[0:00] Heat. Heat.
[0:05] [music]
[0:25] » [music]
[1:39] » Heat. Hey, Heat.
[1:45] [music]
[2:06] » [music]
[3:54] >> Heat. Heat.
[3:57] [music]
[4:32] Heat. Heat. N. [music]
[4:54] » [music]
[5:05] » Heat. Heat.
[5:07] [music]
[5:27] Heat. Heat. N.
[5:29] [music]
[5:48] Heat. Heat.
[5:56] [music]
[6:12] » [music]
[6:49] » Heat. Heat. N.
[6:50] [music]
[7:11] Heat. Heat. N.
[7:27] [music]
[7:42] » [music]
[8:04] » Tuesday, August 18th. 2026 meeting of
[8:07] the county county board of
[8:08] commissioners.
[8:10] We're going to begin begin with an
[8:11] invitation by Commissioner Goodman
[8:13] followed by the pledge of allegiance.
[8:15] Gentlemen, remove your covers, please,
[8:17] and let us stand as you are able.
[8:20] Let us pray. Our Father and our God in
[8:23] heaven, we humble ourselves and we come
[8:26] to you begging forgiveness for our many
[8:28] sins.
[8:29] Father, we also ask that you give us
[8:33] wisdom tonight as we consider the things
[8:35] that are before us. Father, as we speak,
[8:39] our law enforcement people are involved
[8:41] in a manhunt. We pray for the safety of
[8:44] all of our law enforcement officers, for
[8:46] the safety of the person they're
[8:48] hunting, and we pray that this will come
[8:51] to a peaceful conclusion. Father, there
[8:54] are needs in our community that we don't
[8:56] even know about, but you are aware of
[8:59] everything. And we pray that you will do
[9:01] your will in healing and restoring those
[9:04] people. Father, we thank you for all of
[9:07] the many blessings again. And these
[9:10] things we ask in all your name. Amen.
[9:13] >> Amen.
[9:15] ledge to the flag of the United States
[9:18] of America and to the republic for which
[9:21] it stands. One nation under God,
[9:25] indivisible, with liberty and justice
[9:27] for all.
[9:29] [clears throat]
[9:34] » Okay. I don't know of any amen uh
[9:36] amendments to the agenda. Does the board
[9:38] have any amendments, deletions?
[9:41] Seeing none, move on to the adoption of
[9:43] the agenda as presented.
[9:45] >> Mr. Chairman, I move to adopt the agenda
[9:47] as presented.
[9:49] >> Second.
[9:50] >> We have a motion in a second. All in
[9:52] favor?
[9:55] >> Motion carries. I forgot roll call.
[9:58] >> All commissioners present. [laughter]
[10:02] >> We're all here, but we're not all.
[10:03] >> As long as I just forget roll call.
[10:05] That's a pretty good deal, right?
[10:08] >> Okay. We move on to approval of the
[10:09] minutes for the August 4th, 2026 regular
[10:12] meeting, public hearing, and executive
[10:13] session. Um assume everybody's read the
[10:17] minutes. Any deletions,
[10:21] comments?
[10:22] If not, entertain a motion to approve
[10:24] the minutes of the August 4th, 2026
[10:26] regular meeting.
[10:31] » Motion to approve them.
[10:33] >> I'll second.
[10:35] All in favor?
[10:37] Motion carries. Move on to We've got
[10:40] three presentations tonight. The first
[10:41] one is by Miss Peoples, Amy Peoples for
[10:44] the employee of the quarter.
[10:50] » Hello. Good evening everyone. My name is
[10:52] Amy Peoples and I'm here on behalf of
[10:54] the employee recognition committee and
[10:56] I'll be presenting the award for the
[10:58] employee of the quarter for the second
[10:59] quarter of 2026.
[11:02] The employee selected for the employee
[11:04] of the quarter has been with Camden
[11:05] County since July of 2021. He started as
[11:08] an intern and then he continued helping
[11:10] out as a pole worker during election
[11:12] time. In 2022, he earned a full-time
[11:15] position with elections and registration
[11:17] and has become a very vital part of
[11:19] their team. This employee was nominated
[11:22] by several of his peers. He received
[11:24] three nominations. And here's what some
[11:27] of those nominations said. This employee
[11:29] is a valued part of our elections team.
[11:32] He is essential in assisting with the
[11:34] four Cs of our team. He explains
[11:37] processes with clarity. He shown with u
[11:40] numerous contributions displayed to
[11:42] staff and the public. He shows a deep
[11:45] concern with each voter obtaining fair,
[11:47] accurate, and transparent confidence
[11:49] with participation participation in our
[11:52] elections.
