Jacksonville Beach, District 2
Community Newsletter
August 2019
Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors!

Jax Beach 2020
City Budget Proposal
Jacksonville Beach's proposed 2020 budget maintains the current millage rate of $3.9947 per $1,000 of assessed value. This is 18.8% lower than the state average.

Highlights include:
  • Total City budget: $163,892,602
  • General Fund (akin to a checking account to pay for City services): $24,027,407
  • Total proposed millage rate Jax Beach residents will pay for 2020: $18.5654 per $1,000 of assessed value.
  • The breakdown of where your millage payment goes:
  • Jax Beach: 20.54%
  • Jacksonville: 41.91%
  • School Board: 36.17%
  • Water Mgmt: 1.22%
  • Inland Nav: .016%
  • The breakdown of how the proposed Jax Beach General Fund will spent is:
  • Police: 41%
  • Fire: 19% (Jacksonville still has to vote to transfer our fire services)
  • Parks & Rec: 15%
  • Planing & Dev.: 10%
  • Ins./non-dept.: 8%
  • Public Works: 7%
  • Property Taxes are the revenue source of 49% of the General Fund. Other revenue streams are:
  • Fund transfers: 18% (e.g. Beaches Energy)
  • Other gov: 19%
  • Comm tax: 7%
  • License, permits, fees, etc.: 7%

Proposed budget highlights include:
  • Hiring a full-time Communication Manager (improved and increased community engagement)
  • Hire a full-time City Attorney (currently a contracted position)

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
904.486.6865
August Events

8/2 1:30 - 4:30 pm Jax Beach Budget Showcase . Council Chambers, City Hall

8/3 8:00am - noon Back to School with BEAM , Beach Church

8/5 4:00 - 5:30pm Budget Workshop - Police Dept. and Fire Dept . Room behind Council Chambers, City Hall

8/6 5:00 - 7:00pm Budget Workshop - Executive and Legislative , Planning and Development , Redevelopment , Finance , Human Resources . Room behind Council Chambers, City Hall


8/8 5:00 - 7:00pm Budget Workshop - Beaches Energy , Parks and Recreation . Room behind Council Chambers, City Hall

8/9 4 :00 - 7:00pm Beaches Health Jam . The Carver Center, 777 5th Ave S. Jax Beach

8/12 5:00 - 7:00pm Budget Workshop - Public Works . Room behind Council Chambers, City Hall

Click here for more information and events.
Players by the Sea's summer musical is Shrek, the Musical ! I hope to see you there.

Toddler Splash Pad is Open!
On July 27, the toddler splash pad at Sunshine Park was opened to the public. Its hours of operation are from 10 am - 7 pm, every day, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Short Term Rentals in Jax Beach
On June 27, City Council held a workshop where members of the public were able to offer their thoughts on the City’s proposed Short Term Rental ordinance . Changes were identified, and the revised ordinance was heard by the Planning Commission on July 22 (video below).

Some key changes:
-       Have both S ingle and Collective Certifications (the ability for licensed agents to register multiple STRs under one application, thereby reducing the cost to register).
-        Explicitly state in the ordinance (not just the “where as” section, which is to present the City’s legislative intent) that single-family, two-family, or townhouse dwelling units subject to deed restrictions and/or covenants of a homeowners’ association, condominium units, and owner-occupied dwelling units renting any portion thereof shall not be subject to the regulations of this ordinance. 
-        Have an initial inspection, but then follow-up inspections only when there is a change in ownership or after any major modifications.
-        Define maximum occupancy by bedrooms and sq ft of living area.
 
The public has two more opportunities to have input into this ordinance.
 
Upcoming Dates :
August 5: City Council – First Reading, 7pm
August 19: City Council – Second Reading, 7pm
Jax Beach Pier
Good news! There has been some movement on completing the repairs to the pier. The pier was first damaged in 2016 by Hurricane Michael, and then damaged further by Hurricane Irma. In 2018, the first 635 feet of the pier was open to the public.
Here is what we know about completing the repairs to the pier:

-      While Jacksonville will not commit to a completion date, construction is expected to begin in September/October of 2019.
-      It will take approximately 25 months to complete the project (Nov. or Dec. 2021).
-      The project will cost $9 million. The cost is broken down to 75% federal government; 25% split between Jacksonville and the State.
-      The reconstructed pier will be the same length as the original pier (1,300 feet), but will be 8 feet higher at the end.

Jacksonville will maintain ownership of the Pier, but Jacksonville Beach is looking at taking over the management of the pier.

More information can be found here .
Downtown Jax Beach
The following properties/projects are new large-scale developments in downtown Jacksonville Beach. The latest addition is 221 Surfside , a mixed use development to the property just north of the Seawalk Pavilion. Proposed uses include a restaurant, office space, a boutique hotel, and retail.


221 Surfside (formerly Sydney's and Buckets, just north of the Pavilion)
Rooms: 17
Height: 2 stories
~Construction fences are up~


SpringHill Suites (Current location of the Pier Cantina restaurant)
Rooms: 136
Height: 56' (5 stories)
~Final rezoning approval set for 8/5~
Element Hotel (southeast corner of Beach Blvd. and 3rd Street)
Rooms: 80
Height: 35' (3 stories)
~Construction has started~
(oceanfront lot north of Casa Marina)
Rooms: 202
Height: 89' (eight stories)
~Construction has started~
Dolphin Depot (across 1st St from Margaritaville)
Rooms: 57 hotel rooms, 54 apartments
Height: 68' (6 stories)
Together, we will make a difference.
Let's continue to work together to ensure that Jacksonville Beach remains one of the greatest places to call home! Reach out if you have any questions or concerns about what is happening in your neighborhood or City.
Cell phone: 904.486.6865