The meeting commenced with Chief Carter presenting commendations for two emergency response incidents. The first incident occurred during Hurricane Debbie on August 5, 2024, involving a submerged vehicle with a trapped person. Bystanders and firefighters collaborated in a rescue attempt, although the patient later succumbed to injuries. Chief Carter praised both the bystanders and fire rescue personnel for their bravery and teamwork. In the second incident, on August 26, 2024, a registered nurse initiated CPR on a woman who suffered a cardiac arrest at a bus stop. The fire rescue team’s swift and coordinated response contributed to the patient’s survival. Miss Sharon, the patient, expressed gratitude to the responders and her community, emphasizing the importance of emergency preparedness and education.

During public comments, Via Strong voiced frustration about the council’s financial accountability. Strong, armed with an accounting degree, scrutinized the county’s spending and urged the council to take responsibility for the budget. She emphasized that council members should be vigilant in identifying financial discrepancies, stating, “If I see it, you guys should see it.” Strong’s remarks underscored the need for greater oversight and transparency in financial management.

The council then discussed two major projects in the consent agenda. The first project, the Paca to Lake Butler trail, involves constructing a bike trail from Hampton to County Road 227, including a bike overpass over Highway 301. This project aims to enhance public safety and recreational opportunities, with a completion deadline set for 2026. The Florida Department of Transportation will collaborate on the necessary agreements. The second project focuses on improvements at Bobby Shepherd Memorial Park, including paving the parking lot and enhancing the area as a trailhead. Local stakeholders, particularly from Hampton, were acknowledged for their efforts in advancing this project.

Insurance rates for the county were also on the agenda, with Mr. Scott Roberts presenting a proposal for different deductible options for named storms. A shift to a 10% deductible option was favored due to potential savings of approximately $75,000. The council approved this option after some discussion, highlighting the balancing act between risk and cost savings.

Staff and the finance department were praised for their hard work, particularly in preparing the budget for the year. The council also highlighted the importance of community support, mentioning requests from local youth, including Coach Conor Nent’s appeal for sponsors for the Bradford academic team.

A public hearing was held for the adoption of the fiscal year 2024-2025 final millage rate and budget. The finance director presented the millage rate, which exceeded the rolled-back rate by 5.66%, projecting tax revenue of approximately $4,453,335 due to rising property values. The final budget, including interfund transfers and bond reserves, was reported to be $93,924,95. The council adopted the resolution for the final levying of ad valorem taxes and the final budget with no opposition.

Future budget planning was a key topic, with an emphasis on proactive communication with department heads to address potential issues. Commissioner Thompson stressed the importance of workshops to discuss departmental challenges and the fire assessment before the next budget cycle. Commissioner Andrews suggested that these workshops should allow for open discussions to propose solutions to existing problems.