Jul 21, 2026 Board of County Commissioners

[Call to Order by Chair]

[00:00:09]

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. WE WILL GAVEL IN THE JULY 21ST MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

I WILL NOW LOOK TO RICH KOMANDO. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR.

I WANTED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC, AS WELL AS YOU, THAT COMMISSIONERS ARNOLD AND WHITEHURST NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY WILL BE PARTICIPATING AND PRESENT VIRTUALLY IN ORDER TO

AVOID BEING A DISTRACTION-- >> ORDER, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. >> TO AVOID BEING A DISTRACTION

TO THE MEETING. >> THANK YOU.

A LITTLE COMMENT ABOUT THAT. I REALIZE THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THE COUNTY RIGHT NOW, BUT WE STILL HAVE BUSINESS WE NEED TO GET TO. SO WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL ROLL WE.

APPRECIATE IT. WE WILL NOW HAVE OUR INVITATION.

I BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE BEEN IN VACATION BY THE CHAPLAIN FROM THE ST JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AND WE WILL GO TO MISS CHAPMAN FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

PLEASE STAND. >> GOOD MORNING.

AS WE THINK ABOUT JULY, JULY 4TH, OUR 250TH ANNIVERSARY, I HAVE PROVERBS CHAPTER 14 VERSE 34.

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE THESE INVITATIONS PRIOR TO OUR MEETINGS. IN FACT, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAS THE ONE WHO ESTABLISHED THAT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

HE WASN'T A CHRISTIAN, BUT HE WAS INTERESTED THAT EACH TIME THEY HAD A MEETING, HE SAID WE SHOULD START IT WITH A PRAYER.

ALSO WANT TO SHARE, THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE FOR THE FOUNDING FATHERS TO ACHIEVE INTO-- ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE WERE THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY.

I THEM BELIEVE IN NOW BELIEVE THAT THOSE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY ARE EXTERNAL AND YOUR MUTABLE AS THE ACTIONS OF GOD. JOHN ADAMS TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE STATE, LORD GOD.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

WE PRAY THAT WE CAN BE ONE NATION UNDER GOD AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE PRAY FOR YOU TO LEAD US TO DATE, AND WE PRAY THAT YOU HELP US TO CONTINUE TO BE ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE. WE THANK YOU FOR THAT, DEAR LORD. WE LIVE FOR YOU AND ALL YOU DO AND SAY. WE PRAY THAT YOU BLESS EACH OF US, AND THESE MEMBERS. AND THAT THEY GIVE THEM WISDOM, AND YOU WILL NOT HOLD IT BACK FROM THEM.

SO I PRAY THAT YOU WILL DO JUST THAT.

TAKE THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD AND APPLY THEM TO OUR LIVES PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY. WE LOVE YOU AND PRAISE AND THANK YOU, JESUS FOR DYING ON THE CROSS, AND GIVING US ETERNAL LIFE. IN JESUS' MOST PRECIOUS NAME,

AMEN. >> IF YOU WOULD JOIN US,

THANK YOU? >> PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND

JUSTICE FOR ALL >> THANK YOU.

YOU MAYBE SEATED. I THINK WE HAVE A VIDEO FOR THIS. TO WE HAVE A VIDEO? OR IS IT THE NEXT ONE. PRESENTATION? OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

[Proclamation Recognizing Best Foot Forward for Pedestrian Safety]

WE WERE FORMED IN 2012 IN RESPONSE TO THE DANGEROUS BY DESIGN REPORT THAT SHOWED THAT ORLANDO AT THE TIME WAS THE DANGER-- DEADLIEST METRO AREA IN THE NATION.

SINCE THEN WE PUT FORWARD A LOT OF EFFORT, WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, WORKING WITH PUBLIC.

[00:05:01]

AND ORLANDO AS PER THE REPORT A FEW WEEKS AGO HIS 25TH IN THE NATION NOW. SO IT'S MAKING SOME MEASURABLE PROGRESS HERE. JACKSONVILLE BY COMPARISON IS 16. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST. JACKSONVILLE AREA INCLUDE ST JOHNS COUNTY. SO WERE LOOKING TO CONTINUE WHAT WE ARE DOING IN ORLANDO IN TO THE JACKSONVILLE AREA.

AND THE NORTH FLORIDA TPO RECOGNIZED THAT WE ARE DOING AND WANTED TO CS TO THE SAME THING HERE IN ST JOHNS COUNTY AND JACKSONVILLE AS WELL. SO WE DID NOT INVENT THIS METHODOLOGY. IT WAS RIGHT HERE IN FLORIDA IN 1998. IT WAS A STUDY IN ST. PETERSBURG AND IN 2013 IN GAINESVILLE. THEY TOOK A SAMPLE OF CROSSWALKS IN THE AREA, AND YOU CAN SEE IN THE CHART THAT THESE CROSSWALK START WITH ABOUT 30% DRIVERS YIELDING TO THEM.

BY THE END OF THE PERIOD AFTER SOME EDUCATION, ENFORCEMENT, SIGNAGE, THINGS LIKE THAT, THEY CAN GET THOSE SAME CROSSWALKS TO ABOUT 70% OF DRIVERS YIELDING ON AVERAGE.

AND WE HAVE MANY STORIES OF CROSSWALKS THAT HAVE SEEN SIMILAR IMPROVEMENTS LIKE THIS. SO WE START IN THE GREEN THERE ON THE SCREEN. WE HAVE BEEN EXPANDING WITH HELP TO DIFFERENT COUNTIES. PEOPLE RECOGNIZE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WANT TO SEE THAT IN OTHER COUNTIES WHERE THERE ARE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH PEDESTRIAN DEATHS AND INJURIES.

I KNOW THE TPO WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO BRING A ST JOHNS COUNTY PICKS UNTHANKFUL FOR THEM TO DO THIS.

WE WILL PARTNER UP WITH ANYBODY IN PUBLIC WORKS.

ANYBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HEALTH GROUPS, ET CETERA. ANYBODY THAT CAN HELP GIVE US SOME GUIDANCE ON WHERE THERE ARE CROSSWALKS TO TAKE DATA FROM.

SO WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PERCENTAGES THERE IS THE DRIVER YIELD RATE. I WANT TO BE CLEAR, WE DON'T RUN OUT IN FRONT OF CARS. WE PUT A MARKER OUT AT A SAFE STOPPING DISTANCE BASED ON THE SPEED LIMIT.

WE WILL STEP IN TO THE CROSSWALK, MADE CONTACT WITH THE-- I CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER, ALLOW THEM TO CROSS, AND GIVE THEM THE CHOICE TO CONTINUE, OR IF WE STOP AND ALLOW THEM TO CROSS. IF THEY DO, WE MARKET DOWN IS YIELDING. IF NOT, NOT YIELDING.

SO MOST OF THE AVERAGE IS PRETTY GOOD.

MOST OF THE CROSSWALKS WE SELECTED HERE IN ST. JOHN'S ARE PRETTY SAFE. A LOT OF THESE ARE SIGNALED AS INTERSECTIONS. WHICH YOU WOULD EXPECT TO BE GOOD. SOME OF THEM HAVE RAPID FLASHING BEACONS, SOME OF THEM HAVE L.E.D. FLASHING BEACONS.

THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT ARE GOOD USUALLY.

WE SEE CROSSWALKS THAT ARE LIKE SINGLE DIGITS, TEN, 20 PERCENT, THOSE ARE OFTEN VERY LOW. AND A FEW OF THESE JUST RECENTLY GOT IMPROVEMENTS. THEY WANTED TO CHECK ON THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING EFFECTIVE, AND SO FAR THEY ARE.

SO WE WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS UP TO DATE.

ST. JOHN'S SHERIFF'S COUNTY OFFICE IS OUT TODAY DOING THESE CROSSWALKS. SAME METHODOLOGY, TO STEPPING OUT AND GIVING DRIVERS PLENTY OF SPACE AND ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO MAKE A DECISION. IF THEY CONTINUE THROUGH THE CROSSWALK WE WILL PULL THEM OVER AND LET THEM KNOW THAT IT IS A LOT OF STUFF. SO WE WILL ALSO WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SOME LOW-COST RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE SIGNAGE, THINGS LIKE THAT. WHILE FLASHING BEACONS WERE GREAT, THEY ARE NOT 100% EFFECTIVE.

THEY GIVE PEOPLE A FALSE SENSE AND PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS PRESS THE BUTTON. THAT JUST PUTS YOU BACK AT SQUARE ONE. WHAT IS THE MARKINGS, WHAT IS THE SIGNAGE. SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON, MAKING SURE THE CROSSWALK IS VISIBLE TO DRIVERS, AND THAT THERE IS NO CONFUSION THAT THEY SHOULD BE STOPPING WHEN THEY COME UP TO IT. SO WE DO A BUNCH OF PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.

WE HAVE SIGN WAVING EVENTS AS WELL.

I BROUGHT A FEW SIGNS. TO GO OUT AND LET DRIVERS KNOW THAT IT'S A LOT OF STOPS FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CROSSWALKS.

TO LET THEM KNOW HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE YIELDING, OR THAT IT IS GOING TO COST THEM MONEY IF THEY GET PULLED OVER FOR THAT TYPE OF THING. SO WE FOUND THAT THESE TYPES OF EVENTS CAN BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE AS ENFORCEMENT.

RAISING THE DRIVER YIELD RATE BY 10% OR MORE AT A CROSSWALK.

SO WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE IS KIND OF THE RESULTS IN THE ORLANDO METRO AREA. TWO GRAPHS OVER EACH OTHER.

THE LINE REGRET-- LINE GRAPH IS OUR DATA.

SHOWING US THE CROSSWALKS WE HAVE BEEN MONITORING.

IN 2012 OVER 70% OF DRIVERS YIELDING.

THAT STEADILY INCREASED BY YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

AND NOW IT HAS COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE BAR GRAPH IS THE SIGNAL FOUR DATA.

THE OFFICIAL DATA ON DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES THROUGHOUT THE ORLANDO METRO AREA. YOU ARE SEEING EXPONENTIAL INCREASE THROUGH 2015. A YEAR'S AT-- A FEW YEARS AFTER THE PROGRAM STARTED. IT HIT A PEAK AND LEVELED OFF.

A INVERSE OF WHAT OUR DATA IS SHOWING.

SO THAT WE CAN SEE THAT THAT'S ALSO WHAT WE SEE IN TERMS OF DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

SO THAT IS THE JUST OF OUR PROGRAM.

I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? BEFORE WE GET STARTED--

[00:10:10]

COMMISSIONER JAMISON? >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S A GIRL IN CROSSWALK, A KID WITH A BIKE? DO YOU JUST TAKE ONE PERSON VOLUNTEER THAT DOES IT?

>> WE HAVE TO TRAIN THEM-- SO WE TRAIN OUR DATA COLLECTORS.

WE WANT TO BE SAFE. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO TRICK DRIVERS. THEY ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED AND THEY KNOW NOT TO WALK OUT UNLESS THE CARS BEHIND THAT MARKER.

WE HAVE FEMALE AND MALE, TALL AND SHORT.

WE SEE A LITTLE VARIATION, BUT IT'S USUALLY PRETTY CONSISTENT

OVERALL IN TERMS OF THE RATE. >> GREAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU. >> APPROXIMATION-- PROC-- A PROCLAMATION BY ST JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA.

WHEREAS ST JOHNS COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF ALL IT'S RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFE, ACCESSIBLE AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, AND WHEREAS THE NORTH FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION, TPO, SUPPORTS INITIATIVES ALIGNED WITH VISION ZERO PRINCIPLES, AIMING TO ALUMINATE TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO VULNERABLE ROAD USERS.

SUCH AS PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS.

AND WHEREAS THE BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM IS A DATA DRIVEN INITIATIVE THAT COMBINES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, HIGH VISIBILITY ENFORCEMENT AND LOW-COST ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE DRIVER COMPLIANCE WITH PEDESTRIAN RIGHT-OF-WAY LAWS.

THEREBY REDUCING INJURIES AND FATALITIES.

AND WHEREAS IMPLEMENTING THE BEST FOOT FORWARD PROGRAM IN ST JOHNS COUNTY WILL COMPLEMENT EXISTING SAFETY EFFORTS, INCLUDING ST JOHNS COUNTY'S TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND CRASH TREND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES, COMPLETE STREETS.

PLANNING APPROACHES, VISION ZERO ALIGNED STRATEGIES AND ACTION SUPPORTED BY THE SAFE STREETS AND ROADS FOR ALL GRANTS TO ADVANCED DATA DRIVEN SAFETY PLANNING.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA, THAT THEY ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT BEST FOOT FORWARD FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. RECOGNIZING THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES ARE BEST FOOT FORWARD PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM, AND JOINING WITH OTHER LOCAL CITIES, COUNTIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCIES, AND FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN A REGIONAL EFFORT TO REDUCE INJURIES AND FATALITIES. PASSED ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONERS OF ST JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA, THIS PAST JULY, 2026.

>> THANK YOU. AND GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

WHAT A WONDERFUL HONOR I HAVE TO PRESENT TODAY'S EVENTS.

I AM SO EXCITED. I JUST LEARNED THAT ST JOHNS COUNTY IS THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NORTHEAST AREA TO START OFF THIS AMAZING PROGRAM. ANYTHING WE CAN DO AT THIS TIME TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR OUR RESIDENT FORCES IS A PRIORITY.

BUT I'M JUST SO HONORED THAT YOU ARE HERE TODAY.

LAWS PLUS. [APPLAUSE]

[Certificates Celebrating Four Local Restaurants for Earning the Michelin Recognition]

>> AND NOW. SOMETHING I HAVE REALLY BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO. I AM ONE OF THOSE FOOD GEEKS.

AND I GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH THIS AS IT HAPPENED.

I'D LIKE TO CALL UP AND RECOGNIZE OUR MICHELIN GUIDE AWARDEES. AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.

PLEASE COME UP WITH ME. THE LOTUS NOODLE BAR.

ALSO... THE SUNDAY GATHERING TABLE AND...

[00:15:04]

ON UP HERE. WHILE WE ARE GETTING THINGS SET UP, I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK ABOUT HOW PROUD WE SHOULD BE ABOUT THIS MICHELIN GUIDE RECOGNITION HERE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. FOR THESE RESTAURANTS.

IT IS A BIG DEAL. THIS ONE RESTAURANT IS ALSO A RECOGNITION FOR SMALLER SCALE RESTAURANTS.

AND TO HAVE TWO AWARDED IN ST JOHNS COUNTY IS A HUGE DEAL.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF THEM. AND AS A COUNTY WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE GOING ON RIGHT AROUND THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I AM CRAIG THOMAS WITH VISIT FLORIDA. WE AT THE STATE LEVEL PLAY A ROLE WITH WORKING WITH MICHELIN TO MAKE SURE THE GUIDE HAS A PRESENCE IN FLORIDA. AND THAT OUR RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS HAVE A CHANCE TO EARN THESE SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS.

IT MEANS A LOT TO OUR TOURISM. THE MICHELIN GUIDE IS A GREAT BRAND, BUT IT MEANS MORE TO OUR RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS TODAY IS ABOUT THEM. AND WE WANT TO GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE]

>> I WILL GIVE THE FIRST ONE OUT TO MY BODY, BARRY, WITH LOTUS

NEW-- LOTUS NOODLE BAR. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

[APPLAUSE] >> DO YOU WANT TO COME UP? GIVE HER SOME ENCOURAGEMENT. COME ON.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I'M SUSAN PHILLIPS.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ST JOHNS COUNTY VISITORS AND CONVENTION BUREAU. WE ARE DELIGHTED AND THRILLED TO BE HERE TODAY TO HONOR THESE RESTAURANTS, AND I HAD THE HONOR OF GIVING OUT THE AWARD TO SOME OF MY DEAR FRIENDS HERE.

AND JUST JOIN US IN CONGRATULATING THEM.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

WE WILL TAKE A GROUP PICTURE AND THEN WE WILL GET BACK TO BUSINESS. [APPLAUSE]

[00:21:02]

[APPLAUSE] >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE

[Acceptance of Proclamations]

PROCLAMATION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED? I ALSO JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MARK ALSO GOT A RECOGNITION, AND THEY WERE NOT HERE TO RECEIVE IT, SO WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM AS WELL.

[Deletions to Consent Agenda]

DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE HAVE NONE.

COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> I HAVE NONE.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I HAVE NONE, MR. CHAIR.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST. >> I HAVE NONE.

>> AND I HAVE NONE. DO WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE AGENDA? NO.

>> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.3 PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> TOM REYNOLDS. CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 31.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU COMMISSIONERS, YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET IN LIFE. IT'S ONLY $200,000.

WHICH IS CHUMP CHANGE. SO WHO WOULD DO THIS FOR $200,000? CHUMPS.

IN FACT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS CLEAR.

IT IS THE INTERCOASTAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ST JOHNS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE WORST POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE HISTORY OF POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT. WHY DO I SAY THAT? I SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAVE FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE.

I AM A EXPERT ON POLICE MISCONDUCT.

AND I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.

I WOULD MUCH PREFER TO NOT GIVE THEM A PENNY AND HAVE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DO THEIR JOB ON THE COUNTY BEACHES.

ANYWAYS, COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW WE CANNOT CHANGE THIS, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THAT SHERIFF HARDWICK IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TAXPAYERS OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH.

AND BECAUSE SHERIFF HARDWICK WAS THE FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE, HE CANNOT SEE THE INCOMPETENCE. BUT THAT DEPARTMENT HAS GONE DOWNHILL FASTER THAN A BOWLING BALL SINCE HE LEFT.

IT'S A 29 PERSON DEPARTMENT. 20 OF THEM ARE AT MAXIMUM VACATION. IT IS NOTHING BUT A DRAIN ON THE TAXPAYERS. IN FACT THE TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING DOUBLE DIPPED ON THIS. ANYWAYS.

FOR THE FUTURE, JUST SO YOU KNOW, IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, THEY ARE THE ONLY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT HAS A BEACH PATROL THAT HAS NO BICYCLE BEACH PATROL. WHY?

[00:25:01]

IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

THANK YOU. >> AND I WANTED TO ALSO SAY, THIS IS PUBLIC COMMENT FOR CONSENT AGENDA.

FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

OKAY. >> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO

APPROVE? >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS IT IS.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. AND A SECOND.

[Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda]

COMMISSIONER? >> I HAVE NONE.

>> COMMISSIONER ARNOLD? >> I HAVE NONE.

>> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? >> I HAVE NONE.

>> AND I HAVE NONE. EXCEPT FOR LET ME ACTINIDES

JOANN. >> THANK YOU.

-- LET ME RECOGNIZE JOANN. >> WE ARE ASKING TO POSTPONE

ITEM NUMBER 9. >> ITEM NINE TO BE POSTPONED.

OKAY. >> THE RATIONALE BEHIND THAT?

>> WE HAVE A PROCEDURAL CORRECTION TO MAKE BEFORE THAT CAN BE PRESENTED. IT WILL BE PRESENTED AT A LATER

DATE. >> WE WILL REMOVE AGENDA ITEM

[ Approval of Regular Agenda]

>> MOVED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. DO WE HAVE A SECOND.

>> THERE ARE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HERE.

THEY CAN SECOND IT. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A SECOND. THANK YOU.

BUT US VOTE. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AND OPPOSED? THAT PASSES.

[Public Comment]

COMMENT AT THIS TIME. >> AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL HEAR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR ACTION ON TODAY'S AGENDA. WHEN ADDRESSING THE BOARD COME TO ONE OF THE THREE PODIUMS AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK AND WE ASK THAT YOU SPEAK RIGHT INTO THE MICROPHONE.

SPEAKERS WILL COMPLY WITH THE BOARD'S RULES FOR CIVILITY AND DECORUM. SPEAKERS DO NOT NEED AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD, AND MEMBERS FROM THE AUDIENCE WILL REFRAIN FROM DISRUPTION OR DISAPPROVE-- OR SOUNDS OF DISAPPROVAL. ANY SPEAKER WHO WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MATERIALS, IF YOU CAN DO SO AT THE CENTER PODIUM, AND PAPER MATERIALS CAN BE PLACED ON THE X WHERE AN OVERHEAD CAMERA CAN DISPLAY. AND A LAPTOP WILL BE SET UP FOR ANY USB PRESENTATIONS. AFTER PRESENTING, PROVIDE THE MATERIALS TO THE STAFF OF THE COURT TO BE ENTERED IN TO PUBLIC RECORD. THANK YOU.

I LOVE HOW EVERYBODY IS ALL SET UP AND YOU ARE EACH AT THE PODIUMS. I DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY THAT.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> I AM MICHAEL COMPTON.

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND ON BEHALF OF THE NORTH BEACH COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. THIS IS IN REGARD TO THE CURRENT REGULATIONS OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN NORTH BEACH.

DUE TO MY TIME LIVING IN NORTH BEACH THE NUMBER OF CURRENT RESIDENTS IS DECLINING, AND... THIS IS DUE TO THE GROWTH OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, STRS HAVE WENT FROM VIRTUALLY ZERO TO WELL OVER 50% OF ALL HOUSES IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE LONG-TERM PERMANENT NEIGHBORS IN A VARIETY OF HO HOMES... ISSUES INCLUDE REDUCED LOT SIZES, COOKIE-CUTTER RESIDENCES, TO LARGE FOR SMALL LOTS. NOISE ISSUES, PARKING ISSUES FOR RENTERS AND TRASH PICKUP PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS OUR COUNTY REGULATORY STRUCTURE WAS UNPREPARED AND IS UNABLE TO MEET THESE NEW CHALLENGES.

WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE COUNTY ST ART REGULATORY ORGANIZATIONS AND REGULATIONS. FOR US, THIS... IS CURRENTLY ORGANIZED, HE SERVICES ARE VIRTUALLY USELESS TO RESIDENTS AND SER OWNERS. THE GROUP OPERATES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND DURING NORMAL DAYLIGHT HOURS.

OPERATORS ARE NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT TO INSPECT THE COMPLAINT SITE AND IF THEY DO OFTEN ARRIVE TOO LATE TO NOTICE THE PROBLEMS. TWO, RECONSTITUTE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT GROUP WITH THE FOLLOWING OPERATION PROCEDURES. OPERATING HOURS SHOULD BE

[00:30:02]

THROUGH 11:00 P.M. AND THROUGH THOSE AREAS YOU CAN BASICALLY HAVE A QUICK RESPONSE. INSTRUCT ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO DOCUMENT WITH PHOTOS OR VIDEO OF THE VIOLATION OF THE CODES.

THIRD, SITUATIONS FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE CONTACTED THROUGH BACKUP SUPPORT.

WE DON'T WANT TO USE SOMETHING ELSE FOR THESE MINOR COMPLAINTS.

ALLOW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO ISSUE CITATIONS TO THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. IF POSSIBLE, EMAIL THE OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF THE PROPERTY WITH CITATIONS AND ACCOMPANYING VIDEOS AND PHOTOS. CITATION SHOULD BE SET UP AS A PERCENTAGE OF... SUCH FEE SHOULD BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITHIN A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME.

LASTLY, ESTABLISH AN APPEALS PROCESS IF THE OWNER OR MANAGER CONTESTS THE CITATIONS. I WILL TURN THIS OVER TO DEBBIE TO FINISH IT OFF. I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THIS TO THE COUNTY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> TO CONTINUE WITHIN OUR TIME FRAME WE ARE ASKING-- DEBBIE DICKINSON. ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA.

SPEAKING FOR MYSELF. WE ARE ALSO ASKING THIS COMMISSION TO SPECIFICALLY MAKE THIS AN AGENDA ITEM.

WE ARE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION AND FOLLOW THE LEAD OF OVER 400 CITIES IN THIS COUNTRY WITH 100,000 RESIDENTS OR MORE WHO HAVE REVAMPED AND PUT IN MUCH STRICTER CODES ON THEIR STRS AND AIRBNB'S. WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU FOLLOW THAT LEAD, PARTICULARLY THE NUMBER 1 REVAMPED AREA IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR OWNER OCCUPANCY. AND IF YOU ARE NOT OWNER-OCCUPIED OR YOU DON'T SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT THIS IS A STUCK AT HOME VACATION AND WILL NOT BE A ST ART, YOU TREAT IT AS A BUSINESS, AND YOU TAX IT AS A BUSINESS AND LET IT PAY FOR ITSELF. A PROPOSAL THAT MIKE IS SUBMITTING FOR HERE TODAY, IT PAYS FOR ITSELF, IT WILL NOT BE A DRAIN ON THE COUNTY BUDGET, IT WILL BE A PLUS AND IT WILL HELP US TAKE BACK OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. TO CONTINUE, WE ASK YOU TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF STRS AND OTHER PROPERTY RENTALS. THE CURRENT LISTING RENTAL PROPERTY IS INCOMPLETE AND OUT OF DATE.

THE COUNTY IS OVER RELIANT ON VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.

THAT SHIP HAS SAILED. A DATABASE OF ONLINE PROPERTY SHOULD BE COMPARED AND SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE COUNTY LIST EGGS. A SPECIFIC MAILBOX OR PHONE NUMBER MUST BE ESTABLISHED TO ALLOW LOCAL RESIDENTS TO REPORT RENTALS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO ENCOURAGE PROPER REGISTRATION.

REGULATE THE RENTAL PROPERTIES AS A BUSINESS.

AMONG THE PROCEDURES THAT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO INCLUDE A STANDARD PERMITTING PROCESS FOR S TR'S THAT INCLUDES INITIAL AND ANNUAL INSPECTIONS FOR SAFETY. A DESIGNATION OF LOCAL PROPERTY MANAGERS TO HANDLE GUESTS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

SIGNIFICANT FINDS. NOT THESE HAND CLAPS THAT THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES FOR. EXTRA CHARGES FOR TRASH CANS AND RECEPTACLES. DIFFERENT WATER RATES.

REGULARLY SCHEDULED SAFETY INSPECTIONS.

PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD BE SCHEDULED WITH ANY OTHER BUSINESS. THE ABILITY TO REVOKE A LICENSE OR REPEAT VIOLATORS. ANY OTHER REGULATIONS CONSISTENT WITH BUSINESS WITHIN THE COUNTY. SOME LOCATION IN FLORIDA SUCH AS GOLDEN BEACH DO NOT ALLOW STR'S. ONLY A RENTAL OF A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS. THIS IS TO PRESERVE THE RESIDENTIAL CHARACTER AND THIS IS THE TREND ACROSS THE NATION.

SO WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DATA. WE WILL BE GLAD TO COME TOGETHER AND SUPPLY THAT DATA TO THE COMMISSION.

BUT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRETT FULLERTON.

I LIVE ON ORIENTAL GARDENS ROAD. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF JOHN, STANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CENTER PODIUM, ABOUT THE CROQUET CLUB THAT HE IS THE FOUNDER OF.

AS A BRIEF INTRODUCTION, I MAY RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN AFTER HAVING SERVED OVER 30 YEARS IN THE NAVY.

INCLUDING MY TIME AT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY.

WHICH IS WHERE I DISCOVERED AND LEARNED ABOUT THE WONDERFUL SPORT OF CROQUET OVER 30 YEARS AGO.

IN FACT I PLAYED IN THE ANNAPOLIS CUP AGAINST ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE WHICH IS THE LARGEST ATTENDED CROQUET EVENT IN THE WORLD. AFTER TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD AND DEPLOYING WITH MY FAMILY IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES, WE DECIDED TO SETTLE BACK TO OUR HOME STOMPING GROUNDS OF THE JACKSONVILLE AREA. AND THEN FORTUNATELY I

[00:35:04]

I TRULY BELIEVE IT IS A WONDERFUL SPORT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. BUT ESPECIALLY FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RETIRED MILITARY. IN FACT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VETERANS, INCLUDING A RETIRED NAVY COMMANDER, A RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL, AND WE HAVE A NEWLY MINTED LIEUTENANT WHOSE-- HE AND HIS WIFE OF JOHN THE CLUB AS WELL.

IT APPEALS TO ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE INCLUDING THE MILITARY.

I AM KIND OF LIKE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE CLUB.

I TAKE CARE OF ISSUES AROUND THE CLUB AND REPORT TO JOHN IS THE COMMANDING OFFICER. WE SCHEDULE EVENTS, TOURNAMENTS.

DEALING WITH MEMBERSHIP. AND I BELIEVE IN THAT CAPACITY THAT THE CROQUET CLUB HAS A GREAT ABILITY TO ATTRACT TOURISM FROM COMPETITORS THAT COME FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO PLAY TOURNAMENTS, STAY AT HOTELS AND EAT AT RESTAURANTS, THAT SPEND A LOT OF MONEY IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE CROQUET CLUB.

I AM HAPPY I FOUND THE CLUB AS I STATED.

AND I HOPE THE COMMISSION CAN FIND A WAY TO WORK WITH THE CROQUET CLUB TO HELP THE SPORT AND THE PROPERTY ITSELF.

IF YOU WILL ALLOW ME, I WILL INTRODUCE JOHN, WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE CROQUET CLUB. HE HAS BEEN IN THIS SPORT FOR FOR TWO YEARS. HE IS A STALWART WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ONE OF 24 INTERNATIONAL INSTRUCTORS IN THE COUNTRY CERTIFIED TO THE CROQUET ASSOCIATION. AND HE'S A INDUCTEE TO THE CROQUET ASSOCIATIONS HALL OF FAME IN 2006.

HE DID NOT WEAR HIS RED JACKET TODAY, BUT HE HAS HIS TIE ONTO PROVE HIMSELF. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JOHN. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR 35 YEARS IN ST JOHNS COUNTY. I LIVE AT 305 PABLO ROAD.

IN 2013, I FOUNDED THE CROQUET CLUB.

LET ME TELL YOU A BIT ABOUT THE CROQUET CLUB.

THE ROPE-- LOCATION OF THE CLUB IS BEHIND THE PALM VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IT CONSISTS OF 4 ACRES, SEVEN BERMUDA GRASS CROQUET COURTS, A 3000 SQUARE-FOOT CLUBHOUSE OR OPEN-AIR PAVILION. A MAINTENANCE SHOP, AND AN OPEN AIR EQUIPMENT SHIP. ADJOINING THESE BUILDINGS IS ANOTHER BUILDING WITH RESTROOMS AND THE LOUNGE.

THE CLUB IS A PRIVATE CLUB WITH APPROXIMATELY 40 ACTIVE MEMBERS.

IT WAS A-- DESIGNED TO HAVE A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 300.

THE CLUB IS SUPPORTED BY MEMBERSHIP DUES, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY IS AN IMPEDIMENT FOR PEOPLE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE SPORT TO PAY. THE CURRENT DUES ARE $1600 PER YEAR. I AM LOOKING TO CREATE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WHERE THE DUES WOULD BE REDUCED TO PRACTICALLY NOTHING. SO PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ASKED TO PAY $1600 BEFORE THEY CAN DETERMINE WHETHER THEY LIKE THE SPORT OR NOT. CURRENTLY THE CLUB OFFERS REGULAR ORGANIZED PLAY AT ALL LEVELS, AND IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK. IT ORGANIZES TOURNAMENTS, PRESENTS CLINICS AND LESSONS, AND OFFERS AN INTRODUCTION FOR THREE FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT THE SPORT.

MY GOAL IS TO CREATE A PUBLIC, PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, AND MAKE THIS SPORT AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO ALL THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.

MY PURPOSE TODAY IS TO REQUEST THAT THE CHAIR OR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTS STAFF, PRIMARILY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH ME TO

[00:40:01]

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD MORNING. >> MY NAME IS JOE.

ON JULY 1ST I WOKE UP TO THIS HEADLINE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

IT SAYS "NEW STATE LAW GIVES DEVELOPERS STREAMLINED PATH TO BUILD ON AGRICULTURAL LAND." IT GOES ON TO SAY IT IS SENATE BILL 686. AND IT BYPASSES YOU.

IT BYPASSES ALL OF US. IT PREEMPTS THE LOCAL CONTROL THAT WE HAVE HAD IN REVIEWING LARGE-- VERY LARGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. AND SO IN LOOKING AT WHAT IS INVOLVED FOR US RIGHT NOW WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS, STAFF HAS TO COMPLETE IT'S REPORT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

THERE HAS TO BE A PUBLIC MEETING AND A DECISION ON YOUR PART, OR THESE BECOME AGRICULTURAL ENCLAVES.

AND THAT INCLUDES ADLER ESTATES, WHICH ADLER LAKES WAS DENIED IN 2022 BECAUSE IT PUT TOO MUCH TRAFFIC ON STATE ROUTE 16.

STATE ROUTE 16 HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED SINCE 2022.

YET HERE IT IS BECAUSE THE STATE SAID THEY KNOW BETTER.

THEY KNOW BETTER THAN YOU. THEY KNOW BETTER THAN US WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR ST JOHNS COUNTY. OSCEOLA LAKES WAS--'S BACK.

THAT WAS DENIED IN 2024 BECAUSE OF ADVERSE TRAFFIC.

NOT ENOUGH INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THE STATE SAYS WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT. IT'S BACK.

IT'S BACK IN FRONT OF YOU AND IN FRONT OF US.

PARISH FARMS IS BACK. AND 4400 ACRES IS SUDDENLY APPEARING NORTH OF PALM VALLEY. CUMULATIVELY, EVEN AT SIX HOUSES PER ACRE, THAT IS 32,000 HOMES. ARE WE READY? IS ANYONE IN THIS AUDIENCE READY FOR APPROVED BUT UNBUILT HOMES? 32,000 MORE. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 35,000, I BELIEVE THAT IS THE NUMBER. AND ARE ANY OF YOU READY FOR 32,000 HOMES. SO I SENT AN EMAIL TO ALL OF YOU URGING YOU TO REQUEST AN INJUNCTION.

TO FILE AN INJUNCTION TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE FLORIDA STATUTES RESULTING FROM THIS LAW.

I ALMOST STAND HERE DEMANDING THAT YOU FILE A INJUNCTION.

I HOPE YOU FEEL, AS DO ALL OF WE, THE SENSE OF URGENCY.

32,000 HOMES. IN PARTICULAR, WITH PROJECTS THAT YOU ALL HAD PREVIOUSLY DENIED.

THERE ARE SPECIAL COUNCILS OUT THERE ALSO.

I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A WAY TO GO.

THOUSAND FRIENDS OF FLORIDA HAS SENT ME A LIST OF FOUR PLANNED USE ATTORNEYS THAT MAYBE INTERESTED.

SO I HOPE THERE IS GOOD DISCUSSION DRINK COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> 188 ON THE SHORES. I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE.

WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT-- THEY HAVE U-TURNS THAT THEY PLACED ON THE ROAD AND THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS.

THEY COME OUT ON A HILL THAT YOU CANNOT SEE THE CARS COMING AT YOU. AND PEOPLE ARE DRIVING OVER THE MEDIUM SCRIPTS NOW. AND IT'S ACTUALLY SAFER TO DO THAT THEN USE THE U-TURNS THAT THEY HAVE GOT.

WHERE WE DRIVE OVER THE MEDIAN STRIPS, AT LEAST WE HAVE SOME-- WE CAN SEE THE CARS COMING AT US AT THAT POINT.

BUT WE CANNOT AT THE U-TURNS. THE U-TURNS THAT THEY HAVE THEIR ARE SO SHORT THAT TRUCKS CANNOT MAKE IT.

THE DELIVERY TRUCKS, I KNOW THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. THE FIRE TRUCKS. THE TRASH TRUCKS HAVE PROBLEMS THERE. AND FPL HAS ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN CROSSOVER. AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BIG TRUCKS AND TRAILERS WITH HIM.

[00:45:05]

AS I SAID, THEY ARE VERY UNSAFE. AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING OUR STREETS. AND IT'S NOT SHOWING UP ANYWHERE ON THE DIRECTIONAL'S. SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET SOMETHING DONE WITH THAT? SOME TYPE OF CROSSOVER AT OUR STREET. THAT STREET ESTABLISHED BACK IN THE EARLY 1980S. AND ALL THESE OTHER STREETS HAVE COME IN SINCE THEN AND THEY HAVE GIVEN THEM CROSSOVERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. DUE TO A LARGE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY ARE PLACING DOWN THE ROAD FROM US, LANE THAT ROAD. AND THEY DID NOT TAKEN TO CONSIDERATION WHO IS USING THAT ROAD, THE STREET AND HOW IT'S BEING USED. AS I SAID WE HAVE A SERVICE ROAD RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE. AND THEY CANNOT GET IN THERE.

THEY DRIVE ACROSS. THEY DRIVE ACROSS THE MEDIAN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DOES. SO I'D LIKE SOME CONSIDERATION FOR THAT. I APPRECIATED.

AND I'M SPEAKING FOR THAT-- FOR EVERYBODY ON THE STREET.

THERE ARE HOUSES THERE THAT WE ARE ALL-- ANYHOW, THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING. WHO IS NEXT WE.

>> I THINK YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF THE DEVASTATING FIRE THAT OCCURRED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THAT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF A HOME AND A YOUNG MAN WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS WAS BURNED AND HAS HAD TO RELOCATE TO A GROUP HOME IN JACKSONVILLE.

TWO ADJACENT HOMES RECEIVED SOME DAMAGE.

OUR FIREFIGHTERS WERE EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED BY THEIR INABILITY TO GET WATER ON THE FIRE. IT TOOK SOME 20 MINUTES BEFORE THEY GOT WATER AND BY THAT TIME THE HOUSE WAS GONE.

AND THE WATER PRESSURE WAS EXTREMELY LOW.

THIS WAS DEVASTATING FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

WE ALL KNEW THAT WE LIVED IN A AREA THAT DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HYDRANTS. BUT I DON'T THINK ANYONE REALIZED HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET WATER ON THE FIRE.

WE STARTED A PETITION TO ASK YOUR SUPPORT FOR INCREASING THE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES IN THAT AREA.

AND TODAY MORE THAN 409 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE PETITION.

I'VE SENT YOU A LINK TO THAT PETITION.

WITH EACH OF YOU REGARDING THIS. COMMISSIONER MURPHY RESPONDED TO ME LAST NIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE EMAILED COMMISSIONER TAYLOR SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY FIRE CHIEF. RECEIVED NO RESPONSE.

I KNOW IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

HAVEN'T RECEIVED THAT RESPONSE. DID NOT RECEIVE THAT RESPONSE.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS AN EXTERNALLY DIFFICULT PROBLEM. AND WE PROBABLY DON'T HAVE WATER RESOURCES. WE DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT PUMPING CAPABILITIES. THE MAINS MAYBE TOO SMALL.

THAT'S BEFORE WE GET TO THE ISSUE OF HYDRANTS.

BUT WE WOULD LIKE YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ON WHAT IS BEING DONE, AND ROUTINE STATUS UPDATES FOR HOW THAT PROGRESSES.

WE KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT. WE KNOW DO YOU EACH PROBABLY CAMPAIGNED ON YOUR ABILITY TO BE RESPONSIVE.

FRANKLY, WE ARE NOT SEE MATT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MAX?

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'VE LIVED IN ST JOHNS COUNTY FOR 26 YEARS. AND I LIVE AT 3881 PICKERING LANE IN ST. AUGUSTINE. I EMAILED ALL OF THE ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSES.

