2015 Gadsden County Annual Report

Transcription

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GADSDEN COUNTY
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Positioned For Progress
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This document fulfills the annual reporting requirements
of Chapter 125.74, Florida Statutes.
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2015 GADSDEN COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
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County Commissioners
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Message From The Administrator
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Department / Division Directors
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Management Services (Human Resources)
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Management Services (Purchasing)
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Information Technology
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Probation
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Veteran Services
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Office of Management and Budget
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Grants
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Library Services
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Planning & Community Development
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State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP)
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Tourist Development Council
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Public Works (Introduction / Daily Services)
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Public Works (Capital Projects)
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Public Works (Fleet Division)
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Public Works (Mosquito Control)
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County Extension Services
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Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
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Fire Services
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Building Inspection
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Code Enforcement
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Facilities Management
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Capital Outlay
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Neighborhood Services (Animal Control)
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Neighborhood Services (Parks & Recreation)
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COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Brenda A. Holt
Chairman
District-4 / Elected to Office: 2002
Commissioner Anthony O. Viegbesie, PhD
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Commissioner Eric F. Hinson
Vice-Chairman
Commissioner Gene Morgan
Commissioner Sherrie D. Taylor
Goodwill Industries Grand Opening
Goodwill Industries Grand Opening
CareerSource Capital Region Gadsden County Job Fair
TCC Gadsden Campus Groundbreaking
Chattahoochee
Boys & Girls Club
present at County
Commission
meeting.
Economic Development Press Conference
Gadsden Legislative Day at the Capital
Gadsden County Development
Council Economic Development Tour
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MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
It is with pleasure that I share with you the 2015 Gadsden County
Annual Report.
2015 was another significant year of progress here in our great
county. We continued to focus on economic development
by providing over $640,000 in incentives for new or existing
businesses to locate and expand in Gadsden County. These
types of economic development incentives help to not only
provide an enhanced economic base, but also much needed
jobs for our residents. While there were measurable results in
2015, we are excited about the potential projects planned for
2016.
Investing into the county’s economic development climate also
extended to transportation. We continued to make significant
improvements to our transportation infrastructure in our effort to ensure that Gadsden County roads continue to be
the best in the region. As well, public transportation has been a serious issue in our county for some time and the
Board continued to take the necessary steps to address this need. Through partnerships with Big Bend Transit, we
were able to expand public bus routes which now allow residents to commute between five of our six municipalities
via the Gadsden Connector. The Board also continued its funding of the Gadsden Express which allows residents to
commute to Tallahassee several times per day and also services the residents of the City of Midway.
In 2015 the County completed the multi-year jail renovation project which brought the facility up to standards and
produced the best inspection in over 20 years. The Board’s County Work Program also continued to be a success
story by preventing 190 individuals with minor offenses from being incarcerated. Instead, these individuals were
allowed to work off their sentence while providing over $97,680 in services to the County.
Through the vision and stewardship of the Board of County Commissioners, along with the hard work of our staff, we
were able to increase the County’s general fund reserve levels in spite of the difficult economic times. We successfully
pursued grant dollars to leverage local funds which tremendously impacted the level of services provided to our
residents, paved the way for local economic growth and assisted in the upkeep and improvement of our local
infrastructure.
Additional accomplishments that we are especially proud of include increased funding to our local senior citizen
programs by 50%; increased funding for our summer youth employment program; expanded services within our
Veteran Services Office to include transportation for wheelchair-bound veterans; the installation of additional fire
hydrants throughout the county; and numerous renovations at our local park facilities.
As Gadsden County continues to progress forward we are committed to being a government that is transparent and
accessible for all of our residents. We will continue our efforts to be fiscally responsible while still providing a level of
service that each of our residents can be proud of. We will continue to focus on the economic development climate
of Gadsden County with a focus on attracting accessible, well-paying jobs for our citizens.
I hope that you will enjoy looking back on 2015 and take pride in our county’s many accomplishments.
Robert M. Presnell
County Administrator
(850) 875-8650
rpresnell@gadsdencountyfl.gov
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82nd Civil Affairs Battalion Debrief Exercise
FAMU Nursing students visit The County Administrator
Take Our Daughters & Sons To Work Day
City of Quincy Christmas Parade
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DEPARTMENT & DIVISION DIRECTORS
Arthur Lawson, Sr.
Information Technology Operations Manager
(850) 875-3113
kjackson@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Martha Chancey
Jerome Jordan, 1SG, US Army Retired
Probation Manager
(850) 875-8667
mchancey@gadsdencountyfl.gov
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Kembrew Jackson
Asst. County Administrator
Management Services Director
(850) 875-6600
alawson@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Veteran Services Officer
(850) 875-8661
veteranservices@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Myron Williams
Information Technology Services Manager
(850) 875-3113
mwilliams@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Jeff Price
Senior Management & Budget Analysis
(850) 627-8433
jprice@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Tabitha Washington
Library Services Director
(850) 627-7106
twashington@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Curtis Young
Allara Mills Gutcher
SHIP Administrator
(850) 875-7287
adesilva@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Shepard D. Eubanks
Roy C. Pippin
Public Works Director
(850) 875-8672
cyoung@gadsdencountyfl.gov
County Extension Services Director
(850) 875-7255
bigbuck@ufl.edu
Capt. Andre S. Walker
Robert Collins
Fire Coordinator / Paramedic
(850) 875-8699
awalker@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Anita Desilva
Planning & Community Development Director
(850) 875-8663
agutcher@gadsdencountyfl.gov
EMS Director
(850) 875-8688
rpippin@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Building Official
(850) 875-8665
rcollins@gadsdencountyfl.gov
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MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Department of Management Services provides the human resource and procurement functions for the Board of
County Commissioners. This department seeks to develop and implement those policies, programs, and benefits that
will assist the County in fulfilling its overall mission. The Human Resources Division administers recruitment, drug testing,
job classification and pay, employee training and development programs, affirmative action, labor relations, health
and safety and personnel information processing, in addition to administering all employee awards and benefit
programs. Human Resources is also responsible for coordinating the BOCC’s Summer Youth Employment Program
which employs youth between the ages of 14 to 18 at various worksites throughout the County for a six-week period.
The Department of Management Services also serves as the purchasing office for the Board. This office is charged
with administering the bid process for the purchase of certain goods and services, maintaining contracts entered
into by the Board, processing large and small purchase orders, and maintaining records of the County’s fixed assets.
Our office also assists in securing and maintaining the necessary liability insurance coverages for both vehicles and
public buildings owned by the Board of County Commissioners.
HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION
The Human Resources Division is responsible for the overall administrative and technical functions needed to maintain
an effective recruitment, selection, and benefits program for those employed by the Gadsden County Board of
County Commissioners. Development, implementation and coordination of related policies, procedures and training
opportunities are ongoing priorities. Human Resources plans and directs personnel administration for all departments
of the Board of County Commissioners, including labor relations, benefits, salary administration, recruitment, selection
and training. It is also our responsibility to ensure that we offer our employees a competitive classification and pay
plan program and that in carrying out our policies and procedures we remain in compliance with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws on employment issues.
The services we provide enables County departments to meet their responsibilities by employing, retaining and
supporting professionals who will invest in creating a high performance organization that’s dedicated to meeting the
needs of our community. It is our goal to provide competitive wages and benefits for our employees, professional
development opportunities that will enhance the level of service we provide our local constituents and a safe,
discrimination-free work environment.
Each year in August our division hosts open enrollment opportunities which allow our employees to receive assistance
with obtaining various insurance coverages, making changes to their coverage, and/or obtaining answers to any
questions that they may have regarding these benefits. Each vendor/insurance carrier that the BOCC utilizes is invited
to participate in our open enrollment sessions.
In 2015, the BOCC hosted its 4th summer youth employment program. Thanks to funding appropriated by the Board,
we were able to employ a record ninety students to participate in the program. The overall success of the program
is due in part to the partnerships the County has developed with various local organizations that serve as worksites
for the students. In this year’s program, we utilized twenty-four different worksites within the following organizations:
Gadsden County BOCC Offices
Boys & Girls Clubs: Quincy & Chattahoochee
Carter Parramore Academy
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Gadsden County Public Library System (three branches)
City of Gretna
City of Midway
East & West Gadsden High Schools
Gadsden County Health Department
Greensboro Elementary School
Gadsden Technical Institute
Havana Community Development Corporation
Havana Summer Camp
Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office
During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the BOCC has hired twenty-one full and part-time employees. During this time, we
have had six tenured employees to retire from the organization.
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PURCHASING
The main goal of the Purchasing Division is to obtain quality goods and services at a competitive cost, while adhering
to guidelines set forth in the Florida Statutes and the County’s Procurement Policy. This office also works closely with
the Clerk of Courts to maintain and update an accurate record of all County fixed assets by adhering to guidelines
related to a significant value.
One of the Division’s main responsibilities is administering the bid process when needed by various County
departments. Any goods or services that have a fiscal impact of $5,000 or greater is subject to an open bid process.
This allows the County to secure goods and services at a competitive cost. Bids are advertised in each of our local
newspapers, as well as posted on the County’s website. The website advertisement of bids has proven beneficial
in that it allows a greater number of vendors to participate in our bidding process. All bids are opened in a public
meeting fourteen days (or later) after being advertised. The bids are then reviewed by the department director
who requested the bid and a recommendation for award is made to the County Commissioners. After the award is
made, award notices are sent to all participating vendors. In some instances, contracts are entered into, depending
on the scope of the bid.
During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Purchasing Division advertised 18 bids/request for proposals.
Within the
procurement process, over 150 large purchase orders were issued this fiscal year, totaling over $1.4million.
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The Information Technology (IT) Division develops and maintains the County’s information technology infrastructure
as a reliable resource for management decision-making, streamlining internal work processes and providing public
access to relevant information. The IT Division provides centralized oversight through the establishment and timely
updating of policies and standards. Staff is responsible for enabling the effective use of technology in support of the
day to day requirements of our County staff, as well as our constituents.
The IT Division has…
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Implemented upgraded firewalls at multiple locations throughout the county to further ensure network
security and connectivity
• Provided upgraded bandwidth services to improve internet connectivity for all users
• Installed server for the County Probation Division which enables them to greatly enhance their client services
• Utilized Virtualization Technology to reduce the physical infrastructure resulting in increased services at a
reduced cost
• Extended the Cloud Backup Services for disaster recovery
• Reviewed and revised Microsoft Licensing plan to better
meet the needs of the Board of County Commissioners
• Replaced and upgraded the Mobile Data Terminals
utilized by the County EMS Service
• Added Layer 3 Cisco switches to improve network
connectivity and data delivery
• Installed Sophos Server which provides antiviral
protection, as well as content filtering for local offices
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PROBATION DIVISION
The Probation Division is responsible for monitoring all court ordered county probation cases and defendants with
misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic criminal charges, and some felony charges. The Diversion Program is offered
to first time offenders with certain charges and requires the defendant report to County Probation in order to receive
instructions and paperwork. All defendants ordered to perform community service hours, whether or not placed on
probation, must report to County Probation to receive the necessary paperwork. It is the responsibility of Probation
to inform the court of any violations of probation, the progress on Diversion cases, and the completion of all cases
monitored by Probation.
During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Gadsden County Probation Division:
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Monitored individuals placed on probation with the Gadsden County Probation Division
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Monitored completion of court ordered requirements of probationers / defendants placed with the Gadsden
County Probation Division
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Terminated probation cases as conditions were completed or as ordered by the Courts
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Assigned and verified probationers’ / defendants’ completion of community service hours
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Assigned and verified probationers’ / defendants’ completion of the Gadsden County Work Program
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Scheduled urinalysis (drug and alcohol tests)
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Scheduled and administered breathalyzers (alcohol tests)
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Prepared and filed VOPs (violations of probation) as necessary
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Handled all cases assigned to the Diversion Program
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Handled all felony and misdemeanor cases requiring Gadsden County Work Program
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Helped defendants avoid jail thereby helped to relieve jail overcrowding
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Cut cost of labor by supplying Gadsden County Public Works and Gadsden County Building Department
with Work Program and community service workers
The Gadsden County Probation Division offers the below programs in an effort to assistant probationers / defendants
in completing their court ordered conditions. Previously the Victim Impact Panel and the Theft Class required
Gadsden County residents to travel to neighboring counties in order to complete these conditions. The Gadsden
County Work Program is an alternative to jail and has helped reduce the jail population while allowing the defendant
to remain in the home and be gainfully employed.
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Victim Impact Panel
Theft Class
Gadsden County Work Program
Vehicle Impoundment
Alcohol Breath Testing
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VETERAN SERVICES DIVISION
The Gadsden County Veteran Services Office is a resource center that offers entitlement services for eligible veterans
and their families. We work collaboratively with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations to
ensure veterans and their dependents receive the entitlements they have earned for their military service.
