Below are the Leon County Commission meeting briefs from the January 23, 2024 meeting.
The Board took up an item that proposed revisions to the purchasing policy that included increasing spending threshold authorities for staff under certain conditions. County Commissioner Caban objected to the item. The Board voted 6-1 (O’Keefe against) to postpone action and hold a workshop on purchasing policy.
The Board took up an item that proposed revisions to the “County Tourism Event Grant Programs” policy. Commissioner Caban voiced concerns that the changes gave too much authority to staff. The Board voted 6-1 to approve (Caban against).
The Board addressed the adoption of a resolution for the Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway (MCRG) Citizen’s Committee which is tasked with updating the Greenway Management Plan. The resolution revises the Committee from a focus group to a decision-making committee which requires that a chair be elected. The revised resolution requests that the Board appoint the Director of the Leon County Parks & Recreation Department Director, or designee, as chair of the Committee. Several concerned citizens spoke against the change and the Board voted 7-0 to keep the chairperson a member of the committee.
The Board unanimously ratified actions taken at the Board Retreat including the approval to commence a grant application cycle to distribute $69,100 in Tourist Development Tax funds for Bicentennial-themed community events.
The Board unanimously approved the Tallahassee Historical Society’s request to reauthorize $10,000 previously awarded by the Board to support the production of a digital children’s activity book titled, “Tallahassee 200: From Territory to Statehood”, in celebration of the 2024 Tallahassee/Leon County Bicentennial. The original $10,000 allocation was provided as a grant match for the distribution of a printed version of the book, however, the Tallahassee Historical Society revised its funding request upon the State’s rescinding of matching funds.
The Board directed staff to work with the City of Tallahassee, the Community Human Services Partnership CHSP & the Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC) to create a process that replicates the current CHSP funding categories.
The Board voted 6-1 (O’Keefe against) to schedule the first and only public hearing to consider adopting the proposed Ordinance prohibiting unauthorized solicitation on private property for February 20, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The proposed Ordinance would allow law enforcement to enforce the prohibition of unauthorized solicitation on private property.
At the request of the Governor DeSantis, the Board voted 4-3 (Proctor, Minor, O’Keefe against) to send 21 people to be considered for appointment to the Children’s Services Council of Leon County. The vote included 10 names that had previously been approved by the Board.
The Board voted to appoint Sean Morgan to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for the remainder of the unexpired term ending January 31, 2026, and to appoint Byron Greene to the Advisory Committee for Quality Growth for the remainder of the unexpired term ending May 31, 2026.
An unagendaed speaker raised concerns about quality life issues in neighborhoods with short term rental properties.
During the commission discussion period, the Board voted 6-1 (O’Keefe against) to approve $15,000 in funding to support the “Teaching Our History” project.
Shut down the CSC. DeSantis has been given bad intel.
Why do I think of the Three Stooges when I see this picture?
You're increasing the spending threshold authorities for staff under certain conditions from what amount to what amount and Why?
Why do you need the (MCRG) Citizen’s Committee to become a Decision-Making Committee? Shouldn't the decisions be made by the County Commissioners?
The Digital Book, “Tallahassee 200: From Territory to Statehood”, Why did the State rescind their matching Funds?
To consider adopting the proposed Ordinance prohibiting unauthorized solicitation on private property ................................. So, if I read this right, I can't stop Solicitors from coming on my Property?
You're going to to send 21 people to be considered for appointment to the Children’s Services Council? Are they replacing 21 Members or is the CSC increasing by 21 Members. I would prefer to just shut the CSC down.
$15,000 in funding to support the “Teaching Our History” project? Can't that just be added to the Curriculum in the "American History Class?
They did the right thing on the childrens dollars. It would have been a possible death sentence for several non profits if approved and the county staff looked clueless and unprepared in explaining why it was being proposed in the first place.