By NEFBA Staff
Duval
• NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee meeting is 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, at the NEFBA offices.
• Proposed road legislation (Bill 2018-271) was filed by Jacksonville City Councilman Danny Becton. The bill would increase the minimum width of roads in residential neighborhoods, require two layers of paving and require new commercial property and existing properties being substantially enlarged or improved to connect to adjacent properties. NEFBA and other groups have expressed concerns over the legislation, ranging from the safety within neighborhoods due to wider road surfaces, to forcing commercial businesses to connect to adjacent properties that may or may not have compatible uses.
Clay
• Proposed Clay County Utility Authority expansion is an attempt to acquire the Town of Orange Park’s water and wastewater systems. CCUA is estimating the value of the town’s water system at $20 million, but that value could rise after an appraisal. Currently, Orange Park brings in about $1 million a year in revenue from providing the service. A public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Sept. 18, at Orange Park Town Council with representatives from CCUA to discuss the proposal.
Baker
Baker County issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
St. Johns
• Lobbyist reform that would require lobbyist registration failed to gather support at the St. Johns County Commission meeting after heavy pushback from the regulated community. The proposal would have required lobbyists to register with the county, keep detailed communication logs and would have banned contingency payments.
• An affordable housing crisis has been addressed by the St. Johns County Commission. The commission recently directed staff to analyze recommendations from the St. Johns County Continuum of Care, who presented the results of a yearlong study about creating access to affordable housing in the county. At the heart of the COC study is a proposal to launch a 600- unit pilot program by eliminating fees, reducing regulatory burden and expediting the permit process. Staff review of the proposal is expected to be completed early next year.
Nassau
• A gas tax increase of 5 cents was approved by the Nassau County Board of Commissioners at a recent commission meeting. The proposed gas tax, which was supported by NEFBA and the Nassau Builders Council, received a 4-1 vote, with only Commissioner George Spicer opposing. The 5-cent gas tax, which will be in addition to the existing 7-cent tax, will help fund road construction projects.