We are fortunate to have mild winters and early springs in St. Johns County. Flowers are already blooming and the grass will start growing in earnest again soon. In St. Johns County, spring also means the beginning buds of another budget preparation season for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. Your Commissioners need your participation as this budget blooms so that it can be as beautiful for as many of our residents as possible.

Let me know what you think about this: last year's budget was balanced at the Administrator's Budget Hearings in May based on approximately eight percent growth (additional revenue) compared to the previous year. This is primarily based on the projected tax revenue to be received. Within weeks of the budget hearings, the Property Appraiser's valuation of property values came in at nine percent. That means an additional $1.4 million was added to the General Fund and spread across multiple departmental budgets. What if we placed this money in a separate fund and spend it on the backlog of existing infrastructure maintenance needed for years? The 'un-fun' projects that affect our quality of life and nobody wants to pay for, but we all enjoy and need. Needs such as storm water flooding of our streets, restoring swales and ditches, beach renourishment and access, public parking, boat ramp repairs, and damaged sidewalk replacement. The cost of these projects exceeds 10 years of funds at this rate; however, if the needs are prioritized with participation by our community leaders, the list can be shortened each year until all of the needs are met.

 

I hosted two meetings of community leaders in November and January with tremendous participation and success to get the ball rolling to identify MANY long term needs. We are beginning to identify solutions and resources. With a fund like this, we can speed up the process; however, it will require continued participation by our residents to prioritize and hold accountable the progress of local, state and federal governments. Let's keep it simple and productive to visibly see progress from year to year.

 

If you are willing and available to participate, please let me know by email at BCC1JJOHNS@SJCFL.US. We will schedule the next meeting after spring break based on the date most people are available. With your participation, I look forward to this spring more than any since you allowed me the honor of serving you as your District 1 County Commissioner.

 

Thank you for making our County number one. I appreciate it.

Restore St. Johns is funded through a U.S. Housing and Urban Development grant and administered by the County. Millions of dollars are available in assistance for eligible St. Johns County homeowners. For more information on the types of assistance available and to register, visit the Restore St. Johns website at www.sjcfl.us/restore/. Helping low- to moderate-income homeowners is a program priority.