♪ [MUSIC] ♪ [APPLAUSE] >> Christine Cox: GOOD EVENING I AM CHRISTINA COX DIRECTOR OF THE VILLAGE SQUARE.

I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO OUR 14TH ANNUAL TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL.

WE ARE PLEASED TO COLLABORATE WITH WFSU, LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL WAYS THE COMMUNITY CAN ENJOY THE PROGRAM THIS EVENING.

WE ARE STREAMING LIVE AT WFSU .ORG/LIVE, FACEBOOK LIVE AT WFSU MEDIA.

89.9 FM WILL BROADCAST TONIGHT ONE HOUR PROGRAM ON FRIDAY, MAY 15 AT 7:00 PM.

THE PROGRAM WILL BE TELEVISED ON WFSU T.V.

ON THURSDAY, MAY 14 AT 9:00 PM.

AND FINALLY THE PROGRAM RECORDING WILL REMAIN ONLINE FOREVER AT TLH.VILLAGESQUARE.US .

IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL FOR THE EVENING AS THEY ARE SEATED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT.

CAROLYN CUMMINGS, COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHO HOLDS ONE OF THE AT-LARGE SEATS.

NICK MADDOX, COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHO HOLDS THE OTHER AT-LARGE SEATS.

RICK MINOR, COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 3.

DAVID O'KEEFE, LEON COUNTIES COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 5.

JEREMY MATLOW, CITY COMMISSIONER FOR SEAT THREE.

JACK PORTER, CITY COMMISSIONER FOR SEAT ONE.

AND HOPEFULLY EVENTUALLY DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX, CITY COMMISSIONER FOR SEAT FIVE IS HOPING TO JOIN US DIRECTLY FROM ANOTHER CITY SPONSORED EVENTS.

AND NOW A FINAL IMPORTANT WORD ABOUT THE TONE AND FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVENING.

THE VILLAGE SQUARE IS NOW 19 OLD MISSION IS TO BUILD CIVIC TRUST BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO DON'T LOOK OR THINK ALIKE IN AMERICAN HOMETOWNS.

WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT BROAD ISSUES, BIG THINKING.

ALL VILLAGE SQUARE PROGRAMS A FORUM FOR CIVIL CONVERSATIONS.

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS ARE ACCEPTED DURING THE DESIGNATED Q&A PORTION OF THE PROGRAM VIA WRITTEN SUBMISSION ONLY.

PENS AND PAPER ARE PROVIDED FOR THIS PURPOSE FOR OUR IN HOUSE AUDIENCE.

THE LIVES AND PARTICIPANTS ARE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS VIA THE Q&A TWO.

OUR MODERATOR WILL DO HIS BEST TO GET THROUGH AS MANY QUESTIONS THROUGH THE EVENING.

SPEAKING OF AT THIS TIME IT IS MY TRUE PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE OUR MODERATOR WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA PUBLIC DIRECTOR FOR NEWS, TOM FLANIGAN.

TAKE IT AWAY, TOM.

>> Tom Flanigan: FOLKS, IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE AND THANK YOU TO OUR COMMISSIONERS.

WE APPRECIATE THE INTRODUCTION, CHRISTINE.

WE WILL TRY TO SLOG THROUGH THIS AS BEST AS WE CAN.

PLEASE BEARING A LITTLE BIT OF INDULGENCE FROM YOU FOLKS HERE AND YOU PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING.

A LITTLE BIT OF DENTAL SURGERY THIS AFTERNOON.

I AM BRIDGE LIST AS WE SPEAK.

SINCE WE HAVE CITY AND COUNTY FOLKS HERE TONIGHT, LET'S START OFF WITH A CITY COUNTY QUESTION.

SOME OF YOU PEOPLE MAY REMEMBER THE BAD OLD DAYS WHEN CITY AND COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND TALLAHASSEE, LEON COUNTY WHERE LITERALLY AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS.

THE LAWSUIT WERE FLYING FAST AND FURIOUS AND THEN EVERYTHING SETTLED DOWN.

COME BY ARE PREVAILED AND EVERYONE GOT ALONG GREAT.

HOWEVER, IT COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL WILL GIVE LEON COUNTY PREEMPTION OVER TALLAHASSEE LAWS.

MUSCLE QUESTION IS THIS, DO YOU THINK THIS IS WISE AND HOW WOULD YOU ENSURE CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE EQUALLY REPRESENTED?

LET'S DIFFER TO THE HEAD PERSON HERE AT THE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR THE MOMENT, CAROLYN CUMMINGS.

AND THEN WILL GET THE VIEWPOINT FROM THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Carolyn Cummings: THANK YOU MR.

TOM FLANIGAN.

THANK YOU WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA, CHRISTINA COX FOR HOSTING THIS SESSION.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TO SHARE OUR IDEAS WITH THE AUDIENCE AND WITH THE PEOPLE ONLINE.

I BELIEVE OVER THE YEARS AND EVEN NOW THE CITY AND THE COUNTY HAVE ENDURED A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES RIGHT NOW SORT OF PLACED US IN A PLACE AGAINST EACH OTHER.

THERE WAS THE ISSUE OF FIRE SERVICES.

I THINK WE ARE WORKING ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE.

BUT I BELIEVE WE HAVE DONE THE CORRECT THING IN PUTTING THAT ISSUE TO THE CITIZENS, TO THE PUBLIC.

WE ARE ASKING THE CITIZENS, WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE?

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?

AND OF COURSE WE WILL BE GUIDED BY THAT STRAW BALLOT.

IT IS NOT THE SITUATION IN MY OPINION THE COUNTY IS THRUSTING SOMETHING DOWN THE THROAT OF CITIZENS AND SAYING IT IS OUR WAY OR NO WAY.

WE ARE SAYING YOU ARE THE CITIZENS, YOU LIVE HERE, YOU MAKE A DETERMINATION BY THE STRAW BALLOT.

ONCE THE STRAW BALLOT, I'M SORRY ONCE THE STRAW BALLOT IS CALCULATED THEN I THINK BOTH GOVERNMENTS WILL MOVE FROM THERE.

AT LEAST WE HAVE THE BLESSING OF THE PUBLIC.

>> Tom Flanigan: DO YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE A COMMENT ON WHAT YOU ARTICULATED?

>> David Obeefe: THANK YOU, TOM.

IT IS LIKELY CONTRARY IN.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE SUMMARY.

THE WAY I SEE THIS OUR COUNTY CHARTER IS A CONSTITUTIONAL DOCUMENT.

IT IS NOT MEANT TO BE CHANGED BASED ON CURRENT DIFFICULTIES A SNAPSHOT IN TIME.

IT IS MEANT TO BE LOOKING FOR GENERATIONAL ISSUES AND CHANGE.

I THINK CURRENTLY, OUR DISAGREEMENTS COME FROM A SHORT-TERM COLLECTION OF PERSONALITIES.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE WORKING ON CHANGING THE STRUCTURE OF OUR GOVERNMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT YET RESOLVED OR THE VOTERS HAVE NOT YET RESOLVED GETTING OUT PERSONALITIES OR GETTING IN PERSONALITIES THAT WILL WORK TOGETHER COLLECTIVELY.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE NEGOTIATING AND RESOLVING PROBLEMS TOGETHER NOT FIGHTING FOR SUPREMACY.

>> Tom Flanigan: FROM THE CITY VIEWPOINT COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Jeremy Matlow: I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

WE SHOULD COLLABORATE BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEEN.

THERE ARE FIGHTS ACROSS THE STREET FROM FIRE SERVICES, TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

I THINK ALL OF THAT STUFF TO BE NEGOTIATED IN THE LONG-TERM.

