2023 Tallahassee Town Hall | County Commissioners

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> HELLO AGAIN, EVERYONE.

I AM VANNESSA ROWSE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VILLAGE SQUARE.

WELCOME TO THE SECOND PORTION OF OUR 11TH ANNUAL TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'D LIKE TO ALSO THANK OUR PARTNERS THAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE, THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT, LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE IS, "THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT" AND, OF COURSE, WFSU.

WE ARE STARTING THE SECOND HALF OF OUR PROGRAM NOW WHICH WILL BE WITH OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST HALF OR ANY PORTION OF THIS EVENING, THE ENTIRE PROGRAM WILL BE AIRED ON WFSU-TV TOMORROW AT 8 P.M. EASTERN DISABILITY THE SAVING TIME -- DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME AND ARCHIVED ON WFSU.ORG.

YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN ON WFSU RADIO, 88.9.

THE BROADCAST WILL BE SPLIT INTO TWO PARTS FOR THAT, AND IT WILL BE ON THE RADIO, THE CITY COMMISSION PORTION ON THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 7TH, AT 7:00, EXPECT SECOND HALF WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL BE ON NEXT FRIDAY, APRIL 14TH, AT 7 EASTERN.

NOW IT IS AGAIN MY HONOR TO TURN IT OVER TO KIM KELLING OF WFSU TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE PANEL AND MODERATOR FOR THE PORTION OF THE EVENING.

>> I'M KIM KELLING, DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS HERE AT WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

A QUICK REMINDER..

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOU ARE HERE MT.

STUDIO AUDIENCE, YOU CAN WRITE YOUR QUESTION OUT ON THE SLIPS OF PAPER THAT WERE ON YOUR CHAIR OR RAISE YOUR HAND, AND WE WILL BRING YOU A SLIP OF PAPER, AND RAISE YOUR HAND WHEN YOU'VE WRITTEN YOUR QUESTION, AND WE'LL COME COME BY AND PICK IT UP.

WE WILL TRY TO GET TO AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE, BUT TIME IS LIMITED.

ONLINE VIEWERS CAN ALSO SUBMIT QUESTIONS WITH THROUGH ZOOM Q&A OR IN THE FACEBOOK COMMENT OR BY USING THE TWITTER #TALLYTOWNHALL.

WE'LL COOUR BEST TO GET YOUR -- COOUR BEST TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ASKED, TIME PERMITTING.

NOW IT'S MY GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL FOR THE SECOND PORTION OF TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

STARTING IMMEDIATELY TO MY LEFT IS COMMISSIONER DAVID O'KEEFE.

NEXT UP IS COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX.

FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER RICK MINOR.

AND IS LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COUNTY COMMISSIONER DAVID O'KEEFE -- [LAUGHTER] >> BRIAN -- >> I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT.

THE AH.

BRIAN WELCH.

SEE, HAY MIXED IT UP, AND IT THREW ME OFF.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> THEY HAVE THE SAME HAIR STYLE.

[LAUGHTER] >> WELL, I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SEPARATED THEM.

>> AND I'M GETTING THERE, BY THE WAY.

>> ANYWAY, I WILL DO BETTER.

AND, WELL, HUMOR'S ALWAYS GOOD.

I ALSO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I JUST CAME BACK FROM AFRICA.

I'VE TRAVELED 30 HOURS TO GET HOME LAST NIGHT, SO I'M NOT QUITE ALL THERE.

SO, THERE, I'VE GOT -- BUT I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER NOW TO TOM FLANIGAN.

IF YOU CAN'T KNOW TOM, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WOULD NOT KNOW TOM.

HE IS OUR REPORTER AT LARGE HERE AT WFSU, MY COLLEAGUE, MY FRIEND.

I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO YOU AND GET OUT OF THE WAY, TOM.

>> AND WELCOME BACK FROM AFRICA, KIM.

WE WERE TERRIFIED SHE WAS GOING TO BRING BACK A BABY CHEETAH OR SOMETHING, BUT THAT DID NOT OCCUR.

[LAUGHTER] WELCOME TO OUR PORTION OF OUR TOWN WHERE WE'RE GOING TO TALK TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DELVE INTO SOME SUPER HEAVY-DUTY KINDS OF CONTENTIOUS, CONFOUNDING, HEAVY DEBATE ISSUES TONIGHT, AND WE'RE GOING TO START IT OFF WITH, COMMISSIONER MAD COX, CHAIR OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN YOUR JOB TO A 5-YEAR-OLD?

[LAUGHTER] >> 5-YEAR-OLD.

I ACTUALLY HAVE A 4-YEAR-OLD AT THE HOUSE, SO HE DOES NOT LISTEN AT ALL.

[LAUGHTER] SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT WHAT WE COAND THE BEST WAY WHEN I GO TO SCHOOLS AND I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN I TRY TO EXPLAIN IF IT TO THEM, I SAY WE MAKE THE RULES THAT -- AND WE ALSO SPECIFY WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY BUILD AND WHAT THEY BUILD.

AND THEN THEY LOOK AT ME WHEN I SAY SPECIFY AND SAY WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

THAT'S THE SIMPLEST WAY I CAN PUT IT.

BUT TO AN OLDER CROWD, I WOULD SAY ANYTHING LOCAL WHEN IT COMES TO ORDINANCES, WHEN IT COMES TO LAND USE, WE MAKE DECISIONS ON THAT.

MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IS LAND USE AND BUDGET.

THOSE ARE THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CO. WE DICTATE THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR, AND WE ALSO ARE ABLE TO THROUGH THE COMP PLAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT LAND USE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S THE WAY I WOULD EXPLAIN IT.

>> YOU'VE GOT A VERY INTELLIGENT 4-YEAR-OLD -- [LAUGHTER] THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD ANSWER.

ACTUALLY WE'LL BE GETTING INTO SOME MORE SUBSTANTIVE THE THINGS THAN THAT, BUT I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO TOSS THAT OUT THERE.

I WAS GOING TO ASK COMMISSIONER WELCH HOW HE AVOIDS THE STUDENTS AT CHILES FORGING HIS NAME ON HALL PASS, BUT WE'LL LEAPT THAT ONE SIT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

[LAUGHTER] TRUST AND CIVILITY.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING A THAT HAS BEEN OF GREAT IMPORT AND CERTAINLY IMPACT ON OUR POLITICAL SCENE NOW FOR, CERTAINLY, THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY CONCERNS THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION, ALSO THE CITY COMMISSION WHO WE JUST TALKED TO.

SO I WANT TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

AND, FOLKS, SINCE THERE'S FOUR OF YOU IN CONTRAST TO THREE OF THE CITY COMMISSIONERS, BREVITY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE, IF WE CAN, YOU KNOW, KEEP THICKS KIND OF -- THINGS KIND OF AS CON KENSED AS WE CAN, WE CAN GET TO THE MORE THINGS TONIGHT.

LET'S START OFF WITH THIS EASY ONE AND SEE IF WE CAN EXPLORE SOME COMMON GROUND.

WHAT DO YOU ALL AGREE ON AS MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD, AND HOW ARE YOU SIMILAR TO YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION?

COMMISSIONER -- [INAUDIBLE] LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, TOM.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY HAPPY PASSOVER TO OUR NEIGHBORS WHO CELEBRATE THE FIRST PART OF THE QUESTION, I THINK, ON THIS COMMISSION WE ALL AGREE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE TO OUR COUNTY CITIZENS AND FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY CITIZENS AND THAT EVEN IF WE DON'T AGREE ON A POLICY OR A VOTE, WE ALL COME WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND THAT WE THINK WHAT WE'RE SUPPORTING IS RIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND HOW ARE WE ALIKE OR HOW WE'RE DIFFERENTSOME.

>> LET'S START WITH THE SIMILARITIES.

>> SIMILARITIES WITH THE CITY COMMISSION --?

>> OR JUST WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

>> THAT WAS SIMILARITY WITH EVERYONE ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

>> PHILOSOPHICALLY, POLITICALLY, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO POSE IT.

>> SURE.

ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION WE GET ALONG VERY WELL.

WE DON'T ALL VOTE THE SAME WAY ON EVERY ISSUE OR POLICY, BUT WE KNOW WHY WE'RE ALL HERE.

WE ALL RAN FOR OFFICE, WE ALL WORKED HARD TO GET HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE FUTURE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER MADDOX.

>> I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON TRYING TO RESPECT ONE ANOTHER AND OUR VIEWS.

I THINK EVERYBODY'S ELECTED.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT MINDS, DIFFERENT THOUGHT PROCESSES, BUT ONE THING THAT I TRY TO LEAD AS CHAIRMAN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S VOICE IS HEARD AND THAT EVERYBODY'S VOICE IS RESPECTED.

