Featured Content
- St. Johns County Reaffirms Commitment to Hastings, Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Wastewater Treatment Plant After $6.76 Million Upgrades – St. Johns County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly upgraded Hastings Wastewater Treatment Plant today. The facility recently received $6.76 million in improvements funded by Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds allocated to St. Johns County by the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as a result of damages from Hurricane Matthew. The improvements replaced and upgraded assets at the plant to provide additional capacity to handle peak flows due to storm events, raised critical equipment above the flood elevation, and improved reliability and redundancy for maintenance and emergency response activities.
- St. Johns County's 2023 Hurricane Preparedness Guide is Available Now – The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is underway, running from June 1 to Nov. 30. St. Johns County Emergency Management’s 2023 Hurricane Preparedness Guide is available to the public. Visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.com for more preparedness information.
- St. Johns County will host a rescheduled open house for the planned Tortuga Beach Walkover. This project would provide a new beach access point for Tortuga Beach, located at 7740 A1A S., St. Augustine. St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and St. Johns County Public Works staff will be available to answer questions and share details about the project. Open House is scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2023 from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. at the St. Johns County Southeast Library, 6670 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine, FL. One or more County Commissioners may be present at the open house. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will take no action at this open house.
- St. Johns County is announcing that Scott Bullard has been named Fire Chief for St. Johns County Fire Rescue. Bullard has served as Interim Fire Chief since Chief Jeffrey Prevatt retired in December 2022. "Chief Bullard has proven himself to be diligent, considerate, trustworthy and has the full endorsement of Administration to help guide the vision of the future for St. Johns County Fire Rescue," said Hunter Conrad, St. Johns County Administrator. Chief Bullard is a 21-year member of St. Johns County Fire Rescue who has served the department in operational ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief. He holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia Southern University in Fire Administration, an associate's degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville in Fire Science, and the Managing Officer Designation from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Chief Bullard was selected as the 2013 Fire Rescue Paramedic of the Year and has been instrumental in developing several department initiatives, such as the Firefighter Development Program and the Live Fire Instructor Training Program. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will consider the confirmation of Bullard as Fire Chief at a future County Commission meeting.
- St. Johns County is pleased to announce the launch of a new countywide brand developed to showcase and reflect the unique assets of the community. The new brand, created based on extensive community research, highlights the attributes that make St. Johns County unique, including its waterways, natural resources, history, and abundant opportunities for outdoor activities. The brand embodies those assets with its tagline – Florida at First Sight. The branding project has been supported and funded in part by the St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority (IDA). "In St. Johns County's 200-plus year history, this is the first time that a brand has been developed for the county," said Hunter Conrad, County Administrator for St. Johns County. "We are incredibly grateful for the community support and feedback as well as the St. Johns County IDA for supporting this important initiative in helping us build a professional brand that conveys our values as a county. http://www.sjcfl.us/WWWWCF/WCFPressReleaserepo/media/SJC-Launches-New-Brand-Florida-at-First-Sight.pdf"
- St. Johns County Launches Recycle Coach – Recycle Coach is live! We have teamed up with Recycle Coach to help educate our residents on proper recycling! By downloading the Recycle Coach app or visiting recyclestjohns.com, you can get your curbside collection schedule, sign up for alerts, and quickly learn how to dispose of different waste materials properly. The Recycle Coach app also has image recognition software. Just take a picture of an item, and it will tell you if it is recyclable! Download the Recycle Coach app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.  Learn more about Recycle Coach.
- St. Johns County is launching a new emergency notification system to provide residents with critical information during emergency situations. The new Alert St. Johns system will enable residents to get critical information in a variety of situations including severe weather, unexpected road closures, water advisories, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods, and incidents that may threaten public safety. To receive alerts, sign up at https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736725582#/login.
- The Fire Watch Program and App. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately twenty veterans commit suicide each day in the United States. To respond to this national epidemic, St. Johns County has joined surrounding communities and local organizations in Fire Watch, a program that provides a support system for veterans in crisis. The Fire Watch launched a mobile app that enables veterans and volunteers to foster positive relationships and ensure veterans get the help they need. Available on both the Apple App Store and Android Google Play, the app will allow veterans in crisis to quickly receive emergency assistance and connect them with a variety of local resources and allies that will help them build relations and provide one-on-one counseling and support. www.thefirewatch.org.Â
FYIs
American Rescue Plan Act Funding
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
Sales Tax Performance Audit Report – St. Johns County was audited by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA). This audit is part of the state’s new transparency requirements for proposed sales tax increases.