The County Veteran Service Officer (VSO) is a certified, skilled professional trained in developing veterans’ claims for
benefits by reviewing and applying relevant legislation, current law, protocols and pertinent medical evidence. The
VSO plays an integral role in the lives of the veterans and families they represent and are accredited through several
veteran service organizations.
The work of service officers involves important matters such as assisting a veteran acquire outpatient treatment
or gain admission for inpatient care at a VA medical center. They assist veterans and their families in filing for VA
disability compensation, rehabilitation and education programs, pension and death benefits, employment and
training programs, and many more.
We work diligently to identify the benefits that pertain to the veteran & their family, provide free expert advice
regarding their claims, provide information on additional resources, complete and file paperwork for benefits from all
levels of eligibility and advocate on our clients’ behalf through the claims process if necessary.
Accomplishments for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year:
• Revenue through Veterans Affairs claim production continued at $2,500,00 annually
• Facilitated Homeless Veterans Stand-Down with Leon and surrounding counties
• Continued to provide transportation services for county veterans to and from medical appointments
established by the Veterans Administration
• Attended County Veterans Service Officer Training provided by the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
(FDVA)
• Conducted annual Veterans Day celebration to honor the service of all military veterans
• Facilitated outreach services to homeless veterans for case management through Family Endeavors
• Received new 15-passenger van to assist with transportation services for veterans
Division Goals for 2016:
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Attend annual FDVA certification training
Continue transportation services for county veterans
Provide transportation services for wheelchair-bound veterans
Obtain Veterans Administrator web access to VA database to allow submission and review of claims
Maintain division’s allocated budget
Host annual Memorial Day celebration to honor the service of all military veterans, especially those who paid
the ultimate sacrifice in service
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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) prepares and administers Gadsden County’s annual budget in
accordance with Florida Statutes and the policies of the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners. Staff is
responsible for coordinating all budget activities for our local county government including the coordination and
development of the County’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets. Accomplishing the overall
financial goals of the Board of County Commissioners requires collaboration with all levels of county government to
determine present and future needs, as well as determining feasible methods to address those concerns.
Throughout the fiscal year, the Office of Management and Budget provides general assistance to County departments,
members of the public, as well as private and government agencies regarding budgetary requests and funding. It is
staff’s responsibility to coordinate the development of the County’s quarterly financial reports, analyze and process
changes to the adopted budget, plan for future operating and capital requirements and analyze the fiscal impact
of proposed County actions.
GRANTS
During the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners hired a full time grant writer.
The addition of a permanent employee in this position enabled the County to seek more state, federal and private
funding. Generating more County revenue through grant writing extends the scope of programs and services the
County provides and increases the effectiveness of the programs and services the local government offers.
The grant writer researches and identifies new government and private funding prospects; identifies funding
opportunities and new program areas to match County Government priorities through private, corporate, and
government grant opportunities; writes letters of inquiries and proposals to prospective funding entities; serves as
a resource and direct contact to assist staff within various departments in grant preparation and development;
generates reports for government agencies, foundations and other funders; and provides grant training and
assistance to staff upon request and at the direction of the County Administrator.
Of the grants submitted this year, over 90% of the grants have been new funding for which the County has either
never sought funding or hasn’t in five years or more. For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, over $20 million has been awarded
in grant funding. A large portion of this funding was awarded for projects within the Public Works Department. Public
Works is the County’s largest department and requires the largest budget allocation. Grant funding for road-paving,
signage, maintenance and striping has saved the County over $18 million during the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
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LIBRARY SERVICES
The Gadsden County Public Library System serves the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of
residents, providing quality resources and services in a comfortable environment. The County’s main library is located
in Quincy and additional branches are located in Havana and Chattahoochee. We also utilize a countywide
bookmobile. Materials that are available to borrow form our public library system include a variety of print books,
as well as media which includes DVDs, and audio books on CDs and in MP3 format. More than 100 magazines and
newspapers are also available for browsing.
The libraries sponsor a variety of programs of interest which caters to diverse groups of all ages including sign
language workshops, genealogy, research instruction, book talks, seminars, lectures, special performances and a
series of adult computer classes taught at each library location. Our youth services staff offer year round programs
suitable for toddlers to teens. The outreach services extend library resources and services to community day cares,
senior centers, schools, camps, residential neighborhoods, and local events.
Library Services Accomplishments for 2014- 2015 Fiscal Year:
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From the months of July 2014 through June 2015, approximately 59,065 computer users came to visit the
Gadsden County Public Library.
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Had more than 66, 209 books circulated in our Adult and Children’s collection
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More than 6,264 visitors climbed aboard the Bookmobile during its morning travels across the County
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Had more than 1,852 in attendance for Library Programs which included classes on Genealogy, Chair Yoga,
Career Advancement, Sign Language, iPad and Computer Classes
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Had more than 15,321 in attendance for Children’s and Young Adult Programs which included Story Time,
Science Nights, Lego Robotics, After School Activities, Guest Performers, Daycare visits, Day Camp visits,
the Annual Summer Program and other programs geared towards our Library Services and Technology Act
Grant.
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Continued launch of the new eBook system Axis 360 by Baker and Taylor in the fall of 2014 which allows users
to download books to their smartphones, tablets, laptops, and personal computers. The eBook system is
supported financially by the Friends of the Gadsden County Public Library.
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In the fall of 2014, the library was awarded $65,262 for the Library Services and Technology Act Grant by
the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services. Every Toddler Has a Story is a
grant developed by youth services Librarian Kristine Odahowski. The grant focused on emergent literacy.
Activities included workshops on book publishing, book reading challenges, and writing workshops for
parents and caregivers. The grant also allowed the library to purchase a multitude of books, CDs and videos
geared towards Emergent Literacy.
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In March of 2015 the Gadsden County Public Library successfully launched a new website www.gcpls.org.
The upgraded website offers such features as online catalog where users can search for titles from the
comfort of their home. It also includes an online calendar that lists all the upcoming activities and events at
the library. Other features include accessibility to the Best Sellers lists and electronic submission for interlibrary
loan requests. The new website also features informational tabs to library entities such as the Literacy Center
and the Friends of the Library, and social security express.
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In the winter of 2015, a digital scanner was installed at the William A. “Bill” McGill Library. With the increasing
need for documents to be sent electronically, the service was set in place at no charge to the patrons of the
library. With this new self-service device patrons can scan everything from IDs to legal documentation in a
matter of minutes.
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In April of 2015 the Gadsden County Public Library System participated in the National Library Week. This
week-long celebration highlighted the achievements of libraries locally and across the country. The Gadsden
County Public Library held a Library Day celebration at each of the branches to thank our patrons for their
contributions to the library.