WE REALLY NEED TO BRING OUR TWO BODIES BACK TOGETHER IN A COLLEGIAL FASHION.

LARGELY IF YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTY DON'T WANT HAVE THE SAME RULES AS PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY.

WE JOKE ABOUT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE ORDINANCE AND THE CITY JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

MAYBE YOU WANT MORE ROOSTERS IN THE COUNTIES IN THE RURAL AREAS THAN AN URBAN AREA.

THAT IS JUST A FUN EXAMPLE BUT THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY HAVING A DIFFERENT SET OF REGULATIONS IN THE CITY WHERE DENSITY INCREASE MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE VERSUS THE LIBERTIES YOU MIGHT ENJOY IN A RURAL AREA WHERE YOU'RE NOT INFRINGING ON DELIVERIES OF YOUR NEXT HER NEIGHBOR.

WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE OUR ORDINANCE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTIES AND IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE.

>> Tom Flanigan: RELIES DAYS TO BE A CITY ORDINANCE THAT PROHIBITED LIVESTOCK?

AND THE CITY LIMITS AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA ACTUALLY HAD PIGS BEHIND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

THERE WAS A HUGE CONSTITUTIONAL THING OVER THAT?

WE WILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT SOMETIME.

DO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT ON THAT COMMISSIONER PORTER?

>> Jack Porter: I GENERALLY AGREE.

CAN WE GET A MICROPHONE - - >> Tom Flanigan: CAN WE GET A MICROPHONE?

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT FIXED UP.

THERE WE GO.

I THINK IT HAD DIFFERENT MARKINGS ON THE MICROPHONE AND MASTER CONTROL.

THAT MIGHT BE A PART OF THE ISSUE.

LIVE TELEVISION.

THERE WE GO.

TRY THAT.

>> Jack Porter: I GENERALLY AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT.

I THINK THE PROPOSAL IS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS NOT REALLY GOING TO SOLVE WHAT ARE THE FRUSTRATIONS OF BOTH CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS WOULD A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION IN CITY HALL IN PARTICULAR.

I DO AGREE AS WELL THAT CITY RESIDENTS AND COUNTY RESIDENTS, WHERE ONE COMMUNITY.

BUT WE DO HAVE DISTINCT NEEDS.

THERE ARE REASONS SOME FOLKS CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE COUNTY AND SOME CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE CITY.

I THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS THAT FRUSTRATION AND THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT IS ONE THAT I WOULD SUPPORT.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY, VERY GOOD.

A LITTLE FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

OF COURSE THE FIRE SERVICE FEE THAT WAS A BIG ISSUE WITH CONTENTION.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING AWAY FROM THE CITY TO SEVER ITS FIREFIGHTING SERVICE CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY.

IS THERE ANY WAY OUT OF THIS SHORT OF THE COUNTY SETTING UP ITS OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT?

IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO TAXPAYERS AND RESIDENTS?

LET'S START WITH THE COUNTY.

>> Rick Minor: WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AMONGST THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A SONIC COUNTY COMMISSION AND CITY COMMISSION ABOUT THE FIRE SERVICE FEE.

AND FRANKLY I THINK A LOT OF THE CONSOLIDATION ANGST THAT IS OUT THERE AMONGST THE PUBLIC IS DERIVED FROM THIS DISAGREEMENT.

I THINK AND I PREDICT IN THE COMING MONTHS, I THINK THE CITY AND THE COUNTY WILL GET BACK TO THE NEGOTIATION TABLE WITH CLEAR EYES AND EAGLES CHECK AT THE DOOR TO COME UP WITH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

BUT PERHAPS TWEAK IT TO BE OPTIMIZED.

HERE'S WHY THINK THAT.

THE COUNTY HAS HIRED A CONSULTANT NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, HIGHLY RESPECTED THAT DOES FIRE SERVICE EVALUATION.

THE REPORT WILL BE OUT LATER THIS SUMMER.

WE THE COUNTY COMMISSION, THE CITY COMMISSION THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE OPTIONS THAT ARE PROVIDED.

THERE WILL BE A CLEAN STATE -- SLATE AND THEN COME BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

>> Tom Flanigan: EITHER COMMISSIONER MATT LOW OR PORTER.

>> Jeremy Matlow: IT IS THE STATUS QUO WITH THE TALLAHASSEE FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVING -- THE DEBATE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY ABOUT THE COUNTIES COMPROMISED TO CONTINUE FUNDING SERVICES LEVEL AGREED-UPON IN THE CONTRACT.

WE JUST NEED TO GET A COUPLE MORE YEARS BEFORE WE SHOULD RENEGOTIATE.

WE CAN TAKE OUR BALL AND WALK HOME BECAUSE WE CAN'T AGREE ON A NEW CONTRACT RIGHT AWAY.

THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITY IF WE BOTH HAVE TO SHOW UP A NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY IN A COMPETING SERVICE VERSUS THE CITY.

WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WORKS EFFECTIVELY AND KEEPS PEOPLE SAFE AND RESPONSE TIMES ARE ADEQUATE.

THIS IS LARGELY DRIVEN BY MAYOR DALEY AND CITY MANAGER BOTH OF WHOM WILL NOT BE AT THE CITY AFTER NOVEMBER.

I THINK AFTER THESE ELECTIONS WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW WE BRING COLLABORATION BACK TO THE CITY AND COUNTY PARTNERSHIP AND FIRE SERVICES FOR EVERYONE.

>> Tom Flanigan: WILL GET INTO THE THING ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER IN JUST A LITTLE BIT.

COMMISSIONER MATTOX, I WANT TO USE IT.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER HAS AN AGENDA ITEM RECENTLY THAT SAID IF YOU RECEDE ON THE STUDY OF HISTORICAL HARMS THAT SOME SAY CAN LEAD TO LOCAL REPARATIONS PROGRAM, YOU COULD BE PUTTING YOUR SEAT ON THE COMMISSION IN JEOPARDY.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

WHAT POINT SHOULD THE ELECTED OFFICIAL PUT THEIR POSITION KIND OF IN PERIL?

>> Nick Maddox: I SPOKE VERY CLEARLY WHEN WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC ITEM.

I THINK IT WAS A DE I TYPE OF PROGRAM OR QUESTION.

I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY WELL-PLACED FOR US TO ADDRESS THINGS AND HAPPENED IN THE PAST WITHIN OUR COUNTY ON ALL SIDES OF THE COUNTY NOT JUST ONE GROUP OR ONE SIDE OF OUR COUNTY.

I SPOKE VERY CLEARLY ABOUT THAT.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION OF WHEN SHOULD AN ELECTED OFFICIAL PUT THEIR POSITION IN JEOPARDY, MY PERSONAL BELIEF IS WHEN IT IS SOMETHING THAT SPEAKS AGAIN WHAT YOU -- AGAINST THE COMMON GOAL OF THE COMMUNITY?

SHOULD WE BEND TO EVERYTHING AND EVERY ORDINANCE AND THINGS THAT THE STATE PUTS DOWN OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTS DOWN?

NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

YET THE STAND UP AND DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND PUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO PUT ON THE LINE TO MAKE SURE YOU STAND UP FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED YOU IN.

AS I SAID BEFORE I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF DE I OR EQUITY.

I WOULD SAY IT IS SOMETHING OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT US TO IMPLEMENT.

>> Tom Flanigan: A LITTLE FOLLOW-UP BECAUSE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE STATE LAW THAT CRIMINALIZES ALL MANNER OF THINGS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTED TO DE I PROGRAMS AND FUNDING.

