Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
The Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners approved a new countywide facility and park use policy and authorized the distribution of opioid settlement funding during its June 1 meeting.
Commissioners spent considerable time discussing the proposed facility and park use policy, application form and standard use agreement governing the use of county-owned facilities and parks.
During the discussion, commissioners debated rental fees and provisions involving technology use and alcohol. An initial proposal that included a $600 fee failed to receive a second.
After additional discussion and amendments, the board approved a revised policy that established an $800 fee structure while excluding parks and adding provisions related to technology and alcohol use. The measure passed in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Ronterious Green opposed.
The board also approved the recommended distribution of Core Network opioid funding for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
According to information presented to commissioners, the Core Network program represents the largest of several opioid settlement funding streams expected to come to Gadsden County. The county is scheduled to receive approximately $700,000 during the first year of the program, followed by $350,000 in the second year and $175,000 annually thereafter.
The funding is intended to support opioid treatment, recovery and related services through provider agencies, including Emergency Medical Services, Disc Village and Apalachee Center. County commissioners are responsible for recommending how the funding is distributed among eligible providers.
In other business, commissioners approved an agreement with the Florida Council on Aging and Gadsden County Elderly Affairs, authorized engineering services related to the Havana library project, approved several road project time extensions, authorized the bid process for professional architectural consulting services, approved a service contract for Emergency Medical Services equipment, accepted a grant agreement for geotechnical analysis at the former Havana Elementary School site and approved a state-funded grant supplement agreement for Providence Road.
Residents also addressed the board regarding data center proposals and road concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting.