AND EVEN IF WE DON'T AGREE, THAT ONCE WE MAKE A DECISION, WE MAKE THAT DECISION AS A BOARD AND THAT WE TRY -- AND I HAVE NOT SEEN IT FROM THIS BOARD, I DON'T THINK I WILL SEE IT FROM THIS BOARD.

EVEN IF WE DON'T AGREE, WE DON'T BEAT EACH OTHER UP.

WHETHER IT BE IN THE MEDIA OR IN SOCIAL MEDIA, WE MAY STATE OUR OWN, OUR OWN VIEWS ON THINGS, BUT WE DON'T MAKE PERSONAL ATTACKS TOWARDS EACH OTHER.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS COMMISSION WORK WELL TOGETHER, IS THAT WE KEEP IT ON THE ISSUE.

WE DON'T MAKE IT PERSONAL ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.

>> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> THANKS, TOM.

AND HAPPY PASSOVER AS WELL TO FOLKS THAT OBSERVE THE HOLIDAY.

I CAN SAY THAT EVERYONE ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION, I BELIEVE, IS WORKING IN GOOD FAITH TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY BETTER.

I BELIEVE THAT.

ALL SEVEN OF US.

BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT WE -- IT'S NOT AN ISSUE.

WE ALL HAVE VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

I'D SAY WE'RE PROBABLY MORE DIVERSE THAN THE CITY COMMISSION.

WE HAVE, WE REPRESENT DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, FIVE OF US DO, FIVE OF THE SEVEN REPRESENTING DISTRICT THES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.

SO WE HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON WHAT THE BEST THING FOR THE COMMUNITY IS.

BUT I DO THINK THAT WE HAVE A GOOD, PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE SEVEN.

IF YOU LOOK AT OUR VOTES, THERE ARE NOT -- ON THE BIG ISSUES, RARELY ARE THEY 7-0.

RARELY ARE THEY 7-0.

AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

GOOD CON FLIRT CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT IS REALLY WHAT YOU WANT AT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, RIGHT?

YOU DON'T WANT A RUBBER STAMP.

YOU WANT A GOOD DISCUSSION OVER THE DEBATE.

VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT VILLAGE SQUARE GIVES YOU.

SO THAT'S WHAT I THINK MAKES US DIFFERENT, BUT THAT'S A BENEFIT TO WHAT WE HAVE ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND COMMISSIONER WELCH.

>> THANKS, TOMMING.

ALSO WANTED TO EXTEND THE HAPPY PASSOVER AND HAPPY EASTER WEEK TO EVERYBODY AND THANK THE VILLAGE SQUARE AND WFSU AND LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE FORKING HAVING US.

I THINK -- FOR HAVING US.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EVENT.

ELEVEN YEARS NOW, YOU SAID?

AWESOME.

I'M JUST FOURTH IN LINE, I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY SAID.

ESSENTIALLY, I THINK BACK TO THE QUESTION OF HOW YOU'D EXPLAIN WHAT WE DO TO A 5-YEAR-OLD, AND I THINK THAT LENDS ITSELF TO THIS ANSWER WHICH IS WE ARE ALL INVESTED IN JUST HELPING PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT IF WE, IF YOU COME TO THE TABLE WITH THAT MENTALITY, IT ALLOWS YOU TO EXTEND THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO COLLEAGUES THAT YOU MAY DISAGREE WITH ON SINGULAR ISSUES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK WE'RE ALL MOTIVATED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT WE THINK IS TRULY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.

SO WHEN PEOPLE CAN ME WHEN 15-YEAR-OLDS OR 5-YEAR-OLDS ASK ME WHAT I DO, I SAY THE EASIEST WAY TO EXPLAIN IT IS THAT THE I TRY TO HELP.

I JUST WANT TO HELP.

WHETHER THAT MEANS WITH THE GARBAGE OR WITH A STREETLIGHT OR SIT DOWN AND LISTEN TO THE A CONCERN ABOUT A DEVELOPMENT OR WHATEVER, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT I CAN ARTICULATE THOSE CONCERNS BACK TO MY COLLEAGUES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, MY COLLEAGUES SERVE DIFFERENT CONSTITUENTS LIKE COMMISSIONER MINOR SAID, AND WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

BUT I THINK IF WE CAN OBJECTIVELY AND FAIRLY ARTICULATE THOSE POSITIONS, THEN WHILE BRINGING THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT TO THE REST OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, I THINK THAT IT PROVIDES FOR A VERY COLLEGIAL AND RESPECTFUL BOARD, AND I CERTAINLY EMBRACE AND ENJOY BEING A PART OF SUCH A COLLEGIAL BOARD WITH UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF COMMISSIONER MINOR AT FIRST AND THEN COMMISSIONER PROCTOR LAST YEAR AND NOW CHAIRMAN MADDOX.

WE REALLY DO HAVE ROBUST AND POSITIVE CONVERSATIONS.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT THIS COUNTY COMMISSION.

>> WELL, GIVEN THAT LEVEL OF COLLEGIALITY THAT YOU ALL JUST REFERENCED, HOW DO YOU TAKE THAE VILLAGE SQUARE AND THE ASPIRATION THAT I THINK JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS TO SEE MORE OF THAT REFLECTED IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE?

HOW DO TO TO YOU GET THOSE PRINCIPLES, THOSE BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS OUT INTO THE WIDER AUDIENCE WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF DIVISIVENESS AND A LOT OF CONFLICT AND PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW?

LET'S DEFER TO THE CHAIR ON THIS ONE.

COMMISSIONER MADDOX, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK YOU LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

IF YOU COME TO OUR COMMISSION MEETINGS, WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WHERE WE'VE HAD SOME HOT ISSUES ON CONNECT.

HERE RECENTLY WE WERE THERE TIL -- >> 10:00?

>> 10, 11:00 AT NIGHT.

>> BUNCH OF SPEAKERS.

>> YEAH.

AND IT WAS AT HOT ISSUE.

AND IT WAS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE GOTTEN EXPLOSIVE AND OUT OF HAND.

BUT THE COMMISSION HANDLED ITSELF IN A WAY THAT THE CROWD KNEW THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE ANY DISCOURSE THAT WASN'T RESPECTFUL OF THE FOLKS THAT WERE IN THERE NO MATTER WHAT SIDE YOU WERE ON.

AND SO IF WE ACT THAT WAY TOWARDS EACH OTHER TO SET THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT COME INTO THE CHAMBERS.

AND FOR THE MOST PART, THEY HAVE RESPECTED THAT TIME AND TIME AGAIN NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

BUT WHEN WE START BICKERING WITH EACH OTHER, WHEN WE START BEING DISRESPECTFUL TO ONE ANOTHER, WHEN WE START THE PERSONAL ATTACKS TOWARDS ONE OOH ANOTHER, THEN IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR A MEETING AND FOR AN ENVIRONMENT THAT DOES NOT, IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO COLLEGIALITY.

AND SO I THINK WE, LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

IN ALL THAT WE DO.

AND WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE IN THINKING, AND THE WAY WE THINK IN THINKING THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S NOT WHAT I WANT.

IT'S NOT HOW I THINK.

IF COMMISSIONER -- IF I THINK SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER MINOR COMES UP WITH AN IDEA THAT'S BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY THAN IF ME, THEN I AM GOING TO ACQUIESCE TO THAT IDEA AND NOT STICK TO WHAT I THOUGHT WAS BEST, BUT INSTEAD WAFT BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK OUR COMMISSION DOES A TERRIFIC JOB.

>> COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, ANY OTHER IDEAS THAT YOU HAVE TO BUILD ON THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I AGREE WITH ALL OF THAT.

AND, OR IN FACT, AT OUR LAST MEETING I LIKED, I SAW -- SOMETIMES YOU MAY FEEL LIKE ON SOME COMMISSIONS OUT IN THE WORLD PEOPLE HAVE THEIR VOTES SET UP WHEN THEY SHOW UP.

BUT I SAW OTHER COMMISSIONERS CHANGE THEIR MIND ON SOMETHING DURING DISCUSSION AND VOTE ISES CHANGE BECAUSE A NEW IDEA CAME UP.

AND THAT'S GOOD LEGISLATION.

NOW, TO THE COMMUNITY ISSUE OF DIVISIVENESS, A LOT OF THAT IS THE CONTENT ON THE INTERNET, THE MEDIA, STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS IT COMES DOWN TO TRUST.

IF PEOPLE BELIEVE AND TRUST THAT WE ARE LISTENING TO THEM, THAT WE ARE ACTING ON WHAT THEY TELL US AND THE DECISIONS AND THE OUTCOMES WE LAY OUT REFLECT THEIR INPUT, THEN THEY DON'T THINK THEY HAVE TO YELL.

THEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A SCENE JUST TO BE HEARD.

BUT WHEN WE LISTEN AND WE REFLECT BACK ON OUR DECISIONS WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS EL THING US, THEY LEARNED THEY CAN JUST TELL US.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO MAKE A SCENE TO GET IN THE NEWS, CREATE A CONTROVERSY.