LEON CONTI -- COUNTY HAD A FORWARD-LOOKING MINORITY BUSINESS APPROACH FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

HOW WOULD THAT LAW IMPACT THAT ONGOING DRIVE TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO HIRING MINORITY BUSINESSES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT?

>> Carolyn Cummings: GREAT QUESTION.

THE LAW RECENTLY SIGNED NOT THE GOVERNOR BY THE LEGISLATURE LIES DIRECTLY IN THE FACE OF WHAT WE HAVE AT THE COUNTY AS FAR AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.

ON OUR AGENDA FOR OUR COMMISSION MEETING NEXT TUESDAY THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM ON THERE THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE AS RELATING TO LOOKING AT THAT PARTICULAR PROVISION AND PRETTY MUCH NULLIFY IT.

IT DOES VIOLATE STATE LAW.

HOWEVER, I DO BELIEVE THERE IS A WAY THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES ESPECIALLY OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WITHOUT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATING THEM AS WOMEN AND MINORITY BUSINESSES.

>> Tom Flanigan: FOR YOUR COLLEAGUES ALL IN FAVOR SAY I - - >> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE PROGRAM.

YEARS AGO WHEN WE WENT FROM TWO SEPARATE PROGRAMS I WAS THE COMMISSIONER THAT FOUGHT TO MAKE SURE WE HAD A PROGRAM.

AS OPTION OF SP BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO KEEP THE PROGRAMS WE HAD.

IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AS YOU SPOKE OF IN HELPING MINORITY BUSINESSES.

I SPOKE YESTERDAY TO A GROUP OF FOLKS AND I TOLD HIM THAT IT MAY LOOK DIFFERENT THE WAY WE HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.

OUR SMALL BUSINESS OR THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WE WILL CONTINUE IN LEON COUNTY TO HAVE A PROGRAM THAT FOCUSES ON HELPING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO STAY AFLOAT AND GROW IN LEON COUNTY.

I AGREED WITH EVERYTHING COMMISSIONER CUMMINGS HAD SAID.

>> Tom Flanigan: COMMISSIONER MINA?

>> Rick Minor: ONE THING WITH THE ANTI- DEI, LEON COUNTY WILL COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

THE TRANSITION FROM THE MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES WILL BE DIFFICULT.

ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT IF YOU'RE CURRENTLY THE OWNER OR YOU WORK FOR A MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS OR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ONE THING THAT WILL REMAIN IN PROGRAM IF YOU'RE CURRENTLY ONE OF THOSE CERTIFIED BUSINESSES, YOU ARE ALREADY A SMALL BUSINESS UNDER THE PROGRAM.

THAT IS ONE WAY WE WILL HELP TRANSITION THESE BUSINESSES INTO SPE.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

WE ARE OFF TO THE CITY AND WE ARE JUST GOING TO RIGHT NOW BY DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX WHO IS ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU COULD JOIN US IN OUR TOWN HALL TONIGHT, COMMISSIONER.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

>> David Obeefe: WE SHOULD JUST KEEP SAYING THE CODE WORD.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.

CORE VALUES OF THIS COUNTY.

AND I ACTUALLY AM GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS NEXT MEETING HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING GOING AHEAD WITH WIPING AWAY OUR MW SPE PROGRAMS.

I THINK PREMATURELY BECAUSE THE LAW THAT GOES AGAINST OUR VALUES EVEN IS AFFECTED UNTIL 2027.

WE NEED TO COME TO EVERY PAGE, WORD AND EVERY SENTENCE OVERBEARING LEGISLATION THAT WE ONLY SCALE BACK WHAT IS REQUIRED BY LAW.

I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE PLENTY OF TIME TO DO THAT.

>> Tom Flanigan: VERY GOOD, SIR.

I AM BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSIONER WE HAVE A YEAR CONTROVERSY BEHIND US.

THE CITY HAVING HANDED OVER ITS OWNERSHIP STAKE OF TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL THROUGH FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY.

TO GET THAT ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER OFF THE GROUND.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE PROCESS TO GET US HERE?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: THANK YOU.

I WAS AT THE SILVER STARS AND THEY ARE HAVING THEIR GALA TONIGHT.

I WOULD ASSESS AND IT WAS IN A HANDOVER.

IT WAS A TRANSACTION THAT INCLUDED MONEY BEING EXCHANGED FOR CITY SERVICES THAT CAN BE USED FOR CITY SERVICES.

I ASSESSED THE PROCESS TOOK AT LEAST A YEAR.

ALL THE EYES WERE DIETED AND THE TEAMS WERE CROSSED.

WE ARE VERY TRANSPLANTED -- TRANSPARENT.

I DID A TOWN HALL MEETING MYSELF TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT AT SOME POINT IN TIME WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO GROW AND WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR HEALTHCARE VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE HAVE TO TAKE A HIGHER.

SO I BELIEVE WHAT WE DID WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND THE METHOD FOLLOWED WAS A PROCESS THAT CAN BE REPEATED.

BECAUSE IT WAS DOCUMENTED AND I AM THINKING WE LANDED IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

>> Tom Flanigan: DID EITHER OF YOU OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THE CITY COMMISSION HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW?

>> Jack Porter: I CERTAINLY WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN SAY THAT OUR EYES WERE DOTTED AND RT'S WERE CROSSED WHEN THE TRANSACTION TOOK PLACE FSU FINALIZE THEIR AGREEMENTS WITH EACH OTHER.

I DON'T THINK TO THIS DAY THAT HAS BEEN QUITE VIOLENT LYSED.

I THINK THIS ALL STARTED NOT FROM DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSION, NOT FROM A DESIRE FROM THE COMMUNITY BUT FROM A PRIVATE CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE CITY MANAGER, MAYOR.

THERE'S NO APPRAISAL AGAINST OUR CITY POLICY.

I THINK MANY THINGS ABOUT THE PROCESS COULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT THAT COULD LET US TO A DIFFERENT OUTCOME OR MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT A REAL STAKE IN HOW THE DECISIONS WERE MADE.

HOW IS GOING TO AFFECT HEALTHCARE IN THIS COMMUNITY?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST VOTES I WILL EVER TAKE ON THE CITY COMMISSION.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE A LESSON LEARNED THAT HAD WE LISTENED, HAD WE SLOWED DOWN, WE COULD'VE HAD A BETTER OUTCOME FOR ALL.

SO I WAS DISAPPOINTED IN THE PROCESS AND THE OUTCOME.

>> Tom Flanigan: WHILE WE ARE TALKING, I'M SORRY.

>> THANK YOU, TOM.

I WOULD AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PORTER.

THIS WAS PROBABLY THE MOST OPAQUE PROCESS AND THE LARGEST THE TRAIL OF PUBLIC TRUST WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST DECADE.

A FACILITY OWNED BY THE PEOPLE OF TALLASSEE VALUED AT $500 MILLION WITH TRANSFERRED AT 0% INTEREST.

NOT ONLY IS THAT FINANCIAL SENSE TO LOOK AT THE PUBLIC WELL-BEING OF THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE MEDICAL CENTER WILL LOOK LIKE.

TMH AND FSU NEVER HAD TIME TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A PLAN THAT TALK TO ANY SPECIFIC SPECIALTIES THAT MIGHT COME OUT OF THIS.

AND TO DATE THERE IS NOT AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TMH AND FSU TO OPERATE AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER.