[11:53] This employee is the first one to step
[11:55] up and offer help when needed. He's a
[11:58] loyal, humble employee who takes great
[12:00] pride in his work and he is definitely
[12:03] an asset to have working for Camden
[12:05] County. And then the third nomination
[12:07] said that he's always a pleasure to be
[12:09] around. He's dedicated to his work and
[12:12] his co-workers. And at any given day or
[12:15] time, Dennis is always giving out his
[12:17] smiles. So, I'm proud to present the
[12:20] employee of the quarter to Mr. Dennis
[12:22] Irvin with the elections and
[12:23] registration.
[12:26] >> [applause]
[12:30] » Come on up, Dennis.
[12:35] [applause]
[13:04] Where's the spot?
[13:09] [laughter]
[13:22] Yeah, that's really
[13:46] » [applause]
[14:01] » Dennis, I'm happy you had on that
[14:02] beautiful new red shirt tonight,
[14:05] buttoned all the way to the top.
[14:08] No, in honesty, uh, nobody deserves it
[14:11] more. Dennis, appreciate you so very
[14:12] much. I want to thank Amy, uh, for
[14:15] heading up the employee appreciation
[14:16] committee, too. If she weren't on the
[14:18] committee that decides who the employee
[14:20] of the quarter is, she would probably be
[14:21] it herself 10 times over. So, thank you,
[14:24] [applause] Amy.
[14:28] All right. Um, in in the vein here of
[14:31] elections, um, I want to continue with
[14:33] this proclamation of the Camden County
[14:35] Board of Commissioners recognizing
[14:36] September the 15th, 2026 as National
[14:39] Voter Registration Day. Whereas the
[14:42] right to vote is a fundamental
[14:44] cornerstone of our constitutional
[14:46] federal republic, empowering United
[14:48] States citizens to have their voices
[14:49] heard and participate in the governance
[14:51] of our great nation. The right to vote
[14:54] is sacred and it empowers individuals to
[14:56] shape the direction of our community,
[14:58] our state, and our nation. Whereas
[15:00] National Voter Registration Day is a
[15:02] nonpartisan national effort to ensure
[15:05] that every single eligible United States
[15:07] citizen has the opportunity to register
[15:10] to vote and to make their mark on the
[15:12] future of our country. Camden County,
[15:14] Georgia recognizes the gravity of
[15:16] fostering an engaged and informed
[15:18] electorate with resources and unimpeded
[15:21] access to participate in the electoral
[15:23] process with the understanding that
[15:25] active participation in this
[15:27] constitutional process is vital to the
[15:29] well-being and progress of our
[15:31] community, state, and nation. September
[15:33] the 15th, 2026 marks National Voter
[15:36] Registration Day, a day dedicated to
[15:38] raising awareness about voter
[15:39] registration opportunities and ensuring
[15:41] that every eligible United States
[15:43] citizen has that opportunity to register
[15:45] to vote by proclaiming September 15th,
[15:48] 2026 as National Voter Registration Day
[15:50] in Camden County. We reaffir we reaffirm
[15:53] our commitment to fostering a robust
[15:55] republic and encourage all eligible
[15:57] residents to register to vote and to
[15:59] make their voices heard throughout the
[16:00] nation. Now therefore, be it proclaimed
[16:02] by the Camden County Board of
[16:04] Commissioners that September 15, 2026 as
[16:07] National Voter Registration Day, and we
[16:10] encourage all eligible United States
[16:12] citizens to seize this opportunity,
[16:14] register to vote, and engage in this
[16:16] constitutional process. Let us work
[16:18] together to strengthen our
[16:19] constitutional federal republic and
[16:21] ensure that the values of freedom,
[16:22] equality, and civic participation
[16:25] continue to flourish in our great county
[16:27] and our great nation. proclaim this 18th
[16:29] day of August 2026. Robbie Cheek,
[16:32] chairman, Camden County Board of
[16:34] Commissioners. So, I'd like to ask the
[16:36] election folks to come up here uh so
[16:38] that we can celebrate you for everything
[16:39] that you do uh for this process to
[16:41] receive this proclamation.
[16:44] [applause]
[16:51] » Nobody make any sudden movements. They
[16:53] might not need us.
[17:06] You need a wide angle lens for this one.
[17:15] » You're going to need multiple rows until
[17:21] rows.
[17:31] Rock, you need one of those conductor
[17:32] sticks.
[17:36] [laughter]
[17:41] » It's awesome to have this many people
[17:42] here
[17:44] >> participating.
[18:05] I didn't realize.
[18:08] >> Yeah. Hey, I don't need a work comp
[18:10] claim.
[18:13] [laughter]
[18:14] Yeah. Yeah.
