1 00:02:25,970 --> 00:02:27,890 We will start in just a few seconds. 2 00:03:02,860 --> 00:03:05,540 Good morning. Welcome to the House County Board of 3 00:03:05,540 --> 00:03:11,160 County Commissioners' meeting of Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 26. Probably should it check to make 4 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:16,480 sure that he's working. Okay, good at that worked out well. 9 a.m., 600 South Congress have a new 5 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,500 hearing ceiling floor to it. If you'd like to speak on something that's not on the agenda, there 6 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:25,400 are little citizens down the agenda forms in the back of the behind the room there, outside 7 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:29,400 in the hall. I mean, certainly fill one of those out and then give it down there to the clerk. 8 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:35,420 And we'll get you in at that point of the meeting. If you'd like to speak on some of that's on the agenda, 9 00:03:35,740 --> 00:03:41,040 you do not need to fill out that form. If you'd like to speak because Dustin Fitch is going to get a huge 10 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:45,700 award, you may certainly do that during the two to three hours that we plan for that portion of the meeting. 11 00:03:48,030 --> 00:03:54,630 Okay. Yep, exactly. All right. Let's see here. Please, if you would, make sure that you silence 12 00:03:54,630 --> 00:03:57,970 or cell phones any devices, and today's 13 00:03:57,970 --> 00:04:00,110 invocation will be given by Pastor David Brabham 14 00:04:00,110 --> 00:04:02,390 from Revolution Church, and the pledge 15 00:04:02,390 --> 00:04:05,210 will be given by Brian E. Or Grant, U.S. Army 16 00:04:05,210 --> 00:04:07,710 Veteran, our American Legion post 69 17 00:04:07,710 --> 00:04:08,670 of an A-Bomb Park. 18 00:04:17,330 --> 00:04:18,430 We are short one past. 19 00:04:18,470 --> 00:04:18,890 Oh, there he is. 20 00:04:18,930 --> 00:04:19,670 There he is. 21 00:04:19,970 --> 00:04:20,810 I was like, I saw him. 22 00:04:20,990 --> 00:04:21,290 I was like, I saw him, I saw him. 23 00:04:23,220 --> 00:04:23,940 Good morning. 24 00:04:24,460 --> 00:04:24,600 Morning. 25 00:04:24,740 --> 00:04:25,500 Let's pray. 26 00:04:26,220 --> 00:04:28,200 Father, God, we just thank you all for this time 27 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:28,740 together. 28 00:04:29,500 --> 00:04:31,140 God, I just pray as your word says, 29 00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:34,300 that those who need wisdom, we ask for wisdom. 30 00:04:35,140 --> 00:04:44,720 God, your Word also says to pray for our leaders and those in authority, God, I pray for those in this room, God, who are decision-makers or God for this county. 31 00:04:45,240 --> 00:05:01,260 God, we just pray your blessing and your grace upon and will God and give them wisdom as they go through these decisions that need to be made for the county, God, and for us to continue to be a blessed county, we thank you for your many blessings that you've poured out on us by your grace. 32 00:05:01,260 --> 00:05:06,060 God, and we ask all these things in the name of Jesus. Amen. 33 00:05:16,580 --> 00:05:24,300 The United States of America, in two of the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, 34 00:05:24,660 --> 00:05:28,140 into his will, with liberty and justice for all. 35 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,680 Okay. Thank you very much, Pastor Battle, and thank you also, Brian. 36 00:05:40,890 --> 00:05:46,510 Okay. We're going to, I have number four announcements, and it's this way to herner, it looks like you've got quite a few of those. 37 00:05:50,860 --> 00:05:56,100 I'll hit it once there we go. Good morning Mr. Chair, good morning commissioners. Good morning folks in the audience and those online. 38 00:05:56,620 --> 00:06:05,980 We've quite a few announcements in one edition today. First announcement, Highland County Board of County commissioners will hold a final budget hearing meeting at 530 p.m. today. 39 00:06:06,300 --> 00:06:16,260 Tuesday, September 15, 2021 and the county commissioners boardroom at the Government Center 600 South Commerce Avenue Seabring 33870. 