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At the January 13th City Council meeting Ms Robinson requested that an additional form be used for the city manager review, even though it duplicated the existing review and appeared not to be relevant. This discussion, if you want to call it that, all started when she voted to not renew Mr. Session's contract  and councilman Jefferson made a second. The issue appeared to be that Robinson wanted to use an evaluation form produced by ICMA, which Mr. Sessions is not a member which he stated this is the first he has heard of the organization and that she felt he should be a member. Mr. Jefferson stated he did not want to talk about Sessions contract when his review was not completed although Mr Campbell and Alford had completed their review and met with Sessions to discuss. It was not clear if  Ms Owens had completed her review since she was out sick at the meeting. After multiple attempts to resolve the issue by the city attorney and chairman Ms Robinson continued giving her opinion until the chairman slammed the gavel multiple times to try to gain control but she continued . If Robinson and Jefferson had done their duty of completing a review perhaps the issue could have been resolved without disruption. In the middle of a heated debate about what form to use Mr Jefferson got up from his chair, no can we have a recess or excuse me for a minute and motioned to the audience for former councilwoman Owens to come forward and spoke in secret to her and returned to his seat asking where are we now. Did he need direction or advice what to do next, none of us will know. Two citizens spoke about council respect and decorum at the beginning of the meeting , but evidently not all of the council were listening especially the two that are the worst offenders.

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There was much that happened, these are just a few items that stood out to me.

A dirt pit permit was rejected by the BOCC after 30 citizens protest and the only person in favor was the firm that would profit. We need more common sense decisione where multiple citizens are against an issue and the only yes is the person who will make money from the decision.

Suwannee Iron Works denied a special permit to continue working illegally in Suwannee County. this was a very long quasi judicial meeting where the board made a good decision.

North Florida Water Utility funded in excess of $750K over the past two years doing northing more than flushing our money down the drain. Sorry folks this makes no sense to me to have another layer of government wasting our money.

Regional shelter received $38M from the governor in December along with other funds earlier in the year

Sadly Commissioner Perkins passed in November. He was a good christian man who always did what he felt was right.

The Sheriffs department and Emergency Management under close scrutiny including a special audit by the BOCC and the arrest of former finance director Megan Corbin  in November. This item alone could fill a book, check Wayne's Blog. This investigation and results are far from over.

River Oak Technical College received $4.1M in grants for building expansion and new programs.

Station 6 building completed with grant funds. Chief Miller finding unique was to fund more personnel

Hampton Inns coming to 129/I10 Area.  

Greg Scott retires and Jason Furry is chosen as new county administrator. Brenda Flanagan appointed interim Public Works Director.

Suwannee County deputy Justin Dalton shot during the chase of a murder suspect who was subsequently killed by Live Oak Officer Brandie Harden.

There are many stories Good and Bad that took place on our county this year. I am proud to be a citizen of Suwannee County and encourage all citizens to get involved in your government in a positive manner. We need to focus on the positives not the negatives, this is a great place to live and follow GODS plan.

At the January 6th BOCC meeting I requested the 3 minute rule for public comment be enforced to curb the constant abuse of comments.

May you all have a Blessed New Year

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12/3/25 BOCC Special Meeting: Board takes over emergency management from the Sheriff's Department in 90 days and forwards audit to state click below for full video. Commissioner Land explained that the board will seek a firm that has expertise in emergency management to help define the scope and selection of management for the future. In the intrim the fire department will take over oversight of emergency management.  https://concernedcitizensofnorthfl.com/suwannee-county.

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11/25/25 Previous Sheriff's Office Finance Director arrested today.FDLE proceeded with its investigation using agency records, criminal subpoenas, and financial documents obtained from multiple sources. As a result of the independent investigation, FDLE determined that probable cause existed to seek a capias for Ms. Corbin’s arrest.

On November 25, 2025, Megan Leigh Corbin, 38, of Live Oak, Florida, was arrested in Taylor County as a result of FDLE’s investigation. She faces eight counts of Grand Theft and two counts of Fraud: Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card.  Click on articles button for full  story

UPDATE 12/16/25 Jason Fury unanimously voted to be next county manager at BOCC meeting.  Brenda Flanagan to take title of Public Works Director.

 The best candidate for Suwannee County’s vacant county administrator position is already in Suwannee County, according to the Florida Association of County Managers. The FACM’s search committee, which is helping conduct the county’s search, ranked Interim County Administrator Jason Furry as the county’s top candidate out of the six applicants the county received in October. Possible discussion at BOCC meeting 12/16/25.

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January meeting moved to 1/20/26 at Suwannee County.

A Special Meeting will be scheduled for 1/5/26 to discuss engineering recommendations for fixing Columbia and Suwannee plants.  

Ratillix rate report due in January., only 4 months late.

MuniCreative contract to maintain website renewed for $4,800 a year.

Lease agreement for Shannon Roberts 4X4 Crew cab truck approved in the amount of $1,400 per month after three citizens disagree with the type of and amount of lease.

Water rate to supply to Fort White set at $8.00 per 1000 gallons.

Shannon states he needs to analyse the issues with both counties water and sewer plants both sides from Columbia and Suwannee are concerned how to pay for repairs and possible fines from FDEP.

The Ellisville wastewater treatment plant’s problems with properly treating the water has cost Columbia County.

More state fines could be coming if the issue with meeting permit standards aren’t met.

Columbia County was fined $11,375 in September by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as part of a consent order after testing at the plant showed 37 violations of the plant’s permit. The plant could be fined $200 per day for every violation moving forward as well.

“It’s not purifying to specifications,” North Florida Water Utilities Authority Executive Director Shannon Roberts said about the violations as the NFWUA now handles the operations of the plant. “The treatment is not being done to specifications.”

More to follow in the next few days.

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