I'M HERE TO ASK THIS BOARD TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEEK INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO STOP THE AGRICULTURAL ENCLAVE LAW FROM BEING ENFORCED AGAINST ST JOHNS COUNTY WHILE THE LEGALITY IS TESTED IN COURT. I BELIEVE I AM THE SECOND PERSON TO SPEAK ON THIS TODAY. AND MY CONCERN IS OVERDEVELOPMENT. I'VE TALKED EVEN THE PAST ABOUT OVERDEVELOPMENT, AND HOW WE REALLY NEED INFRASTRUCTURE FIRST. WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS IN THE FIRST EIGHT DAYS SINCE THE SLOT WENT INTO EFFECT, SIX APPLICATIONS WERE FILED, COVERING 5400 ACRES OF LAND.

ONCE A PARCEL IS CERTIFIED, THE LAW SAYS THE DEVELOPMENT MUST BE TREATED AS CONFORMING USE NOTWITHSTANDING.

I AM NOT A LAWYER, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE ISSUE IS TH THAT-- IS THE ZONING. AND THE NOTWITHSTANDING WILL ERASE THE AUTHORITY THE BOARD HAS.

IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING THE PARCEL WILL BE CERTIFIED IN 90 DAYS. AND THE REASON THAT THE COURTROOM IS THE RIGHT VENUE IS BECAUSE THE LAW FORBIDS EXTRA

[00:50:05]

AND THE WINDOW TO PROTECT THIS COUNTY' PLANNING AUTHORITY IS COUNTED IN WEEKS. WE KNOW THAT 210, 16, U.S. ONE.

THEY ARE OVERCAPACITY. WE SEE TRAFFIC ON THEM EVERY DAY. SCHOOLS ARE OVERCAPACITY, STORM WADHAMS THIS-- STORMWATER% SYSTEMS ARE STRAINING.

AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO HANDLE SO MANY HOMES. I'M NOT ASKING TO STOP GROWTH, I'M NOT AGAINST HOUSING. BUT I'M ASKING YOU TO DELAY AND CURB THE OVERDEVELOPED IN OUR COUNTIES USING THE TOOLS YOU HAD AT YOUR DISPOSAL. THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HANDED THIS BOARD A PREEMPTION AND A 90 DAY CLOCK.

SO I ASK YOU WOULD-- DIRECTLY ATTORNEY TO GO TO COURT AND ASK FOR AN INJUNCTION AND LET THE JUDGE DECIDE IF THE STATE CAN DECIDE HOW WE DEVELOP ST JOHNS COUNTY.

>> I DON'T MIND YOU CLAPPING, FOLKS.

BUT WE HAVE A BUSY DAY. LET'S JUST MAKE IT BRIEF.

GO-AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS PATT.

I AM IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA.

WHEN I WALKED IN TODAY I WAS KIND OF HAPPY BECAUSE I SAW TWO EMPTY SEATS UP THERE. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE TWO SEATS THAT ARE EMPTY, AND I KNOW THEY ARE LISTENING, OR THEY ARE IN MY PHONE, HAD DONE THE PROPER THING AND HAD RESIGNED, STEPPED DOWN OR WHATEVER. I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW I'VE SENT AN EMAIL TO THE GOVERNOR REQUESTING HIM, I KNOW HE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR POSITIONS TO TO THEIR CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THEM. SAYING THAT, I FIND IT A COWARDLY MOVE ON THEIR PART TO NOT SHOW UP FOR THE MEETING.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

THEY MAY EVEN BE RIGHT UPSTAIRS. WHO KNOWS.

THEY MAYBE AT HOME. WHO KNOWS.

WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING WRONG, FACEUP TO IT, TAKE YOUR CONSEQUENCES, AND THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU BEFORE. AND I'M GETTING GLARES.

>> NO YOU ARE NOT. >> THAT'S HOW IT LOOKS TO ME.

BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITES EITHER.

WE WILL PUT IT THAT WAY. [LAUGHTER]

>> ENOUGH SAID ON THAT POINT. BUT IT-- SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU AS A BOARD CAN SANCTION THEM? IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT WORK IF THEY CAN STILL VOTE BY PHONE. BUT IF THEY CANNOT VOTE BY PHONE, A SANCTION MIGHT FINALLY WORK.

IT WOULD BE TWO TO ONE FOR A CHANGE, INSTEAD OF THREE TO TWO.

I AM JUST HOPING THAT SOMEBODY WILL DO SOMETHING THAT IS RIGHT.

BUT YOU CANNOT SAY FOR SURE THAT THEY WERE ELECTED BECAUSE OF THAT. NOBODY WILL KNOW.

YOU CANNOT PROVE THAT. ALL THAT CAN PROBABLY BE PROVED IS THAT THERE IS-- SOMETHING WRONG WAS DONE.

AND SOMEBODY WHO COMMITS A CRIMINAL ACT SHOULD NOT BE SITTING UP THERE ON THAT BOARD AND EXPECT TO HAVE TRUST FROM US DOWN HERE. THAT YOU ARE A HONEST-- A HONEST COMMISSIONER. SO, HOPEFULLY YOU WILL ALL SANCTION THEM IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND HOPEFULLY THEY ARE LISTENING AND WILL LISTEN, AND OTHERS WILL NOW COME UP AND SPEAK. AND THEY WILL STEP DOWN, RESIGNED, WHATEVER. BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. BUT THERE WAS ENOUGH TO FILE CHARGES. SO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE, AND LET

US GET ON WITH THINGS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ZACH. FOR YEARS MY FAMILY HAS LIVED THROUGH A PROCESS THAT I BELIEVE HAS NEVER BEEN ABOUT ONE CLEAR PATH. IT'S BEEN ABOUT INCONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT AND UNEQUAL TREATMENT.

YESTERDAY I SENT EACH OF YOU A REQUEST ASKING THE COMMISSION TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER PRIVATELY BEFORE MEDIATION OR MITIGATION.

I HOPE YOU TAKE THAT REQUEST SERIOUSLY.

THIS SITUATION SHOULD HAVE NEVER REACHED THIS POINT.

ONE WORD THAT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY USED BY THE COUNTY IS "HOLD." LET'S DEFINE WHAT WERE TALKING ABOUT. A MORATORIUM AS A TEMPER A SUSPENSION OF ENFORCEMENT OR ACTION ADOPTED THROUGH AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENTAL PROCESS. A HOLD IS NOT SIMPLY A PAUSE.

WHETHER YOU CALL IT A HOLD OR A MORATORIUM, THE PRACTICAL EFFECT IS THE SAME. ENFORCEMENT STOPS.

THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT ONE IS AN OFFICIAL AND THE OTHER CAN OCCUR WITHOUT A PUBLIC VOTE. BOTH OF THESE HAVE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE ON HOLD. WE WERE EVEN TOLD TO FIND OUR OWN PATH MULTIPLE TIMES. MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE.

IF THIS WAS ON HOLD FOR OVER A YEAR, HOW IS IT DECIDED WHICH PROPERTIES WERE MOVED ON THAT HOLD AND WHICH DID NOT.

BECAUSE CHOOSING SOME PEOPLE FOR A HOLD AND ENFORCING AGAINST

[00:55:03]

IT'S IN THE KNOWLEDGE MEANT THAT ENFORCEMENT WAS PLACED ON HOLD.

IF HUNDREDS OF CONSUMER VIOLATIONS RECEIVES NO ACTION, WHILE ONE RECEIVES YEARS OF ENFORCEMENT, SUBSTANTIAL FINDS, THEN THERE IT DESERVES TO BE A QUESTION THERE.

MY FAMILY WAS REFERENCED AS TRAILBLAZERS.

SOME HAVE LAUGHED AT THAT DESCRIPTION, THAT'S FINE.

BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER. OUR PATH WAS THE FIRST OF IT'S KIND TO BE APPROVED IN THIS COUNTY.

THAT HAPPENED. HISTORY DOES NOT CHANGE BECAUSE SOMEONE LOPSIDED. SO BEING THE FIRST TO NAVIGATE A PROCESS AND CHALLENGE INCONSISTENT TREATMENT AND CONTINUE ASKING FOR EQUAL APPLICATION OF THE LAW, THEN I GUESS WE ARE WALKING THAT TRAIL. I HOPE THE COMMISSION CHOOSES A DIFFERENT PATH AND CORRECTS THE RECORD TO RESOLVE THIS FAIRLY.

AND SHOWS THE PUBLIC THAT EQUAL ENFORCEMENT ISN'T SOMETHING FOR POLICY. IT'S SOMETHING THE COMMISSION

SHOULD INTERACT WITH. >> GOOD MORNING.

KIM FROM 50 TO WADLEY LANE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M STANDING HERE TODAY BECAUSE I USED TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXISTED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY FAIRLY.

BUT I EXPERIENT-- OUR EXPERIENCES HAVE SHATTERED THAT BELIEVE. IT STARTS AT THE TOP WITH U.N.

FILTERS DOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF WHAT'S UNDER YOU.

YOU HAVE WEAPON EYES DIDN'T AUTHORITY AND USED ENFORCEMENT TO-- ON MY FAMILY OVER PAPERS. CAUSING US EXORBITANT FEES AND HITTING US WITH FINDS. WE WERE FORCED TO SPEND YEARS ENDED NORMA'S RESOURCES DEFENDING OURSELVES WHILE OTHERS RECEIVED VERY DIFFERENT TREATMENT.

NO OTHER HOMEOWNER HAD TO FACE WHAT WE DID.

YOU CAN DENY THE COUNTY'S MORATORIUM ALL YOU WANT ON THE OTHER CASES AND THE SELECTED ENFORCEMENT HONEST.

BUT THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

ACTIONS CARRY MORE MEANING THAN PAUL'S WORDS.

WHEN WE TRIED TO SPEAK UP WE WERE MET WITH AN UNBELIEVABLE WALL OF ARROGANCE. WE SPOKE TERRIBLY TO AND ABOUT US. HE LOOKED DOWN ON US FOR TRYING TO DEFEND OUR PROPERTY LIKE WE WERE BENEATH YOU.

YOU HAVE OPERATED WITH A CLEAR SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT, ACTING AS IF YOU ARE COMPLETELY ABOVE THE LAW AND ABOVE THE VERY PEOPLE THAT PAY OUR SALARIES. BUT THE TRUTH HAS A FUNNY WAY OF CATCHING UP. TWO SITTING COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN CRIMINALLY CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH AN ALLEGED VOTER FRAUD SCHEME TO MANIPULATE THE PUBLIC.

AND THE DETAILS IN THE STATES-- ON THIS SWORN AFFIDAVIT ARE UNBELIEVABLE. ACCORDING TO INVESTIGATORS, A CRIME WAS AN ORCHESTRATED, IT WAS TURNED INTO A FAMILY AFFAIR.

INC. OF THE HYPOCRISY OF THAT. YOU SIT IN THESE ELEVATED SEATS LOOKING DOWN ON RESIDENTS AND PASSING JUDGEMENT.

ALL YOU ARE ALLEGEDLY RUNNING SCHEMES TO BREAK STATE ELECTION LAWS. THE STANDARD POP ALL HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HIGHER THAN THIS.

THE MERE FACT THAT THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAD TO BRING OFFICIAL CONSPIRACY CHARGES COMPLETELY DESTROYS ANY REMAINING PUBLIC TRUST REQUIRED FOR YOU TO GOVERN.

YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE MORAL AUTHORITY TO PARTICIPATE IN COUNTY BUSINESS, AND YOU CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE. FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THIS COUNTY, AND TO GIVE RESIDENTS A BOARD THEY CAN TRUST, I BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD STEP ASIDE WHILE THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE RESOLVED. UNFORTUNATELY THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST WITH ONE COMMISSIONER. THE COMMISSIONER OF OUR DISTRICT HAS NOT REPRESENTED MY FAMILY FAIRLY OR RESPECTFULLY.

THE LEADERSHIP REQUIRES COLLABORATION AND A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN. INSTEAD THIS COMMISSIONER IS CONSUMED BY PETTY BOARD DRAMA AND BRINGING UNNECESSARY DIVISION TO WHOEVER INVOLVED. BASED ON WHAT I OBSERVED AND EXPERIENCED, I DO NOT THINK THAT YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED THOSE QUALITIES AND I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING YOUR REELECTION THIS YEAR. I AM HONEST ON--

>> WOULD YOU LEAVE THESE STATEMENTS BROAD TO THE BOARD IN

GENERAL. >> I ENCOURAGE OTHER VOTERS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER BEFORE,-- CASTING THEIR BALLOTS.

WHEN CITIZENS LOSE CONFIDENCE IN ELECTIONS ARE FAIR, THE LAWS ARE ENFORCED EQUALLY, AND THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE ACTING ETHICALLY, TRUSTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO DISAPPEAR.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, MY NAME IS JUSTIN MILLER.

I AM A BUSINESS OWNER TRYING TO OPEN A NEW STORE.

I STRUGGLED THIS MORNING. I WORRIED THAT VOICING MY CONCERNS COULD JEOPARDIZE THE OPENING OF MY STORE.

COULD I TRUST THAT IF ANYONE BECAME UPSET AT MY SPEECH THAT THEY COULD NOT MAKE A CALL AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME.

THE FACT THAT ANY CITIZEN FEELS OUT OF FEAR MEANS WE HAVE LOST SOMETHING VITAL. TRUST.

AND THAT IS WHY I HAD TO STEP UP.

WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE THERE IS NO DEBATE OVER POLICY OR

[01:00:02]

WITHOUT THAT TRUST, THE SYSTEM BREAKS.

AS PRESIDENT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, I AM INVESTED IN MY COMMUNITY. I'VE WELCOMED MANY OF YOU TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND I BELIEVE THE GOOD WORK THAT PEOPLE CAN DO WORKING TOGETHER. NONE OF US ARE PERFECT.

WE ARE ALL HUMAN AND I'VE HAD MOMENTS THAT I AM NOT PROUD OF.

BUT TRUE CHARACTER IS NEVER ABOUT MAKING A MISTAKE.

IT'S ABOUT THE GRACE AND HUMILITY THAT WE SHOW AFTER WE FALL SHORT. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. IF I WAS IN THIS POSITION I WOULD STEP ASIDE SO OUR COUNTY CAN HEAL AND MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT DISTRACTION. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS THE COUNTY NAVIGATES DIFFICULT WATERS OF THE LIKELY CHANGES AND HOW MUCH THE COUNTY WILL COLLECT AND PROPERTY TAXES.

WITH THE DEFICIT INCREASING EXPONENTIALLY EACH YEAR.

I AM APPEALING TO THE PART OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW CARES ABOUT THIS COUNTY. ACTIONS TAKEN HAVE FRACTURED THE PUBLIC'S FAITH. AND AS LONG AS IT REMAINS BROKEN, FOLKS WILL BE CLOUDED BY SUSPICION.

THE HONORABLE THING TO DO IN A POSITION LIKE THIS IS TO STEP DOWN. TWO SITTING COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE VOTER FRAUD ELECTION SCHEME.

I ASK EVERYONE TO HONOR THE DIGNITY OF THEIR OFFICE.

EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AND FIGHT THEIR LEGAL BATTLES IN COURT. BUT FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTY THEY MUST DO SO AS CITIZENS NOT ELECTED OFFICIALS.

PEOPLE RESPECT A SINCERE REDEMPTION STORY.

AND THAT ALWAYS BEGINS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY.

[APPLAUSE]OU VERY MUCH.- >> I AM CARRY GUSTAVSSON.

I LIVE AT 92 MAGNOLIA BEACH TRAIL.

I AM HERE FOR TWO REASONS. I AM LOOKING TO REGAIN TRUST IN THE BOARD AND I WAS HOPING WHEN I CAME IN AND SAW ONLY THREE COMMISSIONERS THAT AT LEAST WHILE CHARGES ARE PENDING THAT WE HAD TWO COMMISSIONERS UNDER INVESTIGATION THAT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE. IS THIS NOT TRUE? THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON DECISIONS? COULD THEY BE CHARGED ON AUGUST 3RD AND THEN WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE VOTES? ASIDE FROM THAT WE HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE NEW SP 686. I DON'T KNOW WHAT INTERNAL THINGS HAVE TO BE DONE TO AND DETERMINE WHAT THE COUNTY SHOULD DO TO NOTIFY THE PEOPLE WHO GET PAID TO BE UP THERE.

I JUST KNOW IN 2017 THAT THIS BOARD HIRED AN OUTSIDE ATTORNEY TO FIGHT THE OUTPOST, AND I THINK AT THIS POINT WE NEED TO DISCUSS FILING INJUNCTION. HIRING SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE.

PLEASE, PLEASE, I THINK WE SPENT MONEY ON TONNES OF OTHER LEGAL ISSUES. WE NEED TO-- WITH SIX PENDING APPLICATIONS, I THINK YOUR STAFF IS PROBABLY VERY BUSY.

SO WE KNOW, EVEN IF IT SAYS IT'S ONE HOUSE PER ACRE, ONCE THEY GET APPROVAL THEY CAN FLIP THAT TO WHATEVER THE CLOSE ZONING IS.

SO PLEASE HELP US RESTORE SOME TRUST IN THIS BOARD, AND I'M GOING TO PUBLICLY SAY, I'VE WRITTEN 23 VIEW ABOUT IT.

AND TWO OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE FROM CHRIS' COMPANY, WHICH LAST WEEK, COMMISSIONER MURPHY, WHEN YOU WERE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE YOU SAID HE'S A GOOD FRIEND. A GREAT FRIEND, I THINK YOU SAID. I WISH YOU WOULD REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THOSE TWO DECISIONS. WE NEED TO REBUILD TRUST IN WHAT OUR COMMISSIONERS ARE DOING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> MY NAME IS TERESA DOYLE. I LIVE AT 54,487TH STREET.

AND I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS LIGHT RIGHT HERE.

THAT IS NOT A LIGHT. WE NEED A LIGHT.

THERE WAS A RESOLUTION IN 2002. THIS PARCEL WAS PURCHASED FOR $890,000 FOR FUTURE OFF-STREET PARCELS.

IN 2008 IT WAS REZONED FROM COMMERCIAL USE.

IN 2009, WHEN THE BUBBLE WAS BEING FILLED UP BEFORE EVERYTHING FELL OUT, IT WAS NAMED IN RESOLUTION 2009, 208 TO BE THE PARK. AND THERE IS SOME LOVELY HISTORY ON THE HISTORY WALL ABOUT WHO LIVED THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

[01:05:03]

I MOVED HERE IN 1980 WHEN THE POPULATION WAS 40,000.

THE LIGHTHOUSE HAD AN OPERATING COAST GUARD STATION.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE SPAN OF THE RIDGE.

THE 818 WAS ONLY TWO LANES. OUR FIREFIGHTERS WERE ALL VOLUNTEER. I FOUND A HOUSE TO RENT AND THEN PURCHASED ON SECOND STREET IN WINDSWEPT ACRES ON THE BEACH.

MY I'D-- ADDRESS AT THAT TIME WAS ON ROUTE FIVE.

IN 1980 IT WAS HEAVENLY OUT THERE.

FOUR BLOCKS FROM THE OCEAN, FIVE FROM THE INNER COAST.

NEIGHBORS CARRIED FLASHLIGHTS AT NIGHT.

BECAUSE IT WAS SO DARK. THERE WAS NO LIGHT POLLUTION FROM ALL OF THIS PROGRESS. HOW COMICAL.

I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU FOR A FULL RED, GREEN, YELLOW STOP.

AND TO WRITE TO THE DOD. THEY ARE NOT LOOKING ANY FURTHER THAN THE END OF THEIR DOES. IF YOU DRIVE DOWN TO MARINELAND, GO ALL THE WAY UP TO JACK SPEECH, YOU'LL SEE ON THE BOULEVARD, IN MARINELAND THERE IS A LIGHT HAD 206 BRIDGE.

AND THEN THEY HAVE A HARD LIGHT AT TREASURE BEACH.

SO THEY ARE SAFE. THE NEXT CROSS IS THIS ONE.

AND IT IS ADVERTISED AS FREE PARKING.

IT IS A LIABILITY. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45.

OVER THE YEARS, WHAT USED TO BE COMMERCIAL IS NOW RESIDENTIAL.

AND THERE ARE LOTS OF-- PLEASE GET A LIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT I THINK IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE THAT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES TWO OF OUR CRIMINALLY CHARGED COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF COUNTY CODE. IT'S NOT A MEDICAL REASON THAT THEY ARE NOT HERE. I RECALL VIVIDLY WHEN THE COMMISSIONER WAS SWORN IN AND HIS MOTHER GOT UP HERE AND GAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT SAYING HE SHOULD-- WE SHOULD BE MORE STATESMANLIKE. AND THE STATESMANLIKE THING TO DO WOULD BE HERE IN PERSON TODAY IF YOU PLAN TO VOTE ON OUR BEHALF. AND I HAVE A FEELING THEY DO PLAN TO VOTE REMOTELY. HOWEVER I KNOW IT WON'T BE ON OUR BEHALF. I'VE SEEN THE WAY THEY VOTE.

ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT FOR A MOMENT.

A COUPLE OF PEOPLE OF SPOKEN ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL ENCLAVE ISSUE. I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT ANYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID, I JUST WANT TO ADD SOME THINGS.

I'VE HAD SOME INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS WITH ONE OF THE TOP LAND-USE ATTORNEYS YESTERDAY.

A COUPLE DAYS AGO. AND HE SAID ALL THE CITIES AND COUNTIES WITH A HIGHER POPULATION OF 1.7 MILLION WERE CARVED OUT OF THIS BILL. I SAID HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? HE SAID WELL THEY ADVOCATED AND LOBBIED TO BE CARVED OUT OF THE BILL. SO WE SHARE A LOBBYIST WITH THE HUDSON COMPANIES. AND NOW WE ARE FACED WITH A SITUATION. I'M HERE TO BEG EVERYBODY INVOLVED TO PLEASE HIRE AN ATTORNEY.

I REALIZE THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN GO THROUGH AN ATTORNEY.

HIGHER ONE NOW, OH FOR INJUNCTION.

WEIGHT UNTIL-- IF AND WHEN YOU ALL DECIDE TO DENY A PERMIT.

HIGHER AND ATTORNEY. I HOPE YOU CONSIDER THE FORMER AND NOT THE LATTER. BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 32,000 HOMES. BECAUSE YOU NEED TO DO WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO GET AN ATTORNEY IN HERE.

STAFF SHOULD BE TALKING TO ATTORNEYS NOW TRYING TO FIND SOMEBODY. I AM TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE.

BUT WHO AM I? IT NEEDS TO BE YOU GUYS, THE STAFF, SERIOUSLY PURSUING THIS. YOU ARE SITTING DUCKS, AND I SEE THE RIDICULOUSNESS OF THE COMMISSIONER BEING SCAPEGOATED.

[01:10:03]

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JERRY.

I WANT TO START OUT BY SAYING THAT I APPRECIATE THE IMPLICATION OF... I THINK WE NEED MOE OF THAT IN THIS COUNTY AND OUR COUNTRY. FIRST THIS SAYS TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL... I DON'T THINK THAT'S TOO HIGH OF STANDARD FOR OUR BORDER ANYBODY IN GOVERNMENT. IT ALSO SAYS HIM PART NUMBER 22-33, BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT.

AFTER READING THAT AFFIDAVIT, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE GOT HERE.

I'M NOT ATTACHED TO ANYBODY. I AM REPRESENTING MYSELF.

AS A FATHER, A HUSBAND, A BROTHER, A UNCLE.

A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTY. A HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN AND A CHRISTIAN. YOU NEED TO BE ABOVE REPROACH TO GOVERN EFFECTIVELY. AND YOU NEED TO HAVE THE COURAGE, IF YOU STILL THINK YOU CAN GOVERN, TO SHOW UP.

SO I DO NOT GET IT. YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE ON OUR BEHALF, WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED-- THIS IS NOT ACCUSATIONS ANYMORE.

YOU WERE CHARGED. AND I WAS HOPING THAT BY TODAY THE RIGHT THING WOULD BE DONE. I DON'T RELISH BEING DOWN HERE.

BUT IT SAYS, FOR EVIL TO TRIUMPH, GOOD MEN HAVE TO DO NOTHING. I COULD NOT SIT HOME.

I LIVE IN THIS COUNTY. I DID NOT SERVE IN THE MILITARY TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN A BANANA REPUBLIC.

THEY KNOW WHAT THEY DID WAS WRONG, OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE GONE TO THE EXTENT TO HIDE IT. NOT ONLY DOES IT CALL IN QUESTION THIS GOING FORWARD, INCLUDING TODAY, THE LAST TWO YEARS IS ILLEGITIMATE, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

I DON'T HAVE A BIG DOG IN THIS FIGHT.

I LIVE IN THE SUBDIVISION. BUT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT IS BAD.

WE HAVE SEEN IT. WE HAVE THESE ATTACK DOGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT GO OUT THERE TO CLAIM EVERYBODY IS A BLACK LIVES MATTER ACTIVIST OR A LEFT-WING RADICAL IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH EVERYTHING. WHILE I WILL PUT MY CONSERVATIVE BONA FIDES AGAINST EVERYBODY. I BELIEVE IN THE FIRST TO MIMIC, THE SECOND AMENDMENT. I BELIEVE IN A SECURE ORDER.

I DON'T WANT MEN IN WOMEN'S AND GIRLS SPORTS, AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE INTEGRITY AND YOU SHOULD BE ABOVE REPROACH IF YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOVE EVERYBODY ELSE.

NOW I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RESIGNED TODAY BEFORE I GOT HERE. BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE NOT.

AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO SHOW UP.

IN LIEU OF THAT, I WAS HOPING THAT GOVERNOR DESANTIS WOULD.

I THINK HE'S BEEN ONE OF THE BEST GOVERNORS WE HAD-- HAVE HAD. AND IT WILL TARNISH MY VIEW OF HIM IF HE DOES NOT DO THE RIGHT THING.

THE RIGHT THING WOULD BE TO TAKE THAT SEAT OUT AND PUT THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE IN THAT SEAT IN THAT SEAT.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT I THINK WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF THAT ELECTION WAS NOT DONE.

THEY WOULD-- THEY KNOW WHAT THEY DID.

I HAD A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH A COUPLE COMMISSIONERS, AND I WILL SAY THAT ONE OF THEM PROMISED ME THAT IF I GIVE THEM THE TIME AND SPACE, AND IF THEY DID NOT DO THE RIGHT THING THEY WOULD COME OUT HARD ON A RESIGNATION. I'M WAITING FOR YOU TO DO THAT.

AND IT WOULD QUALIFY MY SUPPORT GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, CHAIR, VISE CHAIRS AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY CLIENT SHERRI FIELD.

AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY REGARDING THE AGENDA ITEM FOUR. FOOD TRUCKS.

AND THE IMPACT TO THE PROPERTY LOCATED IN 609 IN THE WEST OVERLAY DISTRICT. I'M HERE TO REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT FOR A LAND DEVELOP AND CODE AMENDMENT THAT WILL PERMIT A SMALL-SCALE FOOD-- FOOD TRUCK YARD ON THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. WE UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER THE CURRENT AND REVISED LAND DEVELOP AND CODE, PERMANENT MOBILE VENDING IS CLASSIFIED AS A COMMERCIAL USE THAT IS PRESENTLY ALLOWED WITHIN THE WEST OVERLAY DISTRICT.

THAT REASON WE-- REQUEST THAT THE BOARD AMEND THE CODE TO ALLOW THIS USE WITHIN COMMERCIAL AND GENERAL, OR BY ADDING THIS USED TO THE LIST OF PERMITTED OR SPECIAL USES WITHIN THE DISTRICT. APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT WILL ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE REDEVELOPMENT WHILE EXISTING COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ACCUMULATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

AND RENEW INVESTMENT TO WEST... WHILE PRESERVING THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS TO HELP US REVITALIZE.

UNFORTUNATELY LIKE MANY PROPERTIES IN THE AREA THIS HAS BEEN UNDERUTILIZED OVER TIME. OUR VISION IS SIMPLE.

TO TRANSFORM THESE ABANDONED PROPERTIES INTO A VIBRANT PLACE

[01:15:08]

IT'S LIMITED IN SCALE. BUILT ON A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND DESIGNED TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURSHIP WILE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY. AS A LOCAL MEMBER I BELIEVE IN CREATING OPPORTUNITIES. FOR THESE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN APPROVING THE NECESSARY AMENDMENT AND ALLOWING THIS PROJECT TO MOVE FORWARD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> MY NAME IS JANICE. I LIVE AT 153 LANE SIDE CIRCLE IN FLORIDA. AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SP 686. THAT REPLACES THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS FOR DEVELOP AND WITHIN THESE AGRICULTURAL ENCLAVES.

WHEN I HEARD THERE WAS ABOUT 4500 HOMES, 4500 ACRES TO BE APPROVED, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, WELL WHEN GOVERNOR DESANTIS COMES BACK TO THE BEACH AND WANTS TO GO TO HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT, HE WILL KNOW THAT IT WILL TAKE 30 MINUTES TO GO 4 MILES. THAT'S THE TRAFFIC WE HAVE NOW AT THE BEACH. OKAY? IT'S OVERDEVELOPED AS IT IS ALREADY.

SO BASICALLY I READ SOME NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ABOUT THIS, THE TAMPA GENERAL SAID ONLY ABOUT TEN LAND ENCLAVES WOULD BE PROBABLY CAPABLE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

AND WE HAVE SIX APPLICATIONS AND ST JOHNS COUNTY.

SO THERE WAS SOME CARVING OUT HERE DONE.

IT SAYS IF THE BILL WAS WRITTEN BY DEVELOPERS FOR DEVELOPERS.

AND THEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE ATTORNEY THAT WE HAVE AS A LOBBYIST IS ALSO AN ATTORNEY FOR THE HUDSON COMPANY.

THAT IS A RED FLAG, RIGHT THERE. THE THING THAT CONCERNS ME IS IF THEY GET APPROVAL TO COME IN AND CLEARCUT EVERYTHING, YOU WILL JUST BE LOOKING AT LOTS OF LOTS. THERE IS NO TIMETABLE FOR WHEN ANYBODY WOULD BE BUILDING. SO HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY THINK ABOUT ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND SCHOOLS, OR ANYTHING ELSE, IF YOU HAVE NO ABILITY TO PLAN FOR, AND THOUGHTFULLY HERE FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS.

I FEEL A LOT OF EMPATHY FOR YOU. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN YOUR SEAT. YOU HAVE BEEN HANDCUFFED.

AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT RECOURSE YOU HAVE.

BECAUSE THERE IS SUCH A SHORT TIME WINDOW.

BUT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL HIRE AN INDEPENDENT ATTORNEY AND GET AN INJUNCTION. YOU HAVE TO MOVE NOW OR IT'S GOING TO BE OVER IN TWO MONTHS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. ANNMARIE EVANS.

PROTECTED ADDRESS. FORMER CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER ONE. HERE IN THIS ROOM WITH THE PUBLIC ARE NOT TO ADDRESS ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER.

WE ARE NOT TO IMPOSE DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

WE MY FRIENDS THROUGHOUT THE AUDIENCE, WE ARE NOT TO ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL OR IMPERTINENT REMARKS.

THINGS ONE MIGHT FEEL COMPELLED TO DO ARE NOT FOR SUCH RULES.

ONE MIGHT DISCUSS ALLEGED CHARGES HAVING INVOLVE SPECIFIC COMMISSIONERS OR DEMAND RESIGNATION.

ONE MIGHT EVEN DO IT BOISTEROUSLY.

ALAS, AND FOLLOWING THE RULES FOR DECORUM POSTED AT EVERY SINGLE COMMISSION MEETING, ONE WILL NOT.

INSTEAD, IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS, I LOOK AT THE RULES FOR COMMISSIONERS. WHAT CAN I AS A CITIZEN EXPECT FROM MY GOVERNMENT. WHAT CAN OTHER CITIZENS EXPECT.

BEING A NATURAL RESERVE-- RESEARCHER, I LOOKED AT THE COUNTY WEBSITE AND FOUND THE RULES AND POLICIES FOR THE COMMISSION. I KEPT UPDATING AND FOUND THE

[01:20:04]

OF 42 PAGES. FLLOWED ONLY BY A MAP OF THE AUDITORIUM. HOW DO I MAKE THIS WORK? THERE WE GO. SHOULDN'T THIS BE PAGE 1 OF 41? SHOULDN'T THIS BE POSTED AT THE BEGINNING OF MEETINGS? AND SHOULDN'T ALL COMMISSIONERS BE HELD TO HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS? THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE ETHICS OR ALLEGED LACK THEREOF OF OUR COMMISSIONERS HAS BEEN A FULL PUBLIC DISPLAY IN THE PAPERS ON THE NEWS AND OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE STEPS TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST.

POST THE CODE OF ETHICS AT MEETINGS.

POSTED ON THE WALLS IN EVERY COUNTY BUILDING.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAKE IT PAGE 1, NOT 41.

I WILL END MY COMMENTS WAS SAYING THAT IT IS NEVER EVER TOO LATE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM FROM THE SHORES AREA. AND A TOPIC I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE PROPERTY ADJACENT TO CANOPY PARK, CHORES FULL OF ART. CHRISTINA ROAD, OR STREET.

IT'S THEY FREQUENTLY WALKED AREA--

>> THAT IS AN AGENDA ITEM. YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP AND TOTTERING THE AGENDA ITEM.

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3? AM I CORRECT? UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMEWHERE YOU MUST GO.

IF YOU CAN WAIT, GREAT. IF NOT, I WILL ALLOW YOU TO

CONTINUE. >> YOU WON'T TALK ABOUT THIS

NOW? >> WE HAVE GENERAL COMMENT FOR OTHER THINGS IN THE AGENDA ITEMS. SO YOU CAN GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AGAIN.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO HOME I WILL ALLOW YOU TO CONTINUE.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO.

>> GOOD MORNING. DENNIS FROM 71 TOWER COURT.

MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT OUR HOME. I MOVED IN IN LATE 2024.

WE HAD PLANS FOR AN OVERSIZED BACKYARD WE HAD PURCHASED.

IN SEPTEMBER 2020 FOR THE LAND BEHIND MY HOUSE WAS COMPLETELY CLEARED. WE HAD NO AREA BEHIND OUR BACKYARD AND THE BRAKE OTHER THAN A 16-FOOT FENCE.

THE LACK OF PRIVACY AND SAFETY MADE OUR YARD UNUSUAL.

CARS PASSING OFTEN KICKED UP PEBBLES INTO THE YARD AND THERE WAS NOTHING KEEPING VEHICLES FROM ENTERING OUR YARD.

I WILL PUT THIS PHOTO UP. THERE WE GO.

WHEN WE PURCHASE THE HOME IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 FEET DEEP, CONSISTS EARRING OF SMALL AND MEDIUM BRUSH, MAKING IT AS A FRUIT 16 A WAS NOT BEHIND OUR HOME.

WE DID HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT BUYING A HOME ALONG THE ROUTE, BUT WITH THE ORDINANCES THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, THAT LAND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT AS IS.

OR AT LEAST REPLACED WITH A 10-FOOT NATURAL LANDSCAPE BARRIER REQUIRED BY THE PERIMETER.

AS PER LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. SECTION 50303.

THAT'S IN THERE. I HAVE ALL THE STUFF.

ALL GIVE IT TO YOU. THIS WAS TAKEN LAST NIGHT.

ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER. THIS IS WHAT I SEE FROM STANDING IN THE SAME EXACT SPOT. IN THE BACK OF OUR HOE.

I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

BUT ANYWAY. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME COMING UP HERE. THE ONLY EXCEPTION I COULD FIND THROUGH MY RESEARCH WAS THAT THERE WAS A EASEMENT BEHIND THE PROPERTY. THE UTILITY EASEMENT, FLOOR TO STATUTE 163.329. THE FLORIDA STATE STATUTE DOES NOT SUPERSEDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINANCES DURING THAT EASEMENT PROCESS. ACCORDING TO PUBLICLY AVAILABLE RECORDS, ON THE PRIDE SYSTEM, ON THE RECORDS SYSTEM, A COMPLAINT WAS MADE. COUNTY EMPLOYEES DURING A SITE INSPECTION DID COMMENT AND SAID THE SITE WAS IN VIOLATION AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT THE WAY IT WAS.

AND THERE IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF LAND OF ELEMENT CODES HERE.

AND THE COUNTY HAS ADMITTED. HIM UP HERE ASKING-- AND I'LL LEAVE THIS STUFF WITH YOU. ALL THE CODE AND CITED

[01:25:05]

YOU DO NOT NEED AN ATTORNEY WHEN ALL THAT WOULD DO WOULD BE TO PUT THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COUNTY.

IT'S NOT OUR JOB TO DO THAT. AND WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY AN ATTORNEY WHEN IT'S NOT OUR JOB.

WE JUST LIVE THERE. >> THANK YOU.

>> I MISSED YOUR NAME. CAN I HAVE YOUR NAME AGAIN?

>> DENNIS STEAL. 71 TOWER COURT.

-- DENNIS STEELE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS AARON, 920 OAK RIDGE ROAD.

I DON'T REALLY SPEAK TOO MUCH. I'VE SPOKEN HERE TWICE IN MY LIFE. BUT I WANTED TO COME TODAY.

I WORK WITH THE HORSES IN ST. AUGUSTINE THE LAST 20 YEARS.

I HAD TO COMMENT ON THE RECENT ALLEGATIONS.

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER MURPHY IN 2025.

HE HAD TOLD ME THAT HE WAS NOT-- I'VE ASKED ABOUT SOME OF THESE VOTES. BUT THE POINT IS THAT HE SAID HE WOULD RATHER HAVE IT BE A ONE-AND-DONE.

AND HE WAS NOT HERE TO TRY TO GO AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE, BUT HE HAD TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS, AND I RESPECT HIM FOR THAT. THE POINT IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS COMMISSIONERS THAT WILL REMAIN UNNAMED WHO ARE NOT IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW. WHEN WE TALK FOR THE PEOPLE AND SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE THERE IS A TRUST.

THERE IS A TRUST WE HAVE BEEN VOTING FOR YOU ALL.

AND THERE IS A TRUST THAT MUST BE RETURNED.

THE PROBLEM ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS IS THE SIMPLE FACT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS PROVED ALONG WITH THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH COMMISSIONER, THEY DO NOT TRUST US.

THEY DON'T TRUST US. THEY WANT TO RUN THEIR-- THEY DON'T WANT TO RUN THEIR POLICIES OR DECISIONS.

THEY ALLEGEDLY CONSPIRED TO PUT OUT FAKE VOTER GUIDES TO PULL THE WOOL OVER FOLKS WHO ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, AND THAT IS WHY THEY WON. AND THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD BE IN THAT SEAT RIGHT NOW, NOT HIDING BEHIND HER PHONE, WATCHING ME FROM HER HOUSE, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT COME FACE THE PUBLIC. IT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THEY DON'T TRUST US. WELL THEN, STAY HOME.

DON'T COME BACK. STEP DOWN.

YOU HAVE LOST THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE.

AND DO NOT LET SOMEONE ELSE BE THE FALL GUY.

WHO PAID FOR THE VOTER GUIDES. IT'S NOT LIKE THESE PEOPLE PULLED THE MONEY OUT OF THIN AIR.