40 00:06:17,220 --> 00:06:22,440 The Highland Solar and Water Conservation District will hold a board of supervisors meeting at 41 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:29,180 three o'clock PM today, Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in the Highland Solar and Water Conservation 42 00:06:29,180 --> 00:06:36,100 District Conference Room at the Barth Harris Agricultural Center, 4-5-0-5-Jourished Boulevard, 43 00:06:36,460 --> 00:06:42,800 Seeming Florida, 3-3-8-7-0. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will hold a regular meeting 44 00:06:42,800 --> 00:06:49,880 at 330 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16th, 2026 in the Highlands County Engineering Comfort 45 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:57,980 Shroom, 505 South Commerce Avenue Seagling Florida, 33870. The value adjustment board 46 00:06:57,980 --> 00:07:04,740 will hold a special meeting at 430 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 in the County 47 00:07:04,740 --> 00:07:11,300 Commissioner's Board Room at 600 South Commerce Avenue Seabring Florida 33870. 48 00:07:12,680 --> 00:07:16,460 The Board of Commissioners of the Highlands County Hospital District will hold a regular meeting 49 00:07:16,460 --> 00:07:23,380 at 1.30 pm on Thursday, September 24th, 2026 in the County Commissioner's Board Room 50 00:07:23,380 --> 00:07:28,860 at 600 South Commerce Avenue Seabring Florida 33870. 51 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:34,080 The Children's Advocacy Center, along with the State's Attorney's Office, will hold a protect 52 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:40,720 your children from sex offenders, free community training. From 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, September 26, 53 00:07:41,340 --> 00:07:48,420 2026, and the Children's Advocacy Center, large conference room, 1, 9, 6, 8, Seabring Parkway, 54 00:07:48,840 --> 00:07:55,200 Seabring Florida, 3, 3, 8, 7, 0. For more information on that training, please contact the CAC 55 00:07:55,200 --> 00:08:05,300 at area code 863402-6860. The Natural Resources Advisory Commission will hold a regular meeting 56 00:08:05,300 --> 00:08:11,760 at 4 o'clock PM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in the Rodenbridge Conference Room. 57 00:08:12,420 --> 00:08:19,900 Number 1, 434, 4 George Boulevard, Seabring Florida, 33875. And finally, one edition 58 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:27,880 In HRTPO, we'll have their meeting this Wednesday, September 16th at 10 o'clock AM at the 59 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:30,120 late-class government center in Lake Plasson. 60 00:08:30,460 --> 00:08:31,640 That's all for the announcements. 61 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:32,560 Very good. 62 00:08:32,580 --> 00:08:35,300 Thank you very much, commissioners, any other announcements on your side. 63 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:40,400 Anything from click, any other constitutionals, have any announcements? 64 00:08:42,740 --> 00:08:42,960 All right. 65 00:08:43,140 --> 00:08:47,580 We'll move on to recognitions, presentations, and proclamations, we'll have a few of those 66 00:08:47,580 --> 00:08:54,540 as well. We will start off with Mr. Huna and she makes her way down to the podium for this portion. 67 00:09:02,980 --> 00:09:07,960 Good morning, Commissioner. Thank you for always allowing us to recognize employees who work very 68 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:13,540 hard for you and for Highlands County. The employee of the court is time for the employee of the 69 00:09:13,540 --> 00:09:19,720 court. So I'm very happy to announce the employee for this courter is Dustin Fitch, deputy fire chief. 70 00:09:20,380 --> 00:09:37,300 She fits, can you, where is he, did he, he likes all of this attention, so we're going to spend the next hour like Commissioner Elwell said, speaking about him, so if I may, I'd like to read this, the person that nominated, 71 00:09:37,300 --> 00:09:41,420 They did recommended Dustin for this position before it was voted on did a great job. 72 00:09:41,980 --> 00:09:46,840 So if you'll allow me, I'm pleased to nominate Chief Dustin Fitch for employee of the second 73 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,280 quarter of 2026. 74 00:09:48,980 --> 00:09:53,560 In recognition of his exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to Highlands County 75 00:09:53,560 --> 00:09:54,320 Fire Rescue. 76 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:59,680 During this temporary absence of the fire chief, Chief Fitch was directed to assume the 77 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:01,960 roles and responsibilities of fire chief. 