TRANSFERRING THIS PROPERTY FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR A YEAR BEFORE THE FINAL DOCUMENTS WERE FINALIZED THAT WE CAN SEE WHAT THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE COULD LOOK LIKE, I THINK THE TRADE THIS COMMUNITY AND SEND A SIGNAL THAT THE WAY THINGS OPERATE AT THE CITY IS DONE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND WILL NOT BE EXPLAINED TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Tom Flanigan: HERE'S SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS TO HEALTH CARE ARE GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING BOTH TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY.

OUTSIDE OF STATE FUNDING AND WE HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO CONTAIN TO MAYBE NEXT WEEK.

DESCRIBE HOW THE COUNTY FIRST PLANS TO APPROACH A BUMPER STRATEGY IF YOU THINK THAT IS ADVISABLE?

WOULD THIS BE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT?

DOES ANYONE ON THE COUNTY WANTED THAT ONE?

>> WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES IT IS GOING TO BE COLLABORATIVE.

HOW MUCH WE ACTUALLY SIT DOWN AND WORK, THERE ARE THINGS THAT THE WORK THROUGH.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HEALTHCARE HOW IMPORTANT, WE HAVE TO COLLABORATE.

I THINK WHERE WE COULD GET AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAN HEAVILY ON HIS COMMUNITY IS FEDERALLY MOLLIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND EVEN CARE POINT AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AS WELL.

THOSE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO BE CRUCIAL IN HELPING US TO DEAL WITH THESE DEFICIT THAT WE MAY HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHCARE FUNDING.

IT WILL NOT BE CONQUERED ALONE.

THE CITY COUNTY EVEN THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS A WHOLE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TOGETHER TO DEAL WITH THIS.

THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY SPEAKS TO THE WEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO I HOPE WE CAN GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE.

>> Tom Flanigan: CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, WHO WANTS TO TAKE THAT ON?

>> IT IS NOT A CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE HAD AS A CITY COMMISSION.

BUT I DO THINK IT IS ONE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AND COULD HAVE HAD ALONGSIDE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT TMH AND THE PARTNERSHIP WITH FSU.

I THINK THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE FRANKLY IN THE PURCHASE PRICE.

THAT IS MONEY THAT COULD HAVE GONE TOWARDS A BUFFER OF SORTS.

LIKE YOU MENTIONED.

I WOULD ADD THAT OUTSIDE OF DIRECT HEALTHCARE SERVICES, THE CITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY JUST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

WALK ABILITY, RECREATIONAL SPACES, GREEN SPACES, HOMES THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD.

FOOD ACCESS AND ALL OF THIS IS A PART OF HEALTHCARE IN A HOLISTIC WAY THAT THE CITY IS ALREADY PLAYING A PART IN AS WELL AS THE COUNTY.

I THINK DESERVES GREATER FOCUS FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH LENGTHS.

>> Tom Flanigan: YOU BROUGHT UP A MAGIC PHRASE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE DO HAVE THE AUDIENCE WESTERN THAT CAME IN ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS THE APPROACH FOR COUNTY AND THEN FOR CITY AND PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS LOCALLY?

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE?

WHO IN THE COUNTY WANTS TO BE?

COMMISSIONER DAVID O'KEEFE?

>> David Obeefe: THAT IS WHY HE SAW HIS TAKE ACTION LAST YEAR TO ADD HALF A MILLION IN ANNUAL GET FINANCING FROM THE COUNTY FOR AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE VERY LOW INCOMES.

ALONG WITH THE $250,000 FROM BLUEPRINT.

WANT TO MAKE SURE GIVE EVERYONE MY COLLEAGUES TIME TO MENTION THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SOMETHING WE DID.

IT WAS A THOROUGH APPROACH AND IT TOOK A LOT OF COMMUNITY EFFORT BUT THE THING I WANT TO MENTION BEYOND THAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH ALL OTHER COMMUNITY EFFORTS ARE BUILT.

WE CANNOT DEVELOP OUR ECONOMY, WE CANNOT GROW OUR WORKFORCE, WE CANNOT HAVE QUALITY ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IF THE ECONOMICS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE NOT THERE.

SO I AM HOPING WE CAN START TO COLLABORATIVELY SEE THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS TIED TO THAT.

AND WE NEED TO START WORKING THAT INTO THOSE EFFORTS.

BECAUSE NOTHING SUCCEEDS WITHOUT HOUSING.

>> Tom Flanigan: FROM THE CITY COMMISSIONER DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.

PASSING A BUDGET TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO CREATE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

WE WORK WITH THE TALLAHASSEE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WE WERE TALLAHASSEE LIVING CONSORTIUM TO HELP PRODUCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT OF COURSE WE ALL NEED TO DO EVEN MORE.

UNDERSTANDING THAT POVERTY IS THE REASON WE NEED ALL OF THESE THINGS.

WITHOUT HOUSING, WE CAN CONTINUE TO SEE PEOPLE GOING DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO POVERTY.

WE HAVE TODAY WITH THE HOUSING, WE HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTHCARE, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH FOOD INSECURITY AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE WHAT WE NEED.

NOT JUST HOUSING, DOESN'T DO YOU ANY GOOD IF YOU HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WE DON'T HAVE FOOD IN IT.

THE INVENTORY OF HOUSING IS LOW AND WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO PARTICIPATE IN MAKING SURE THOSE THINGS HAPPEN.

YOU CAN'T DO MUCH OF ANYTHING WITHOUT MONEY.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH PROPERTY TAXES.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OTHER FORMS OF REVENUE THAT WE MAY NEED.

WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL OF THAT INTO CONSIDERATION TO TRY TO MAKE IT ALL WORK.

>> Tom Flanigan: ALL RIGHT.

YES, PLEASE.

>> Rick Minor: AND LEON COUNTY WE NEED TO BUILD 11,500 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BY 2045.

ON TOP OF WHAT IS ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE.

THAT NEED IS SEVERE.

BUT I DO WANT TO COMPLEMENT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND ALL THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPERS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT THERE -- WITH US.

IT HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED OVER THE NEXT 12 Ã18 MONTHS.

THAT IS THE GREATEST INCREASE IN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND MORE THAN 50 YEARS AND THIS COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO BUT WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS ON IT.

I THINK CITY COMMISSION AND COUNTY COMMISSIONS ARE FOCUSED ON TRACK TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> Tom Flanigan: COMMISSIONER CUMMINGS?

>> Carolyn Cummings: I WANTED TO ADD, THE COUNTY PROVIDED INCENTIVES TO BUILD DEVELOPERS OF LOW INCOME HOUSING.

IF THEY SET ASIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF UNITS FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, A CERTAIN AMOUNT FOR VERY LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS THERE IS A TAX INCENTIVES THAT IS ATTACHED TO THAT.

IN ADDITION TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE ARE TRYING TO INCENTIVIZE OUR BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS TO INVEST MORE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Nick Maddox: WE ALL JUMPED ON THIS LIKE SHARKS BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE.

THE BEST EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP THAT I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO WHICH COMMISSIONER DAVID O'KEEFE MENTIONED IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND THE HALF A MILLION AND IT'S 250,000, FROM BLUE PRINT.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE DONE ON OUR OWN, OVER YEARS OF TIME WE WERE ABLE TO BRING TO FRUITION.

A LOT OF THINGS WHEN I TALK ABOUT, WE ARE THE ONES UP HERE TAKING A VOTE TO MAKING THINGS HAPPEN.

THAT PARTNERSHIP COMING FROM OUR COMMUNITY TO TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO TELL US WHAT WE NEEDED TO HELP IN A WAY OF COMING WITH SOME SOLUTIONS TO THE TABLE THAT WE CAN CONSIDER MATTERS.