WE KNOW WHO PAID FOR IT. LETS LET IT ALL COME OUT.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

AND WHEN YOU DEMONSTRATE THAT YOU DO NOT TRUST US, WE CANNOT TRUST YOU. AND IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND STEP DOWN. AND THAT WAY THE COUNTY CAN MOVE ON. AND THOSE THAT NEED TO GO, THOSE IN JOBS THEY DON'T DESERVE, THEY CAN GO.

AND THOSE WHO ARE GOOD AT THEIR JOBS CAN COME BACK IF THEY WANT TO PUT THEMSELVES THROUGH THAT AGAIN.

WE ARE FACING A NEW YEAR. A NEW ELECTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A MACROCOSM OF THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM CHARLIE HUNT. FROM MILL CREEK ESTATES.

JUST SEE WHAT HAPPENS. >> BOARD RULES MAY HAVE VIOLATED STATE STATUTE. SO THERE IS A CENSURE-- I'D VOTED AGAINST A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT.

HAVE NEVER BEEN CENSORED. IT'S NOT ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OR SOMEBODY DISAGREEING ON A AGENDA ITEM.

I THINK THAT THE MOTION WAS ABOUT CONCERNS ABOUT A LOBBYING VIOLATED. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, I FEEL LIKE THE PUBLIC COMMENT DOES NOT JIBE WITH THE MOTION YOU MADE.

>> I UNDERSTAND. >> PEOPLE WHO PERPETUALLY VIOLATE THE RULES ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE VIOLATORS OF THE RULES. WHAT COUNTRY ALLOWS THAT TO HAPPEN? IT'S NOT A PLACE I WANT TO LIVE.

THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THE LAWS AND BREAKING THE RULES. NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM THAT.

[01:30:03]

EVERYBODY IN THE AUDITORIUM UNDERSTANDS, IF YOU SPEED OR GET PULLED OVER BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, THAT'S A TICKET YOU HAVE TO PAY. THERE ARE RULES IN EVERY AREA OF OUR LIFE. AND THESE ARE NO DIFFERENT.

THESE ARE RULES THAT MUST BE ADHERED TO.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST.

I'M GOING TO BUILD ON THAT. I THINK YOU MADE IT CLEAR, COMMISSIONER DEAN. THIS IS NOT ABOUT PERSONALITIES OR DISAGREEMENTS. THIS IS ABOUT POLITICS.

THIS IS ABOUT THE LAW. AND THAT IS THE CONCERN.

NO MATTER WHICH SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU FALL ON.

AT A BASIC LEVEL WE ARE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE TO UPHOLD THE LAW.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION AND AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION IF WE BELIEVE THAT SOMEBODY IS NOT FOLLOWING THE LAW, THAT'S WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ELECTED US TO DO.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.

[APPLAUSE] >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD INTO THAT, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR BRING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION NOW.

THEY NEED TO RESIGN. BOTTOM-LINE.

THAT IS IT. VOTE FOR CRIST I, VOTE FOR MARTIN. LET US MAKE IT BETTER, PEOPLE.

COME ON. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING, SHERRY BADGER, 2772 SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE.

I LOVE IT. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

I HAVE BEEN ASKING, WHERE IS THE FBI.

WHERE IS THE INTEGRITY. WHERE IS THE ETHICS? THERE IS NOT VERY MUCH GOING ON. WITH A LOT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OR THE STAFF. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND I AM SO THANKFUL. THIS IS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE SUNSHINE ACT. THEY SHOULD NOT BE UP HERE FOR THAT VERY REASON. AND THIS SHENANIGANS ARE GOING ON. AND LET'S SEE.

SARAH IS IN THERE, THE ATTORNEY IS IN THERE, NOW HUDSON IS WORKING FOR THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE AS A LOBBYIST.

DAN COLE DAVIS HAS ENOUGH MONEY. HE IS THE ONE THAT GOT THAT WHOLE THING BUILT UP THERE. JUST LIKE HENRY FLAGLER DID.

HE GOT THE LAW CHANGED WHERE HE COULD GET A DIVORCE BACK IN 1928. AFTER HENRY FLAGLER GOT THAT DIVORCE, THE LAW WAS CHANGED BACK.

THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THIS COUNTY AND IT NEEDS TO STOP.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JUSTIN.

I DID NOT PLAN ON SPEAKING ON THE OPEN COMMENT.

I PLAN ON SPEAKING FOR THE FOOD TRUCKS PART.

JUST SAYING EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT TODAY, EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE COUNTY, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY, UPSET. THERE IS A LOT OF DIVISIVENESS.

BUT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE PAVER GUY.

AND I GOT TO MEET HIM. AND WHEN HE STANDS APPEARANCE AS THE COUNTY AS A STAFF MADE HIM FEEL LIKE A SMALL PERSON, MADE HIM FEEL LIKE A PROBLEM, MADE HIM FEEL LIKE ANYTHING BUT THE VICTIM, I CAN PERSONALLY ATTEST TO THAT.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT MYSELF. AS A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THIS COUNTY I NEVER TREATED ANYBODY LIKE THAT.

I WORKED TO HELP SUBURB-- SOLVE PROBLEMS AS MUCH AS I COULD.

THERE WAS NO ONE WHO EVER CAME INTO OFFICE I WAS DISRESPECTFUL TO. I APPLIED EXPERIENCES TO WORKING WITH THE OUTPOST TO SEE HOW SOME OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY WORK AND I WAS EXTERNALLY DISAPPOINTED.

I MET WITH COMMISSIONERS AND SOME OF THEM ARE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. SOMEWHERE INCREDIBLY NOT HELPFUL. MY POINT IS IF IT WAS ONE PERSON AND ONE EXPERIENCE, THAT WOULD BE AN ANOMALY.

IF IT'S TWO PEOPLE COMING UP AND TELLING THEM THE SAME THING ABOUT HOW STAFF ARE TREATING THEM, HOW EXPERIENCES ARE WITH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TRYING TO DEVELOP BUSINESS IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, THEY ARE LUMPED IN AS A DEVELOPER.

EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DOING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS AND BUILDING GOOD PROJECTS FOR COMMUNITY.

THINGS FOR FAMILIES TO DO. THEY TREAT YOU LIKE YOU ARE JUST

[01:35:03]

THE CHALLENGE HERE IS THAT ST JOHNS COUNTY IS GROWING VERY FAST. AND EVERYTHING HAS TO GROW JUST AS FAST. THE POLICIES, THE DEPARTMENTS, THE STAFF, THE EXPERIENCE. EVERYTHING HAS TO GROW.

AND WE HAVE BOAT RAMP BILLY. HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER ON WHETHER OR NOT SOMEBODY BUILT THEIR HOME? IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION. IT IS ON THE COUNTY RIGHT AWAY.

AND IF IT IS, TO DETERMINE IF YOU WANT THAT FOR THE BOAT RAMP.

IF NOT, CLOSE THE BOAT RAMP. OR IF YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN THE BOAT RAMP, FIX-IT AND LET'S PUT A PERIOD ON IT.

IT'S GOING TO KEEP STACKING UP UNTIL PEOPLE DECIDE TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> HELLO.

SUSAN. FROM ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA.

I'M UP HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE TWO COMMISSIONERS. AND WHAT I'VE READ THINKING BACK TO THE TWO YEARS PREVIOUS WHEN THE ELECTION CAME UP AND ALL THE SHENANIGANS THAT WENT ON WITH STEALING SIGNS, AND THE LINES.

AND ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT TWO PEOPLE HERE WERE EMBEDDED WITH THE DEVELOPERS THAT WERE CAUSING SO MUCH OF THIS UNDERCURRENT.

AND WE AS RESIDENTS HAVE NO IDEA, PUTTING TRUST IN PEOPLE, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THAT TRUST WAS JUST AN ACT.

AND I FEEL THAT WE, AS A PEOPLE, AS A COMMUNITY, NEED TO HAVE HONEST, STRAIGHTFORWARD PEOPLE SITTING UP THERE.

AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT THEY NEED TO GO.

BECAUSE THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY THAT WOULD DO THAT JOB. I KNOW ANNMARIE EVANS WOULD HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB. AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAK TO HER. AND SHE WOULD HAVE LOOKED AT ALL THE SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. I KNOW YOUR JOB IS NOT EASY.

BUT ALL THE SIGNS NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.

AND CLEARLY THE ONES THAT ARE THERE WERE NOT LOOKING AT ALL THE SIGNS. THEY WERE LOOKING AT DEVELOPERS SIGNS. FOR WHATEVER THE REASONS WERE, KICKBACKS, WHATEVER WAS HAPPENING.

I DO NOT KNOW. AND IT REALLY-- I GUESS THE BEST WAY TO SAY IT IS THAT IT SCREWED THE COUNTY OVER.

AND I THINK THAT IT IS UP TO GOVERNOR DESANTIS TO STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT. AND WE NEED STRAIGHTFORWARD HONEST PEOPLE IN THESE POSITIONS.

AND IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET THEM, WE NEED TO MOVE THEM OUT.

IT'S LIKE TRAIN THE SWAMP, ST JOHNS COUNTY, THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING MY FATHER, WHO SAID I SHOULD NOT COME UP AND SPEE TODAY I AM. I AM CHAIRMAN OF ST JOHNS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY. AND IN 2024 WE DID WHAT WE BELIEVE RIGHT AS A PARTY. WE GOT TOGETHER AND A VOTE WAS HELD TO SEE WHO WE BELIEVED SHOULD LEAD THIS COMMUNITY.

WE VOTED IN EIGHT LEGISLATIVE SEATS TO ENDORSE CANDIDATES TO THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT WE THOUGHT WOULD REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY BEST. WE DID NOT CONSIDER CONSTITUTIONAL SEATS. AS CHAIR I MADE THAT CHOICE BELIEVING THAT THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD SERVE EVERYBODY NOT JUST THE PARTY, WHERE LEGISLATORS ARE THERE TO SEE THE AGENDA OF OUR PARTY ACCOMPLISHED. U.S. COMMISSIONERS ARE HERE TO SEE WHAT OUR PARTY REQUIRES. NOT EVERYONE.

AND I KNOW NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR THAT.

BUT WE HAVE A PLATFORM. I DECIDED TO STEP UP AND BECOME CHAIR BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE CITIZENS NEED A REAL VOICE.

PEOPLE DESERVE TO BE HEARD. NOT LISTENED TO, BUT BE HEARD.

I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING TODAY IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING HEARD. THERE NOT BEING LISTENED TO, THEY ARE BEING IGNORED. THEY HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR A LONG TIME. I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT IT OTHER THAN THE INDICTMENT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

THE COURTS WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

CIVIL SUITS WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENS.

BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY, MANY YEARS SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE, AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED POLITICALLY IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2012, FIGHTING FOR REDUCTIONS, BETTER BUDGET BEHAVIORS, BETTER POLICIES, BETTER GOVERNMENT.

FOUNDING AND RUNNING A TASK FORCE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS AND SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

[01:40:04]

AND TRANSPARENCY. WHAT IS LACKING IN THIS COMMUNITY AT ALL LEVELS IS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED ABOUT.

THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE IS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE, AND IT'S KIND OF ODD.

WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM A REPORTER ASKING FOR COMMENT, I WAS WALKING INTO THE SPHERE IN LAS VEGAS WITH MY DAUGHTER AND DAD TO WATCH "THE WIZARD OF OZ". HOW FORTUITOUS.

HERE WE ARE. THE CURTAIN BEING PULLED BACK, AND WHAT WE SEE IS WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THIS COUNTY.

THE ONLY THING DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS CASE AND OTHERS IS THEY STOLE THE NAME OF THE PARTY, AND THAT'S WHY THEY ARE INDICTED.

THE BEHAVIOR IS STILL GOING ON. VOTERS, TO YOUR RESEARCH, BE AWARE, AND VOTE FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO REPRESENT.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, FOLKS. I AM HERE ABOUT THE BOAT RAMPS.

AND I CALLED BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE BOAT RAMP WEST, IT'S A DEATH TRAP.

WHEN YOU TURN DOWN THAT ROAD TO LAUNCH A BOAT GOT TO DEAL WITH CARS COMING IN AT THE DOLLAR GENERAL.

AND THEY LIKE TO PARK A POLE HALFWAY IN AT THE LANE TO TAKE YOU DOWN THE BOAT RAMP. SO YOU'RE PULLING A BIG 25-FOOT BOAT IN A 250 TRUCK. YOU HAVE TO STOP IN THE 818.

DO YOU KNOW HOW BUSY THAT IS ON THE WEEKENDS? IT'S BUMPER TO BUMPER. FROM SEVEN TO SEVEN.

SO WHEN YOU GO DOWN THAT ROAD.. AND WHEN YOU PASS THE ESTUARIES THE ROAD NARROWS. YOU GET TO THE CULVERT WHERE YOU MAKE THAT TURN TO GO TO THE BOAT RAMP, THAT'S DOWN TO 15 FEET AND YOU HAVE A TEN OR 12-FOOT DROP OFF ON EITHER SIDE.

I HAVE ASKED YOU ALL TO PUT A SIGN UP.

ONE TIME. FOUR YEARS AGO.

NOTHING. BEFORE THE FOURTH OF JULY I CALLED A COUPLE OF YOU ALL AND TOLD YOU TO GET DOWN HERE AND TAKE A LOOK. THE WASHOUT WAS SHOWING THE PIPES RUNNING IN TO THE HOUSES. THERE WAS A FLOATING PIECE OF ROAD ABOUT THIS MONTH-- MUCH. YOU CATCH THAT WITH YOUR BOAT AND TRUCK YOU WILL GO INTO THAT CULVERT.

WITH NO SIGNS. AND THEN WE HIRE A DESIGN COMPANY TO TRY TO MAKE IT A FANCY BOAT RAMP.

AND THE FIRST NUMBER THEY WROTE DOWN ON THERE WAS A 15-FOOT ROAD. BUT HE WENT ON FOR THE PLANS ANYWAY, AND WE PAID HIM A BUNCH OF MONEY AND IT GOT SHOT DOWN.

IF I WENT DOWN THERE AND BID IT FOR YOU I'D SAY THIS WON'T WORK.

15 FEET. THIS WILL NOT WORK.

THEY HAD TO CALL IT OFF. AND YOU NEED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES. DID YOU SEE THE THING ON TV, THE NEWS? FROM THE CROWN OF THAT ROAD YOU HAVE 30 FEET ON EITHER SIDE. 30 FEET.

NOT 15. WHICH BOAT RAMP DID YOU USE.

THE ONE WITH A 15-FOOT ROAD AND A 10-FOOT DROP OFF ON EITHER SIDE? OR THE ONE WITH THE 60-FOOT LIVE TURN. YOU MIGHT GET A HEAD INJURY.

YOU GO UP AND DOWN THAT ONE ON BUTLER WEST, YOU BETTER HOPE SOMEBODY IS THERE TO RESCUE YOU. BECAUSE HE WILL BE UPSIDE DOWN IN THE WATER, LOCKED IN YOUR TRUCK, WONDERING WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I WAS THERE THE OTHER DAY, A GUY PULLED HIS BOAT OUT AND IT HIT THE WASHOUT AND IT SNAPPED HIS TEETH OFF OF THE BOAT. THAT'S HOW VIOLENT THAT DITCH WAS. AND I WENT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DOWN THE ROAD. TO GET SOME CONES.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE T-SHIRTS IF YOU ALL

WANT THEM. >> TOM REYNOLDS.

FIRST OF ALL, COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONERS, IN ORDER-- HONOR OF NATIONAL DEFINITION DAY, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD CRIMINAL. A PERSON IS A CRIMINAL WHEN THEY

[01:45:04]

THE MOMENT YOU COMMITTED THE CRIME YOU ARE A CRIMINAL.

WHEN I THINK OF DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE HERE, LIKE OUR CONTRACTED ATTORNEY, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THEY MUST WANT US TO RESIGN BECAUSE CRIMINALS VOTED FOR THEM.

THAT IS RIGHT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW, THE GODFATHER WAS IN HERE EARLIER. HENRY DEAN.

HE HAD THE A DESTINY. HE IS STILL HERE.

THE MAN THAT WHEN WALKER AND DEAN WERE ON THIS COMMISSION, THAT'S WHEN ALL THE MISCONDUCT STARTED.

GOING BACK TO WHEN DAVID WAS FIRED.

BUT ANYWAYS, I WON'T-- I WANT TO HANG AROUND THE MEETING BUT I HAVE TO PICK UP MY GRANDKIDS. BECAUSE I WANT TO GO COMMIT SOME CRIMES WITH THEM. BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW EVERYBODY BRINGS HER CHILDREN TO CRIMES. AND THEN, I'M GOING TO STOP BY AND GET AN ELDERLY PERSON. AND I'M GOING TO TAKE THEM TO THE CRIME SCENE. YOU KNOW WHAT I HOPE FOLKS GET OUT OF THIS? IS HOW SOFT ON CRIME OUR PROSECUTORS ARE. STARTING WITH JAY.

HOW LONG DID HE HOLD THE BALL? HOW LONG DID HE IMPEDE THE HUDSON FAMILY? SLOWING IT DOWN.

24 MONTHS. A MISDEMEANOR.

NOT FINGERPRINTED, NOT LOOKED INTO.

I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING, I WOULD NOT VOTE FOR THE STATE ATTORNEY IF EVERY SHERIFF IN ST JOHNS COUNTY WAS HOLDING A GUN ON ME. THAT'S WHAT A GUTLESS COWARD HE IS. DON'T LET ANYONE LET THIS SURPRISE YOU. REMEMBER, SAME COUNTY... WEARS THE GUY WHO MURDERED HER? HE'S A ST JOHNS COUNTY DEPUTY.

THE FORMER MAYOR SAT ON THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF ENERGY.

WHERE ALL DEAD PEOPLE AND FAMILY SITTING IN A MANSION IN NORTH CAROLINA. SCHOOL DISTRICT, TORTURED CHILDREN. NO INVESTIGATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT, GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME, PLEASE COME ON TOP.

GOOD MORNING. >> MY NAME IS NADINE.

I LIVED AT 175 AVENUE IN ST. AUGUSTINE.

AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE CARE OR COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY. WE WANT TO OFFER OUR SUPPORT FOR MELINDA PEOPLE'S REAPPOINTMENT TO HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.

DISTRICT TWO. BECAUSE WE APPRECIATE HER PERSPECTIVE AS BEING ALIGNED WITH OUR GOALS AS COMMUNITY

ADVOCATES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT, COME ON UP. IF YOU COULD BE READY AT ONE OF

THE PODIUMS, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MY NAME IS JUDY. I'M EITHER GOING TO MAKE ENEMIES, OR MIGHT NOT BE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

I AM ON GODS SIDE. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT WISDOM COMES FROM THE FEAR OF THE LORD.

WE NEED WISDOM IN THIS COUNTY. WE NEED WISDOM.

WE NEED FEAR OF THE LORD FOR ALL OF US.

BECAUSE NONE OF US ARE PERFECT. EVERY ONE OF US IS ELIGIBLE FOR OPERATING OUT OF FEAR. NOT OF GOD, BUT OF OUR OWN REPUTATION OF POWER BEING LOST, THINGS WE PERCEIVE GOING ON AROUND US, CAUSING-- DIRECTING OUR EMOTIONS AND REACTIONS PIG PEOPLE DO STUPID THINGS WHEN THEY ARE AFRAID.

BUT PEOPLE REAP WHAT THEY SO. IF YOU'RE OUT THERE SOWING DISCORD, POINTING FINGERS, CHEATING, STEALING, LYING, ALL OF THAT IS NOT THE TERRITORY OF GOD.

ALL OF THAT IS THE TERRITORY OF THE ENEMY WHO WANTS DISUNITY AND WANTS US NOT TO LOVE EACH OTHER. WANTS US TO NOT WORK TOGETHER, WANTS US TO ACCUSE EACH OTHER. WANTS TO TAKE ISOLATED INCIDENTS AND EXPLORE THEM-- EXPLODE THEM INTO GRANDKIDS-- CONSPIRATORIAL SCHEMES WHERE EVERYBODY IS OUT TO GET THE LITTLE GUY.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT DIVISION. THIS IS NOT ABOUT US VERSUS THEM. ONE TREND I'M STARTING TO NOTICE AS THERE IS A GREAT EQUATING RIGHT NOW OF GOD THAT IS

[01:50:05]

AND THAT'S A LIE. PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE GOOD AND PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO THINGS THAT ARE WRONG.

AND PEOPLE WILL REAP THE CONSEQUENCES EVEN IF IT TAKES A WHILE. WE ARE IN A SEASON EVERY ALIGNMENT. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT FOR A COUPLE YEARS IS THAT ANY CORRUPTION, ANY DISINGENUOUS ACTIONS WOULD BE EXPOSED.

WE ARE IN A PLACE RIGHT NOW, WHERE THIS COUNTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND CHANGE THINGS AND FIX THINGS AND TO HAVE WISDOM. THAT COMES FROM THE FEAR OF GOD.

THIS IS NOT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT.

THIS IS A SIDE OF FORGIVENESS. GOD'S SIDE IS FORGIVENESS.

I CAN REMEMBER A COMMISSIONER COMING UP HERE AFTER HAVING BEEN SLANDERED AND SERIOUSLY MALIGNED DURING THAT ELECTION, AND HE SAID, "I FORGIVE YOU. I FORGIVE YOU, I FORGIVE YOU." THAT IS GOD'S HEART. WE ARE NOT THE JUDGES BUT THERE IS A PROCESS, AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THAT.

GOD SIDE IS UNITY. GOD'S SIDE IS LOVE.

WE NEED TO CHOOSE LOVE. WE CANNOT LET OUR EMOTIONS DRIVE US INTO MAKING FOOLISH CHOICES OR SAYING THINGS AND DOING THINGS WE CANNOT TAKE BACK. GOD'S LOVE AND I BLESS THIS

COUNTY IN JESUS' NAME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE AT THIS TIME? PLEASE COME UP AND BE AT THE PODIUM.

WE ARE ALMOST AT 11:00. WE HAVE TO START MOVING.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

>> WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. THIS MATTER WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. VOTE YES ON THREE.

VOTE "YES" ON THREE. COUNTY AND CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE STAFF SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN $144,000.

THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR GETS. THOSE BEING PAID 250,000 TO 300,000 TAX DOLLARS ARE RECEIVING A QUARTER OF A MILLION FOR ALMOST HALF A MILLION TAX DOLLARS.

IT'S WRONG. IF YOU'D LIKE TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAX BURDEN AND KEEP MORE OF YOUR INCOME, VOTE "YES" ON THREE. AND IGNORE.

BECAUSE THERE WILL BE MORE COMING OUT, IGNORE THE SCARE TACTICS. NOW THEN.

LET US SEE. OH.

LOOK WHAT SOMEONE GAVE ME. MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER OR AN EMAIL, OR A PHONE, MINUS BROKEN NOW, YOU CAN STILL GET INFORMATION.

PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED. MY QUESTION, WHY IS ARNOLD AND WHITEHURST CALLING IN INSTEAD OF SHOWING UP.

THERE VOTES TODAY SHOULD NOT COUNT.

BAREBOAT TODAY SHOULD NOT COUNT. ARE THEY 63 WHY DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE TRULY SICK AND TRY TO CALL AND SOMETIMES, AND NOBODY WANTS TO LISTEN TO THEM, BUT WE WILL SIWA GOES ON. AND I AM SO GLAD, AND I SAY THIS ALL THE TIME, THERE IS NO WAY. LET ME THANK THE PUBLIC FOR COMMENTING. MOST OF THEM HAVE LEFT.

I CAN UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE QUITE A WHILE. BUT THE VOTES OF THOSE WHO CHOSE TO CALL IN TODAY, AND MUST WE KNOW THEY ARE SICK, THEY DO NOT SOUND SICK, SHOULD NOT COUNT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

18 SECONDS, FOLKS, I AM TAKING IT.

VOTE "YES" ON THREE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE] >> DO NOT CLAP!

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?

[1. Presentation on Voter Approved Conservation Funding by Live Wildly Foundation and Trust for Public Land ]

[01:55:03]

>> WE WILL GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 1.

GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

MY NAME IS MEREDITH BLOOD. I LIVE-- WORK WITH THE LIVE WILDLY FOUNDATION. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU TODAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING VIA PHONE.

LIVE WILDLY IS A NONPROFIT. WE ARE IN OPERATING FOUNDATION.

WE TAKE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH TO CONSERVATION.

WE ARE NOT A LAND TRUST. WE ARE NOT A GOVERNMENT ENTITY.

WE ARE A CONNECTOR AND ACCELERATOR.

WE MOBILIZE FUNDING PARTNERS, GENERATE PUBLIC SUPPORT IN ORDER TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR, WHICH I'M SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH. THE CONNECTED LANDS FROM THE PANHANDLE DOWN TO THE KEYS. OUR FOUNDATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY ARNIE. HE IS A FLORIDA ENTREPRENEUR WHO BUILT AND SOLD ONE OF THE STATES GREATEST TECHNOLOGY SUCCESS STORIES. AND HAS SINCE INVESTED HIS OWN PRIVATE CAPITAL BACK INTO FLORIDA'S LAND AND WATER.

AND THROUGH OUR FOUNDATION WE SUPPORT A BROAD RANGE OF NONPROFITS AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA WORKING TO PROTECT WHAT MAKES FLORIDA SPECIAL FROM DUCKS UNLIMITED TO THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND. WHO YOU WILL HEAR FROM IN JUST A MOMENT. THEY ARE MY PARTNER HERE IN THIS PRESENTATION THIS MORNING. YOU'VE ALL THESE COMMITMENT TO ST JOHNS COUNTY IS HERE ON THE GROUND THROUGH THE SING OUT LOUD FESTIVAL. LIVE WILDLY CAN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMPHITHEATER, HELP TO SUPPORT DEDICATING $10 FROM EVERY TICKET SOLD FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS TO CONSERVATION.

AND A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THAT MONEY WENT TO THIS COUNTY'S OWN LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM, WHICH TODAY, AS YOU KNOW, IS NO INSISTENT DEDICATED OR ROBUST SOURCE OF FUNDING.

IN FACT IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS COUNTY HAS OVER $20 MILLION IN PROJECTS APPROVED BY THIS BOARD FOR ACQUISITION BUT NO DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE PROJECTS. THAT FUNDING GAP IS EXACTLY WHY I AM HERE TODAY. AT THIS COMMISSION'S REQUEST, WE HELPED TO PRIVATELY FUND THE FEASIBILITY RESEARCH AND THE POLLING THAT WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU ALL IN JUST A MOMENT.

WE ARE HERE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ST JOHNS COUNTY VOTERS TO HAVE THE CHOICE TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES IF THEY WANT TO INVEST IN PROTECTING THEIR WATER, THEIR FARMS, THEIR NATURAL RESOURCES, LANDS, NATURAL AREAS IN ST JOHNS COUNTY. AND THE DATA THAT WE WILL GO INTO FURTHER DETAIL WILL SHOW THAT IT'S NOT A PARTISAN QUESTION. IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND HAS HELD PASS THESE MEASURES IN RED AND BLUE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. AND WITH THAT IT IS MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE THE NEXT SPEAKER TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THIS PRESENTATION. PECAN HANRAHAN.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU MAKING TIME TODAY.

I KNOW YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT SCHEDULE.

SO I WILL GET INTO IT. I AM WITH TRUST FOR PUBLIC PLAN.

WE ARE A NATIONAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

TALLAHASSEE FORMED OUR SECOND OFFICE IN 1972.

AND WE WORKED TO PROTECT THE PLACES THAT PEOPLE LOVE AND TO CONNECT EVERYONE TO THE OUTDOORS.

I HAVE BEEN WITH TPL FOR ABOUT 22 YEARS.

AND I WORK ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY WITH VOTER AUTHORIZED FUNDING.

ONLY WHEN CITIZENS VOTE TO SAY THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO DO IN A COMMUNITY DOES IT GO FORWARD.

BUT WE HAVE A BROAD CROSS-SECTION.

OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE DO.

WE HAVE OVER 5500 LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS.

AND I WILL MENTION A COUPLE WE WORKED ON HERE IN ST. JOHN'S.

WE WORKED ON 311 SCHOOLYARDS WHERE WE WORKED TO MAKE SCHOOLYARDS SAFER AND BETTER, MORE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

AND WE ENGAGED SCHOOLKIDS IN DESIGNING AND BUILDING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH IS SUPER EXCITING TO SEE.

AND WE ALSO PROTECTED 4 MILLION ACRES AND OVER $112 BILLION SECURED IN PUBLIC FUNDING.

[02:00:03]

SO WE ALL KNOW EMMA REASON LAND BEEN GOING THERE SINCE I WAS THIS HIGH. WE ALSO WORKED ON ST. JOHN'S REBLUFF AND CANOPY SHORES AND I WORKED WITH THE CITY OF ST.

AUGUSTINE BEACH BACK IN 2008 I THINK IT WAS WHEN MAX WAS CITY MANAGERER. TO GET VOTER AUTHORIZATION FOR FUNDING OF THE ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH FRONT PARK WHICH WE LATER ACQUIRED ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. SO OVERALL SORT OF RE-WORKED ON 470 PROTECTION PROJECTS. WE ALSO DID ADDITIONS TO FORT-- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S LISTED THERE.

SO WE'VE DISCUSSED ALREADY THE TOTAL WILDLIFE CORRIDOR AND TO THE CREDIT OF GOVERNOR DOS SANTOS THE FLORIDA LEGISLATUER AND MANY LOCAL OFFICIALS LIKE YOURSELF ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE, WE'RE MAKING INCREDIBLE PROGRESS ON PROTECTING THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR. BUT IT'S REALLY THROUGH THE PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY OF PEOPLE LIKE ARNY BELLINI AND OTHERS WHO HAVE PUT THEIR RESOURCES INTO PUTTING THE PROVIDING THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND THE ACQUISITION WORK AND BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE AGAIN ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

ACROSS THE STATE TO GET BEHIND THIS.

OVERALL THERE ARE ABOUT 389,000 ACRES IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

AND 87,000 ARE ALREADY PROTECTED.

SO GO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY THAT'S ABOUT 22%.

STATEWIDE THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF LAND PROTECTED IS ABOUT 32%.

SO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A REALLY STRONG PROTECTED STATUS HERE.

BUT STILL LAGGING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THE STATE OVERALL.

AND THERE ARE ABOUT 6100 OPPORTUNITY ACRERS IN THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE HERE. THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER.

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN YOU CAN SEE WHY PEOPLE WANT TO PROTECT THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA.

A LOT OF THE FOCUS OF THE STAND IS KEEPING SCOMPLAND PRIVATE OWNERSHIP. BUT PURCHASING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOP IT. SO IT CAN REMAIN IN FARMS AND FORESTS AND NATURAL AREAS. WE BELIEVE AND WE ACTUALLY WORK ON A TON OF MILITARY-BASED PROTECTION.

DOING PROTECTION ALINED MILITARY BASES.

FOOD SECURITY. AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE FARMING COMMUNITY IS HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BUT OFTENTIMES FAMILY FARMS ARE FACED WITH HAVING TO SELL BECAUSE THE MATH ISN'T WORKING OUT.

THINGS LIKE THIS FAMILY FARMS A GREAT STATEWIDE PROGRAM ENABLES PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR LAND IN FARMING AND FORESTRY BUT IT DOES BENEFIT FROM A LOCAL MATCH.

SOME WERE GOOD ENOUGH TO ATTEND THE PRESENTATION THAT MER DIGIT AND I DID AT THE FLORIDA STATION OF COUNTIES A FEW WEEKS AGO. FOR PEFR $1 POKE COUNTY RESIDENTS RAISED THEY BROUGHT DOWN 4 TO $5 IN STATE FUNDING SO THAT'S EXTRAORDINARY. AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE WORKER ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE'VE WORKED ON 689 SUCCESSORER BALLOT MEASURES. I PERSONALLY HAVE WORKED ON 38.

AND ONLY THREE THAT HAVE-- SO REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

IN OCCASIONALLY KENTUCKY SO WE HAVE AN 86% WAIT HERE IN FLORIDA. WE'VE WORKED ON ABOUT 45 SUCCESSFUL BALLOT MEASURES AND AS MER DIGIT SAID IT'S REALLY NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND.

IT'S NOT YOUR THING ORRER MY THING.

TO EXFLAES AT THE BALLOT BOX AS WELL.

THIS IS THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION MAP AND AGAIN I ONLY WORK IN THE SOUTHEAST. WE WON ALL OF OUR MEASURES IN THE SOUTHEAST OF 2024 IN VERY, VERY RED STATES.

SO FAR WE'VEING GONE 6 FOR 6. PART OF THE REASON WE SEE SUCH SUCCESS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES IS BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE WALKING THROUGH WITH YOU HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

BUT NOW JUST ISN'T THE RIGHT TIME BECAUSE OF FILL IN THE BLANK. WE HEARD A LOT OF THAT IN 2020.

BECAUSE OF THE TERRIBLE COVID CRISIS THAT WENT TO THE BALLOT IN 2020. GOOD ZWRIERJS BAD TIMES.

[02:05:14]

92 HAVE PASSED. 84% WIN RATE OVERALL.

STRONG ECONOMY TAX BASED XHUBT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NOT YET DONE THIS. THE OTHER THAT STANDS OUT FRANKLY IS ORANGE. ORANGE HAS $100 MILLION A COUPLE YEARS AGO INTO LANDBACK POSITION.

SO EVEN WITH THE LAND PROGRAM GETTING $2 MILLION A YEAR.

THAT WOULD TAKE R50 YEARS TO CATCH UP WITH WHAT THEY'VE DONE IN ORANGE COUNTY. THEY ARE AN ENORMOUS ECONOMY AND THE OTHER WHAT I WOULD CALL HEALTHY STRONG COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA. WHICH INCLUDES SOME LAND PROTECTION. BUT IS MOSTLY WATER QUALITY PROTECTION AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT.

THERE ARE TOTAL OF SEVEN COUNTIES CONSIDERING OR MOVING FORWARD TOWARD THE BALLOT IN 2026 PLUS THE CITY OF-- SPRINGS HAS A MEASURE ON THE BALLOT. SO HERE TEASE PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FIRST FLOW REALLY WITH YOU ALL. AND THEN YOU KNOW.

YOU WILL MAKE SOME CHOICES AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MOVING FURTHER. SO WE START WITH THE REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. YOU PROVED THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO. COMMISSIONER.

AND THEN FEASIBILITY RESEARCH WE RECEIVED ABOUT IN NOVEMBER.

WE GO THROUGH A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY WHICH WE DID JUST IN MAY AND I CAN SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH EACH OF YOU AND ALSO WITH YOUR KEY STAFF. LOOKING AT SOME OF THE PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS. YOU ALL SHOWED A GREAT DEAL OF LEADERSHIP. A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO SE SETH UP YOUR PROGRAM SO YOU REALLY HAVE A JUMP START IN TERMS OF HAVING A TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE PROCESS.

MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE-- THAT THEY CAN SUBMIT PROJECTS THAT MUST BE VOLUNTARY. ONLY VOLUNTARY FOR LAND OWN HORSE WISH TO PARTICIPATE. AND IF WE GET THROUGH-- COMING UP WITH A GOOD PROGRAM, THEN THERE NEEDS TO BE A PRIVATELY-FUNDED, PRIVATELY-LOCALLY-LED CITIZEN CAMPAIGN. I HAVE TO REALLY GIVE A LOT OF KRE DOIT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. YOU'VE HEARD HERE THIS MORNING.

HOW ACTIVE YOUR CITIZENRY IS AND WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALLY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

TO DUCKS UNLIMITED AND A FEW ASSOCIATION I'VE HEARD FROM AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONCERNED ABOUT PROBLEMS LIKE FLOODING OR UNDESIRABLE DEVELOPMENT AND MAYBE TAKING PLACE.

IF A CAMPAIGN EVER COMES TOGETHER, IT'S NL EVER A COALITION OF THE WILLING. AND IT IS NOT A SINGLE DOLLAR FROM THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. JUST LIKE NOT A SINGLE DOLLAR FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS GONE INTO OUR WORK SO FAR.

AS I SAID, THE FUNDED WORK. WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO MR. BLUE AND MERRER DIGIT THIS HAS CREATED A SEA CHANGE STATEWIDE. AND AGAIN HE IS AN ENTREPRENEUR. HE TAKES A VERY BUSINESS ORIENTATION TO WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

SO HERE WE GO. SO THE FEASIBILITY REPORT WHICH IS COMPLETED BACK IN NOVEMBER KIND OF GOES THROUGH ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED WHEN JOY OR HER STAFF TOOK A LOOK AT IT, THERE'S NOTHING IN THERE THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY FAMILIAR WITH. IT JUST PUTS IT ALL IN ONE PLACE. AND IT TAKES US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF GETTING TO THE BALLOT.

THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. THE ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS.

THE BEST PRACTICES THAT WE REALLY RECOMMEND.

SO THE BIG CHALLENGE FOR THIS YEAR IS OF COURSE I SAID EVERY YEAR HAS ITS CHALLENGES. IF AMENDMENT THREE PASSES, YOU HAVE TO PROJECT HOW THAT CHANGES YOUR REVENUE.

AND I THINK UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT'S BEST FOR US ALL TO ASSUME THAT IT WILL PASS.

BECAUSE THEN IF IT DOESN'T, IT'S BUSINESS AS USUAL.

IF IT DOES, THEN THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ADJUSTMENT IN HOW THE COUNTY MOVES FORWARD. BUT NOT SURE-- YEAH DISH WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS. THIS SLIDE FIRST.

[02:10:01]

YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS.

BUT IF YOU WERE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A VOTER AUTHORIZED BOND, IT IS TYPICALLY PLEDGED BY PROPERTY TAXES TO REPAY THE BOND. YOU CAN OF COURSE USE OTHER REV KNEWS. IF YOU HAVE REVENUES I KNOW YOU'VE HAD A NEW IMPACT VIEW PROGRAM.

I KNOW YOU HAVE-- YOU LIKELY HAVE SOME REVENUES FROM VARIOUS DIFFERENT SOURCES SOMETIMES EVEN TOURIST DEVELOPMENT REV KNEWS CAN BE USED FOR DESTINATION ENHANCEMENT.

PLACED MORE DESIRABLE WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALREADY COMING HERE.

BUT THOSE SOURCES ARE UNDER A LOT OF OTHER DEMANDS AS WELL.

TYPICALLY AND SO-- WHAT NORMALLY HAPPENS IS THAT IF A BOND MOVES FORWARD, YOU'RE PLEDGING A SPECIFIC PORTION OF YOUR TAX BASE TO REPAY THOSE BONDS.

AND SO WE LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT A HUNDRED MILLION, BUT THIS IS A POLICY DECISION OF THE BOARD IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO FORWARD.

WE'VE RAN NUMBERS FROM BETWEEN 50 AND 150.

BUT IF YOU FOCUS ON 100 MILLION TODAY, THE TOP, VERY TOP TABLE HERE. 100 MILLION IF IT WERE ALL ISSUED AT ONCE, WHICH IT IS NOT, TYPICALLY.