78 00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:07,260 He accepted this responsibility without hesitation and immediately demonstrated the leadership 79 00:10:07,260 --> 00:10:12,480 professionalism and sound judgment necessary to successfully fulfill the role. 80 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:21,540 Chief Fitch not only maintain normal daily operations, but also excelled in addressing some of the department's most challenging and high acuity issues. 81 00:10:22,340 --> 00:10:27,300 His ability to analyze complex situations, make timely and informed decisions, 82 00:10:27,940 --> 00:10:34,540 and effectively solve problems provided stability and continuity for the organization during a very demanding time. 83 00:10:34,540 --> 00:10:45,680 His willingness to consistently go above and beyond, support his fellow employees, and place the needs of the organization and community first, made him the obvious choice for this responsibility. 84 00:10:46,460 --> 00:10:53,180 Chief Fitch's performance exceeded expectations, and demonstrated his exceptional dedication to Highlands County Fire Rescue. 85 00:10:53,920 --> 00:11:03,240 Chief Dustin Fitch exemplifies the leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and commitment, to excellence deserving of employee of the second quarter, 2026. 86 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:06,540 So with that, she fits. 87 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,660 Would you like to, oh, we'll take our picks for first. 88 00:11:23,420 --> 00:11:24,460 Anything you like to say? 89 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:29,320 I love public speaking. 90 00:11:30,460 --> 00:11:40,000 No, it was this year in Fire Rescue, we've had quite a bit of challenges, and we learned a lot. 91 00:11:41,940 --> 00:11:48,920 And I'm glad that I was part of the team to keep moving us forward and getting us to the new direction. 92 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,160 And obviously I couldn't do it. 93 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:56,960 All these guys out in the audience, guys in girls I should say. 94 00:11:57,460 --> 00:11:59,960 Out in the audience are the ones who are the boots on the ground. 95 00:12:00,340 --> 00:12:05,320 I'm the guy that hides in the room with no windows with camouflage, 96 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:15,520 and they call me the Keyboard Mando, so that's what I do, and without all of these ladies and gentlemen, 97 00:12:15,980 --> 00:12:23,600 we wouldn't be making fire rescue work, so I'm just the big mouth in the department, so thank you. 98 00:12:23,900 --> 00:12:26,280 That's an if we could get your family, can we get a picture? 99 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:30,600 Yeah, we'll do the picture. Isn't there a slide show, those start with pictures of who is the child? 100 00:12:31,220 --> 00:12:35,540 Well, they came in a little weight past the agenda deadline. So we had to wait 101 00:13:54,860 --> 00:13:58,740 This is good, yeah, we don't need to read that one. 102 00:13:58,880 --> 00:13:59,800 No, not for this one. 103 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:28,520 I don't think you should do the front row, it seems like a hard way to do that. 104 00:14:50,520 --> 00:14:55,840 It must be a good day in Highlands County, we made it through an entire presentation with no tones, so that's a good idea. 105 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:56,880 It's awesome, pretty great. 106 00:14:58,160 --> 00:14:59,980 I don't worry, we're just having a fun way to do it. 107 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:05,360 They're basically from $5, you can get a picture with Dustin outside in the hallway. 108 00:15:07,380 --> 00:15:08,700 Now I'd like to turn it over. 109 00:15:09,580 --> 00:15:10,280 Yes, there you go. 110 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:15,920 I'd like to turn it over to J.D. Lankford for the employees' years of service. 111 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:23,760 All righty, thank you, Lori. And thank you, commissioners, try to piggyback off what Lori said for letting us do this. 112 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,020 This is certainly a pleasure for us to be able to do this. 113 00:15:27,020 --> 00:15:33,560 And today we have four different say candidates, but four people that have been here three 114 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:37,520 multiple for five years and one actually here for 20. 