FYIs

View Meeting Notices, Events, and Advisory Calendars

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

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

Public Notice of Negotiation Meetings – Notice Is Hereby Given, Pursuant to Section 286.011, Florida Statutes, representatives of the Collective Bargaining Team of St. Johns County and representatives of the International Association of Firefighters Local #3865 will meet in public session for the purpose of collective bargaining contract negotiations. The following meetings have been scheduled in the Aviles Conference Room:

• Friday, May 20, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 1, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Aviles Conference Room is located on the first floor of the County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine, Florida.

St. Johns County Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Workshop Schedule – The St. Johns County Fiscal Year 2023 Administrator’s Budget Workshop will be held at the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, 3125 Agricultural Center Dr., St. Augustine, Florida, on May 23, 24 & 25. If the schedule should flow faster than anticipated, the scheduled times may be adjusted accordingly. For more information and schedules please visit FY23 Administrator’s Budget Workshop Schedule on the BCC Calendar and the Fiscal Year Administrator’s Budget Workshop book.

Applications Now Accepted for the Independent Agency Funding Program – St. Johns County Health and Human Services is accepting applications for the Independent Agency Funding Program through 3 p.m. on Friday, June 3. This program aims to provide funding for local nonprofit agencies that provide social services to St. Johns County residents. Three funding categories are available: Community Healthcare (including Aging), Affordable Housing and Homelessness, and Employment Opportunities. The county anticipates approximately $1.5 million will be awarded to eligible agencies and projects. Nonprofit agencies applying must complete and submit one electronic application for each proposed project or program, including all required documents, forms, and attachments. To apply, please visit the Independent Agency Funding Program webpage. For more information, please call 904-209-6143.

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

St. Johns County COVID-19 Testing Site is Now Closed – Effective 4 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 22, the NOMI Health COVID-19 testing site at the St. Johns County Wind Mitigation Building will no longer be operational due to a lack of sufficient federal funding. Since early March, daily testing numbers at the county site have been steadily declining, averaging less than 100 tests a day. This is a result of widespread testing availability in the private sector, the Federal program that mails free COVID-19 tests to individuals, and a decrease in COVID-19 infections.

The following locations continue to offer COVID-19 testing in St. Johns County:

• Avecina Medical (Fruit Cove)
• CareSpot Urgent Care (All SJC Locations)
• CVS (All SJC Locations)
• MedOne Urgent Care (St. Augustine)
• Walgreens (All SJC Locations)

Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park Update – Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park will no longer be utilized as a staging site for FEMA Dune Enhancement Project by mid-May. Full public use of the parking lot and beach access is anticipated to be reinstated by May 20, 2022. St. Johns County’s contractor, CHC, will continue to work on the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project with proposed completion by October 2022. Beach visitors are encouraged to exercise caution near areas of construction. For more information on the project, please visit the FEMA Dune Enhancement Project page.

Volunteer Opportunities with St. Johns County Boards and Committees –  The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents interested in serving their community and participating in local government with a variety of board and committee opportunities. The volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding planning and zoning issues, development projects, libraries, parks, recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Visit the Boards and Committees Webpage to view the requirements and duties of each board and committee, or view the full list of Current Board Vacancies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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