[18:30] fine.
[18:35] » Thanks you guys. [applause]
[18:47] We actually we won't have another one
[18:48] until later,
[18:50] >> but we will have another. You can sit
[18:51] down for now.
[18:53] Y'all can come back.
[19:04] Okay. Our third presentation tonight is
[19:06] the acceptable use policy presented by
[19:09] Miko McGovern.
[19:17] Oh my.
[19:18] >> Yeah. Read it all.
[19:19] >> Yeah.
[19:21] Are you going to read all of this?
[19:23] >> Uh, as a matter of fact, if I did, would
[19:26] you hear me though? Because it that is
[19:28] uh 44 pages. Um, I did bring it along
[19:31] for you to have and to take with you.
[19:34] And that's uh that's a part of why uh
[19:37] today is the way it is. Uh today is the
[19:39] day that we present it. give you time to
[19:42] look at it uh digest it and then come
[19:45] back with any uh questions for the next
[19:47] meeting before we try to ask for its
[19:50] approval. So um but I will kick off with
[19:52] a good evening and uh a real reason you
[19:55] know for why you have this thick stack
[19:57] of documents in front of you. So as part
[20:00] of our continuing effort to strengthen
[20:02] and modernize Camden County cyber
[20:04] security and technology posture uh we're
[20:06] presenting an update to the acceptable
[20:08] use policy. Uh today is about
[20:09] socializing the changes. Uh giving you
[20:11] visibility into what's being updated and
[20:14] why it matters and how it aligns with
[20:16] our broader technology governance goals.
[20:18] No decisions or approvals are being
[20:20] requested this evening and we will also
[20:23] have a video uh about the acceptable use
[20:28] policy to help just kind of speedrun
[20:30] through it. Uh it's the same video that
[20:31] we'll be using alongside of its roll out
[20:34] uh as long so if it were to be approved.
[20:38] So the acceptable use policy covers uh
[20:40] all devices, networks, email and cloud
[20:42] services used for county work. Um and
[20:45] this is for any personal device that's
[20:48] used as well. Uh is it's appropriate and
[20:51] inappropriate uses of county technology.
[20:55] Uh security best practices, compliance
[20:57] with security standards. Uh it's it's we
[20:59] already have an acceptable use policy in
[21:01] play. Um and this is this is an update.
[21:06] Uh the reason why we're updating it is
[21:09] uh the old the last one's old. So um you
[21:12] know we could start there. It's at the
[21:13] bottom of the list, but the last policy
[21:15] was updated and signed in 2019. Uh it's
[21:17] time for a new one. Uh this this also
[21:21] reflects the increase in regulatory
[21:23] accountability and uh the recent
[21:25] alignment with our cyber security uh
[21:27] posture that we that I came on board to
[21:31] bring us into. So, um, we we have gaps
[21:34] in security and we close those gaps
[21:36] every day. And this this is one of the
[21:39] ways that we're working to close the gap
[21:40] to protect the county's liability, its
[21:42] staff, and the citizens,
[21:46] [sighs]
[21:47] high-risisk violations during uh driving
[21:50] this update, excuse me. Uh so so we do
[21:52] see uh all kinds of use uh mixed use
[21:54] throughout the county and we want uh a
[21:57] single pane of glass for how we see the
[22:00] appropriate use of county systems. We
[22:03] don't want to to see people as as we're
[22:06] trying to prevent the use of personal
[22:08] email to circumvent any county security
[22:10] um personal messaging apps. Uh we're trying to prevent uploading county
[22:14] documents to personal cloud services.
[22:16] the these things were not as prevalent
[22:19] in the county back in 2019. Actually,
[22:21] these things didn't exist at all in the
[22:22] county. It's not that they didn't exa
[22:24] exist at all in the world, but they were
[22:26] not a part of our infrastructure. Um, we
[22:28] want to talk about the the use of public
[22:30] AI tools for county data. So, there's a
[22:35] beginnings of how we want to handle
[22:36] that. Uh, there's sections in the new
[22:38] AUP that mention it. Uh, and bypassing,
[22:41] filtering, and security controls. We
[22:42] want to try to really point out that
[22:45] there is just because you can get
[22:46] somewhere or just because you eventually
[22:48] end up somewhere that doesn't mean
[22:49] you're supposed to be there. So, um we
[22:52] want to we feel like the the new
[22:53] acceptable use policy is a way to uh
[22:56] again socialize, cover down, and make
[22:58] sure that we all understand what we can
[22:59] and can't do.
[23:01] Uh what the commissioners need to know.
