Jackson County commissioners approve grants, contracts and order RFP for county insurance

Jackson County commissioners on April 8 approved a series of routine and substantive items including a $15,000 local match for a volunteer fire department grant, several construction and equipment contracts, an amendment to personnel leave-transfer policy, and directed county staff to issue a request for proposals for county insurance coverage.

The actions were taken during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners at the Jackson County Courthouse. Commissioners voted to approve a Malone Volunteer Fire Department grant match of $15,000 for wildland equipment, a task work order of $232,474 for Corbin Road engineering, and a $578,300 contract for refurbishment of the water filtration system at Malloy Plaza on Highway 71. They also approved a $38,870 change order for asbestos abatement tied to selective demolition at the Jackson County Museum and extended the closing deadline for the Cruiser Road property purchase to Sept. 30, 2025.

Why it matters: the approvals fund public safety equipment, road and water infrastructure design and repairs to county facilities, and move forward planning for a housing development parcel. The board’s decision to solicit bids for insurance may affect county premiums and coverage scope in the coming fiscal year.

Among personnel and policy items, the board adopted amendments that allow incoming employees who transfer from certain public-sector positions to carry higher leave balances into Jackson County employment. Human resources staff described a proposal, modeled in part on Bay County policy, that permits employees who move from Florida Retirement System (FRS)-covered jobs to transfer up to 100 hours of annual leave and up to 100 hours of sick leave (with…