WITH EVERYTHING THIS IS A WELL ROUNDED SOLUTION AND A WELL ROUNDED PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO NEED WELL ROUNDED SOLUTION FROM THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS OUR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

>> Jeremy Matlow: WE ARE DOING A LOT OF GREAT PROGRAMS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY.

THE NEEDLE DOESN'T REALLY MOVE ON AFFORDABILITY OF HOMES IN OUR AREA.

PART OF THAT IS LARGE INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPERS WILL COME IN.

MAYBE BLUE -- SOMEBODY WILL BUY A MOBILE HOME PARK AND TRIPLE THE RENT RATES OVERNIGHT AND WIPING OUR PROGRESS IN A SINGLE SCHOOL.

WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT LONG-TERM IS NO NEW HOUSING IS BEING BUILT THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR THE BOTTOM 50% OF OUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY.

WHERE THERE IS LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL.

WE NEED TO LOOK LONG-TERM AT THE NUMBERS.

COMMISSIONER MINER WAS TALKING ABOUT MY PROPOSAL THIS WE NEED TO START BUILDING AND PUTTING BUILDERS TO WORK BUILDING MUNICIPAL HOUSING NOW.

THESE ARE APPRECIATING ASSETS AND REVENUE-GENERATING.

IF YOU CAN BUILD THAT WE CAN START TO HAVE A BREAK IN AMOUNT OF UNITS THAT WILL BE AFFORDABLE IN PERPETUITY.

>> Tom Flanigan: WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF FACTS AND FIGURES AND SOMETIMES THERE'S A LITTLE DISAGREEMENT THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN WE GO INTO THAT ANALYSIS.

A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE STATE AND LOCAL ECONOMY OF COURSE.

THERE IS DATA POINTING TO JOB LOSSES AND GAINS AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE WHICH IS THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VITALITY DOESN'T SEEM TO BE CLOSING THE DEAL WITH A BUNCH OF COMPANIES WHICH ARE UNNAMED.

THEY MIGHT BE LOOKING TO EXPAND OR BUILD BUSINESSES IN TALLAHASSEE.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE OUR ECONOMIES TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMY?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: THANK YOU.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT OUR ECONOMY BUT WE ARE BEING EVALUATED BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT HERE.

TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP US DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

I THINK OH EASY IS DOING A STELLAR JOB FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND AREA THERE ARE EIGHT COMPANIES THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SEVEN COMPANIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO MAYBE CHOOSE TALLAHASSEE.

BUT WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

BECAUSE IF WE TALK DOWN ON COMMUNITY AND MAKE IT LOOK BAD, PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO COME.

IF IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE DIVIDED COMMUNITY AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY AT EACH OTHER, PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO BRING THEIR BUSINESS A. THEY WANT TO BRING THEIR BUSINESS ON WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE MONEY, THRIVE AND BRING THEIR FAMILY HERE TO LIVE.

WHAT OH EASY IS DOING, THEY ARE DOING A STELLAR JOB.

WE ARE THE STRONGEST ECONOMY, WE DID NOT PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.

THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE SOMEONE IS TAKING AND DOING THE RESEARCH AND LETTING US KNOW HOW WE ARE DOING.

I THINK THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN US EVALUATING OURSELVES.

WHAT DO OTHERS THINK WE ARE DOING?

WHAT THEY WANT TO COME TO OUR TWO, THERE COMMUNITY?

>> Tom Flanigan: THE INFAMOUS DIVIDE ON THE CITY COMMISSION AND IN PARTICULAR COMMISSIONER PORTER OR MATT LOW, DO WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERGENCE TO FIRMS THAT WE NEED A GOOD PLACE TO BE?

>> I WOULD SAY TALLAHASSEE IS THE GREAT CITY IN FLORIDA.

I THINK THE ECONOMY IS -- [INDISCERNIBLE].

WE KNOW WE HAVE HAD A PERMITTING PROCESS THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE FOUR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES AS AS WELL AS NATIONAL FIRMS COMING INTO TOWN.

TO CREATE JOBS MORE FREELY BUT OUR ROLE AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.

THAT IS NUMBER ONE, WE WANT TO CREATE SAFE WALKABLE COMMUNITIES WITH ACCESS TO PUBLIC SERVICES AND PUBLIC PARKS.

EMPLOYEES OF COMPANIES WANT TO LIVE IN TALLAHASSEE AND CALL IT HOME.

THAT IS MY FOCUS MAKING TALLAHASSEE THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE.

I LOOK TO MY FRIENDS AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO RECRUIT THOSE.

>> I THINK THEY WORK HARD AND DO SOME GOOD.

I HAVE HER DIRECTLY FROM BUSINESSES AND GRANTEES THAT IS BUREAUCRATIC.

AND SOME SNAFUS THAT NEED A COMPANY TO NOT GET A GRANT THEY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR HERE ON WHAT I WILL SAY IS SILLY BUREAUCRATIC PAPERWORK SNAFU.

THEY MOVED TO A LOWER DENSITY COUNTY AND SUCCESSFULLY HAVE GOTTEN GRANT SIMILAR GRANTS.

WE NEED TO CLEAN THAT UP JUST LIKE OUR ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERMITTED BURDENS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO FOCUS JUST ON DEVELOPING FROM OTHERS.

WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR COMMUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

FOR OUR PEOPLE TO HAVE BETTER PAYING JOBS, BETTER HOUSING, ACCESS TO CHILD CARE.

THAT IS WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE.

PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES WANT TO COME TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WORKS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Tom Flanigan: ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT IMPACT WHERE PEOPLE LIVE IS A PERCEPTION.

IN PUBLIC SAFETY EVEN THOUGH MOST RECENT CRIME STATS SEEM TO BE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE PERCEPTION ON THE PART OF MANY RESIDENTS HERE AND FOLKS OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY KNOW TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY IS FULL OF CRIME AND IT IS DANGEROUS AND ALL THAT SORT OF THING.

HOW DO YOU CHANGE THE PERCEPTION IF THE REALITY IS IN FACT PLAYING IN OUR FAVOR RIGHT NOW?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: I THINK A LOT OF IT IS WHAT IS REPORTED.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE BEING TOLD, HOW IS IT BEING PRESENTED?

I AGREE, CRIME IS GOING DOWN.

WHAT WE DID IS TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND PROVIDED EXTRA RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

IS THAT BEING REPORTED?

GOOD NEWS DOES NOT SELL.

THE BAD NEWS IS WHAT SELLS.

LET'S FACE IT, THAT IS WHAT IS DRIVING A LOT OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

WHAT IS SAID AND WHAT IS DONE IN MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT HAVE YOU.

BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR CITY UP AS COMMISSIONER MATT LOW JUST THAT.

IT IS THE GREATEST CITY TO LIVE.

WHEN YOU TALK TO US AND YOU LOOK AS YOU HEAR WHAT WE ARE SAYING THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

THAT IS NOT WHAT IS BEING REPORTED.

I THINK MORE REPORTING OF AND WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION THIS MORNING IN THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

PEOPLE WHO VISIT OUR CITIES HAVE GREAT THINGS TO SAY ABOUT OUR CITY.

THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE SOMETIMES ARE SAYING THINGS THAT IS PERSONAL AND I UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE THEIR EXPERIENCE BUT IS NOT EVERYBODY'S EXPERIENCE.

I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE A SAY CITY.

WE HAVE INVESTED TO HAVE A SAFE CITY IN MANY WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO.