AND, AGAIN, IT COMES BACK TO LEADING BY EXAMPLE.

WE TREAT THE OTHERS THAT WAY, AND WE TREAT OUR CITIZENS THAT WAY, AND WE LEGISLATE THAT WAY WITH.

THAT'S DOING OUR PART.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER WELCH?

>> YES.

THANKS, TOM.

I THINK YOU HEAR PHRASES LIKE BENEFIT OF THE CAUGHT AND GOOD FAITH -- OF THE DOUBT AND GOOD FAITH ARGUMENTS.

I THINK WE LIVE IN A RANCOROUS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

YOU SEE IT ON CNN AND FOX NEWS, WE SEE IT EVERY DAY.

AND I THINK THERE'S CONSISTENTLY ATTEMPTS WHETHER ACCIDENTAL OR NOT TO BRING THAT LEVEL OF DISCOURSE DOWN TO THE LOCAL AREA WHETHER IT'S THROUGH NATIONAL MEDIA OR LOCAL MEDIA OR INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND I THINK THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE COMPELLED BY, AGAIN, AN ETHIC THAT IS FOCUSED ON JUST DOING GOOD, WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT GETTING INVOLVED IN NAME-CALLING AND NASTY DEBATE IS NOT PRODUCTIVE AT THE END OF THE DAY.

ESPECIALLY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT BIG, NATIONAL ISSUES AT LOCAL LEVEL THAT PEOPLE -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REAL DAY TO DANISH SHOES THAT PEOPLE CONCERN DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT.

I LOOK AT THAT THROUGH THE LENS OF HOW CAN I BE PRODUCTIVE, HOW CAN I PUT RUNS ON THE SCOREBOARD?

HOW CAN I BE AN EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVANT?

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, I HAVE TO EMBRACE THE IDEA THAT ALL OF THAT NOISE PREVENTS YOU FROMMING ACTUALLY MAKING PROGRESS.

>> OKAY.

WE'LL END THIS ONE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I AGREE WITH WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID ALMOST DOWN TO THE T. TWO THINGS I WANT TO ADD THOUGH.

ONE THING THAT I THINK ALL OF US TRY TO DO ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS WE TRY TO REACH OUT TO HEAR DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

I'LL HAVE LUNCH WITH SOMEONE THAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, SOMEONE WHO SUPPORTED THE OTHER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES THINGS THAT I THINK ARE CRAZY, BUT I'LL MEET WITH THAT PERSON.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE ACTUALLY AGREE ON A LOT OF THE LOCAL THINGS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A BENEFIT BECAUSE WE WORK AT A LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT WHERE WE CAN VOTE ON SOMETHING, AND I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE THE AFTER A COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AND TALK TO PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE ORDINANCE WE JUST PASSED.

AND WE ALL, WHETHER YOU'RE A LIBERAL, PROGRESSIVE, MODERATE, CONSERVATIVE, YOU ALL WANT TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

YOU ALL WANT TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES AND IMPROVE -- KEEP OUR QUALITY OF LIFE UP HIGH.

YOU WANT TO INCREASE PRICK SAFETY -- PUBLIC SAFETY.

THOSE ARE THE CORE THINGS WE WANT IN THIS COMMUNITY.

SO WHAT WE TRY TO DO THE, I THINK, IS START FROM THAT BASE AND THEN MOVE FROM THERE.

>> LET'S MOVE IF ON TO THE SUBJECT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME, OF MAJOR IMPORT TO THE EVERYONE, CERTAINLY.

AND AND JUST TO REVISIT SOME FIGURES HERE.

IN 2022 WE HAD A TOTAL OF 108 SHOOTINGS RESULTING IN 19 DEATHS, 91 INJURIES IN OUR AREA.

AND IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 19 SHOOTINGS THAT RESULTED IN 2 DEATHS AND 13 INJURIES.

AND THEN WE RECALL THE SITUATION TWO WEEKS AGO THE TALLAHASSEE PHARMACIST.

HE WAS APPREHENDED WITH SCADS OF GUNS AND AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVE ANDS ALL THAT KIND OF THING -- EXPLOSIVES AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

AS FAR AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIME, IS OUR SITUATION IF IN OUR AREA REALLY IMPROVING, AND EITHER YES OR NO IFS THE ORBIT, WHAT ARE -- OR NOT, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO MAKE IT BETTER?

LET'S START WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER WELCH, AND COME ON BACK DOWN.

>> OBVIOUSLY, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE TIP OF THE SPEAR KIND OF ISSUE FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I THINK THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR SHERIFF ARE DOING GREAT JOBS.

I THINK THAT THE SHERIFF SPECIFICALLY, HIS AA ANATOMY OF A HOMICIDE REPORT REALLY PUT A MAGNIFYING GLASS ON WHERE THE ISSUES LIE.

I THINK WE AS A COMMUNITY AND AS LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE TAKEN VERY IMPORTANT STEPS TO TRY TO REMEDY THOSE ISSUES WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL OR THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS WHICH WE'VE FUNDED AND HAS RECEIVED STATE GRANT MONEY.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO END UP SEEING LOYALIC AND THAT GROUP MAKING AN IMPACT ON SOME OF THE VIOLENT CRIME ISSUES THAT WE'VE HAD.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S AN IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU CAN'T HAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT OTHER ISSUES IF YOU'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH VIOLENT CRIME.

YOU F NOW, I THINK IF WE'RE BEING FAIR IF YOU LOOK AT THE POST-COVID ERAS, AROUND THE COUNTRY YOU'VE SEEN INCREASES IN CRIME, SPECIFICALLY IN VIOLENT CRIME.

S THE NOT JUST A LAW ENFORCEMENT PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT JUST, HEY, THE POLICE HAVE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

IT IS A COMMUNITY-WIDE PROBLEM, AND IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL HAVE TO INVEST IN, WE ALL HAVE TO THE ACKNOWLEDGE AND BE HONEST ABOUT IT WHICH, AGAIN, I THINK THE SHERIFF'S REPORT REALLY LAID BARE.

I THINK WE'RE MOVING IN THE LIKES CORRECTION, OBVIOUSLY.

UNTIL WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE NO SHOOTING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH THE STATUS OF OUR SITUATION.

SO WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY WHETHER THAT BE ECONOMICALLY OR EDUCATIONALLY AND DO TO OUR BEST TO TRY AND MOVE THE NEEDLE AND ACTUALLY PUT INTO PLACE POLICIES AND POSITIONS AND EFFORTS THAT REALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM OR WORK TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WE CAN'T JUST TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

>> COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> THANK YOU.

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR THE ECONOMY STICKS -- CITY COMMISSION DISCUSSION, YOU HEARD THEM SAY THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS THEIR NUMBER ONE STRATEGIC PRIORITY.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TOO.

IN 2020 THE WE HAD 28 MURDERS IN LEON COUNTY.

WE'VE NEVER HAD THAT MANY MURDERS MANY ONE YEAR.

WE HAVE IMPROVED SINCE THEN, FORTUNATELY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.

I THINK THE SHERIFF IS DOING SOME REALLY GOOD WORK WITH THE ALSOEN INITIATIVE.

FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT HAVE HEARD OF IT, IT'S BASICALLY EVERY COMMUNITY RESOURCE, EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERY CITIZEN IN THE COUNTY ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

IT'S NOT JUST RELIANT ON THE SHERIFF AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE CRIME.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO THE ACHE.

THE SHERIFF ALSO ASKED US, THE COUNTY COMMISSION, FOR HELP IN ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS.

THIS COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THAT AS DID OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN LEON COUNTY TO GET THAT COMMISSION STARTED.

THAT IS, THAT'S A SPRINGBOARD OFF THE ANATOMY OF A HOMICIDE REPORT THAT HIS OFFICE PUT TOGETHER WHICH IS TAKING A HOOK AT THE -- WHICH IS TARGETING SPECIFIC AT-RISK MEN AND BOYS IN LEON COUNTY, HELPING THEM, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THEM BEFORE THEY ENTER CRIMINAL SYSTEM.

AND THAT'S REALLY KEY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR US IS, TO BE FRANK AND I DON'T MEAN TO GET POLITICAL, BUT THE PERMITLESS CARRY LEGISLATION THAT JUST BECAME LAW.

THAT NOW ALLOWS, IT'S THE LAW IN FLORIDA, YOU CAN CONCEAL A WEAPON WITHOUT HAVING A BACKGROUND CHECK, WITHOUT HAVING A PERMIT.

IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

AND, FRANKLY, THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT HARDER E FOR US AND EVERY OTHER COMMUNITY IN THIS STATE TO CRACK DOWN ON SHOOTINGS AND MURDERS.

SO IT'S A LAW NOW.

