[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6586330,"mediaKeyId","5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01","parentId",5534695,"title","Residents push for Sanderson Community Center repairs; commissioners ask staff for budget amendment numbers","audioSeconds",706,"startMs",1274000,"endMs",1980000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01&start=1274&end=1980","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01/thumbnail_1274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586330/Baker-County/Florida/Residents-push-for-Sanderson-Community-Center-repairs-commissioners-ask-staff-for-budget-amendment-numbers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586330-2750db973cdb894c50e55d3e50562c5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830112&Signature=NXJIsFDqajz7zW2ixNFoIzLzN-0XGnRzfhiw1~TQKmUy7Pr2Wu61RLILv1nO2gbN92mYuHBM3n6wDZI2Q4WeH934fq2lGS1pEGfCHGd-CY88GATpQoEB9ybtcSCTwcK1tNXfLJACMIEfK661Dq4mzG0Mecqkw9phjZd~Y5gzQJaW4lQPdnIjVxng5hEAcc~bZmCawQzp34Tcp2n2Y87JWKRnN2PfYWyIgUMzcOCKyp2h-pjFDEZCpWs8Au9m9MCWt7KwVM5BukYmpYtNKlS3IwrY2EAwUoC2tgN8S1-VT5doRq0a3hXbCPYmcpqq1LKiih67POhlO1lCzr3SFXmZCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baker County","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","Doug Moore, a Glen St. Mary resident, told the Baker County board on Aug. 12 he has been organizing a small local effort to repair and reactivate the Sanderson Community Center, which serves as a voting precinct and community meeting place. Moore said building plans and an architect’s review are complete and that several local contractors and donors have pledged support; he estimated about $50,000 would allow the community to replace windows and doors, repair the bathrooms (which require a lift station or accessible addition) and make the facility usable.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners and staff said the county does not currently have $50,000 available in the current fiscal year without a budget amendment. Staff advised Moore that the project could be included in the upcoming budget workshops (funds available Oct. 1) or be advanced immediately only if the board authorized a budget amendment funded from reserves. Several commissioners urged moving quickly to take advantage of volunteer availability and donated materials; the board directed staff to prepare a firm itemized estimate for the repairs and bring a recommended budget amendment or a funding plan to the next meeting so the commission could decide whether to fund the work now or include it in the next fiscal year.

Why it matters: The center serves residents in a part of the county with few gathering places and also functions as a voting precinct; the building is in disrepair, lacks an ADA‑accessible restroom and had an emergency cost (a new well) taken from the center’s limited funding. Restoring the facility would preserve a community asset used for meetings, voter precinct operations and health/clinic events, but the county must decide how to allocate limited capital and reserve funds.

Provenance: public comment begins at roughly s=1274 in the meeting transcript (Doug Moore).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","8/5/2025 Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting & Public hearing","oneSentenceSummary","A neighbor-led effort to restore the Sanderson Community Center and make it ADA-compliant drew public comment. The board asked staff to return with firm estimates and a possible budget amendment at the next meeting.","taxTitle","Baker County, Florida","taxId",71807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586335,"Commissioner seeks new local EMS medical director; Dr. Grant Barker presents credentials, board asks for contract draft and resume",987,9213000,10200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01&start=9213&end=10200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01/thumbnail_9213000.jpg","/articles/6586335/Baker-County/Florida/Commissioner-seeks-new-local-EMS-medical-director-Dr-Grant-Barker-presents-credentials-board-asks-for-contract-draft-and-resume","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586335-fdd32d33cec01dec570af06bcf7ec96b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830112&Signature=lmn2xeo4Ca1YQKthWkRdBX2~dmCGB7oq6~HkdxvKnW5iT2y4ezl4GKVTfayP81WDTQhjeucA5mWdU1sRBZkDUBeV13s6ZiumK80eHMCUq0zeN1K7aSm3w00O2I9igtDrNsLuN7B8brJazPRwiCEkb~bBm9iTh7oiEJ7FqoIl1He8ouIopR0aY9P9RUUThJKgBKE901CdArU23cc7uiPQbPQU82q1FFCM5xnHbwc1Z8D7PpS69mgP0DUt6xkGECKsK1BOEc0acgJ8DebrUUxiQvONqREQdIqRT1nS6k-m-Zc8uuGx~MxQrFmz6q2LEZqqYPtcGpqRr~kgjezH~MEsKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Dodd Bennett told the board Aug. 12 he wants a local emergency‑medical services medical director for Baker County and proposed Dr. Grant Barker, an emergency physician who already works at Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital and provides local clinical oversight.