[23:03] So, I I do want to point out what we
[23:05] aren't trying to do. We're not trying to
[23:06] push an immediate vote today. Uh we're
[23:08] not trying to rush anything and or give
[23:09] you any surprises. That's why I did uh
[23:12] print out a packet for you to take with
[23:14] you and uh digest and read at your at
[23:17] your leisure over the next uh period of
[23:18] time until we meet again. Uh I can also
[23:21] share that digitally. Uh so so that way
[23:24] you can see it uh on your computer
[23:25] screen or the screen of your choice. Uh
[23:27] but we are really trying to socialize
[23:29] the AUP updates. Uh we want to explain
[23:31] the rationale and gather your feedback.
[23:33] um we we really just want to go ahead
[23:35] and take a clean break from the 2019
[23:37] into the 2026 and also and beyond,
[23:40] right? Um and and today we we do again
[23:43] have a a video uh that that we're going
[23:46] to use to uh roll out with. Uh yeah, go
[23:50] ahead and roll that.
[30:01] As you can see that video, it it's very
[30:04] to the point. It's short, easy to
[30:06] digest, and very clean. This video was
[30:09] created by Sophia Harlos. It's our IT
[30:13] intern. We we just saw a presentation
[30:16] from her at at one of our previous
[30:18] meetings as a as a way to show you, you
[30:20] know, I just want to give her her kudos.
[30:22] You she put that together. Uh you can
[30:24] see how great it was. Um so we're very
[30:27] fortunate to have had her on the the
[30:29] team to produce such a valuable tool for
[30:31] organizational's use. That's going to be
[30:33] used alongside the rollout of the new
[30:35] acceptable use policy. Uh it's just a
[30:37] tool in the toolkit that we've put
[30:38] together uh should it be approved. Uh it
[30:41] will help ensure staff and officials
[30:43] clearly understand the updated policy
[30:45] and the ex uh expectations that come
[30:47] with it. Uh as far as that goes, there's nothing else to really, you
[30:52] know, show you this evening. It it will
[30:53] take time for you to read, digest, and
[30:55] understand what there is inside of the
[30:57] acceptable use policy. This will govern
[30:59] everything that we do here in our our IT
[31:01] environment. Uh I thank you for your
[31:02] time and attention. Uh we look forward
[31:05] to bringing the final version back to
[31:06] you for approval at the next meeting.
[31:12] Thank you. Questions from the board.
[31:16] >> Uh does this does this apply to all
[31:17] county government? So I know there's
[31:19] like a constitutional officers, the
[31:22] court employees, uh or is this just
[31:25] general government?
[31:26] >> The the best way to express the answer
[31:27] to that is that this applies to county
[31:30] information technology systems. So for
[31:33] anybody that gets an account or uses
[31:37] information technology systems within
[31:39] our organization, they fall underneath
[31:41] the accepted use policy. So that could
[31:42] be a contractor, uh it could be uh any
[31:44] person that's afforded access into our
[31:46] information network. Um there is on the
[31:49] very first page a caveat that talks
[31:51] about uh some elected officials,
[31:54] constitutional officers uh as well. And
[31:57] I I encourage you to read it. the the
[31:58] third paragraph on the first page. I
[32:00] think
[32:00] >> it says we're exempt from having to
[32:02] change our password every now and then.
[32:03] [laughter]
[32:04] >> Yeah. I don't have to I don't I'm not
[32:05] I'm going to give you an extra couple of
[32:06] uh days or months on yours. So, uh but
[32:09] that's that's how it uh it falls in play
[32:12] for everybody that uses the technology
[32:14] more so than um does it apply to
[32:16] government?
[32:17] >> Thank you.
[32:17] >> No problem.
[32:19] >> So, I guess there's a certain amount of
[32:20] self-p policing we have to do when we're
[32:22] on the system, but who who monitors
[32:24] beyond ourselves? So, uh, we we do have,
[32:28] uh, another member of the team that that
[32:31] works tirelessly
[32:33] staring at security tools, uh, and
[32:35] that's Miko McGovern. Uh, please go
[32:37] ahead and introduce yourself.
[32:39] >> Uh, yes. Hi. Um, I believe this is my
[32:42] first time talking or being in this
[32:44] public forum. I'm Miko. [laughter]
[32:47] I'm the security and compliance officer
[32:49] here at uh, Camden County. And uh really
[32:52] if we go back through the presentation
[32:56] and you see that second bullet point,
[32:59] the aligning to the NIST CSF 2.0, the
[33:02] CJIS and the PCIDSS. These are all
[33:05] security frameworks that help me guide
[33:08] what is acceptable and what's not
[33:11] acceptable. So, um, we have plenty of
[33:14] security tools that can see you, for
[33:17] example, if someone is going to a site
[33:20] they shouldn't be going to, if they're
[33:22] accessing systems they shouldn't have
[33:24] access to, stuff like that. So, you are
[33:27] correct. There is a level of self-p
[33:29] policing and that's why we are sending
[33:32] out that video made by Sophia so people
[33:34] can understand how to self police but
[33:36] there is also an element behind the
[33:38] scenes where I'm making sure everything
[33:41] is going the way it should be.
