Fabrizio Gowdy
Gadsden County News Service
The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners approved another budget amendment at its Dec. 2 meeting, despite pushback from some commissioners concerned that the board has been asked to approve too many such amendments lately.
The frequency of budget amendments was an issue raised by commissioners at the board’s last meeting on Nov. 18 as well.
According to Finance Director Rose Raynak, the latest budget amendment was needed to balance the FY 24-25 budget and was the result of unanticipated revenue, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency money.
“We don’t know how much money we’re going to get in during the year,” explained Raynak.
But Commissioner Alonzetta Simpkins questioned Raynak, seeking specifics on why another budget amendment was needed.
“We’ve been having a lot of budget amendments,” said Simpkins.
When asked by Simpkins if this would be the last amendment the board would be asked to approve for FY 24-25, Raynak said she believed so but it is possible there may be more.
Commissioner Brenda Holt made an unsuccessful motion to table the approval of the budget amendment until after the board has had a workshop on the matter.
“We can vote, but we have to have some knowledge of what we’re voting for,” said Holt.
In response to Holt’s motion, Interim County Attorney Louis Baptiste advised the board that they were technically already past the Nov. 29 deadline to approve budget amendments — 60 days after the end of the fiscal year.
The board ultimately voted 3-1 to approve the budget amendment, with Holt voting against. The board also voted 4-0 to schedule a workshop.
In other business, the board approved:
- The purchase of appliances, work benches, and awnings for the W.S. Stevens Center totaling $40,810. Of that total, $19,872 is unspent grant funds.
- A grant agreement for landscaping improvements and roadside beautification along Pat Thomas Parkway totaling $25,000. FDOT will reimburse 100% of the cost of the project.
- A $1.8 million widening and resurfacing of Fairbanks Road from Concord Road to the Leon County line.