Bennett said the county’s current medical director visits infrequently and that a local director could provide more direct oversight, increased field training, and closer protocol development and quality assurance with Baker County Fire & Rescue. He asked staff to prepare a proposed contract and return to the board at the next meeting with Dr. Barker’s resume and a draft agreement so a transition could be completed by Oct. 1 if the board approves.

Dr. Grant Barker introduced his background: board‑certified emergency physician, University of Florida graduate training, emergency residency in Jacksonville, clinical practice at Ed Fraser, experience as a medical director for other EMS services and as an air medical medical director, and co‑ownership of an ambulance service in Georgia (Dr. Barker stated his Georgia service is not licensed in Florida). He described his duties (developing protocols, quality assurance, credentialing oversight, required direct contact time with field providers) and explained that Florida statute guidance for EMS medical directors is found in the state administrative code (meeting discussion referenced “64J”). He also discussed federal legal limits that prevent a medical director from directing hospital transfer destinations or engaging in improper referral incentives.

Hospital staff spoke in support: Erin Maxley, chief nursing officer, and Cheryl Kennedy, ED nurse manager, told the board Dr. Barker regularly engages with staff, provides clinical oversight and training, and has a local presence that they praised. The board requested a resume and asked staff to draft a contract specifying expectations (quarterly reporting, minimum field contact and training commitments, and clear administrative duties) and to return the draft for board review.

Compensation and contract specifics discussed: Commissioner Bennett said the current long‑standing director arrangement effectively costs the county about $30,000–$36,000 when insurance and retirement are included. Bennett proposed a straight contract price of $36,000 for the full local medical director role; board members asked staff to collect comparable contracts and to include required state standards (for example the minimum direct contact hours) in the draft.

Next steps: staff to prepare a written contract with duties and reporting expectations, receive and circulate Dr. Barker’s CV/resume to the board, and return the draft for formal board action at the next meeting. The board did not take a final vote at this meeting; commissioners asked for the formal materials and asked staff to include comparable market information on compensation.","Commissioner Bennett said Baker County should replace its remote medical director with a local, hands‑on physician. Dr. Grant Barker of Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital introduced himself; the board asked staff to prepare a contract and requested Barker’s resume and a draft agreement for the next meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586340,"Board advances Hurricane Debbie repair contracts but presses for funding assurances and termination clauses",418,7922000,8340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01&start=7922&end=8340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01/thumbnail_7922000.jpg","/articles/6586340/Baker-County/Florida/Board-advances-Hurricane-Debbie-repair-contracts-but-presses-for-funding-assurances-and-termination-clauses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586340-faa0bd2abf1296073ee4258de2f46e93/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830112&Signature=S~dkNfAr-T84U7mI~HBLVypvo-NB1AnEkwYDDT35LIjpLTWYhHuuSO8ry2RFLemOg19qm3Vozr9wOITG92~r7JCQbsnjY5oBGpUHDfFjhbpasTuXlpd7cBQ5pTDyRWvplCkUEOpD3m8s8ZoKg3jANkb-wdp61ntvSzR7xy1dDFC-ELGsoylWxaOKAVZGcWg2iAtHRuf1udtQ4FIjbf6aleouXCsQkJBt9dicfVXOQNMb5X5kSTuDligsA2T2EheFRw7rhM28kH-BNcZxiavPwrxSJSbjDXt~MlS3Gvet5EQAUYTrvyIyuFwew7OVhOo2k2f7JlueckzlznZic~GEdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baker County Board voted on Aug. 12 to award three procurement packages tied to repairs stemming from Hurricane Debbie (FEMA disaster 4806) while making clear the awards do not obligate the county to begin work until funding is verified.

What passed: evaluation panels ranked and the board approved awards to JD Henson Company for a box‑culvert repair on County Road 23A, JB Coxwell Contracting for work on Steelbridge Road, and Gulf Coast Underground for the Turner Cemetery bridge repair. Staff presented the contractor scopes and budget figures to the board and said the numbers must be uploaded to FEMA so the agency can replace estimate figures with contract amounts.

Board direction and conditions: commissioners required the procurement contracts be amended to include termination/notice‑for‑convenience clauses and specifically directed staff not to issue any notice to proceed until a clear funding path is in place (FEMA validation, FDOT supplemental funds, and any required county match). Commissioners emphasized the county will need to secure short‑term cash flow (loans or other mechanisms) if FEMA reimbursement timing or waiver approvals delay payments.

