE ON THE LIST OF CONTRACTED MOWING.
NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT, DO YOU KNOW THAT CONTRACT? HOW MUCH IS IT? BECAUSE ALL THE 12 THROUGH 37, BECAUSE WE WOULD TAKE THAT INHOUSE, TOO, RIGHT?
>> IT'S ON THE FIRST PAGE IN THE FIRST TABLE. THE FAIRGROUNDS IS CURRENTLY 66,000.
>> LARGE PORTION OF THAT FAIRGROUNDS, THERE ARE ONLY
[00:50:02]
TWO STAFF MEMBERS OUT THERE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WITHOUT A FOREMAN. SO THAT WENT OUT TO THE CONTRACT MOWING. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE GOTTEN A FOREMAN OUT THERE. SO WE WOULD HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE STAFF THAT'S ALREADY AT THE FAIRGROUNDS TO HELP MAINTAIN AROUND THE FACILITIES.AND THEN OUR STAFF CAN MAINTAIN THE PARKING LOT ITSELF.
>> THEN THE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS JUST, I KNOW WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SPRING RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS SOMETHING I WAS CURIOUS.
OF OUR CURRENT STAFF, DO WE HAVE ANY LICENSED SPRAY TECHS?
>> YES, SIR, WE HAVE OUR RECREATIONAL TURF TECHNICIAN IS LICENSED. OUR RECENTLY HIRED ATHLETIC FIELD SUPERVISOR IS WORKING ON GETTING HIS LICENSE AND I'M LICENSED AS WELL.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SPRAY TECHS, ARE WE TALKING PEST CERTIFIED?
>> IS THAT WHAT A SPRAY TECH IS? A TURF AND ORNAMENTALS APPLICATOR. IT'S SPECIFICALLY FOR SPORTS FIELDS.
>> PEST CERTIFICATION AS WELL?
>> IT IS, SIR. INSECTICIDE, IT IS INSECTICIDE APPLICATION FOR SPORTS FIELD
OPERATIONS. >> MY OTHER QUESTION WAS THIS.
WE GO THROUGH A HIGH GROWTH SEASON AND A LOW GROWTH SEASON. IS THERE GOING TO BE EXCESS HOURS DURING THE LOW GROWTH SEASON TO DO OTHER AUGMENT -- TO AUGMENT OTHER DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS OR WHATEVER?
>> WE HAVE A LOT THAT WE DO IN THE OFFSEASON, SIR, FROM BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER THROUGH THE END OF -- TO THE BEGINNING OF APRIL.
WE DO A LOT OF TREE WORK. YOU JUST TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BIKE TRAIL ALONG 17, BLACK CREEK BIKE TRAIL.
THAT'S EIGHT MILES EACH SIDE OF THAT, 16 MILES OF TREE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO KEEP THAT FROM ENCROACHING.
WE'RE DOING IT ONCE A YEAR. IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ALMOST THREE TIMES A YEAR. EVEN IN THE CONTRACT, WE HAVE A FIVE- FOOT BUFFER TO MAINTAIN MOWING DOWN BOTH SIDES OF THAT TRAIL.
IN THE OFFSEASON, THAT'S THE KEY EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE DO.
WE GET THAT CUT BACK FAR ENOUGH THAT WE CAN KEEP IT AT BAY AS LONG AS WE CAN.
WE DO THAT SAME THING AT OTHER PARKS.
PLANTATION SPORTS COMPLEX, IT HAD OVERGROWN INTO THE FIELD.
THERE'S ABOUT TEN ACRES THERE, AND WE HAVE SLOWLY BEEN WORKING ON GETTING THAT CUT BACK AND CLEANED UP TO KEEP IT OPEN AND BROADENED.
THERE' A LOT OF OVERGROWTH OF MYRTLES AND THINGS IN THE FIELD YOU COULDN'T SEE AROUND AREAS.
YOU START CREATING SPOTS FOR KIDS TO HIDE AND DO THINGS THEY DON'T NEED TO BE OUT THERE DOING. SO EVEN THE PERIMETERS, MOODY AVENUE PARK ALONG THE FENCES, INSIDE THE PARK, TRY TO GET A BUFFER ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PARK TO KEEP IT FROM GROWING UP THE FENCE, KEEP THE VEGETATION OFF THE FENCE. SO THERE'S A LOT OF OFFSEASON WORK. WE HAVE BRIDGE WORK WE NEED TO DO. SOME OF THE PARKS THAT ARE SMALL ENOUGH, WE CAN DO INHOUSE. BUT OUR LEAD MAINTENANCE TECH CAN DO A BOARD REPAIR HERE AND THERE AND WHAT HE'S BEEN KEEPING UP WITH ON THE LAWN BRIDGE AND THE BIKE TRAIL. BUT IT'S EASIER TO HAVE SOMEONE GO OUT AND ASSIST HIM TO DO THOSE TYPES OF WORK.
>> I DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS. I HAVE COMMENTS.
ARE WE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE THIS? BECAUSE IN OUR MEETING ONE-ON- ONE, YOU BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A DONE DEAL, AND THIS WAS A DECISION, AND WE WERE JUST BEING INFORMED.
>> SO THIS IS ONE OF OUR DOGE ITEMS THAT WE HAD, LIKE I SAID, WE LOOKED AT THE CONTRACTS AND WANTED TO BRING THIS INHOUSE IN ORDER TO HAVE EFFICIENCIES AND SAVE MONEY. SO OUR CONTRACT WITH AGRO PRO ON THE MOWING PORTION EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR IN DECEMBER. SO WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING IN THE THREE MOWING AND MAINTENANCE TECHS AND ALSO PURCHASE THE MOWERS SO THAT WE CAN NOT RENEW THAT CONTRACT. THE CONTRACT FOR FLORIDA LAWN MEDICS IS EXPIRED IN MAY 31ST OF 2026.
SO SAME THING. LOOKING TO BRING THOSE INHOUSE.
AND AS KIND OF COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO ALLUDED TO THIS, OUR CONTRACTS ARE AD HOC, SO ALL OF THE FACILITIES, WE DO HAVE SEPARATE PRICING FOR THOSE.
[00:55:01]
AND THEN, YOU KNOW, OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARK AND FEMA.>> THAT WASN'T MY QUESTION. MY QUESTION WAS, YOU SAID TO ME THAT THIS IS A DONE DEAL, AND WE WERE BEING SERVED, THIS IS BASICALLY AN INFORMATION FOR THE BOARD.
AND I JUST HAVE TO -- I'LL JUST CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
I FEEL DECEIVED. I FEEL LIKE THIS DECISION WAS MADE IN JANUARY AND I'LL SAY, I SAID TO ONE ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGER, PARKS IN MY DISTRICT HAVE GONE DOWNHILL SINCE JANUARY.
I HAVE GOTTEN PARK COMPLAINTS I DIDN'T HAVE FOR THE ENTIRE FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT.
AND THE ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGERS I THINK THERE ARE TWO OTHER COMMISSIONERS WHO WILL DISAGREE WITH YOU. SO WE'RE NOT SPREADING AROUND -- I CANNOT GO BACK TO DISTRICT FOUR BEING THE RED HEADED STEPCHILD. AND I ALSO, I STILL DON'T KNOW WHY WE'RE WORKING ON THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE, I DON'T BELIEVE, AND I'M WITH COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO, AND I ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED IT, YOU HAVE A POSITION.
I SPECIFICALLY ASKED MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS TO GET BEHIND YOU TO BE OUR DOGE CONTACT SO TO HAVE SEPARATION. THERE IS NOT A WE.
YOU'RE ON PAR WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO HAVE SEPARATION TO ADVISE US, THE BOARD, FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, DOES THIS MAKE SENSE? AND I ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED IT. AND YOU WEREN'T SURE.
AND SO IT MAY NOT BE $123,000 A YEAR SAVINGS.
SECONDLY, YOU GO TO THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO NOT REPLACE UNTIL YEAR EIGHT WAS BOUGHT IN '23. BUT WE'RE THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY THROUGH '25. SO IT REALLY ONLY HAS PROBABLY A FIVE-YEAR LIFE LEFT ON IT. EXCEPT THAT WE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING THIS REGIONAL PARK THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN EVENT AT OUR REGIONAL PARK SINCE DECEMBER OF 2024. SO OUR PUBLIC, WHEN THEY COME AND SAY YOU NEED TO DOGE CLAY COUNTY, WHY ARE WE EITHER CONTRACT OUT THE REGIONAL PARK TO SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO USE IT, I'M SURE CLAY COUNTY SOCCER COULD HAVE THAT PLACE PACKED EVERY WEEKEND. AND YES, IT'S NOT WHAT WE INTENDED IT TO BE, BUT IT CERTAINLY IS NOT WORKING, AND I KNOW TEDDY IS WORKING ON SOME THINGS AND I KNOW THAT AIR STREAM VENTURES IS RE- ENGAGED, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON. LESS THAN $100,000 A YEAR SAVINGS. AND I HAVE GOTTEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ONES WE HAVE INHOUSE. THEN THE OTHER THING THAT I'LL SAY IS WHEN I GOT ELECTED AS A COMMISSIONER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONERS RENNINGER AND BURKE WILL REMEMBER THIS, BUT ALL PARK MOWING WAS INHOUSE. AND WE COULDN'T MAINTAIN IT.
AND SO WE COULDN'T HIRE ENOUGH PEOPLE.
AND JENNIFER, THE HR PERSON THEN, SAID SHE COULDN'T HIRE PEOPLE. SO WE CONTRACTED IT OUT THEN.
THAT'S HOW IT GOT TO BE CONTRACTED OUT.
MEANWHILE, THE RIGHT OF WAY MOWING PROGRAM, THE CONTRACTOR THAT HAD IT, COULDN'T HIRE ENOUGH PEOPLE EITHER AT THAT TIME. AND THIS WAS IN 2020, 2021, '22, AND SO WE TERMINATED THEIR CONTRACT EARLY AND PUT IT OUT FOR BID. SO I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD GO BACK TO THAT WHEN THE LABOR MARKET IS TIGHTENING UP.
AND YOU KNOW, ON HERE, IT SAYS THREE LABORERS, AND I ASKED JESS WHAT A LABORER MAKES AND SHE SAID $15 AN HOUR.
WELL, NO WONDER YOU CAN'T HIRE SOMEBODY, BECAUSE THE REALITY IS, YOU CAN'T LIVE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY FOR $15 AN HOUR. SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STAY.
AND I AM NOT GETTING COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PARKS THAT ARE CONTRACTED OUT. THE PARKS THAT I GET COMPLAINTS ABOUT ARE THE ONES INHOUSE.
SO I JUST -- I'M OFFENDED THAT WE WOULD JUST BE SERVED UP THAT THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING. AND THAT THIS DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. I REALLY -- I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT I FEEL DISRESPECTED THAT THE BOARD -- THIS DECISION THIS BIG, AND HERE'S THE REALITY, TOO, WE HAVE SOMETHING -- WE'RE TALKING TONIGHT, YOU'RE ASKING US TO AGREE TO TERMINATE
C1 >>> WITH TWO, I ASKED KAREN A NUMBER OF WEEKS AGO HAVE WE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS ON EITHER OF THESE TWO CONTRACTORS. AND SHE SAID NO, NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL.
AND I CALLED THE OWNERS OF THOSE TWO COMPANIES AND SAID, HAVE YOU HAD ANY NEGATIVE FEED BACK WE'R TERMINATING CONTRACTS. THAT'S NOT HOW I DO BUSINESS. LIKE I THINK THAT THAT, IF I RUN THESE TWO COMPANIES WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH CLAY COUNTY IF YOU'RE NOT A CONTRACTOR WITH CLAY COUNTY, WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU. WHEN THEY WILL TALK ABOUT TERMINATING YOUR
[01:00:04]
CONTRACT NOT FOR CAUSE. NOT FOR ANYTHING BUT JUST TO ADD A MEETING NOT AN AGENDA ITEM WHEN THEY'RE NOT HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE STAND ON THIS. IF WE'RE BEING ASKED TO APPROVE IT OR NOT APPROVE IT. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S ITEM ON THIS FOR NEXT YEAR. MAYBE IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO ME IF THEY WERE A BUDGET PRESENTATION IN MAY, JUNE OR JULY. BUT IT WASN'T. SO I DON'T KNOW. I'M JUST, I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF, THAT THIS IS WHERE THE DOGE EFFORTS ARE GOING. TO PLACES THAT NOBODY IS COMPLAINING ABOUT. NOBODY IN THEIR COMMISSIONER COMMENTS HAVE SAID WE'VE HAD PARKS COMPLAINTS. IT'S NOT ABOUT THESE TWO COMPANIES AND IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE MONEY.IT'S ABOUT THE PROCESS, AND I JUST, FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.
AND, I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TODAY. SO, EARLIER TODAY.
THAT'S WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.
>> SO OKAY A COUPLE OF THINGS. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE MOWING FOR A WHILE NOW. AND IT HAS COME UP DURING BOARD DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST. SO THAT' ONE OF THE REASONS WHY, THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES WE LOOKED AT, KIND OF BECAUSE WE WERE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT THAT. WE LOOKED AT IT LAST YEAR WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX. IT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY DATA ON HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST OUT THERE AT THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX TO MAINTAIN THAT AND WHAT ALL IT ENTAILED REALLY. AND.
>> YOU WEREN'T THERE. THAT WAS THE BUDGET WORKSHOP WHERE THE ONLY OTHER TIME THAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS WAS AT A BUDGET WORKSHOP AT THE HOLDAY INN AND YOU WERE AT YOUR AUDITOR
>> IT REALLY WASN'T DISCUSSED IN THAT MANNER.
>> AS FAR AS CANCELING THE CONTRACTS. SO WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU GUYS TO APPROVE CANCELING THE CONTRACTS. FOR OUR AGRO PROCONTRACT IT WAS JUST EXTENDED FOR SIX MONTHS AND IT EXPIRES IN DECEMBER. SO WE ARE JUST PLANNING ON NOT RENEWING THAT CONTRACT OR NOT GOING OUT FOR BID FOR THAT FOR THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX. WE'RE BRINGING THAT IN HOUSE SO WE CAN REDUCE THE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM NOW.
>> WE ARE PLANNING ON, THE WE NEEDS TO BE THE WE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S THE WE, YOU'RE NOT ON THAT TEAM. YOU'RE ON THIS TEAM. AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE, I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION HEATHER. BUT THIS IS, THAT IS WHY THE CHARTER HAS A COMMISSION AUDITOR SEPARATE. BECAUSE WHAT HASN'T BEEN BROUGHT TO US IN DOGE THINGS, IS, THIS IS WHERE THE COUNTY CAN SAVE MONEY IF YOU FIVE ARE WILLING TO VOTE FOR IT.