BECAUSE IT TAKES A NUMBER OF YEARS TO SPEND DOWN THESE DOLLARS IN A RESPONSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT MANNER.

BUT IF YOU ARE TO HAVE IT ALL ISSUED AT ONCE IT'S ABOUT $7 MILLION A YEAR FORKER 23 YEARS OF DEBT SERVICE SO THAT TODAY TAKES ABOUT .124 PER SIX MILLS. IF AMENDMENT THREE PASSES IT'S PHASED IN OVER A TWO YEAR TIME FRAME AND SO IN YEAR ONE, THAT WOULD ACTUALLY GO SO .1524 BUT YOU SEE IT ACTUALLY REDUCES THE COST FOR THE AVERAG HOUSEHOLD FROM $33 TO $26.

BUT THE COST PER HUNDRED THOUSAND TAXABLE VALUE IS ACTUALLY GOING UP FROM 12 TO 15.

AND THEN-- THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS GOING UP.

AND SO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HOMESTEADED PROPERTIES, THE IMPACT IS GOING DOWN. AND THEN IN YEAR THREE HUNDRED MILLION GOES TO .19 MILLS BASICALLY.

WHICH IT ENDS UP BEING $13 PER YEAR FOR YOUR AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD. $13.

$18 PER YEAR FOR YOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND IN TAXES.

SO THE OTHER OPTION WHICH WE SEE PRETTY COMMONLY, BUT AGAIN IN THE CHANGING TAX BASE ENVIRONMENT IS A LITTLE BIT TOUGHER. BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO PROJECT AGAIN THE EXACT REVENUE THAT WOULD COME IN.

WE LOOKED AT .25 MILLIONS AS I SAID $100 MILLION DOESN'T REQUIRE .25 MILLS. IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES CLOSERER TO POINT-- TOPS OUT AT .19 MILLS.

BUT THIS ACTUALLY GIVES YOU THE AUTHORITY TO USE SOME OF THE EXCESS FOR MANAGEMENT. SO YOU CAN MAKE PROPERTIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. OR YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE FIRE MAINTAINED PROPERLY. THAT YOU HAVE BURN GOING NECESSARY OR THAT YOU OPEN TRAILS.

OR THAT YOU HAVE BOAT RAMPS. WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU WANT TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC'S ABLE TO GARTH SOME OF THESE. AND THAT YOU MONITOR EASEMENTS.

IF YOU DO FARM EASEMENTS OR FORESTRY EASEMENTS AND YOU'RE NOT IN PARTNERSHIP WHICH ACTUALLY YOU SHOULD BE, OF COURSE. BECAUSE THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS REALLY GREAT AND LONGSTANDING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. THAT YOU CAN DO EASEMENT MONITORING TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO KEEP A PROPERTY NATURAL OR IN FORESTRY OR IN FARMING OR RANCHING IT MEANS PEOPLE AREN'T SUBDIVIDING AND DOING THINGS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T. SO THIS IS-- THAT LAST SLIDE IS A COMPLEXITY. BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A CHANGING TAX ENVIRONMENT HERE IN THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA.

SO WE DID LOOK AT SPECIFIC BALLOT LANGUAGE.

THIS IS MOST SIMILARER TO CLAY COUNTY'S BALLOT LANGUAGE.

WE'VE WORKED WITH CLAY COUNTY IN 2024 AND IT PASSED WITH 73% SUPPORT IN CLAY COUNTY WHICH IS OF COURSE-- THE LANGUAGE WE TESTED IT IN THE POLLING AND WE FELT LIKE IT'S VERY STRONG AND ST. JOHN'S COUNTY CONSERVATION REFERENDUM TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY HABITAT IN FORESTS. SO YOU HAVE A 15 WORD MAXIMUM THAT WOULD APPEAR ON THE BALLOT AND THEN ACQUIRE TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN RIVERS, LAKES CREEKS AND DRINKING WATER SOURCES. CONSERVE WILDLIFE HABITAT.

COASTAL AREAS. WORKING FORMS OF FOREST.

REDUCE FUNDING. AND PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS UP TO $100 MILLION. RETURN WITHIN 20 YEARS.

FULL PUBLIC DISPLEASURE OF SPENDING.

I'LL SHARE THAT SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES WE'RE WORKING WITH RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING.

NATURE OF THE POTENTIAL AMENDMENT.

[02:15:02]

SO WE GENERALLY DO RECOMMEND INCLUDING A MILLAGE RATE BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE LIMITATIONS ARE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE MAXIMUM WOULD BE.

SO WE DO HAVE GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE'VE ACTUALLY WRITTEN A BOOK ON STARTING UP THESE PROGRAMS AND I'VE WORKED ON SEVERAL BEGINNING TO IMPLEMENTATION.

AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING TO SEE.

BUT WE DO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PARTICIPATION.

WE'VE BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTH FLORIDA LAND TRUST AND A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTIES WHERE THEY'VE REALLY HELPED FACILITATE LOCAL COMMUNITY INPUT.

WHICH WE THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT.

AND CERTAINLY DOABLE. EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE E ELECTION, WE'VE SEEN IT DONE EITHER WAY.

WE DO THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AND THE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE SELECTION PROCESS THAT IS FREE FROM GOOD OLD BOY-ISM I GUESS IS THE TERM WE USE. WE LIKE TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF FISCAL IMPACT WE TYPICALLY RECOMMEND UNDER $50 OF HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE IN ST.

JOHN'S IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT.

WE RECOMMEND 11 DURATION. TYPICALLY 10 TO 20 YEARS.

THOSE THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 ARE USUALLY EASIER AND LARGE NUMBER OF E ELECTIONS. SO IN THE NOVEMBER E ELECTIONS WE HAVE GREAT TURNOUT HERE OF COURSE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

YOU SAW HOW ACTIVE THE CITIZENS WERE THIS MORNING.

BUT WE'RE ANTICIPATING FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT COULD BE IN THE E70 PLUS PERCENT RANGE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS AND 18 IN 22. AND AS YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A VERY ROBUST VOTING BASE. HEAVILY REPUBLICAN BUT AGAIN WE LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FEELS A PART OF THE PICTURE. WE DO HAVE A MIXED HISTORY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND WE'VE HAD THOSE SUCCESSES AT THE BALLOT BOX. THE KEY IS TO ALWAYS-- BOTH SUCCESSES AND LOSSES AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE AGAIN-- ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC INTEREST AND NEEDS.

AND THEN AS I MENTIONED, IF YOU MOVE FORWARD WHETHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, WE WORK WITH PRIVATE CITIZEN GROUPS TO RAISE PRIVATE FUNDS. HAVE LOCAL PRIVATE LEAD HORSE STAND UP, GO TO THE ROTARY CLUBS AND THE CHURCH PICNICS AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATIONS TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE BENEFITS. WE DO THE SAME TYPE OF WORK THAT YOU DO IN YOUR CAMPAIGNS. THAT IS VIDEO, ALL THOSE THINGS. AND AGAIN SHOULD BE CLEAR, ACCOUNTABLE WE ALWAYS WORK HARD TO STAY WITHIN THE RULES AND HERE ARE SOME THINGS TH ONE SHOULD EVER DO.

OFFER ANYTHING IN VALUE IN EXCHANGE FOR SUPPORT.

BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT REALLY THE STAFF SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM. THE STAFF CONSTRAIN YOU AS ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS SO YOU CAN SPEAK PUBLICALLY. BUT YOU CAN NEVER USE ANY COUNTY SOURCES. DON'T USE COUNTY XEROX MACHINES AND SO ON. SO YOUR OPTIONS.

YOU CAN CERTAINLY IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN MOVING FORWARD, THINK YOUR STAFF WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SOME CONSENSUS TODAY. IT'S NOT AN ACTION ITEM TODAY BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO AFFIRM RECOMMENDATION IN AUGUST. YOU COULD MOVE TO 2028.

YOU COULD SAY THANK YOU. YOUR ACTION WE'RE COMFORTABLE AT CONTINUING THE LEVEL WE'VE BEEN AT THE IMPACT PROGRAM.

I HAVE LAID OUT A TIMELINE. THE KEY DATES ARE REALLY UP TO YOUR SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. THERE IS NOT A FIRM STATUTORY DEADLINE. OBVIOUSLY THE SUPERVISOR DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT UNTIL AFTER THE 18TH OF AUGUST AND I HAVE HEARDER ANECDOTALLY THAT SHE'S INDICATED THAT SHE COULD TAKE A FEW MORER DAYS MIGHT BE UP TO YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO CONFIRM. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO STILL DO THIS IN 2026 ORRER TO SHIFT TO 2028.

I THINK THE POLICY DECISION FOR YOU ALL IS ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE A LOCAL FUNDING SOURCE THAT YOU COULD MOVE QUICKLY ON TO PROTECT WAYS THAT YOU WANT TO S SEE.

SO I WILL STOP THERE. AND I AM MOST HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS HERE TODAY. OR THIS IS OUR CONTACT INFORMATION IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO REACH OUT TO US AND TALK TO US INDIVIDUALLY. WE WOULD VERY MUCH LOVE TO DO THAT. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU.

I'VE MET WITH EACH OF YOU AT LEAST TWICE AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO LEARN ALL TOUK MAKING THE BEST CHOICES FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY WHICH IS MY HAPPY PLACE.

I'VE BEEN COMING TO YOU SINCE I WAS A TINY CHILD AND I REALLY

[02:20:01]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?

ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE PHONE? >> NO MR. CHAIR.

>> OKAY. >> YEAH, I JUST HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS TO MAKE. FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE HERE.

I HAVE RECEIVED A MYRIAD OF E-MAILS FROM PEOPLE SUPPORTING SOME KIND OF BALLOT MEASURE FOR SPECIFIC CONSERVATION FUNDING.

I KNOW THAT MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED THE SAME E-MAILS. THERE'S A HUGE INTEREST IN THIS. SO I WOULDN'T-- BECAUSE IT'S NOT A VOTING ACTION. THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR CONSISTENCE FROM THE BOARD TO LOOK AT BALLOT LANGUAGE GOING FORWARD. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S APPROPRIATE TO DO HERE? OKAY.

YEAH. ON THE PHONE.

ARE YOU GUYS OKAY WITH THE DIRECTING STAFF TO GO TO THE

NEXT STEP FOR THIS? >> YEAH.

>> OKAY WELL GOOD. THAT WAS PRETTY EASY.

PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS? WELL I'M NOT ASKING YOU, BUT

THANK YOU. >> THIS IS OURER MONEY.

>> WELL NO-- I APPRECIATE. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> UM-- SO WHEN I FIRST AGREED TO HAVE YOU LOOK INTO IT.

THE GOVERNOR HAD NOT PUT A-- THING ON THE BALLOT.

I'M WORRIED THAT IT'S GOING TO BE CONFUSING.

BETWEEN THE TWO THINGS. AND I'M USING HIGH END WORDS NOW, THINGS. BUT-- YES, I GUESS I WORRY.

BECAUSE I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE THIS PASS AT SOME POINT.

AND SO I WORRY WE'RE ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE TO GET IT ONTO THE BALLOT AND ALL THESE GROUPS THE TIMELINE IS HUGE.

I DON'T KNOW. I JUST-- I WANTED TO ASK YOU THE QUESTION. DID YOU DO POLLING AFTER GOVERNOR DOS SANTOS PUT THE OTHER BALLOT MEASURE ON?

>> THROUGH THE CHAIR. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER JOSEPH THAT'S AN INSIGHTFUL QUESTION AND POINT AND IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN FOR YOU TO HAVE. THERE ARE TWO COUNTIES IN FLORIDA THAT WE DID POLL AFTER THE LEGISLATURE ACTED AND ADOPTED THE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR AMENDMENT THREE.

AND WE DID POLL THAT EXACT BALLOT LANGUAGE IN ADDITION TO A QUESTION FOR THEIR BONDS. IT WAS MARION AND CHARLOTTE AND THEY ARE BOTH MOVING FORWARD. AND IN BOTH CASES, THE SUPPORT FOR THE BONDS WAS IN THE 60S AND THE SUPPORT FOR THE AMENDMENT WAS ALSO IN THE 60S. SO-- AND WE ACTUALLY ASKED THE QUESTIONS. BECAUSE THE POLLSTER WHO WE USE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN THE SOUTHEAST IS INQUIRED THE REPUBLICAN POLLING FIRM BASED IN FLORIDA.

THEY HAVE DONE-- THEY PULLED FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP ON DOWN.

THEY PULL FOR SPEAKER PEREZ. BUT WE ASKED THE SPECIFIC QUESTION NOW. JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WOULD LOWERER YOUR HOMESTEAD.

LOWERER YOUR PROPERTY TAXES FOR A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY.

BUT THE LOCAL QUESTION WE'RE ASKING ABOUT THE BONDS, WOULD RAISE TAXES POTENTIALLY. I MEAN IF YOU CAN COVER THE COSTS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES, THIS GIVES AUTHORIZATION TO BOND. BUT IT DOESN'T LIMIT YOU TO THAT SOURCE. BUT WE EXPLAIN IT TO PEOPLE AND THEY BOTH WERER STILL VERY POPULAR.

AND AGAIN THEY PASS ALMOST ALWAYS ULTIMATELY WITH CHOICE BEFORE YOU IS DO YOU WANT TO GIVE VOTERS THE CHANCE TO WEIGH IN YES OR NO? BUT IN ST. JOHN'S, WE POLLED JUST BEFORE THAT. AND THE POLLING WAS ALSO IN THE 60S. IT WENT AS HIGH AS 71% WHEN WE PRESENTED ALL THE POSITIVES. BUT THEN WHEN WE PRESENTED THE NEGATIVES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOU KNOW-- IT IS TAXES.

IT IS TRUSTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED CORRECTLY. IT'S YOU KNOW-- EVERYBODY IS FACING THE HIGH COSTS THAT WE'RE ALL FACING RIGHT NOW.

SO WE EXPLAINED THAT IN THE POLL.

BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WE WON'T GET ACCURATE DATA.

THEN IT DID DROP DOWN TO 59. BUT THIS IS A 50% PASSAGE THRESHOLD FOR A BOND. SO WE BELIEVE STRONGLY IT COULD PASS. BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY YOU HAVE TO BALANCE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS TO MAKE A THOUGHTFUL DECISION AND WE TRUST YOU TO DO THAT.

>> AND THAT WAS MY CONCERN. ALL THOSE-- YOU KNOW-- IF

RAISING TAXES BASICALLY. >> YEAH, AND I UNDERSTAND.

>> BUT I WANT TO CONSERVE THE TRAITS ON THE LAND.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT I THINK.

ALL RIGHT, THANKS. >> WE'VE BEEN VERY CONCERNED IS MAKING SURE THAT IT'S NOT ANY-- NOT A BURDEN TO FOLKS.

[02:25:04]

>> YEAH. I AGREE.

ONE THING ABOUT BEING REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF IS LETTING VOTERS DECIDE. I THINK IN SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A THING TO DO.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS IF WE COULD DO THIS QUICKLY. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS TO DO. SO LET'S TAKE NOTE.

YEAH. LET'S TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON

THIS. >> OKAY AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE.

COME ON UP. >> I'M CHARLY-- STATES.

TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THEY CAME IN AND SAID HALF THE STATE, NATURE AND PEOPLE, OKAY. LET'S GET OUT TO IT.

ALL RIGHT AS THEY ENSURER A CLOSE AREA, THE CONSERVED LANDS, THE DEVELOPED AREAS IN THE GRAY.

THE CORRIDOR CONSERVE LANDS IN THE GREEN IS LIKE-- STATE PARK.

AND THE OPPORTUNITY AREAS IN LIME GREEN, OKAY.

IS WHAT THEY DIDN'T REALLY SHOW.

WELL LOOKS RIGHT THERE. THAT IS POSSIBLY THE 6,000 ACRES THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT AND FOR US TO TAKE OUT A $50 MILLION BOND TO HELP PRESERVE. THAT'S MOSTLY TIMBERLAND RIGHT THERE, OKAY. THE PERSPECTIVE-- THERE WE GO.

HIGH END RESORT RIGHT THERE. AND THE OTHER AREA ISN'T REALLY PRECISELY. BUT IT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO THE 6,000 ACRES THAT THEY ARE SHOWING OKAY.

SO WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE OUT A $50 MILLION BOND ON THAT.

THAT SOUNDS GREAT. HERE WE GO 87,000 ACRES AND OUR COUNTY IS CONSERVED. AND THE 60 MORE HUNDRED THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. WHERE IS IT AT? IT'S RIGHT DOWN THERE. RIGHT NEXT TO THE FLAGLER COUNTY LINE. RIGHT ON IT PRETTY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. WHAT'S EVEN WORSE IS READING THROUGH THAT WHOLE PAMPHLET, THE PUBLIC OPTIONS FOR FINANCING. THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND.

IF THEY TAKE OUT A BOND AND WILL PAY FOR IT IN 20 YEARS.

$50 MILLION BOND FOR 20 YEARS, THE PROPERTIER TAXES.

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. TAKE OUT A BOND.

WE'LL PASS A MILLAGE RATE INCREASE AND THE PEOPLE CAN PAY FOR IT. TOURIST TAX.

THAT'S ALWAYS BROUGHT UP. HERE'S WHAT I LIKE.

ALL THE EXAMPLES THAT THEY GAVE FROM BALLOT LANGUAGE EXAMPLES, THE 2026 E ELECTION CALENDAR. THE RESORT HISTORY.

VOTERER REGISTRATION. VOTER TURNOUT.

VOTER METHODS AND TECHNOLOGY. AND EQUIPMENT USED.

IS THIS ALL ON THE 2020 ELECTIONS? IS THIS WHERE THEY GET THIS? THE HOW-TO GO AHEAD AND PUT OUT AND-- THE COMMUNITY AND YOU GIVE THEM-- IT'S LIKE A PITY VOTE. FEEL BAD IF WE DO IT.

BUT WE NEED TO TAKE OUT $50 MILLION FOR A LITTLE BIT.

WHY WON'T THE COUNTY JUST TAKE THE 25 ON THEIR OWN AND GO WITH T THAT? YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A FULL COUNTY PROPAGANDA, ALL

RIGHT. >> THANK YOU,ER GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JAES-- 515-- ROAD.

32086. I STARTED TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVE AN CHOICE IN DECISIONS THAT IMPACT US ALL. SO I DO SUPPORT PUTTING THIS MEASURE DIRECTLY ON THE BALLOT IN 2026.

TO SEE IF WE SHOULD FUND LAND CONSERVATION THAT PUTS THE VOTE UP. PUTS THE VOTE UP OR DOWN.

IN THE HANDS OF THE VOTERS PURCHASING AND MAINTAINS CONSERVATION LAND. TAKES RESOURCES.

HISTORICALLY GOVERNMENT AND ITS USE HAS HELP AID CHOIR THESE LANDS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT. TO RESERVE LIMITED RESOURCES WITH THE FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE DOING. I'VE SEEN THIS SUCCESS FIRSTHAND. AND ANOTHER AREA I MOVE THE COUNTY FUNDED PROGRAM TO PROTECT INCREDIBLE NATURAL SCAPES. YOU COULD BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A YOURSELVES SURROUNDED BY TREES ON A LONG HIKE.

A GREAT OUTDOOR E SCAPE FOR THE FAMILY.

MORE IMPORTANTLY IT KEPT PEOPLE FROM BUILDING IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS AND SENSITIVE HABITATS AND WILDLIFE TO MAINTAIN A PLACE TO LIVE. THOUGH I WAS INITIALLY SKEPTICAL OF THIS PROPOSAL RESEARCHING IT FURTHERER HAS WON ME OVER. I'D MUCH RATHER MY TAX DOLLARS GO TOWARDS PRESERVING FUNDING LAND THAN FUNDING ANOTHER UNNECESSARY TAX BREAK FOR LARGE CORPORATION LIKE PUBLICS TO BUILD ANOTHER STORE THEY WERE GOING TO BUILD ANYWAYS.

[02:30:02]

WE HAVE A CHOICE, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL PLOT OF TREES FOR WILDLIFE INSTEAD OF ANOTHER STORAGE FACILITY. SOME FAST FOOD JOINT PAPS STRIP MALL NEXT TO SOME APARTMENTS AND RETENTION PONDS BUILT JUST TO CONTROL THE DRAINAGE FROM ASPHALT PARKING LOTS.

I ASK THAT YOU GIVE CITIZENS A VOICE AND ALLOW FOR THIS BALLOT THIS YEAR. SO EACH VOTER CAN HELP DETERMINE WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI-- GUSTAVSSON. I JUST WANT TO SAY IN REFERENCE TO WHAT CHARLIE SAID. IF THERE'S-- THAT WE'RE ONLY LOOKING TO SAVE,000-- 6,000, I DON'T THINK THAT'S WHAT I READ INTO THIS. BUT WE WERE LOOKING TO BUY LAND. THE RIGHTS TO DEVELOP FARMS. THIS WAY PEOPLE COULD KEEP FARMING ON THEM AND I DEFINITELY SUPPORTER THAT. I DO HESITATE TO SAY THAT IN LIGHT OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH TWO COMMISSIONERERS MAKING DECISIONS. I'M NOT SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL GIVE THE OKAY FOR MORE MANY TO GO BUT MAYBE THIS WOULD BE MORE RESOLVED. FOR ME I WOULD RATHER TAKE MY TA TAXES.

TO PRESERVE PART OF ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOREVER.

BUT TAXES ARE A BIG ISSUE FOR EVERYONE.

SO I KNOW THE PENNY TAX DIDN'T GO THROUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. WHAT ABOUT A PENNY TAX FOR PRESERVING LAND. THEN THE ART-- WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT WOULD COME FROM VISITORS.

YOU KNOW. SO THAT IS MOYE THOUGHTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> I'LL TRY TO BE VERY BRIEF. I'M JUST HERE INDIVIDUALLY.

NOT REPRESENTING ANYONE. I JUST WANT THIS TO SPEAK STRONGLY IN FAVOURER OF WHAT YOU JUST REPRESENTED.

GREAT PRESENTATION. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO DO AND I KNOW EACH OF DOW AS A COMMISSIONER.

YOU LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE. OUR CHILDREN.

AND WHAT THEY ARE WILLING TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY AS WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AND I CAN'T THINK OF TOO MANY THINGS BETTER THAN HAVING CONSERVATION LANDS AVAILABLE TO OUR RESIDENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.

BECAUSE IT'S PERMANENT. IT'S NOT JUST A PASSING.

SO WITH THAT, I'LL SHUT UP. BUT I WANTED TO COME TODAY TO SPEAK IN FAVOURER OF WHAT I THINK IS ONE OF THE BETTER THINGS YOU AS COMMISSIONERS CAN DO FOR THIS COUNTY.

ANY QUESTIONS? THANKS.

>> THANK YOU. >> HI, DENVER-- PROTECTED ADDRESS. GERMAN ST. JOHN'S REPUBLICAN PARTY. I'D LIKE TO THANK SOMEONE IN PUBLIC COMMENT WHO STOOD UP AND SAID VOTE YES ON THREE.

WE'RE SICK AND TIRED OF BEING OVERTAXED IN OUR PROPERTY TAXES. GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE TAX PAYERS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS HERE IN ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY AS I PRESENTED LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET PROCESS WHERE WE DID GET A PARTIAL ROLLBACK ON THE GENERAL FUND.

WHICH DIDN'T EVEN EQUAL OUR I THINK A THIRD OF WHAT THIS IS ASKING TO RAISE OUR TAXES BY. THIS COUNTY BY NOT DOING ROLLBACKS BETWEEN 2015 AND 2025 RAISED AN EXTRA $1.2 BILLION IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE. I THINK WE COULD EASILY AFFORDER TO ADD $1.2 BILLION TO PRESERVE SOME LAND, FARMS AND OTHER THINGS. AND PRESERVING A LITTLE BIT OF LAND ON THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTY ISN'T THE BIG PRIORITY FOR MOST OF THE VOTERS. IT'S PROTECTING WHAT WE HAVE ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

AS YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND I THANK THE COMMISSION FOR STEPPING UP TO SAVE THE WETLANDS IN PONTEVECHLT DRE AS YOU ALL REMEMBER THINK TRIED TO DO LAND SWAPS.

LET'S PREVENT THIS FROM A LAND SWAP WHERE WE SPEND $100 MILL DWRON PRESERVE LAND THAT GETS SWAPPED AWAY TO SOME OTHER COUNTY THEN TURNS INTO A NEW DEVELOPMENT.

AND TWHOS BIG JOKE PLAYED ON? WE THE TAX PLAYERS.

THEY ARE SAYING IT'S ONLY AN EXTRA $50.

THAT MAKES A BIG IMPACT ON A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY. IT JUST DOES.

NOT EVERYBODY IS WEALTHY. WE HAVE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOLMES ALMOST BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE TAX AS YOU HEARD FROM THE-- COALITION. THEY RAISE MONEY EVERY YEAR SO THAT A WOMAN CAN PAY HER TAXES BECAUSE SHE HAS NO OTHER WAY OF STAYING IN HER HOUSE BECAUSE HER HUSBAND PASSED AWAY.

SO I'M NOT FOR ANY MILLAGE INCREASE.

I HOPE EVERYONE VOTES TO KILL-- YOU KNOW, US BEING OVERTAXED.

YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND VOTE YES ON THREE.

WE DESERVE TO HAVE OUR PROPERTY TAXES AS HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES REDUCED. YOU AS A BOARD THOUGH, NEED TO REALLY LOOK CLOSER AT WHERE MONEY IS GOING.

IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS. WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT'S PROJECTED TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR AND YOU'RE DOING A BUDGET FOR

[02:35:02]

THE BUDGET PROCESS IS CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TARGETED SPENDING IS GOING TO END UP BEING. YOU SET A BUDGET AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO LAND. AND NOW YOU'RE WORKING ON A NEW BUDGET. BASED OFF WHAT? OMPLETE ACCURATE INFORMATION. AND WE THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW. Select to skip to this part of the video">OMPLETE ACCURATE INFORMATION. AND WE THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BEING VOTED ON.

I'M KIND OF THE-- WHO GOES THROUGH THE MONTHLY AUDITS AT THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ON WHAT'S BEING SPENT.

THERE ARE ITEMS YOU GUYS VOTED ON THAT HAVE BEEN OVERSPENT ON BUDGET LINE ITEMS. SO WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB.

WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES. I DON'T THINK INCREASING OUR TAXES AT THIS TIME IS AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO BE MOVING FORWARD. E SPECIALLY NOT BY CREATING MORE DEBT ON MY BACK AND THE BACKS OF MY FAMILIES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HEY, GOOD MORNING. JEN LUMBREAK-- 91 COVE-- ROAD.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR TAKING A LOOK AT THIS AND THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS FOR BRINGING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS.

I'M ENCOURAGING YOU TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.

AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A REALLY CONCRETE EXAMPLE OF WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT AND URGENTLY NEEDED.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE. THIS PROPERTY IN THE FOREGROUND IS 195 ACRES THAT IS IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF MOSES CREEK CONSERVATION AREA. IT HAS A MILE OF WATERFRONT ON THE-- RIVERER. IT'S BALD EAGLES NESTS.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY.

AND YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS PROPERTY BECAUSE THIS WAS THE NUMBER ONE HIGHEST RANKED PRIORITY FOR CONSERVATION ON ST. JOHN'S COUNTY'S LAND LIST LAST YEAR.

AND UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE COUNTY DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO BUY IT, THIS PROPERTY IS NOW BEING DEVELOPED. IT WILL LOOK LIKE THE PROPERTY IN THE BACKGROUND HERE WHERE IT WILL CLEAR CUT.

IT WILL BE PAVED AND HOUSES WILL BE ON IT BECAUSE ST.

JOHN'S COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE AN ADEQUATE FUNDING MECHANISM TO BUY LAND FOR CONSERVATION. AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOSE PLACES LIKE THIS IF WE DON'T STEP UP AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT FUNDING LAND CONSERVATION.

AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THIS FUNDING WOULDN'T BE TO JUST THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR. THIS FUNDING WOULD BE OPEN TO ALL CONSERVATION LAND IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

SO SERE THIS MAP IS SO SMALL. I WASN'T PLANNING ON PRESENTING THIS. BUT THIS IS A MAP OF CURRENTLY CONSERVED LANDS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

AND IF YOU SWIPE OVER HERE ALL THE LAND THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITIES THROUGH CONSERVATION.

LORE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WETLAND CONSERVATION PROJECTS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HIGH PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO BUY THEM.

I'M ASKING FOR CONSENSUS IN THIS POLITICAL CLIMATE IS A HEAVY ASK. BUT THIS BOARD REALLY DOES HAVE A HISTORY OF STEPPING UP AND COMING TOGETHER WHEN IT COMES TO LAND CONVERSATION. ALL OF THE-- UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADOPT THE FEE AND ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO THIS BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TRANSMITT AN UPDATED VERSION OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. AND IF YOU REMEMBER THE CONSULTANT THAT WORKED ON THE COMP PLAN UPDATES THEY SPENT TWO YEARS SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

DOING WORKSHOPS. HOSTING TOWN HOLLS AND THE NUMBER ONE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR ST. JOHN'S RESIDENTS WAS LAND CONSERVATION. AND THE REALLY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION HERE WHERE OUR COMP PLAN WAS REJECTED DUE TO SENATE BILL 180. AND SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THESE PREEMPTIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT COME IN AND TAKE POWER AWAY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THE PROJECTS BILL. THE ONE WAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT LAND DOES NOT GET DEVELOPED, IS TO BUY IT FOR CONSERVATION. AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, YOU NEED A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCE.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

>> OF COURSE. >> SO HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE.

IF LET'S SAY IT'S $20 PER YEAR PER FAMILY.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT MONEY GOES TO THOSE LANDS SUCH AS YOU'RE SHOWING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND--.

>> WELL THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

SO BONDS HAVE VERY RIGID PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

INSOFAR AS HOW THAT MONEY GETS SPENT.

ANGUAGE IN THE BOND IT HAS TO BE USED TO ACQUIRE LANDS THAT Select to skip to this part of the video">ANGUAGE IN THE BOND IT HAS TO BE USED TO ACQUIRE LANDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE USED TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY.

TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PASSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND SO SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE THE LAMP BOARD ESTABLISHED AND THAT LAMP BOARD HAS A MATRIX THAT THEY USE TOE VALUATE PROPERTIES BASED ON HABITAT. BASED ON RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BASED ON WATERSHED PROTECTION IT'S A VERY TRANSPARENT PROCESS. PEOPLE CAN WEIGH IN ON THE PROPERTIES BEING E VALUATED AND ULTIMATELY IT COMES BACK TO THIS BOARD FOR A FINAL VOTE ON WHAT THEY DECIDE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PURCHASING. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYONE ELSE?

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO COMMISSIONERS.

[02:40:02]

AND THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE'RE RUNNING INTO IS BUDGET SHORTFALL. WE'RE CURRENTLY FUNDED ABOUT 50 $0,000 A YEAR ANUALLY-- AND THAT JUST DOESN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE ON CONSERVATION. WE'RE SEEING ABOUT A $5 MILLION BUDGET. WE'VE IDENTIFIED FIVE PROPERTIES AND THE BOARD HAVE APPROVED FOR ACQUISITION AND STAFF IS NEGOTIATING BUT SINCE WE'VE HAD THAT APPROVAL EARLIER THIS YEAR, THOSE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN RESCINDED.

IT'S UNDER A DEVELOPMENT DEAL. WE CAN'T MOVE FAST ENOUGH ON SOME OF THESE PROPERTIES TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE THEM.

SO YOU KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INCREASING TAXES, YES.

WE'VE DONE IT. WE DID IT IN 2014 AND 2015 FOR OUR HALF CENT TAX FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE SAW THE IMPACT OF THAT. WE CONTINUE TO BE THE NUMBER ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS STATE.

WE'VE SEEN TWO NEW SCHOOLS DEVELOP ALMOST ANUALLY AND OUR KIDS HAVE ALL BENEFIT AND OUR COMMUNITY HAS BENEFIT FROM IT.

THERE'S A SUNSET CLAUSE ATTACHED TO IT THAT WAS APPROVED IN 2024 BY THIS VERY SAME COMMITTEE WITH VOTER APPROVAL. TO CONTINUE TO EXTEND IT.

SEE NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T DO THE SAME HERE.

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE PRY ORRERTY THAT A LOT OF OUR COUNTY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT. OUR WHOLE ELECTION PSYCHLE IS BUILT AGAINST THAT TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT.

WHERE WE WANT TOE SEE GREEN SPACE.

WE WANT TO PROTECT THE LAND. WE WANT TO LEVER A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. FOR OUR CHILDREN.

AND THIS IS THE WAY FOR THE VOTEERS TO DECIDE.

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH OUR TAX RATE.

WE ANTICIPATE LIT PASS. A LOT OF US SEE OURER TAXES.

CAN THIS BE INVESTED IN ACQUISITION.

AND PROTECTION AFLAME FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

ANOTHER BIG ASPECT OF ALL THIS IS MAINTENANCE ON THEIR LAND PIP HEARD ONE OF THE PRESENTERERS TALK ABOUT MAINTENANCE, RIGHT. YOU KNOW PARKS AND REC BOARD IS STRAINED ON MAINTENANCE COSTS. WE'RE GOING TO LOSE TAX REVENUE WHEN AMENDMENT THREE PASS. WHERE'S MAINTENANCE GOING TO COME AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ENFORCE CONVERSATION EASEMENTS. SO THIS BOND IS ALSO GOING TO NOT ONLY ALLOW US THEIC A WI SOIFGS LAND BUT THE MAINTENANCE OF LAND. WHICH OVER THE LONG-TERM DOES BECOME EXPENSIVE, RIGHT. SO I DO ASK ALL OF YOU TO CONSIDER MOVING THIS FORWARD. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET IT ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR. LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

I'D HATE TO SEE WHAT THIS COUNTY WILL LOOK LIKE IN FOUR YEARS IF THIS DOESN'T MAKE UNTIL 2028.

SO I DO THINK THAT URGENCY IS OF THE ESSENCE.

AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SUPPORT OF YOU AND THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET ME--.

>> CHAIR, IF I MAY CLARIFYING EXAMPLE THAT WAS GIVEN.

JUST TO BE CLEAR, THAT FOR THAT EXAMPLE THE PROPERTY THAT WASN'T BOUGHT THAT WAS ON THE LAMP PROPERTY.

SO IT'S A-- PROGRAM AND APPRAISALS WENT OUT AND DID EXTRA APPRAISALS ON THAT ONE. AND JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WE'LL PAY ADDITIONAL MONEYS. WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO PUBLIC FUNDS AND SO EVEN THOUGH WE CANNOT ASK SOMEBODY'S ASKING PRICE IS ABOVE WHAT IT APPRAISES.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC INTEREST ORRER A REASON FOR THAT. SO JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO PAY ANYTHING THAT'S ASKED OF US. WE HAVE A DUTY TO THOSE FUNDS.

SO IN FA THAT HAVE INSTANCE WE COULD NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE PRICE AND JUST HAVING MORE MONEY WOULDN'T MAKE THAT AGREEMENT HAPPEN. JUST WANT TOO TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAD A QUESTION AND MAYBE THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU, JOY. TALKING ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES.

EITHER TAX INCREASES ORRER SALES TAX.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE WANT TO-- THE OPTIONS THAT WE WANT TO GIVE TO THE VOTERS? WOULD THAT BE THE LANGUAGE?

>> SO I CAN RESPOND AND JOY AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IT.

SHE CAN FILL IN SOME BLANKS AS WELL.

A COUNTY CERTAINLY CAN DO WITH THOSE TAX THAT INCLUDES LAND CONVERSATION PARKS REALLY ANY VALID CAPITAL PURPOSE ALMOST IS ALLOWABLE UNDER FLORIDA SALES TAX LAWS.

AND IN FACT THIS YEAR, BOTH-- COUNTY AND SANTA ROSA COUNTY HAVE SALES TAXES THAT HAVE CONVERSATION ELEMENTS TO THEM.

THERE IS A REQUIRED REPORT TO GO TO OPAGA IN TALLAHASSEE THAT HAD A MAY DEADLINE. SO IT COULD NOT BE THIS YEAR IN 2026 BUT IT COULD BE DONE IN 2028.

WHAT WE OFTEN SEE AND I WORK ON MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING SOURCES ACROSS SEVERAL STATES I MENTIONED.

WE OFTEN DO SEE SALES TAXES THAT INCLUDE LAND CONVERSATION BUT THEY NORMALLY INCLUDE SOME OTHER TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL. THAT'S TYPICAL.

AND IN FACT THAT'S WHAT THE PROPOSAL WAS IN 2008 THAT

FAILED. >> I JUST THOUGHT KERRY MADE A GREAT POINT WHEN IT COMES TO WHO IS GOING TO BE PAYING THIS.

>> COMMISSIONER MURPHY, I DID WANT TO CLARIFY TOO THAT YOU ALL SET THE PRIORITY-- YOUR LOCAL CONVERSATION PRIORITIES.

[02:45:03]

IF YOU WANT TO DO LITTLE POCKET PARKS AND NEIGHBOURHOODS OR YOU WANT TO DO FARMLAND PROTECTION OR YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING-- YOU KNOW-- WE DO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE ON THE COMMUNITY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES IN THE PICTURE.

WHETHER IT'S HUNTING AND FISHING, BIRD WATCHING.

FARMLAND PROTECTION. OR WHATEVER.

AND SO YES, WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR PROTECTED. BUT WE WOULD NEVER ENCOURAGE

YOU JUST TO DO THAT ONE THING. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND WE'RE SEEING AN ALARMING LOSS OF FARMLANDS HERE IN THIS COUNTY ALSO. BUT I THINK WE CAN PROBABLY DO USE. OKAY WE HAVE CON SEN STOUS MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LANGUAGE. WE HAVE.

SO WE CAN GO ON THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.

>> YEAH SO JUST TO BE CLEAR. WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO BRING BACK THE LANGUAGE. THAT RESOLUTION WILL HAVE TO COME BACK ON AUGUST 4TH. IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT, THAT WILL HAVE DOM BACK TO YOU ON AUGUST 4TH. BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO GET LANGUAGE. AND VOTE ON THAT TO GET THAT TO

THE SECRETARY OF ELECTIONS. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AND MR. CHAIR I'M ALSO HEARING THAT POTENTIALLY YOU WANT TO CONSIDER OPTION FOR A SALES TAX OPTION IN RELATION TO WHAT IS THE TOPGS MOVE FORWARD.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT ALSO AS A DRAFT LANGUAGE?

>> IF IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN 2028, I THINK WE CAN

LEAVE THAT OUT. >> OKAY.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

LET'S MOVE ONTO-- WHAT TIME IS IT?

[2. Fiscal Year 2027 Recommended Budget & Proposed Millage Rates ]

>> MORNING MR. CHAIR, COMMISSIONERERS.

THIS AGENDA ITEM WE'RE PRESENTING OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR WADE SCHROEDER AND MYSELF IS PRESENTING FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET RECOMMENDED. SO WE ARE PRESENTING THIS IN A REAL UNCERTAINTY. WE KNOW TAX REFORM ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE HOW EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS GOING TO BE FUNDED. AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO DELIVER SERVICE AND THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER.