Money on the table: staff presented a range of contract numbers: JD Henson’s repair estimate was $1,073,536 (preexisting damage) with a mitigation option at $1,125,000; JB Coxwell’s Steelbridge estimate presented to the board was roughly $1,997,439; and the Turner Cemetery bridge estimate was approximately $827,570. Staff noted FEMA has preliminarily identified roughly $158,000 for mitigation on one project but repeatedly warned county share exposure remains until FEMA and state match waiver decisions are finalized.

Why the board insisted on contract amendments: commissioners said they would not approve entering work that could obligate the county to hundreds of thousands of dollars without a termination pathway or a commitment from funding partners. The board also required staff to return with explicit funding options before issuing any notice to proceed to a contractor.

Staff and emergency management update: emergency management staff said FEMA had set deadlines to replace estimate numbers with contract amounts (mid‑August deadlines discussed in the meeting). Staff is working with FDOT and with FEMA on a match waiver; FDOT has already provided a $500,000 supplemental grant for a nearby culvert project (Resolution 2025‑10). Emergency management advised the board that upload of contracts into FEMA’s portal is the next required step to move from estimates to reimbursable contract amounts.

Provenance: discussion and awards recorded beginning with RFP 2025‑06 presentation (transcript approximately s=7922 onward), and contract negotiations and board direction recorded through the RFP/contract agenda items later in the meeting.","Commissioners approved awards to three contractors for storm‑damage repairs but required contract language changes and warned no notice‑to‑proceed will be issued until funding is clarified.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6586345,"Baker County commissioners approve zoning, contracts and funding items; several FEMA-related awards advanced",7084,1196000,8280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01&start=1196&end=8280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534695-07662dd736908e6baa335a36aa39aa01/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","/articles/6586345/Baker-County/Florida/Baker-County-commissioners-approve-zoning-contracts-and-funding-items-several-FEMA-related-awards-advanced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586345-624be2421ecc549fe86446a7dce7c266/orig.mp4?Expires=1770830112&Signature=myBzsgC5fVDT95X~pz2mave2xY7A8-gZkq2Dx6utUWMdgQDVoRE4Pg3N8-yytp1NNfFlhsfBqLnAMeYIl5kMKPbMUGo~LzypFfZw42FKI2e~Zxab7XeykLVqjLKrXEUzq9Gn23to2OGVbn6vcbgLzevBph3m2qfoP6xy5J5D6WiEDiCD858qhNnQjA5Po6J9MTf2hdF9L2BxJvBMKn~hWm2OUpi16IM73CxG3KYaturrfy~qcz1e7CeXVO9xT0szkWPuIlJA4UXj9sx5FTtVXuWPRVs25lCZrbH9vAQ56doNoXPalSEPzkmPFJk7O9dWvnS1Oc0Veq6pCt~V7fFAKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Baker County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 12 approved several land‑use and zoning ordinances, multiple construction contract awards tied to Hurricane Debbie (FEMA disaster 4806) responses, a $500,000 supplemental FDOT funding agreement for a County Road 125 culvert repair and routine consent items. The board denied a variance request for reduced parking at a proposed retail site and deferred a software license decision to allow staff additional time to gather vendor comparisons.

Why it matters: The votes set land use and zoning for parcels near state and county roads, advanced three FEMA repair projects into contract procurement and added state funding for a culvert repair the county must complete before the hurricane‑related agreements can be finalized. Several contract approvals proceed while staff and commissioners continue to seek clarity about county match exposure if FEMA or other sources do not cover full costs.