OR IF YOU'RE WILLING TO SUPPORT IT. BUT EVERYTHINGUP INTO THIS POINT WITH DOGE FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS HAS BEEN SAVINGS WE ALREADY HAVE. OR PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT, WE'LL JUST CHANGE THIS. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS. THE PUBLIC WANTS INVASION. AND NOT GO LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DOING AND WE CAN SAVE LESS THAN $100,000 IN A $780 MILLION BUDGET. AND THEN FINALLY, I WOULD JUST SAY, IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE, WHICH WAS PROBABLY NOT THE CASE IN JANUARY. IT WASN'T THE CASE IN JANUARY. BUT IT IS THE CASE IN MARCH, APRIL, MAY AND NOW EVERY ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU TURN ON THE TV, IS WHY WOULD WE CONSIDER BRINGING ANYTHING ELSE IN HOUSE WHEN THE CFO OF THE STATE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE ARE SAYING BASICALLY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CUT ANY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT PUBLIC SAFETY RELATED. BECAUSE IF THEY GO AND ELIMINATE TAXES WHICH ARE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES, WE HAVE TO PAY BY LAW THERE IS ONLY ONE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS IN FLORIDA. AND THAT IS PROPERTY TAXES IN AVELORUM. WE WOULD HAVE TO FUND THOSE OUT OF SOMETHING ELSE. AND WE HAVE TO FUND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
[01:05:03]
THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE REALLY HARD DECISIONS. WHAT ELSE GOES? AND SO, THAT'S JUST, I'LL STOP THERE. BUT, I AM A BIT BLOWNAWAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT AND THAT'S, WE DECIDE, OKAY. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE QUESTION IS TONIGHT. DO WE WANT TO PROCEED? WE'VE ASKED, WE'VE BEEN TOLD WE'RE GOING TO DOGE AND WE'VE BEEN DOGING ALL ALONG. THIS IS ONE OF THE DOGE EFFORTS. WHETHER IT'S A CONTRACT OR WHETHER IT'S IN-HOUSE, IS BORN BY THE SAVINGS WE CAN, YOU KNOW WE CAN GET ONE OR THE OTHER. I THINK OUR EVALUATION WE'VE BEEN PRESENTED WITH IS 100,000. I DON'T CARE, HOW MUCH BUDGET IS $100,000 IS A LOT OF MONEY TO ME. SO IF WE CAN SAVE $100,000, AND I WOULD SAY THAT THAT'S A WORTHWHILE PURSUING OR LOOKING AT. AND OH BY THE WAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO, I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO PROMOTING CANCELING ANY CONTRACTS, OKAY. THEY'RE GOING TO EXPIRE, THAT'S NORMAL PROCESS. AND IT'S A COMPETITIVE WORLD. NORMALLY YOU PUT IT UP FOR BID AGAIN. WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT IT UP FOR BID UNTIL WE SEE A NEED FOR IT. WE SAW A NEED FOR IT IN 2020 AND THAT'S A WHOLE SEPARATE SUBJECT. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MANPOWER IN 2021, NOBODY COULD GET MANPOWER. THERE'S A LOT OF MANPOWER OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. WE JUST HIRED TWO WORKERS. I JUST SAW JENNIFER'S LITTLE BLUR. WE JUST HIRED TWO LABORERS IN THE LAST NOTICE THAT SHE SENT OUT. SO THERE ARE PEOPLE. THE WORK FORCE IS THERE. WE CAN, I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WE PAY THEM. BUT NONETHELESS, THEY ARE OUT THERE. I THINK IT'S UP TO US. I THINK THIS IS EITHER WE ACCEPT IT AND MOVE ON OR WE DON'T ACCEPT IT
AND MOVE ON. ONE OR THE OTHER. >> COMMISSIONER. I'M TAKEN A BACK A LITTLE BIT. I'M SORRY. I'M SURPRISED HOW UPSET YOU ARE. I AM HEARING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I FEEL LIKE HEATHER WAS DOING HER JOB. I DO APPRECIATE THAT. I FEEL LIKE WITH DOGING I FEEL LIKE MY INTERPRETATION IS WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE DOGED. AND OF COURSE IT ADDS UP. AND THIS, YES IT'S $130,000 PER YEAR. BUT IT'S GOING TO ADD UP TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME. I AM PART OF THE WE, AND YOU SAID YOU DON'T DO BUSINESS LIKE THAT. I DON'T DO BUSINESS LIKE THAT. I HAVE A HARD TIME THAT SHE'S BEEN TREATED LIKE THAT, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW. I JUST, SHE DID HER JOB. AND IT MAKES ME UPSET. SO THANK YOU HEATHER FOR YOUR HARD WORK. I DON'T THINK IT WAS A, LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH TONIGHT. I FEEL LIKE, IT WAS BEING PRESENTED. AND THEN WE CAN DECIDE. I MEAN I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE WERE I DID NOT GET THAT MESSAGE THAT IT WAS A, END ALL. YOU KNOW, LOOK UP, I MEAN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. SO I FEEL LIKE ERIC IS THE PRO AT THIS. CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD HELP US
ON THIS. >> AFTER 2020 THE MANUFACTURING OF A BIG SLOW PACED. WE BOUGHT A PACKAGE OF EQUIPMENT FROM TORO.
IT HAD AN 18 MONTH PERIOD TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFIC ITEMS AS WE MOVED ALONG. SOME OF THAT WAS MOWING EQUIPMENT. WE WERE GETTING IN HOUSE STAFF. SO IN THAT TIME LINE IS WHEN WE HAD THE MOWERS OUT AT THE PARK. WE'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING EVERYTHING WITH THE VERIFICATION AND MOWING OF THE SPORTS COMPLEX. THAT CONTRACT EXTENDS TO DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. IF I CAN FIND THE LINE ITEM IN HERE. THE $84,000, WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY THAT BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY DOING IT IN HOUSE. WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE BENEFIT NOW THAT WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT. WE ALREADY HAVE THE STAFF. THE EQUIPMENT IS WHAT HAS BEEN PURCHASED. THE STAFF IS IN HOUSE. WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THE SAVINGS MOVING FORWARD AS WE CONTINUE IN THE DAYS TO COME. IS
[01:10:03]
THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY FOR ME? BUT THAT'S SOME OF THE MOMENTUM THAT WE HAVE GOING INTO THIS, MA'AM.>> WHAT IS YOUR FEELINGS ON CAN THREE MORE PEOPLE HANDLE IT?
>> I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WE CAN, MA'AM. YES. WE HAD TALKED COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO AND I. HE ASKED THE QUESTION OF WHAT ELSE WE NEED. WE HAVE A MANAGEMENT POSITION WE NEED TO GET IN PLACE TO HELP OVERSEAS. I PWHRAO*E -- BELIEVE WITH THE PROPER TRAINING AND THE CREW THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE THAT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB ON THE FIELD. AND MA'AM WE HAVE THE PHOTOS THAT WE CAN PRESENT TO YOU THAT WE SEE WE HOPE WE CAN DO OUR JOB IN THAT INSPECTING. THEY HAVE 24 TO 48 HOURS TO COME BACK IN AND STILL GET THE JOB DONE COMPLETED FOR THE WEEK. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT AS EXPLAINED IT'S OVER 20 HOURS A WEEK THAT WE'RE TAKING OUT AT A MANAGEMENT POSITION FOLLOWING UP A SECOND TIME OR THIRD TIME FOLLOWING THE CONTRACTORS WHICH IS PREVENTING US FROM BEING IN PLACE DOING SOME PARK INSPECTIONS ON SAFETY INSPECTION ITEMS IN THE PARK SO WE CAN, AGAIN THE ESTHETICS OF THE PARK, THE SAFETY OF THE PARK FOR THE KIDS IN THE COUNTY AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO COME OUT AND UTILIZE OUR GREEN SPACE, MA'AM.
>> PERSONALLY, I ASSUME IF WE'RE THE ONES DOING THE WORK, AND WE HAVE, WE SEE A PROBLEM WITH ANY WHERE THAT YOU'RE GOING, IT SEEMS THAT, IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO SAY. OKAY COUNTY, STAFF, EMPLOYEES WE HAVE, THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE AS OPPOSED TO HAVING TO CALL THE CONTRACTOR OR CALL YOU THEN YOU HAVE TO CALL
THE CONTRACTOR. >> YES, MA'AM, JUST HAVING OUR STAFF IN THOSE PARKS THAT THEY'RE NOT IN AT THIS PART.
THAT'S COUNTY EYES IN THAT PARK. THAT'S COUNTY EYES THAT UNDERSTANDS WHAT THOSE ARE. LIGHTNING FELL TO A TREE, BROKEN ITEM ON A SWING. CONTRACTOR DOESN'T GO IN THERE TO LOOK AT THE PLAYGROUND AND SEE WHAT THE SAFETY ASPECTS ARE. THE CONTRACTORS ARE IN THERE TO MOW, WEED, BLOW AND GO. OUR PEOPLE ARE GOING IN THERE AND LOOKING AT THINGS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SPENT EXTRA TIME PICKING UP MOWED UP TRACKS. WE'RE MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN WE'RE IN EVERY PARK AS A PERSONNEL FROM THE
>> MA'AM CHAIR, IF I CAN. I THINK ONE THING IS THAT, THIS IS HOW THIS IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. THE FIVE OF US ARE SUPPOSED TO PUBLICLY DELIBERATE AND TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL DECISIONS OF THE COUNTY. I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISTAKE PASSION FOR DISRESPECT . I DON'T THINK THAT WAS COMMISSIONER CONDON'S POINT IN ANY WAY. I DO BELIEVE WE ARE TEAM CLAY COUNTY AND IT'S OUR GOAL TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD. THIS SPECIFIC SITUATION, I AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU FROM THE FACT OF, I DIDN'T, I DON'T KIND OF LIKE YOU KNOW THE WHOLE HEY, WE'RE CUTTING IT OFF. IT WAS KIND OF, I CAN SEE WHERE YOU COULD PERCEIVE THIS IS THE WAY THIS WAS ROLLED OUT. WITH THAT BEING SAID. I DON'T FEEL LIKE TONIGHT I WOULD BE FULLY PREPARED TO LIKE GIVE YOU AN ANSWER ON THAT BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS I HAVE. ERIC YOU'RE A CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL. I'VE BEEN IMPRESSED WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. I'VE GOTTEN GREAT FEED BACK. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB LEADING THE TEAM. THERE'S PRIDE WHEN PEOPLE ARE OUT WEARING THE CREST IN THE COMMUNITIES AND IN THE PARKS. BUT I THINK IT IS A BALANCE.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS FOR LIKE A SPRING PERSPECTIVE. IF A CONTRACTOR COMES OUT AND SPRAYS HERBICIDE TO KILL WEEDS AND THEY BURN UP A FIELD. WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT, HEY.
YOU HAVE TO FIX THE GRASS. YOU HAVE TO LAY SOD. THAT'S NOT COMING FROM OUR BUDGET. IF WE GO OUT AND BURN UP THE GRASS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. SO THE COST SAVINGS TO ME IS RELATIVE BASED ON DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES THAT I'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THIS. BUT UL AT -- ULTIMATELY I THINK IT'S A BALANCE. I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION BECAUSE IT IS GOOD TO LOOK AT.
AND TO MAKE FUTURE DECISIONS BUT I STILL HAVE MORE LIKE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AS TO SOME OF THESE THINGS. LIKE YOU SAID, MY GOAL IS THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE FULLY STAFFED, READY TO GO. THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN'T TACKLE. I THINK THERE'S A BALANCE. AND FULLY ELIMINATING SOME OF THE CONTRACTS I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE THERE QUITE YET. AS MUCH AS MAYBE MOVING TO THAT
[01:15:03]
A LA CARTE MODEL WHERE THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS WE CONTRACT OUT.CERTAIN THINGS WE BRING IN HOUSE. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I
CURRENTLY STAND WITH EVERYTHING. >> I DID THINK OF ONE OTHER QUESTION WHEN YOU SAID, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO. AND THAT IS. I DON'T KNOW, HOWARD THIS MIGHT BE A QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU'RE ASKING US TO ADD THREE MORE PEOPLE BUT THERE'S FIVE PEOPLE THAT WE NEEDED TO TAKE OUT OF THE PAYROLL IN THE LAST CONVERSATION. IS THIS 15 PEOPLE, SO IS IT NOW 18? OR WE
HAVE TO FIND THREE? >> NO, THESE THREE POSITIONS AND I'M LOOKING AT TROY AND I DON'T THINK JESS IS HERE. THESE THREE, WE HAD I WOULD SAY BOOTS ON THE GROUND. THESE ARE MOWING TECHS. WE HAD LABORERS. REMEMBER WHAT WE DID BEFORE WE TOOK THE 15 OUT, WE CONSOLIDATED THE ASSISTANCE. THE PHONE CALL TAKING AND THAT, AND THAT'S WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GAIN THOSE BILLETS. IT'S BUILT IN THAT WAY. SO AGAIN, I'M NOT SAYING THAT, WHEN WE BUILT THE BUDGET WE HAD THESE BOOTS ON THE GROUND POSITIONS. RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT ABOUT 11. WE HAVE 11 BOOTS ON THE GROUND THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
CORRECT TROY. THAT WAS THE LATEST NUMBER ON THAT . IT WAS BASED UPON POPE'S REQUEST WHERE HE WAS LOOKING AT 5 TO 6 LABORERS AND SOME GROUND MAINTENANCE IN THERE. AGAIN, WE HAVE REMOVED 15 POSITIONS FROM THE BUDGET. WHICH SAVED US 1.5
MILLION. WAS ULTIMATELY THAT. >> YEAH I THINK THAT WAS --
>> I THINK THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, WAS. THIS CAME UP IN MY COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER BRIEF. THE FULLER ANSWER IS THE 15 WAS PART OF A LARGER NUMBER. SO WE TOOK OFF OF THAT FIGURE, THE 15 EMPLOYEES. AND SO, THERE IS A SUM AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THAT SUM IS THAT HOWARD SHARED WITH ME. THAT REMAINS WITHIN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT THE COUNTY HAS LATITUDE TO FILL. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE 15, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS OFF THE TABLE FOR THE 15 BUT THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER POSITIONS THAT WOULD BE FILLED BECAUSE WE WEREN'T PRESENTED WITH ALL OF THE VACANCIES. WE WERE ONLY PRESENTED WITH HOW MANY THE COUNTY AT THEIR DIRECTION WAS RECOMMENDING TO US THEY COULD AFFORD NOT TO KEEP MOVING
FORWARD. >> BUT THOSE WEREN'T IDENTIFIED
>> AND YOU KNOW YOU MENTIONED DEREK POPE AND A FEW WEEKS AGO HE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF US TALKING ABOUT UNFUNDED DRAINAGE PROJECTS. AND PARKS AND CEMETERIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE QUALITY OF LIFE AND DRAINAGE PROJECTS ARE NEED. AND I THINK THAT'S PUBLIC SAFETY DRIVEN. THOSE ARE, WHEN WE LOOK AT IT.
ARE WE LOOKING AT THE DEPARTMENT OR ARE WE LOOKING AT THE OVER ALL COUNTY NEEDS YOU KNOW AS FAR AS THOSE KINDS OF THINGS GO. YOU KNOW, I THINK I LEARNED FROM HEATHER TODAY THAT, BECAUSE I HAD MET WITH CHERESE AND ERIC ON OTHER THINGS. ONE OF ERIC'S LABORERS MAKE $15 AN HOUR. THAT WAS $15 AN HOUR BUT SHE THINKS IT'S A MOWING AND MAINTENANCE TECH WHICH MAKES $18 AN HOUR.