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During the summer of 2015, the library presented a multitude of youth related activities for the Annual Summer
Library Program. This year’s theme for the summer library program was Every Hero Has a Story. A wide range
of activities were offered to library patrons such as animal avengers, MoLab, how to draw a super hero and
family movie nights.
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Throughout the 2014-2015 fiscal year staff attended various trainings and continuing education opportunities.
Training was held through various events such as the Florida Public Libraries Directors Conference, Panhandle
Library Access Network, and the Florida Library Association Conference. These events
allowed library staff to learn about library trends and gain additional knowledge
about library programming.
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PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Planning and Community Development Department (P&CD) oversees all land use planning and regulatory
activities within the county, in addition to housing programs funded through the State Housing Initiatives Program,
Brownfields, and is the staff to the Tourist Development Council.
The Planning Division is responsible for long-range and short term planning, land development, environmental and
stormwater regulation and review. These responsibilities include the update and implementation of the County’s
Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code, in addition to the County’s Stormwater Management
Policy and Procedures Manual. In concert these documents ensure high-quality development, preservation of
natural resources and the promotion of economic growth. P&CD continually evaluates and updates the County’s
Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.
The County’s Comprehensive Plan guides long-range growth in the County and is comprised of polices that influence
the type, the amount, the timing and the location of new development. The County’s Land Development Code
implements the policies of the Comprehensive Plan through standards to guide growth and development.
In addition, the Planning Division serves as staff for the Gadsden County Planning Commission, the local planning
agency, and the Board of County Commissioners for land development processes. We also coordinate with regional
and state agencies on land use, transportation, environmental and economic issues.
In the fall of 2014, Gadsden County was awarded the Competitive Florida Partnership Program, an economic
development initiative that is funded through the Department of Economic Opportunity. This program not only
provided a financial grant, but hours of technical assistance toward the development of economic strategies.
This program provided assistance from several state agencies, local economic development agencies, and local
stakeholders to identify county assets and provide recommendations for future efforts. This is a two-year technical
assistance and financial grant program, and thereafter the County will remain involved to not only receive further
support, but to offer support to other incoming and participant communities.
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In the summer of 2015, Gadsden County received word that we were the
recipient of a Technical Assistance Grant to create a plan for the HWY 90
corridor for tourism-based interests. Since this grant closely ties into tourism
development, the Tourist Development Council will be heavily involved with
this process.
Also in this fiscal year, the Gadsden County Planning Division completed
the state mandated Evaluation and Appraisal Report based-amendments
to the Comprehensive Plan, which brought Gadsden County from a
sanctioned county to one who can now update the Plan as needed.
The Planning Division is continuously reviewing planning regulatory
documents and proposing updates as such become completed to
help clarify and streamline the development process. Amendments are
presented to the Planning Commission for recommendation to the Board
of County Commissioners for adoption.
STATE HOUSING INITIATIVE
PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) PROGRAM
In 1992, The William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act was established under a bipartisan agreement with an
ultimate goal of creating jobs and helping those who lived in substandard housing. Funds are allocated to local
governments based on that area’s population and these funds are derived from the collection of documentary
stamp tax revenues. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation administers the SHIP (State Housing Initiatives
Partnership) Program which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce
and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low, low
and moderate income families in need of:
• Emergency Housing Repairs
• New Home Construction
• Down Payment & Closing Cost Assistance
• Housing Rehabilitation
• Home Ownership Counseling
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Through the County’s SHIP Program, the Community Development Division promotes the preservation of existing
housing and reviews eligibility requirements in unincorporated areas of Gadsden County. We assist income-eligible
home owners in making their owner-occupied homes safe, decent and habitable.
Community Development Accomplishments for 2015:
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Held Fair Housing Workshops for citizens in Gadsden County
Assisted with First Time Home Buyers Classes
Promoted First Time Home Buyers Programs
Partnered with BOCC Grant Writing Department to initiate
Community Development Block Grant application
Rehabilitated ten homes since the start of 2015
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
The Gadsden County Tourist Development Council (TDC) was
established under the arm of the Board of County Commissioners
in 2002 through adoption of Ordinance 2002-002. Florida Statute
Section 125.0104 provides for, by local option, the establishment
of a tourist development council. A referendum was held to
collect a tourist development tax, and currently a two percent
tax is collected from all persons who lease or rent lodging within
Gadsden County.
This tax is used to fund marketing materials, events and media to
promote tourism within Gadsden County. Some of the events that
received funds in 2015 were the:
• Havana Pumpkin Fest held in October
• North Florida Educational Development Corporation’s
2nd Annual Big Bend Cultural and Diversity Event held in November
• Lake Talquin Crappie Tournament held in January
• Red Eye Velo Stage Bike Race held Memorial Day weekend
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The TDC has an application process to review funding requests, and a similar process to request sponsorship from the
TDC to host larger events. This procedure was revised in 2015 to streamline the process and be more deliberate with
tax dollars. Also, the TDC continues to financially support the Gadsden Arts Center and the Quincy Music Theatre.
These non-profit organizations bring many tourism-related activities and performances to our area.
In October of 2014, the TDC hired a consultant to better market and to rebrand the organization. Chisano Marketing
Group brought forward a new mission statement, vision, brand and logo which were all adopted by the TDC in the spring
of 2015. Subsequently, in July 2015, the Board of County Commissioners, after consideration and recommendation
by the TDC, adopted the 2015/16 Strategic Plan for the Tourist Development Council. The development of this plan
was an 18-month process beginning with visioning sessions in the spring of 2014. The Strategic Plan outlines the
purpose of the TDC, and identifies strategies to spend funds intentionally, as well as goals for creating more tourism
activity within all of Gadsden County.
Marketing campaigns will begin in late summer and fall of 2015 with the newly adopted “Do Something Original” tag
line for our area. Keeping that tag line in mind, a new website address was purchased, www.dosomethingoriginal.
com, and a mobile app was designed and produced in part with Visit Florida grant funds. This app is identified in the
Apple and Android stores as “Discover Gadsden” and is a free download. The TDC was awarded a grant again for
FY15/16, and these funds will be used to subsidize media and products for advancing awareness and promotion of
tourism activities in Gadsden County.
In addition, the TDC brought life back to its Facebook page,
and has created an Instagram account for social outreach;
the TDC now has almost 500 followers on Facebook. To further
our awareness of all the great things that Gadsden County has
to offer, window clings were designed and purchased for local
tourism industry representatives to place in their windows to show
a unified campaign. This cling also provides a QR code to use
with smartphones, which will bring the user to the app store for
download.