SO WITH TODAY'S ADDRESS WE WANT TO DO TWO THINGS.

ONE IS THAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF WHAT YOUR STAFF AND TEAM HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN 2026.

AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO LAY OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO PREPARE THIS ORGANIZATION FOR WHAT MAY COME FINANCIALLY AND ON A SERVICE LEVEL. SO HERE'S THE AGENDA.

IT IS THE ROAD MRAP FOR THIS PRESENTATION AND I'LL BEGIN WITH AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. THEN WE'LL WALK THROUGH WHAT YOUR TEAM DELIVERED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.

FROM THERE WE'LL LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING.

SO IT IS REALY IMPORTANT TO THINK OF BEYOND THIS SINGLE BUDGET YEAR. THAT INCLUDES OUR PREPARATION FOR OUR STATE TAX REFORM THAT POTENTIALLY MAY HAPPEN.

AND ALSO CLOSE PRINCIPAL GUIDING THEORYS FOR THIS BUDGET ND PLAN FOR SUSTAIN SXBLT HOW WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO DIVERSIFY OUR REVENUE RESOURCE. AND HERE COMES THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. IF THERE IS ONE MESSAGE I WOULD LIKE THIS BORDER TO TAKE AWAY FOR TODAY THIS IS A BUDGET FOR PRESENTING TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE AND THAT IS OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. OUR ASSET AND OUR CAPITAL OF.

AND ALSO WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO PRESERVE OUR SERVICE LEVEL.

OUR POSITION OURSELF FOR A VERY REAL NEW FINANCIAL REALITY.

WE BUILT ON A VERY STRONG YEAR OF COASTAL RESILIENCE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PARKS AND PUBLIC SERVICES.

WE CONFRONT INFLATIONARY PRESSURERS GROWTH RELATED DEMANDS AND WORK FORCE CHALLENGES HEAD ON.

AND WE DO IT WITH DISCIPLINE. FOR TRANSPORTATION.

DRAINAGE, SIDEWALKS. BEACH ACCESS AND REGIONAL PARKS. INVESTING IN BOTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN CAPITAL.

STRUCTURALLY THIS BUDGET BEGINNING A SHIFT WE USE A TIERED LEVEL OF SERVICE APPROACH AND FRAMEWORK.

AND DIVERSIFY, ALIGN FUNDING WITH OUR DEMANDS.

BENEFIT AND IMPACT THAT IS ON OUR COMMUNITY.

[02:50:01]

BUDGETS WERE PROMISES. AND I WANTED TO SHOW YOU HOW YOUR TEAM AND THIS COUNTY AND INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATION HAS KEPT THE PROMISES THAT WE MADE TO LAST YEAR.

LET'S START WITH TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

IN 2026 WAS ONE OF OUR MOST PRODUCTIVE YEARS IN ROADWAYS.

WE COMPLETED COUNTY ROAD FROM HAPPY ROUTE TO BEACH WALK.

WE EXTENDED COUNTY ROAD 220930 MILES FROM-- RELIEF PARKWAY TO-- 1. WE BUILT COURTNEY VISTA DRIVE FROM SILVER LEAF PARKWAY TO COUNTY ROAD 2209 AND I REALY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT AT THIS MOMENT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERED WITH US AND PROVIDED US HALF OF THE FUNDING FOR THAT ROAD AND THAT IS THE KIND OF PARTNERSHIP THAT STRETCHES EVERY TAX PAYER DOLLAR. WITH FDOT WE DELIVERED INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT AND A NEW SIGN AT 207 AND BRINKOFF ROAD. WE HAPPILY-- 44 MILES OF COUNTY PAVEMENT AND THE COUNTY ROAD 210 FROM-- BOULEVARD TO GREENBRIER ROAD AND THAT IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR. FROM CIMARRONE BOULEVARD.

ONE NUMBER WE ARE PROUD OF IS WE HAVE REPAIRED APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES OF SIDEWALK AND E LIMB NATED 4164 TRIP HAZARDS AND REDUCED SIDEWALK-RELATED SERVICE REQUESTS BY 11%.

AND THAT IS PRESERVATION OF EXISTING ASSETS IN ACTION.

TALK ABOUT UTILITY. OUR WASTE WATER RECOMMENDATION FACILITY WAS COMPLETED ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET.

SECURE REGIONAL CAPACITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

WE MANAGED A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM EXCEEDING $130 MILLION ACROSS WATER, WASTE SCOMBAURT RECLAIMED WATER. WE IMPLEMENTED OUR SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM AND OUR UTILITY LAB PROCESS TO MORE THAN 10,000 SAMPLES TO ENSURE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND PROTECT OUR PUBLIC HEALTH. IN DRAINAGE AND STORM WATER, WE RESTORED 6,300 MILLION FEET OF CANAL FAULTAGE.

WE MOVE TO 1,900 CUBIC YARDS OF SEDIMENT TO THE-- TO RESTORE DRAINAGE CAPACITY. AND THE ADVANCE PRINCE ROAD DRAINAGE PROJECT TO REDUCE FLOODING ALONG THE ROADWAY.

AND IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY. IT STILL REMAINS OUR FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATION. THIS YEAR WE OPENED THE FIRESTATION 21 AND 22. EACH OF THOSE STATIONS HAS A SHARED SUBSTATION AND HIRED 65 FIGHTERS TO STAFF.

FIRE STATION 23 IS ON TRACK FOR 2027.

WE REPLACED APPARATUS, THREE ENGINES, A LADDER, TWO TANKERS AND A RESCUE. AND THE SITE PLAN DESIGN WORK IS UNDER WAY ON THE REGIONAL FIRE TRAINING FACILITY.

WE LAUNCHED MEDICAL ONE WHICH WERE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF.

A MEDICAL RESPONSE RESOURCE PERFORMING HEIGHT OF COMMUNITY TREATMENT AND ACQUIRED TWO SETS OF BUNKER GEAR FOR EVERY FIREFIGHTER. AND OUR EMS BILLING SERVICES BUILT AND COLLECTED OVER $9 MILLION IN REVENUE.

AND THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY HELPING FUND ITSELF.

FOR THE SHERIFF, THE NEW REGISTRATION BUILDING IS ON TRACK FOR 2027 AS WELL. ANIMAL CONTROL WE IMPLEMENTED COUNTY WIDE MAPPING OF ADEGREESIVE AND DANGEROUS--.

HOSTED 36 OFFSITE ADOPTION EVENTS AND LAUNCHED STANDARDIZED VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COASTAL RESILIENCE, IT IS OUR IDENTITY AND IT'S OUR GREATEST VULNERABILITY. THIS YEAR WE SECURED 30S THE MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING FOR TH SOUTH-- CATEGORY-- BEACH RESTORATION PROJECT. WE ALSO RECEIVED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR $2 MILLION FOR-- $3.4 MILLION FOR COVID-19 AND $270,000 OF HURRICANE DOLLARS RECOVERED FOR TAX PAYERS. WE SECURED HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT FUNDING FOR THESE RESIDENTIAL ELEVATION PROGRAM.

WE COMPLETED PURPOSE POINT VEHICLE RAN PARTNERING PROJECT.

INCLUDED COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE BEACH ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY.

MAINTAINED OUR COASTAL MON TORING DATA BASE AND CONDUCTED

[02:55:02]

YOU WILL BE VERY PROUD. WE ADVANCED A WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT. OUR HEALTH CARE MORER THAN 170 ATTENDEES. AND 40 HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND LAUNCHED YOUNG PROFESSIONAL INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN OUR TALENT PIPELINE.

WE COORDINATED 2026SJC LEGISLATIVE DAY IN TALLAHASSEE.

SUBMITTED FIVE COMPETITIVE FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATIONS REQUESTING OVER $119 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND ESTABLISHED AN ADVISORY BOARD. MANAGING GROWTH IS A DEFINING CHALLENGE FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

IN APRIL, THIS BOARD ADAPTED 2050 A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE. IN DECEMBER, WE ADOPTED IMPACT FEE STUDY AND UPDATE ORDINANCE. MAKING SURE GROWTH PAYS A FAIR SHARE. THE HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN UPDATE WILL BE COMPLETED BY THIS AUGUST.

IN BUILDING SERVICES TO PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE OPENS IN MARCH, AND THAT IS OUR VISION TO OFFER A SPACE WHERE THAT IS A ONE STOP SHOP FOR RESIDENTS TO RECEIVE THEIR SERVICES.

E ELECTRONIC PERMITTING NOW HANDLED ABOUT 60% OF ALL RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS ONLINE.

WE COMPILED 5,268 PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST AND MANAGED 1078 REGISTERED SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

IN PART, WE HAVE AMAZING YEAR. WE COMPLETED TURF FOOTBALL FIELD THE FIELD OF DREAMS EXPANSION.

NORTH BEACH PARKING IMPROVEMENT.

THE BEACH RAMP. PURPOSE POINT AND TRAIL RESURFACING AT ALPINE GROVES. IN PROGRESS RIGHT NOW, DAVIS PARK, DAILY ON SHORES PARK. GREEN BRIERER REGIONAL PARK.

-- BAY NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK. PONTE VEDRE-- REGIONAL PARK THAT INCLUDES A FULL LIBRARY. RIVER DALE OVERFLOW PARKING.

SHEER WATER COMMUNITY PARK THAT INCLUDES A LIBRARY HUB.

AND A SILVER LEAF SPORTS PLEX. AND THIS IS NOT JUST A FACILITY. OUR TEAM IMPLEMENTED OVER 520 PROGRAMS AND OUTREACH EVENTS. PARTNERED WITH MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM AND RECERTIFIED OUR CENTRES FOR AUTISM.

IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, 30 FAMILIES PURCHASED HOMES WITH $2.9 MILLION IN DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANT.

WE REHABILITATED 21 HOMES WITH SHIP FUNDS, FINALIZED 20 ADOPTIONS PROVIDED TO PREVENTION SERVICES TO 177 CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. SERVED 511 INMATES THROUGH THE RE-ENTRY CENTRE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND SERVED 7,97 0 RESIDENTS WITH SOCIAL SERVICES NEEDS.

OUR VETERANS SERVE AS TEAM ASSISTING 4,169 VETERANS WITH V.A. CLAIMS AND PROVIDED ESSENTIALS TO 45 VETERANS IN NEED. OUR LIBRARIES INSTALLED SELF-CHECK KIOSKSES AT FIVE OF OUR BRANCHES.

CIRCULATED OVER 1.3 MILLION ITEMS YEAR TO DATE AND THIS SUMMER WE OPENED A NEW HASTING COMMUNITY CENTER AND LIBRARY.

AND THAT IS THE PICTURE OF THE LIBRARY.

IN COMMUNITY AND DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT, WE PAID 4.5-- PAVED MILES OF ROADWAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FLAGLER STATE ROAD AND WATER CONTROL DISTRICT.

WE ZEEVED $1 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY PLANNING. THE CRA FUNDED A COMPLETION OF THE REST-- ART-- WELLNESS CENTER.

TAX DOLLARS SUPPORT OVER 50 GRANTS FOR CULTURAL, BEACH AND SPORTS TOURISM. WE EXPANDED THE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS PARKING SHADOW AND IMPROVED THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN-- BEACH WITH NEW SIGNAGE AND STRIPING.

WE ALSO N'ED IN TRUST, PUBLIC AFFAIRS LAUNCHED THREE PODCAST SHOWS COMPLETED TWO SJC101 ACADEMY PROGRAM.

BEGIN LIVE PROGRESS OF THIS BOARD MEETING ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE. AND EARNED THE FLORIDA MUNICIPAL COMMUNICATORS ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATION OF EXCELLENCE. AND OUR OFFICE OF PERFORMERS

[03:00:02]

AND WE REDUCE OVERALL MILLAGE RATES.

OUR ENERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY CAPTURED AN 8% REDUCTION IN ENERGY COSTS EVEN THOUGH WE ARE EXPANDING OUR SQUARE FOOTAGE EVERY YEAR. PURCHASING REALIZED OVER $311,000 IN SAVINGS THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS.

OVER 1.9 IN COSTS AVOIDANCE. THROUGH BIDDING ANOTHER OVER $700,000 THROUGH INFORMAL QUOTING AND OVER $90,000 IN REBATES. AND IN HR AND RISK WE SAVED $1.5 MILLION ON WORKERS COMPENSATION PREMIUMS THANKS TO EXPERIENCE MODIFICATION RATE OF .55.

NEARLY HALF THE FLORIDA AVERAGE AND ATTAINED A 3% STORM DEDUCTION THROUGH PROACTIVE RISK IMPROVEMENT.

WE ALSO HAVE WORKED VERY HARD ON ORGANIZATION AND MODERN MODERNIZATION.

WE'RE REINVENTING HOW WE WORKER.

SMART WATER TECHNOLOGY TO REUSE WATER IN REALTIME.

WITH POTENTIAL MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SAVINGS.

HVAC RETROFITS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTIONS WHILE AVOIGD MAJORER CAPITAL COSTS. DIGITAL CUSTOMER SERVICES AND CASH PAYMENT HAVE REDUCE PROD CESS TIMES.

RECIPROCAL LIBRARY LENDING ADDED OVER 18,000 TITLES.

AND SAVING US ABOUT $20,000. OUR ERP.

THE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE IS MODERNIZING OPERATIONS ACROSS THE 33 WORK STREAMS AND THE GIS APPLICATION HAS NEARLY DOUBLED COMPLIANCE WITH SEA TURTLE LIGHTING SINCE 2024.

I SHARE ALL OF THIS BECAUSE IT MATTERS WHAT COMES NEXT.

THIS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO DO MORE WITH LESS. SO LET'S TURN TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE BUDGETING WITHIN.

BECAUSE CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING THIS YEAR.

FIRST GROWTH. OUR POPULATION GREW 44.1% IN 2025. AND NOW STANDS AT 348,690 RESIDENTS. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE GROWN 25.8%. A QUARTER MORER RESIDENTS IN JUST FIVE YEARS. ARE ARE EXPECTING ROADS, INFRASTRUCTURE. PARKS AND LIE BRAERPS SECOND, INFLATION. REMAINING HIGHEST TO GLOBAL EVENTS. WITH SUMMER SPIKES PAST $3.9 A GALLEN AND BECAUSE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION COSTS TRACK FUEL PRICES. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM IS DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO THAT. THIRD-- INSURANCE COSTS WOULD GROW AS WE OPEN NEW FACILIT. A GENUINE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE INTENTING TO PROTECT. SO THINK ABOUT OUR BUDGET BEYOND THIS BUDGET YEAR. A ONE-YEAR BUDGET IS NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE. THIS SECTION IS ABOUT THINKING BEYOND 2026 BECAUSE THE DECISION IN FRONT OF US PLAY OUT OVER FIVE TO TEN YEARS. NOT JUST 12 MONTHS.

WE HAVE A LONG RANGE WORK UNDER WAY.

ON EVERY MAJORER SYSTEM. THE 2030 AND 2050 TRAVEL MOTTO IS UNDER WAY FOR TRANSPORTATION.

THE REGIONAL WATER SHED NOTO UPDATE IS IN PROGRESS FOR DRAINAGE. ON SIDEWALKS, EXISTING POLICY PROVIDES FOR DEVELOPED FUNDED CONSTRUCTION WITH OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE FORKER GROWTH RELATED PRODUCTION IMPROVEMENTS.

ON THE COAST FUNDING FOR PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN THE VULNERABILITY STUDY AND OUR ADAPTATION PLAN.

AND THE 2050 COMPREHENSIVE GUIDES GROWTH MANAGEMENT.

SO NOW TO THE ISSUE SHAPING THE ENTIRE BUDGET.

PROPOSED STATE PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

IF VOTERS APPROVE IT IN N' NOVEMBER, THE IMPACT ON THIS COUNTY IS SEVERE. WE ESTIMATE A CUT TO PROPERTY

[03:05:03]

IN FISCAL YEAR 2028 GROWING TO $130 MILLION IN 2029.

JUST IN ONE YEAR. ACROSS THE GENERAL FUND.

AND THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND.

OUR FISCAL YEAR 2032. THAT TO ABOUT $213 MILLION A YEAR. WITH THE COMMUNICATIVE LOSS OF $830 MILLION. LET ME JUST SAY THIS AGAIN.

IT'S $830 MILLION COMMUNETIVELY BY 2032.

WE ARE NOW WAITING TO FIND OUT. WE ARE DEVELOPING MULTI-YEAR BUDGET SNARE YEOS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE HEARING TODAY.

AS A BASELINE, CONSTRAIN THE REVENUE AND THE HIGH IMPACT.

THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2032 STRESS TESTING OUR PLAN AGAINST A TAX REFORM. ECONOMIC SHIFTS AND A GROWTH PROJECTED TO REACH 415,000 RESIDENTS BY FISCAL YEAR 2033.

OUR RESPONSE IS STAGED AND PHASED AND IT IS SCALED TO REFORM PASSES. PHASE ONE, INTERNAL AND FUNDING ASSESSMENT. WE'RE ASSESSING OPERATIONS AND FUNDING EXPOSURE UNDER REFORMS AND IDENTIFYING REVENUE AT RISK BY FUND AND BY DEPARTMENT. PHASE TWO.

SPENDING DISCIPLINE. WE'RE PAUSING NEW SPENDING COMMITMENTS THAT CREATE LONG-TERM RECURRING OPERATING DOLLARS. THAT'S REQUIRED.

UNTIL REFORM OUTCOME IS CERTAIN AND KNOWN.

IT IS FAR EASIER TO START WITH RECURRING COSTS THAN TO-- THEM.

PHASE THREE. CONTINGENT ON REFORM PASSING A WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD WITH THIS BOARD.

ON SERVICE MODEL REINVENTION UNDER A CONSTRAIN TO REVENUE ENVIRONMENT. IF THERE IS CHANGE, WE WILL BRING YOU THE CHOICES, TRANSPARENTY WITH DATA.

SO AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE ENVIRONMENT DOUBLE HERE ARE THE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDED EVERY DOLLAR IN THE BUDGET PREPARATION. SIX CORE PRINCIPLES.

ONE, PRESERVE AND PROTECT WHAT WE HAVE.

TWO, INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN CAPITAL.

THREE, DELIVER SERVICES AT APPROPRIATE LEVELS.

FOUR, AMONG FUNDING WITH DEMAND, BENEFIT AND IMPACT.

FIVE, MAINTAIN FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.

SIX, SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE.

EVERY LINE ITEM IN THIS BUDGET CAN BE TRACED BACK TO ONE OF THESE SIX. SO LET ME BE VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND WHAT WE'RER DOING RIGHT NOW AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED TO. OUR GOAL FOR THE NEXT THREE TO SIX YEARS IS A DIVERSIFIED RESILIENT REVENUE STRUCTURE THAT KEEPS PACE WITH GROWTH. WITHOUT OVERRELIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES. FOUR ACTIONS ARE UNDER WAY.

FIRST A HIRING PAUSE. IT IS NOT A PHASE, IT IS PAUSE.

STRATEGIC AND EXCEPTION ONLY. PUBLIC SAFETY.

WILL PROCEED.RED AND POSITION - THIS AVOIDS UP TO $8.2 MILLION THIS BUDGET YEAR. $5.7 MILLION RECURRING AND $2.5 MILLION ONE TIME. WHILE THE NOVEMBER OUTCOME IS STILL UNKNOWN. SECOND.

A SERIOUS CIP REVIEW WHICH IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

WE ARE REPRIORITIZING OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS TO FUND LIFE SAFETY, FLEET AND EQUIPMENT AND REGULATORY WORK FORCE. DEFERRING ABOUT $77.9 MILLION IN DISCRETIONARY TAX FUNDED PROJECTS.

20.4 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND AND 28 PPT $7 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION AND $4.4 MILLION IN FIRE.

TO BANK CAPACITY FOR 2027 AND BEYOND.

THIRD. A COUNTY-WIDE SERVICE MODEL ASSESSMENT PAP PROGRAM BY PROGRAM DEEP DIVE CLASSIFICATION OF EVERY DEPARTMENT AGAINST THE SEARCH CONSTITUTIONAL PERMITTED TO CORE SERVICE CATEGORIES.

THIS WILL INFORM OUR TIERED LEVEL OF SERVICE FRAMEWORK.

AND IDENTIFY CANDIDATES FOR ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY, PARTNERSHIP AND COST RECOVERY. FOURTH, FUNDING STRUCTURE REALIGNMENTS. WE ARE EVALUATING EVERY POSSIBLE REVENUE SOURCE THAT INCLUDES FEES, SPECIAL

[03:10:02]

AND THE TOURISM TAXES TO SHIFT ELIGIBILITY COSTS ON PROPERTY TAXES. AND TARGETING ROUGHLY $27 MILLION IN NEW AND EXPANDED FUNDING BY FISCAL YEAR 2033.

THE STRATEGY BEHIND THOSE ACTIONS ARE FOUR PARTERS.

DIVERSIFY REVENUE SOURCES. GROWING NON-PROPERTY TAX REVENUE. USER FEES, IMPACT FEES, GRANTS, ENTERPRISE REVENUE. PARTNERSHIP WITH PRIVATE TAENTS. SO GROWTH RELATED COSTS FUPDED BY GROWTH RELATED REVENUE. ALONG FUNDING WITH DEMAND, BENEFIT AND IMPACT. THOSE BETSS FROM THE SERVICE SHOULD BEAR A PROPORTIONALLY SHARE IN THAT COST.

STARTING WITH A COUNTY WIDE UPDATE TO FULL COST OF RECOVERY. REDUCE PROPERTY ALLIANCE ON PROPERTY TAXES WHILE PRESERVING AFFORDABILITY.

HERE'S A NUMBER WORTH REMEMBERING.

2027 OPERATING SPENDIG IS HELD NEAR THE PRE-COVID PER RESIDENT LEVEL. ABOUT $855 IN REAL TERMS VERSUS $802 IN FISCAL YEAR 2020. AND UNDER REFORM IT WILL FALL TO ABOUT $566 BY 2033. WE'RE NOT AN ORGANIZATION THAT HASN'T GROWN BEYOND ITS MEANS. AND MAINTAIN REEVERYBODY AND FISCAL DISCIPLINE PROTECT FUND BALANCES IN A BOND RATING AND BUILD A FINANCIAL RESILIENCY RESERVE OF ROUGHLY $40 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2027. RISING TOWARD 70 MILLION IF CAPITAL PROJECTS ARE FACED TO BRIDGE IN SHORTFALLS AND TO REACH $75 MILLION BY FISCAL YEAR 2029.

A FEW SPECIFICS ON 2027 REVENUE AND I EMPHASIZE THOSE ARE PRELIMINARY PLANNING ESTIMATES. ON MILLAGE.

THE 2027 SIMPLE MAJORITY MILLAGE ROLLBACK.

GROWTH ABOVE ROLLBACK. ABOUT 4% OF THE PRIOR LEVY.

ROUGHLY $17 MILLION ACROSS THE THREE FUNDS.

TO REQUIRE A BOARD SOUP MAR JORERTY OF FOUR OR FIVE VOTES.

THAT IS A DECISION THIS BOARD WILL NEED TO MAKE.

ON FEES AND ASSESSMENTS, FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE OR COST TO RECOVERY PLUS NEW CREATION AND LIBRARY MSTUS, MSBU SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS. YIELD AN ESTIMATE OF $26.6 MILLION COMBINED BY FISCAL YEAR 2033.

ON THE REVENUE MIX, 2027 PROPERTY TAX REVENUE IS $419.3 MILLION. $279.4 MILLION GENERAL FUND AND $86 MILLION FIRE DISTRICT. $53.1 MILLION IN TRANSPORTATION FUND. THE GO THROUGH 2033 IS STEADILY RISING SHARE OF ALTERNATIVES, NON-PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.

SO IN CLOSING, THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 RECOMMENDED BUDGET REFLECTS RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT. AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY.

THIS IS A BUDGET BUILT FOR ALL. IT PROTECTS OUR FOUNDATION.

IT KEEPS FAITH WITH THE RESIDENTS.

WHO DEPEND ON SERVICES. AND IT BEGINS DELIBERATELY AND HONESTLY. THE WORK OF REINVENTING HOW WE DELIVER SERVICES. TO FIT A NEW FINANCIAL REALITY SO THAT WE PRESERVE AS MUCH OF OUR EXISTING SERVICE LEVEL AS POSSIBLE. NO MATTER WHAT NOVEMBER BRINGS.

WE'RE PROTECTING OUR VISION. INVESTING OUR FUTURE IN ALIGNMENT RESOURCE OF OUR COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.

WE WILL REMAIN WELL POSITIONED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS WHO ARE PRESERVING OPPORTUNITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. SO WITH THAT, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. AND I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE WADE SH RODER TO GO OVER THE 2027 BUDGET DETAIL.

AND I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> YES. CAN I JUST MAKE A COMMENT.

SOREY. I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB. OF WHAT WE CAN DO OR TRY TO DO.

BUT YOU'RE LEAVING OUT A HUGE PART OF THE WHEEL.

WE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A HOUSING MORATORIUM.

BECAUSE IF WE KEEP BUILDING HOMES AND THEY ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS FUNDING, THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

I MEAN-- WE ARE FUNDING THE PARKS.

THE SCHOOLS. THE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE ROADS. THE SIDEWALKS.

EVERYTHING YOU SAID HERE IS BEING FUNDED FOR THE DEVELOPERS. YEAH THEY HAVE IMPACT FEES.

[03:15:02]

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING FORWARD AS IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY AD VALOREM, THEY NEED TO BE ON THE HOOK TOO.

THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WHEEL.

>> THAT'S A GREAT STATEMENT. THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POLICY DECISION THIS BORDER HAS TO MAKE.

>> WELL I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE MISSING-- THAT NEEDS TO BE WOVEN INTO HERE. THAT'S ANOTHER IDEA ON HOW TO PRUS REVENUE. AGAINST-- IF WE DON'T GET--.

TO KEEP SERVICES. THANKS.

SORRY. >> LET ME JUST FOLLOW UP ON THAT. WE ARE AT STATUTORY MAX FOR IMPACT FEES. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO?

>> WE CAN STILL DO A MORATORIUM FOR A YEAR.

>> YOU MEAN MORE TIME ON-- BUILDING?

>> IF WE HAD TO. >> HOW ARE WE GETTING IMPACT

FEES? >> THE POINTSORE COUNTIES HAVE PUT A MORATORIUM ON NEW BUILDS AND WE GET IMPACT FEES THROUGH COMMERCIAL BUILDOUTS. BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT IF WE CAN'T AFFORD THESE SERVICES INSTEAD OF CHARGING THE PEOPLE ALREADY LIVING HERE WE NEED TO CHARGE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE COMING HERE AND WHO IS BUILDING THOSE HOMES.

SO I'M TALK ABOUT IF AD VALOREM CHANGES.

IF IT DOESN'T. THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT IS PRESENTING US TO CUT THE BUDGET SO THAT TAXING GOES DOWN.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> MR. CHAIRMAN?

>> YES, SIR. >> YES.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, I CAN.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

MS. ANDREWS. YOU GAVE US A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING BUILT.

AMONGST THOSE PROJECTS ARE THE FOUR REGIONAL PARKS.

HOW MUCH OF OURED A VALOREM TAX DOLLARS.

ANOTHER WAY TO PUT IT. HOW MUCH OF THE PROPERTY TAXES BEING PAID BY RESIDENTS ARE FUNDING THE BUILDING OF THE

FOUR REGIONAL PARKS? >> NONE.

>> ZERO. >> ZERO.

>> HOW MUCH OF THE FUNDING THAT IS BUILDING THE FOUR FIRE STATIONS WITH SHARE SUBSTATIONS ARE COMING FROM PROPERTY TAXES

FROM OUR RESIDENTS? >> THE SAME AS THE PARKS.

ZERO. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF ROAD-WIDENING PROJECTS. AND I'VE SEEN PUBLIC WORKS DO PRESENTATIONS IN THE PAST. ISN'T IT TRUE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE IMPACT FEES TO WIDEN THESE ROADS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY MANY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SO COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, IT SEEMS LIKE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES ARE PAYING FOR FOUR REGIONAL PARKS. FIRE STATIONS.

SHERIFF SUBSTATIONS. ROAD WIDENING PROJECTS.

NOT AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS.

THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENT MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> THANK YOU SIR. COMMISSIONER-- DID YOU HAVE

SOMETHING TO ADD? >> YES.

THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. THROUGH THE CHAIR.

TO MS. AN DPRUPS YOU MENTIONED SOME PROJECT WOULD BES PUT ON PAUSE. CAN YOU ELABORATE?

>> I MENTIONED THERE IS AN OBJECTIVE CRITERIA ASSESS THAMENT WE'RE DOING. AND I THINK HIGHEST OF PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE PUT FORTH IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND ALSO STATUETORIAL REQUIRED. AND THE REST OF THE PROJECTS ARE ALREADY BEING TREATED EQUALLY AND IS REALLY BASED ON THE PHASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION. AND HOW FAR ARE WE DOWN WITH THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION AND WHAT IS THE COST BURDEN ON IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH ACTUAL PROJECTS? SO THAT IS KIND OF OUR CRITERIA.

AND I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE-- REALTY DETAILED INFORMATION OF ALL OF OUR CIP REVIEWS AND PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN CODED IN DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PRIORITIES TO EACH MEMBER.

>> THANK YOU. ZBLILD LOVE THE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT PROJECTS. THEY ARE LOOKING AT PAUSING.

>> YEAH-- THEN-- AND I DO WANT TO-- THAT WHEN YOU SAY PAUSE, WE ARE REALLY JUST LOOKING FOR WAYS TO WORK WITH OUR CONTRACTORS. TO FIND LEAST AMOUNT OF DOLLARS TO SPEND UNTIL NOVEMBER. SO WE HAVE A LIT MRL CERTAINTY.

AND ANOTHER CONVERSATION WE HAVE BEFORE PAUSING IS WHETHER OR NOT THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO POTENTIALLY BE A FACILITY THAT IS GOING TO GENERATE REVENUE. OR IS GOING TO BE-- TO INCUR ADDITIONAL RECURRING OPERATING COSTS THAT HAS NO WAY OF

RECUPERATING. >> THANK YOU MA'AM.

WANT TO BRING IN--. >> THANK YOU.

[03:20:04]

>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

WADE SCHROEDER. WITH THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT BUDGET. I AM HERE THIS MORNING KIND OF FOLLOWING UP ON JOY'S PRESENTATION TO KIND OF GO THROUGH SOME MORE OF THE STATUETORIAL REQUIRED COMPONENTS OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.

THE TRIM PROCESS. AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

JUST WAITING FOR MY-- THERE'S A SEPARATE PRESENTATION FOR ME.

SUPPOSE YOU COULD TELL US A STORY WHILE WE'RE WAITING.

MAYBE A JOKE? >> YEAH-- NO.

I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE ANY TODAY.

>> NO JOKES TODAY. A SERIOUS DAY.

>> I WILL SAY, AS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IT, A LOT OF THE INFORMATION THAT I'M GOING TO PRESENT TODAY IS HIGH LEVEL OR SUMMARY INFORMATION. ALL OF THE BUDGETARY INFORMATION-- IF THERE'S MORE THAN 85 FUNDS THAT MAKE UP THE COUNTY'S BUDGET. ALL OF THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE. IT'S-- YOU CAN GET DOWN TO THE DETAILS. THE ACCOUNT LEVEL DETAILS.

ONLINE. I'LL HAVE THE WEBSITE IN HERE IN THE PRESENTATION. BUT ANY PIECE YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND CUSTOMIZE AND PRINT YOUR BUDGET IF YOU ONLY WANT CERTAIN SECTIONS YOU DON'T HAVE TO PRINT THE ENTIRE THING.

SO-- ALL RIGHT. YEAH SO HERE IT IS.

THE WEBSITE SJEFL U.S./-BUDGET. AGAIN YOU CAN GO ONLINE.

VIEW MUCH MORE INFORMATION AND MUCH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION THAN I'M GOING TO PRESENT TODAY.

>> CAN YOU LEAVE THAT THERE JUST FOR A SECOND?

>> SURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO JUST KIND OF HIGHLIGHT WHERE WE ARE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE TODAY REPRESENTING PRESENTING A RECOMMENDED BUDGET IN THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES.

THE BUDGET FORKER THIS YEAR KICKED OFF IN FEBRUARY.

WITH KIND OF GUIDELINES MEANT TO DEVELOP THEIR REQUESTED BUDGET. AND I WILL SAY KIND OF AT THAT TIME, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT PROPERTY TAX REFORM REALLY WAS.

THERE WAS TALK AND DISCUSSION OF IT.

BUT NOTHING REALLY CLEAR CAME OUT UNTIL AFTERWARDS.

SO-- IN MAY, THROUGH A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF PRESENTATIONS TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORER, THE DEPARTMENTS PRESENTED THEIR BUDGETS. THEIR ASKS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORER.

AND THEN FROM THERE IN JULY, WE RECEIVED THE CERTIFIED TAXABLE VALUES FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISERS.

SO AGAIN THAT BRINGS US TO TODAY OF PRESENTING THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND ESTABLISHING PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES. AND MOVING FORWARD IN THE PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER, THERE WILL BE TWO REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARINGS. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE AFTER 5 O'CLOCK. TO TENTATIVELY AND FINALIZE THE MILLAGING AND BUDGET. THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A STATUETORIAL PRESCRIBED PROCESS.

A COUPLE COMPONENTS HERE. WITH FLORIDA STATUTE 129.032 T COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER SHALL PREPARE AND PRESENT TO THE BOARD A TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THAT IS THE FIRST PART OF THIS PRESENTATION.

AND THEN SECOND, FLORIDA STATUTE 200.065 EACH TAXING AUTHORITY SHALL COMPUTE A PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE NECESSARILY TO FUND TENTATIVE BUDGET.

AND AS WELL SHOWED A-- SHALL ADVISE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER OF IT PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE IS BACK.

COMPUTED RATE. AND THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FIRST OR THE TENTATIVE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE MILLAGE AND BUDGET. SO GETTING INTO THE BUDGET, THE 2027 RECOMMENDED BUDGET. THE TOTAL BUDGET IS BALANCE THROUGHOUT 86 FUNDS IS $1 BILLION.

$1,455,747,705. THAT IS THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

WHEN YOU SEE IT AGAIN AT THE TENTATIVE MEETING.

IT WILL LOOK DIFFERENT. AND I'LL TRY MY BEST TO KIND OF

[03:25:01]

SO ITEM ACE PROVED IN THE CURRENT BUDGET.

PARKS AND LIBRARIES. PRIMARILY CAPITAL AND GRANTS RELATEED. ANY OTHER ITEMS ALREADY AP APPROVED BY THE BOARD FUNDED AND APPROPRIATED BUT THOSE AREN'T YET COMPLETE. SO WHAT WE DO AT THE END OF THE YEAR IS REAPPROPRIATE THOSE DOLLARS AND THE REMAINING BALL BSANCES OF THOSE DOLLARS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET.

BUT WE'LL SEPARATE CARRY FORWARDS FROM THE BUDGET.

JUST TO GO OVER SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 27 BUDGET.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING FLAT MILLAGE RATES FROMPHYSIAL YEAR 2026. IF YOU RECALL MILLAGE RALTS WERE REDUCED IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 WITH A REDUCTION TO THE GENERAL FUND MORE THAN OFFSET INCREASE TO THE FIRE DISTRICT FUND. FISCAL YEAR 2027 AND PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND THAT UNCERTAINTY WE ARE RECOMMENDING FLAT MILLAGE RATES. WE HAVE INCREASED THE E EMERGENCY RESERVE FOR GENERAL FUND.

LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR WE HAD A SPECIFIC E EMERGENCY RESERVE AND WE HAVE INCREASED IT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

AS WELL WE HAVE ADDED FOR BOTH THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND AND THE FIRE DISTRICT FUND AND WE WILL LOOK TO IDEALLY IN THE FUTURE YEARS CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON THOSE RESERVES.

THERE ARE NO FACILITIES WITHIN THE 27 BUDGET.

THAT WE HAVE JUST THE LIST SOME.

THE SPORTS PLEX. GREEN BRIER PARK AND LIBRARY.

AND ALSO POTENTIALLY THE SILVER LEAF FIRE STATION.

SO THOSE NEW FACILITIES WILL BE COMING ONLINE.

ALONG WITH THE OPERATIONS RELATED TO THEM.

WE HAVE 32.25 NEW FTES BUDGET. THERE'S ALSO A REDUCTION OF ONE FTE FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT IS RELATED TO KIND OF A STATUTORY PRESKRIEBLED PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN DISSOLVED.

AND AS FAR AS CAPITAL INVESTMENT, $264 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

SO THE BULK OF THAT IS FUNDED. YOU SEE THE NEXT BULLET THERE IS-- THERE IS PROPOSED BORROWING IN THE BUDGET.

THIS HAS COME TO THE BOARD THROUGH UTILITY SERVICES BEFORE. ABOUT $126 MILLION IN BORROWING RELATED TO NECESSARY UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

AND THEN I DO WANT TO NOTE THERE ARE-- THE BALANCE ALL FUNDS ARE BALANCED TO OUR POTENTIAL CHANGES.

THAT ARE STILL TO OCCUR. THE TDT FUND.

THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL JUST YESTERDAY KIND OF FINALIZED THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS.

AS FAR AS WHAT THEY WOULD RECOMMEND TO SEE WITHIN THE FIVE CATEGORIES. ADDITIONALLY EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS WE-- THE OMB WORKS WITH THE CONSULTANT TO UPDATE OUR INDIRECT COST ALLOCATIONS. AND WHAT THAT IS IS A WAY TO RECOVER ANY OF THE COSTS TO THE OTHER AGENCIES OR THE OTHER FUNDS. YOU KNOW FOR SOME OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT ITEMS. YOU KNOW, NOT EVERY FUND HAS THEIR OWN COUNTY ATTORNEY OR HR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE.

IT'S THE GENERAL FUND THAT IS PROVIDING THE SERVICES TO THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS. AND IT'S THAT INDIRECT COST ALLOCATION CALCULATES WHAT THAT COST IS.

AND THEN WE CAN RECOVER, RECOUP THOSE COST FS FROM THOSE OTHER FUNDS. AND THE CURRENT YEARS BUDGET FOR THAT IS ABOUT $6 MILLION IN REVENUE TO THE GENERAL FUND.

SO IT IS A PRETTY LARGE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO RECOVER FOR THE SERVICES. AND THEN FINALLY THERE'S STILL SOME OUTSTANDING ITEMS RELATED TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WITH THE FIRE UNION. SO WHEN THOSE ARE FINALIZED I THINK ANY CHANGES RELATED TO THESE ITEMS. WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE COMMISSION AS PART OF THE REMAINING BUDGET PROCESS. SO WE'LL NOTE THOSE CHANGES AS WE MOVE FORWARD. AND THEN FINALLY, THIS IS-- AS JOY MENTIONED THAT IS BUDGET THAT IS COGNIZANT OF NOVEMBER PROPERTY TAX REFORM. THERE ARE NEW CIPS IN THE BUDGET. THERE ARE NEW POSITIONS IN THE BUDGET AND REALLY, THERE'S OPERATING DOLLARS IN THE BUDGET. AND A LOT OF THAT I'LL SAY AT LEAST WITHIN THE MILLAGE FUNDS, THOSE ARE KIND OF PAUSE.