WELL IF ERIC HIRES A LABORER, ERIC POPE HIRES A LABORER FOR $15 AN HOUR AND ERIC JONES HAS A MAINTENANCE TECH MOWING AND MAINTENANCE TECH JOB COME OPEN FOR $3.11 MORE AN HOUR. WE KNOW WHY ERIC POPE CAN'T MAINTAIN LABORERS. I DON'T KNOW. BUT IT JUST, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO BE LEARNED.
>> MA'AM CHAIR, IF I MAY. MAYBE A WAY HEAD ON THIS MAYBE, THE FIRST ONE THAT EXPIRES IS THE AGROPRO. THAT EXPIRES AT THE END OF DECEMBER. WE'RE BY WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE WILL, AND I DON'T REMEMBER IF KAREN KNOWS THIS OR NOT. IS THERE, ARE THERE ANY MORE EXTENSIONS AVAILABLE ON THAT. WE'RE GOING TOO MUCH TO BID THAT OUT. WE HAVE TO BID THAT ONE. WE WILL BRING THAT ONE BACK TO A BOARD TO BID THAT OUT. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR AGRONOMICS PORTION OF IT. OF THE SPRINGS PORTION THAT HASN'T BEEN ANALYZED YET. THERE ARE LINE ITEMS IN THERE THAT HAVE MOWING. WE WILL CONTINUE THAT. WE'LL HAVE THAT IN THERE AND HAVE THAT AVAILABLE. SHOULD THINGS NOT GO THE WAY THEY THINK
[01:20:05]
THEY GO. THE SECOND ONE IS THE MAY 2026 EXPIRATION. WE STILL HAVE, KAREN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE EXTENSION ON THAT. AND IF IT PLEASES THE BOARD WE WILL LOOK AT THAT. OBVIOUSLY WE'RE WAY OUT ON THIS THING BUT WE WILL EXTEND THAT. WE'LL MAKE A PLAN TO EXTEND THAT SO THAT WE HAVE THEM AVAILABLE TO US TO USE. THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE PLENTY OF WORK FOR THEM TO DO FOR THE REST OF THIS GROWING SEASON AND POSSIBLY INTO THE ONE FOR 2026. THOSE ARE TWO ITEMS KIND OF TO TALK ABOUT ABOUT THERE. WE'RE TRYING TO FINALIZE THE BUDGET. IF THAT IS OKAY WITH THE BOARD WE WILL CLOSE THAT.WE'RE CLOSE TO THE BUDGET. COME ON. AND I THINK WE WILL LOOK IN-HOUSE AND GO FORWARD FROM THERE. OBVIOUSLY WE'RE COMING TO THE END OF THE GROWING SEASON. HE CAN USE THEM FOR OTHER PURPOSES BUT WE WILL GO FROM THERE. AND MA'AM CHAIR, WHEN I TURN IT OVER TO TROY. TROY AND THE BUDGET TEAM HAVE BEEN EVERY DAY EVERY MINUTE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THIS BUDGET BALANCED. I KNOW I THREW A CURVE BALL AT THEM.
>> TO BE FAIR, THAT WOULD BE THE BUDGET OFFICES CONCERN. I THINK YOU KIND OF HEATHER AND THE BOARD HAS KIND OF TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE A LITTLE BIT. AND REALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO IS, NEXT BOARD MEETING YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST PASS AT THE BUDGET. SO, FOR US AS A BUDGET OFFICE WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE ARE WE ADDING STAFF OR WE MAINTAINING THE CONTRACTS IN THE BUDGET. IF I MAINTAIN IF THE PLAN IS TO BUDGET FOR BOTH, STAFF AND A CON TIN CONTINGENCY FOR THE CONTRACT THAT'S $15,000 I WILL HAVE TO GO FIND IN THE BUDGET. I WILL BE HONEST THE -- WITH YOU. WE HAVE 57% RESERVES AND PROBABLY NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT. I MEAN REALLY IT'S PROBABLY IN THE LESS THAN 100 GRAND. WE'RE, IT'S A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. SO FOR US TO SAY, BUDGET PEOPLE AND BUDGET THE CONTRACT. I'M GOING TO GO CUT SOMETHING SOME WHERE.
THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE'RE AT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT SOMETHING IN THERE TO DO THAT. FOR ME THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. WHAT THE DIRECTION IS. IF IT'S BUDGET THE PEOPLE AND I THINK RIGHT NOW IN THE BUDGET TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I THINK WE HAVE THE PEOPLE IN THE BUDGET. AND WE HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN A HALF A YEAR IN THE CONTRACT. SO IT WOULD BE A PHASE IN, PHASE OUT APPROACH. THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD BE GIVEN THIS YEAR. AT THIS POINT IN TIME THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD BE PRESENTED IN THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
>> I ALSO BELIEVE WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT IN THE BUDGET AS OF
RIGHT NOW. >> CORRECT. THANK YOU.
>> SO THE EQUIPMENT THAT I HAVE LISTED FOR YEAR ONE WHICH IS THE TRUCK, THE TRAILER AND THREE MOWERS ARE ALSO CURRENTLY IN THE
BUDGET. BUDGETED. >> SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE A BUDGET PERSPECTIVE REALLY IS, YOU KNOW DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WANT US TO BRING THE BUDGET BACK TO YOU TO BE APPROVED. TO THE COMMENT THAT IT'S ALREADY BEEN DECIDED. IT'S YOUR BUDGET. SO YOU KNOW, I STILL THINK YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A DECISION ON
HOW DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD. >> CLARIFYING QUESTION, HOWARD ONE OF THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED WAS THE AGRIPRO TO DECEMBER.
ERIC MADE A GOOD POINT GOING BACK INTO THE A LA CARTE MENTION OF THIS. IF WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT EVEN IF WE DO EXTEND WE CAN PULL THOSE OUT. THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT COST WITH THAT.
THE SECOND PIECE THAT I'M CURIOUS OF IS WITH THE FLORIDA LAWN MEDICS CONTRACT BASED OFF OF THIS. I THINK THIS IS ANNUAL PRICING, YOU LOOK AT ABOUT 360,000. IF THE BOARD HAS MORE ROBUST DISCUSSION AND DECIDES TO NOT RENEW IN MAY, BUT WE BUDGETED FOR THAT TROY, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE, IF THE BOARD DECIDES, OKAY WE HAVE A GOOD PLAN TO GO IN-HOUSE. IF WE DIDN'T GO BACK OUT TO BID IN MAY BUT WE HAD THAT BUDGETED, COULD IS THAT AN EASY SWAP TO NOW HIRE PEOPLE?
>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK, JUSTICE IS IN THE ROOM AND SHE CAN SPEAK TO THE PROCESS OF BRINGING SOMEBODY ON. I THINK THAT WOULD BE YOUR CONCERN THAT TIMING OF CUTTING THE CONTRACT, BRINGING PEOPLE ON. BUT AGAIN IT'S BOARD'S DISCORRECTION OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. YOU HAVE THE DISCRETION TO MOVE MONEY
[01:25:04]
INSIDE YOUR BUDGET. IF TODAY IT'S IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SIX MONTHS FROM NOW, I WANT TO MOVE THE REST OF THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MONEY TO PEOPLE. OR VICE VERSA, IF YOU BUDGET PERSONNEL AND YOU WANT TO MOVE IT TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IN SIX MONTHS THAT'S YOUR BUDGET, YOUR DISCRETION. FOR MEIT'S MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT IN. >> DOUBLE BUDGETS.
>> DOUBLE BUDGETING, BUDGETING THE PEOPLE AND THE CONTRACT BECAUSE THAT'S MONEY THAT'S SUNK THERE. BUT AGAIN IF THAT'S THE BOARD'S DESIRE. YOU TELL US TODAY, NEXT WEEK, NEXT BOARD MEETING HEY BUDGET THE PEOPLE AND BUDGET THE CONTRACT. THEN WE'LL BUDGET BOTH AND WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.
>> WHICH MEANS CUTTING FROM SOME WHERE ELSE.
>> WHICH MEANS CUTTING FROM SOME WHERE ELSE.
>> AND WE'VE ALREADY CUT EVERYTHING.
>> THAT'S, YEAH. THAT'S THE COUNTY MANAGERS POINTED OUT.
WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE BUDGET THROUGH WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.
AND WE'LL NIBBLE AT THE EDGES. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. I HOPE THAT PROVIDED A LITTLE INSIGHT TO THE BUDGET AND THE
WHY TONIGHT TO SET US UP. >> YEAH, IT'S THAT I SERVED IT
UP AT 11:00 TODAY. >> I UNDERSTAND.
>> NOT AN AGENDAD ITEM. IF YOU WANTED DIRECTION ON THE BUDGET, AGAIN WHY WERE WE NOT DISCUSSING THIS IN MAY, JUNE, JULY.
>> SO WE HAVE UNTIL NEXT WEEK TO DECIDE IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?
>> YOU HAVE UP UNTIL THE LAST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER WHEN YOU ADOPT YOUR BUDGET AND THEN, I MEAN, THEORETICALLY YOU STILL HAVE DISCRETION AFTER THAT. I THINK THE IDEA WAS IF YOU WANT THE PEOPLE IN THE BUDGET. WE START THE PEOPLE IN THE BUDGET AND WE START THE PROCESS OCTOBER 1 READY TO HIRE. BUT IF YOU SAY THROUGH THE COUNTY MANAGER WHATEVER THAT DIRECTION IS.
>> I'M SORRY WHY WOULD WE HIRE THEM NOW WHEN THE CONTRACTS, IT WOULDN'T EVEN START UNTIL THE END OF MAY YOU SAID. WHY WOULD
WE HIRE THEM NOW? >> I WOULTD -- WOULD DEFER IT TO SOMEONE ELSE WHEN YOU WANT THE CONTRACT. THAT'S NOT MY
PURVIEW. >> IT'S BEEN FOR TOTAL. ONE WHICH WAS INTERNAL THAT YOU'RE PROMOTING, I BELIEVE, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT. SO WE WILL GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AND COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO. ON THE MAY ONE WE HAVE A RENEWAL. WE DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT TO BID FOR THAT ONE. SO WE'LL STILL BRING BACK A BID FOR THE OTHER. OBVIOUSLY, THE BUDGETED AMOUNT FOR THAT IF IT'S OKAY WITH THE BOARD. WE'LL REMOVE THE THINGS THAT THE TEAM IS ALREADY ABLE TO COMPLETE. I MEAN THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD BE THE LOGICAL PORTION TO GO FORWARD FROM THERE. AND OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF IT WE'RE GOING TO DEPEND UPON IS THE SPRING SIDE OF IT WITH THEM AND THAT. SO, AGAIN, I THINK, AND AGAIN I'M KIND OF PUTTING TROY ON THE SPOT IF WE ONLY SAY HIRE ONE MOWING TECH VERSUS THE THREE. IT GETS US SOME WHERE WITH IT. AND THAT, SO, IF THE KIND OF CONSENSUS IS TO KIND OF GO IN THAT DIRECTION. I THINK WITH THE TWO, THE TWO, THE TWO CONTRACTS IF THAT'S AND KAREN ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT? WHAT I SAID ABOUT THE CONTRACTS. AND IF THAT'S OKAY THERE, THEN I HAVE CONSENSUS THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PLAN.
OBVIOUSLY A REBIT THE AGROPRO ONE OUT THERE FOR THAT AND WHAT'S NEEDED THERE AND THEN WE'LL RENEW THE OTHER. AND THEN, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT HOW MANY MORE WE CAN AFFORD FOR THE MOWING TECHS AND THEN BRING THAT TO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
>> I'M NOT PREPARED TO GIVE CONSENSUS ON ANY, MY CONSENT TO ANYTHING. SO, I MEAN YOU MAY HAVE FOUR OTHERS. BUT I'M NOT PREPARED TO GIVE CONSENT TO ANY. BECAUSE, BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID, LIKE JUST WENT THROUGH LIKE, IT'S JUST A LOT.
>> OKAY. >> THAT I WASN'T PREPARED TO
PROCESS AND DECIDE ON AND. >> OKAY, FAIR ENOUGH.
>> IF I MAY, I THINK WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY MANAGER TO BRING US BACK OPTIONS. FOR MAYBE THE NEXT BOARD MEETING OF HOWEVER MANY YOU SEE FIT AS TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE. WORK MORE WITH ERIC. WHAT THEY CAN DO IN-HOUSE NOW WITH THE CURRENT STAFFING THAT THEY
[01:30:03]
HAVE VERSUS FULLY BRINGING IT IN HOUSE THEN WE WILL PROBABLY BE ABLE TO MAKE A MORE EDUCATED DECISION.>> SECOND THE MOTION. YOU HAD SOME QUESTIONS THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE. BUT IF WE COULD RESOLVE THOSE AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR QUESTIONS ARE, BUT.
>> YEAH, ARE YOU SAYING I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY.
>> YEAH. >> YOU SAID YOU HAVE QUESTIONS,
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. >> YES, SIR. SO THE QUESTIONS ARE LIKE ONE IS THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF THE FAIRGROUNDS MOWING.
I MEAN LIKE, YOU HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THAT CONTRACT? THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARK. PERSONALLY, I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO DEEP IN THE WEEDS. I WOULD FEEL MORE PALPABLE TO IT THAT HERE IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO TACKLE ADDING MORE OF OUR CURRENT WORKLOAD. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.
>> CAN I JUST ADD, I'M HEARING WHAT OUR CONCERNS HAVE BEEN TONIGHT AND WHAT GIVES ME PAUSE IS THAT, THAT WE ARE BEING, THE PRO PROPOSAL. THE FINAL RESULT IS US MAKING A DECISION TO ASK BY VOTE FOR COUNTY STAFF TO DO WHAT THEY'RE ALREADY REQUIRED TO DO AND IT SEEMS INCONGRUENT FOR US TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION. BUT I THINK THE REASON WE'RE HAVING TO DO THAT IS BECAUSE, THERE'S, THERE'S A LOT OF BLIND SIDING THAT I'M FEELING IS THE CONCERN. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT IT SPEAKS FOR EVERYONE. BUT I DON'T LIKE, I DON'T LIKE THE CONCEPT OF ON THE FLY, LET'S, I'M VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HAVING TO CAST A VOTE WITHOUT HAVING PREPARATION OR EVEN ANTICIPATING HAVIN TO CAST A VOTE. AND THIS ISN'T NEW, AND SO, COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO THIS ISN'T A YOU THING. BUT IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD SITUATIONS WHERE, IT WOULD COME UP IN SOME OF THE MOST UNORTHODOX PLACES ON OUR AGENDA WHERE A VOTE WOULD BE CALLED ON AND IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BEING BLIND SIDED, ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA TODAY. TO BE CONSISTENT ON HOW I'VE BEEN IN THE PAST OF NOT CASTING A VOTE ON THE SPOT. AS MUCH AS WHAT I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. I WOULD RATHER MOVE ON A CONSENSUS. BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL HEATHER IS TO DO. BECAUSE IF THERE'S ANY POINTS THAT ARE LOST OR ANYTHING THAT'S CLOUDY YOU CAN GO BACK AND LISTEN TO THIS DISCUSSION. BUT I'M WHOLLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH CASTING A VOTE ON YOUR JOB. LIKE THAT'S ALREADY SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DO. AND WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN ENOUGH DIRECTION TONIGHT FOR COUNTY STAFF, SENIOR STAFF, OUR COUNTY MANAGER AND OUR COUNTY AUDITOR TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE HUGE CONTENTIONS OF THE CONVERSATION AND MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION. AND SO, I WOULD OUT OF PRINCIPLE VOTE AGAINST THIS BUT NOT BECAUSE I WOULDN'T WANT FOR THAT DIRECTION TO OCCUR. AND I WANT THAT, IF WE MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION, AND HAVE TO CAST A VOTE THAT'S FINE. BUT IT HAS TO BE CLEAR AND THAT'S WHY I'M SPEAKING UP ABOUT IT. IT HAS TO BE CLEAR THAT IT'S REDUNDANT IN NATURE TO DO THIS. BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY YOUR JOB. AND PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS SPEAK TO WHAT MAKES US UNCOMFORTABLE.