Key outcomes (motions read by title and acted on at the meeting):
- Resolution 2025‑O9 (tax roll dual certification/extension for VAB processing) — Motion to approve carried. Staff read the resolution, which referenced “sections 1 97 3 23 and 1 93 1 22” as read into the record by staff. (Moved/seconded on the record; vote: motion carries.)
- Ordinance 2025‑23 (small‑scale comp plan amendment, Claudette Crawford, ~7.55 acres VLD → Commercial) — Approved after second reading. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Ordinance 2025‑24 (rezoning companion to 2025‑23: R‑RC1 → Commercial Highway for same ~7.55 acres) — Approved. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Ordinance 2025‑28 (rezoning ~20.14 acres owned by Grace White, AG‑7.5 → AG‑5) — Approved. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Variance request for reduced parking (Jones/Dollar General site): Board voted to deny the variance (motion to deny approved). Staff and the planning consultant noted the site can accommodate the county standard (54 spaces) and that denial means the developer will revert to the full‑parking site plan and proceed without a variance. (Motion to deny/second; motion carries.)
- Ordinance 2025‑21 and 2025‑22 (Travis and Amy Horn property, ~7.33 acres: ag‑b → commercial and rezoning AG‑7.5 → Commercial Highway) — Approved; staff and the planning department indicated RV storage would be permitted by special exception once zoning is complete; the board asked staff to waive duplicate fees for that follow‑on special‑use application. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Approval: Mingra Field concession roof — Contract awarded to America’s Best Roofing & Construction for $10,450 (lowest responsive quote). (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Resolution 2025‑10 — supplemental funding agreement with FDOT (FP number 439675‑1‑54‑01) adding $500,000 to the existing County Road 125 widening/resurfacing project to address a box culvert at Kirkland Branch — Approved. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Fiscal year 2025‑26 health benefits renewal (Florida Blue through the Employee Benefit Trust) — Board approved the renewal despite a reported 17% premium increase; insurance committee and staff recommended continuing with Florida Blue. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- RFQ/RFP awards tied to Hurricane Debbie repairs (these advanced after staff review of proposals and ranking panels):
• RFQ/RFP 2025‑06 (County Road 23A box culvert) — JD Henson Company recommended and award approved; board required contract language amendments (termination/notice provisions) before final execution and directed staff to ensure no notice to proceed is issued until funding sources are secured. Contract values presented to the board included $1,073,536 (repair to preexisting conditions) and $1,125,000 (repair with mitigation option); staff noted FEMA/mitigation amounts remain subject to validation and a match waiver. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries with amendment direction.)
• RFQ/RFP 2025‑10 (Steelbridge/SteeL Bridal Road repair) — JB Coxwell Contracting recommended and award approved; board directed contract language amendments similar to the Henson item. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
• RFQ/RFP 2025‑11 (Turner Cemetery Bridge) — Gulf Coast Underground recommended and award approved. (Motion/second; aye; motion carries.)
- Contract approvals for the above RFPs were advanced on the agenda with board direction to include termination/notice clauses and explicit language that no notice to proceed will be issued until funding is verified and/or the board has authorized the funding path.
- License renewal for virtual infrastructure (VMware) — After staff presentation that an unexpected vendor price increase raised the annual renewal from roughly $6,100 to $26,000, the board voted to table the matter to allow staff time to collect competitive quotes and cost‑comparison data before deciding on a one‑ or three‑year renewal. (Motion to table/second; motion carries.)

What the board did not vote on tonight: a change in medical director (Commissioner Bennett asked staff to prepare a proposed contract and to return to the board with a candidate resume and draft contract language at the next meeting), and a requested county funding amount for Sanderson Community Center repairs (staff was directed to return with a firm budget amendment proposal).

Speakers recorded in the meeting minutes and on motions: county staff read titles and resolutions (staff member “Sarah” read several items), the chairman presided, commissioners moved/seconded items on the record, and staff and applicants provided brief project summaries. The clerk recorded motions as “motion carries” rather than roll‑call tallies for most votes.

Next steps: for the FEMA projects staff will finalize contractor contracts with the termination/notice language the board required, submit final contract numbers and scopes to FEMA, and continue work to obtain state match waivers or identify county funding paths before issuing notices to proceed. Staff will return with budget amendment requests or additional contract language as requested by the board.

Provenance: transcript passages for the motions and readings begin with staff reading Resolution 2025‑O9 (transcript around s=1196) and continue through the RFP award discussions for the FEMA projects (transcript sections beginning s≈7922 onward).","At its Aug. meeting the Baker County Board approved a package of zoning changes, contract awards tied to Hurricane Debbie repairs, a FDOT supplemental grant and several routine items. The board also denied a requested parking variance for a proposed Dollar General and tabled a software license question.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents push for Sanderson Community Center repairs; commissioners ask staff for budget amendment numbers

Commissioner seeks new local EMS medical director; Dr. Grant Barker presents credentials, board asks for contract draft and resume

Board advances Hurricane Debbie repair contracts but presses for funding assurances and termination clauses

Baker County commissioners approve zoning, contracts and funding items; several FEMA-related awards advanced