BOCC Chair Krista Joseph Announces Changes to Agenda Format

• 25 November 2024
• Category: SJC News District 4
• Tags: 2024

The newly elected Chair of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), Krista Joseph, has announced that she looks forward to a productive year and has shared her first update on changes to the BOCC agenda, which includes the Pledge of Allegiance, Public Comment, Legislative Updates, and Public Safety Updates.

“I am pleased to announce some positive changes, ranging from moving general public comments to the beginning of BOCC meetings to broadening the list of veterans who will be invited to lead the pledge of allegiance,” Chair Joseph said. “Contrary to misinformation that was previously reported in some media outlets, the Veterans Council of St. Johns County is not being removed from the process of naming military veterans to lead the pledge, and Lt. Col. Bill Dudley, Chairman of the Veterans Council of St. Johns County, will continue to honor military veterans with that privilege – a privilege which will now be extended to other St. Johns County military veterans who are residents and County staff. I am grateful to Lt. Col. Dudley for his service and leadership.”

Chair Joseph also shared that she is proud to reschedule public comments to the beginning of the BOCC meetings for the first time since it was moved to a later time during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“It’s been four years since residents could give their public comments early and then get on with their day,” Chair Joseph said. “I’m so pleased to reinstate the longstanding tradition of putting residents’ comments first before discussing agenda items. I advise residents to arrive by 9 a.m. to give their comments.”

The BOCC typically meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 9 a.m., in the County Auditorium at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. The complete calendar is available at www.sjcfl.us/bcc-calendar.

Additionally, Chair Joseph announced that to streamline BOCC meetings, she is removing public safety and legislative updates from the beginning and requesting that the County disseminate them in press releases and social media posts by the Office of Public Affairs.

“BOCC meetings can last eight hours or longer, and the reason for eliminating these updates from the agenda is to get to business faster,” Chair Joseph said. “Efficiency is key. More people will see those updates if our Office of Public Affairs handles them rather than having them presented at BOCC meetings. And then we have more time for the business at hand. Of course, any urgent update will become the first item on the agenda. I’m looking forward to a productive year and welcome all input from County residents. I hope to see you at a Board of County Commissioners meeting.” The Office of Public Affairs broadcasts BOCC meetings live and offers video-on-demand with agenda time stamps so the public can select a specific agenda item to view. These video services are available at www.sjcfl.us/departments/govtv.