The TDC is a nine-member group appointed by the County
Commission. They generally meet quarterly and oftentimes more
regularly as demand requires. For more information regarding the
TDC, you may contact Sonya Burns at 850.662.3306.
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PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Gadsden County Public Works Department is busy every day ensuring consistent maintenance of County roads
and right-of-ways. The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of 700 miles of roads, 59 bridges,
and the storm water infrastructure in Gadsden County. The Board of County Commissioners Fleet Division and
Mosquito Control Program are divisions within the Public Works Department.
Daily services provided by the Public Works Department include:
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Maintenance of County dirt roads
Road stabilization and retrofitting
Asphalt/pothole repair
Private Road Repair Program
Maintaining drainage systems along the right-of- way
Maintaining and repairing County bridges in conjunction with Department of Transportation monitoring
Mowing and trimming County right-of-ways
Sign installation and maintenance
Traffic signal maintenance
Adopt-A-Road Program
Litter and illegal dumping control
Utility right-of-way permitting
Responding to emergencies during inclement weather
Responding to citizens’ inquiries, complaints and requests
Assisting other County departments in completing projects and objectives
Provide maintenance and services to municipalities via Interlocal Agreements
With the re-development and enhancement of the County’s website the public can now report and track problems
/ requests via our Public Works online Maintenance Request.
24
During 2014 - 2015 fiscal year the Public Works Department
•
•
•
•
Processed 1,349 work order requests for maintenance (does not include regular scheduled preventive
maintenance)
Administered and monitored $704, 463 in capital projects which included the paving of Lewis Lane and
Hogan Lane via Florida Department of Transportation Small County Outreach Program and the Small County
Road Assistance Program grants
Initiated cross training for field employees on heavy equipment
Completed the annual Bulk Item Pick-up
With the recent approval of funding by the Board of County Commissioners, the Public Works Department is gearing
up to resume road building. Upon BOCC approval of the list of roads to be paved, the department will start the
process by measuring and staking the roads, and putting out the bids for asphalt paving. The retrofitting (driveway
and road stabilization) will be done in-house prior to paving. The department has also been allocated $200,000.00
for restriping and is currently seeking bids.
Goals for fiscal year 2015 – 2016:
•
Prepare, coordinate, and monitor capital projects
($7,071,000.00 DOT Funding) slated for completion in 2016,
which includes the following resurfacing projects.
Brickyard Road
$ 932,000.00
Bettstown Road
$ 1,118,000.00
Old Federal Road
$ 2,428,000.00
McPhaul Road
$ 419,000.00
Peck Betts Road
$ 1,495,000.00
Telogia Creek Road $ 679,000.00
$ 7,071,000.00
•
•
Continue road building projects approved by the BOCC
Monitor, evaluate, and administer the Private Road Adoption
Program upon Board approval
• Continue to aggressively monitor and provide preventive
maintenance of the County Roads and Right-of-Ways to
insure public safety
• Continue to seek all available information to eradicate nuisance mosquitoes in the county and educate the
public regarding prevention
• Expand employee training and professional development
• Continue the restriping of roads based on priorities ($200, 000.00 allocated in FY2106 budget)
• Continue the annual Bulk Item Pick-up service for residents in the unincorporated areas
25
FLEET DIVISION
•
Provides service and preventive maintenance to all vehicles
in the BOCC Fleet.
The fleet division processed 1,227
maintenance/service order requests for fleet vehicles and
equipment to date. This does not include 407 preventive
maintenances.
•
Manages the BOCC Fuel Purchasing Program. To date
$107,164.69 has been invoiced via Interlocal Fuel
Agreements and 263,419.6 gallons of fuel has
been dispensed.
•
Coordinates the purchase of all BOCC vehicles
and equipment
•
Maintains inventory and disposal of all fleet
vehicles and equipment.
MOSQUITO CONTROL DIVISION
Mosquito control services are mandated by the State of Florida and the County’s main goals are nuisance control
and preventing the spread of deadly diseases. Staff monitors mosquito problems in unincorporated Gadsden County,
responds to spray requests for nuisance mosquitoes and participates in ongoing testing and education to provide
better pest management practices for the public. What some residents may not realize is that mosquitoes carry a
number of diseases that are harmful to humans, livestock and pets. That’s why it is so important that all residents do
their part in decreasing the local mosquito population.
Mosquito control is something that you don’t normally think about until you’re faced with a problem. When the
presence of mosquitoes becomes a nuisance, residents may contact the County’s Mosquito Control Division to report
the problem. While the complaint alone may be justification enough to spray an area, County staff will normally
perform a landing rate test prior to spraying. A landing rate test is simply the staff member exiting their vehicle and
counting how many mosquitoes actually land on them within a one-minute timeframe. This data proves beneficial in
documenting the visit, as well as establishing comparative data for future use.
Another method to verify the presence of mosquitoes in some areas is the use of overnight traps. These traps utilize
dry ice which releases carbon dioxide when it melts and simulates the carbon dioxide output of a mammal. This tricks
the mosquitoes into thinking there’s a feeding source nearby. Realizing that each environment presents different
levels of breeding, these traps are especially helpful in determining what a normal mosquito count in a particular
area is. While a count of a few hundred may be recorded as normal in a swampy area, this same count would be
considered excessive in a housing subdivision.
In addition to documenting the presence of mosquitoes, County staff must also verify that there are no current
“no-spray” requests in the requested spray area. While granting a no-spray request for a resident’s property is
easily allowed, County staff must obtain consensus from residents in the area if the request is for an entire street or
neighborhood.
The BOCC’s Mosquito Control Office is available to treat infested areas; however, residents are encouraged to be
proactive in helping to decrease the mosquito population around their home, their neighborhood and ultimately
throughout the county. Residents should make it a habit to regularly dump any standing water on their property. For
26
those who collect rain water, those bins should be kept covered when not being filled. Bird baths, flower pots and
old swimming pools should be dumped every three to five days. Old tires should either be thrown away, dumped
regularly or holes should be poked in them to prevent the collection of water. Residents should also be mindful to
maintain septic systems on their property. When these systems get old or are not maintained, contaminated water
may collect above ground and become a breeding site for mosquitoes. If there are ditches close to a resident’s
home, they may purchase BTI briquets from their local hardware store to treat the sitting water and help prevent
mosquito breeding. When utilizing store-bought products, residents should be reminded that the label is the law; they
should always use these products as directed.