I DON'T THINK ANY MILLAGE-RELATED POSITION IS GOING TO BE HIRED BEFORE THAT NOVEMBER TH ELECTION.

[03:30:05]

SO-- THIS SLIDE HERE REPRESENTS.

THIS IS THE ENTIRE BUDGET AND KIND OF BROKEN DOWN BY SERVICE AREA. THE LARGEST OPERATIONAL AREA'S PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT IS PRIMARILY UTILITIES AND SOLID WASTE. BUT ALSO INCLUDES THE LAMP FUND. ANY OF THE COASTAL PROJECTS AS WELL AS COASTAL MANAGEMENT. EXCUSE ME-- TREE BANK FUNDS.

THOSE SERVICES WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND.

NEXT IS CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, COURT SERVICES.

THERE'S THE LARGEST THERE IS THE SHERIFF.

BUT YOU KNOW ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ARE FUNDED WITHIN THAT CATEGORY. AND NEXT IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

ABOUT 10%ER. LITTLE MORE THAN 10% OF THE OVERALL BUDGET GOES TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT IS YOUR FIRE EMS. YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

INCLUDES BUILDING SERVICES AND CODE ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THEN ALSO IMPACT FEES RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY. GENERAL GOVERNMENT IS AGAIN I MENTIONED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT.

MIS, OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT, IT DOES INCLUDE THE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE. THAT'S REALLY OUR WORKER'S COMP AND COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE FUNDS.

AS WELL AS IMPACT FEES IN THIS CATEGORY AS WELL AND THEN YOU KNOW SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICES.

BCC, ADMIN, COUNTY ATTORNEY, HR, OMB AND ALL OF THOSE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS. TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC WORKS.

IMPACT FEEERS IN CATEGORY AS WELL.

ALSO INCLUDES PUBLIC TRANSIT. AND SOME OF OUR SPECIAL DISTRICT FUNDS. CULTURAL AND REC.

INCLUDES PARKS AND REC, LIBRARY SERVICES.

GOLF IMPACT FEES IN THIS CATEGORY AS WELL.

AND THEN TOURIST DEVELOPMENT AND BEACH SERVICE.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SSS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND OF THAT SOCIAL SERVICES PRIMARILY. AS WELL AS CBC, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT AGENCIES.

AND THEN FINALLY ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.

INCLUDES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE CRAS, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICESSHIP AND VETERAN SERVICES.

AND THEN YOU CAN SEE ON THE GRAPH THERE, I DON'T HAVE LISTED. BUT DEBT SERVICE.

TRANSFERS AND RESERVES. DEBT SERVICE, I MEAN THERE'S A LITTLE MORE SELF-EXPLANATORY. I'LL DEFINITELY BE GOING THROUGH RESERVES A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE PRESENTATION.

ON THE REVENUE SIDE, HERE'S KIND OF THE BREAKDOWN OF THE REVENUES. AS FAR AS NEW REVENUES, TAXES, WHICH INCLUDE PROPERTY TAXES, FUEL TAXES AND OTHER TAXES, ARE LARGEST REVENUE SOURCE AS JOY MENTIONED.

WE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK FORWARD TO TRYING TO DIVERSIFY THE REVENUE SOURCES A LITTLE BIT. AND AFTER TAXES, THE PERCENTAGES GET A LITTLE BIT SMALLER.

SO CHARGES FOR SERVICES IS THE BIGGEST AREA.

PRIMARILY IT'S YOUR WATER AND SEWER CHARGES THERE WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND THAT WOULD BE AMBULANCE FEES.

AND OUR GOVERNMENTAL REVENUE, PRIMARILY IS GRANTS AND ANY STATE REMITTED REVENUES. THAT'S THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SALES TAX PROGRAM IS INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY.

MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE IS PRIMARILY INTEREST EARNINGS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS CATEGORIES LIKE RENTAL INCOME.

PERMITS, FEES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.

RECYCLING COLLECTIONS ASSESSMENTS FOR SOLID WASTE ARE IN THIS CATEGORY. AS WELL AS IMPACT FEES AND ANY BUILDING PERMITS. AND THEN SMALLER AREAS, JUDGMENTS AND FINDS. REPRESENT LESS THAN 1% OF THE OVERALL BUDGET AND THE OTHER SOURCES REPRESENTS ACCUMULATED FUND BALANCES. THESE ARE OUR UNSPENT RESERVE LEVELS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CARRY FORWARD THOSE BALANCES INTO NEXT YEAR. THAT ALSO INCLUDES ANY TRANSFERS FROM OTHER FUNDS OR FROM OTHER AGENCIES.

AS WELL AS THE BORROWING. I MENTIONED THE UTILITY.

$126 MILLION IN UTILITY BORROWING.

THAT IS IN THIS CATEGORY AS WELL.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OVERALL BUDGET RELATED TO PROPERTY TAXES. JUST TO SEPARATE THE TWO.

$1.455 BILLION OVERALL BUDGET. ABOUT $426 MILLION OF THAT IS RELATED TO PROPERTY TAXES. AND IT'S REALLY RELATED TO

[03:35:04]

SO OVERALL ABOUT 29% OF THE TOTAL BUDGET AND ABOUT 59% OF THE MILLAGE-RELATED FUNDS IS COMPRISED OF PROPERTY TAXES.

ALL RIGHT FOR NEW POSITIONS. THIS IS-- YOU KNOW, FOR THIS YEAR, IT'S KIND OF A SPARSE TABLE.

TYPICALLY THERE'S A LOT MORER DEPARTMENTS ON HERE.

BUT THESE ARE THE POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. FOR EMS. THERE'S THE 24 FTES. AND THAT DOES REPRESENT 30 FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS AND LET ME JUST TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT REAL QUICK. IF A POSITION IS BUDGETED TO BE FILLED IN THIS CASE IN JANUARY, THAT'S NOT THE FULL FISCAL YEAR. IT'S 75% OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 27 THAT REPRESENTS .75 FTE.

SO AS WE ROLL INTO THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR THOSE WILL BECOME FULL 1.0 FTE. SO 24 FTES BUT IT IS 30 POSITIONS. THOSE POSITIONS ARE PRIMARILY RELATED TO THE SILVER LEAF FIRE STATION.

THE PLANNED OPENING OF THAT. INITIALLY WE HAVE 5.25 FTES FOR UTILITY SERVICES. THOSE ARE NON-PROPERTY TAX RELATED FUND. TWO FTES FOR ONE FOR RECREATION WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND AND ONE FOR THE GOLF COURSE.

THAT IS A SEPARATE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND AND THEN ALSO ONE FOR PURCHASING AND CONTRACTS. AND JUST TO NOTE SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARER NOT ON THIS SLIDE, BECAUSE THEIR POSITIONS WERE NOT RECOMMENDED. LIBRARY SERVICES HAD OVER 13FTES REQUESTED. NONE OF THOSE POSITIONS PENDING PROPERTY TAX REFORM. NONE OF THOSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED. COUPLE AREAS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND. THE OFFICE OF PERFORMANCE AND TRANSPARENCY, HR, ALSO EACH REQUESTED ONE POSITION.

NONE OF THOSE POSITIONS WERE APPROVED.

AS WELL AS PUBLIC WORKS. PUBLIC WORKS REQUESTED 1.5 FTES AND NEITHER OF THOSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED.

SO-- LOOKING NOW AT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

AGAIN, THE TOTAL INVESTMENT FOR NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS IS ABOUT A LITTLE OVER $265 MILLION. ON THE LEFT YOU SEE THE TYPES OF PROJECTS FUNDED. ON THE RIGHT, YOU WILL SEE HOW THOSE PROJECTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE FUNDED.

WHAT KIND OF REVENUE SOURCE ARE WE USING.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT THAT'S PRIMARILY UTILITIES.

ON THE LEFT AND ON THE RIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE DEBT PROCEEDS RELATED TO THOSE PROJECTS. THERE ARE SOME OTHER UTILITY REVENUES FUND PROGRESS JEKTS AS WELL.

AND THEN THE SECOND LARGEST WOULD BE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. ABOUT-- SOREY $5 MILLION THERE.

65-- TOWARD TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.

THAT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS AND IMPACT FEES AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION RELATED REVENUES THAT WE MAY HAVE. SO JUST TO KIND OF GO INTO DETAIL ON SOME OF THE PROJECTS. AND THIS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ALL THE PROJECTS. ALL OF THE PROJECTS BEING RECOMMENDED ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE.

UNDER THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN OF THAT WEBSITE.

IF YOU WANT ANYMORE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THESE PROJECTS OR ANY OTHER PROJECTS, I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PROJECTS LISTED HERE. SO THE COUNTY WIDE FIELD AND COURT LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE COUNTY WIDE LIGHTING HVAC CONVERSION, AND SECURITY ACCESS CONVERSION, THOSE ARE MULTI-YEAR PROJECTS. WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING FUTURE OPERATING DOLLARS. OR MAINTENANCE DOLLARS.

SO WE HAVE SOME OUTDATED INFRASTRUCTURE OTT OUR CURRENT FACILITIES. AND THIS KIND OF GOES TO JOY'S MENTIONING OF FUND AND TAKE CARE OF WHAT WE HAVE VERSUS ADDING NEW. SO IF WE UPDATE THE LIGHTS, ONE WILL HAVE BETTER LIGHTING. BUT TWO WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WE'LL HAVE LOWER UTILITY COSTS AND WITH THE LIGHTING ALSO BECOMES A MAINTENANCE BY THE VENDOR.

SO FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. SO WE'LL REDUCE BOTH OUR UTILITY BILLS. AS WELL AS ANY MAINTENANCE COSTS. MOVING ONTO SOME OF THE LARGERER PROJECTS, DOLLAR WISE AT LEAST.

THE FISCAL ENVIRONMENT THAT IS PRIMARILY-- THOSE PROJECTS

[03:40:01]

AND AGAIN I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT UTILITIES DOES HAVE $126 MILLION OF BORROWING TO FUND SOME OF THESE PROJECTS.

AND NOT GOING TO GO INTO DETAILS OF THESE PROJECTS.

BUT TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT AND SOME OTHER COUNTY-WIDE PROGRAMS THAT WE FUND ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FINALLY ON THE BUDGET SIDE, I DO WANT TO GO INTO RESERVES A LITTLE BIT.

THESE ARE THE THREE LARGEST MILLAGE-RELATED FUNDS.

OR THREE-LARGEST OPERATING AREAS THAT RELY ON PROPERTY TAXES. AND THERE'S DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF THE RESERVES HERE.

SO START WITH THE GENERAL FUND.

WE HAVE RESTRICTED RESERVES OF ABOUT $12.4 MILLION.

THIS REPRESENTS SOME FUNDING. A DEVELOPMENT FOR IT SPECIFIC PURPOSE. WE HAVEN'T APPROPRIATED FOR THAT SERVICE. THAT ALSO INCLUDES ANY OUTSTANDING KIND OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE THAT THE GENERAL FUND MAY HAVE. ALONE TO THE SOLID WASTE FUND.

IF YOU RECALL WE DID NOT INCREASE OUR SOLID WASTE CONTRACTORER. UNTIL THAT BALLENCE IS FULLY REPAID WE'RE PUTTING THAT ASIDE AND RESERVE FOR WHATEVER THAT REMAINING BALANCE IS. THEN WE HAVE A 60-DAY RESERVE.

THIS IS FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.

THEIR RECOMMENDATION FOR OPERATING BUDGETS.

NO LESS THAN A 2 MONTH CALCULATION OF OPERATIONS.

NO LESS BECAUSE DIFFERENT KIND OF COUNTIES.

MORE OR LESS. AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE GO INTO THE E EMERGENCY RESERVE. THE MIDDLE EARLY PARTS OF HURRICANE SEASON NOW. SO WE DO HAVE ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY RESERVE IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. A $5 MILLION FROM FISCAL YEAR 2026. A LITTLE BIT SMALLER IN THOSE AREAS AND WE DO LOOK TO INCREASE THOSE IN THE FUTURE.

THE GENERAL FUND ALSO HAS A GRANT MATCH RESERVE.

THIS IS REMAINING BALANCE OF THE RESERVE RELATED TO THE SUMMERER HAVEN LAND ACQUISITION GRANT.

THE MATCHING FUNDS ARE COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

HEY ARE JUST SET ASIDE RESERVE UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED.

UNTIL LANE ACQUISITIONS-- LAND ACQUISITIONS COME FORWARD.

AND THEN FINALLY THERE'S THIS ADDITIONAL RESERVE.

SO THIS IS A NEW THING ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATED. $38 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND AND ADDITIONAL RESERVES. PROPERTY TAX REFORM ASSOCIATION COUNTIES THEIR ESTIMATE. OF RECURERING IMPACT SAS ONE-TIME BALANCE. ONCE YOU SPEND IT, IT'S GONE.

A RECURRING IMPACT AND EXCESS OF $100 MILLION.

BUT NOT WITH PROPERTY TAX REFORM, SO--.

WE WON'T GO THROUGH THIS. HERE TEASE STATUTE AGAIN.

WE PROPOSE A MILLAGE RATE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR AS WELL AS SET THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING.

JUST TO GO THROUGH A TIMELINE THERE.

THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. STATUETORIAL REQUIRED BY DAY 35 OR AUGUST 4TH. THE BOARD MUST INFORM THE PROPERTY APPRAISERER OF ITS PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES.

AND THE DATE, ZPIEM PLACE OF THE TENTATIVE BUDGET HEARING.

WITH THAT INFORMATION. BY AUGUST 24TH.

THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WILL MAIL OUT TRIM NOTICES WITH THOSE PROPOSED ILLAGE RATES TO EACH PROPERTY OWNER.

[03:45:03]

YORE ALL TAXABLE VALUE INCREASE.

THAT IS COMPRISED OF 3.7 IN NEW CONSTRUCTION AND ONLY 3% FOR ALL OTHER. AND AS YOU CAN SEE HERE FROM THE SLIDE, YOU SEE THE SPIKE KIND OF POST-COVID.

REALLY ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITH THE POPULARITY.

WE SEE THAT TREND CONTINUING WITH AN EXTRA SHARE LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT THAT'S GOING ON NOW.

AND-- THEN THE TEN-YEAR PERIOD WE'RE AT THE LOWEST POINT IN THE TEN-YEAR. SO-- 6 F.7% OVERALL.

IF YOU'RE HOMESTEADED THOUGH, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE A 6.7% INCREASE. SO SAVE OUR HOMES HAS CLARNT AS IT'S WRITTEN NOW PROTECTIONS OF HOMESTEADER PROPERTY OWNERS.

THEY'LL ONLY SEE THEIR ASSESSED VALUE CAN ONLY INCREASE BY THE CPI OR 3% WHICHEVER IS LOWER. AND FORKER FISCAL YEAR 2027 THAT WAS 2.7% SO THEIR VALUE WILL ONLY-- ADDITIONALLY A COUPLE YEARS AGO THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT-- CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR THE ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

THIS IS THAT SECOND 25,000 EXEMPTION.

THAT SECOND $25,000 EXEMPTION NOW HAS INCREASED BY THAT SAME INDEX EACH YEAR. SO IT STARTED AT $25,000 EXEMPTION AND NOW IT'S AT 2 $26,411 EXEMPTION.

AND JUST TO NOTE MORE THAN HALF OF OUR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ARE PROTECTED BY SAVE OUR HOMES.

SO FORKER THOSE PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOT HOMESTEADED, PROPERTY STATUETORIAL CAPPED AT A 10% ASSESSED VALUE INCREASE.

WHILE IT'S CURRENTLY 10% PROPOSALS IS PART OF AMENDMENT THREE WOULD REDUCE THAT FROM 10% TO 5%.

ALL RIGHT LOOKING AT ST. TAX AUTHORITY.

CURRENTLY 12 TAX AUTHORITIES. TEN OF THEM ARE ACTIVE ASSESSED MILLAGE RATES TO THEM. WE HAVE THREE TAXING AUTHORITIES THAT AE COUNTY WIDE.

SO EVERY PROPERTY OWNER WITHIN THE COUNTY HAS ASSESSED THESE MILLAGE RATES. THAT IS THE GENERAL FUND.

TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND AND THE COUNTY HEALTH UNIT TRUST FUND. ONE MILLAGE RATE THE FIRE DISTRICT FUND. MILLAGE RATE.

COUNTY WIDE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN FIRE SERVICES.

THEY ASSESS THEIR RESIDENTS FOR THE SERVICES SO WE DON'T PROVIDE SERVICES THERE. WE DON'T LEVY ANY TAX TO THOSE CITIZENS. AND THEN WE HAVE EIGHT REGIONAL OR SPECIAL DISTRICT MILLAGES REALLY STREET LIGHTING AND COASTAL ARE THE CATEGORIES THAT THOSE FALL INTO.

AND WE'LL GO TO MORE INFORMATION MORE DETAILS AS WE GO THROUGH. HERE ARE THE SAME 12 TAXING AUTHORITIES. FISCAL YEAR 26 ADOPTED MILLAGE RATE VERSUS THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 CALCULATED ROLLBACK RATES FOR EACH OF THOSE AREAS. AND THEN KIND OF GOING THROUGH.

THE OTHER MILLAGE RATE VAST BOND OR DEBT SERVICE COMPONENT TO THEM. COLLECTIVE WHERE THEY BRING IN ABOUT $700,000. THE DEBT SERVICE RELATED TO THOSE PROJECTS IS ABOUT $1.4 MILLION SO RIGHT NOW THEY ARE COVERING ABOUT HALF OF THE DEBT ON THE PROJECTS WITH THE REMAINING BEING COVERED BY THE COUNTY.

THROUGH THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT FUND.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THOSE MILLAGE RATES STAY FLAT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. THAT IS TO KEEP THE LOCAL PARTICIPATION FOR THE PROJECTS IN THE DEBT SERVICE.

WE HAVE A COUPLE STREET LIGHTING CELEBRATES.

[03:50:02]

AND FLAT MILLAGE RATES JUST TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE STREET LIGHTING. UTILITY BILLS AND MAINTENANCE.

THE COMMUNITY. SO NOW WE'LL GET INTO SOME OF THE BIGGERER ONES. COUNTY-WIDE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND. THIS IS A COUNTY WIDE.

IT IS ASSESSED TO EVERY PROPERTY OWNER.

THE RECOMMENDED MILLAGE RATE. TO RECOMMEND THE FLAT MILLAGE RATE IS A LITTLE MORE THAN $53 MILLION.

JUST TO SEE THOUSAND TRUST SFUND FUNDED.

ABOUT 47% OF THE OVERALL FUNDS GO TO-- TOWARDS MAINTENANCE AND INVESTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE. SO THAT'S YOUR PERSONNEL AND YOUR OPERATING AS WELL AS YOUR PAYMENT MANAGEMENT AND COUNTY WIDE CIPS THAT ARE ADDRESSING THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

ANOTHER 30% IS GOING TOWARDS CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

AND SOME OF THAT IS NEW INFRASTRUCTURE BUT ALSO IS REPLACING CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND JUST TO NOTE, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. TRANSPORTATION HAS IDENTIFIED PROJECTS NORTH OF $250 MILLION THAT THEY COULD-- THAT IS NEEDED WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT WE DON'T CURRENTLY HAVE IDENTIFIED FUNDING FOR. THE COUNTY HEALTH UNIT MILLAGE RATE. AGAIN RECOMMENDING A FLAT MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

LITTLE MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES.

RECEIVED AT FLAT MILLAGE RATES. AND AGAIN THIS IS-- THIS FUNDING GOES DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR PROGRAMS. WE RECOMMEND MAINTAINING A FLAT MILLAGE RATE TO CONTINUE TO FUND THOSE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS. FIRE DISTRICT MILLAGE RATE AS WELL-- FLAT MILLAGE RATE AND FISCAL YEAR 26.

THE BOARD APPROVED AN INCREASE TO THIS MILLAGE RATE TO HELP FUND WITH THE EXPANSION PROGRAM IN PLACE.

TO HELP FUND THE OPERATIONS. WE ARE RECOMMENDING AS WELL A FLAT MILLAGE RATE FROM FISCAL YEAR 2026 TO OPERATE THE CURRENT AND AS WELL AS THE NEW FIRE STATIONS AND TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN FIREFIGHTERS AND CONTINUE WITH OUR EXPANSION PROGRAM. HERE'S A BREAKDOWN OF THE FIRE DISTRICT FUND. ABOUT 80% OF IT IS PERSONNEL AND OPERATING. SO IT'S VERY LABOURER INTENSIVE BUDGET. AND JUST HAS A RECURRING COST TO IT. SO THIS CHART-- THESE NUMBERS MAY AS WE UPDATE BUDGETS. THESE NUMBERS ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE. AND THEN FINALITY GENERAL FUND MILLAGE RATE AS WELL WE ARE RECOMMENDING A FLAT MILLAGE RATE. FOR THE GENERAL FUND FROM FISCAL YEAR 202. A LITTLE MORE THAN $280 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES AT FLAT MILLAGE RATE.

AND AS I MENTIONED PART OF THIS IS GOING INTO RESERVES.

DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM.

AND THE REVENUE IMPACTS THAT THAT WOULD HAVE.

FOR THE GENERAL FUND WE ARE RECOMMENDING A FLAT MILLAGE RATE FORKER THOSE REASONS. THE T BIGGEST OPERATING EXPENSES RELATED TO THE SHERIFF AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND ONE OF THE CORE SERVICES THAT AS PRESCRIBED IN THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE FUNDING.

YOUR OFFICE AND PERFORMANCE OF TRANSPARENCY AND THOSE TYPES OF AREAS. AGAIN WE DO TRY TO RECOVER THROUGH THAT INDIRECT COST ALLOCATION.

RECOVER SOME OF THOSE COSTS FROM THE OTHER FUNDS.

AS WELL AS YOU KNOW-- ADDITIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL-- THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND CORE SERVICES.

WITH CULTURAL-- ABOUT 7% OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.

OR FOR THE GENERAL FUND. AGAIN ON THE LEFT HERE I HAVE KIND OF THAT MILLAGE OR THE RESERVE BREAKDOWN.

AS WE'VE SEEN BEFORE. SO HERE ARE ALL OF THE MILLAGE

[03:55:01]

WE INCLUDE NEAR THE FY2027 RECOMMENDED.

AND AGAIN WE ARE RECOMMENDING FLAT MILLAGE RATES FORKER FISCAL YEAR 2027. BRINGING IN A LITTLE MORE THAN $426 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR FY 27.

AND SO AS PART OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.

THIS BILL KIND OF FLEW A LITTLE UNDER THE RADAR BECAUSE PROPERTY TAX REFORM WAS REALLY THE HEADLINER.

BUT THERE ARE NEW MILLAGE VOTING REQUIREMENTS RELATED.

AT 4F AMENDED FLORIDA STATUTE RELATED TO MAXIMUM MILLAGE VOTING REQUIREMENTS. IT REALLY PUSHES TAXING AUTHORITIES TOWARDS A ROLLBACK RATE.

SO WITH A ROLLBACK RATE, YOU CAN-- IT CAN BE APPROVED WITH MA JORTY VOTE. TWO-THIRDS VOTE CAN GET YOU UP TO 110% OF A ROLLBACK RATE. AND ANYTHING ABOVE 110% YOU WOULD NEED A UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE BOARD OR REFERENDUM.

SO THIS VOTE IS NOT REQUIRED FOEPD THIS VOTE IS ONLY REQUIRED AT THE FINAL MILLAGE ADOPTION.

BECAUSE THESE VOTING REQUIREMENTS AREN'T IN PLACE TODAY. BUT JUST WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THE VOTING REQUIREMENTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AT THE FINAL LEVEL.

AND JUST TO NOTE THAT FLAT MILLAGE RATES.

THE FY2027. MILLAGE RATELES WOULD REQUIRE THAT TWO-THIRDS VOTE FOR ADOPTION.

SO WHAT DO OUR PROPERTY TAXES PAY FOR? WHERE DO THEY GO? THIS IS A BREAKDOWN.

WE'VE SHOWN THIS BEFORE. THIS IS FOR FY 2027.

OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES, AND I'D SAY THIS ONLY INCLUDES THE COUNTY WIDE MILLAGE RATES PLUS FIRE.

SO GENERAL FUND, HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION AND FIRE.

DOESN'T INCLUDE REALTY SMALL STREET LIGHTING OR COASTAL AREAS. 31% OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES GOES TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THEIR OPERATIONS.

27% GOES TO FIRE RESCUE E EMERGENCY SERVICES.

AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY AREAS. SO ABOUT 58%-- MORE THAN HALF OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY.

ANOTHER 13% ARE GOING TO ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION.

THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS.

AS WELL AS 7% TOWARDS PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARIES.

WHEN YOU GET INTO THE KIND OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT SIDE, 7% IS GOING TO COUNTY BUILDINGS AND TECHNOLOGY.

THAT'S YOUR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE.

YOUR I.T., YOUR PERFORMANCE AND TRANSPARENCY.

7% ARE FUNDING OUR CURRENT FACILITIES.

OUR I.T. INFRASTRUCTURE AND THOSE MAINTENANCE.

ANOTHER 5% IS GOING TOWARDS GENERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.

THIS IS YOUR ADMINISTRATION, OMB, COUNTY ATTORNEY, HR, THOSE OTHER SUPPORT AREAS. AND AGAIN, AS I REFERENCE, WE ARE TRYING TO RECOVER SOME OF THOSE COSTS FROM THE OTHER FUNDS. ANOTHER 5% GOES TO ALL THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. PROPERTY APPRAISER.

TAX COLLECTOR. CLERK OF COURT AND SUPERVISOR OF E ELECTIONS. 2% TOWARDS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT. THIS INCLUDES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.

AND VETERAN SERVICES. AND THEN FINALLY ANOTHER 3% TOWARDS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THERE. THIS IS WHERE THE ALLOCATION IN FY ~. THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING HOW YOUR TAXES ARE TO BE SPENT. AND SO HERE'S A SLIDE.

I TABLED THAT WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A FLAT MILLAGE RATE ON PROPERTY TAXES. SO THERE'S A COUPLE COLUMNS HERE. ON THE LEFT IS ASSUMING WHATEVER YOUR TAXABLE VALUE IS. THERE'S A RANGE HERE.

A VARIETY. I THINK WE'RE SOMEWHERE ON AVERAGE BETWEEN THE 350 AND 500 ON AN AVERAGE TAXABLE VALUE.

WITHIN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FOR RESIDENTIAL.

THE SECOND COLUMN THERE IS WHAT YOUR TAXES WOULD BE AT ROLLBACK. THE THIRD COLUMN IS WHAT YOUR TAXES WOULD BE AT FLAT OR RECOMMENDED MILLAGE RATES.

AND THEN FINALLY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT REALLY 500,000 OR LESS, IT'S LESS THAN $100,000 IMPACT. I'M SORRY $100 IMPACT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER. THOSE HUNDRED DOLLARS ADD UP.

OVERALL TO THE COUNTY. ROLLBACK MILLAGE RATE WOULD BE AT $11.2 MILLION REDUCTION TO THE COUNTY.

SO WHILE WE DO RECOGNIZE IT IS AN INCREASE BEYOND LAST YEAR

[04:00:03]

SO-- WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT FLAT MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. AND THEN FINALLY THE NEXT STEPS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. IF WE ADOPT THE MILLAGE RATES TODAY. THE PROSED MILLAGE RATES.

AND THOSE MILLAGE RATES ARE REALLY SETTING THE CEILING FOR WHAT WE CAN ADOPT. WHATEVER YOU PROPOSE TODAY.

WE CAN ALWAYS REDUCE THOSE AT THE FINAL LEVEL.

BUT WE CANNOT INCREASE FROM WHAT WE VOTE ON TODAY.

SO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WILL TAKE THAT INFORMATION.

AND PUT IT IN THE TRIM NOTICE AND PROVIDE IT TO EACH PROPERTY. PROPERTY OWNER WITHIN THE COUNTY AND AGAIN THAT IS BY AUGUST 24TH DATE.

FOR US, THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING, WHAT WE'LL PROPOSE AS THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING IS SEPTEMBER 3RD.

THAT IS A THURSDAY. THAT'S NOT A NORMAL BCC MEETING DATE. SEPTEMBER 3RD STATUETORIAL IS THE FIRST AVAILABLE DATE THAT THE BUDGET HEARING.

THE TENTATIVE BUDGET HEARING CAN BE HELD.

SO THAT IS A SPECIAL MEETING DATE FOR US.

AND THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR A FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO THEN BE ON A REGULARLY-SCHEDULED BCC OF TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15.

SO BOTH OF THOSE HEARINGS DO ALLOW FOR A COMPONENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT. PROPERTY OWNERS WILL HAVE THEIR TRIM NOTICES BY THAT TIME. SO THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMENT RELATED TO THE BUDGET PROCESS. AND WITH THAT, THAT REALLY COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION. AND WHAT I HAVE LEFT IS JUST THE MERCHANT CONSIDERATIONS. SO I'LL TURN IT OVER IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT PRESENTATION. CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE SLIDE THAT SHOWED ALL THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

JUST A FEW BACK. RIGHT HERE.

YEP. OKAY.

BECAUSE I KNOW WITH AMENDMENT TH THREE, THE STATE IS DICTATING WHERE WE CAN PUT THOSE PROPERTY TAXES. SO CAN YOU GO OVER THAT.

WHICH OF F THESE BUCKETS. AND I SAY ALSO DIDN'T SEE RETIREMENT IN THERE. SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE RETIREMENT IS. CAN YOU JUST GO OVER THE BUDGET

AND WHAT'S BEEN CHANGED? >> SURE.

SO THERE'S-- SEVEN CORE SERVICES THAT ARE IN THAT PROPOSED REFERENDUM. PUBLIC SAFETY BEING THE FIRST ONE AND AS I MENTIONED OVER 58% OF OUR BUDGET IS GOING TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY. AND ADDITIONALY INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE. ROADS AND TRANSPORTATIONS AS WELL AS OUR FACILITIES MAINTENANCE.

WOULD FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY AS WELL.

THE-- PUBLIC SESSION ONE OF THE CATEGORIES.

IT'S-- I THINK SOME OF THE LANGUAGE IN THIS IS TO BE DETERMINED. AS PUBLIC EDUCATION INCLUDE LIBRARY OR IS IT STRICTLY JUST FOR THE SCHOOLS? SOME OF THAT WILL BE VETTED OUT YOU KNOW AS THE BILL PROGRESSES AND E SPECIALLY IF IT'S ADOPTED.

AND THEN FINALLY THE LAST CATEGORY THERE, AS OF RIGHT NOW, IS SOMEWHAT INTERPRETED TO BE BASICALLY ANY CURRENT FUNCTION THAT IS APPROPRIATING FUNDS TOWARDS.

THEY CAN CONTINUE TO FUND-- CAN PROVIDE FUNDING TOWARDS THOSE OPERATIONS. SO IF THERE IS A CATEGORY THAT'S NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED HERE, YOU KNOW-- WITHOUT ADDITIONAL REVIEW AND LEGAL INTERPRETATION, WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND. WHILE WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND THOSE COMPONENTS OF THE BUDGET, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE LESS MONEY TO DO IT. SO AGAIN WE HAVE $38 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL RESERVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

THE FIRST YEAR AT REVENUE IMPACT IS ABOUT $60 MILLION REDUCTION. SO YES, WE CAN POTENTIALLY FUND ALL OF THESE AREAS. BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE AS MUCH MONEY TO DO IT. AND AS MUCH REVENUE.

SOMETHING WILL BE REDUCED. THAT WOULD JUST BE A DIFF DIFFERENT-- INDOOR, WE'LL HAVE OTHER REVENUES TO SUPPLEMENT.

SO EITHER A REDUCTION AND LEVEL OF SERVICE OR DIVERSEIFICATION OF REVENUE TO FUND CURRENT OPERATIONS.

>> OKAY. AND IS IT RETIREMENT IN THERE

AS WELL? >> SO YEAH-- RETIREMENT IS IN HERE. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY BROKEN OUT AS A SEPARATE. SO RETIREMENT IS PART OF ONE OF THE BENEFITS RELATED TO AN EMPLOYEE.

SO RETIREMENT REALLY IS ACROSS ALL OF THESE AREAS.

[04:05:03]

>> SO IS THAT UNDER-- I GUESS I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT

CATEGORY. >> IT'S GOING TO BE UNDER EVERY CATEGORY. EVERY CATEGORY HERE HAS A COMPONENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT TO IT.

>> OKAY SO EVERY CATEGORY CONTRIBUTES TO RETIREMENT.

GOT IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YES SORRY I WAS IN THE BATHROOM AND COMMISSIONERER WHITEHURST WAS TALKING ABOUT PARKS AND LIBRARIES.

SO IS THAT GOING TO HAVE TO BE-- THERE'S 7% THERE.

IS THAT GOING TO HAVE TO BE THE NEW ONCE THAT ARE BEING BUILT OUT? THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE BUILT OUT, RIGHT? EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT ROOFTOPS. THE MONEY THAT WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN FROM-- IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYTHING.

>> YEAH. SO IT WILL AFFECT EVERYTHING.

THE 7% HERE FOR PARKS AND RECK REELATION AND LIBRARIES IS RELATED TO MORE TO THE OPERATIONS OF OUR CURRENT FACILITIES. AND NOT FOR THOR CONSTRUCTION.

SO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THOSE FACILITIES IS THROUGH A BOND.

THAT BOND IS BEING PAID BACK THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

REALLY THROUGH IMPACT FEES. PUBLIC BUILDING IMPACT FEES.

PARKS AND REC IMPACT FEES AND FIRE RESCUE IMPACT FEES.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPACT FEES.

SO VARIETY OF IMPACT FEES. TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS ARE FUNDING THAT DEBT SERVICE AS WELL AS REVENUES FROM THE LOCAL

GOVERNMENT SALES TAX PROGRAM. >> WELL I WAS TALKING TO ADMINISTRATION AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT STOPPING THE-- LIBRARY FROM BEING BUILT AND THE BALL FIELDS FROM BEING BUILT BECAUSE OF THIS FUTURE TAX ON THE BALLOT.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT SOMEHOW IS AFFECTED.

SO THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IS THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE ALL THESE KIDS, AND LOWER BASEBALL FEES AND LOWERER-- I MEAN THOSE FEES ARE GOING TO GO UP.

I MEAN, FEES, I THINK EVERYTHING WILL.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO OFFSET THIS KIND OF A HIT.

>> SO I MEAN-- REALLY THAT KIND OF BECOMES A POLICY SETTING BY THE COMMISSION IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. ORRER THESE SERVICES AT THESE LEVELS. THEN IF WE DON'T HAVE PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND THEM. THEN WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCE TO FUND THEM.

THAT COULD BE AN INCREASE IN THE FEES.

IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS.

JUST REAL QUICK. >> OH AND ONE LAST QUESTION.

THE HOUSING LAST YEAR WAS 13%. THIS YEAR IT'S HOW MUCH?

THE VALUE OF HOMES? >> OH IT'S 6.7% OVERALL AND THAT INCLUDES NEW CONSTRUCTION. SO 3.7% NEW CONSTRUCTION AND 3% FOR ALL OTHER PROPERTY THAT WAS ON THE TAX ROLL LAST YEAR.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> AND FINALLY I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION ON THE KNOCKATEE PARK AND LIBRARY.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A MATTER OF CONSTRUCTING.

WE HAVE THE DOLLARS TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON IT.

AS JOY MENTIONED WE ARE REVIEWING ALL CIPS.

IF THE CIP WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL OPERATING IMPACT THAT WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FUND THAT ADDITIONAL OPERATING-- THOSE ARE ARE ALL BEING REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED FOR-- DO WE MOVE FORWARD. ORRER DO WE PAUSE IT NOT KNOWING WHAT PROPERTY TAXES IS OCCURRING.

WILL OCCUR. UNTIL WE HAVE MORE CLARITY.

SOME OF THOSE PROJECT MACE BE PAUSED.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

ANYONE ELSE? >> MR. CHAIRMAN.

>> YES. >> MR. SCHROEDER I SAW THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SHERIFF AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T MEAN TO THROW YOU A CURVE BALL BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME THE ACTUAL NUMBERS OF THE $42 MILLION THAT YOU'RE PROJECTING IN THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION WILL HAVE AUTHORITY OVER IN TERMS OF DOLLARS.

WHAT IS THE SHERIFF RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ALL IN FOR THEIR FUNDS RECOMMENDED?

>> LET ME DO SOME DIGGING. MAYBE THROUGH PUBLIC COMMENT

I'LL GATHER THAT INFORMATION. >> AND WHILE I'M THROWING YOU CURVEBALLS. AND GIVING YOU QUESTIONS YOU'RE NOT PREPARED TO ANSWER. I WOULD ALSO APPRECIATE THE NUMBER FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS REQUEST TO GO THROUGH HOW MUCH EXTRA THAT WOULD BE FOR THEIR BUDGET ONCE WE OPEN UP ALL THE FIRE STATIONS. SO HOW MUCH OVER AND ABOVE THE EXISTING BUDGET IT WOULD BE TO FUND THE 2472?

>> OKAY, YEAH THAT ONE-- THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS BACK AND FORTH. AND ESTIMATES ON THAT IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT TOUGHER TO PROVIDE AN EXACT AMOUNT THERE OF WHAT THE INCREASE WOULD BE. BUT ESSENTIALLY RIGHT NOW WE

[04:10:01]

SO IT WOULD BE ABOUT A 33% INCREASE IN WHAT WE'RE FUNDING NOW IN ORDER TO FUND THAT FOURTH SHIFT.

>> I WOULD ACCEPT A RANGE JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING WHAT THE FUTURE BUDGET AREA IMPACTS WILL BE FOR THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO ESSENTIALLY PROVIDE SERVICES FOR SHERIFF AND FIRE. I WOULD APPRECIATE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS INSTEAD OF PERCENTAGES. MR. SCHROEDER.

>> OKAY. YEP.

>> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM ANY

OTHER COMMISSIONERS? >> LET'S GO.

>> ALL RIGHT. AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER TWO.

COME ON UP. >> NO PROBLEM.

>> A FEW ISSUES. WITH THE PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN THAT CAME ON HERE. THAT CAN BE PUT ON THERE.

WHEREVER THAT COME FROM FOR THE TAXES.

THAT AND THE BUDGET THAT'S BEING SHOWN-- HOW MUCH IS BEING CUT BACK IN TRYING TO FIND. YOU MIGHT WANT TO PUT THAT OFF 2028. THAT MIGHT BE A MORE FEASIBLE ACT OF IT. THIS IS MORE MONEY THAN WE'RE TRYING TO FIND WITH THE BUDGET THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO CUT BACK.

AND OUT MORE BONDS. IS JUST GOING TO ADD MORE STRESS ONTO THE BUDGET. ALSO $120 MILLION POND THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT FOR THE PARKS AND REC, YES.