WE JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL OUR OWN STORE.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU.

>> Nick Maddox: ALMOST FELT LIKE I WAS WALKING THROUGH CHURCH.

SAFETY FOR ME IS WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR FRONT DOOR.

IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HERE THAT WOULD SAY TALLAHASSEE IS A SAFE PLACE AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, YES.

AT THEIR FRONT DOOR THEY FEEL SAFE.

WE HAVE TO DO IS FOCUS ON SAFETY IN ALL ASPECTS AND ALL CORNERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT MAY BE SAFE FOR ME MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR OTHERS.

THIS PERCEPTION IS THE PIECE THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND THE PERCEIVING PIECE, CAN I GO TO A CERTAIN PART OF TOWN AND FEEL SAFE?

YOU MAY PERCEIVE THAT YOU CAN'T BUT THE PERCEPTION MAY COME FROM IGNORANCE BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT GONE TO THAT SIDE OF TOWN TO SEE IF YOU ACTUALLY CAN.

THE PERCEPTION COME AS A RESULT OF IGNORANCE THAT YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A CERTAIN ENVIRONMENT.

THE ENVIRONMENT YOU GET A DIFFERENT FEEL FOR WHAT IT IS LIKE.

SOMETIMES IT IS REALITY.

THE NUMBER SALES RIGHT NOW TALLAHASSEE IS A LOT SAFER THAN IT WAS FIVE Ã10 YEARS AGO.

THAT IS A GOOD THING, RIGHT?

IN ORDER FOR THAT PERCEPTION TO GO AWAY PEOPLE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT AREAS OF TOWN AND UNDERSTAND THIS WHOLE AREA IS SAFE.

I WANT TO GIVE SOME OF THE CREDIT OR A LOT OF THE CREDIT AND ALL THE CREDIT TO TPD AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN A JOB THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE OLD A LOT OF CREDIT THERE.

ARE WE TOTALLY GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY?

I WOULD SAY AS LONG AS SOMEONE STEPS OUTSIDE OF THEIR DOOR AND THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE, WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

ARE WE BETTER?

YES.

THERE STILL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT STILL THINGS THAT WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

WHEN IT GOT OUT OUTSIDE OF THEIR DOOR, THEY MAY NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY WALK OUTSIDE OF THEIR DOOR.

>> COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX SPOKE ON THIS TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT GET A LOT OF CREDIT BECAUSE IN 2024 THEY HAD A 100% HOMICIDE CLEARANCE RATE.

THAT MEANS EVERY SINGLE HOMICIDE CRIME LED TO AN ARREST.

THAT IS INCREDIBLE NEWS.

CONSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE HIGH-90S.

THAT IS AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT ACTIVITY DESERVE MORE CREDIT FOR.

WE HAVE SEEN CRIME GO DOWN AND I THINK LEON COUNTY AND TALLAHASSEE HAD GO DOWN AND REDUCTION IN CRIME OVER THE YEARS.

AS COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX SAID WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF YOUR HOUSE OWNED YOU BUSINESS OWNER AND YOU STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR BUSINESS ONE THING WE HAVE DONE IN NORTH MONROE'S CRAZINESS CRIME WATCH SECTIONS IN NORTH MONROE.

DEPENDING ON NORTH MONROE AND WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS BETWEEN THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TPD.

HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT COME AND GIVE THEM TIPS AND HINTS SPECIFICALLY FOR THEIR PART NORTH MONROE.

THAT WORKS AND THE LAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE SEEN REDUCTIONS IN NORTH MONROE.

TPD SAYS 20% AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS 30%.

THAT IS WHAT GET RESULTS WHEN THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET THINGS DONE.

>> Tom Flanigan: WE HAVE AN AUDIENCE QUESTION.

I BET YOU WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AT LEAST.

I GOING TO DO A NATIONAL SEARCH WITH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT FOR THE NEXT CITY MANAGER?

SHOULD THAT DECISION COME BEFORE OR AFTER THE ELECTION?

COMMISSIONER DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: THE ANSWER IS, YES.

WE WILL DO A NATIONAL SEARCH AND THAT WILL BE MY VOTE.

I DO BELIEVE THIS COMMISSION SHOULD BE THE ONE TO MAKE THAT SELECTION.

WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE.

WE HAVE HIRED INSPECTOR GENERAL WITH HIS -- THIS PROCESS.

WHILE WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS AN APPOINTED POSITION.

POLITICS AND CONVERSATIONS HAVE TAINTED SOME PROCESSES.

BUT WHEN WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD USE A PROCESS THAT WE HAVE.

I AM READY TO USE THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE NEXT BEST CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> Tom Flanigan: GOING NATIONAL YOU THINK?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: I AM VOTING FOR A NATIONAL SEARCH, YES.

>> Jeremy Matlow: WE WILL HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ON OUR WEDNESDAY MEETING.

WHAT IS DEEPLY NEEDED IS A NATIONAL SEARCH AND SELECT THE NEXT COMMISSION THERE ARE THREE FOLKS SEATS ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

WE CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMISSION NEXT YEAR.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY MANAGER.

THE CURRENT CITY MANAGER I THINK PUTTING ONE IN PLACE BEFORE THE ELECTION MAKES SENSE BUT IF WE WANT TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY BACK TOGETHER, WE CAN LOOK AT HISTORY.

THIS IS THE EXACT SAME THING THAT HAPPENED WHEN REESE WAS APPOINTED EIGHT YEARS AGO.

AND THE RESULT HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD.

SO I THINK LOOKING NATIONALLY FOR THE CITY MANAGER LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO CAN COMMENT ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITH OPEN EYES AND FRESH EYES AND REALLY GUIDE US INTO THE NEXT ERA I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE NEEDED.

I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS THAT TO HAVE TRUST.

>> Jack Porter: I FULLY SUPPORT A NATIONAL SEARCH.

I WANT A SEARCH THAT IS GOING TO YIELD THE BEST CANDIDATES.

SO THAT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A GREAT POOL TO SELECT FROM.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE PROCESS LIKE THAT TAKES FIVE ÃSIX MONTHS ANYWAY.

IN ADDITION, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET MANY GREAT CANDIDATES WERE WILLING TO RISK THEIR JOBS WHERE THEY CURRENTLY ARE IF THEY KNOW IN JUST A MATTER OF MERE MONTHS THEY POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW CITY COMMISSION.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO TAKE OUR TIME AND DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY SO THE NEXT COMMISSION IS THE ONE MAKING THAT DECISION.

IF I MAY, I WANTED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

I WALKED TO ADDRESS A FACET OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS NOT DISCUSSED ENOUGH.

THAT IS SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS.

THAT IS ON THE RISE, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THEIR WAYS TO ADDRESS IT.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE CITY IS TAKING IT SERIOUSLY ENOUGH.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DISCUSSED AS A PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS WELL.

MUCH.

FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HERE, VINCE LONG IS GOING TO HANG OUT A BIT LONGER?

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.

>> THAT IS UNANIMOUS.

>> Tom Flanigan: WE HAVE A CONSENSUS, HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?

COMMISSIONER CUMMINGS WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUE IN LEON COUNTY RIGHT NOW?

AS COMMISSIONER JEREMY MATLOW AND MINOR SAID WE LIVE IN A NICE PLACE.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN WHAT CAN THE COUNTY DO TO GET INVOLVED WITH SOLVING THAT?

>> Carolyn Cummings: I THINK LEON COUNTY IS THE GREATEST PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE CHANGE - - CHILDREN.