If you live in the unincorporated areas of the county, Midway, Havana or Greensboro and experience a problem with
mosquitos, you may contact the Gadsden County Mosquito Control Office at 627-5396 to schedule an inspection and/
or spraying. To assist County personnel in being able to identify residences
and more quickly respond to service calls, residents are reminded that it
is important to have reflective house numbers on either their mailboxes (if
located in front of the property) or on their homes.
The Public Works Department was happy to welcome Mr. Jamison Spencer
on board as the new Mosquito Control Supervisor during the 2014-2015
fiscal year. Mr. Spencer brings with him 10 years of mosquito control
experience from the Leon County Mosquito Control Department. He will
bring a fresh outlook to the Gadsden County Mosquito Control Program
with his knowledge of Arthropod Management Plans and mosquito
surveillance, including the sentinel chicken program.
COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICES
The Gadsden County Extension Service continues to provide lifelong, educational opportunities to the people of the
county in the areas of Family and Consumer Science, 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Community Resource
Development. The information and training available to local residents is provided by faculty located in Gadsden
County from the University of Florida and Florida A & M University.
Family & Consumer Sciences
First Time Homebuyer Education:
• 161 participants enrolled in the homebuyer education workshops,
completed a budget and a debt repayment plan analysis using
Powerpay®
• 110 completed all requirements to earn a certificate of participation and
are working on credit repair and 23 earned a certificate of completion
and were referred to USDA Rural Development for home loan application
• Six volunteers donated 24 hours of service to the homebuyer education
program
Family Financial Education:
• The Extension Service in partnership with the United Way of the Big Bend
and the IRS hosted a Skype Site to prepare taxes for 25 low to
middle income families
• Participated at 2 MTC Gadsden Women Correction Facility
transition fairs to assist 245 inmates with accessing information on
financial education and banking after they transition into society
• Enrolled 15 savers during the 2015 America Saves Week
Childcare:
• Agent facilitated the Department of Children and Families
Childcare Competency exam site for 50 participants
27
4-H Youth Development
4-H Mission Mandates: 4-H Science (S.T.E.M.I), Healthy Living and Citizenship &
Leadership
• 873 youth participated in educational programs that were 6 or more
hours on the following subject matter areas; environmental science,
agriculture, animal science, healthy living, public speaking, civic
engagement and leadership development.
o Benefits of the youth’s 4-H experiences:
- Applied learning
- Gain in specific knowledge and skills related to subject matter
area
- Transferable life skills such as problem solving and decision making
- Work readiness
- Science literacy
- Enhanced civic awareness
Organizational & Volunteer Systems
• Creating a safe environment for positive youth development, 15 adult and youth volunteers were screened/
rescreened according to University of Florida guidelines
• Gadsden County 4-H volunteers expanded programmatic efforts through facilitating community clubs,
school enrichment programs, promotional events and workshops which yielded 1189 clientele contacts.
o 118 volunteers contributed 892 service hours which totaled $18,946 value added back into the 4-H
program.
Agriculture
Extension programs developed in the agricultural area addresses best management and production practices for
vegetables, container plant nurseries, and natural resources with outreach to the tomato and nursery growers, small
farm community and residential gardening community in Gadsden County.
In 2014-15, 286 extension clients attended ten educational programs that provided knowledge and skills in landscape
design for First time homebuyers, pesticide-use safety information via restricted-use pesticide training sessions,
integrated pest management to manage pests while reducing chemical control options, farm management
training through Master Farmer training and youth development. Of these, 30 nursery and landscape personnel
learned how to scout and identify Rose Rosette Disease and what should be done if Rose Rosette Disease is found
in plant production areas or the landscape. Fifteen grape producers, hobbyists, homeowners and backyard grape
enthusiasts, including restricted-use pesticide applicators, learned about vineyard operations and management
through an Extension program that provided muscadine grape cultural, insect and disease management, pesticideuse & safety and hands-on pruning techniques in the vineyard. Another 494 Extension clients received direct assistance
via educational programs in protected agriculture, hydroponic production
and beekeeping practices at FAMU REC sponsored Field Day, FAMU
Extension Centennial Celebration event, UF FAMU Small Farm Conference
and UF FAMU Gadsden County Extension Service.
•
•
•
Sugarcane Field Day, 27
2014 Gadsden Tomato Forum, 53
West Florida Livestock Show and Sale, n=229 participants
and patrons, youth livestock project sales = $72,000.00
Community Resource Development
The County Extension Director serves as the Enterprise Zone
Coordinator. The Enterprise Zone Development Agency assisted
retail and manufacturing businesses and consultants with Florida
State Tax incentives education and application processing.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
28
Jobs created: 26
New businesses: 4
Business Expansions: 4
Three (3) applications submitted for Job Credit for Sales Tax
One (1) application submitted for Building Materials Sales Tax Refund
One (1) application submitted for Job Credit for Corporate Income Tax
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)
Gadsden Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operates six full time Advanced Life Support Ambulances and one
full time Paramedic Supervisor unit. EMS transports all patients to area hospitals including Capital Regional Medical
Center – Gadsden Campus in Quincy, all hospitals in Tallahassee, and a limited number of transports to Marianna, FL
and Bainbridge, GA.
EMS personnel work 24 hour on duty schedule shifts with 48 hours off per week, resulting in an average of 56 hours per
week. On a daily bases there are twelve (12) crew members on units with one supervisor unit. Currently there are
35 full time positions and 29 part time positions. Each unit is staffed with at least one paramedic. Each shift has one
Paramedic Captain / Supervisor with a Lieutenant backup supervisor.
EMS has a total of five stations throughout the county. Two units are in Quincy at the main station and one unit in
Havana, Midway, Chattahoochee, and at Capital Regional Medical Center-Gadsden Campus.
Accomplishments for 2015:
Gadsden EMS responded to 7,370 requests for service
Received grant funding for new Lap Top Computers
Updated the department’s scheduling to an online system which allows the department to better manage work
schedules, messaging and notifying staff of changes and events.
Goals for 2016:
Obtain grant funding for a new EMS facility
Community Paramedic Program (public education)
Improve customer service standards
Increase stroke awareness
Improving cardiac arrest survival rate
29
EMS DIRECTOR RETIRES AFTER 24-YEARS OF SERVICE
Longtime EMS Director Tommy Baker retired this year. Tommy became Director of Gadsden County EMS in October
1984 and remained with the organization until May 2005. Tommy then transitioned to the Florida Department of
Health in Leon County. In November 2011 Tommy returned to the County as EMS Director and retired in March
2015, after serving the citizens of Gadsden County for 24 years.