BECAUSE OUR NAMES HAVE TO BE ATTACHED TO THESE DECISIONS. AND LIKE IT OR NOT. WE ARE THE DOGE COMMISSIONERS. THIS HAPPENED DURING OUR TIME ON THE BOARD. AND I, THERE'S A LOT, THERE'S A LOT THAT'S BAKED IN THAT'S NOT EVEN BEING SPOKEN ABOUT RIGHT NOW. THAT MAKES THIS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO CAST A VOTE. SO AS ONE COMMISSIONER, I'M GIVING EVERYONE IN THE ROOM WHO WOULD HAVE A PART IN THIS TO PLAY, MY, MY CONCERN IS KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT YOU'RE PRESENTING TO US TO MAKE A CHANGE ABOUT. MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR BECAUSE, THERE'S BEEN A
[01:35:02]
LOT DISCUSSED HERE THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DRAW OUT INFORMATION FROM YOU INSTEAD OF IT HAVING BEEN MADE PLAIN. I THINK THAT'S YOUR POINT IN HAVING RECEIVED IT AT 11:00 TODAY. SO IN LIEU OF TYING A VOTE AGAIN, UNDER TIME CONSTRAINTS I WOULD RATHER YOU JUST KNOW HERE'S WHERE I'M AT. REGARDLESS OF WHAT MY VOTE HAS TO BE IN THAT THERE'S REALLY NO CLARITY ON THAT POINT. SO, WE AND I'LL JUST SAY THIS NOW. AND I HOPE THAT YOU DON'T MIND.DURING MY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS LATER, I WAS GOING TO BRING TO THE FIVE THIS TO REVIVE YOUR ASK OF US SEVERAL, SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THAT WE CONSIDER WHAT ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING IN TERMS OF THE DOGE EFFORTS AND I FOUND IT TO BE INTERESTING HOW OTHER COUNTIES HAVE ENGAGED BUT, YOUR ORIGINAL IDEA OF HAVING BUSINESS PEOPLE ENGAGED, AND LOOKING THROUGH WHAT IT IS THAT WE HAVE TO CAST A VOTE ON. AND PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY TO LOOK AT THOSE EFFICIENCIES. WE HAVE BACKGROUND ON MAINTENANCE AND PESTICIDE CONCERNS AND ALL THOSE THINGS. REALLY IF YOU MARRY THOSE THINGS WITH LEADERS. IT MAKES IT INTO A DECISION.
COMMISSIONER BURKE IT'S NOT LOST ON US THAT WE HAVE FELT WE'VE HAD TO CUT SO MANY THINGS. AND IT'S TRUE, WE HAVE.
BUT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I THINK WE NEED TO STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT. WHILE IT'S HOT. TO EXPLORE PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, SPECIFICALLY I'M TALKING INDUSTRY LEADERS WHO. TO PROVIDE AN OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR. WHERE IT MAKES SENSE TO HANDLE INTERNALLY AND CROSS TRAIN THAT MAKES SENSE TOO. SO WHAT I DID, AS LATE AS THIS AFTERNOON AS I SPOKE TO INDUSTRY LEADERS HERE IN CLAY COUNTY WHO LIVE HERE, NAMES AND FOLKS THAT YOU GUYS KNOW. WHO UNEQUIVOCALLY SAID YES I'M BOTH FEET IN. AS VOLUNTEERS. RIGHT. PEOPLE WHO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS TO RUN A LEANSHIP. ONE OF US TOLD ME A STORY OF HAVING TO DO IT UNDER THE GREAT RESCISSION. AND SO FOR ME AS THIS CONVERSATION CONTINUES TO BOIL OVER, I AM ENCOURAGED AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER US HAVING, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CONSIDER MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION BECAUSE ALL OF THAT WOULD FOLD IN. HOW MANY FOLKS WOULD MAKE THIS COMMITTEE. THE SCOPE AND LATITUDE. THE FACT THAT THE BUCK STOPS WITH US. THE DURATION OF THE PROJECT. ESPECIAL LITTLE -- ESPECIAL LITTLE RIGHT NOW. WE'RE GOING INTO BUDGET SEASON. WE FINALIZED OUR BUDGET. THE NEXT COUPLE OF MEETINGS. IF NOT NOW. I DON'T KNOW WHEN WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE FOR US TO BE ENDEAVORING IN THIS WAY. WHERE, IT'S A CLEAN SLATE. NOBODY IS COMING IN LATE INTO THE PROCESS.
OCTOBER 1 EVERYTHING TURNS OVER. AND WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK HERE 12 MONTHS, 12 MONTHS FROM NOW AND INSTEAD OF IT BEING A SITUATION WHERE, WE'RE CUTTING AND CUTTING AND CUTTING AND CUTTING AND CUTTING AND FEELING THE SQUEEZE. WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAYBE IT'S NOT $100,000 THAT WE'RE BAKING IN. MAYBE IT'S MULTIPLES OF THAT SO THE COURTHOUSE. $350,000 ISN'T US PULLING OUT OUR HAIR OR EVEN HAVING TO ASK FOR HELP TO GET IT DONE. WE FOUND IT OVER THE COURSE OF MAYBE IT'S SIX MONTHS, MAYBE IT'S 9 MONTHS BUT IT'S PEOPLE WHO KNOW HOW TO DO IT IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES OR IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIVES BUT ALSO PAIRING IT WITH COUNTY. BECAUSE COMMISSIONER SGROMOLO I THINK YOU BROUGHT IT UP IN THE LAST MEETING THAT COUNTY STAFF KNOWS WHAT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE AND WHAT CONCERNS THERE MIGHT BE. AND WHAT RULES WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. WE HAVE THAT. WE HAVE THAT HERE. SO IF YOU COUPLE THAT INSTITUTIONAL
[01:40:06]
KNOWLEDGE WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE TO MAKE PHYSICALLY RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENCY FOR THEM TO DO WELL. WE HAVE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIL BLAZE. BECAUSE WHAT SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, IN SOME HANDS IT'S INEFFICIENT. I THINK THAT WAS YOUR WORD, IT'S INEFFICIENT. BUT THERE'S OTHER COUNTIES THAT SAID THE DOGE COMMISSION. I HATE TO QUOTE YOU COMMISSIONER RENNINGER. WHEN WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW DEEP AND WIDE THE COURSE WORK OF WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY IS, IT'S TRUE YOU CAN'T MEASURE THE EXTENT OF ALL THAT WE HAVE TO DO WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO DO. WHEN YOU HAVE COMMUNITY LEADERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, I TKUS -- INDUSTRY LEADERS WHO SAY YES SIGN ME UP. WE OUGHT TO DO THAT. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THIS. THE GOVERNOR'S DOGE EFFORTS DO NOT TARGET CLAY COUNTY. AND IF WE'RE FOLLOWING WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL. WE KNOW THAT CLAY COUNTY ISN'T WHO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS LOOKING AT. HOWEVER I THINK WE'RE INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF AN EFFORT LIKE THIS BECAUSE CLAY COUNTY IS SO CONSERVATIVE. AND OUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD STAND BEHIND US MOVING IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE'RE SAYING. HEY, HOWARD WILL TELL YOU, WE RUN A TIGHT SHIP.WE RUN A LEAN OPERATION. OKAY. WELL WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO DO THAT EVEN BETTER. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND ANYBODY IN THE ROOM TO SAY THAT WE CAN'T, WE CAN'T DO BETTER. AND I DID NOT INTEND TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION NOW. OBVIOUSLY. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BRING TO THE FOUR OF YOU DURING MY COMMENTS. BUT, I'M EQUALLY FRUSTRATED. I'M EQUALLY FRUSTRATED THAT THESE CONVERSATIONS, I MEAN THEY GET A LITTLE CONTENTIOUS. BUT I AGREE THAT OUR MINDS AND HEARTS ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE IN WANTING TO DO IT WELL. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK THIS CONVERSATION TODAY WAS LESS ABOUT CONTENT AND MORE ABOUT FORM AND PRESENTATION. SO IF WE THE FIVE, GET TO SET THE COURSE FOR A COMMITTEE, THEN THE EXPECTATIONS OF THAT COMMITTEE ARE CLEAR FROM THE OUTSET. SO THAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE MET AND WE'RE ABLE TO THEN KNOW WHAT ALL OF OUR OPTIONS ARE AND MAKE A DECISION AND THE COUNTY HAS BEEN MOVEING IN -- MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION. DON'T GET ME WRONG IT'S NOT A COMMENTARY ON WHAT THEY'RE DOING. BUT IT WOULD NOT, IT WOULD BEHOOVE US TO EXPLORE ALL OF OUR OPTIONS. AND INDUSTRY TITANS ARE KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR SAYING HEY I'M HAPPY. JUST ASK ME WHERE TO SIGN UP. SO HEATHER I DO APPRECIATE THE UPDATE. TIMING, YEAH. I PROBABLY COULD HAVE USED IT SOONER. BUT THAT'S NOT NEWS.
LIKE WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT INFORMATION BEING PRESENTED MORE TIMELY. AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT REALLY RUBBED AT LEAST ONE OF YOUR COMMISSIONERS THE WRONG WAY.
THAT THAT CONCERN WAS NOT MITIGATED TODAY. SO ALL OF THAT TO SAY, I AGREE WITH YOUR PROPOSITION. I AGREE WITH YOUR SECOND BUT I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING YOU ALREADY HAVE TO DO. THANK YOU FOR YIELDING THE TIME.
>> SURE. >> I WILL JUST, TO THAT COMMENT.
MY DISAPPOINTMENT IS NOT DIRECTED COMPLETELY TO HEATHER.
>> I FIGURED. >> I FELT LIKE, STAFF PRESENTED THIS TO, I MEAN THAT'S WHY ITS SAY, SHE'S SEPARATE. YOU KNOW
THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT, SO. >> THE CHAIR.
>> YES. >> I NEED A CLARIFICATION. I DIDN'T TAKE THAT WE WERE GETTING A VOTE TONIGHT. I DIDN'T TAKE THAT THAT WE WERE ASKING FOR A VOTE. THIS WAS YOUR COMMENTS. YOU WERE PRESENTING THIS INFORMATION TO US CORRECT.
>> CORRECT. THERE'S NOTHING. >> WE HAVE WHATEVER TIME TO DECIDE IF WE WANT TO DO THIS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS MY CLARIFICATION. THERE WAS NO VOTE BEING ASKED FOR.
>> CORRECT. THE ONLY I THINK TO WHAT TROY HAD SAID, THE ONLY THING THAT IF YOU WANT US TO GO INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AS
[01:45:01]
FAR AS THE PURCHASING OF THE EQUIPMENT AND HIRING THE EMPLOYEES, THAT'S JUST FOR THE BUDGET FOR US TO UPDATE SINCE WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THAT AT OUR NEXT TWO BOARD MEETINGS.>> RIGHT. >> SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAT YOU WANT US TO DO THAT I PRESENTED TODAY, JUST FOR
BUDGET IMPLICATIONS. >> MA'AM CHAIR, JUST TO CLARIFY. MY MOTION WAS MORE OF A RULES OF ORDER KEEPING DECORUM.
I WAS ASKING FOR THE MANAGER TO BRING SOMETHING BACK.
>> I DON'T THINK YOU NEEDED TO MOTION IT. IT JUST NEEDS TO BE A CONSENSUS AS TO WHAT THE GROUP WOULD LIKE.
>> OKAY, THAT'S FINE WITH ME. >> SO YOU'RE WITHDRAWALLING THE
-- WITHDRAWING THE MOTION. >> I'M WITHDRAWING THE MOTION.
>> I WILL WITHDRAW THE SECOND. >> THIS IS JUST TO LOOK TO HAVE THE THREE NEW ARE GROUPS. WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT
WOULD LOOK TO COVER. >> IN A TRANSITIONAL PLAN.
PLEASE FOLLOW UP IF YOU AGREE WITH ME. IF THE COMMISSION WANTED TO REMOVE THE OUTSOURCING OF THE CONTRACTS I BELIEVE THE COMMISSION SHOULD SEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT INSOURCING LOOKS LOOK. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. RIGHT. OKAY. SO THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING YOU TO BRING BACK. IF WE WERE, IF WE WANT TO INSOURCE IT, SHOW THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS HERE WE'RE GOING TO INSOURCE BUT HERE IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT. AND OR, I LIKE THE OPTION IDEA THAT HOWARD MENTIONED YOU KNOW, WE AREN'T GOING TO INSOURCE ALL OF IT. WE'RE GOING TO INSOURCE CERTAIN PIECES OF IT KNOWING OUR STRENGTHS, OUR WEAKNESSES THOSE
>> WE HAVE CONSENSUS? >> I AGREE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS? DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE FOR US?
>> NO MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT WE ARE WELL PAST 5:00 SO I WILL GO BACK TO OUR 5:00 TIME. ITEMS NUMBER 17, 18.
I'M SORRY ITEM 17 WAS CONTINUED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON
[17. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of COMP 25-0004 (District 5, Comm Burke) (D. Selig)]
SEPTEMBER 2ND. SO WE WILL NOT HEAR THIS ONE, CORRECT.>> YOU SHOULD HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I SHOULD HAVE THE PUBLIC HEAR. ITEM NUMBER 17, FINAL
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER. >> IT'S JUST IF ANYBODY IS HERE
FOR IT. >> THIS APPLICATION IS A FUTURE LAND USE AMENDMENT TO CHANGE ONE PARCEL FROM PRIMARY CONSERVATION NETWORK TO BRANAN MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY. THIS ITEM WAS CONTINUED FROM OUR PLANNING COMMISSION. I KNOW I HAD SEVERAL CALLS FROM CONSTITUENTS ON THIS THAT DON'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT THAT IT IS PROPOSED IN. BUT BORDER IT AND HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS. SO I HAD TOLD THEM IT WAS CONTINUED. BUT IS THERE ANYONE HERE. I DON'T HAVE ANY CARDS. IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 17. IN THE BRANAN MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY. SEEING NONE. I DIDN'T OPEN IT. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON IT. SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK. DO WE NEED TO MOVE TO CONTINUE? I'LL BRING IT BACK FOR MOTION TO CONTINUE TO SEPTEMBER 10.