115 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:43,280 So the way we normally do this is have the director come down, so I'll ask Chief Duke and 116 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:44,360 dollar to come down. 117 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:48,920 This individual unfortunately couldn't be here today, however we still wanted to recognize 118 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:49,340 him. 119 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:51,320 So I'll ask Chief to say a couple words. 120 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,160 Good morning, Commissioner Kelly, Duke and dollar for the record. 121 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:07,520 Yeah, unfortunately Carlos never ready was pulled away on a family emergency so if you get an opportunity to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. 122 00:16:08,900 --> 00:16:15,240 Carlos's, again, is career with H.C. F.R. August 23rd, 2022 as a firefighter paramedic. 123 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:21,660 So joining our organization is consistently demonstrated the qualities that define a great 124 00:16:21,660 --> 00:16:23,300 firefighter paramedic. 125 00:16:24,100 --> 00:16:32,460 Competence, compassion, courage, accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to serving 126 00:16:32,460 --> 00:16:33,080 others. 127 00:16:33,580 --> 00:16:35,940 Just want to run right back over at that one more time. 128 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:42,720 Competence, compassion, courage, accountability, teamwork, and a commitment to serving 129 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:43,480 with others. 130 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:49,120 Carlos understands that being a firefighter paramedic is more than responding to emergencies. 131 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:54,940 It's about remaining calm under pressure, taking care of people on their worst days, 132 00:16:55,320 --> 00:17:00,700 supporting your crew maintaining high professional standards and continually striving 133 00:17:00,700 --> 00:17:02,740 to better himself at his craft. 134 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:11,000 Today Carlos serves HTFR as a field trainer, where he has the opportunity to pass on his 135 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:16,700 knowledge, experience, expectations to the next generation of firefighter and 136 00:17:16,700 --> 00:17:23,080 paramedics. So in his absence, congratulations, Carlos, five years 137 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:28,080 commitment, professionalism, and service to Collins County Fire Rescue in the 138 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,500 city of the citizens that we're honored to serve. 139 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:42,060 Thank you Chief, and then so 140 00:17:42,060 --> 00:17:46,140 that the next two that will have come up, actually next three, all are under 141 00:17:46,140 --> 00:17:50,020 ridden bridge, but I'll have Jonathan Harrison come up and say a few words about 142 00:17:50,020 --> 00:17:51,120 the next individual. 143 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:03,980 Good morning. First one I would like to come up with Michael. He can come up. 144 00:18:08,060 --> 00:18:12,740 He's coming up. I'll read the short bio. Michael was hired by the Board of County Commissioners 145 00:18:12,740 --> 00:18:20,460 and September of 2021 as a maintenance worker and that's the role that he continues to serve today. 146 00:18:20,820 --> 00:18:28,360 He works in unit one and avon part. Usually I'm up here speaking from employees that I've worked with 147 00:18:28,360 --> 00:18:34,540 in the past, you know, during my tenure here, but he's been, he's been employed since, since 148 00:18:34,540 --> 00:18:37,440 I've been director, so I've had the pleasure to work with him, kind of in the field 149 00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:43,120 on projects, but as I visit the units, and some of their activities is always a pleasure 150 00:18:43,120 --> 00:18:43,800 to me. 151 00:18:43,820 --> 00:18:45,460 He always has a smile on his face. 152 00:18:46,060 --> 00:18:50,680 He always says, good morning, calls my name to appreciate, appreciate his good conduct, appreciate 153 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:54,540 his work effort, some for Regan Bridge, and everything he does for the county. 