Gilchrist County 10.05.26 BOCC Meeting

The Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners meeting, held October 5, 2026, included several spending, contracting, and capital-project actions. The board approved an $84,120 final invoice to Saltwater Builders for the grant-funded Hart Springs boat ramp and boardwalk project, with discussion of erosion repairs, possible remaining Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant funds, and approximately $40,000 in retainage on the roughly $400,000 contract. The board also approved soliciting bids to replace the roofs on the Building Department and Weeks Building. It approved the proposed 24-hours-on/72-hours-off Fire Rescue shift schedule, contingent on staffing and overtime controls, monthly reporting, a written overtime policy, and a one-year review; the discussion described potential overtime savings and increased part-time rates. The chief reported that a previously ordered ambulance was scheduled to be ready October 28.

For solid waste, the board voted not to extend the option to purchase the Gilchrist Way property, then approved moving forward with a new transfer facility at the existing site behind animal control rather than commissioning a proposed $55,000 countywide site-selection study. The board also directed staff to develop measures to reduce household-garbage traffic at that location and consider another drop-off site and expanded hours at existing sites. The discussion referenced approximately $4 million in state grant funding and county funding as part of the project. The board ratified health department and insurance-related documents; the clerk reported that the insurance changeover saved about $300,000. Other actions included approval of the health department’s annual contract and revised fee schedule, and a proclamation recognizing National 4-H Week. The board passed an ordinance establishing 30 mph speed limits on listed county roads.