FYIs

View Meeting Notices, Events, and Advisory Calendars

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meetings are held monthly on the first and third Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in the County Auditorium. Agendas | Minutes | Calendar

County Commissioner Invitations – The County Commissioners receive invitations to attend various events and, on occasion, more than one Commissioner may attend and participate. For notices and more information, visit the BOCC’s Invitations webpage.

Boards and Committees Volunteer Opportunities – Residents interested in serving their community and participating in local government may apply for a variety of board and committee opportunities. Current Board Vacancies

St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District To Contribute $1.5 Million Toward Genovar Property Purchase – In a unanimous vote by the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District, during its Aug. 9, 2022 meeting, $1.5 million will now go toward funding the purchase of the Genovar property. The contribution by the St. Augustine Port, Waterway, and Beach District demonstrates the widespread support behind St. Johns County’s decision to acquire approximately 31 acres on the San Sebastian River, known as the Genovar property, for the future development of a public boat ramp and related uses. During the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Aug. 2, 2022, commissioners voted to purchase the property for $17.5 million. Genovar Property Purchase Press Release

St. Johns County Invites Residents to Open House on Cornerstone Park Improvements – St. Johns County is hosting an open house to gather community input for a proposed playground and athletic field lighting at Cornerstone Park in Ponte Vedra Beach. St. Johns County Public Works and St. Johns County Parks and Recreation staff will be available to answer questions and share details about this future asset to our community. Workshop will be held on Thursday, August 25, 2022, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Cornerstone Park Improvements

IAFF Local #3865 Negotiation Meetings – Representatives of the Collective Bargaining Team of St. Johns County and representatives of the International Association of Firefighters Local #3865 will meet in public session for collective bargaining contract negotiations. The following meetings have been scheduled in the SJC Training & Education Center. IAFF Local #3865 Negotiation Meetings

• Monday, August 22, 2022 – 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Amphitheater & Concert Hall Advisory Committee Meetings – Amphitheater & Concert Hall Advisory Committee will be holding meetings in the Cordova Conference Room on the following dates below. Amphitheater & Concert Hall Advisory Committee Meetings

• Monday, August 15, 2022 – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 17, 2022 – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Preliminary Surveying Underway for the Shore Drive Trail Project – The Shore Drive Trail Project is a county initiative to improve the existing trail and provide residents with a 3.25-mile multi-use paved trail along Shore Drive Waterfront Park. As part of the pre-planning, a team of consultants, county staff, and engineers are conducting a preliminary survey for the trail. Survey crews will be onsite evaluating the area and the underground infrastructure; markers will be placed throughout Shore Drive as reference points for an upcoming project design. As a reminder, please leave the markers in place while in the area. Shore Drive Trail Project

Racy Point Bridge to Temporarily Close for Repairs – St. Johns County Public Works will close Racy Point Bridge, located 3.7 miles south of County Road 214, to complete repairs. The closure will occur from August 3 through October 14, 2022, weather permitting. This project is intended to stabilize traffic-bearing concrete slabs approaching the bridge, replace and reset the bridge guardrail, and resurface additional pavement approaching the bridge. Detour signage will be posted during construction.

Hurricane Evacuation Zone Changes – St. Johns County’s hurricane evacuation zones have been updated as a result of data improvements by the National Hurricane Center. The new zones are effective immediately. Those living in coastal, waterfront, and low-lying areas will see the most significant changes. In preparation for the Atlantic Hurricane Season that begins June 1, residents and business owners are encouraged to review the updated map to determine changes to their evacuation zones by visiting the County’s “My Evacuation Zone website” which provides evacuation zone information for St. Johns County addresses. Residents should take this opportunity to also familiarize themselves with appropriate evacuation routes. Please note, there’s a difference between evacuation zones and evacuation routes, and the new zone changes do not affect your evacuation route. Additionally, your evacuation zone does not impact FEMA Flood Zones or FEMA Flood Insurance rates. St. Johns County also encourages residents and business owners to prepare for hurricane season by visiting Florida’s “Get a Plan” website and making a hurricane supply kit. More information is available at the St. Johns County Emergency Management website.

St. Johns County COVID-19 Testing Site Closed – The NOMI Health COVID-19 testing site at the St. Johns County Wind Mitigation Building is longer operational due to a lack of sufficient federal funding. This is a result of widespread testing availability in the private sector, the Federal program that mails free COVID-19 tests to individuals, and a decrease in COVID-19 infections. SJC Testing Locations and Florida Department of Health Resources

More than $60 Million Awarded to St. Johns County for Emergency Beach Repairs – St. Johns County will receive up to $62 million in federal funding from the Jacksonville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for emergency repairs on two beach projects. The projects include the St. Johns County Shore Protection Project in St. Augustine Beach and the St. Johns County South Ponte Vedra Beach and Vilano Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Project. Emergency Beach Repairs

County Commissioners Vote to Place Proposed Sales Tax on November Ballot – During the March 15 commission meeting, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to send to referendum a proposed one-penny sales tax ordinance for voter approval on November 8, 2022. Before election day, an independent certified public accountant will conduct an audit to examine several key factors. Those factors include the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the program and how the program will accomplish goals and objectives. The audit report will be available to the public 60 days before election day. “We have a problem, and we cannot raise impact fees any more than where they already are due to statutory limitations. This left us with only three options: raise the millage rate on our homes, propose the public votes yes or no on a one-cent sales tax increase, or do nothing and kick the can down the road for several more years,” said Board Chairman, Commissioner Henry Dean. “I think it’s important to let the voters decide.” Should more than 50% of voters approve the proposed ordinance, the sales tax increase will begin for ten years on January 1, 2023. The proposed increase would take St. Johns County’s sales tax from 6.5% to 7.5% of the sale of goods and services. For taxable personal property, the additional one-penny sales tax would only be collected on the first $5,000. The additional sales tax would not apply to certain groceries, prescription drugs, medical products and supplies, or other goods and services exempt from taxation. St. Johns County has developed a Frequently Asked Questions page regarding the proposed surtax increase.