Broadband Survey Reports – The St. Johns County Department of Economic Development would like to thank all those who participated in taking the Community and Business Broadband Surveys.
Post-Hurricane Emergency Orders
News
June 7, 2023 – St. Johns County Reaffirms Commitment to Hastings, Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for Wastewater Treatment Plant After $6.76 Million Upgrades – St. Johns County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly upgraded Hastings Wastewater Treatment Plant today. The facility recently received $6.76 million in improvements funded by Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funds allocated to St. Johns County by the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as a result of damages from Hurricane Matthew. The improvements replaced and upgraded assets at the plant to provide additional capacity to handle peak flows due to storm events, raised critical equipment above the flood elevation, and improved reliability and redundancy for maintenance and emergency response activities.
“We have not only elevated the tanks and critical equipment above flood elevations – but we have raised hope in the Hastings community that they are important and their needs for safe wastewater services are being met by St. Johns County,” said St. Johns County District 3 Commissioner Roy Alaimo. Wastewater Treatment Plant Ribbon Cutting Press Release | Ribbon Cutting Video
June 2, 2023 - St. Johns County's 2023 Hurricane Preparedness Guide is Available Now – The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is underway, running from June 1 to Nov. 30. St. Johns County Emergency Management’s 2023 Hurricane Preparedness Guide is available to the public. Visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.com for more preparedness information. 2023 Hurricane Season Press Release
May 19, 2023 - St. Johns County Names Scott Bullard as Fire Chief – St. Johns County is announcing that Scott Bullard has been named Fire Chief for St. Johns County Fire Rescue. Bullard has served as Interim Fire Chief since Chief Jeffrey Prevatt retired in December 2022. Fire Chief Announcement Press Release
Meetings & Open Houses
Amphitheatre & Concert Hall Advisory Committee Meeting – The Amphitheater & Concert Hall Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Cordova Conference Room located in the County Attorney’s Office, second floor of the County Administration Building. Amphitheatre & Concert Hall Advisory Committee Meeting
Rescheduled Open House for Tortuga Beach Walkover – St. Johns County will host a rescheduled open house for the planned Tortuga Beach Walkover. This project would provide a new beach access point for Tortuga Beach, located at 7740 A1A S., St. Augustine. St. Johns County Parks and Recreation and St. Johns County Public Works staff will be available to answer questions and share details about the project. Open House is scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2023 from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. at the St. Johns County Southeast Library, 6670 U.S. 1 S., St. Augustine, FL. One or more County Commissioners may be present at the open house. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners will take no action at this open house.
Assistance Programs
St. Johns County Offering Assistance with Past Due Energy Bills for Low-Income Seniors – The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) provides heating/cooling (Electric) bill assistance to an elder who is in immediate danger of losing home energy. For eligibility guidelines and application, visit the Social Services page or call 904-209-6140.
Projects & Closures
Palm Valley West Boat Ramp Improvements Temporary Closure – St. Johns County will temporarily close the Palm Valley West Boat Ramp for improvements from Jan. 9 until Summer 2023. The Palm Valley West Boat Ramp is located on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway underneath the Palm Valley Bridge. Palm Valley West Boat Ramp Closure
Notices
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
Public Records Requests
Government records may be seen and copied from a records custodian at the County Administration building, via specific County Departments responsible for their own records, from records custodians at Elected Officials Offices and at other levels of government such as state agencies, local, county and state authorities. Public records requests to the County may be made by completing the Public Records Request Form or by contacting the County’s Public Records Custodian at:
Office of the County Attorney, Attn: Public Records Custodian
500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, Florida 32084-8686
E: publicrecords@sjcfl.us | P: (904) 209-0805 | F: (904) 209-0806
For more information, please view the Public Records Request Brochure or visit the Public Records / Open Government page.
Special Districts Information can be found at www.sjcfl.us/SpecialDistricts
