Christian Peterson: reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
On Tuesday, May 20, the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. Chairman Travis Land began by addressing public concerns he had overheard regarding the Board's amendment of the personnel policy allowing salary and contracted employees to receive payment of overtime accrued under a declared state of emergency. Upon the topic being brought up, County Attorney Adam Morrison explained no law prohibited such action. He continued, stating the personnel policy was changed in 2023 to reflect the approval of paying exempt employees for overtime during states of emergency. This would have taken effect after Hurricane Idalia. If the county had been at fault previously, they would have had the employees pay back the amount paid out; however, even before the policy change, the Board had the authority to pay overtime for hours accrued during a state of emergency.
Public comment was the following item on the agenda. Keith Broaders stood up first, briefly discussing various different laws and book recommendations. Moses Clepper was the subsequent public comment. He first expressed his objection to paying overtime to exempt employees during states of emergency. He also continued voicing his concern about where the public comment section is placed on the meeting agenda and the three-minute time limit for speakers.
The following item on the agenda was a resolution recognizing and celebrating May 20th as Emancipation Day. The Board approved the resolution unanimously. The commissioners then moved on to the consent agenda, pulling one item for discussion and approving the rest. The pulled item was the proposed approval of an Air Medical Services and Support Agreement with Air Methods LLC to establish a Flight Program. Fire Rescue Chief Dan Miller stood up to speak on the item. He explained that the program would not only benefit citizens but also help with training for Suwannee County paramedics. Miller continued, saying that approving the item would entail moving money out of the fire rescue contingency into a line for the program. However, this would only last a few months before the contract takes over. The Air Regional Sales Director, Zachary Nicholson, stood up to thank the Board and went over the program a little bit. The Board had a small discussion, clarifying that no tax dollars would be going to the program and that the helicopter belonged to Air Method and not the county. The Board then approved the agreement unanimously.
After this, the Board moved on to its public hearing for the evening, which was regarding closing a portion of 106th Street. Development Services Director Ron Meeks clarified the surrounding property was all owned by one individual. The Board called for public comment, to which there was no response. The Board then approved closing, vacating, renouncing and disclaiming all rights or interests of Suwannee County and the public in a portion of 106th Street.
The Board then called for staff items. First to speak was Library Director Betty Lawrence, who talked about two change orders for the Branford Public Library building project. She clarified that the first change order was for full replacement of the roof, and the second one was for tree roots under the pavement that needed to be removed. She also stated these change orders would not push the project over budget. She also clarified that the change orders would be brought for approval at the next meeting; she was asking for permission to proceed with the changes. Land directed Morrison and Assistant County Administrator Jason Furry to put the change orders on the next agenda. Land then took a moment to officially welcome the new County Administration Staff Assistant, Eddy Morales. Finally, Economic Development Coordinator Charissa Setzer told the Board she had attended the Florida Economic Development Council conference the previous week. She announced that Suwannee County had won an award for innovation in marketing for its "We Are Suwannee" advertising campaign.
The Board continued the meeting with the commissioners' items. Commissioner Leo Mobley stated there would be a community meeting at the Wellborn Community Center on Friday, June 6, at 6 p.m. The main discussion will be about road issues at 134th Terrace and 39th Place. After a brief discussion, the Board moved on to the county attorney's items. Morrison told the Board and public that, prior to the meeting, he had given the commissioners an updated employment contract for the Economic Development Director. The revised contract had removed a provision stating that, upon rehiring, Jimmy Norris would be credited with 25 percent of the sick leave he had previously accrued. Morrison clarified how, other than that change, the contract was the same as the one provided in the agenda packets.
The Board then moved on to general business. The first item was a discussion with possible board action about the Director of Economic Development Employment Agreement for rehiring Norris. Land began by discussing the amount of negativity he had heard regarding Commissioner Franklin White. He stated White was not driving the employment agreement but was authorized by the Board to negotiate with Norris about the agreement. White then spoke up, saying Norris was interested in returning to his previous position and the contract was essentially the same as his last contract. Commissioner Don Hale clarified that the only change outside of the sick leave was, instead of a five-year contract, the new one would be a one-year contract with automatic renewal.
Land then took a moment to clarify another point. He stated Norris had not been paid his sick leave hours before he left, as he had not worked for the county long enough to receive it. Live Oak City Council member Tommie Jefferson commended both the Board and Norris for their work and voiced his support for rehiring Norris. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Danielle Hampton voiced her favor of rehiring Norris. Julie Ulmer stood up next, also expressing her favor of rehiring Norris. She said he did a good job not only at the local level but also at the state and federal levels. She also alleged that, due to him, Suwannee County was at the forefront of a lot of critical upcoming projects. Clepper then stood up again, voicing his disagreement with the decision to rehire Norris and requested that the item be tabled and the position advertised. Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative CEO Mike McWaters, Clerk of Court Barry Baker, Extension Office Agent Katherine Allen and Executive Director for Economic Development Rural Partnership Jeff Hendry all followed, speaking in favor of Norris's return. After more discussion about Norris's previous accomplishments, the Board approved the agreement with Norris.
The final action taken that night was the Board's permission to execute a refundable deposit of up to $75,000 for the purchase of a dragline. After this, the meeting was adjourned. The next Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 3, at 5:30 p.m. in the Judicial Annex, located at 218 Parshley St. SW, in Live Oak.