[33:43] >> Thank you. Of course
[33:45] >> I appreciate the time and attention. Any
[33:47] other questions?
[33:47] >> Thank you. Any other questions?
[33:50] >> We said we got time to read it and
[33:51] you'll come back and we'll do it all
[33:52] again.
[33:53] >> All over again.
[33:54] >> Sounds good.
[33:55] >> Thank you.
[33:59] Okay, now we move into our first public
[34:01] comment section. This section is for
[34:03] items on the agenda. If you wish to
[34:05] speak, uh, limit your comments to three
[34:08] minutes. And if you come to the podium,
[34:10] speak your name and your address.
[34:14] >> We don't have any registered.
[34:16] >> Nobody signed up. Does anybody in the
[34:18] audience want to speak about agenda
[34:20] items only?
[34:23] >> [snorts]
[34:23] >> Okay, seeing none, we'll move forward to
[34:26] u
[34:28] item number one on the regular meeting.
[34:30] Um this is approval of the equity
[34:32] sharing agreement and certification of
[34:34] the seized assets fund and Debbie Gordon
[34:36] is going to present that.
[34:42] » Uh good evening. Uh my name is Debbie
[34:44] Gordon. I'm the senior director of
[34:46] finance for the Camden County Sheriff's
[34:47] Office and I'm here to present the
[34:49] federal equitable sharing agreement and
[34:51] certification. This is an annual
[34:53] agreement certifying that the Camden
[34:55] County Sheriff's Office is following the
[34:56] guidelines as it pertains to federally
[34:59] forfeited cash and property which are
[35:01] equitably shared with participating law
[35:04] enforcement agencies. All of the numbers
[35:06] on the form have been prepared by the
[35:08] Camden County Sheriff's Office Finance
[35:10] Division and verified by the Camden
[35:12] County Finance Department. Um the agency
[35:14] requests the board to approve the
[35:16] agreement as prepared by staff.
[35:19] >> Thank you.
[35:21] Questions from the board.
[35:23] >> Uh yeah. So could you explain
[35:27] the annual certification report for me?
[35:29] I'm looking at it here. So I
[35:31] >> So basically it's an audit every year
[35:33] that we do um that
[35:36] shows that we are following the
[35:38] guidelines that we're supposed to um
[35:41] when it comes to spending
[35:43] equitable shares.
[35:44] >> And so what's the difference between
[35:46] justice funds and treasury funds
[35:48] >> where it comes from who sees the money?
[35:51] >> So what are justice funds?
[35:54] >> Department of justice and then uh the
[35:55] treasury funds the department of
[35:58] treasury. Yes.
[35:59] >> Oh. Okay. All right. And then so we
[36:02] received 39,960 for law enforcement
[36:04] equipment
[36:05] >> from Department of Justice. Cool.
[36:08] >> And these are these are all like what we
[36:10] received, not expenditures. Correct.
[36:14] >> No, you have the summary form um of
[36:17] everything that
[36:19] was done, whether it was received or
[36:21] spent. there's a more detailed um
[36:24] information and process whenever we
[36:27] spend the funds, but that those numbers
[36:28] are also included on this form.
[36:30] >> Okay, cool. Thank you.
[36:31] >> You're welcome.
[36:35] » Okay. One of the notes is it can't be a
[36:37] use for to supplement or replace the
[36:40] regular budgeted monies. It's anything
[36:42] outside of the regular budget.
[36:44] >> Correct. It has to um specifically
[36:47] benefit the sheriff's office directly.
[36:50] Okay.
[36:52] Any more questions?
[36:55] You entertain a motion.
[36:56] >> Mr. Chairman, I move we approve this
[36:59] agreement.
[37:01] >> I'll second.
[37:03] Have a motion and a second. All in
[37:05] favor?
[37:07] Motion carries.
[37:09] Item number two is uh from GEMA Homeland
[37:13] Security Program Grant Award. Approval
[37:15] for equipment from Julie Hager.
[37:18] I am requesting approval of a grant
[37:19] award through GEMA state homeland
[37:21] security program for equipment in the
[37:22] amount of $94,999.35.