IT'S NOT A-- IT'S NOT A PERSONAL OR TAXES OR ANYTHING.

IT'S IMPACT FEES. BUT IT DOESN'T SIMPLY SAY HOW LONG OR HOW MUCH-- HOW MANY HOUSES WILL HAVE TO BE BUILT? ALL GREAT AND FUN, BUT IT'S JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW. YOU GOT TO COME AND REALIZE A LITTLE BIT MORE. ALL RIGHT.

NO REASON HOW MUCH THAT BOND POSSIBLY COULD BE FOR THAT WILD ISSUE. $120 MILLION.

HOW MANY HOUSES WILL HAVE TO BE FWOILT PAY THAT OFF IN 20 YEARS. CAME FOR YOUR HELP.

JUST HAVING A BAD DAY OF THINKING TOO HARD TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> QUICK ADDRESS. >> TAXES TAXES TAXES.

WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

I PUMED SOME NUMBERS FROM YOUR COUNTY AS I WAS SITTING HERE LISTENING TO ALL THIS. AND LOOKING AT A $66 MILLION ANNUAL CUT. IF WE PASS AMENDMENT THREE WHICH I'M SUPPORTIVE OF DOING. AND WHERE ARE YOU POSSIBLEY GOING TO MAKE THIS UP BECAUSE GOSH-- SOUBDZ LIKE THE SKY IS FALLING TODAY. IF YOU LISTEN TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. AND HOW IN THE WORLD CAN WE FUND GOVERNMENT. SO I WANT TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE FOR A COUPLE THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND COMMISSIONERS TO UNDERSTAND. IF THEY DON'T KNOW THIS ALREADY. IF YOUR BUDGETS BECAUSE OF FLORIDA STATUTE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO COLLECT ON REVENUE. YOU'RE BY LAW ONLY ALLOWED TO LOOK AT 90% PROJECTED REVENUES NOT THE FULL COLLECTION.

THE COLLECTION RATE. SO CLICK-- WHATEVER YOU GUYS BUDGET FOR, YOU'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE AN EXTRA 6% PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION ON TOP OF THAT.

THAT YOU'RE NOT ACCOUNTING FOR. SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 26 YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR BUDGET AROUND $403 MILLION AND ABOUT A 6% AND SEEING AN EXTRA ROLL IN HERE BEFORE THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT ALL GOES TO. LET'S GO TO THE BUDGET OR DOCUMENTS THAT I'M LOOKING AT RIGHT HERE FROM THE NEW WEBSITE. 2025 ACTUAL TAXES BROUGHT IN WITH $391 MILLION. YOU ADOPTED $428 MILLION FOR 2026. QUICK MATH ALMOST $40 MILLION ADDED ON THERE IN ONE YEAR. AND NOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT GOING UP TO 462. WHAT REALLY IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH TACK ON THE EXTRA 6% BUT LET'S JUST USE THESE AS IF

[04:15:04]

YOU'RE STILL LOOKING OVER-- YEARS.

REVENUE FROM TAX REVENUE. WITHOUT THAT 6% ADDED ON TOP.

THIS IS NOT-- JUST SLIGHT ADJUST TOMENT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE COUNTY. I WANT TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. YOU'D BE BACK TO 2025 REVENUES.

THE REVENUES ARE FOR 26 AND COMBROOUR JEKTING INCREASE IN 27. A FULL ROLLBACK WON'T GO BACK AS FAR AND EVEN IF WE PUT ON THE TAFK TAX, YOU KNOW, AMENDMENT. BACK TO 2025.

TO GO THE GENERAL FUND. THE INKRCREASE.

THE FULL ROLLBACK $10 MILLION SAVINGS IN THE GENERAL FUND.

SO INCREASE. NOT SAVINGS.

STILL INCREASES $10 MILLION. TO NOT SCORE $10 MILLION.

PLEASE GIVE US A FULL ROLLBACK. >>-- WHETHER YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS OR NOT DOESN'T REALLY MAIRT WANT IT ON THE RECORD.

WHAT TO PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PARKS AND COMMISSIONERS NOT HERE. KEEP ASKING ABOUT PARKS.

WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THAT COMING OUT OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES OR WHOEVER PAY FOR IT TO BE BUILT.

TAKE CARE OF THE MAINTENANCE OVER THE REST OF THE YEARS.

AND FOR OUR PARKS. IT IS A LONG DAY.

IT'S 1:15. VOTES BY COMMISSIONERS NOT PRESENT SHOULD NOT COUNT WHEN YOU PASS THIS OR WHATEVER YOU DO ABOUT IT. AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING TOO. TRY TO MOVE THESE THINGS AROUND. 9 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

AND I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO BUILD ON IT.

ITEM THREE WHICH IS COMING UP SHOULD BE BEFORE YOU BY AT LEAST LUNCH. PEOPLE ARE STILL HERE AND IT'S A COURTESY TO THINK ABOUT. TO 155 TO 1 O'CLOCK--.

SO AT LEAST BE CONSIDERATE OF THE NEXT PERSON WHO HAVE TO GO

EAT. >> ALL RIGHT, ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> WADE, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION.

SO TODAY WE JUST SETTING THE SCENE FOR OUR-- THAT'S THE FIRST THING RIGHT. WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT

RESPONSIBILITIES TODAY. >> YES, SIR WE ARE SETTING AND ESTABLISHING THE CEILING FOR WHICH YOU CAN LEVY A FINAL ADOPTION. SO FROM THIS POINT ON, WHATEVER YOU ESTABLISH TODAY. WE CAN REDUCE.

STILL CAN BE MORE DELIBERATION ON THE BUDGET MILLAGE RATES.

WE CAN REDUCE THEM. HOWEVER ONCE THOSE TRIM NOTICES ARE MAILED OUT. ONCE WE SUBMIT THAT.

THEY CAN'T GO UP WITHOUT THEM REMALING A REVISED NOTICE TO EACH PROPERTY OWNER AT THE COUNTY'S COST.

>> PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF CHANCE OF THIS BOARD RAISING THE MILLAGE RATE MORE THAN FLAT. SO-- SECOND-- THING WE HAVE TO DO IS AUTHORIZE THE-- COMPLETION AND EXECUTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 FOR THE YEAR-- BY THE COUNTY.

>> YEAH AND THAT'S MORE ADMINISTRATIVE ON OUR SIDE.

SO YES WE ESTABLISH THE RATES. WE USE THAT INFORMATION TO COMPLETE THE REQUIRED TAX FORMS.

>> OKAY. SO I GUESS THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT RATE WE WOULD NEVER CONSIDER GOING ABOVE. AND YOU'RE RECOMMENDING A FLAT RATE TO BE THAT-- WE WOULD NEVER RAISE ABOVE.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE A RESTRICTION DUE TO STATE LAW ABOUT MANDATORY ROLLBACKS. SO EVEN IF WE WERE ADOPT THE

[04:20:05]

>> YEAH THERE ARE ADDITIONAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THAT. ANYTHING ABOVE ZPOUP 110% ABOVE THE ROLLBACK REQUIRES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE.

NOT JUST A SIMPLE MAJORITY. >> OKAY.

>> THAT VOTE IS AT THE FINAL--. >> LET'S JUST SAY WE HAD A 3-2

VOTE. >> CORRECT.

>> THE ROLLBACK WOULD BE THE HIGHEST WE COULD GO.

>> YES. IF THERE WAS A VOTE OF THREE.

NO MORE THAN THREE. THEN ROLLBACK.

>> FULL ROLLBACK. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS.

I THINK I UNDERSTAND. DOES ANYBODY HAVE A MOTION TO BRING ANYTHING FORWARD SNILD RECOMMEND.

>> IF I MAY-- I DO HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF-- RESPONSES AS WELL.

SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS. >> OKAY.

>> WE HAVE TO GET-- SO SO. >> YES, SIR.

SO RELATED TO-- FIRE RESCUE. AND THERE ARE A COUPLE COMPONENTS. THERE IS A FIRE DISTRICT FUND AS WELL. THE GENERAL FUND THERE'S FIRE COMMUNICATIONS WHICH IS THE 911 COMPONENT.

EMS WHICH IS AMBULANCE SERVICE AND MEDICAL SERVICE.

AND INNER OPERABLE RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

ALL EXCLUDEING RESERVES WITHIN THE FIRE FUND.

FIRE SERVICES WHICH IS ABOUT FIRE EMS IS $122 MILLION.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. AND THEN AS WELL HE HAD ASKED ABOUT COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST HAD ASKED ABOUT THE COSTS RELATED TO 2472. WE HAD EARLY ON WE HAD ESTIMATED THREE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION OF GIVEN THE 2472 IS ABOUT $176 MILLION OVER THAT THREE YEARS.

ADDITIONAL AND I DO WANT TO POINT OUT RIGHT NOW IN NEGOTIATIONS THAT 2472 WAS FOR NOW FOR THE TIME HAS BEEN PULLED OFF THE TABLE. THAT WILL COME UP AGAIN OFF OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM FOR THE MOMENT IS NOT PART OF THE ND THEN ADDITIONALY THERE WAS A PUBLIC COMMENT RELATED TO A COUPLE COMMENTS RELATED TO AD VALOREM, WE DO NOT BUDGET AT 90% OF AD VALOREM. WE'RE STATUETORIAL REQUIRED TO BUDGET AT LEAST 95% AND WE DO BUDGET AT 95%.

THAT 5% REDUCTION IS A SEPARATE ACCOUNT WITHIN EACH FUND.

AND YES WE COLLECTED ON AVERAGE ABOUT 96.5 AROUND THERE PERCENT SO THERE POTENTIALLY COULD BE SOME PICK-UP THERE BUT I CAN TELL YOU AS WELL IN THE STAGES OF THE GREAT RECESSION, WE DID NOT SEE 96 OR 95% COLLECTION RATE FOR THAT YEAR.

SO THE ECONOMY CERTAINLY HAS AND CAN AS WELL IN THE THE FUTURE HAVE THAT IMPACT. AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT THAT REDUCTION IS TO OFFSET ANY VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE REVENUES. SO THE OTHER COMMENT WAS RELATED TO THE PROPERTY TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 ADOPTED.

TTS REFERENCED AT $438 MILLION. AND THAT IS NOT SOLELY PROPERTY TAXES. THAT INCLUDES FUEL TAXES.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION SERVICES AS WELL.

PROPERTY TAXES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 WAS ADOPTED RIGHT AROUND $400 MILLION. SO JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> COOL. >> OKAY FOR THE PURPOSES OF MOVING ON, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO-- FOR THE PURPOSES OF TRYING TO ESTABLISH A FLAT RATE GOING FORWARD.

WOULD BE WHAT I'D SAY 4.499 OR IS THIS JUST--.

>> SO UP ON THE SCREEN HERE. ARE-- IS THE FIRST MOTION AS THERE'S TEN DIFFERENT ACTIVES TAXING AUTHORITIES.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF A DIFFERENT MILLAGE RATE FOR EACH

AUTHORITY. >> DO YOU WANT KNOW STATE ALL OF THESE? I WOULD LIKE TO APPROACH FOR THE PURPOSES OF MOVING ON, THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 BE THE ONES THAT ARE LISTED.

THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL GO DOWN.

IS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH? O OKAY. WITHOUT A SECOND, THAT FAILS.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A SECOND.

[04:25:04]

>> I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE OTHER ONES HAVE TO SAY FIRST.

THEY ARE NOT HERE. >> WELL, WE CERTAINLY GOT A SECOND. CAN YOU GUYS HAVE ANY OTHER

COMMENTS? >> NO, I WOULD SU NOORT MOTION.

THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. >> OKAY.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO--. EXPAND?

>> WELL I'D LIKE TO ALWAYS SEE TAXES GO DOWN SO I'M A NO.

>> ARE WE VOTEING? ARE WE NOT VOTEING?

>> I FEEL THE SAME WAY. THIS IS JUST FOR THE TRIM

NOTICES. >> I THOUGHT YOU JUST ASKED FOR A VOTE. THAT'S ALL.

>> YEAH, I DID. WE HAD TO ESTABLISH A CEILING THAT WE WILL NOT GO OVER FOR THE TRIM NOTICES.

BUT THIS IS NOT THE RATE THAT WE WOULD DO THAT.

>> WELL YOU SAID IT MIGHT PASS THROUGH TO TWO.

SO--. >> WELL--.

>> I VOTED NO. >> OKAY.

>> SORRY. OUR VOTE. YOU WERE ASKING FOR -

>> ALL RIGHT. NO.

BUT WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. SO ALL IN FAVOUR FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE TRIM NOTICE. MAINTAIN A FLAT RATE.

SAY AYE.

>>.

>> OKAY AND ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY.

>> NO. >> NAY.

>> SO THAT'LL PASS 3-2. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. DO WE NEED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YEAH. ONE MORE MOTION IF YOU WILL.

IT'S REALLY-- THERE WE GO. JUST ESTABLISHING THE DATE, TIME AND LOCATION OF THE TENTATIVE OR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE BUDGET. AND THAT'S BEING PROPOSED AS AGAIN THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD. AT 5:01 P.M. HERE IN THIS BUILDING IN THE COUNTY AUDITORIUM.

>> ALL RIGHT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT OUR NEXT HEARING BE SET THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH IN THIS COUNTY AUDITORIUM THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.

>> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN SAVER SAY AYE. OKAY, THAT CARRIES.

WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO? >> THAT COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT FOR THE PURPOSES OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT. I SAY LET'S DO THREE BEFORE WE

[3. Public Hearing * MAJMOD 2023-11 Canopy Shores ]

NUMBER THREE? >> IT'S QUASI.

>> YEP WE'LL TAKE CARE OF QUASI JUDICIAL NOTICES WHILE WE'RE HERE? COMMISSIONER?

OH-- COMMISSIONERER ARNOLD. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

I HAVE A HANDFUL OF E-MAILS PLUS--.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY COMMISSIONER

WHITEHURST. >> I HAD A CALL YESTERDAY WITH LOOKING UP THEIR NAMES. MR. AND MRS. STANTON.

THEY WERE LOVELY TO SPEAK WITH AND THEY ARE OPPOSED TO THIS PROJECT. THEY DISCUSSED THE HISTORICAL ZONING OF THIS PARCEL. THEY DISCUSSED WHAT IN THEIR VIEW IS INCOMPATIBILITY. AND SOME OF THE TRAFFIC CHALLENGES THAT THEY ARE FACING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> OKAY THANK YOU COMMISSIONER JOSEPH.

I'M SORRY. >> I HAVE 8 PLUS E-MAILS AND A MEETING WITH THE SAME NICE PEOPLE.

ROBERTER AND JOAN STATIN WHICH WERE OPPOSED.

>> OKAY. >> AND I HAD 12 PLUS E-MAILS AND I MET WITH ROB SXRT JOAN STATIN THAT ARE OPPOSED.

>> OKAY I HAD 11 PLUS E-MAILS AND MEETING WITH ROB SXRT JOAN STATIN AS WELL. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS JONATHAN NAPIER.

I REPRESENT LAND EQUITY PARTNERS.

WE'RE ONE OF THE MAINLAND OWNERS ON THE PROPERTY.

GIVE YOU A BIT OF BACKGROUND AS FAR AS US AND OUR FIRM, WE ACTUALLY ARE A CONSERVATION-BASED FIRM.

SO WE DO WELL IN MITIGATION. CONSERVATION MITIGATION.

GO OVER TOWARDS RECIPIENT SITES AND THAT KIND OF THING.

AND THAT'S-- THAT HAS BEEN OUR-- THE CRUX OF WHAT OUR BUSINESS DOES. WE HAVE HAD-- BECAUSE OF SOME CHALLENGES WE'VE HAD AS FUNDING THAT ENDEAVOUR.

BECAUSE OF OUR BACKGROUNDS AND CONSULTING ET SETRY, WE THEN GOT INTO DEVELOPMENT. BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY APPROACHING IN OUR VIEWPOINT, DEVELOPMENT FROM A CONSERVATION STANDPOINT.

NOT DEVELOPMENT FROM A DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT.

WHICH IS WHAT DROVE THE DESIGN OF THIS PROJECT.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S ACTUALLY NEW.

WE FEEL LIKE THE WALL STREET MODEL IF YOU WILL.

HAS BEEN BROKEN. SO WE'RE TRYING TO SHOW HOW NATURE AND PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY LIVE TOGETHER AND NOT BE OPPOSED TO EACH OTHER. BY DOING IT.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO MERGE THE TWO.

THE-- I HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH THIS PROPERTY.

I ACTUALLY LOOKED AT THE PROPERTY-- YEARS AGO.

[04:30:03]

AND A REALTOR SMOED THIS PIECE BECAUSE IT WAS SET ASIDE OR ZONED COMMERCIAL. WHEN I FIRST LOOKED AT IT.

THIS IS ALMOST FIVE YEARS AGO. IS A COMMERCIAL PIECE GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A COUNTY PARTNER NEXT DOOR.

AND SINCE BECOME AWARE. COUNTY PURCHASED.

AND ACTUALLY INTERESTING FROM THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS FIRST THIS MORNING. THE LADY THAT WORKED OTHAN.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T ADVANCE THE PARK FURTHER TO THE WEST THAEN THAN JUST ABSORB THIS PROPERTY INTO IT.

THEY DIDN'T AND THAT COMMERCIAL USE STAYED THERE.

THE A COMMERCIAL USE NEXT DOOR WOULD HAVE MADE SENSE BUT DOESN'T MAKE MUCH SENSE ANYMORE.

SO AS WE'VE ADVANCED THROUGH THIS WHAT WEIR LOOKING TO DO IS NINE RESIDENTIAL LOTS MINIMUM WITH 75 FEET.

WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO-- MINIMIZING FROM MATERIAL IN AREA. BY DOING.

STEM WALL CONSTRUCTION. SO THE IDEA WHAT WE'RE ENVISIONING IS-- WHERE THE HOUSE KIND OF GETS PLOPPED IN AMONGST MOTHER NATURE. THE PROPERTY AS WELL.

RESTRICT THE AMOUNT OF-- YARD AS FAR AS YOUR STANDARD.

WE'RE TRYING-- AND WE ALSO ARE REQUIRING THAT YOU USE NATIVE MATERIAL IN YOUR LANDSCAPING. SO YOU USE HIGH DRAIN JAS FOR EXAMPLE. SO THESE ARE NATIVE MATERIALS.

THAT WE WANT TO USE AGAIN SO WHEREVER YOU'RE SITTING IN AMONGST NATURE NOT AGAINST IT. THE OTHER THING BY NOT BRINGING FILM MATERIAL WE'RE LOOKING TO SAVE THE TREES.

THIS ACTUALLY SITE HAS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DROP FROM SHORES BOULEVARD GOING TO THE BACK OF THE PROPERTY.

AND SO OUR FIRST FLOOR LIVING SPACE IS SEEING ONE FOOT ABOVE THE THE CROWN OR THE ROAD. TO DRIVING DOWN UNDERNEATH YOUR HOME SO THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LIVING SPACE WILL BE ELEVATED WHICH IS WHY WE CALL TIGHT TREEHOUSES OF CANOPY INSURANCE SO WHEN YOU WALK OUT YOU'LL BE WALKING ONTO A DECK THAT OVERLOOKS THE WOODS. SO THIS IS A UNIQUE CONCEPT.

LEAST IMPACTFUL AND MOST USEFUL USE FOR THE PROPERTY WHERE HAS IF IT WAS COMMERCIAL IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT WORK YOU HAVE TO PUT A STEM WALL IN THE BACK.

TO RAISE IT UP. AND SO THE SITE WOULD BE RAZED AND THERE'D BE NO TREES LEFT. SO TO US THE LEAST IMPACTFUL DESIGN ACTUALLY WOULD BE THE RESIDENTIAL LOTS AND NOT A COMMERCIAL USE. THE-- AGAIN-- THE-- NEXT DOOR TO US WAS LIKE I SAID OVER 300 CONDO UNITS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAV BEEN DEVELOPED. AND THAT WAS UNDER AN ORDINANCE FROM 1979. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I'D BE MORER THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

>> OKAY ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD?

OKAY. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY.

>>. >> NO, SIR.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT LET'S GO TO PUBLIC

COMMENT. >> GREAT.

SO AT THIS TIME WE WIL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM

NUMBER THREE. >> I APPRECIATE THAT.

MICHAEL ROBERTSON. SERE I DIDN'T GET UP HERE EARLIER. REAL QUICKLY WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT INFORMATION.

THERE WERE TWO CONDITIONS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE CARRIED OVER. WE DID ASK FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. ONE HAS TO DO WITH THE BUFFERING. THE OTHER ONE IS BOUNCED.

JUST WANTED CON IF I WERATION THAT THAT WILL BE INCORPORATED SHOULD THE BOARD APPROVE IT. BUT HE'S NODDING HIS HEAD.

IS THAT BETTER? YOU WANT MY NAME AGAIN? O OKAY.

LIKE I SAID I'M A NATIVE TO ST. AUGUSTINE.

I TURNED 80 THIS YEAR. I'VE CERTAINLY SEEN A LOT OF

[04:35:03]

SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES HERE AT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. I WORK IN CANOPY SHORES.

THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK. AND I'VE SEEN LOTS OF THE WILDLIFE. DEER, RABBIT,S OPRAY.

EAGLES. HAWKS AND I'VE EVEN SEEN A BOBCAT. ANY DEVELOPMENT ON THIS PROPERTY WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON CANOPY SHORES.

THE BEST USE OF THIS PROPERTY IS FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO PURCHASE IT AND ADD IT TO THE EXISTING PARK.

THIS WOULD BE A SMALL STEP FOR IS ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.

BUT A GIANT STEP FOR THOR RESIDENTS OF COUNTY SHORES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD AFTERNOON. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS KARLY-- I'M AT 280 BEAR PLACE IN THE SHORES.

I AM A WEEKLY VISITER. I BROUGHT A FEW PICTURES VISUALLY IT'S BETTERER. WE PLAY AT THE PLAYGROUND.

THIS IS THE INSIDE OF THE NATURE TRAIL.

THESE ARE MY CHILDREN. WE SKOORT WALK.

I'LL JOG IT. IT'S REALLY JUST PART OF MY COMMUNITY. THIS IS MY SON HERE POINTING TO HIS FIRST SNAKE WHICH IS PRETTY EPIC FOR A 3-YEAR-OLD.

AND RIGHT OVER HERE IS WHERE THE DEVELOPMENT WILL ENCROACH AND E EVENTUALLY PROBABLY JUST TAKE OVER.

THIS IS ANOTHER PICTURE I HAVE OF MY KIDS AND THIS IS THE PART OF THE NATURE TRAIL RIGHT HERE. WHERE WE CALL THE STATE PARK.

WE DON'T LET THEM SKATE ON IT. IT'S FOR THE WATER RETENTION OR WATER DRAINAGE. BUT RIGHT HERE IS SHORES BOULEVARD AND THIS IS CHRISTINA DRIVE.

SO ALL OF THIS GREEN SPACE. BE ELIMINATED.

I GUESS WOULD BE NOT COMPATIBLE.

THE NATURE TRAIL AND THE PEACEFULNESS THAT YOU REALLY DO GET WHEN YOU GO IN THERE. THAT BARRIER RIGHT THERE.

THAT NATURES BARRIER. MAKES FOR THE NATURE TRAIL TO BE SO PEACEFUL. THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE CLOSE TO A MAIN DRAG. AND IN THE SAME BREATH ALMOST.

A LITTLE UNDER TWO MILES DOWN THE ROAD IS-- STATES WHERE THEY'VE ALREADY CLEARED OUT ALL THIS LAND.

AND THEY ARE ACCORDING TO AS OF YESTERDAY, THERE ARE 60 LOTS FOR SALE. THERE'S NOT A HOUSING CRY SPIPS THERE'S PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND BUILD HOMES WITHOUT IMPEDING ON OUR WILDLIFE AND OUR NEXT GENERATION OF KIDS TO GROW IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROBERT STANTON.

42-- GRASSY CIRCLE ST. AUGUSTINE SHORES.

THIS WAS FIRST PRESENTED IN 2021.

AT THAT TIME THE PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

WHAT'S CHANGED IN FIVE YEARS? ONLY A COUPLE OF MINORER CHANGES TO THE PLAN. THERE'S BEEN SOME CHANGES TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. ST. AUGUSTINE SHORES IS AN OLDER VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF MORER THAN 3500 HOMES AND IS STILL GROWING. THAT IS A LOT OF RESIDENTS.

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR ROADS IN THE SHORES.

SHORES BOULEVARD AND CHRISTINA DRIVE.

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS ON THE CORNER.

TRAFFIC HERE IS ALREADY HEAVY. IN PARTICULAR DURING PEAK TIMES. AND THIS PROPOSE LL ONLY ADD TO THE CONGESTION. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE THOUGH THE SHORES COMMUNITY AS YOU HAVE SEEN HAS BECOME MUCH MORE CONSCIOUS AS A CHANGES IN THE AREA.

AND A MUCH MORE ACTIVE IN RESP RESPONDING. THIS SIGN WAS POSTED RECENTLY.

IF YOU GO TOIR WEBSITE THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS.

THE PROPERTY IS PRESENTED AS COMMERCIAL UNTIL YOU REACH THIS PART WHERE IT'S OFFERED AS RESIDENTIAL.

THE ESTIMATED VALUE IS $895,000.

[04:40:01]

THE PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING THE PRESENTING INSURANCES THERE ARE KNOWN DANGEROUS-- NO ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THE LAND.

PRESUMD DETERMINATION WAS MADE SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

AND THAT'S THE CANOPY SHORES PROP.

THAT'S OWNED BY THE COUNTY AND IS MUCH LOVED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS. AS YOU ALREADY HEARD.

BUT WHAT IMPACT ON THE PARK? HOMEOWNERS WOULD GET MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS AND PEOPLE THAT USE THE PARK WOULD GET THE BACKS OF HOUSES. THE PRESENTERS ADMITTED ALREADY THAT THE ARGUABLE USE FOR THE LAND WOULD BE INCORPORATE TO CANOPY SHORES PARK. AND I AGREE.

THIS PROPOSAL IS IN NO WAY COMPATIBLE WITH THE SHORES COMMUNITY. IT WILL IN FACT BE A DETRACTION FROM THE COMMUNITIES AVAILABLE RESULTING IN REDUCTION OF THE AREA. AN EXACT REDUCTION IN THE VALUE OF THE COMMUNITY. I URGE YOU TO REJECT IT.

AND JOIN WIT CANOPY PARK. PLEASE CHOOSE IT OVER AN OUT OF

STATE DEVELOPER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TAG TEAMING. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. JOAN STATIN.

CONCERNED RESIDENT. EVERY EXISTING RESIDENTIAL LOT IN THIS PART OF THE SHORES CONTAINS ONE DETACHED SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING. NOT EXCEEDING TWO STORIES WITH AN ATTACHED ONE OR TWO CAR GARAGE OR CARPORT.

REQUIREMENTS ARE 25 MEET FROM THE FRONT LOT LINE.

8 FEET FROM THE INTERIOR SIDE LOT LINES.

TEN FEET FROM THE REAR LINE AND A DIFFERENT ONE FOR THE SIDE LOT LINE ON A LOT. NO HOMES ARE IDENTICAL TO THE HOME ON EITHER SIDE OF THEM. SO THE COMMUNITY HAS A LOOK-- EVERY HOME HAS ITS OWN DRIVEWAY.

WHICH SLOPES FROM THE CARPORT DOWN TO THE SIDEWALK AND DOWN TO THE ROAD. ALL THE HOMES IN THIS AREA WERE BUILT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF OUR DEEP RESTRICTIONS AND ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL METTLE.

THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU TODAY IS FOR NINE IDENTICAL TOWN HOMES WITH NO SPACE BETWEEN THEM.

SO NO SETBACK FROM THE SIDE LOT LINES.

THESE HOMES WOULDN'T HAVE A GARAGE OR THEIR OWN DRIVEWAY.

CON TECH CHURL CONTROL COMMITTEE PERMITS FOR THESE NINE HOMES TO BE BUILT. BECAUSE THESE LOTS IN OUR DEED RESTRICTIONS ARE IN OUR DEED RESTRICTION AS COMMERCIAL NOT RESIDENTIAL. AT LEAST IN NAPIER WHO PRESENTED THIS PLAN TO ZONING COMMITTEE STATED THAT THE DEED RESTRICTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN OFF THESE THREE COMMERCIAL LOTS.

BUT PER STATUTES. THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE COMMUNICATION OF THE HOA AND ANY CHANGE WOULD HAVE TO BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED WITH THE COUNTY TO BE LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE. NEITHER OF THESE HAVE OCCURRED.

I COULD ONLY FIND THREE RECORDED CHANGES TO THE DEED RESTRICTIONS IN THE LAST 26 YEARS.

NONE OF THEM CONCERNING THESE THREE COMMERCIAL LOTS.

IF MR. NAPIER WAS RIGHT ABOUT THEIR REMOVAL OF THE DEED RESTRICTIONS. THEN FUTURE OWNERERS OF THESE NINE HOMES WOULD NOT BE PART OF THE HOA.

BUT WOULD ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS INCLUDING STREET LIGHTS-- WALKING PATHS. DISK GOLF, PARKS.

WITHOUT PAYING HOA FEES. NOT THE BEST BASIS FOR BEING GOOD NEIGHBOURS. THIS PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE PUD IS TOTALLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RESIDENTIAL LOTS IN THIS PART OF THE SHORES. INCIDENTALLY, HOW CAN WE BUILDING WOULD BE BOUGHT WHEN HE'S NOT BUILDING THEM.

HE'S SELLING THE LAND. IF APPROVED BY YOU TODAY, AN EXPENSIVE LEGAL BATTLE WOULD FOLLOW THE HOA AND SIMILAR APPLICATIONS. I IMPLORE YOU PLEASE VOTE

AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY, NEXT.

COME ON UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> AGAIN--. >> NOT UNLESS YOU WANT TO SHOW

[04:45:01]

SOMETHING. >>-- HARMEN AT 15 CALIBER COURT. THIS PROPERTY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OF COURSE BORDERS ON-- IS A BUFFER TYPE AREA FOR-- IS ENTRY TO ENTER THE PARK CANOPY PARK AREA.

AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY WALKERS THAT PASS THROUGH THERE EVERY DAY. AND BIKERS WALKING THEIR DOGS.

AND THAT SORT OF THING. BUT WHEN YOU WALK ON-- BOULEVARD AND YOU LOOK OVER INTO THAT PROPERTY, AS THESE GENTLEMEN POINTED OUT. IT'S A VALLEY.

DEEP DOWN IN THERE. AND IT'S A WETLANDS.

AND IF YOU GO INTO CANOPY PARK AND YOU WALK OVER A LITTLE BRIDGE, THERE'S A STREAM THAT FLOWS THROUGH THERE.

THAT WETLANDS, THAT STREAM IS FED FROM THE WETLANDS IN THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY. AND I BELIEVE THIS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT STREAM. WHEN YOU WALK AROUND THAT CORNERER ON THE CHRISTINA, GENTLEMAN HAD A PICTURE OF THAT SIGN OF THE CROSSING AND THE TURTLE AND YOU DO SEE GOPHERER, TURTLES CROSSING THAT STREET THERE.

AND RACCOONS AND ALL THOSE OTHER CRITTERS.

AND THEY HAVE A HOME IN THAT PROPERTY.

AND THEY FEED AND BREED AND BED DOWN THE SAME WITH ALL THE OTHER CRITTERERS. SO I THINK BEFORE ANY DEVELOPMENT TAKES PLACE, THERE HAS TO BE DESTRUCTION.

AND THAT IS THE REMOVAL OF TREES.

AND THE UPROOTING AND DESTROY ALL THE VEGETATION IN THAT AREA. AND MY-- ANYTHING I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DO OR MAYBE TELL YOU TO DO IS JUST LET THAT WET AND WEEDS AND THE WETLANDS AND THE FORESTRY AND ALL THE CRITTERERS. AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO WALK ALONG THE BOULEVARD. JUST LET THAT BE.

DON'T DISTURB IT. DO NO HARM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS AT THIS TIME?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. -- HUNT.

-- E STATES. ONE THING THAT I FIND IN ALL THE YEARS OF ME COMING HERE AND WATCH PROGRESS POSALS ABOUT HOMES GETTING BUILT OR SUBDIVISIONS OR PUDS IS THEY SHOW SOMETHING ABOUT WHERE IT'S AT.

WHERE IT'S LOCATED. WHAT WOULD BE AFFECTED.

TWRS WETLANDS IN THE AREA? I DON'T SEE THAT ON HERE.

AND IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE AN EASY WAY OF JUST GETTING BEHIND IT AND SAYING WELL WE'LL DO THIS AND WE'LL DO THIS.

BUT LOOKING AT THE PACKET THEY HAVE OUT FRONT.

IT STILL DOESN'T SHOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOW THESE PROPERTIES WOULD WORK IN THAT AREA. OR WHAT TYPE OF MODIFICATIONS DO WE NEED TO DO FOR THESE HOUSES.

SO IT SEEMS VERY DECEPTIVE SAYING YEAH, WE'LL JUST---- IF YOU CAN PICTURE WHAT I'M THINKING.

OKAY IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE THIS.

BUT YOU KNOW-- WE WALK OUT AND YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT-- THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE TO BUILD HOMES ON THE PROPERTY.

TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE THINK ABOUT.

SO YEAH. IT'S VERY DECEPTIVE OF JUST TRYING TO GET ONE PAST YA'. OKAY.

IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE BUT AT LEAST THEY'VE SHOWN THEY'VE PRESENTED WHAT IS GOING TO BE. WHERE IS IT AT? WHERE IS THE WETLANDS? ALL THESE OTHER ASPECTS.

JUST SHOWING UP AND SAYING HEY-- SURE.

WE'LL DO IT. JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT? GOOD AFTERNOON.

[04:50:01]

>>-- ST. AUGUSTINE. DENY THIS REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION TO 1974 P.U. D. LET'S JUST THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE. FIRST OF ALL-- IN CLOSING.

IT IS--. SOMETHING WE HAVE TO CONSIDER SOMETIMES I THINK. ARE THEY GOING TO GO--.

>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? OKAY.

SEEING NONE. WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT.

>> OKAY. ANY REBUTTAL?

>> WELL IT'S NOT REALLY A REBUTTAL.

I'M NOT SURE WHY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DIDN'T PUT OUR GRAPHICS UP HERE. BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE A

GRAPHICS PACKAGE. >> I SEE IT ON MY PART.

>> OKAY. I'M NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE NOT UP. THEY WERE PRESENTED AT THE PCA HEARING. THERE WE GO.

OH-- WELL THAT'S A TECHNICAL PROBLEM.

THAT'S MY PROBLEM. SORRY-- I'M NOT VERY TECHNICAL AS FAR AS I COULD HAVE SAID. SO THIS ACTUALLY SHOWS THE LOTS. WHEN YOU SEE.

AND THESE ARE NOT TOWN HOMES. TO BE SPECIFIC.

THESE ARE SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES ON 75 FOOT WIDE LOTS. AND AGAIN WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. AND AGAIN-- THIS IS AN ODD CONCEPT. BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO INCORPORATE THINGS INTO NATURE. ONE, TWO, EVERYBODY'S FORGETTING THIS SITE IS CURRENTLY ZONED AS COMMERCIAL.

SO WE COULD DEVELOP THIS AS COMMERCIAL TOMORROW.

WHICH MEANS WE COULD LEVEL THIS ENTIRE THING TOMORROW AS COMMERCIAL. WE'RE ACTUALLY NOT WANTING TO DO THAT. IS THE WHOLE CONCEPT.

WE ARE TRYING TO INCORPORATE AGAIN NATURAL DESIGN INTO THP.

IN OUR CONVENANTS AND RESTRICTION SOMEONE ASKS IF YOU SELL THE PROPERTY-- WE HAVE CONVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS THAT WILL BE TIED TO THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT IS ACTUALLY INTENDED IS WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURS.

AND WHILE I AM NOW OUT OF STATE.

AND YES I LIVE IN SOUTH GEORGIA, I AM FROM ST.

AUGUSTINE. I RAISED MY FAMILY IN ST.

AUGUSTINE. MY OLDEST SON STILL LIVES IN ST. AUGUSTINE. MY CHILDREN GRADUATED FROM ST.

AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL. SO THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS, I'M-- I WANT TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S RIGHT.

INSTEAD OF DOING A COMMERCIAL PIECE HERE.

AND AGAIN THESE ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

NOT TOWN HOMES ET SET PRAP AND OTHER THING IS THAT BECAUSE IT'S THREE DIFFERENT PARCELS. WE WENT AHEAD AND DID THREE DRIVEWAYS SO THAT WAY FROM AN INGRESS EGRESS AS FAR AS LEAVING AND COMING IT'S ACTUALLY SAFE.

INSTEAD OF HAVING NINE SEPARATE DRIVEWAYS.

THERE ARE KNOWN PROTECTIVE SPECIES ON THE PROPERTY.

WE'VE WALKED IT. WE'VE HAD IT ASSESSED.

THE WETLANDS ARE ON THE BACK OF THE PROPERTY.

AGAIN THEY'VE BEEN ASSESSED. WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE REVIEW WITH STAFF. STAFF IS AWARE OF ALL THIS.

WE'VE HAD ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS ON THE SITE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL ISSUES.

WE'VE HAD GEO TECHNICAL DONE TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE'RE DESIGNING ACTUALLY CAN HAPPEN. AND AGAIN, WE ALSO LOOKED AT THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS FOR SHORES TO MAKE SURE THAT STEM WALLS ARE ALLOWED IN THEIR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW. SO WE'VE DONE A LOT OF HOME WORK ON THIS AND WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TIME TO DO THAT.

>> SIR. THOSE PICTURES.

THAT ARE ON THERE. THAT'S NOT STEM WALL

CONSTRUCTION. >> WELL IT IS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE TO FILL.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THIS IS -- THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THESE RENDERINGS IS THESE ARE COMPUTER GENERATED.

SO THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE HAVING IS IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY SHOW THE TOPOGRAPHY. IT DOESN'T SHOW THE TREES.

SO THIS IS JUST A RENDERING OF WHAT IS HOW THESE LAY OUT.

NOT A RENDING OF WHAT I'M ENVISIONING DOING.

AND AGAIN I HAVE CONVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS THAT STATE NO TREE WILL BE REMOVED TO OIF THIS IS A COMMUNITY WHERE YOU'RE TRYING

TO LIVE WITH NATURE. >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION. YOU'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO-- PLOT

THEM DOWN. >> IF YOU THINK OF A DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH GEORGIA IN THE MOUNTAINS IT GETS PLOPPED IN THE LOT. IT'S IN NATURE NOT AGAINST IT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. THIS IS A NEW CONCEPT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK IF WE CAN GET THIS ONE THROUGH WE CAN DO OTHER ONES IN THE COUNTY. UNLESS SOMETHING WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT DOING. AND WE'RE DOING THIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS ISN'T JUST ST. JOHN'S

COUNTY. >> BUT IT'S UP FORKER SALE

THOUGH. >> IT IS.