THE LEGISLATURE'S NOT EVEN OUT, BUT IT'S A LAW, AND WHAT WE WE WILL NEED TO DO AS A STATE IS TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO CORRECT THAT, BECAUSE THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP US WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME IN LEON COUNTY OR ELSEWHERE.

THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER MADDOX.

>> IN AN EFFORT NOT TO REPEAT BECAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONER MINOR AND WELCH COVERED IT ALL, I WILL JUST SAY THAT WE ARE WORKING, THE SHERIFF AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ARE WORKING ON THE CRIME PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HERE.

AND I HAVE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THE JOB THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

I THINK WE HAVE CONE THINGS TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD THAT COMMISSIONER MINOR AND COMMISSIONER WELCH HAVE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT.

BUT AS COMMISSIONER, I THINK BOTH OF THEM SAID THIS COMMUNITY PROBLEM THAT WE ALL HAVE TO GET INVOLVED.

IF THE COMMUNITY'S NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH THE SHERIFF OR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IF BECAUSE, WE WON'T GO ANYWHERE.

AND THE FIRST PART OF THAT IS AND I THINK THE BIGGEST PART OF THAT IS HOW WE GO ABOUT DEALING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT JUST IN GENERAL HOW MUCH I'LL GO BACK TO EVEN WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD IN THE '80s, HOW MUCH WE WERE ABLE TO THE HELP OUR NEIGHBORS BECAUSE WE OPERATED FROM A PLACE OF LOVE.

I REMEMBER THERE WAS A YOUNG MAN -- THERE WAS AN OLDER MAN WHO WAS HOMELESS, AND HE USED TO COME, HIS NAME WAS BUSTER.

BUSTER WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE ALL THE TIME.

BUT EVERYBODY IN OUR FAMILY ALWAYS SUPPORTED BUSTER.

WE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE SURE BUSTER ATE.

WE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT BUSTER HAD HIS MEDS, THAT BUSTER WAS OKAY AND SAFE.

THESE DAYS, ODD WE DON'T OPERATE IN THAT SAME KIND OF LOVE, AND WE DON'T OPERATE IN THAT SAME KIND OF LOVE, YOU GET A SOCIETY THAT COULD CARE LESS ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR AND ONLY CARE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR HOUSE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

UNTIL WE CHANGE THAT THOUGHT PROCESS TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE AS AMERICANS, WHERE WE CARED ABOUT THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD NOT JUST OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY NOT JUST OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT BEING A COMMUNITY PROBLEM, WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IN PARTICULAR IS THE MINDSET IN WHICH WE OPERATE, THE MINDSET IN WHICH WE LIVE AS AMERICANS TO CARE ABOUT OUR WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOT JUST OUR -- OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THAT LITTLE PIECE OF COMMUNITY THAT'S OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> OKAY.

FINAL THOUGHTSES FROM YOU, COMMISSIONER TO'VE.

>> THANK YOU.

O'KEEFE.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU ASKED ARE WE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION CAN.

AND IF IT'S HARD TO SAY YES BECAUSE THERE'S STILL SO MUCH VIOLENT CRIME IMPACTING PEOPLE.

AND YET I WOULD STILL SAY WE'RE STARTING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED THAT THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE MENTIONED ARE NEW, INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ADDRESS THE OLD, LONGSTANDING PROBLEM.

AND WE'RE INVESTING THEM, AND THE COMMUNITY -- WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.

AND THE COMMUNITY IS PART OF, YOU KNOW, IS PART OF THE COUNCIL ON THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS.

AND WE'RE BRINGING OUTSIDE EXPERTS.

WE DON'T NEED TO KEEP DOING THE SAME THING.

I'M VERY HOPEFUL PERCENT CITY'S -- FOR THE CITY'S YOUTH VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN OTHER CITIES.

I THINK THAT AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THESE NEW PROGRAMS AND NOT, YOU KNOW, DRAG THEM BACK AND FORTH WITH EACH NEWS CYCLE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO SEE RESULTS.

AND AS FAR AS THE COMMUNITY, IT'S WHERE WE STEP IN NOT JUST OUR ATTITUDE, WHICH IT IS, BUT AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAVE WE INVESTED ENOUGH IN THE COMMUNITY NEED.

SO MANY COMMUNITY NEEDS THAT ARE LACKING LEAD TO CRIME.

ECONOMIC INSECURITY, LACK OF QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE LIT SIDEWALKS, SAFE PATHWAYS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS FOR KIDS TO GO TO.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT WILL HELP ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THAT GETS US THERE.

AND FINALLY, THIS MUST BE THE SHERIFF FAN CLUB WHICH IS WELL DESERVED ON HIS PART.

WE WERE AT A JUSTICE MINISTRY, ME AND MY ACTION, LAST WEEK.

AND ONE THING I THINK THAT BRINGS US FORWARD IS HE SAID HE COMMITTED TO MOVING UP ABOUT 70% OF MINORS WHO GET, WHO WOULD GET ARRESTED GET PRE-ARREST DIVERSION.

HIS TARGET NOW WILL BE 100 PRESIDENT9 OF MINORS THEY -- 1 IS 00% OF MINORS THEY INTERACT WITH THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, DO NOT GET ARRESTED AND GET SENT TO PRE-ARREST DIVERSION SO THEY CAN HAVE A CHANCE AND NOT SHUFFLED INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> ONE FACTOR THAT COULD BE A MITT GATER WHEN IT COMES TO CRIME, SURGEON ILY, JOBS.

CONCERN CERTAINLY, JOBS.

AND HERE IN THE CAPITAL REGION WE'RE LOOKING AT, ESSENTIALLY, FULL EMPLOYMENT.

ANYTHING BELOW 3% JOBLESS RATE IS CONSIDERED FULL EMPLOYMENT.

AND FLORIDA AS A WHOLE FOR FEBRUARY, IT WAS 2.7.

AND YET WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE COMING OFF OF THE COVID SITUATION THAT ARE STILL HARD PRESSED TO FIND AND HIRE AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES.

NOW WITH THE NEW CENTER OUT AT THE EAST END OF TOWN, COMMISSIONER -- [LAUGHTER] >> COMMISSIONER WELCH ACTUALLY CORRECTED ME.

THAT IS RIGHT OVER THE BOUNDARY OF CRICKET 4, BUT WE -- CRICKET 4, BUT WE WORK VERY GOOD TOGETHER ON IT.

[LAUGHTER] >> OKAY, WE HAVE TWO COMMISSIONERS INSTEAD OF ONE WHO'LL BE WORKING ON THE AMAZON SITUATION.

THAT'S GOING TO BE 1 1,000 JOBS THERE THAT ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE FILLED.

SO WHAT CAN THE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DO TO TRY TO JUMP-START THE SOME ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT TO THE HELP SUCH THINGS AS HOMELESSNESS AND ALL OF THAT SITUATION?

START WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, AND THEN HEAD BACK.

>> THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WORK FORCE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING JOBS.

ONE THING, I'M A CPA, I'M AN ECONOMICS NERD, AND ONE HINGE WE'RE SEEING IS IF THERE'S A LACK OF SUPPLY, THE DEMAND GOES UP AND THE PRICE GOES UP.

WHEN THERE'S A LACK OF SUPPLY OF WORKERS, THE DEMAND GOES UP.

WAGES AND BENEFITS SHOULD GO UP.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW.

IT'S BEEN RARE.

PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN IT IN DECADES, BUT IT'S A POSSIBILITY.

NOW, WHAT DO WE DO AS A COUNTY COMMISSION.

I THINK THERE'S TWO AREAS I THINK WE, I WOULD LIKE TO THE SEE US FOCUS MORE ON THAT WOULD MAKE US, GIVE US A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN OUR REGIONAL WORK FORCE OVER EVERYONE ELSE, AND THAT IS FINDING A WAY TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO THE CHILDCARE SO PARENTS CAN REENTER THE WORK FORCE AND, TWO, BUILDING ON WHAT WE'RE SERIOUSLY LACKING, A PIPELINE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO THE ENTER TRADES FIELDS IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER TRADES FIELDS THAT ARE ON AN APPRENTICE OR TRAINING BASIS, NOT AN EDUCATION BASIS.

FOR MANY REASONS THAT I COULD TAKE THE ENTIRE TIME ON, THAT PUTS OUR WORK FORCE AHEAD OF SO MANY IN THE REGION TO ATTRACT THE BUSINESS AND PUTS ANEMIA GOOD PAYING, CAREER JOBS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ON STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR IT OR NOT WORK WHILE THEY GO TO SCHOOL.

I'M GOING TO STOP BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES.

THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I THINK WE COULD BE DO THAT WE COULD BE LEADERS IN THE AREA OF WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALONG WITH EVERYTHING COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE SAID, IT COMES DOWN TO CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE BUSINESS CAN THRIVE, NOT ONE WHERE BUSINESS IS THE ONLY THING THAT THRIVES BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE TO HAVE RESPECT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AS WELL.