>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO MOVE IT TO SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2025. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
[18. Final Public Hearing to consider ZON 25-0021 (cul-de-sacs) (D. Selig)]
>> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 5-0. ITEM NUMBER 18 IS THE FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ZONE
[19. Final Public Hearing to consider ZON 25-0017 (setback) (D. Selig)]
25-2021 ON CUL-DE-SACS THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN SO IT WILL NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. ITEM NUMBER 19, FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ZONE 25-0017 FOR SET BACK. THIS APPLICATION WAS A STAFF INITIATED AMENDMENT TO LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR SET BACK REGULATIONS FOR PROPERTIES IN THE SUBURBAN ZONE OF THE BRANEVIL HRERBGS MASTER PLAN. THIS ITEM WAS WITHDRAWN BY STAFF[20. Final Public Hearing to consider PUD 25-0003. (District 1, Sgromolo) (J. Bryla)]
AUGUST 5TH PRIOR TO THE COMMISSION MEETING SO IT WILL NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. ITEM NUMBER 20, FINAL PUBLIC HEARING[01:50:04]
TO CONSIDER PUD 25-0003, THIS ITEM WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE[21. Public Hearing to consider COMP 25-0009 and ZON 25-0010 (District 5, Comm Burke) (J. Bryla)]
APPLICANT. SO WE WILL NOT HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. ITEM NUMBER 21, PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER COMP 25-0009 AND ZON 25-0010 IN COMMISSIONER BURKE'S DISTRICT. THIS ITEM WAS WITHDRAWN BY THE APPLICANT IN ORDER TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE REQUEST. SO THIS ONE WILL COME BACK AT A FUTURE DATE. THIS APPLICATION WAS A REZONING TO CHANGE FROM AG RESIDENTIAL TO MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. THAT'S A BIG JUMP. AT ANY RATE. SO IF YOU, SO IF YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 21, WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST PAY ATTENTION TO OUR AGENDA, BECAUSE[22. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of ZON 25-0016. (District 4, Comm. Condon) (D. Selig)]
IT WILL COME BACK BUT NOT TONIGHT. ITEM NUMBER 22, FINAL PUBLIC WE ARE ON ITEM 22. WE'RE NOT WITHDRAWING THIS ONE. IT'S NOT A BAD ONE. FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION. OH WAIT. SORRY CHRISTIE. OKAY IF YOU ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 22, OR ITEM NUMBER 23. TO SWEAR YOU IN. SO BEFORE I MOVE FORWARD ON ITEM 22, IF YOU'RE HERE FOR 22 OR 23, PLEASE STAND. ALL RIGHT. AND CLERK GREEN WILL SWEAR YOU IN.>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU'RE ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD. THANK YOU.
>> ITEM NUMBER 22 IS A HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF ZON 25-0016. THIS REZONING APPLICATION WOULD CHANGE THE CURRENT ZONING DESIGNATION OF ONE PARCEL OF LAND, APPROXIMATELY 39.06 ACRES FROM SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT TO AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AR. THAT IS
IN MY DISTRICT. >> THIS APPLICATION IS FOR A PROPERTY THAT'S ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 214. IT SITS ROUGHERLY BETWEEN TWIN LAKES ROAD ON THE WEST AND ALAMEDA ON THE EAST.
THE APPLICATION AS YOU'VE ALREADY SAID WOULD TAKE THE ZONING FROM RB WHICH IS A SINGLE FAMILY DISTRICT TO AR WHICH IS AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL. THE LEFT IS THE AERIAL. YOU CAN SEE SUBJECT PARCEL IS IN YELLOW. ON THE RIGHT IS THE PARCEL MAP. AND I WILL POINT OUT ON THE AERIAL, YOU CAN SEE AN AREA THAT IS, A DEPRESSION MORE OR LESS IN THE MIDDLE. KIND OF AN OVAL SHAPE. I BELIEVE IT'S DRY BUT THE INTENT OF THE APPLICANT IS TO, MAKE THAT A POND. AND THEN PUT HOUSE ON THE PROPERTY AND POSSIBLY DO SOME AERIAL SPLITS FOR OTHER HOMES. FOR FAMILY. ON THE LEFT WE'VE GOT THE EXISTING ZONING AND THEN ON THE RIGHT THE PROPOSED ZONING YOU CAN SEE THAT THE RB ZONING THAT'S CURRENT WAS PART, IT WAS ORIGINALLY APPLIED NOT JUST TO THIS PARCEL BUT TO PARCEL JUST TO THE SOUTH AND THERE WAS AN INTENT. YOU KNOW IT WAS A REASON FOR THAT. A DEVELOPMENT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
SO, THE AR THAT THEY WOULD BE REQUESTING IS THE FORMER ZONING ON THIS PROPERTY BEFORE THE RB CAME INTO PLACE. THE PROPERTY WAS POSTED WITH NOTICES AND MAIL OUTS WERE SENT TO, I APOLOGIZE.
I DIDN'T REALIZE WHEN WE PUT THIS ON THE OVER HEADS THAT THE MAPS IN THAT PALE BLUE COLOR DOESN'T SHOW UP. WE'LL HAVE TO DO BETTER. ADJOINING LETTERS DID GO OUT TO THE PROPERTY. 7-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL. AND STAFF HAS LOOKED AT THE CRITERIA AND FOR THE REZONING AND ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. AND THE APPLICANTS ARE HERE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF ME.
>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF OR THE APPLICANTS? OKAY I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. DO YOU WANT TO COME UP YOU CAN COME UP IF YOU WANT TO.
>> KELLY SPOLTON. WE'RE THE PROPERTY OWNERS. WE WANT TO
BUILD FOUR HOUSES ON IT FOR US. >> WILL YOU PLEASE SPEAK INTO
THE MICROPHONE. >> FOUR HOUSES FOR US, MY MAMA
[01:55:03]
AND OUR TWO DAUGHTERS. AND THAT'S ALL.>> THANK YOU. ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THEM? OKAY, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. IS THERE ANYONE, DID I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. OKAY, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. HAS THERE BEENANY EXPARTY COMMUNICATION ON THIS ITEM? I DID NOT SPEAK TO THE MOLTEN'S DIRECTLY. I SPOKE TO FRIENDS OF THE MOLTE NS WHO GAVE IT GLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS. I ALSO INCORRECT FACEBOOK POSTABOUT THIS ITEM TO CLARIFY WHAT IT WAS BEING REZONED. THERE WAS SOMEONE TRYING TO SPREAD RUMORS THAT IT WAS, LOW INCOME HOUSING AND APARTMENTS IN KEYSTONE AND SO I CORRECTED THE ITEM AND ASKED THE PERSON RESPECTFULLY TO PLEASE NOT SPREAD THAT KIND OF RUMOR THAT THE FAMILY DID NOT NEED THAT.
BUT SO THOSE WERE MY EXPARTY COMMUNICATIONS. ANYTHING FURTHER ON THAT. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE APPROVAL OF ZONING 25-0016. HE ADOPTION -
>> I SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I'LL JUST ADD THAT THE REASON THEY IMMEDIATED THIS REZONING IS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT USE AN HEIRS EXCEPTION TO SPLIT YOUR PROPERTY IN AN RB ZONING. SO THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE AR ZONING. SO IT'S GOING, AND IT'S A GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS PIECE OF PROPERTY. SO, I'LL COME VISIT YOU. I COULD BE YOUR FAMILY MEMBER. I'M KIDDING, I'M KIDDING. ANY OTHER FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
[23. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of ZON 25-0018. (District 5, Comm. Burke) (D. Selig)]
>> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES
5-0. THANK YOU. >>> ITEM NUMBER 23, FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF ZONE 25-0018. THIS IS IN COMMISSIONER BURKE'S DISTRICT. THIS REZONING APPLICATION WOULD CHANGE THE CURRENT ZONING DESIGNATIONS OF THREE PARCELS FROM COMMERCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE DISTRICT BA2 INTERMEDIATE DISTRICT AND SPECIALTY DISTRICT TO BB3 TO NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
DISTRICT A. DEBBY. >> YOU MORE OR LESS COVERED BY FIRST SLIDE. BUT I HAVE FOR YOU THERE THE BREAK DOWN OF THE PERCENTAGES OF THE ACREAGE ON EACH LOT. THE MAP I THINK DOES A BETTER JOB OF EXPLAINING. SORRY. ON THE LEFT WE HAVE THE AERIAL AND ON THE RIGHT IS THE PARCEL MAP. THIS IS A LITTLE EASIER TO SEE. SO, THE FIRST PARCEL THAT IS GOING FROM IN ITS ENTIRETY, FROM BA2 TO BA IS THE GRAY BOX IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER. THE SECOND PARCEL WHICH HAS TWO ZONINGS ON IT, I REALLY NEED TO BRING MY LITTLE LIGHT PEN. IS ON THE LEFT SIDE. SO IT'S THE PALE GREAT AND THE VERY, VERY DARK DARK GRAY. SO THIS IS THE FIRST PARCEL RIGHT HERE. THIS PORTION HERE IS THE SECOND PARCEL WITH THE SPLIT OF TWO. AND THEN THESE THREE, ZONINGS ARE THE THIRD PARCEL. THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL GOING TO WHICH IS THE BA. SO THIS PORTION WOULD CHANGE AND THIS PORTION WOULD CHANGE. SIGNS WERE PUT OUT ON THE PROPERTY AND AGAIN WE MAILED OUT NOTICES TO ABUTTING PARCELLESS. PARCEL. ON MAY SIXTH, THE COMMISSION VOTED AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL. STAFF HAS LOOKED AT THE CRITERIA AND ALSO RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR DODDIE. >> IS THERE A ROAD OFF BOVIN
ROAD? IS THERE A DIRT ROAD? >> I BELIEVE IT'S, YEAH.
>> BECAUSE OTHERWISE THAT ONE PIECE OF ROAD IS LANDLOCKED. I
BELIEVE THAT'S A ROAD. >> BOVIN IS A PRIVATE ROAD I
BELIEVE. >> IT'S NOT NAMED ON THESE
SLIDES. >> IT HAS A PRIVATE SIGN ROAD
THAT SAYS BOVINE ROAD TO 17. >> THE ROAD THAT GOES EAST WEST.
I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ROAD. >> OH YOU MEAN NORTH SOUTH.
[02:00:08]
>> IS THERE SOMETHING. >> I'M AFRAID I DON'T KNOW IF
IT WAS EVER DEVELOPED OR NOT. >> THIS PIECE.
>> YOU CAN SEE IT ON THE MAP ON THE RIGHT.
>> THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE LANDLOCKED.
IF THAT ONE AREA ISN'T A DIRT ROAD.
>> BOVIN ROAD IS ON THERE. >> THIS APPLICATION IT WON'T IMPACT THAT. BUT IF THEY WANT TO DEVELOP IT'LL BE AN ISSUE FOR
THEM. DOWN THE ROAD. >> OH, NO. OH I SEE WHAT YOU'RE
SAYING. >> WHICH ONE IS LANDLOCKED?
WELL. >> THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY RIGHT THERE. IF THAT WHITE AREA IS NOT A DIRT ROAD. THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE LANDLOCKED. I DON'T KNOW. IS
THE APPLICANT HERE? >> CAN YOU COME UP. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS JOHN MAHONEY AT 1714 SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE ACROSS THE STREET. GREEN CO SPRINGS. AND THERE IS A DIRT
ROAD. >> THERE IS A DIRT ROAD.
>> YES, SIR, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT PARCEL IS LANDLOCKED. I BELIEVE THEY CAN COME IN FROM THE NORTHERN ROAD OFF OF 17 AND THEN THAT SAME DIRT ROAD TURNS AND COMES SOUTH. AND THEY HAVE ACCESS FROM THAT DIRECTION. BUT THERE WAS A CUT THROUGH. YOU'RE RIGHT. HISTORICALLY THERE WAS A CUT THROUGH THAT WENT TO THAT PARCEL. NOW THEY OWN ALL THREE PARCELS. AND THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT ZONINGS AND WE'RE TRYING TO BRING THEM ALL TOGETHER AS ONE ZONING. SO YOU KNOW, OF COURSE IT WILL PROBABLY SELL THIS TO A COMMERCIAL ENTITY AND WE WANT ONE CONSISTENT ZONING, IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICE. YOU
WANT TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF. >> NO UNLESS YOU WANT ME TO.
>> IT'LL BE COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES. I DON'T
HAVE. >> YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
>> YES, SIR, RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DODDIE
OR THE APPLICANT. >> QUICK QUESTION, WHAT IS THE BA2 VERSUS THE BA. WHAT CAN BA TO -- DO THAT BA2 CANNOT.
>> I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN YOU A TABLE. I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.
>> I TELL YOU I NEED A KEY. I NEED A KEY.
>> BA IS MORE YOUR OFFICE SIZE PROPERTIES. BUILDINGS ARE LIMITED TO SQUARE FEET. THE OTHER ADD A LITTLE MORE LENIENCY ON COMMERCIAL USES. A LITTLE MORE INTENSIVE.
>> I SAW FOR SALE THEN GAS STATION. IF BA2 DOES NOT ALLOW
FOR GAS STATIONS I'M ASSUMING. >> NO.
>> AND THAT'S THE CURRENT ZONING. OKAY.
>> I THINK IT'S SINGLE STORY TOO FOR BA.
>> YEAH BA2 WAS INTENDED FOR LIKE OLD HOUSES THAT ARE CHANGED INTO BUSINESSES. SO WITH THERE NOT BEING A STRUCTURE ON IT.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT OR FOR DODDIE. THANK
>> AND YOU DON'T OWN ALL THREE PARCELS YET RIGHT. THERE'S THREE OWNERS. WERE THERE THREE APPLICANTS WITH YOU.
>> I OWN ALL THREE. >> OH YOU OWN ALL THREE.
>> I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR ACTION.
>> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL. >> I'LL SECOND.
>> OKAY WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
[24. Public Hearing regarding Annual Rate Resolution for Solid Waste Disposal Assessment for FY 2025-26 (C. Grimm/D. Owen)]
>> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES
5-0. >> ITEM NUMBER 24, PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION FOR SOLID WASTE
DISPOSAL ASSESSMENT FOR FY25-26. >> YES THIS IS THE ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISPOSAL ASSESSMENT. IT IS TO REMAIN THE SAME AS IT HAS OR AS IT WAS LAST YEAR IN THE
[02:05:02]
AMOUNT OF $96. IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT ITJAMIE AND MALTON ARE HERE. >> OKAY ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS
FOR JAMIE AND MILTON? >> I HAVE ONE.
>> OKAY. >> LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, OUR REVENUE WITH THIS COST IT DOES NOT KEEP UP WITH THE EXPENSES OF THIS PROCESS. IN ACCORDANCE WHAT I WAS PROVIDED IN THE BUDGET. MY
PRELIMINARY REQUEST. >> YES, SIR, THE ONLY, WE'RE DISCUSSING THE DISPOSAL ASSESSMENT.