During Tommy’s last four years as director, EMS received ten new
ambulances, seven new stretchers, seven new cardiac monitors,
added a station in Midway, and incorporated a new online
scheduling system that allowed better management of work
schedules, messaging staff and managing certifications for the
staff. The department also went to an online time clock which
allows employees to clock in from a variety of electronic devices.
Tommy was very active in the Gadsden County community and
the surrounding area. He will truly be missed by all, we wish him the
best and a HAPPY RETIREMENT.
30
FIRE SERVICES
The Gadsden County Fire Services Division is comprised of ten volunteer fire departments focused on responding
rapidly to emergencies and providing appropriate intervention and community education for the residents of
Gadsden County. Fire Services is responsible for responding to all fire suppression and vehicle accident /rescue calls,
along with assisting the City of Quincy Fire Department when needed. The division is dedicated to protecting and
serving our entire community and visitors with a commitment to professionalism and performance excellence. All
members of the Gadsden County Fire Services Division work together as a unified group for the betterment of the
organization and our community as a whole.
Members of the Fire Services Division holds the preservation of life as our scared duty. We overcome adversity
through fortitude, training, and compassion for others and we earn the trust and respect of those we serve by aspiring
to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. We honor our profession and we will inspire each other to maintain trust
and respect in our community.
Gadsden County’s Volunteer Fire Departments are located in Chattahoochee, Concord, Greensboro, Gretna,
Havana, Midway, Mt. Pleasant, Robertsville / St. John, Sycamore and Wetumpka. During the 2014-2015 fiscal year,
our volunteer fire departments responded to approximately 920 fires and vehicle accidents/rescue related calls.
Accomplishments for the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year:
•
•
•
•
•
The Sycamore Volunteer Fire Department received a new fire truck which was funded by a grant/loan from
the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Continued the Fire Hydrant Marker Installment/Replacement Program
Continued Fire Hydrant Installment Program by installing four new fire hydrants
Provided fire prevention and awareness sessions for local public school students
Received grant from the Division of State Fire Marshall Bureau of Fire Prevention which provided 150 free
smoke detectors for local elderly residents
31
32
BUILDING INSPECTION
This report will give an overview of the services we provide and some information about the Building Inspection, Code
Enforcement, Facilities Management, Parks & Recreation and Animal Control divisions. My position as Building Official
allows me to supervise each of these departments and you will see how each department relates to and enhances
the other. Our mission goes well beyond just the description of a department and the volume of work done by that
department. We strive daily to develop new ways to improve each division and to always make customer service a
must. You will learn more about these divisions as you review the information presented in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert “Clyde” Collins
Building Official
850-875-8665 OFFICE
850-510-7842 MOBILE
rcollins@gadsdencountyfl.gov
buildinginspection@gadsdencountyfl.gov
Building Inspection
The Building Inspection Department is responsible for enforcing building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing codes
to ensure building safety and quality of construction. The 2014 Florida Building Codes went into effect on June 30,
2015 and we are expected to inspect all work based on these codes. One of the favorite aspects of our jobs is seeing
the end result become a reality!! The Building Inspection Department is involved with most projects from the design
stage, through the building stage and ending with the completion and occupancy of the project. The work done
by our staff is some of the most important, yet underreported, in the County. We stand out because of our level
of expertise and the speed of our work. The Building Inspection Department staff is highly educated, trained and
certified to perform all duties and responsibilities within this department and we are able to carry out those duties
more efficiently with the help of our bi-lingual staff person. We pride ourselves on promoting building safety as well
as customer service. In an effort to provide even greater service, our inspectors will soon be using wireless laptops in
the field. Inspectors will have the capability to communicate inspection results and problems directly to the office
through interactive wireless communications.
Accomplishments for FY2014-2015 budget year:
•
•
•
•
•
Approved plans review for 220 permit applications
Issued a total of 835 permits
Revenue generated through permitting totaled $206,449.06; total building valuation for permits issued was
$17,933,739.00
Daily scheduled inspections completed totaled 1,568
Fifty-one registered contractors renewed their County licenses generating $3,672.00 in revenue
Looking to add on to your home? Want to build a new house? Not sure if you need a permit? Call or email the
Gadsden County Building Inspection Department for all your questions and permitting needs.
Robert “Clyde” Collins, Building Official
Debbie Joyner, Administrative Services Assistant
Maria Hernandez, Permit Tech
850-875-8665
33
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Type
#Permits
Permit Valuation
Fees Paid
Residential Single Family
32
7,246,057.00
72,013.93
DCA
4
709,900.00
7,292.40
Mobile Homes
37
2,151,776.00
20,290.28
Commercial Bldgs.
2
1,109,720.00
8,019.73
Demolition
20
81,467.00
3,092.80
Solar (Residential)
2
39,949.00
333.72
Swimming Pool
3
84,007.00
1,510.21
Code Compliance for Power
26
-0-
4,270.83
Electrical
113
192,848.00
9,463.66
Mechanical
96
540,329.00
7,579.96
Plumbing
15
16,277.00
1,352.58
Sheds (Portable)
24
44,486.00
1,682.50
Shed/Pole Barn/Carport
55
1,101,268.00
13,740.04
Totals
429
13,318,084.00
150,642.64
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS/REPAIR
Residential Addition/Alteration
56
1,554,961.00
18,690.23
Commercial Addition/ Alteration/Electric/Fire System
32
945,042.00
10,996.05
Siding-Vinyl/Hardy Board
13
73,917.00
1,037.00
Reroof-Residential/Commercial
246
1,860,907.00
21,201.18
Window/Door
49
172,053.00
3,203.96
Gas
10
8,775.00
678.00
Totals
406
4,615,655
55,806.42
Grand Totals
812
$9,231,310.00
$111,612.84
COMMISSION DISTRICT
PERMITS ISSUED
District 1
246
District 2
232
District 3
159
District 4
85
District 5
113
Grand Total
835
This chart reflects the numbers of building inspections and plans reviews performed by the Building Official for the
Cities of Quincy, Midway and Gretna.
INSPECTIONS
PLANS REVIEW
City of Quincy
387
35
City of Midway
131
46
City of Gretna
34
37
Grand Totals
552
118
Revenue generated from these municipalities totaled $34,320.12.
34
CODE ENFORCEMENT
The Building Official oversees the County’s Code Enforcement Department. Our Code Enforcement Officers provide
oversight and enforcement of all ordinances as they relate to property violations within the County. Our philosophy
of Code Enforcement is to assure that the safety needs of our citizens are maintained. All code enforcement requests
are responded to within 24-hours. Emergency calls are responded to the same day. We pride ourselves on job
performance and always putting customers first. The County’s Code Enforcement Officers are State certified and
continuing education is maintained. Eighteen (18) hours of continued education is required every two (2) years and
officers must pass a written test.