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE AMAZON WILL WANT TO COME TO TALLAHASSEE, WHERE WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON TO FACILITIES TO EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE IN TALLAHASSEE, WHERE, YOU KNOW, EVEN I WAS MEETING WITH THE AMBASSADOR TODAY, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT BILLUPS IS LOOKING TO COME USE OUR MAGNETIC LAB TO DEVELOP MRI MACHINES AT A LESSER COST FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO USE.

ALSO LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, JUST HOW WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR CHAMBERS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMPANIES ARE LOOKING FOR THOSE APPRENTICE PROGRAMS.

QUITE FRANKLY, CAREER SOURCE IS PAYING COMPANIES TO LET YOUNG PEOPLE COME IN AND LEARN TRADES AND AND BE APPRENTICES.

THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE BUSINESSES TO ALLOW THOSE FOLKS INTO THEIR FACILITIES TO DO SUCH IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BUILD ON.

AND SO WE HAVE THE NUTS AND BOLTS THERING WE JUST NEED TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THEM OUT.

AND AS WE SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE -- BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT 2% IS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT OUT OF THE WORK FORCE.

AS WE SEE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COME BACK INTO THE WORK FORCE, BEING ABLE TO RETOOL THEM BY SENDING THEM TO TCC OR LIVELY OR OTHER PLACES TO GET CERTIFICATIONS THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, CAN PUT THEM IN POSITIONS TO MAKE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AS WELDERS AND OTHER TRADES THAT THERE ARE IN THE MARKET IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE PUSHING.

EVEN LOOKING -- I'VE GOT 30 SECONDS, BUT LOOKING AT OUR CHILDREN.

A AS THEY COME OUT AS SENIORS, HAVE YOU SEEN THE CTE PROGRAMS THEY HAVE THERE.

>> WELDING, ENGINEERING, THEY HAVE AEROCHI THE NAMIC PROGRAMS -- AERODYNAMIC WHERE THEY'RE EVEN THING THOSE KIDS TO FLY DRONESES.

BY THE TIME THEY GET OUT OF SCHOOL, THEY'RE READY TO GET A JOB.

I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD IS DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB, AND I'M MENTION THIS PART AND I'LL LET IT GO.

ONE PERSON WHO'S PUSHING REALLY HARD FOR CTE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ALL OUR SCHOOLS IS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DARYL JONES AND JUST MAKING SURE THOSE KIDS THAT COME OUT ARE READY TO JUMP IMMEDIATELY INTO THE WORK FORCE BECAUSE THE MONEY IS THERE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO.

>> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> THANK YOU.

MANY, MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE I BECAME A COUNTY COMMISSIONER I WAS A CUTER PROGRAMMER AND WORKED IN THE CONCERN COMPUTER PROGRAMMER AND WORKED IN THE I.

THE SECTOR.

SO I'VE BEEN INTERESTED TO DO MY PART TO TO CULTIVATE AND HELP I.T.

SECTOR HERE THRIVE.

YOU TALK TO SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN TECH HERE LOCALLY, THEY'LL TELL YOU MT.

NEXT FEW YEARS TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY IS POISED TO BE A REGIONAL HUB FOR TECH THE WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPMENT OF APPLICATIONS.

WE REALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS.

WITH AMAZON COMING WITH A THOUSAND JOBS PAYING $15 AN HOUR OR MORE, THAT'S GREAT, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK BEYOND THAT, YOU KNOW?

I THINK COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE SAID THIS, THE KEY TOWARD ADDRESSING POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE REALLY LIES WITHIN ONE THING WHICH IS TO THE RAISE INCOME.

IF WE CAN RAISE THE MEDIAN INCOME IN THIS COUNTY, THAT WOULD HELP US ADDRESS A LOT OF OUR SOCIAL ILLS.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE FEED TO FOCUS ON.

IF THERE'S ONE THING WE FOCUS ON, THAT'S IT.

YESTERDAY I WENT TO THE MARTIN BIOTECH INCUBATOR WHICH IS A 40,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY, AN INCUBATOR, IN ALACHUA.

AND THEY HAVE EXISTED FOR 28 YEARS.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A VISION, AND OVER DECADES THEY HAVE STUCK TO TO THE THAT VISION ON CULTIVATING BIOTECH COMPANIES, HELPING THEM GROW.

IN FACT, DURING THE TIME THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE, THEY'VE CREATED 8,000 JOBS, AND THOSE COMPANIES GOING THROUGH THE PROGRAM HAVE GENERATED $9 BILLION.

AND IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT NORTH FLORIDA INNOVATION LABS WHICH IS BEING CONSTRUCTED RIGHT NOW IN INNOVATION PARK AS WE SPEAK, THAT IS -- THE VISION OF SUCCESS FOR THE NORTH FLORIDA INNOVATION PARK, INNOVATION LAB ARES IS GOING, IS THE SID MARTIN BIOTECH INCUBATOR.

SO GO TO ALACHUA, TALK A LOOK AT THAT FACILITY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE NORTH FLORIDA INNOVATION LABS COULD BE, SHOULD BE IN A FEW DECADES.

MANY IN 20 YEARS OR SO.

WITH SCENE THED INVESTMENT AND CULTIVATING -- SUSTAINED INVESTMENT AND CULTIVATING THOSE TYPES OF INCUBATOR BUSINESSES, CREATE START-UP.

THAT'S THE KEY WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE TYPE OF JOBS THAT GENERATE INCOME.

>> ALL RIGHT, SIR.

AND COMMISSIONER WELCH.

>> THANK YOU, TOM.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT JOB CREATION, I WORK WITH THE FUTURE WORK FORCE EVERY DAY.

I HAD CONVERSATION IN MY CLASS JUST TODAY BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIES OF DEVELOPED WORLDS AND TERTIARY SERVICES AND PROVIDING SERVICE CONCERN WE'RE A SERVICE-BASED ECONOMY WHICH MEANS WE LEAN HEAVILY ON SKILLS, SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY, WE ALL KNOW AT THAT THE GREAT EQUALIZER IS EDUCATION, YOU KNOW, THAT THE KEY TO GETTING OUT OF POVERTY AND CREATING PROSPERITY IS THROUGH GETTING A JOB AND GETTING A CAREER AND CREATING A NICE INCOME.

I THINK THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF -- FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THE CHAMBERS HAVE TOLD US WE HAVE MORE JOBS THAN WE HAVE PEOPLE.

SO I THINK THAT OUR CONCERN IS TO BE ON, THEN NEEDS TO BE ON DEVELOPING A WORK FORCE.

WELL, GOOD FOR US WE LIVE IN AN EDUCATION TOWN.

WE'VE GOT, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LIVELY AND YOU TALK ABOUT TCC, YOU TALK ABOUT FSU AND FAM, YOU TALK ABOUT THE OUR HIGH SCHOOL CTE E AND CONTINUING OUR CAREER AND TECH CALL EDUCATION POLICEMANS THAT THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVEL, WE HAVE A LOT OF POTENTIAL THERE.

AND SO I THINK WE CONTINUE TO INVEST THAT CONCERN IN THAT STUFF.

WE COUGH AN EMERGING TECH SECTOR CONCERN DO HAVE AN I AMERICANING TECH SECTOR, OUR INVESTMENT AT BLUEPRINT AND THE NORTH FLORIDA INNOVATION LABS LIKE COMMISSIONER MINOR TALKED ABOUT.

WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS, BUT WE'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT TALLAHASSEE'S A PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO BE.

WE SEE THE PRIVATE SECTOR GROWING HERE.

WE SEE THE PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE PRIVATE OF SECTOR INVESTMENT.

AND SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO THEN IS ENCOURAGE AND AND CREATE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT KEEPS OUR STUDENTS HERE, THAT ENCOURAGES OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS -- AGAIN, ID HAD THIS CONVERSATION JUST TODAY.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CREATE A LIFE AND A CAREER FOR YOURSELF AS A 15, 16, 17-YEAR-OLD, YOU NEED TO START THINKING ABOUT CARPENTRY, PLUMBING, SKILL TRADE JOBS ARE REALLY THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY.

AND THERE WAS, DAVE SAID SOMETHING THE OTHER DAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT HOW HE HAD TO TAKE HIS SHOES IN TO GET REPAIRED, AND THE COBBLER TOLD HIM IT WAS A A 30-MINUTE FIX, BUT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE 6 WEEKS BECAUSE HE HAD SUCH A BACKLOG.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO ALEVE ALLEVIATE THOSE PROBLEMS.

WE'VE GOT THE GREAT BLESSING OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS AT BLUEPRINT THAT WE CAN TARGET THIS A WAY THAT HELPS GET PEOPLE TRAINED, FOSTER APPRENTICESHIPS AND REALLY GROW THAT WORK FORCE WHICH I THINK IS REALLY OUR PROBLEM.

