Photo: Clay County Fire Rescue Honor Guard

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners determined several projects and corresponding appropriation requests to be relayed to State Legislators for the 2024 legislative session. The Board based these projects on the County's needs and on aspects that will positively impact the quality of life for the people who call Clay County home. 

Legislation

• Modify P.A.C.E (Property Assessed Clean Energy) statute to clarify the intent of county authority to regulate P.A.C.E. activity within its jurisdiction. Improve consumer protections in the P.A.C.E. program.
• No expansion of permissible uses of Tourist Development Tax
• Continue to fully fund Visit Florida
• Limit short-term rental legislation changes
• Limit changes to FRS
• Modify FS 939.185 - assessment of additional court costs and surcharges; increase maximum amount
• Modify FS 194.013 - increase the allowable fee and modify reporting requirements for the Value Adjustment Board (VAB)

Appropriations

Infrastructure & Resiliency

(Vetoed) CR 209 safety improvements ($1,500,000)

The proposed County Road 209 safety improvements span six miles in length from Henley Road (CR-739) to Peter's Creek Bridge, which connects residential neighborhoods to local commerce. The plans include the installation of seven-foot-wide safety shoulders on both sides of the road. The shoulders will double as bike lanes and will replace the guardrail systems in both directions at two cross culvert locations. This will decrease the drastic grassed drop-offs that currently exist.

(Vetoed) CR 218 extend four-lane road ($1,500,000)

This project would reconstruct a portion of County Road 218 to a four-lane road. The existing two-lane rural roadway section is critically deficient, and this project would create a four-lane road with median/turn lanes, bike lanes, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, and storm-water management.

(Vetoed) CR 220 extend four-lane road ($1,500,000)   

This project would accommodate the continuous growth and development on this heavily-traveled thoroughfare.

(Vetoed) CR 217 safety improvements and bridge replacement ($2,500,000) 

County Road 217 is experiencing a large increase in traffic flow, and a new bridge and safety improvements are needed to better handle that influx. The proposed improvements include resurfacing and widening to include seven-foot shoulders with bike lanes and replacement of the bridge. The project length is 3.10 miles and includes a 140-foot long bridge replacement.

(Vetoed) SR 16 Right-of-way, four-lane ($1,500,000)

Traffic capacity improvements and improved access to the Clay County Fairgrounds are the reason for the request that State Road 16 to be widened to a four-lane divided highway section from the State Road 23 (First Coast Expressway) interchange to Randall Road.

Trails, Parks, and Lakes

Clay County Regional Sports Complex ($1,000,000)

This multi-purpose youth sports complex will provide a venue for competitive sports and public recreation, and the additional funding would help offset costs to add multi-use fields, volleyball courts, cross-country trails, more restrooms, additional parking, or additional lighting. The construction of Phase 1 is underway and will be completed by spring of 2024, and  includes eight multipurpose fields, lighting, shade structures, restroom facility, turn lanes, an entry road, parking, monument signage, and maintenance facility. The proposed additional plans are supported by the future phases of the 250-acre parcel as identified in a conceptual master plan.

Veterans Park Greenway Access ($1,000,000)

The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) completed the North Florida Regional Multi-Use Trail Master Plan in August 2019. This plan identified a regionally endorsed trail network spanning Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns counties. During the planning process, the Duval County connection to Gold Head State Park was identified as a top priority by Clay County. This led to the Clay-Duval Trail Feasibility Study in the North Florida TPO’s Unified Planning Work Program in 2021. The study area begins at the northern terminus of the Palatka to Lake Butler State Trail at Gold Head State Park in Clay County and ends at the southern terminus of the Cecil Trail in Duval County. A proposed connection of this trail would provide access to Veterans Park, as well as additional access to the existing and programmed mountain bike, hiking, and horse trails in Jennings State Forest. Overall, adding to the trail system in Clay and Duval counties increases the mobility and transportation opportunities within the region as well as provides additional recreational opportunities. The funding will also be used to continue the trail to the county line.

Moccasin Slough Boardwalk and Tower ($3,000,000)

Clay County has plans to construct a more than 6,000-foot boardwalk and raised wildlife observation platforms with five observation decks. This property was acquired with Florida Communities Trust’s Florida Forever Program, North Florida Land Trust, the Trust for Public Land, and FDEP’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect the more than 255 acres of wetlands. The County's goal is to create a protected space for our residents to enjoy and learn. 

(Vetoed) Black Creek Bike Path/Trail Mitigation ($750,000)

This trail has three wooden boardwalk sections that are in need of mitigation. The proposed plans would replace the stringers, decking, and handrails in these three sections with composite wood. 

Work with the State on Phase 2 of the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project (Geneva Restoration Project and area lakes restoration/refill) 

This project is expected to contribute to regional minimum flows and levels (MFLs) recovery and may help improve water levels in lakes and the Alligator Creek system, including drought-stressed lakes Brooklyn and Geneva. As such, years of vegetative growth in the dried lake beds need to be removed ahead of the rising water levels for public safety and water quality in those areas. 

Public Safety & Library Facilities

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Complex ($10,000,000)

This request would fund Phase 1 of a Public Safety and Law Enforcement Complex. The Complex is planned to house Sheriff’s offices and fire rescue administrative offices, the Emergency Operations Center, training, logistics, a fleet center, warehouse space, and a combined 911 communications center. This Complex would combine multiple buildings currently in operation. The end result would create one facility that is built to serve the needs of Clay County's rapidly growing population.     

(Vetoed) Fire Station #21 ($750,000) and (Approved) Fire Station #15 ($750,000)

Clay County is requesting funding to expand two fire and rescue facilities to serve our existing residents and address our growing population. The current stations were not built to be fire stations that can house multiple types of apparatus needed for the diverse kinds of fire, and EMS calls in the area, nor to accommodate the necessary personnel to staff the apparatus. Run volume increases show an immediate need for an ALS Engine and Rescue for Station 21, which will backup Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island and Lake Asbury. The second station, Station 15, will replace the County's least resilient station and place it in the center of Lake Asbury which is the fastest growing area of the County.  Existing stations are overextended and are unable to house more apparatus. The designed buildings for the appropriations requests incorporate best practices in the fight against cancer initiative and mental wellness and have the efficiency that meets the LEEDS Standard.

Oakleaf Plantation Library ($750,000)

This project will support the design of a new library, community services, and  recreation facility to meet the needs of the Oakleaf Plantation community. This state-of-the-art facility will encompass a wide range of amenities and services, including but not limited to cultural resources, literacy programs, educational and enrichment offerings, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) resources, art facilities, dedicated study rooms, meeting spaces, the possibility of serving as a polling location, and a host of other community services. This establishment will play a vital role in this growing community, which currently lacks access to a library.