>> YES, SIR. >> SO THE DISPOSALS ASSESSMENT IS ONLY A PORTION OF THE DISPOSAL FUND. SO WE RECEIVE REVENUES AS WELL. SO THE DISPOSAL ASSESSMENT IS JUST FOR THOSE RESIDENTIAL DISPOSAL COSTS. OF WHAT WE'RE COLLECTING. INCLUDING WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF ORANGE PARK, KEYSTONE. OF GREEN CO. SO WHAT WE ALSO GET REVENUES FOR ARE ALL THE TIP FEES THAT WE RECEIVE COMING THROUGH THE GATE. AS WELL AS FRANCHISE HAULER FEES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO, THERE'S NOT A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH THE ASSESSMENT AND THE TOTAL BUDGET IN THIS FUND.
>> SO THIS IS JUST THE RESIDENTIAL REVENUE.
>> THIS IS ONLY FOR THE RESIDENTIAL DISPOSAL.
>> NOW THAT MAKES SENSE. >> FOR CURB SIDE COLLECTION.
SIR. >> I WANT TO CORRECT WHAT YOU
SAID. >> WHAT HE MEANT TO SAY.
>> I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY.
>> TODAY WHAT YOU'RE ADOPTING IS THE RESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT.
THE TENTATIVE HAS ALL REVENUES REFLECTED ON IT. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR AND WE'RE ANSWERING THE RIGHT
QUESTION. >> THEN IT BEGS THE QUESTION.
OUR REVENUE, OUR EXPENSES EXCEED REVENUE.
>> YOUR EXPENSES, YOUR EXPENSES EXCEED YOUR REVENUE BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING $9 MILLION IN CAPITAL PROJECTS. IT MAY BE 7, IT MAY BE 9. I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT NUMBER. BUT YES YOU ARE WITH YOUR CAPITAL EXPENSES YOU'RE EXCEEDING YOUR REVENUES NEXT YEAR BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING INTO YOUR RESERVES TO GET MONEY TO PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE CAPITAL EXPENSES. IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> THE OTHER, AUXILLARY QUESTION I HAVE. WE HAVE A HURRICANE, WE HAVE A LOT OF DEBRIS. DOES THAT GO INTO THIS FUND.
>> THAT COMES OUT OF RESERVES. >> THAT COMES OUT OF RESERVES.
>> THAT COMES OUT OF THIS RESERVE. UNTIL FEMA REIMBURSES.
>> UNTIL FEMA REIMBURSES SIX YEARS FROM NOW.
>> IF YOU'RE REIMBURSED. OUR PAST PRACTICE HAS BEEN TO USE THE SOLID WASTE RESERVES FOR THAT EXTRA DISPOSAL UNTIL THAT MONEY MAKES IT THROUGH THE ALL THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESSES.
>> THANK YOU. >> FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR MILTON OR TROY? ALL RIGHT. I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND BRING IT, OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE DISPOSAL RATE REMAINING AT $96.
SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND I WILL BRING
IT BACK FOR ACTION. >> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL.
>> I HAVE A MOTION. DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> I WILL SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY SAYING AYE.
[25. Public Hearing regarding Annual Rate Resolution for Solid Waste and Recovered Materials Collection Services Assessments for FY 2025-26 (C. Grimm/D. Owen)]
>> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 5-0. LASTLY OUR FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT IS A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING ANNUAL RATE RESOLUTION FOR SOLID WASTE AND RECOVERED MATERIALS COLLECTIONS SERVICES ASSESSMENTS FOR
FY2025-26. >> YES, AS YOU STATED THIS IS FOR THE COLLECTION PART AND THE REQUEST IS TO REMAIN THE SAME AS IT WAS LAST YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $262.
>> OKAY ANY QUESTIONS FOR COURTNEY OR MILTON.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> OR TROY.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> GO AHEAD.
>> IS FCC'S CHARGES GOING TO REMAIN THE SAME FROM LAST YEAR?
OR DO THEY HAVE AN AUTOMATIC. >> THERE IS A, THERE'S A CPI ADJUSTMENT IN OUR CONTRACT. SO, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, THEY'LL WE'LL HAVE A CPI ADJUSTMENT TO THE.
>> WHICH IS HOW MUCH? >> WE DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY THE CONTRACT IS IS BASED ON THE LAST, PUBLISHED CPI. BASICALLY WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE AUGUST CPI IS
[02:10:01]
PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER. TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT NUMBER EXACTLY. RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S RIGHT NOW IF WE DID IT FOR THE LAST YEAR, IT WOULD BE I THINK 2.7. SO I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LESS THAN 3% CPI. UNLESS SOMETHING CRAZYHAPPENS. >> SO ARE THE EXPENSES IN THIS BUDGET I'M LOOKING AT INCLUDE A 2.7% INCREASE.
>> WE BUDGETED WITHIN AN ACPI INCREASE. I THINK WE PROBABLY WENT A LITTLE CONSERVATIVE AND USED 3%.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. MILTON OF THE CPI ADJUSTMENT, WHAT'S THE MAX ON THAT?
>> I THINK WE'RE AT, DID WE HAVE A --
>> THERE'S A CAP. >> I THINK, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.
I DON'T THINK THERE IS IN THAT AGREEMENT. I BELIEVE IN OUR HAUL IN AGREEMENT IT'S AT 6%. AS A MAX. I CAN GET BACK WITH YOU ON THAT. I NEED TO REVIEW THE AGREEMENT. SOMETIMES I.
>> OKAY. >> THEY'RE SO SIMILAR.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF ECHOES BEHIND YOU SAYING THAT THERE ISN'T ONE. BUT I DO KNOW THAT, I'M TRYING TO PINPOINT WHERE
THOSE CAPS ARE. >> IT WAS, SO WE HAD A CAP IN OUR LAST AGREEMENT. AND THAT REALLY WAS FOR THE COUNTY'S BENEFIT BY A VERY LARGE, WHICH IS WHY WE SAW SUCH A BIG PART OF WHY WE SAW SUCH A BIG INCREASE. ALONG WITH THE OTHERS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE YOU KNOW INFLATION AT THE TIME. BUT, SO OUR INCREASES WERE, LIKE WE CAPPED PREVIOUSLY AT LIKE 70% OF THE CPI WITH A CAP OF 4%. BUT, YOU KNOW.
>> SO THE INCREASES WERE NOMINAL.
>> SO THEY WERE VERY NOMINAL. THEY WERE ACTUALLY LESS THAN THE
FULL. >> BUT YOU'RE SAYING WE DON'T
HAVE THAT CAPPED. >> THAT WAS NOTHING SOMETHING HAULERS WERE GOING TO DO AGAIN BECAUSE THEY GOT BURNED DURING THE TIME OF THAT CRAZY INFLATION WE HAD IN THE SHORTAGES AND ALL DURING THE COVID AREA ON BEING ABLE TO GET EQUIPMENT AND SUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND, SO THE CPI IS BASED ON THE GARBAGE AND TRASH CPI. SO IT IS RELATED SPECIFICALLY TO THE INDUSTRY. OF SOLID WASTE AND WASTE WATER. THERE'S A SEPARATE CPI FOR THAT GROUPING.
>> OKAY QUESTIONS FOR MILTON? ALL RIGHT I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? AGAIN HOLDING THE COLLECTION ASSESSMENT AT THE SAME AS IT WAS IN 2024-25 OF $262. SEEING NO ONE. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK FOR ACTION.
>> MOVE. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND.
>> SECOND. >> I THOSE IN FAVOR INDICATE BY
>> THOSE OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 5-0. SO FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, YOUR COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE $368, THAT WAS ON YOUR TAX, $358 THANK YOU MILTON THAT WAS ON YOUR TAX BILL FROM LAST YEAR IS NOT CHANGING. SO FOR BUDGETING
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
PURPOSES. WE ARE AT OUR FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. AGAIN THIS PORTION OF OUR AGENDA IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MATTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD. AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL NOT ENGAGE OR DEBATE OR ANSWER QUESTIONS. YOU MAY E-MAIL, ASKCLAY AT CLAYCOUNTY.GOV OR YOU MAY E-MAIL YOUR COMMISSIONER. CARDS ARE AT THE BOARD ENTRANCE, YOU'RE LIMITED IN YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES BEFORE ADDRESSING THE BOARD WE ASK YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. AND I NOW HAVE THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OPEN. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CARDS ON THIS. WOULD ANYONE, HELENA, YOU CAN COME ONUP. >> HELLO MY NAME IS HELENA CORMIER. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. AND SORRY I GOT HERE A LITTLE BIT LATE. I WAS WATCHING ONLINE FOR A LITTLE BIT. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRANSPARENCY OF YOU KNOW HAVING TO ADDRESS THINGS THAT ARE HARD. FROM JUST WHAT I CAUGHT BEFORE I GOT IN HERE. IT'S DIFFICULT SOMETIMES TO BE THE PERSON TO
[02:15:01]
ASK HARD QUESTIONS. AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT AND TRYING TO HELP THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AN AGENDA ITEM AND SOMETHING BEING ON THE AGENDA ITEM IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THAT PUBLIC NOTICE. AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE WANTING THE STAKE HOLDERS COMMENTS AND INFORMATION AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONERS SGROMOLO POINTING OUT THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF WHEN YOU MAKE CHANGES AND HAVING PEOPLE BE ACCOUNTABILITY. AND IF YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP OUT IT'S VERY SPECIAL TO HAVE THAT. I SEE THE SAME THING IN MY COMMUNITY. I'VE SPOKEN WITH COMMISSIONER BURKE, WITH ROLLING HILLS AND, IT'S BEEN A BATTLE.AND YOU KNOW, TRYING TO ADDRESS THE HARD ISSUES. IT'S DIFFICULT. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOME OF THIS STUFF WITH OUR COMMUNITY. AT OUR LAST BOARD MEETING THEY DID, WE DID APPROVE TO HAVE THE LAND CONVEYED TO OVER 200 ACRES OF CONSERVATION LAND. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. I GET THE DRC MEETINGS AND I GOT THE E-MAIL THIS WEEK. THERE'S ANOTHER PHASE COMING IN THERE WITH 29 LOTS. WHICH IS YOU KNOW THERE'S ENTITLEMENTS. IT'S DIFFERENT STUFF. BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE LAND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED ON WHERE THE TRAILS THERE ARE.
WHERE THE DIFFERENT THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AND LOCATED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T GET PLOTTED. AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS THIS COMES BEFORE THE DRC IN AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON THAT ONE. I NEED HELP BECAUSE WE'RE AT THE LAST SECTION OF THIS DEVELOPER WALKING AWAY. AND I DON'T KNOW IF WHATEVER HAPPENS FROM THAT DRC IS GOING TO COME IN BEFORE YOU ALL. BUT WE UNDERSTAND SOMETHING HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY WHERE FINAL DEVELOPMENT PHASES THAT CAME BEFORE Y'ALL DID NOT HAVE THE CONSERVATION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOTTED FOR THOSE PHASES. AND IT DIDN'T GET PLATTED. BUT THEY GOT APPROVED. AND SO I JUST, I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. I THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE SITUATIONS AND IF Y'ALL EVER WANTED A WORKSHOP AND LET ME EXPLAIN IN DETAIL OPENLY, I WOULD VOLUNTEER.
>> THANK YOU HELENA. YOU MAY WANT TO FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, PLATS ARE NOT EVEN APPROVED AT THE BOARD LEVEL ANYMORE. AND THAT WAS A STATE CHANGE. SO. UNFORTUNATELY WE LOSE MORE LOCAL CONTROL. BU AT ANY RATE. ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK AT THE SECOND
[COUNTY ATTORNEY]
PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL RIGHT SEEING NONE I WILL CLOSE THAT PUBLIC COMMENT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.>> THE OPBLG THING I HAVE AT THIS TIME IS JUST A REMINDER THAT HOPEFULLY YOU'RE ALL WORKING ON YOUR SELECTIONS FOR THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION. SO WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS JUST LET TERESA OR
[COUNTY MANAGER]
I KNOW. >> ALL RIGHT, COUNTY MANAGER.