>> AND THERE'S SOME WORK WE WANT TO PUT THE AUDIENCE TOO.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION WHO ARE HERE WITH US, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THAT MARKED DOWN THE ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND RAISE IT JUST LIKE THAT.

AND A FRIENDLY MEMBER OF THE VILLAGE SQUARE STAFF WILL COME AND PICK IT UP, AND WE'LL PUT THAT INTO THE DISCUSSION HERE MANY JUST UNDER 10 MINUTES.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT, OF COURSE, WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE LEON COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THAT ARE IMPACTING NOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, PREEMPTION IS A WORD THAT MAYBE TEN YEARS AGO WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANT, AND AND NOW WE CO. AND I WANTED TO ASK EACH OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE CAPITOL, HOW YOU SEE THAT PLAYING OUT INSOFAR AS WHAT YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ARE WITHIN YOUR OWN SITUATION AND HOW YOU MIGHT BE ABLE ANOTHER THE SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

SO, COMMISSIONER WELCH, LET'S TALK TO YOU FIRST ON THAT.

>> YEAHING THANKS, TOM.

YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE ACROSS THE STREET IS AN INTERESTING ENTITY.

I THINK THAT -- [LAUGHTER] PROBABLY A GENTLE WAY OF PUTTING IT.

I THINK AS LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF WHAT COMES OUT OF THE BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET.

I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE WAYS YOU CAN APPROACH THAT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

YOU CAN STOMP YOUR FEET AND MAKE A BIG FUSS ABOUT A IT, OR YOU CAN FIND WAYS TO ACTUALLY MAKE THAT WHAT COMES OUT OF THE BUILDING A LITTLE MORE PALATABLE, RIGHT?

WE HAVE A LOCAL LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION, WE HAVE A LOBBYIST THAT WE HIRE AT COUNTY.

WE HAVE RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE WAY THERE.

I THINK THAT THROUGH ROBUST COMMUNICATION YOU TRY TO RELAY THE IMPACTS OF POTENTIAL BILLS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE, ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE WAS JUST IN THE CAPITOL LAST WEEK TESTIFYING ABOUT A BILL THAT'S GOING TO CREATE SOME ISSUES IN TERMS OF LOCAL -- I BELIEVE IT'S A DEVELOPMENT BILL, COMMISSIONER, THAT THE YOU WERE EVERY THING ON THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT -- OR WAS IT THE REAL ESTATE?

I'M, THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING -- >> WHICH WAS IT?

THERE'S A LOT TO THE CHOOSE FROM.

IT WAS RENTER PROTECTION.

>> RENTAL PROTECTION, YEAH.

SO, OBVIOUSLY, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, I THINK WE HAVE TO TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT IN THE SAME TONE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

WHAT THEY DO AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE APPLIES TO THE ALL 67 COUNTIES, SO ALL COUNTIES HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

ALL COUNTIES HAVE AN INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT GOOD LEGISLATION AND GOOD POLICY COMES OFF THE BUILDING.

WE HAVE A FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AS WELL.

SO I THINK OUR JOB TO JUST LIKE IT IS WHEN WE'RE PURSUING ISSUES ON OUR CHIY S IS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS WE SERVE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE KNOW THAT THE POLICIES THAT THEY'VE PASSED HAVE AN IMPACT ON EVERYDAY PEOPLE AND PEOPLE'S LIVES AT LOCAL LEVEL.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE.

>> THANK YOU, TOMMING.

AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WELCH.

I'M GLAD TO KNOW YOU WERE ONE OF THE TEN PEOPLE WHO WATCHED MY YouTUBE VIDEO.

[LAUGHTER] BECAUSE NONE OF THE SENATORS DID.

SO THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THERE'S A TON OF PREEMPTIONS, AND WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PREVENT THEM.

BECAUSE WE CAN -- AND WE SHOULD BE WITH POLITE ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

BUT THE PREEMPTIONS MAKE IT VERY HARD FOR US TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WE WANT TO SOLVE.

I WAS EVERY THING AGAINST S.B.

1586 WHICH WOULD PREEMPT ANY LOCALITY FROM DOING ANYTHING RELATE TO END 9/11 -- TENANT AND RENTAL RELATIONS WHICH IS AN ISSUE WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA THAT WE BROUGHT UP TO CONSIDER A NOTICE REQUIREMENT.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT HOW THE STATE LEGISLATURE OR'S PREEMPTING, THEY'RE NOT PREEMPTING ALL LAWS.

THEY HAVE A CLEAR THEOLOGY OR A CLEAR POLICY AGENDA.

LIBERAL,LING AGGRESS -- PROGRESSIVE LAWS THAT HELP EVERYDAY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT, THAT PROTECT OUR PEOPLE WHO NEED ECONOMIC SECURITY, THAT PROTECT THE WAY WE DEVELOP OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE WAY WE WANT.

AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THEY ARE PREEMPTING.

THEY'RE NOT PREEMPTING CLEAR CUTTING TREES TO BUILD BIG, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE PROPERTY.

AND SO IT'S UNFORTUNATE, AND WE DO WHAT WE CAN CO. ING THAT'S ONE THING I THINK WE'D ALWAYS SAY, I DO WHAT I CAN DO SO TO I CAN TRY AND ARGUE AGAINST THE PREEMPTION, HOPE IT DOESN'T GET PASSEDDED.

AND CHEN WHEN IT DOES GET PASSED, WORK WITHIN IT.

I'VE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT A LONG TIME THE, AND THERE'S -- YOU FIND THE RULES AND YOU FIND THAT ONE GOVERNMENT WORKER WHO KNOWS ALL THE RULES AND KNOWS HOW TO GET THROUGH WHAT YOU NEED TO TO GET THROUGH.

UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY PREEMPTION MAKES THAT PATHWAY NARROWER AND NARROWER.

AND THE REASON THEY HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS IS BECAUSE WE ARE THE CLOSEST TO YOU AS OUR NEIGHBORS.

WE SEE YOU IN THE GROCERY STORE, WE SEE YOU AT THESE MEETINGS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A DONOR OR A LOBBYIST, AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE MANY STEPS AHEAD OF THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING THESE PROBLEMS.

HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL GET OUT OF THE WAY SOON ENOUGH AND BE THE PARTY OF SMALL GOVERNMENT, AND WE CAN KEEP SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.

>> COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> THANK YOU.

JUST TO ADD TO WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN A COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR COMING UP ON FIVE YEARS, AND GOVERNOR MAD COX HAS BEEN ON THE COMMISSION A LOT LONGER THAN I HAVE AND HE'S A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

AND THAT ASSOCIATION WHICH IS, ESSENTIALLY, IT WAS AN ASSOCIATION OF ALL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS A VERY GOOD LOBBYING.

AND IF YOU'RE ON ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE THE COMMITTEES, YOU HAVE CONCERN DURING THE SESSION YOU HAVE A CALL EVERY FRIDAY WITH THAT LOBBYING TEAM.

THEY'RE AT THE CAPITOL EVERY SINGLE DAY DURING SESSION;.

AND THEY, WE TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE AS WELL AS THE POLITICS.

SOMETIMES THE ORIGIN OF A BILL COMES FROM THE MOST LUDICROUS ORIGIN YOU COULD POSSIBLY IMAGINE IF.

A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY WHAT KIND, HAS SOME TYPE OF DISPUTE WITH HIS COUNTY COMMISSION AND THEN GOES TO HIS LEGISLATOR, AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT THERE'S A STATEWIDE BILL THAT ADDRESSES AND, YOU KNOW, POKES A STICK AT HIS COUNTY COMMISSION THAT AFFECTS ALL THE REST OF US IN THE STATE.

THAT'S REAL.

BUT WE'RE TALKING WITH THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY STAFF, LOBBYISTS AND REALLY WORKING HARD.

THEY'RE GOING TO THE OFFICES OF THESE LEGISLATORS AND TRYING TO WORK WITH THE POLITICS TO DO AS BEST WE CAN TO PROTECT HOME RULE.

AND SOME OF THESE LEGISLATORSES ARE ACTUALLY FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER, FORMER CITY COMMISSIONERS.

WHEN THEY GET IN THE LEGISLATURE, SOMETIMES THE I THINK THEY FORGET ABOUT THE VALUE OF HOME RULE AND HOW, AS COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT THAT'S CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE, THAT MEETS THE CITIZENS IN THE SUPERMARKET AFTER WE VOTE ON THINGS IS, IN MY OPINION, THE LOCAL -- GOVERNMENT THAT SHOULD BE CLOSEST TO THE ITS OWN JURISDICTION.

AND SO THAT'S A BIG THING.

COMMISSIONER MADDOX, I KNOW, CAN TALK ABOUT THIS MORE THAN I CAN, BUT IT SEEMS THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WE'VE HAD A FLURRY, A SURGE OF MORE PREEMPTIONS OF LOCAL AUTHORITY.