[37:26] These funds are available to counties to
[37:28] prevent terrorism and other catastrophic
[37:30] events. Funds will be used to purchase
[37:32] election security equipment. The
[37:34] project's purpose is to protect election
[37:36] infrastructure, maintain continuity at
[37:37] polling sites, and ensure the safety and
[37:39] confidence of election workers and the
[37:41] public. No matching funds are required
[37:43] for this project. At this time, I would
[37:45] like approval to accept grant award as
[37:46] presented.
[37:49] >> Thank you.
[37:52] >> Question from the board.
[37:53] >> Yeah, I move to approve the funds. I do
[37:55] have a question though once I get a
[37:57] second.
[37:58] >> Quit.
[38:00] >> It's going to be battery backups and
[38:03] lighting equipment, auxiliary emergency
[38:06] lighting, and panic buttons.
[38:08] >> Let's get a motion if we could that way
[38:09] we can open for discussion. Could
[38:11] >> offer one.
[38:14] Smith made motion to accept. I'll second
[38:18] have a motion in a second now. Let's
[38:19] have discussion. Uh
[38:21] >> and so it sounds like permanent battery
[38:23] backup and light auxiliary lighting
[38:25] equipment.
[38:25] >> Yeah. Not not permanent. Um permanent
[38:28] would require a whole different level of
[38:29] assessment and a grant. You've got
[38:31] infrastructure environmental
[38:33] >> and we change precincts.
[38:34] >> Yeah. This is to provide the ability to
[38:36] deploy backup capability to make voting
[38:40] machines operate regardless of the grid
[38:42] dropping off while providing effective
[38:45] safety and security lighting within the
[38:48] facility that has lost power.
[38:50] Ultimately, you're powering every device
[38:52] because remember these voting machines
[38:54] are not talking to the internet. That's
[38:56] a separate and distinct process. What
[38:58] we're doing is stabilizing and ensuring
[39:00] in an allhazard environment that if the
[39:03] building's okay, we're going to have the
[39:05] ability to run voting because this
[39:07] deployable equipment will ensure it's
[39:09] like a UPS plugged into the wall and if
[39:12] power drops off, it's still running. And
[39:14] so that's the whole goal is once we're
[39:16] in all of those kind of external
[39:18] precincts, we have this as our
[39:20] deployment package to make sure that we
[39:22] remain up and operating.
[39:24] >> So it looks like a cooler size battery.
[39:26] You're going to
[39:27] >> Yes, sir. lifepo type battery, you know,
[39:29] handle. They're called electric
[39:30] generators basically, um, but not in the
[39:34] sense of a combustion engine.
[39:35] Separately, also, there's another
[39:37] feature in that that Shannon and I had
[39:38] discussed back initially in the
[39:41] planning, and that's a duress system.
[39:43] So, this is a wearable uh that can be
[39:45] activated that can signal out to
[39:47] indicate that there's a problem in the
[39:48] precinct where they're detecting the
[39:50] potential that there's either a host
[39:52] hostility, there's an act, something's a
[39:54] miss that they they may require
[39:55] assistance with.
[39:58] Thank you.
[40:01] » Any other discussion,
[40:03] questions?
[40:06] We have a motion in the second. All in
[40:08] favor?
[40:10] Motion carries. Thank you all.
[40:14] Moving on to
[40:16] Julie wants her picture.
[40:17] >> Oh, we get a picture. Nice.
[40:56] » [applause]
[41:18] » Okay, now we move on to item number
[41:19] three, which is reappointment to the
[41:21] Department of Behavioral Health and
[41:23] Development Disabilities Region 5
[41:25] Advisory Council. We have Don Gray as a
[41:29] nominee to be reappointed.
[41:34] Do I entertain a motion?
[41:44] I I make the motion that we reappoint
[41:46] her to that. I would I'd like to know a
[41:49] little more about that board, but uh
[41:51] she's been on it, so I'd make the motion
[41:54] we leave.
[41:54] >> Second.
[41:55] >> Yeah, we have a motion in a second. Any
[41:57] discussion
[41:59] >> other than you'd like more information
[42:00] about the board moving forward? Cody
[42:02] actually sent me some and I I read what
[42:05] you said and
[42:06] >> it had some criteria. I'm not going to
[42:08] mention it right now because I'm not
[42:10] sure. Um but it's basically a mental
[42:14] health board. Am I correct?
[42:16] >> Uh yeah. So the DBHCD is the Department
[42:19] of Behavioral Health and Developmental
[42:21] Disabilities. Um and essentially all of
[42:23] the state funding for those types of
[42:25] services flows through the DBHD to our
[42:27] community service boards like Gateway.
[42:30] Uh, and so the mental health services
[42:32] you're receiving are d in our county are
[42:34] directly affected by this.
[42:36] >> I guess I what I meant was what I read
[42:38] basically is an advisory board.
