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Resident urges county action on fire protection and SHIP housing backlog; commissioners request follow-up workshop
Summary
A Quincy resident urged the commission to address the absence of a county fire department and a backlog in the SHIP housing repair program; commissioners and staff acknowledged problems and said they will pursue follow-up and a workshop on housing and assistance processes.
During the public-comment period, Linda Bartlett of Quincy told the board she had lost business property in a fire and urged the county to establish a county fire department and to address delays in the SHIP housing repair program.
"It's my understanding I have found that out, that the county themselves does not have a fire department," Bartlett said, adding she had watched her property be destroyed by fire and that the county needs local capacity for fire protection. She also urged action to move applicants on the county's SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) repair waiting list.
Several commissioners responded, including an offer to schedule a workshop. Commissioner Simmons and others urged the county administrator to provide the SHIP program data Bartlett requested — the number of pending applicants, the age of the oldest application, and a total estimate of funds needed to clear the backlog. The administrator acknowledged staff have reviewed past SHIP administration and that the program "probably needs attention," and said staff would follow up.
County staff and several commissioners also discussed volunteer fire capacity in small towns and said Gadsden County does not operate a full-time county fire department; instead volunteers serve some areas. Commissioners said they will organize a workshop to discuss fire protection options and the housing backlog, including possible process changes, use of software to track applications and greater transparency so residents can see the status of their applications.
Ending: Commissioners directed staff to compile SHIP program data and to schedule a workshop on housing program backlog and fire-protection options; staff said they will report back to the board with the requested figures and options.