AND I THINK IT'S TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE STATE.

I THINK LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB THAT ARE VERY RESPONSIVE TO THE CITIZENS ARE BEING KEPT AWAY FROM BEING AS RESPONSIVE AS THEY COULD BE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND WITH THAT NAME CHECK, COMMISSIONER MADDOX, YOU GET THE LAST WORD ON THIS ONE.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S AN ALL-OUT ATTACK ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK MOST TIMES YOU ALL AS CONSTITUENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANTS.

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'D RATHER GO TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO ARGUE A BILL OR A POINT THAN COME TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

[LAUGHTER] >> FOR THE RECORD, NOT ONE HAND WENT UP.

>> NOT ONE.

THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABE.

IT TAKES -- TALKING ABOUT.

IT TAKES THE POWER AWAY FROM US TO DO WHAT YOU'VE ASKED US TO DO AND IT PUTS IT IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE'S HANDS.

AND SO SOMEONE, MAKE IT EVEN SIMPLER, SOMEONE IN MIAMI IF IS VOTING ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHETHER YOUR RENT IS GOING TO BE RAISED THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO END OF YOUR LEASE.

WHY IS THAT FAIR TO YOU?

AS LEON COUNTY CITIZENS, YOU DON'T LIKE THINGS THE SAME WAY THEY DO DOWN IN MIAMI.

AND FOLKS MANY IN MIAMI DON'T LIKE THINGS THE WAY DOWN THERE THAT YOU DO HERE.

THERE'S A CERTAIN GRAVITAS THAT WE HAVE AS LEON COUNTY CITIZENS THAT WE LIKE TO RESPECT AND WE LIKE TO KEEP THINGS THE WAY THAT THEY ARE IN CERTAIN WAYS BUT GROW IN THE WAY THAT WE WANT TO GROW, RIGHT?

SO LET'S SAY OUR TREES, OUR CANOPY TREES.

WE LOVE OUR TREES HERE.

I'M TELLING YOU, I COULD VERY WELL SEE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THE LEGISLATURE COMING UP WITH SOME TYPE OF BILL THAT SAYS WE CANNOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT OR LEGISLATE OR PUT ORDINANCES IN MACE THAT SPEAK ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO MANDATE WHAT BUSINESSES OR LANDOWNERS SHOULD DO WITH THEIR TREES OR NOT DO WITH THEIR TREES.

I CAN SEE IT.

AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, WE HAVE NO SAY.

I REMEMBER BEING ON THE COMMISSION WHEN I FIRST GOT ON THE COMMISSION, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I LEARN A -- LEARNED ABOUT HOME RULE.

RICK SCOTT WAS GOVERNOR, GOD BLESS HIS SOUL.

AND WE'RE SITTING ON THE COMMISSION, THIRD MEETING, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS WE'VE GOT TO TAKE THESE ORDINANCES OFF THE BOOK.

THE ORDINANCE WAS YOU CANNOT IF SHOOT A GUN ACROSS A COUNTY ROAD.

THE ORDINANCE WAS YOU CANNOT SHOOT A GUN OR CARRY A GUN IN A COUNTY PARK.

THE ORDINANCES WERE ALL REASONABLE, BUT THE STATE HAS SAID THERE'S A PREIF EDGES WHEN IT COMES TO GUNS THAT WE CAN'T MAKE ANYTHING, CAN'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE BOOKS.

AND IF WE DID NOT TAKE THOSE A OFF THE BOOKS, WE WOULD BE REMOVED AS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND FINED.

THERE'S NOT ONE CITIZEN MANY IN HERE WHETHER YOU ARE PRO-GUN OR NOT THAT WOULD HAVE DISAGREED WITH ANY OF THE ORDINANCES THAT WE HAD, BUT WE HAD TO TAKE THEM ALL OFF.

AND IF IN ORDER FOR ANYONE TO FIGHT THAT, YOU WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE TO FIGHT IT.

HOME RULE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT YOU ALL HAVE AS LEON COUNTY CITIZENS BECAUSE IT DICTATES WHAT WE CAN DO THAT YOU ASK US TO DO.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES -- I'M COMING, I'M GOING TO SIT ON THIS ONE.

[LAUGHTER] THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES, I REALLY WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE NOBODY, NOT MANY OF YOU ALL WILL GO ACROSS THE STREET AND TALK ABOUT HOME RULE, BUT YOU'LL COME IN OUR CHAMBERS TO TELL US WHAT WE DIDN'T DO THAT YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO THAT WE CAN'T COBECAUSE STATE WON'T LET US DO IT.

LET THESE PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU WANT YOUR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL TO BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY THAT WORK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

OR THE ASSAULT ON HOME RULE IS GOING TO CONTINUE K AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE LESS AND LESS POWER TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO KEEP THE CHARACTER OF LEON COUNTY WHATS AND WHAT YOU ALL LOVE IT TO BE.

>> WELL SAID.

>> FOLKS, TO COVER AS MUCH GROUND AS WE POSSIBLY AND SINCE YOU GUYS ARE JUST MODELS OF COLLEGIALINGTY, MAYBE YOU CAN DESIGNATE ONE OF YOUR NUMBER TO ANSWER EACH OF THESE QUESTIONS, AND WE'LL GET THROUGH THEM, OKAY?

FOR TWO YEARS THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE COUNCIL MEMBERS NOMINATED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION HAVE LEVIED ONLY 75% OF THE TAX THEY WERE EXPECTED TO IMPOSE AND HAVE, THUS, GIVEN UP $4 MILLION IN TAXES THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORTED TO PROVIDE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR KIDS THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL.

SO DID YOU ORIGINALLY EXPECT THE COUNCIL TO IMPOSE THE FULL HALF MIL TAX?

AND AS WE APPROACH THE THIRD YEAR OF THE COUNCIL'S EXISTENCE, SHOULDN'T WE BE GETTING UP TO FULL SPEED ON THAT?

WHO WOULD LIKE TO HANDLE -- >> SINCE I'M CHAIRMAN, DO YOU WANT ME TO QUARTERBACK THIS?

>> YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER MINOR ACTUALLY REALLY WANT TO BE ON THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE COUNCIL AND YIELDED TO THE COMMISSIONER COUPLING.

I THINK HE WOULD PROBABLY BE BEST TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

COMMISSIONER MINOR?

>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN MAD DC.

-- MADDOX.

YES AND NO.

WHEN IT WAS ON THE BALLOT, IT PASSED BY AN OVERWHELMING 66% IN THIS COUNTY, SO THIS IS STRONGLY DESIRED AND NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR KIDS AND HELP OUR KIDS LIVE UP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

I THINK THAT WHAT THE CSC NEEDS TO DO IS MAKE SURE IT MOVES FORWARD IN THE RIGHT WAY.

THESE ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND, YES, VOTERS APPROVED THOSE COLLARS, BUT THEY STILL BELONG TO THE ALL OF YOU, AND THE CS SC HAS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS.

ACTUALLY, I HAVE A LITTLE STORY TO TELL YOU.

WHEN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THE CSC FIRST CAME TO LIGHT, I LOOKED AT IT AND I I THOUGHT IT SEEMS LIKE THE PERSONNEL COSTS ARE VERY HIGH FOR A NONPROFIT THAT DOES NOT CORRECTLY PROVIDE SERVICE DELIVERY.

DIRECTLY PROVIDE.

AND SO I WAS SKEPTICAL.

BUT THE MORE I LOOKED INTO IT AND TALKED TO THINGSTIVE DIRECTER IS AND PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL AND LOOKED AROUND THE STATE, I REALIZED THAT, ACTUALLY, THEY'RE GOING ABOUT IT THE RIGHT WAY.

THE SAME PROPORTION OF PERSONNEL COSTS IS ALSO BEING DONE IN MARTIN, ALACHUA AND SARASOTA.

AND TWO OF TO THOSE OF THREE HAVE EXISTED FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND THEY'VE GOT PROVEN SUCCESSES TO DEMONSTRATE.

SO I THINK THE CSC IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK WE'D ALL LIKE TO HAVE IT BE FASTER, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND I THINK IT IS THE EVERY TO EVERY OTHER TAXPAYER THAT IT'S DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

AND SO I, I FEEL THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE CSC MEMBERS ARE MOVING FORWARD IN A VERY JUDICIOUS WAY MAKING SURE THAT THE MONEY THAT YOU AND I GIVE THEM IS BEING USED EFFECTIVELY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP LEON COUNTY KIDS LIVE UP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

>> SPEAKING OF MONEY, WHAT COULD THE COUNTY DO TO INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYERS TO PAY HIGHER WAGES?

ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE JOB SITUATION WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

BECAUSE IT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION, AND I WANT A CLEAR ANSWER.

>> SURE.