[42:40] >> Yes, sir.
[42:41] >> To help us spend money correctly
[42:44] >> in that area.
[42:45] >> Well, yeah. And well, and take take our
[42:47] concerns with the services we are
[42:49] receiving
[42:50] >> to the DBHD to maybe address some of
[42:52] those issues. Absolutely.
[42:53] >> Okay. Thank you.
[42:55] >> And Miss Gray is willing to be
[42:57] reappointed obviously. Uh uh since I've
[42:59] spoken to her. Yes, sir.
[43:01] >> Yes, sir. Okay, we have a motion in a
[43:03] second. All in favor?
[43:07] >> Anybody opposed?
[43:16] Okay, moving on to item number four.
[43:18] This is a reappoint to the fam the
[43:20] Department of Family and Children
[43:21] Services Board for Sander Craig and
[43:24] Kathy Dixon.
[43:27] This is reappointment. I assume both are
[43:30] willing to reserve or serve again.
[43:33] Entertain a motion.
[43:35] >> Mr. Chairman, I move for the reappoint
[43:36] of Miss Craig and Miss Dixon to the
[43:39] Department of Family and Children
[43:40] Services Board.
[43:41] >> Are we both of them or just one?
[43:44] >> Oh, I can do it one at a time if you
[43:46] >> I think we do them collectively since
[43:47] it's one agenda item.
[43:48] >> I'll second it.
[43:51] >> We have a motion and a second. Any
[43:52] discussion?
[43:54] All in favor?
[43:57] Motion carries.
[43:59] Moving on to reports, the calendar for
[44:02] August and September 2026.
[44:05] >> No changes to the calendar.
[44:07] >> Okay. No changes in the calendar. So,
[44:10] we'll move on to uh county administrator
[44:13] comments. Joey, you have anything?
[44:14] >> Yes, sir. [clears throat]
[44:16] I'd like to invite everyone to our
[44:17] second town hall meeting, which will
[44:19] take place on August the 25th in Maple
[44:22] Ford, which is in Waverly. Uh I do
[44:24] invite everyone and bring your ideas and
[44:26] uh we can all sit down and discuss and
[44:28] have a good time for that evening. So
[44:30] thank you very much.
[44:31] >> I was going to mention this during the
[44:33] county commissioner comment section, but
[44:34] I'll go ahead and mention it now. But uh
[44:37] attending the one at Woodbine, excellent
[44:40] uh format, excellent discussion. We need
[44:43] to keep doing these I thought was very
[44:45] well presented and very well taken from
[44:47] the public. So [snorts] let's keep doing
[44:48] them. Thank you very much.
[44:54] Okay, now we move on to our additional
[44:56] public comment section. This is for any
[44:58] uh one who wants to speak to the board
[45:00] about anything that's not on the agenda.
[45:02] Uh you're limited to three minutes. If
[45:04] you come up, state your name and your
[45:07] address.
[45:07] >> We do have one registered now. It's
[45:09] Ricky Manning. Go Ricky.
[45:31] Good evening, commissioners. Rick
[45:32] Manning from Bullhead. Uh, I'd like to
[45:34] start off with first wishing a happy
[45:37] heavenly birthday to Chief Mars Peoples.
[45:39] He was a faithful servant to this county
[45:41] for many, many years. And I'm sure if
[45:44] he's looking down upon us, he's very
[45:46] pleased with what's going on with
[45:49] what he left. They're still doing a
[45:52] great job and following in his
[45:53] footsteps. And thank you all for that.
[45:55] Now, let's move on. Anyone that did not
[45:57] make that summer town hall that Joy just
[45:59] mentioned, it was very interesting, very
[46:01] informative. I firmly believe that Joey
[46:04] and his staff are sincere in wanting to
[46:06] better our county and bring citizens and
[46:08] county government back together. The
[46:11] problem is winning the trust of the
[46:13] people back. It is proven fact that
[46:15] citizens employees of both the county
[46:18] and local businesses are reluctant about
[46:21] voicing their concerns due to
[46:22] retaliation against them. I know this
[46:25] firsthand as I have been threatened,
[46:27] slandered, and lied about by this very
[46:29] government. I have also been subjected
[46:31] to taxf funded spying on my social
[46:33] media, even as far as my private
[46:36] messages being archived.
[46:39] Y'all know it. Some of y'all don't, but
[46:43] anyhow, they've been archived before. We
[46:45] put an end to it. This retaliation
[46:48] concern was one of the main topics in
[46:50] our citizens group meeting re recently.
[46:52] Until this abuse of power is addressed
[46:54] and stopped, you will never win the
[46:56] trust of the people back. We've got to
[46:58] work on this, folks.