•
•
•
Code Enforcement issued 200 violations. This number is down from FY2014 in large because more citizens are
becoming aware of the benefits of code enforcement as it relates to a clean and well-kept environment.
Referred 30 cases to the Special Magistrate Hearing. As more and more cases meet compliance within the
specified time frame, the Hearing numbers are reduced as well.
Our Code Enforcement Department complies with the Florida Statute #162 Guidelines.
Do you have a concern about an abandoned building or illegal dumping? Call or email Code Enforcement for
assistance.
Anthony Powell
Code Enforcement Officer
850-627-5338 OFFICE
850-694-3079 MOBILE
apowell@gadsdencountyfl.gov
35
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
Clyde Collins, Building Official, keeps a watchful
eye over the Facilities Management Department.
This Department works diligently to maintain the
County’s twenty-eight (28) buildings, as well as all
facilities and grounds at the County Parks. The
Department offers a wide variety of custodial
services with a minimal number of County staff
by using inmate labor and community service
workers. In addition to the Department’s regular
maintenance duties, staff assisted with the County’s
Capital Outlay Projects. Staff is responsible for
setup at all County events and provides assistance
as needed.
CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS
All capital outlay projects for the twenty-eight (28) County buildings are supervised by Clyde Collins, Building Official.
Given the age of these buildings, the maintenance and repair is 24/7.
•
The Guy A. Race Judicial Complex underwent renovations to the second floor for the Public Defender’s
Office to expand useful work space and address indoor air quality issues. Clyde Collins, Building Official,
supervised these renovations which included overseeing the project with numerous daily on-the-spot
building inspections and code advice, processing accounts payable and acting as the liaison for the County
Commission. This project was completed in August 2015.
• Installed three (3) high efficiency commercial water heaters at the Capital Regional Medical Center,
Gadsden Campus. The new water heaters replaced the three (3) original ones which were installed in 2006.
• Replaced the battery backup module in 911 Dispatch Office at the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. Also,
accepted a contract with Emerson Network Power, Liebert Services, Inc. to service and maintain the battery
module.
• Solicited quotes from qualified providers and began work to replace the electronic locking system at the
Edward J. Butler Governmental Complex.
• Transferred and upgraded the existing security panels at all three (3) County libraries. The company we
were using is no longer in business and the systems were basically obsolete. We now have new systems and
maintenance contracts in place.
• Installed a walk-through Metal Detector and ADA Compliant passageway at the Gadsden County
Courthouse.
• Purchased two (2) new vehicles for Animal Control and the Grounds/ Maintenance Divisions.
• Replaced the Boiler at the Gadsden County Jail.
• Replaced the Fire Alarm Panel at the W.A. Woodham Judicial Complex.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Facilities Management Department or if you would like more
information regarding the Capital Outlay Projects, you may call or email:
Clyde Collins
Building Official
850-875-8665
36
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES
ANIMAL CONTROL
The
Animal
Control
Services
Division
is
responsible for controlling
both dangerous and
nuisance
domestic
animals. We serve rural
Gadsden County, the
City of Quincy and the
Town of Greensboro.
We have two full-time
Animal Control Officers
to respond to citizens’
complaints and enforce
Florida’s Leash Law.
Our officers are both
trained and certified in
the proper, safest and
most humane manner
to carry out their job duties. They respond daily
to numerous calls regarding unwanted animals,
dangerous animals and strays. In addition, staff
also provides education to the public about
animal safety and health. Within their education
program, the officers work with our local schools
to inform kids on how to be a responsible pet
owner and how to protect themselves from
being injured by potentially dangerous animals.
The division recently completed the construction
of a new pole barn and is in the process of
installing an animal incinerator with a 100-pound
capacity load. The pole barn will house the
incinerator and is located at the Animal Shelter
on Selman Road in Quincy.
The 2016 goals for the Animal Control Services
Division are to hire a third Animal Control Officer.
This will allow us to better serve the public in a
timelier manner and promote better public
relations by providing more education to the
public about Federal, State, and local laws and
ordinances which govern good animal activities.
37
Remember, ANIMALS make good
companions and we all must be
responsible for their actions.
Have a stray dog or cat problem?
Call or email Animal Control.
Anthony
Powell,
Animal
Control
Coordinator
Sherita Baker, Administrative Assistant
Willie Saucier, Animal Control Officer
Wade Hare, Animal Control Officer
850-875-8658
animalcontrol@gadsdencountyfl.gov
PARKS & RECREATION
Gadsden County offers ten passive community parks and four boat ramps to provide both residents and visitors
the opportunity to experience the outdoors. If you’re looking for a place to unwind, Gadsden County offers RV or
Tent camping at Pat Thomas Park on Lake Talquin. Fishing, whether on the Lake, on the Ochlocknee River or on the
Apalachicola River is always an adventure.
The Parks and Recreation Division offers leisure space to all residents and visitors in the unincorporated areas of the
county. The parks are equipped with various components such as walking trails, playgrounds and covered picnic
areas to meet the needs of visitors. The county’s passive parks are a great place to have an afternoon birthday
party, family reunion activities and the occasional wedding.
Parks and Recreation Accomplishments for 2015
• Improvements to Rosedale Community Park
• New docks at Pat Thomas Park at Hopkins Landing on Lake Talquin
• Improvements to the Chattahoochee boat ramp on the Apalachicola River
Need to know about our local community parks?
Want to reserve a park for a special event?
Call or email the Parks and Recreation Department.
Herb Chancey, Parks & Recreation Coordinator
850-627-5334 OFFICE
850-510-7784 MOBILE
parksandrecreation@gadsdencountyfl.gov
38
39
RedEye Velo Bike Race
Signing of Transportation Bond for street paving and resurfacing
Florida First Responder Appreciation Week
Annual Board Retreat
CareerSource Capital Region
Gadsden County Job Fair
40
Ribbon cutting ceremony for renovated Public Defender space
CareerSource Capital Region Gadsden County Job Fair
Commissioners Swearing-in Ceremony
FDOT Florida Arts Trail Public Hearing
James Harold Thompson Highway Designation
41
COUNTY CONTACT INFORMATION
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE
ROBERT PRESNELL,
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
9 East Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 1799
Quincy, FL 32353-1799
(850) 875-8650
gadsdencountyfl.gov
twitter.com/GadsdenCtyBOCC
facebook.com/GadsdenCountyBOCC
42

2015 Gadsden County Annual Report

Transcription

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