More Than $54 Million in State Funding Secured for St. Johns County – The St. Johns County legislative delegation has secured $54,777,323 in appropriations for critical county projects that will improve the quality of life for county residents. The state’s budget includes dollars for road improvements, flood mitigation, special high growth-high performance funding for St. Johns County schools, septic-to-sewer installations, dune restoration, funding for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and assistance for charities helping homeless pregnant women in the county. St. Johns County Appropriations Full Press Release

County Commissioners Hear 1st Reading on Proposed One-cent Infrastructure Surtax Ordinance – At the March 1 regular meeting, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners heard the 1st reading of the proposed sales tax ordinance to increase St. Johns County’s sales tax from 6.5% to 7.5% of the sale of goods and services. For taxable personal property, the additional 1-cent sales tax would only be collected on the first $5,000. The additional sales tax would not apply to certain groceries, medical products and supplies, or other goods and services exempt from taxation. No action was taken at the meeting. The purpose of the 1st reading is to give County Commissioners the chance to review the ordinance language, receive public comment, and offer the County Attorney feedback. The 2nd and final reading will occur on March 15.

• If the Board passes the proposed ordinance on March 15, it will then go to a referendum for voters to decide on November 8, 2022.
• Should the Board vote to do so, a certified public accountant will conduct an audit.
• The audit will outline several key factors, including the economy, effectiveness of the program, and how the ordinance will accomplish goals and objectives. This information will be available to the public 60 days before election day.
• Should the general public vote to pass the sales tax increase, the 10-year ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2023.

St. Johns County will continue to update the public on the proposed ordinance in the coming weeks.

Board of County Commissioners Votes to Draft Proposed Sales Tax Ordinance – At the February 15 regular meeting, the Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to request staff draft a proposed ordinance to increase St. Johns County’s sales tax by one penny. Before a sales tax increase can go into effect, several steps must occur:

• The proposed infrastructure sales tax ordinance is read at regular meetings on March 1 and March 15.
• If the Board passes the proposed ordinance on March 15, it will then go to a referendum for voters to decide on November 8, 2022.
• Should the Board vote to do so, an audit will occur by a certified public accountant.
• The audit will outline several key factors, including the economy, effectiveness of the program, and how the ordinance will accomplish goals and objectives. This information will be available to the public 60 days before election day.
• Should the general public vote to pass the sales tax increase, the 10-year ordinance will go into effect on January 1, 2023.

St. Johns County will continue to update the public on the proposed ordinance in the coming weeks.

Cypress Road / St. Augustine Boulevard Drainage Improvements – Crews are working on road and drainage improvements for Cypress Road and St. Augustine Boulevard. In addition to these two streets, residents can also expect to see construction on or near: Richie Drive, San Juan Drive, Hilltop Road, and Sawmill Landing Drive. During the project, temporary lane and roadway closures may occur in the affected area. Cypress Road / St. Augustine Blvd Drainage Improvements Project

Exterior Improvement Grant Program – Eligible small businesses and nonprofits in St. Johns County can now apply for funding assistance through the Exterior Improvement Grant Program. On September 7, 2021, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners appropriated $500,000 to this program aimed at helping small businesses and nonprofits enhance outdoor spaces for COVID-19 mitigation. This funding is part of Phase I of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law by President Biden earlier this year. Exterior Improvement Grant Application

St. Johns County Now Offering Assistance with Past Due Energy Bills for Low-Income Seniors – The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) that was previously administered by the Council on Aging will now be offered by St. Johns County. This ongoing assistance for heating/cooling (Electric) bill assistance to an elder who is in immediate danger of losing home energy. Payment is made to the energy vendor or landlord (if utilities are included with the rent) on behalf of the eligible household that meets income and residency criteria. For eligibility guidelines and application, visit the Social Services page or call 904-209-6140.

Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance – The Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance is established to provide for registration, basic health, safety, parking and solid waste requirements to help mitigate the effects of short term vacation rentals in an attempt to make them safer, more compatible with existing neighborhood regulations and provide accountability for their proper operation. Short Term Vacation Rentals. If you have a complaint regarding short-term vacation rental properties, please call the Complaint Line at (904) 320-2442 or email shorttermrentals@sjcfl.us.

Current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps & Information – Flood Zone Viewer | NFIP Rating Insurance Discounts for Some SJC Property Owners

Projects, Advisories, Status Updates – For right of way projects, advisories, and status updates as well as permitting activity, please visit the St. Johns County Neighborhood Bill of Rights Application