[47:00] Seems that when anything is brought
[47:02] forward, the messenger is the one that
[47:04] faces the raft instead of the problem
[47:06] being looked into and admitted to if it
[47:08] is wrong then corrected. We have a
[47:10] problem of not abiding by the very
[47:12] policies, the UDC codes and other laws
[47:14] that are written for all of us. Reminder
[47:17] that the county is not exempt from most
[47:19] of all of their own policies and codes.
[47:22] I will state once again that the five of
[47:25] you part-time commissioners can in no
[47:27] way keep up with everything in this
[47:29] county. You're not expected to neither.
[47:33] Gentlemen, we have a serious spending
[47:35] problem.
[47:37] Which reminds me of a parable I was told
[47:39] long, long time ago.
[47:41] Who knows more about the wise use of
[47:43] water? The man with a bountiful well or
[47:46] the man in the desert?
[47:50] Well, the water is our tax funds. So,
[47:53] stop wasting him because you can go back
[47:55] to the taxpayers's well and draw more
[47:57] from it. You're acting like the man
[48:00] that's got the bountiful well. Be the
[48:02] man in the desert and use every drop of
[48:04] water wisely as it is our tax money.
[48:07] Thank you.
[48:08] >> Thank you.
[48:11] Anybody else signed up?
[48:13] >> No, there's one.
[48:14] >> Anybody else would like to speak to the
[48:16] board?
[48:19] Okay, seeing none,
[48:22] uh, we'll move on to commissioner
[48:23] comments. I already made my comment
[48:25] regarding Joy's town hall.
[48:28] I got one. One, one of the things that
[48:32] I've noticed that's been happening
[48:33] recently, especially uh, since Joey has
[48:37] become it u, our main guy, is the fact
[48:42] that people seem to want to work
[48:43] together, whether it's staff or whether
[48:46] it's us. tomorrow. Um me, the sheriff,
[48:52] Joey,
[48:53] um and u who?
[48:59] » Yep. James Coughlin, JDA, and uh
[49:03] Jonathan Blunt, the head of the school
[49:05] board are meeting with the uh board of
[49:08] realtors, realtors, and uh all of us are
[49:11] going to speak. uh they asked me to come
[49:13] and tell them the state of the county
[49:16] and uh the state of the county is that
[49:18] uh these guys are doing their job and
[49:20] they're doing a great job as well as I
[49:22] can see. So I just I just want to share
[49:25] that that I appreciate you. I appreciate
[49:28] the idea that all of us are trying our
[49:31] best to work together at this point. Uh
[49:34] that's that's refreshing to me. I've
[49:36] been here for I'm going on my fourth
[49:38] year. can't say that's happened the
[49:39] whole four four years, but it is now.
[49:42] So, I'm grateful.
[49:44] >> Well, I think that doing town halls and
[49:46] what you're doing tomorrow, um what
[49:49] Joy's doing, I think that helps to build
[49:51] transparency and more communication in
[49:53] the in from the public.
[49:55] >> We need to keep doing that. And, you
[49:58] know, I've only been here a year and a
[49:59] half. Um but I just feel like it's we're
[50:02] getting much better at what we're doing.
[50:03] We just got to continue driving down
[50:06] that road and making it happen.
[50:11] Well, I'd like to thank you, Mr.
[50:12] Manning, for that that parable, that
[50:14] reminder, uh, to be wise with the
[50:16] resources that are provided to us. And,
[50:19] um, I was unfortunately I was at
[50:20] training. I was away. I was not able to
[50:22] make the town hall. But I did hear
[50:24] nothing but wonderful things and I look
[50:26] forward to seeing those more often as
[50:28] well.
[50:30] >> Okay. Any other comments?
[50:35] Okay. entertain a motion to adjourn the
[50:37] regular meeting and convene an executive
[50:38] session to discuss litigation, real
[50:41] estate, and personnel.
[50:44] I'll make a motion to
[50:47] have a motion in a second. All in favor?
[50:51] We'll be back.
[1:55:19] Okay. Entertain a motion to adjourn the
[1:55:21] executive session and reconvene the
[1:55:23] regular meeting.
[1:55:24] >> So moved.
[1:55:25] >> Second, Mr. Chairman.
[1:55:26] >> Have a motion and a second. All in
[1:55:28] favor?
[1:55:30] No action related to the executive
[1:55:31] session. So we move on to uh
[1:55:34] adjournment.
[1:55:35] >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we adjourn
[1:55:36] this meeting.
[1:55:37] >> Second.
[1:55:38] >> Have a motion and second for
[1:55:39] adjournment. All in favor?
[1:55:41] Thank you everybody. Great meeting
[1:55:46] didn't