>> MA'AM CHAIR, JUST, WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE TROPICS AND I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT FOR NOW. BUT PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX EXEMPT THROUGH THE MONTH OF AUGUST. AND WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY LABOR DAY COMING UP HERE ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
[COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS]
I REALLY APPRECIATE THE STAFF AND HOPE YOU HAVE A HAPPYHOLIDAY. >> WE ARE UP TO COMMISSIONER COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER SHOULD I LET YOU START YOURS SINCE YOU
STARTED. >> NO WE CAN HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. I'M TRYING TO THINK BACK, ON ANY COMMUNITY EVENTS BECAUSE THAT'S USUALLY THEY'RE BURNING AT THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND. I THINK IT'S BEEN MORE PHONE CALLS THAN ANYTHING THESE PAST FEW DAYS. SO I WOULD JUST REDIRECT SOMETHING FOR US TO CONSIDER. I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE COUNTIES THAT WERE SPOTLIGHTED BY STAFF. AND, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S THE BEST ROUT. NO ACTUALLY I'M CERTAIN. I'M CERTAIN IT'S NOT THE BEST ROUT TO MAKE THIS AN IMCUMBERSOME ENDEAVOR. THE POINT IS TO BE EFFICIENT AND WHEN YOU HAVE, SOME OF THE LATITUDES REFLECTED IN SOME OF THE COUNTIES. BEGS A
[02:20:02]
LOT OF QUESTION INTO DISCRETION AND WHY A COUNTY WOULD MOVE THAT WAY. I DON'T WANT TO EVEN COME IN NEAR THAT. BUT WE'VE GOT, WE'VE MADE SO MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THIS YEAR. THAT IT BEGS THE QUESTION AS TO WHY WE WOULD NOT EVEN EXPLORE THE OPTION OF GETTING FOLKS WHO JUST HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.WE'RE IN IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. COUNTY STAFF IS IN IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. AND IT DOES NOT HURT, AT LEAST IT'S MY POSITION THAT I WOULDN'T HURT TO HAVE FOLKS WHO, WHO ARE ABLE TO COME ALONGSIDE US AND SO WHEN I THINK ABOUT, ONE OF THE COUNTIES THAT CAME UP, DIDN'T HAVE ANY METRIC OR EVEN A REQUIREMENT AS TO QUALIFICATIONS, THE QUALIFICATION I WOULD BE LOOKING AT PRE PREEMINENTLY IS NOT JUST A BUSINESS PERSON OR BUSINESS LEADER. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF BUSINESSES BUT YOU WANT SOMEONE WHO'S AT THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT THEY CAN DO. CUTTING EDGE, TIP OF THE SPEAR. THAT ONE WAS THING THAT I WAS CONSIDERING. I ALSO WAS THINKING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FOLKS. I'LL BE THE FIRST PERSON TO ADMIT THAT I DON'T THINK A COMMITTEE SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN 7 TO 10 PEOPLE BECAUSE IT GETS CROWDED AND YOU START TALKING PAST EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF GETTING THINGS DONE. THAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. AS FAR AS SCOPE. I THINK WE COULD HAVE A CONVERSATION AS TO HOW MUCH LATITUDE WE WOULD GIVE A COMMITTEE THAT WOULD STILL HAVE TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMISSION AS TO THEIR FINDINGS. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE THE BUCK DOES STOP WITH US. AND WE'VE SPENT IN MY THREE YEARS HERE, I HAVE SEEN US ONE DECISION AFTER ANOTHER COME HERE AND DO ARITHMIC GYMNASTICS TO GET PRODUCTS THAT ARE A NECESSITY OVER THE FINISH LINE. AND I FRANKLY, AND I THINK I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. I'M TIRED OF HAVING TO DO THAT. AND WE, AS WELL AS WE HAVE DONE THE JOB. I DO MEAN COUNTY STAFF AND TAKING A LOOK AT THE BUDGET CHOICE THAT I SAID EARLIER. WE LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AND WE LOOKED AT IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER. THAT'S GREAT. BUT IT'S NOT A COMMENTARY OF WHAT THEY'RE DONE THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY. I BELIEVE STAFF HAS DONE THAT. I'M SAYING HOW ABOUT WE JUST GET A DIFFERENT VANTAGE POINT AND USE ALL OF THE MINDS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD THAT EFFORT. AND THOSE THAT, WOULD BE COMING AT IT WITH EFFICIENCY. I'VE HAD, I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND I AM GOING TO FALL BACK ON THAT STATEMENT AGAIN. GOVERNMENT HAS A REPUTATION FOR MAKING WHAT IS SIMPLE, COMPLEX. THAT'S NOT ALWAYS A BAD THING. BECAUSE YOU, I KNOW WHY I KNOW PERSONALLY WHY YOU HAVE SO MANY LAWS. IT'S BECAUSE SOMETHING WENT LEFT IN THE PAST AND NOW YOU'RE HAVING TO RECTIFY THOSE WITH SAFEGUARDS. BUT YOU GET SO MANY SAFEGUARDS THAT IT BECOMES A LOT MORE CHALLENGING TO MAKE END ROADS. AND I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S NECESSARILY WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN CLAY COUNTY. BUT I DO THINK THAT, INVASION WHICH YOU BROUGHT THAT UP EARLIER THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE LOOKING FOR INVASION. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH WHAT MARY DID WITH THE LIBRARY. I WAS BECAUSE, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO CUT LIBRARY STAFF. AND WE'RE STILL ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS. BUT HEATHER TOLD US AT THE, AT THE AUDITORS, THE COMMISSION AUDITORS BRIEF LAST MEETING THAT SHE HAD A LONG LIST OF ISSUES OR NOT ISSUES. LET ME BE, MORE CAREFUL. SHE HAD A LONG LIST OF SUGGESTIONS THAT COUNTY STAFF HAD GIVEN HER TO TRIM BACK. AND SO THERE'S AN ADMISSION THAT'S BEING MADE IN A STATEMENT LIKE THAT. AND I THINK THAT IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHILE DOGE IS THE COMMITMENT THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE, THAT WE CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION, AND I'LL LEAVE US WITH THIS, I THINK IT'S ALSO, WELL, LET ME, LET ME WRAP UP WITH A DIFFERENT COMMENT. I THINK THAT, WE HAVE MADE IT A COMMITMENT AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR WHEN DOGE WAS THE HOT ITEM TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. AND WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DO THAT. AND I, AM PROUD OF BEING A PART OF THAT EFFORT. AS THE CONVERSATION WANES, WE ARE STILL IN A VERY CRITICAL POINT IN IMPLEMENTING THOSE DECISIONS BECAUSE A YEAR FROM NOW IT WON'T BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT
[02:25:03]
DOGE IT'LL BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT PROPERTY TAXING BEING ELIMINATED. AND IF WE DON'T GET OUT AHEAD OF IT NOW, AND START MAKING DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE EXPONENTIALLY MORE DIFFICULT. FOR THOSE THAT NOW ARE HELPING US MAKE THE REVIEW NOW. WE THOUGHT THIS CYCLE WAS DIFFICULT. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW, I DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAY, JUNE AND JULY LOOK LIKE. AND THAT'S JUST, I'M NOT, I'M NOT SAYING THE SKY IS FALLING. I'M SAYING, I CAN LOOK BACK ON THE THREE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE AND A PATTERN. AND I LIKE TO FOLLOW PATTERNS.AND IT HASN'T GOTTEN ANY BETTER. SO MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT, BEING MORE CREATIVE AND SOLVING A PROBLEM. AND IT'S NOT, FOR LACK OF EFFORT. I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE LOST.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT COUNTY, STAFF AND LEADERSHIP ISN'T TRYING ISN'T TRYING TO DO THIS WELL. SO WHY NOT GIVE THEM IF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ASSIST IN THAT EFFORT. SO THAT'S WHY I THOUGHT THAT YOUR POINT WAS WELL MADE AND TAKEN. SO I THOUGHT, SO WHY NOT FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY INVESTED THAT CAN ASSIST. I PUT THAT BEFORE YOU. THIS ISN'T A HYPER HYPER -- HYPOTHETICAL. WE CAN PUT THOSE OUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED AN INTEREST. WE WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE, WHO WE WOULD WANT BUT YOU DO HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE LIKE YEAH. ANYTHING FOR HOME. AND I THINK THAT THAT WAS THE SENTIMENT, CLAY COUNTY. WHAT CAN WE DO HERE. AND SO I DO, I POSITION THAT FOR THE FOUR OF YOU TO THINK THROUGH AND LET ME KNOW IF THAT'S, LET US KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE
INTERESTED IN EXPLORING. >> THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RENNINGER. >> I HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS I PROVIDED A, A RETURN ON INVESTMENT FROM REGIONAL COUNCIL EVERY YEAR. WE LOOK AT WHAT WE CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE BENEFIT THAT WE GET. AND JUST FOR THE VIEWING PUBLIC I DON'T THINK WE CAN SEE THAT. BUT WE HAVE A 13-1 RETURN OF INVESTMENT. AND IT'S EVEN GREATER THAN THAT I THINK FOR INSTANCE WE'RE DOING A MILITARY INSTALLATION READINESS REVIEW.
REGIONAL COUNTY HAS BEEN TASKED TO LOOK AT ALL THE BASIS. AND WHAT COULD JEOPARDIZE THEIR PERFORMANCE. THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM IN THE FUTURE. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MILITARY BASES IN THIS REGION CONTRIBUTING $8 BILLION TO THE ECONOMY, IT'S HUGE. IF WE LOSE ONE BASE DUE TO WHATEVER REASON. ENCROACHMENT, IT COULD BE, METEROLOGICALLY INSPIRED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR IT COULD BE A PEN. I'VE LEARNED THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS THE ABILITY THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CLOSE A BASE IF HE SO DESIRES. IT BEHOOVES US TO LOOK AT OUR BASES. WHERE ARE THEY AT RISK AND HOW DO WE, BOLSTER UP THEIR DEFENSES. TAKE A LOOK AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHART THERE. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT ARE IN OUR SEVEN COUNTY REGION, I HAVE
THOSE TWO. >> IF YOU WOULD JUST, HIGHLIGHT THE RAIL. ERIC IS USUALLY HERE AT OUR MEETINGS. BUT HE ISN'T HERE. ERIC ANDERSON. HE'S IN CHARGEOVER ALL THE EMERGENCY PLANNING. THAT IS CRITICAL. BECAUSE IF THERE IS A RAIL ACCIDENT IN CLAY COUNTY, HOW WE WOULD RESPOND AND THAT TABLE TOPIC EXERCISE. I DON'T THINK WE ABOUT, RAILROADS AND YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THAT CITY IN OHIO. PALESTINE. SO
DANGEROUS. AT ANY RATE. >> I DON'T WANT TO EMBELLISH THIS TOO MUCH. BUT WE'RE DOING A WASTE STUDY. IT'S A SUBJECT THAT AFFECTS THE WHOLE COUNTRY, ACTUALLY. AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE EXPERTS ON HERE OUT OF STAFF THAT ARE PARTICIPATEING -- PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY AS WELL. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THE
[02:30:05]
COUNCIL IS DOING. >> THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING
IT. >> I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT ELDRIGE IS OPEN. IT HAD BEEN CLOSED FOR A YEAR. THE ROAD IS NOW OPEN. ON THE FLIP SIDE, THEY'VE JUST BEGUN THE BLINDING WELLS ROAD. WILL CAUSE CONSIDERABLE CON TO OUR FOLKS THAT HEAD NORTH IN THE MORNING. YOU CAN SAVE CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME WHERE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT.
YOU'RE GOING TO BE MOVING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. LAST WEEK WE MET WITH THE, FUTURE OWNERS OF THE ORANGE PARK MALL. SECOND HORIZON CAPITAL. AND THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER WE MET WAS GOING TO BE THE CLOSURE OR THE, ASSUMPTION OF THE MORTGAGE AND ALL THAT, THE DEED FOR THE MALL. THEY DID CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY. AND I MET WITH THEM THIS MORNING TO SEE WHAT THE REAL PLANS ARE FOR THE MALL. AND I CAN REPORT THAT SECOND HORIZON HAS A GREAT PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. THE MALL IS GOING TO CELEBRATE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON 24, SEPTEMBER. SO WE PUT A CHALLENGE TO THEM. WE WANT TO BE AROUND ON THE SECOND 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MALL. I PROBABLY WON'T BE THERE. MY SCHEDULE I THINK HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN. TOUCH A TRUCK IS COMING UP HERE. GOOD FOR LITTLE KIDS AND STUFF BUT IT'S GREAT TO GET THE PUBLIC OUT THERE TO SEE THE COMPLEXITY OF ALL THE EQUIPMENT. AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT THE LADDER TRUCK IS GOING TO COST 1.6 MILLION. AND YOU LOOK AT ONE AND THEY'RE HUGE. IT'S GOOD TO GET THE PUBLIC OUT THERE TO LOOK AT THEM. SEPTEMBER 6, SATURDAY I THINK WE'LL ALL BE OUT THERE. AND WITH THAT I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK
YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER
BURKE. >> COMMISSIONER RENNINGER, DO YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE AT THAT 295 HOW THEY PUT THAT MEDIAN THERE.
HOW THEY IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE BASE. COMING SOUTH. HOW YOU HAVE THAT CONCRETE NOW. YOU HAVE PEOPLE GOING OVER THE CONCRETE TO GET ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE THEY HAD MISSED.
>> I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYBODY DO THAT BUT.
>> YEAH, BECAUSE IT STARTS LIKE WAY BACK NORTH. S, ANY WAY.
>> TRAFFIC PATTERNS ARE HARD TO, TRAFFIC HABITS ARE HARD TO
BREAK. SO. >> I SAW A SIMILAR THING TODAY WHEN I WAS COMING HERE THIS MORNING. CARS WENT INTO THE TWO LEFT LANES TO GO ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 16. THEY WENT INTO THAT SO THEY COULD PASS ON THE LEFT ALL OF THE CARS IN THE GO
STRAIGHT LANES. >> AMAZING. IN MY DISTRICT WE HAVE THE SAINT RIDGE AND RUSSELL THEY'RE DOING NIGHT WORK FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 5:00 A.M. AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER FIVE WEEKS. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY COMPLAINTS RECENTLY. SO OF COURSE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY IT'S NIGHT WORK. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY, JUST BE PATIENT. PLEASE, IT IS KIND OF, I KNOW I WAS GOING DOWN SAND RIDGE AND THERE'S BRIGHT LIGHTS LOOKING AT YOU THEN YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE THERE WITH THE FLAGS. KIND OF SCARY FOR THEM. ANY WAY, SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING IS GOING OKAY. THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT THAT WE NEED TO FINISH TO GET THAT ROUND ABOUT HAPPENING. TOUCH A TRUCK AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING. AND GOSH, I THINK THERE WAS ONE MORE THING. BUT ANY WAY, WE MAY HAVE SOMETHING AFTER YOU TOM.
>> FIRST, SO, WE HAVEN'T HEARD THIS AS A COMMISSION IN A WHILE, BUT I WANTED TO BRING IT BACK TO YOU, THE COLLEGE DRIVE INITIATIVE. SO IMPACT CLAY IS CONTINUING TO WORK REALLY HARD IN THEIR MEETINGS TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE COLLEGE DRIVE. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO GET THE BLESSING OF THE COMMISSION OF THROUGH MANY MEETINGS WITH IMPACT CLAY, WANTING TO TRY TO BRAND THE AREA SO, NAME THE AREA. AND THIS IS KIND OF A, UNOFFICIAL, OFFICIAL NAMING. YOU KNOW SOMETHING THAT CAN CONTINUE TO BRING PRIDE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I TOLD THE GROUP I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSION IF THERE WAS ANYONE THAT WAS IN OPPOSITION OF THAT. I DID TELL THEM. I DID TELL IMPACT CLAY I WANT THIS TO BE A PUBLIC PROCESS. YOU KNOW WHERE IMPACT CLAY SEEKS OUT THE
[02:35:02]
FOLKS ON COLLEGE DRIVE TO GET FEED BACK. AND KIND OF MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S COMMUNITY BUY IN FOR THE GREAT THINGS THAT THEY'RE CONTINUING TO DO THERE. SO AS LONG AS ANYBODY, NOBODY IS AGAINST IT. OBVIOUSLY BRING THAT. THEY WOULD BRING THAT TO US. THROUGH IMPACT CLAY. SO OKAY GOOD. SECOND THING, AED TO GREEN CO. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GREEN CO POLICE DEPARTMENT THANKING US FOR HELPING EQUIP THEIR OFFICERS WITH AED. I JUST HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. WAS THAT THROUGH THE GRANT. OKAY SECOND QUESTION, DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXTEND THAT TO ORANGE PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND. WE ALREADY HAVE. OKAY. COOL. VERY GOOD. THAT'S A GREAT, A GREAT USE OF THOSE GRANT AED AND THAT'S A GOOD, GOOD WAY THAT WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER OUT. THAT'S GREAT. AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO STAFF. I'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD WITH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. IN TERMS OF A PRIVATE-PUBLIC. WE WERE JUST RECENTLY ABLE TO INSTALL COVERS OVER ALL OF THEIR BLEACHERS. FOR ME CONTINUING TO RUN OUR BUDGET AS LEAN AS WE ALL WANT TO, THAT IS THE WAY. AND I THINK THAT FIAA AT ARMSTRONG PARK IS KIND OF THE GUINEA PIG THROUGH THIS. HOWARD I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T REALLY DONE A LOT IN OUR COUNTY.
NEVERTHELESS IT SAVES TAXPAYERS A LOT OF MONEY I. ALLOW IT IS PARKS AND THE PARENTS WHO ARE INVESTING IN THAT PARK TO IMPROVE THEIR FACILITY. THE NEXT THING UP IS BATHROOM FACILITIES.