I BELIEVE THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT IS FACING RESIDENTS HERE IS PROBABLY JOBS THAT PAYS A LIVABLE WAGE.

I THINK IF WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WORKING HAVE GREAT JOBS, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

LET'S FACE IT THERE IS HOUSING HERE BUT THE PROBLEM IS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE WAY BELOW THE MEDIAN INCOME HERE IN LEON COUNTY CANNOT AFFORD THOSE HOUSES.

THE MEDIAN INCOME IN LEON COUNTY IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $80,000.

WE HAVE PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLDS OF FIVE, EIGHT AND SOMETIMES MORE MAKING $45,000 A YEAR.

THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A HOME.

AND IN MOST INSTANCES CANNOT AFFORD A REALLY NICE APARTMENT FOR THE FAMILY.

SO I BELIEVE A JOB THAT PAYS LIVABLE WAGES WOULD ADDRESS MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE.

ESPECIALLY HOUSING AND ESPECIALLY ELEVATING THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

MOVE ON DOWN THE LINE A REMINDER FOR THE AUDIENCE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE MARK THEM DOWN AND WE WILL COLLECT THEM AND INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE NEXT SEGMENT THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING UP RIGHT AFTER OUR LIVE STREAMING.

OR ACTUALLY OUR BROADCAST PORTION HERE IS COMPLETED.

COMMISSIONER NICK MADDOX, SAME QUESTION.

>> Jeremy Matlow: WHEN I LOOK AT THIS AT THE STANDPOINT AND I THINK ABOUT EACH OF THE DETERMINANTS AND WHERE WE NEED THE MOST HELP WILL WHAT I WOULD SAY DEFINITELY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AS COMMISSIONER CAROLYN CUMMINGS SAID, IS TO HAVE LIVABLE WAGE JOBS.

WHERE DOES IT GET TO YOU -- [INDISCERNIBLE].

HOW WE CAN INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE TO 18 OR $19 WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

AND THE BUSINESSES ARE ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT AND DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAD AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE.

EDUCATION WAS PRETTY GOOD BUT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE HEALTH AND PEACE HOW HEALTHY IS OUR COMMUNITY?

THE BIGGEST PART OF THE HEALTH'S MENTAL HEALTH.

I DON'T THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE WIND HAS BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE TO REALLY HELP OUR COMMUNITIES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR PRISON, LEON COUNTY JAIL MOST OF THE FOLKS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

OUR JAIL IS THE MENTAL HEALTH WARD THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW.

IF THOSE FOLKS HAVE SERVICES MAYBE THEY WOULD BE IN OUR JAILS.

HOW DO WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE ARE DEALING WITH AT SOME POINT WHERE WE ARE PUTTING PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE 90 JAILS BUT IN FACILITIES THAT CAN GIVE THEM THE HELP THEY NEED TO BE HEALTHY MENTALLY.

>> Tom Flanigan: TO YOUR MOUTH TO THE APALACHEE CENTER, THERE YOU GO.

COMMISSIONER RICK MINOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> Rick Minor: COMMISSIONER CUMMINGS AND I ARE SPEAKING THE SAME LINE WHICH ON THIS.

IS THERE ONLY ONE THING THAT WE CAN CHANGE AND YOU CAN WAVE A WAND AND CHANGE ONE THING IT WOULD BE TOO IMPROVE INCOMES.

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.

IF WE CAN INCREASE THE MEDIAN INCOME IN LEON COUNTY BY A COUPLE OF PERCENTAGE POINTS THAT HELPS US ADDRESS THE ISSUES REGARDING HEALTHCARE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FOOD INSECURITY.

THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT AND THAT IS WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

DEPENDING ON THE TECH GURU YOU SEE IN THREE Ã FOUR YEARS 40% OF JOBS ARE GOING TO BE LOST.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE THAT EXTREME BUT IT COULD BE A HYPERBOLE.

FOR EXAMPLE IN LEON COUNTY WE LOSE 10% OF JOBS OVER THE NEXT TWO ÃTHREE YEARS TO AI.

WE HAVE 170,000 WORKERS IN LEON COUNTY THAT MEANS 17,000 OF THEM WILL BE DISPLACED BECAUSE OF AI.

THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO INVESTED IN EDUCATION, INVESTED IN THEIR CAREERS THAT ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO FIND WORK IN RELATED FIELDS.

THAT IS REALLY SCARY.

I AM WORKING WITH BUSINESS LEADERS, CHAMBERS AND TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGE TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THAT PIPELINE OF HOW WE CAN BUILD RESILIENCE IN LEON COUNTY WORKERS.

HELP OUR EMPLOYEES LEARN HOW TO USE AI IN THEIR JOB TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY IN THEIR JOB AS OPPOSED TO BEING REPLACED BY AI TO BEGIN WITH.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO THINK OF AND GET OUR ARMS AROUND.

>> David Obeefe: THE TWO MAJOR BLOCKS TO EXPANDING OUR WORKFORCE FILLING THE JOB, SKILLED JOBS AND HIGH-PAYING JOBS WANT TO FEEL, LACK OF HOUSING WORKERS CAN AFFORD AND LACK OF EARLY LEARNING OR CHILDCARE.

THOSE ARE THE TWO PRIMARY BLOCKS FROM PEOPLE ENTERING THE WORKFORCE WHO WANT TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

AND SO WE NEED MORE EARLY LEARNING BUSINESSES.

LET'S NOT PUT THEM OUT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOX AND PRETEND THEY ARE JUST A SERVICE PROVIDER.

THOSE ARE BUSINESSES AND THOSE ARE JOBS.

I WOULD LIKE US TO SEE ADD BUSINESSES AND LOCAL BUSINESSES LIKE EARLY LEARNING THAT INCREASE A SUPPLY MUCH NEEDED PUT IN OUR ECONOMIC FUNDS SO WE CAN CREATE NEW JOBS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE THAT ALLOW KIDS TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO FOR EARLY LEARNING.

AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO ENTER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR HIGHER PAYING JOBS.

IF PEOPLE CANNOT HAVE A PLACE FOR THE KIDS TO LEARN, THEY CANNOT ENTER THE WORKFORCE AND THEY CANNOT UPSCALE AND TRAIN.

IF KIDS DON'T HAVE EARLY LEARNING EDUCATION, THEY CAN'T START THEIR EARLY DEVELOPMENT TO BECOME NUMBERS OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU.

>> Jeremy Matlow: THANK YOU, TOM.

I LIVED IN TALLAHASSEE SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD AND ALL THROUGH SCHOOL I WANTED TO GET OUT OF TALLAHASSEE.

I DID NOT WANT TO PAY MY HOMETOWN.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND TALLAHASSEE I THINK IS EXCEPTIONAL.

I THINK IT IS FOUNDED ON OUR NATURAL LANDSCAPE, BEAUTIFUL TREE CANOPY, LAKES, STREAMS AND ROBUST ARTS CULTURE AND LIVE MUSIC SCENE.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

THE BIGGEST IS -- ISSUE IS TAKEN AWAY WHAT WE LOVE FROM TALLAHASSEE.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, CUTTING THOUSANDS OF ACRES AT ONCE.

WE NEED TO GO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IT RESPONSIBLY BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS WE JUST -- DECIDED TO LIVE HERE.

>> Jack Porter: LIKE MANY PEOPLE I CAME TO TALLAHASSEE AND STAYED BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE SECOND TO NONE.

THE AVAILABILITY OF JOBS THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE CAN AND NEED TO ADDRESS HEAD ON IN DIFFERENT WAYS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

ONE PIECE THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED IS PUBLIC TRANSIT AND CONNECTIVITY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPWARD MOBILITY.