YES, MA'AM. WELL WE HAVE-- SO AGAIN,ER THE LOTS-- WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD TE HOMES.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BUILD THE HOMES ON THE LOTS

THAT WE'RE PRODUCING. >> OKAY.

>> BUT AGAIN-- THE CONVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS ARE GOING TO

[04:55:03]

WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH DREAM FINDER HOMES TO BUILD THESE LOTS. AND WE WOULDN'T-- WOULD COT NOM TO TERMS WITH THEM AT THE END. BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT BUILD WHAT WE WANTED THEM TO BUILD. SO THE NATIONALS-- THIS WILL PROBABLY BE A NATIONAL HOME BUILDER BECAUSE THEY CAN'T-- THEY DON'T HAVE A PRODUCT THAT CAN ACTUALLY ABIDE BY THESE

RULES. >> OKAY-- SO I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM. SO YOU ARE THE PROPERTY OWNER.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY.

AND HOW LONG HAS THE PROPERTY BEEN FOR SALE?

>> THREE MONTHS MAYBE. TWO OR THREE MONTHS.

>> OKAY. AND THEN WHERE DID THAT SALES

PRICE COME FROM THE 895? >> WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT GROUPS. ONE GROUP CAME TO US AND OFFERED US $1.1 MILLION AS A COMMERCIAL PIECE.

DREAM FINDERS OFFERED US 950 FOR SINGLE FAMILY LOTS. SO WE'VE HAD OFFERS FROM DIFFERENT ENTITIES.

SO-- AND THEN WE ALSO DID TRY TO SELL THIS TO LAMP.

WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TOO.

WE TRIED TO SELL THIS TO LAMP. LAMP COULD NOT GET ANYWHERE NEAR. AND WE EVEN REDUCED OUR PRICE DOWN WELL BELOW WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER TO BE MARKET.

WE GAVE THEM A 25% PRICE REZPUKZ THEY COULDN'T ACTUALLY COME TO TERMS WITH US. SO WE TRIED TO GET CREATIVE WITH IT. WHERE THERE'S A PARTIAL SALE AND A PARTIAL DONATION OR WHATEVER.

JUST COULDN'T COME TO TERMS WITH IT.

>> RIGHT. AND A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

IT WAS JUST SO MUCH ABOVE APP

APPRAISAL. >> ALREADY SAID.

WE HAVE PAPER WORK ON OUR DESK FROM PEOPLE WHO OFFERED US WELL ABOVE THAT. BUT AS AN EXAMPLE JUST USING $1 MILLION AS A NUMBER THAT WE WERE OFFERED.

WE WERE SAYING HEY. $700.

WE'LL GIVE A 30% REDUCTION. AND THEY COULDN'T DO THAT.

SO WELL LET'S SPLIT IT WHERE WE COULD DO PART OF IT AS A DONATION AND PART OF IT AS A SALE.

THEY COULDN'T DO THAT. SO WE TRIED TO GET CREATIVE IN ORDER TO GET THIS WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY DO SOMETHING.AND SO WE HAVE TO- BUT THIS IS THE LEAST AMOUNT OF IMPACTFUL OPPORTUNITY THAT WE COULD FIND.

>> OKAY. AND THEN I GUESS THE OTHER QUESTION FROM HEARING SOME OF THESE RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, IF YOU WANT TO SWITCH TO RESIDENTIAL.

AND IT ISN'T A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.

WHY CAN YOU NOT ABIDE BY WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING TO? AS FAR AS THE DEED RESTRICTIONS.

AND YOU KNOW WE SAW PICTURE OF WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE OTHER HOMES LOOK LIKE. I MEAN CLEARLY.

DOES IT GO INTO THE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD?

>> UNDERSTOOD. SO AS AN EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THE FOUN FOUNDATION.

THE FIRST FLOOR OF YOUR LIVING SPACE HAS TO BE ONE FOOT ABOVE THE CROWN OF THE ROAD. WE HAVE TO BUILD ABOVE ONE FOOT ABOVE THE CROWN OF THAT ROAD. AND SHORES BOULEVARD SITS PROBABLY 6 FEET TO 7 FEET ABOVE THE BACK OF THE LOTS.

SO IN ORDER TO MEET THOSE ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS AND COUNTY REQUIREMENTS THEMSELVES. WE HAVE TO BUILD UP.

SO THAT'S ONE REASON. THE GARAGES ARE GOING TO BE UNDER-- IT'S KIND OF-- THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE LOW COUNTRY HOMES. KIND OF LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA LOW

COUNTRY HOUSE. >> I GUESS IT'S HARDER TO TELL IN THAT PICTURE. YOU'RE TELLING ME IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT THAT PICTURE, THE DRIVEWAY IS GOING.

>> DOWN. BECAUSE IT'S NOT REALLY CLEAR.

>> A KICHLT ONLY DO SO MUCH. THE WHOLE IDEA IS YOU'RE GOING TO BE GOING DOWN. DOWNHILL AND PARKING UNDERNEATH YOUR HOME. AND THEN YOUR LIVING SPACE WILL

BE ABOVE IT. >> OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU. >> AND WE WILL BE ABIDING BY THE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> THE HOA RESTRICTIONS. THE COUNTIES 3 TO 6 FEET.

BY THE HOA RESTRICTIONS. AND AGAIN MODIFYING THE P.U. D.

SO I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW WE WOULDN'T BE PART OF-- WE'RE GOING TO RESIDENTIAL NOT PART OF THE HOA.

>> SO YOU WILL BE A PART OF THE HOA.

>> I WILL NOT BE INTENDING PART OF THE HOA.

>> I DON'T GET TO TALK TO ANNE BECAUSE IT'S SUNSHINE, RIGHT.

BUT WE UNDERSTAND. YEAH-- HOW MUCH DID LAMP OFFER

THEM OR WHAT WAS THE AMOUNT? >> IT WAS 345 IS WHAT THEY OFFERED. ZMRU WANTED 700.

>> TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WE PAID 365 FOR THE PROPERTY TWO YEARS

AGO. >> WOULD YOU TAKE 700?

>> IF WE COULD GET IT. >> CAN I ASK-- A QUESTION?

>> SO KEELY, CAN WE-- FROM THE BOARD'S PERSPECTIVE, CAN WE MAKE A DEAL WITH THEM DIRECTLY? OR NOT?

>> AFTER 125 WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE APPRAISAL PROCESS.

[05:00:01]

AND SO-- I THINK ONE OF THEM'S-- I THINK I KNEW HE WAS HERE. MENTIONED.

SO IF OVER 500,000 WE WOULD NEED TWO APPRAISALS.

BUT WHERE ARE WE AT? >> WELL IF THERE'S THREE LOTS.

EACH ONE IS--. LIKE--.

>> JUST COME--. >> IT'S ON NOW.

>>-- GROUP MANAGEMENT. MY REFLIKZ IS THAT APPRAISAL WAS 375 FOR ALL THREE LOTS. FOR THE PROPERTY IN TOTAL.

>> CORRECT. AND I THINK WE HAD TWO APPRAISALS. WE HAD ONE APPRAISAL AT THE TIME. SO WE WOULD NEED A SECOND APPRAISAL. AND THEN THERE'S A FRESHNESS

QUESTION. >> MIKE ROBERTSON DIRECTORER.

375,000. THERE WAS ONE APPRAISAL.

THERE WERE TWO PARCELS. ONE PARCEL $250,000.

AND THE OTHER PARCEL WAS $115,000 TOTELE THE $375,000.

SO ONE APPRAISAL HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

>> THE BOARD CAN'T OVERRULE AND JUST-- NO.

WHERE WE HAVE LAMP MONEY? NO.

OKAY. >> YES.

SO WE GO THROUGH AN APPRAISAL PROCESS.

WE PAY THE APPRAISED VALUE. THERE ARE CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN YOU CAN PAY ABOVE APPRAISED VALUE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO FIND THE PUBLIC INTEREST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GIFT

PUBLIC FUNDS. >> WELL THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS THE TRAIL THAT WE SAW PICTURES OF.

>> YOU HAVE TO MAKE THOSE FINDINGS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A FRESH APPRAISAL.

SO I MEAN WE CAN GET DIRECTION TO GO BACK AND DO MORE APPRAISALS IF YOU WOULD LIKE. I THINK THERE'S ONLY BEEN ONE DONE. SO IF IT'S OVER $500,000 WE WOULD DO TWO. BUT AS DIRECTED BY STATUTE YOUR

REAL PROPERTY ORDINANCE. >> I ALSO WANT TO ASK THE WATER. THE AMOUNT OF WATER ON THERE.

AND YOUR CARS GO DOWN AND PARK UNDER THE HOUSE? WHERE'S ALL THAT WATER GOING TO GO?

>> THERE IS NO WATER ON THE PROPERTY.

>> IT'S WET. I SAW IT.

>> THE WETLANDS IS ON THE BACK. THE CREEK FLOWS-- THAT FLOWS IS OFFSITE. IT IS NOT ON THE ACTUAL

PROPERTY. >> THE PROPERTY IS PRETTY WET.

I MEAN--. >> IT ACTUALLY ISN'T.

THERE'S NO WETLAND ON THE PROPERTY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROPERTY APPRAISALS MAP.

THERE IS AN ODDLY SHAPED PIECE ACROSS FROM US.

I THINK THE SHORE ORGANIZATION OWNS THAT PIECE.

>> WELL I FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO ABOUT IT.

I WOULD LOVE FOR THIS TO BE PART OF THE PART.

OUR CHALLENGE OF COURSE IS THAT WE CAN ONLY DO A CERTAIN AMOUNT OVER APPRAISED VALUE, RIGHT? WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO ALLOW US TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THIS AGAIN?

>> IT'S ALL-- TO US RIGHT NOW IS THE PROBLEM.

WE'VE HAD THIS THING FOR YOU KNOW-- FIVE YEARS.

I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH IT SINCE--.

>> YOU KNOW-- LOOK-- I REALIZE. >> WE'VE ONLY HAD IT THREE

MONTHS. >> NO IT'S BEEN FOR SALE FOR

THREE MONTHS. >> I REALIZE THAT-- THERE'S SOME PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE MIGHT BE MORE-- ABOUT MONEY.

AND THIS IS AMERICA. IT'S THEIR PROPERTY.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER IN PROPERTY RIGHTS.

SO IF HE'S OFFERED A MILLION AND HE'S TRYING TO OFFER IT TO US FOR 7 00$00,000. THAT'S-- IN MY BOOKS.

SO--. >> THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS LIKE I SAID IT IS COMMERCIAL USE.

>> YOU CAN COME IN AND PUT A STRIP STORE THERE.

>> I WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

BUT WITH THE CAVEAT THAT YOU ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO WORK WITH YOU TO TRY TO FIND A WAY TO BUY IT INSTEAD OF.

>> WE WOULD BE AMEN TO BELIEVE THAT.

JUST BECAUSE WITH THE-- IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT DIRECTION WE HAVE. THEN WE CAN MOVE FROM THERE.

SO IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT DIRECTION FROM TODAY WE HAVE.

THEN WE CAN MOVE FROM THERE. >> SO THE CHAIR TO THE COMMISSIONER. THROUGH THE CHAIR.

SO--. >> IF WE'RE GETTING OFF THE

BEATEN PATH HERE. >> THIS IS A REZONING.

AND YOU HAVE YOUR REZONING CRITERIA WITH REGARD TO COMPATIBILITY AND ALL THAT. YOU CAN IF YOU CHOOSE TO APPROVE IT WE'LL REMIND YOU THAT YOU CAN ADD THE CONDITION THAT THEY INCLUDE IN THEIR TEXT THAT IT'S STEM WALL CONSTRUCTION. WE CAN ADD THAT CONDITION AND REQUIRE THAT. I THINK THAT WOULD ADDRESS COMMISSIONER JOSEPH'S CONCERN. MR. ROBARSON SAID.

THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY IS A SEPARATE MATTER NOT BEFORE YOU

[05:05:01]

SHOULD NOT BE MADE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE REZONING.

>> CAN I ASK YOU WHY? I DON'T WANT TO BE RUDE.

>> RIGHT. SO ONE IS ON THE AGENDA.

>> IT'S REALLY A WIN/WIN FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> CORRECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT COMMISSIONERER. BUT IT'S NOT PART OF THE CRITERIA. UNDER THE STATUTE OR YOUR RULES. AND SO YOU DO NOT WANT TO APPEAR OR HAVE ANY KIND OF QUID PRO QUO WITH REGARD TO AN APPROVAL OF REZONING. THAT SOMEHOW THAT IS GOING TO BE APROVED WITH THE CAVEAT OF PERHAPS A SALE DOWN THE ROAD.

SO I AM CAUTIONING YOU WITH REGARD TO THOSE MATTERS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO-- LET ME-- THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. BECAUSE I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO

SEE THIS. >> CAN YOU REMIND ME AGAIN SOUNDS LIKE THEY ONLY HAVE ONE APPRAISAL AND & WHEN WAS THAT DONE? DO YOU REMEMBER?

>> IT'S MARCH. >> MARCH OF THIS YEAR.

OKAY SO IT'S A FAIRLY RECENT APPRAISAL.

AND OFF QUITE A BIT FROM WHAT YOU WERE WANTING TO SELL IT

FOR. >> THE CAVEAT OF WHAT WE WOULD BE WILLING TO SELL TO IT KWOUNTY FOR.

WHAT WE HAVE ON OUR DESK IS ROUGHLY MILLION WITH TWO OFFERS OF A MILLION. SO WE'RE SPLITTING IT DOWN MIDDLE SAYING. WE'LL SELL IT TO THE COUNTY FOR HALF OF THAT. MEANING SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE. HALF THE PROFITS.

>> BUT YOU'RE GOING LOW. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> OKAY. -- WELL.

>> EHERE'S MICHALAGE. I'VE BEEN IN THE POSITION BEFORE AS A COMMISSIONER WHERE WE'RE FACED BETWEE TWO CHOICES. ALLOWING THIS TO STAY COMMERCIAL AND POSSIBLY BE A WHOLE LOT WORSE THAN IT COULD BE WITH NINE HOUSES PLOPPED IN THERE.

IT'S-- YOU KNOW-- I REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT-- SOMETHING THAT WE WANT. BUT UNFORTUNATELY IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS. WE'RE BOUND BY THE LAW.

I'M BOUND BY PROFT RIGHTS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND IT. MY CHOICE WOULD BE WIN THE LOTTERY AND JUST BUY AND LEAVE IT IN THE THE PARKER.

THAT'S WHAT I'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

THAT IS GUY WHO OWNS PROPERTY THAT HAS RIGHTS.

AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF THE SLIRPY SLOPE OF TELLING PEOPLE THEY CAN'T DO THINGS THAT ARE ALLOWED BY LAW.

SO I WOULD CAUTION THAT. >> CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK INTO

THE MIC. >> I THOUGHT I WAS.

>> THE GENTLEMAN SAID HE WOULD BE PART OF THE HOA.

IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY IT DOES NOT OWN THREE STORY PROPERTIES.

ALSO-- HE TALKED ABOUT THE DRIVEWAYS SLOPING DOWN TO THE GARAGES. THAT'S ANOTHER THING.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO SLOPE AWAY FROM THE GARAGES.

SO I WOULD FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACTUALLY APPROVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO HOW COULD THEY BE PART OF THE HOA IF THEY CAN'T BE APPROVED.

AND DANGS AL FE IF SOMEBODY REALLY WANTED TO BUY A PIECE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. THE OTHER SIDE.

OF CHRISTINA. THERE'S ANOTHER PIECE RATHER DOWN THE ROAD FORKER SALE. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS PIECE THAT BACKS ONTO THE CANOPY SHORES PARK.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER--.

>> NO-- I MEAN-- RIGHT NOW IT'S BETWEEN MAKING IT RESIDENTIAL OR KEEPING IT COMMERCIAL. AND IF YOU-- IF YOU ASK IF I'M ABLE TO SELL IT FOR COMMERCIAL. AND ALL THE RESIDENTIALS GOING TO-- IT JUST-- DOESN'T LOOK COMPATIBLE.

AT THE LOCATION. SO I'M NOT IN FAVOUR OF THIS.

BUT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.

SO THAT BEING COMMERCIAL. >> I HAD A QUESTION.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> THAT SIZE LOT.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT THE OTHER HOMES IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LOOK LIKE. HOW MANY HOMES SHOULD BID ON

[05:10:02]

I MEAN NINE HOMES IN THAT SIZE PROPERTY SEEMS LIKE A LOT.

LIKE HOW MANY SHOULD IT-- HOW MANY SHOULD FIT THERE?

>> WELL IF WE WENT DOWN AND LOOKED AT WHAT-- HOLMES DPP IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN I THINK THEIR LOTS ARE 60 OR 70 FEET WIDE.

SO WE'RE PUTTING IN LOTS THAT ARE WIDER.

THAN WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.

SO ACTUALLY WIDER LOT. >> ACROSS THE STREET.

WHAT SIZE LOTS ARE THOSE. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> IT LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE NEARBY HOMES.

THAT'S ALL. SORRY.

>> WELL THERE'S AN EASY WAY. LET ME DO THIS.

MOTION TONE ACT ALL 2026. >> 24.

>> IMPROVING CANOPY SHORES BASED ON SIX ITEMS OF FACT AS

FOUND IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> JUST A REMINDER THERE IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT CONDITION THAT THE APPLICANT WOULD UPDATE THE NDP TO INCLUDE STEM WALL

CONSTRUCTION. >> OKAY I WOULD LIKE TO ADD

THAT INTO THE MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> BASED ON FINDING OF FACT. WITH THE CAVEAT THAT THERE WILL BE STEM WALL CONSTRUCTION. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE.

ALL IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> OKAY ALL POSED SAY NO. >> NO.

>> NO. >> OKAY SO THAT PASSED 3-2.

SO--. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK OUTSIDE OF THIS. WE'RE DONE HERE.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU TO SEE IF WE COULD COME TO SOME KIND OF.

WELL. WE'LL SEE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. WE'LL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL-- A SHORT BREAK. 20 MINUTES UNTIL-- THAT'S 23

OKAY CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR.

[4. Public Hearing * LDCA26-05 Food Truck Parks: First Reading]

TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR.

-- SMITH WITH WEALTH MANAGEMENT PRESENTING ITEM NUMBER FOUR.

THIS IS A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT AT THE REQUEST OF THIS COMMISSION. TO UPDATE OUR CODES TO ADD FULL TRUCKS AND PROVIDE STANDARDS. BRIEFLY THE AMENDMENT IS SPECIFICALLY ADDING THE USE OF FOOD TRUCKS IN FOOD TRUCK PARKS AS DEFINED TERMS AND ALLOWABLE USES WITHIN HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL.

HIGH INTENSITY COMMERCIAL AND RURAL COMMERCIAL ZONING CATEGORIES. IT ALSO ADDS FOOD TRUCKS AS A LISTED TEMPORARY USE IN CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS IN ARTICLE TWO. IT PROVIDES DESIGN STANDARDERS.

CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS AND AGAIN IT PROVIDES FOR THE DEFINITIONS FOR BOTH FOOD TRUCKS AND FOOD TRUCK PARKS. I JUST REAL BRIEFLY WANTED TO GO OVER SOME OF THE STANDARDS. ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD TRUCK PARKS. THE FIRST ONE THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IS THE HOURS OF OPERATION WHICH IS 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. AND JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S KNOWLEDGE.

I TOOK THIS-- THESE TIMES AS AN AVERAGE OF THE TWO FOOD TRUCK PARKS THAT WE HAVE. IN MARCH OPERATING FROM 7 A.M.

TO 8 P.M. AND VILLAGE GARDEN FOOD TRUCKS WHICH OPERATES FROM 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SO I SPLIT THE DIFFERENT THERE FOR 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. FOR HOURS OF OPERATION TO ADDRESS COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING PROPERTIES.

I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT WHEN WE'RE-- NUMBER SIX ON THIS LIST. WE'VE ALLOWED FOR UNPAID PARKING AS PART OF A FOOD TRUCK DESIGN STANDARDERS.

AND SO UNPAID PARKING IS ALREADY A STANDARD IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. BUT WE'VE SPECIFICALLY ALOUD FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS TO INCORPORATE UNPAID PARKING IN LIEU OF PAVED SURFACES. NUMBER EIGHT ON THIS LIST.

IS SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS FROM RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND BASED ON SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT I'VE RECEIVED BACK.

[05:15:02]

BUT INDIVIDUAL FOOD TRUCKS SHALL NOT BE PLACED CLOSER THAN 100 FEET FROM ANY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE.

THAT SIMPLIFIES IT AND AGAIN THE INTENT IS TO PROTECT RESIDENTIAL CARE AND COMPATIBILITY.

AND LASTLY THE LAST THING ON THIS LIST IS THAT THE TRUCKS REQUIRE TO MEET ALL THE STANDARDER WASTE WATER CONNECTION AND GREASE INTERCEPTORERS AND I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THAT IS SPECIFICALLY JUST FOR THE FOOD TRUCK PARKS NOT FOR INDIVIDUAL FOODTRUCKS.

WE DO HAVE UPCOMING PZA FOR AUGUST 6TH AND THE SECOND BOARD HEARING FOR ADOPTION ON SEPTEMBER 15TH.

BEFORE I LEAVE I WILL ASK THAT IF THE BOARD CORN SENTS I ASK THAT YOU WAIVE THE FIVE-- MEETING REQUIREMENT.

AND THAT SAID I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> OKAY ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD?

>> I'LL JUST START OFF-- GO AHEAD.

COMMISSIONERER WHITEHURST GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. MR. SMITH, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT GO WITH ME FOR GOING ABOUT DOING THEIR DAILY AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER. I TRULY APPRECIATE THE TIME, EFFORT AND ENERGY THAT WENT INTO AMENDING THE LDC IN THIS WAY TO ACCOMMODATE FOOD TRUCK PARKS AS A COMMUNITIES CHANGE.

AND COMMERCE CHANGES. FOOD TRUCKS HAVE BECOME I THINK A WELCOME PART OF A LOT OF COMMUNITIES.

THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO UPDATE THE CODE AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS. I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HOW WE ARRIVED AT 8 P.M. AS THE CUT-OFF FORKER FOOD TRUCK PARKS. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE GET TO DINNERER. SOMETIMES AROUND 7 O'CLOCK OR 7:30 SO THEY MAY NOT BE RED TEE SHUT IT DOWN AT 8 P.M. IN SOME CASES. SO HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT 8 P.M.?

>> AS I MENTIONED AT THE VERY BEGINNING THE TWO LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS OPERATE NEARBY ONE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND MARINA MERCH AND THE OTHERS VILLAGE.

BOTH CLOSING TIMES ARE 8 P.M. ONLY VILLAGE GARDEN INN IS THE ONLY ONE ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL.

SO SIMPLY TRYING TO BE REFLECTIVE OF WHAT'S CURRENTLY OPERATED AND BE MINDFUL OF NEARBY ADJACENT REVENUES.

BECAUSE THIS IS AN OUTDOOR FOOD TRUCK PARK SO OFTEN TIME POS TENLY MORE NOISY THAN YOU MIGHT FIND AT AN INDOOR RESTAURANT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> OKAY THANK YOU.

ANYONE ELSE? I NOTICED THAT YOU STATE-- YOU MAY HAVE TO GO BACK. THERE YOU GO.

THERE WAS WHERE YOU SAID CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS.

WHERE DID I FIND THAT? >> YES, SIR.

SO I DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFICS UP HERE.

IF YOU CAN GIVE ME ONE MOMENT. >> IT WAS EITHER THIS PAGE

OR--. >> HOLD UP.

IT IS-- THE SUMMARY. THE SUMMARY DOCUMENT.

I'M SORRY. THE--.

>> YEAH, RIGHT HERE. >> I'LL PUT IT UP ON THE

SCREEN. >> INDIVIDUAL FOOD TRUCKS AND CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS. DO WE NAME THOSE ZONING DISTRICTS? GIVE EIGHT SECOND.

THERE YOU GO. >> YES, SIR.

SO THIS IS ARTICLE 20205 FOR TEMPORARY USES.

THIS IS AN EXISTING. AND I APOLOGIZE IT'S A LITTLE HARDER TO READ HERE. THIS IS AN EXISTING SET OF TEMPORARY USE ALLOWANCES IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.

LITERALLY JUST INSERTED THE WORD FOODTRUCKS TO CLARIFY THAT THEY ARE ALLOWED IN XHERL INTENSIVE.

COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURISTS. COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSE AND COMMERCIAL RURAL ZONING DESIGNATIONS.

>> WHAT WAS THE CHI. >> IT WAS A DUPLICITOUS NON-ZONING DISTRICT. IT EFFECTIVELY STANDS FOR COMMERCIAL HIGH INTENSITY WHICH IS THE SAME ZONING DISTRICT AS

COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE. >> OKAY.

>> ERROR IF YOU WILL. >> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT LIMITING. OKAY.

AND IS THERE ANYTHING FROM ANYONE ELSE?

LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT HAD TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON NUMBER FOUR AGENDA ITEM.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JUSTIN-- I'M ONE OF THE OWNERSER AT THE OUTPOST OF 2505 EL MONTRY ROAD WHICH I WOULD CONSIDER A FOOD TRUCK PARK WITHIN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AS IT EXISTS TODAY. FIRST OFF I WANT TO ECHO THAT I THINK THIS IS LONG OVERDUE. I MEAN-- REALLY FOOD TRUCKS AND

[05:20:04]

CODE. WE ALL SAW WHAT AMBIGUITY RESULTS IN. AND IT WAS JUST KIND OF KAY YOT. SO THIS REALLY YOU KNOW IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER.

AND REALLY AGREE ON WHAT A GOOD PROCESS MOVING FORWARD IS.

I WOULD SAY YOU KNOW IT'S A GOOD START.

THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME THINGS THAT PROBABLY NEED TO BE MASSAGED A LITTLE BIT AND WORKED THRU.

OBVIOUSLY THE 8 A.M. TO 8 P.M. THAT CUTS OUT BREAKFAST AND DINER. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A BREAKFAST OPTION START SERVING AT 7:30 HE GETS THERE ABOUT 7.

NOT TENABLE AND JUST DOESN'T WORK.

CURRENTLY WE ARE OPEN UNTIL 9 OR 10.

THAT SEEMED TO WORK OUT PRETTY WELL.

ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IMPOSES ON OTHER BUSINESSES SO WE SHOULD NOT BE ANY DIFFERENT THAN THAT. IN EXISTENCE OPERATIONAL BEFORE THESE RULES COME INTO EFFECT OR GRANDFATHERED.

SO ADVOCATING IN THE OUTPOST. FUTURE FOOD TRUCK PARKS BECAUSE THEY WERE GOOD FOR A COMMUNITY. A LOT OF PEOPLE ENJOYED IT.

ST. JOHN'S COUNTSY BIG AND THERE'S ENOUGH SPACE.

SETBACKS HUGE ESPECIALLY WITH FOOD TRUCKS THAT HAVE UTILITIES. A HUNDRED FEET.

THAT SEEMS VERY EXCESS FRV ALL PROPERTY CORNERS.

ALLOWED IN ANY WAY. SO THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO-- JUST DOESN'T MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF STONES ME PERSONALLY.

I WOULD RECOMMEND TAKING THAT DOWN FROM 50 FEET OF AN ACTUAL STRUCTURE. WASTE WATER THAT WAS ADDRESSED THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION ON THE WORDING AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S ACTUALLY TIED INTO THE TRUCKS OR A RESOURCE TO THE PARK. I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. 80,000 POUND WEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR NON-ASPHALT. NON-ASPHALT WAS PHENOMENAL FOR THE COUNTY PERIOD. NOT JUST FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS.

WE DON'T NEED TO PAVE OVER EVERYTHING.

THERE'S SO MANY OTHER ENGINEERED OPTIONS THAT PROVIDE GREATER PERMABILITY. THAT WOULD PROMOTE WATER.

IT'S STILL CONSIDERED IMPERMEABLE SURFACE BUT ALLOWS MORE WATERER TO PERCOLATE THAN ASPHALT DOES.

ALSO PROMOTES MORE OF A SETTING AND I THINK THAT'S PHENOMENAL I WOULD DEFINITELY COMMEND THE COUNTY FOR BRINGING THAT IN AS AN OPTION. ORRER AS A STANDARD, REALLY.

THE SINGLE FOOD TRUCK AS TEMPORARY USE IS A VERY DANGEROUS AREA FOR THE COUNTY TO GO TO BECAUSE FOOD TRUCKS ARE REGULATED BY THE STATE. THEY ARE LICENSED BY THE STATE.

SO SAYING THAT A FOOD TRUCK CAN ONLY OPERATE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS I WOULD HAVE A DOG IN A FIGHT AND I DON'T OWN A FOOD TRUCK. BUT I THINK YOU MIGHT HEAR FROM SOME FOOD TRUCK OPERATORS THAT THINK THAT THAT'S ONLY CHALLENGING FOR THEM BUT CHALLENGNG FOR YOU GUYS TO CONTROL. I RAN OUT OF TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. HELLO.

-- I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF MY CLIENT SHERRY FUEL AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK HERE ON THIS BEHALF.

I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 609-- STREET IN-- DISTRICT. THE DRAFT LEFT OUT THE COMMERCIAL GENERAL ZONING. WHICH IS WHAT FWHER RIGHT NOW.

AND WE ARE WILLING TO DO SOME FOOD TRUCKS, COURTYARDS SO WE CAN BENEFIT THAT AREA. AND GOING TO HAVE SOME MOVEMENT WHICH IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH WEST AUGUSTINE DISTRICT.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CURRENT REVISED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE-- CLASSIFIED AS COMMERCIAL USE. BUT WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS A SMALL SCOPE. ADD THREE OR FOUR FOOD TRUCKS IN OUR LOT. IT'S-- IT SHOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED AS INTENSIVER AS OTHER INSTANCES.

WE ARE RESPECTEDLY ASKING TO AMEND THE CODE HERE OF THE WEST AUGUSTINE THAT CAN BE ADDED AS A SPECIAL USE OR IF POSSIBLE TO DO A COMMISSIONER ADDED TO THAT PART OF THE USES.

ER TO DISTRICTS ADDED TO THE FOOD TRUCK LANGUAGE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE INSIGHT ON THESE.

WE REALLY WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.

BUT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING REALLY HARDER TO GET AN INPUT TO ACHIEVE THE CODE OR-- AND I FEEL THIS IS THE RIGHT MOMENT.

YOU GUYS ARE GETTING INTO THIS FOOD TRUCK LANGUAGE FOR THE CODE AND THE STANDARDS. WE ARE WAITING TO HELP.

AND TO OPEN. TO BE OPEN TO ANY REGULATIONS AND TO PUT EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RIGHT.

[05:25:03]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CAN I ASK A QUESTION. ARE YOU COMING UP?

>> YEAH, I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.

GENERAL COMMERCIAL, IS THIS EXCLUDED?

>> YES, SIR, AGAIN JACOB SMITH ON THE RECORD.

SO FOOD TRUCKS ARE CLASSIFIED AS OUTDOOR SALES.

AND SO THAT IS A HIGHER INTENSITY ZONING DISTRICT REQUIREMENT. TYPICALLY COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY TOURIST OR COMMERCIAL INTENSIVE SO NOT A PERMANENT BASIS.

COMMERCIAL GENERAL DOES NOT ALLOW FOR IT.

>> OKAY. I GUESS THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION? CAN WE GET WITH STAFF TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR ZONING? MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE THE ZONING. WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT.

>> OKAY. >> YEP, THANK YOU.

>> IF I MAY, SIR. THE WEST AUGUSTINE OVERLAY DISTRICT HAS A VERY SPECIFIC SET OF ZONING REGULATIONS THAT WERE GENERALLY SPEAKING DRAFTED BY THE WEST AUGUSTINE CRA AT LEAST DRAMATICALLY WITHIN W THEIR INPUT.

I HAVE MET WITH THEM PREVIOUSLY AND I DID NOT GET WARM FUZZIES ABOUT ADDING FOOD TRUCK PARKS TO THEIR OVERLAY REGULATIONS.

SO IT IS SOMETHING. I WOULD NEED TO HEAR FRIT THEM.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO BE VERY COGNIZANT ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD AND DID NOT

HEARER FOOD TRUCKS WERE THAT. >> I RESPECT THAT.

GO AHEAD. ON THE FLOOR.

>> TO 80-- PLACE. DIDN'T KNOW I WOULD GET A TWO-FER FOR TODAY. I OWN A FOOD TRUCK AT THE OUTPOST AND I AM THE BREAKFAST PERSON THERE.

SO I DO START EARLY. JUST WITH THIS I KIND OF WANT TO ECHO WHAT JUSTIN WAS SAYING. SOME OF SIT STATE REGULATED WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR US OWNERS.

I JUST THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT A LOT MORE I KIND OF WORK OUT THE KINKS OF IT BEFORE IT WAS AMENDED INTO.

>> WELL THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT-- I DON'T THINK SEVEN TO NINE WOULD BE OUT OF BOUNDS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD

COMPROMISE. >> READING SOMETHING ABOUT THE MINIMUM OF THREE SEATS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THE FOOD TRUCKS REQUIREMENT OF THREE SEATS PER FOOD TRUCK.

I DON'T KNOW JUST SEEMS LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED OVER A LOT MORE THAN JUST WHAT'S PRESENTED HERE.

THANK YOU. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD GET ONE PICNIC TABLE TO SERVICE.

THREE FOOD TRUCKS. YEAH, COOL.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH YOU HAVE

THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE NOT DONE YET. >> OKAY.

GO AHEAD SIR. >> HELLO.

>> MY NAME IS-- CURTIS. I'M THE OWNER OF TENNESSEE TREATS. YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL BY MY ACCENT-- I'M TRYING TO MAKE ST. AUGUSTINE MY HOME NOW.

WENT TLAU BITTERER DIVORCE. THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER SUBJECT.

HI FIVE STORES AND THREE FOOD TRUCKS IN EAST TENNESSEE.

AND I KNOW THE FOOD TRUCK INDUSTRY VERY WELL.

JUSTIN, WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO IS REALLY BRING COMMUNITY TOGETHER. AND IT'S AN AMAZING THING HE'S TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. THERE'S A COUPLE OF-- I REALLY NEED A TOWN HALL MEETING IS WHAT YA'LL REALLY NEED.

BUT TO WORK UNTIL 8 O'CLOCK TYPICAL FOR A FOOD TRUCK.

SOME OF WHAT I SEE IS PUTTING A CAP ON A FOOD TRUCK CAN ONLY BE THERE FORKER 30 DAYS. WELL IF IT'S A FOOD PARK AND YOU WANT FOOD TRUCKS TO BE THERE ALL THE TIME, AND YOU WANT TO BUILD A BUSINESS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE THERE MORE THAN 30 DAYS. THAT'S GOING TO HURT TRUCKS.

BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO HURT JUSTIN THE LANDOWNERER.

THERE'S A LOT OF LANGUAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AROUND.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY OPINION.

AND HOPE THAT YA'LL LOOK AT THIS REALLY CLOSELY.

OKAY. FOOD TRUCKS.

HAD FIVE STORES THREE FOOD TRUCKS.

MY FOOD TRUCKS HAVE BEEN MORE INSPECTED THAN ANY RESTAURANT.

I FEEL LIKE MY FOOD TRUCKS HAVE BEEN SHOOK UP, POURED OUT, INSPECTED. SHOOK UP, POURED OUT, WHERE RESTAURANTS-- THEY WERE EASY PIESY.

SO-- BUT DO LOOK AT THIS. YOU REALLY NEED THIS IN YOUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> I JUST HAD A QUESTION. IF IT'S A-- FOOD TRUCK PARK.

THERE'S NOT A 30-DAY LIMIT IS THERE?

[05:30:02]

>> THAT IS CORRECT. MAKING THE CLARIFICATION THAT FOOD TLUK'S A PART OF THAT. AND WE WERE HAVING A SET OF STANDARDS FOR FOOD TRUCK PARKS. WHICH ARE PERMANENT BUSINESSES.

AND FOOD TRUCKS MAY OPERATE TH

THERE. >> I JUFT WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CONFUSION ON THAT.

JUST THE INDIVIDUALS. >> I THINK THE CONFUSION WAS ABOUT THE THREE DAYS. SO I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME NOW. BUT THERE WAS A-- LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT TALKS ABOUT A FOOD TRUCK.

AN INDIVIDUAL FOOD TRUCK I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A SPECIAL USE. TO BRING IT UP.

>> OKAY. NOT TO EXCEED.

MY OPINION ON THE STATE PRE-- HOW WOULD YOU LEASE THAT? LIKE I GUESS IS THERE SOMETHING TO BE GOING AROUND ALL OF OUR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT--.

>> WE GOT THE FOOD TRUCK POLICE.

>> IF I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WASN'T TRUE I MIGHT BELIEVE IT.

WHERE WAS THE DISCUSSION WITH THE FOOD TRUCK OWNERSER?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHER FOOD TRUCKS WERE--.

>> YEAH WE DON'T WANT TO TALK TO OTHER FOOD TRUCK OWNERS.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD. >> I'M A FOOD TRUCK OWNER BY THE WAY. YEAH, WE CAN DO SOME TWEAKS.

OR DO WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TODAY TO MAKE SURE--.

>> THE TOP HALF OF THIS PAGE AND THE BOTTOM HALF OF THAT PAGE. WHAT IT ALLOWS FOR IS FOOD TRUCKS TO OPERATE UNIMPROVED PROPERTY.

WITH A TEMPORARY USE PERMIT. IN LIEU OF HAVING TO DEVELOP THE SITE. SO AGAIN I WANT TO-- WE WANT TO HAVE ONE THING THAT WE'RE SAYING FOOD TRUCKS.

ESSENTIALLY ALMOST ANYWHERE. THAT'S THIS PAGE THAT'S UP.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE HAVE FOOD TRUCK PARKS.

WELL IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A PERMANENT BUSINESS AS A FOOD TRUCK PARK. WE HAVE A SERIES OF CRITERIA FORKER THOSE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

THIS IS NOT A CHANGE IN OPERATION OR POLICY.

IT IS SIMPLY ADDING THE WORD FOOD TRUCKS TO EXISTING TEMPORARY USES. WE ALREADY PERMITTED FOOD

TRUCKS IN THAT VEIN AS IT IS. >> OKAY THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> YES. JACOB, SO MY CONCERN IS, THESE GUYS LIKE TO STAY UP LATE. BUT THE 9 O'CLOCK TO 10 O'CLOCK, THAT'S NOT NEAR A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY, RIGHT? IF THEY CHANGED IT TO 9. IF IT'S RIGHT ON TOP OF A RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY AND YOU HAVE KIDS GOING TO SLEEP.

DO YOU DELINEATE BETWEEN THAT AND NOT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT. SO THAT'S A CONSIDERATION AND AGAIN I DID LOOK AT THE FOOD TROUBLING PARKS WE HAD IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS TOO. I USE THE AVERAGE OF WHAT THE TWO OPERATING FOOD TRUCK PARKS IN THE GENERAL VICINITY ARE CLOSING TIMES AT 8 P.M. IT IS TO SORT OF ACKNOWLEDGE IF YOU ARE TO ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES THAT THE OUTDOOR SALES IS A HIGHER INTENSITY USE.