THEY HAVE SAID $45,000 TO IMPROVEN THOSE BATHROOM -PS THROUGH THEIR ASSOCIATION. THE GREAT THING ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS. KEYSTONE HAS THEIR LITTLE LEAGUE. AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND MOVE OUR COUNTY FORWARD, THESE TYPE OF PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRUCIAL AND THE WAY WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE. AND WE HAD TWO INSTANCES OF VANDALISM AT THUNDER PARK. I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY GOT THE CRIME TEAM OUT THERE. THEY'RE IN A HUNT. I SAY THAT IN A SERIOUS WAY FOR SOMEONE TO SPRAY PAINT ALL OVER OUR PARKS IS NOT JUST SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO TOLERATE AND I APPRECIATE CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S FOR PARTNERING WITH US. THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I HAD MULTIPLE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY REACH OUT AND WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS. AND THANKS TO JUSTIN WE WILL MOVE FORWARD THERE. COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY. I THINK WE'RE UP TO 15 APPLICANTS ALREADY. IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING. IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR THE COMMITTEE TO PICK FIVE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, MY GOAL IS WE PILOT THIS FIRST GO AROUND AND HOPEFULLY BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND IN THE COMMUNITY, HOPEFULLY ROUND TWO. WE GET MORE COMMISSIONERS ON BOARD. IF YOU GUYS ARE WILLING TO DEDICATE A FULL DAY. I KNOW THAT'S A LOT TO ASK FOR ALL OF US. BUT, I TRULY BELIEVE THIS IS GOING TO BE AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS TO SEE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT WORK. AND SEE HOW WE OPERATE. LAST TWO THINGS, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH COLONEL PERRY BEFORE TODAY'S MEETING. SHE REACHED OUT. ACTUALLY I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW, WE LIVE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. PROBABLY STONES THROW AWAY. SOME OF THE STORIES SHE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT WHEN SHE WAS IN IRAQ. JUST. I MEAN UNBELIEVABLE. SHE TALKED ABOUT HOW TOBY KEITH ACTUALLY FLEW, WAS OUT THERE TO GREET THE TROOPS. AND IT WAS WHEN WE, THE UNITED STATES GOT SADDAM HUSSEIN. AND SOME OF THE STORIES SHE SHARED, IT'S JUST, THIS IS REAL. I MEAN PEOPLE THAT ARE SERVING THEY LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY'RE GOING TO THESE PLACES. AND THEY'RE DEFENDING OUR FREEDOMS AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT. SO, JUST SO GREAT THAT SHE WAS HERE.
AS AN INTERN AND WE HAD SOME GREAT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW SHE CAN STAY INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY AS HER INTERNSHIP COMES TO A CLOSE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY. THANKS TO THE FOUR OF YOU. I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD IS ALL OF US HAVE OUR OWN YOU KNOW KIND OF NICHE. COMMISSIONER RENNINGER YOUR ADVOCACY IS SOMETHING THAT IS FOR US. COMPERE YOUR LEGAL EXPERTISE IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED. AND BETSY YOU PROBABLY HAVE ONE OF THE BIGGEST JOBS AS WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH LOCAL CONTROL, ZONING AND PLANNING AND SENATE BILL 80 AND SOME OF THESE
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OTHER. AND COMMISSIONER BURKE, YOU ALWAYS CONTINUE TO PRESERVE OUR CLAY HISTORY. I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE FOUR OF YOU AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THAT'S ALLI'VE GOT. >> DID YOU REMEMBER?
>> NO. >> OKAY. SO FIRST WE WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SEPTEMBER 1ST RETIREMENT OF LONG TIME CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE EDWARD HUNTER. HE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR HIS 23 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE. EDWARD BEGAN HIS CAREER IN 2001 AT THE KNOWLES PIT MAINTENANCE YARDS AND SERVED IN SEVERAL KEY ROLES INCLUDING DUMP TRUCK DRIVER AND EARNING RESPECT FOR HIS HONESTY, AND RELIABILITY. HIS THE MANAGER CALLED HIM A KEY TEAM MEMBER WHO WILL BE MISSED. EDWARD LOOKS FORWARD TO HIS RETIREMENT INCLUDING HUNTING, FISHING. YOUR RETIREMENT SOUNDS REALLY GOOD TO ME. SECONDLY, I ALSO WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE GREEN CO LETTER FROM CHIEF HINES. THANKING US WE DONATED 15 AEDS. I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL. WE'VE ALSO DONATED THEM AROUND THE COMMUNITY. A NUMBER OF CHURCHES AND PUBLIC PLACES. THEY COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS, THEY COME WITH TRAINING FROM OUR PARAMEDICINE GROUP WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW THAT CHIEF MOTES WAS SPEAKING AT ONE OF MY MEETINGS YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE PULSE POINT. YOU LINK IT TO THE CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT. I KNEW THAT THROUGH PULSE POINT YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. SO ALL OF YOU, YOU KNOW, THE OLD RADIO SCANNER CHASERS THAT YOU WERE NOSEY AND WANTED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU COULD SEE THE PAST 24 HOURS ON THERE. IF YOU HAVE THE PULSE POINT APP AND YOU'RE NEAR ONE OF THOSE AEDS, YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE THAT APP TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE PULSE POINT APP WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND TO GIVE YOU MORE INSTRUCTION ON WHERE AN AED IS LOCATED NEAR YOU. SO IF YOU COME UP ON AN EMERGENCY WITH THE PULSE POINT APP, YOU CAN OPEN IT UP, IT WILL SHOW YOU WHERE LOCALLY, ONE OF OUR AEDS IS.
YEAH. SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY COOL. THEN THEY CAN HELP YOU. IT HAS INSTRUCTIONS WITH IT. SO. AND I THINK IF YOU ARE, A CIVIC ORGANIZATION OR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, IF YOU NEED HELP WITH AEDS REACH OUT TO CHIEF MOCK AND HIS STAFF IN THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT. I THINK. >> MORNING STAR GOT ONE.
>> MORNING STAR GOT ONE. >> YEAH A FEW WEEKS AGO. AND THEY'RE DOING THEIR SECOND TRAINING ACTUALLY IN A COUPLE OF
>> WE'VE HELPED SOME REALLY SMALL CHURCHES WHICH I THINK IS REALLY COOL. SO THEN I WANTED TO, I HAD THREE OTHER THINGS THAT WERE BUSINESS RELATED. SO, CHERISE AND HER STAFF HAVE ASKED ME TO ASK YOU TO CHEW ON A COUPLE OF THINGS AND BASED ON THE DIRECTION WE KIND OF THINK WE WANT THEM TO GO. THEY'LL COME BACK TO THE BOARD. SO ONE IS ON THE CAC MEETINGS. SO THERE ARE FOUR CURRENTLY FOUR CACS BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS CLOSE SOON TO BE A FIFTH IN A DIFFERENT PART OF ORANGE PARK WHICH MAY BE IN YOUR DISTRICT. IT'S THE RIDGE CREST SOMETHING DISTRICT.
BUT THERE ARE FIVE PEOPLE INTERESTED.
>> IT'S MINE. >> IS IT YOURS. T IT'S YOURS. I APOLOGIZE. SOON TO BE FIVE. AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ACTUALLY THERE'S ONE THAT TOUCHES ALL FIVE DISTRICTS
DEVELOPMENT WISE. >> I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S ALL
FIVE. BUT THERE WAS. >> JODY SAID IT WAS CLOSE. I DON'T KNOW. EXACTLY. BUT YEAH SHE'S NODDING, YEAH. DODDIE AND BETH ARE BACK THERE. I WAS LOOKING LIKE OKAY. OF THE FOUR CURRENT CACS THREE OF THEM MEET HERE IN THE BOARDROOM AND TWO OF THEM MEET IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS THAT ARE PUBLIC OWNED. NOT IN THE PUBLIC. NOT IN GREEN CO. SO WE HAVE THE FLEMING ISLAND ONE MEETING AT THE FLEMING ISLAND LIBRARY. AND THE CULVERT MEETS AT THE ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM. WE PROBABLY NEED TO MAKE THOSE AGENDAS PUBLIC SO PEOPLE CAN READ THEM. AND THAT'S NOT DIFFICULT THROUGH THAT SOFTWARE. WHAT THE QUESTIONS ARE, ONE, DO WE WANT TO SAY ALL OF THOSE CAC MEETINGS HAVE TO OCCUR HERE IN
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THE BOARDROOM. OR ARE WE OKAY WITH THEM BEING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS LONG AS THEY'RE IN A PUBLIC BUILDING SO THAT WHEN THEY'RE PUBLICLY NOTICED IF SOMEONE SHOWS UP TO IT THAT THEY CAN ATTEND IT. SO THAT'S QUESTION NUMBER ONE. I REMEMBER ONE OF COMMISSIONER BURKES EARLY MEMBERS ACTUALLY RESIGNED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. ANY WAY, IT COULD LIMIT PEOPLE PARTICIPATION. I DON'T KNOW. THEN.>> MY QUESTION IS, WHY IS IT BEING PROPOSED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MEET HERE? I'M SURE THERE'S A REASON.
>> FOR THE SECOND, OR ONE IT WOULD BE FOR EASY FOR STAFF. AND TWO WOULD BE, SO THE CURRENTLY THE TWO THAT MEET HERE, HAVE SHERIFF OFFICE SECURITY. JUST LIKE WE DO AT OUR MEETINGS. THE OTHER TWO CURRENTLY DO NOT. THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS, TWO OF THOSE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN PRETTY HEAVILY ATTENDED RECENTLY. I KNOW THERE WERE LIKE 60 PEOPLE WHO WENT TO THE MIDDLE BURKE CLAY HILL ONE. SO ONE REASON WOULD BE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SECURITY. AND WE COULD HAVE THAT, THEY SAID THE, THEY WERE GOING TO GET WITH GENE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ACTUALLY HAVE YET OR ARE NOT. BUT THEY WILL GENE, THEY WIL. IS TO TALK TO SEE HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE IF WE WANTED TO STILL MAINTAIN THOSE PUBLIC LOCATIONS LIKE FLEMING ISLAND LIBRARY AND MIDDLE BURKE CIVIC BUT HAVE SECURITY THERE. OR HAVE DEPUTIES THERE AT THOSE. AND THEN THE OTHER THING WAS, IF WE, AND THIS IS A SECOND QUESTION TO THAT. DO WE WANT THEM RECORDED. THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT RECORDED. RECORDING THEM AND PUTTING THEM OUT COSTS, COST MORE MONEY. AND SO, AND FOR ALL OF THAT. SO ANY
>> WHY DOES IT COST MORE? >> NO, NO. WHY, ARE WE CALLING
TO RECORD THEM? >> WE'RE NOT. THE QUESTION IS DO WE WANT THEM TO BE. BECAUSE LIKE, THEY, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO GET TO JUST SAY WE DON'T LIKE THAT PROJECT. RIGHT. WE CAN'T SAY THAT. AND PLANNING COMMISSION CAN'T SAY THAT. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY THAT. BUT IS THERE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. DO YOU AS COMMISSIONERS WOULD IT BE VALUABLE TO YOU TO GO BACK AND WATCH A RECORDING THAT KIND OF THING. SO, NOT LOOKING FOR DIRECTION FROM YOU TONIGHT.
UNLESS YOU HAD SPECIFIC THOUGHTS IMMEDIATELY. BUT, WE WANTED TO LET YOU CHEW ON THAT IF YOU WANT TO JUST GIVE THAT FEED BACK TO BETH AND DODDIE AND CHERISE OR WHATEVER. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY OF THAT RIGHT NOW ON THAT ONE. THE SECOND ONE RELATED BUT NOT THE SAME IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CITIZEN REQUESTS THAT SOME OF OUR COMMITTEES ARE FAR TOO DIFFICULT TO GET ON TO. BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TERM LIMITS ON THE COMMITTEES. NOW SOME WE DO.
LIKE THE NEW CONSERVATION ONE WE JUST PUT INTO PLACE. THERE'S, THEY KNOW THEY'LL SERVE SOME OF THEM WILL SERVE FOR ONE YEAR.
TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS. THE CURRENT TERMS FOR T DC IS FOUR YEARS. DID I GET THAT RIGHT. FOUR YEARS. AND PLANNING COMMISSION IS TWO YEARS. IN TWO YEAR TERMS. THE SPECIFIC ONE THAT WAS QUESTIONED WAS PLANNING COMMISSION. THAT SOME OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE.
>> AND THEY JUST KEEP ON MOVING ON.
>> SO CHEW ON THAT. THINK ON THAT. DO WE WANT TO LOOK AT THAT. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM JENNY IS THAT IN HER WORK IN PREVIOUS, IN OTHER COUNTIES SOME, THERE ARE SOME COUNTIES WHO TERM LIMIT SOME OF THOSE. NOW SOME OF OUR COMMITTEES WE MAY NOT WANT A TERM LIMIT. LIKE HISTORIC PRESERVATION. IT'S SO HARD TO GET PEOPLE ON THERE. BUT EVEN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WE'VE HAD SOME FIXTURES ON THERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AND SO, WHILE THERE'S ONLY EVEN FIVE, ONLY FIVE PEOPLE, SO. IF YOU WILL KIND OF THINK ON THOSE AND GET YOUR COMMENTS BACK TO CERTAINLY YOU CAN GO OBVIOUSLY THROUGH THE COUNTY MANAGER, SHERISE AND BETH AND DODD IE WOULD APPRECIATE THOSE. THE FINAL ONE, AS WE SPOKE WITH OUR PROPERTY APPRAISER WHO SO GRACIOUSLY CAME UP ON SHORT NOTICE, YOU GOT YOUR TRIM NOTICES. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE YOU HAVE LIKE TWO MORE WEEKS TO FILE FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. AND EVERY YEAR, WE GET PHONE CALLS FROM CITIZENS WHO SAY, MY PROPERTY TAXES WENT UP BY 10%. AND THAT'S BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. IF YOU
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DON'T HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. IF YOU HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION YOUR PROPERTY TAXES CANNOT GO UP. YOU'RE SAYING WELL, WHY ARE YOU SAYING THAT IF YOU'RE NOT PROPOSING A TAX INCREASE. THE REASON I'M SAYING THAT IS BECAUSE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES MAY GO UP. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE VALUE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND WHAT YOUR TRIM NOTICE SAID, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISERS OFFICE BEFORE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. JUST EVEN IF YOU JUST HAVE THE QUESTION OF DO I HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.BECAUSE IT'S SO CRITICAL. YOU CANNOT HAVE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IF YOUR SHORT TERM RENTAL YOUR HOUSE. SO. MAYBE THAT'S NOT AN ISSUE IN ALL OF YOUR AREAS. SOME OF THE WATERFRONT. BUT I HAVE ISSUES ON KINGSLEY LAKE AND SOME OF THE KEYSTONE PROPERTIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE AIR B & BING THAT KIND OF THING. AIR B & B THEIR HOME OUT AND THEM THEIR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. THERE'S RULES AROUND THAT. THE PROPERTY APPRAISER IS THE RIGHT ONE TO ASK. SO YOU DON'T COMMIT FRAUD BECAUSE HE HAS TOLD US THAT IS A CRIME AND THEN YOU COULD GET TO KNOW OUR FRIENDS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE A LOT MORE AND WE DON'T WANT THAT. ALL RIGHT, SO IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.