ALL OTHER FACTORS MADE EQUAL.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET IT RIGHT AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOUNGER GENERATIONS NEED.

IT IS ALSO SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, WE CAN TALK ABOUT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF A CAR.

THE COST OF GAS, INSURANCE OF THOSE THINGS NOT ONLY ACCESS TO JOBS, ACCESS TO EDUCATION BUT ACCESS TO BUSINESSES.

WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MONEY, ACCESS TO AMENITIES, ARTS AND CULTURE ALL OF THOSE PIECES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT AREA AND WE CAN'T HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT BLUEPRINT SPENT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS TO GO TOWARDS FSU STADIUM.

WE CAN HAVE AS MANY IDEAS AS WE WANT BUT THE MONEY IS NOT THERE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I THINK WE MADE A POOR CHOICE YEARS AGO TO PUT OUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: I'M LISTENING TO EVERYBODY'S ANSWERS AND I HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE OF WHERE I LIVE.

YOUR ANSWER COMES DOWN TO WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU WALK OUT OF YOUR DOOR EVERY DAY?

I AM ORIGINALLY FROM QUINCY.

I KNOW THAT THIS CITY IS A REGIONAL HUB FOR JOBS FOR PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

HOUSING MAY NOT BE AN ISSUE FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN A HOUSE AND A DRIVE YOU TO WORK.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE A GOVERNMENT TOWN.

IT HAS BEEN THE GOAL OF PREVIOUS GOVERNORS TO BRING THE INVENTORY OF WORKERS DOWN FROM GOVERNMENT WORK.

SO THAT MEANS THAT THE MINIMUM WAGE IS NOT $16 PER HOUR.

THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE IS A LOT LESS.

WE HERE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE THE MINIMUM LIVABLE WAGE $16 AND ABOVE.

HAVING A BETTER INCOME THAN THOSE WHO WORK IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE DURABLE DEMAND DRIVEN BY FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE IS BETTER.

WE ARE A GOVERNMENT UNIVERSITY TOWN INTEGRATE NEW JOB WE NEED THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DO THAT.

THE GOVERNMENT, WE CAN'T CREATE NEW JOBS FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WORK.

SO WE ARE BOUND BY THE FACT THAT WE ARE PRODUCING A NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO CAN GO OUT AND MAKE A LOT OF MONEY IN OTHER PLACES.

BUT WE WANT THEM TO STAY HERE AND WE NEED TO RETAIN OUR TALENT SO WE NEED GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE THESE JOBS SO FOLKS CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE AND I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM GEORGIA TO WORK HERE, QUINCY, MONTICELLO AROUND EVERYWHERE.

WE ARE FEEDING A LOT OF PLACES SO WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT IS WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> Tom Flanigan: TIME FLIES.

BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT THIS SEGMENT, ONE QUESTION FOR EVERYONE CAN WE GET 30 SECONDS TO EACH PERSON?

STARTING WITH YOU DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX.

WHAT - - NAME ONE VOTE THAT YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: YOU SHOULD ANSWER THE QUESTION BEFORE I GOT HERE.

[LAUGHTER] THE TOP OF MY MIND I'M NOT REMEMBERING ONE THAT I REGRET.

BECAUSE I LOOK AT 30 SECONDS I CANNOT EXPLAIN IT.

I CANNOT THINK OF ONE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

I'M SURE IN THE PAST YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN A VOTE THAT I MAY HAVE REGRETTED.

>> Tom Flanigan: SELF-CONFIDENCE IS A GOOD THING.

WE WILL GIVE YOU PROPS FOR THAT.

>> Jack Porter: I REGRET SUPPORTING THE SPEEDING CAMERA TICKETS FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I BELIEVE THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WHOLEHEARTEDLY.

THE WAY IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED IS NOT AT ALL HOW IT WAS DESCRIBED TO THE COMMISSION.

IT HASN'T BEEN WELL COMMUNICATED TO THE PUBLIC HOW THOSE TICKETS WOULD BE ASSESSED DURING WHICH TIMES.

I WOULD TAKE THE VOTE BACK AND ASKED THAT WE FLUSH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND LOOK INTO OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

>> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU.

>> Jeremy Matlow: I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD SAY I REGRET IT BUT I WOULD SAY THE ARGUMENT COMMISSIONER PORTER MADE ABOUT AMAZON SUBSIDY.

I DID VOTE TO SPEND THE MONEY BUT I DO THINK IN RETROSPECT AMAZON WAS COMING ANYWAY.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN REPRIORITIZE FOR OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.

>> David Obeefe: ONE VOTE I REGRET IS VOTING TO CANCEL OUR EXISTING LOBBYIST CONTRACT TO GO TO A DIFFERENT LOBBYING FIRM THAT HAD ONE SESSION FLASHY RESULT FOR US.

I'M CONCERNED THAT WE MOVED TO QUICK ON THAT.

THAT IS ONE VOTE I REGRET.

>> Rick Minor: I'M THINKING BACK TO THE VOTE I DID OVER THE YEARS.

THERE IS ONE THAT COMES OUT ON TOP.

IT WAS GIVING COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HIS OWN BILL PARKER DAY.

I'M KIDDING.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A JOKE.

[LAUGHTER] WHAT I MEANT TO SAY IS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE VOTED FOR BILL PROCTOR WEEK.

[LAUGHTER] >> Nick Maddox: WHEN I FIRST GOT ON THE COMMISSION THERE WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION TO THE SITUATION NOW WHERE THE COUNTY HAS SOME VERY I GUESS ORDINANCES THAT MADE SENSE WHEN IT CAME TO THE FIRING OF FIREARMS.

NO FIRE AND ACROSS OAK PARK, AND COUNTY ROAD AND THAT KIND OF THING.

AT THE TIME THE STATE PUT IN PLACE SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY SAID IF ANYBODY IF A COMMISSION VOTED AND IT FAILED, YOU THE COMMISSION WILL BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

I VOTED AGAINST TWO OF THE ORDINANCE AND VOTED FOR THE OTHER TWO.

I WOULD SAY I REGRETTED VOTING FOR THE OTHER TWO IN RETROSPECT TO WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT.

AND THE LIES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST.

I THINK IT WAS EIGHT 2011 2012.

THOSE ARE VOTES THAT I WOULD TAKE BACK.

>> Carolyn Cummings: MORE RECENTLY WHEN THE FIRE SERVICES FEE CAME ABOUT AND WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE CITY OF AN INCREASE.

I THINK I RAISED IT, IT'S ONLY A FEW DOLLARS.

I THINK I REGRET VOTING TO NOT ACCEPT IT AND GO TO ARBITRATION.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT LED TO TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT.

IT PUT US IN A POSITION THAT WE ARE IN NOW WHERE, I WOULD NOT CHARACTERIZE IT AS FIGHTING BUT WE ARE IN A SITUATION WITH THE CITY BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A COOPERATIVE SPIRIT WITH THE CITY.

BECAUSE OF THAT VOTE TO GO TO ARBITRATION WHICH HAS NOT TOTALLY OCCUR JUST YET, REGRET >> Tom Flanigan: THANK YOU FOLKS, I APPRECIATE IT.

IT IS TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO OUR T.V.

AND RADIO AUDIENCE.

STICK AROUND IF YOU'RE SCREAMING.

A CHANCE TO ASK QUESTION ON THE BEHALF OF WFSU TEAM AND VILLAGE SQUARE.

WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU JOINED US FOR THE 14 ANNUAL TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] ♪