IS THERE ANYTHING THE COUNTY CAN DO TO INCENTIVIZE LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO PAY MORE MONEY TO THEIR EMPLOYEES GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT'S TOUGH TO GET E FOLKS RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S SWEET SPOT IS NOT GETTING IN THE WAY OF THE MARKET WHEN THE MARKET'S WORKING.

AND I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU FOR LABOR, THE THE MARKET IS STARTING TO WORK.

AND SO I'M NOT ONE TO JUMP IN AND SAY LET'S FIX THIS AND FORCE EMPLOYERS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S NOT A SUPPLY OF A SPECIFIC SKILL PROBLEM OR A QUALIFICATIONS PROBLEM OR INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEM WHERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN STEP IN AND SMOOTH THINGS OUT OR CONNECTING TALENT TO OPENINGS LIKE OUR CHAMBER DOES OR E LEON WORKS BECAUSE THE OR THINGS LIKE THAT, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS WE CAN DO.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A ROLE CONVINCING EMPLOYERS HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS AND UNDERSTAND ECONOMICS THAT IF YOU CAN'T FILL THE POSITIONS, THEN SEE WHAT MORE VALUE YOU CAN GIVE PEOPLE.

I DO HAVE A SECRET PLAN THOUGH THAT I DID NOT MEAN TO PUT OUT HERE.

>> WHAT'S THE SECRET?

>> THE SECRET IS I AM A STRONG BELIEVER IN EMPLOYER-PROVIDED HEALTH CARE CONCERN SORRY, EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILDCARE FOR LARGE INSTITUTIONS.

IT'S HOW I WENT TO CHILD CARAT THE HOSPITAL I WENT TO -- CHILD CARAT THE HOSPITAL MY MOM WORKED AT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO MANDATE THAT, BUT I'M GOING TO TRY TO CONVINCE THIS COMMISSION, I REALLY DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY THIS OUT IN PUBLIC -- [LAUGHTER] THAT WE SHOULD INVEST THIS BECAUSE WE'RE A LARGE ENOUGH EMPLOYER THAT WE CAN TAKE EMPLOYEES TO THE COUNTY.

AND IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE BEST EMPLOYEES, YOU'VE GOT TO COMPETE WITH THAT KIND OF BENEFIT.

THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF NOT GETTING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S WAYS, BUT PLAYING WHERE YOU CAN IN THE MARKET.

>> AND BLOW HEARD -- AND YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST.

>> WE'VE GOT A QUORUM TONIGHT -- THE.

[LAUGHTER] >> DO WE NEED THE NOTICE COUNTY?

>> HERE'S SOMETHING THE COUNTY MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTROL ABOUT BECAUSE WE HEARD ABOUT ALGAL BLOOMS IN LAKE MUNSON AND THAT KIND OF THING, SO AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION HERE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SUCH THINGS AS WATER QUALITY IN THOSE LAKES?

AND AN ADDITIONAL INQUIRY, IS THE RECYCLING PROGRAM STILL VIABLE?

>> I'LL TAKE IT.

[LAUGHTER] I'LL TAKE IT, OR I'LL TAKE IT.

[LAUGHTER] YOU KNOW, LAKE MUNSON HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE.

I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO COMMISSIONER WELCH BECAUSE HE HAD A PROBLEM.

HE REACHED OUT TO STAFF, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT PROBLEM OUT IN DISTRICT FOUR.

BUT WE HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB, THE COUNTY'S INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY INTO LAKE MUNSON.

IT'S PROBABLY ONE TO -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE.

THE WATER BODY HAS THE MOST PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN LEON COUNTY.

BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE, ONE THING WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS TESTING THE SITE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS, WHICH BODIES ARE NATURAL WATER BODIES VERSUS WHICH BODIES ARE ACTUAL STORM WATER FACILITY.

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

A LAKE IS A LAKE IS A LAKE, BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.

THERE ARE SOME LAKES THAT ARE STORM WATER FACILITIES THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY THERE FOR STORM WATER FACILITY USE AND NOT THERE TO BE A LAKE THAT YOU FISH IN, PULL FISH OUT AND EAT.

GLAIK HUR YET THAT IS ONE, I BELIEVE, THAT IS A STORM WATER FACILITY WHEREAS LAKE MUNSON'S A NATURAL WATER BODY THAT WE'RE TRYING OUR BEST TO RESTORE, RIGHT?

AND THE WAYS THAT YOU GO ABOUT RESTORING ONE IS NOT THE WAYSES YOU GO ABOUT RESTORING ANOTHER.

ONE THING THAT I BROUGHT UP A FEW MEETINGS AGO IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE KNOWN FOR OUR TRAILS AND FOR OUR ENVIRONMENTAL BEAUTY.

WHAT IF ONE DAY WE COULD ALSO BE KNOWN FOR OUR WATER BODIES AND OUR LAKES?

HOW DO THE WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN OUR LAKES AND WATER BODIES TO JUST BE AN ALL AROUND JEWEL OF THE SOUTH WHEN IT COMES TO THE NATURAL AESTHETIC OF WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN LEON COUNTY?

THINK ABOUT IT, OUR TREES, OUR TRAIL, OUR CANOPY ROADS AND NOW LET'S ADD OUR LAKES.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE INVESTMENT, PLANNING AND TIME.

THOSE WHO MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE HAD TO PUT THOSE THREE THINGS INTO LAKE MUNSON ARE ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

GO BACK AND CHECK THE RECORDS OF HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE'VE INVESTED THERE AND HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO INVEST TO MAKE THAT THE BEST WATER BODY THAT WE CAN OR GET IT UP TO PAR.

I THINK WE NEED TO PUT THAT FOCUS ON ALL OF OUR WATER BODIES AND REALLY CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON CREATING THAT QUALITY OF LIFE I THINK COMMISSIONER WELCH TALKED ABOUT THAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO BE A PART AND LIVE IN LEON COUNTY.

>> THE 30 SECONDS FOR EACH ONE OF YOU BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME HERE.

COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE, ONE THING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO DO THAT YOU HAVEN'T CONE YET.

>> I WANT TO, I'D LIKE IT TO BE MORE PROFOUND.

ILL LIKE TO -- I WOULD LIKE TO RIDE ALONG MANY IN SOME OF THE PUBLIC WORK TRUCKS AND EQUIPMENT.

SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT'LL WORK.

COMMISSIONER MINOR.

>> YOU'RE CATCHING ME OFF -- OKAY, JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, WE'RE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON NORTH MONROE.

NORTH MONROE IS ENTIRELY MY DISTRICT, DISTRICT THREE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME TO FOUND CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS ON NORTH MONROE.

WE'RE RIGHT ON THE CUSP RIGHT NOW OF WHETHER NORTH MONROE IS GOING TO BE THE IMPROVING IN TERMS OF ITS GENERAL APPEAL AND BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY OR IF IT'S GOING TO SLIDE.

WE'VE GOT TO ACT NOW BECAUSE IF WE WAIT ANOTHER 15 YEARS AND THEN TRY TO REMEDIATE IT, IT'S GOING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE AND TOO LATE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER WELCH.

>> THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THE MAKE SURE THAT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AMENITIES ARE IMPROVED.

WE'VE GOT NORTHEAST PARK COMING TO MY CRICKET WHICH IS A HUGE PRIORITY OF MINE ALONG WITH $200 MILLION IN BLUEPRINT INVESTMENT FOR ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER PARK FACILITIES.

ID LOVE FOR OUR COUNTY TO HAVE A WORLD CLASS RECREATIONAL ATHLETIC FACILITY, PERHAPS THE FAIRGROUNDS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OR SOMEWHERE ELSE IN OUR COUNTY WHERE WE CAN ATTRACT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH TOURNAMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA, AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE INVOLVED -- >> OKAY.

AND THE CHAIR GETS THE LAST WORD.

>> E IT -- I HATE IT WHEN MY COLLEAGUES STEAL MY -- >> DID I GET YOURS?

>> YOU DID.

YOU KNOW THE SPORTS BUILT IS MY THING.

>> I'M SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] >> I PLAYED SPORTS AS A YOUNG KID, AND I TRAVELED TO DIFFERENT AREAS AS A RESULT.

THAT'S ONE.

WHEN I CAME IN, I WANTED TO REBUILD, I WANTED TO REBUILD -- I'M SORRY -- >> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE IT AT THAT, THEY'RE CUTTING ME OFF HERE.

>> JOE LEWIS.

AND I'M STILL ON THE BOARD.

I STILL WANT TO DO THAT, REBUILD THE PROJECTS SO THOSE KIDS CAN EXPERIENCE QUALITY OF LIFE THEY HAVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

TO ALL OF OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR JOINING US FOR THE TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL, THANK YOU TO OUR STUDIO AND DIGITAL AUDIENCE FOR THE QUESTIONS AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE.

ON BEHALF OF OUR PARTNERS, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA, LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE AND THEVILLE AAGE SQUARE, NIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ ♪