154 00:18:54,700 --> 00:18:55,420 So thank you. 155 00:19:08,410 --> 00:19:13,350 The next one that I have for five years of service is Ryan Setters. 156 00:19:13,590 --> 00:19:14,430 Speaking of come up, 157 00:19:21,010 --> 00:19:24,290 Brian was hired by the Board of County Commissioners in July of 21. 158 00:19:25,370 --> 00:19:31,270 And he serves the county still in that role as an equipment operator one truck driver. 159 00:19:31,950 --> 00:19:35,570 Ryan's the same way. He's always jolly. Always got a smile. 160 00:19:36,210 --> 00:19:37,630 Always got a good attitude. 161 00:19:37,630 --> 00:19:42,850 and I'm to get usually like once a quarter, once every couple months, I try to visit the units 162 00:19:42,850 --> 00:19:50,470 in the morning around 6, 6, 30 when they come in and use it without fail when I walk in. 163 00:19:50,670 --> 00:19:52,950 They're always picking on this guy for some reason. 164 00:19:53,630 --> 00:19:58,110 And I don't know, man, I try to defend him, usually even when I show up, but he's just 165 00:19:58,110 --> 00:19:58,490 a target. 166 00:19:59,170 --> 00:20:03,230 And I don't even, I think it just rolls right off of him, he just sets their smiles and laughs. 167 00:20:03,230 --> 00:20:08,870 don't matter, I think they call him the team hooking, he finds all kinds of stuff and gets 168 00:20:08,870 --> 00:20:10,730 in gadgets and tries them out. 169 00:20:10,990 --> 00:20:13,610 I think when the other guys want to try something but they don't want to spend their 170 00:20:13,610 --> 00:20:16,510 own money, they tell him he buys it, tries it out, gives them a review. 171 00:20:17,010 --> 00:20:22,990 He's very supportive of his co-workers, appreciate all his hard work, appreciate his employment 172 00:20:22,990 --> 00:20:25,690 here with the county and thank him for everything he does. 173 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:46,420 Oh yeah, Michael, you got, you bowed God out of it, I caught you, you got to, now you 174 00:20:46,420 --> 00:20:50,480 stand for about a minute and a half longer than these guys because you got to go sit down. 175 00:20:50,940 --> 00:20:53,800 Come up here and stand in the front so we can all look at you. 176 00:20:56,080 --> 00:21:00,020 Last one I have is 20 years of service Carlos Serena. 177 00:21:03,250 --> 00:21:11,310 Carlos was hired by the board Angie live 2006 as an equipment operator one in December of 2010. 178 00:21:11,310 --> 00:21:19,470 He was promoted to equipment operator 2, and Carlos was promoted to finish operator greater 179 00:21:19,470 --> 00:21:27,070 and March of 2019, so he holds the finish operator a position again, works with Michael 180 00:21:27,070 --> 00:21:32,810 and Avon Park in Unit 1, also the past several years he has been the assistant supervisor 181 00:21:32,810 --> 00:21:40,230 and Avon Park, so he feels in when James is out and takes on that management role. 182 00:21:40,230 --> 00:21:43,150 He's been here a lot of while I've been here. 183 00:21:43,270 --> 00:21:45,850 We was just talking, I've been here right around 18 years. 184 00:21:45,990 --> 00:21:47,230 He was here a couple of years. 185 00:21:47,610 --> 00:21:52,990 Before me, the first memory I have at Carlos's got hired on a Thursday. 186 00:21:54,050 --> 00:21:54,510 So it was great. 187 00:21:54,710 --> 00:21:57,550 You work one day and went home, got hired on a Thursday, 188 00:21:58,290 --> 00:22:00,770 and they sent me straight to Fred Wild Elementary 189 00:22:00,770 --> 00:22:03,030 because Parkway Phase 2 was going on. 190 00:22:03,210 --> 00:22:05,410 So I think that's actually where I seen Carlos. 191 00:22:05,570 --> 00:22:07,510 Some probably sometime that first day. 192 00:22:07,510 --> 00:22:15,610 him and three more Mr. Henry High was the manager at that time of construction manager and Carlos was 193 00:22:15,610 --> 00:22:21,670 paramount on the Parkway Phase 2. So he worked there, was a started kind of when you got hired or 194 00:22:21,670 --> 00:22:26,330 here in that process and worked there to the duration all the way to the end. That was his only 195 00:22:26,330 --> 00:22:29,970 reporting place of duty so he was up one in and down the parkway. 196 00:37:58,690 --> 00:37:59,170 Thank you for joining us. 197 01:07:39,300 --> 01:07:41,540 Public commission? 198 01:37:34,400 --> 01:37:35,340 Thank you for your attention. 199 01:52:42,880 --> 01:52:44,040 Thank you for joining us. 200 01:53:43,650 --> 01:53:45,670 Thank you for joining us.