NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: Meets at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 23, at the NEFBA office, 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville.
Special elections: Due to a filing error during the 2014 elections cycle, Florida House District 13 will be up for grabs in a special election this winter. NEFBA-endorsed candidate Reggie Fullwood will face challengers in the Dec.16 primary and the Feb. 17 general election.
Technical Advisory Committee: The City of Jacksonville’s Technical Advisory Committee has been meeting to discuss mobility-based topics and to provide a draft manual to define the methodology for calculating the mobility fee. The committee was created by legislation filed by Councilman Bill Bishop this year in response to inconsistencies in the mobility fee calculation process.
Bus Rapid Transit: The Jacksonville Transportation announced it has broken ground on a Bus Rapid Transit System. The new BRT, called First Coast Flyer, will make fewer stops, have signal prioritization and offer buses every 10 minute at peak hours and 15 off peak.
Duval County issues
Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Commission approves sports complex: The Clay County Board of Commissioners has given initial approval allocating $20 million in unspent bond money. The commissioners gave initial approval to nine projects, eight of which were sports or park related. Money was also earmarked for the Clay County Fairgrounds. Another $4.6 million was set aside for future transportation projects.
Superintendent referendum fails: During the November general elections, voters decided 62 percent to 38 percent they do not want an appointed superintendent for Clay County schools. The referendum, which sought to change the superintendent from an elected to an appointed position, was part of a very public battle between Clay County School Board members and the county’s current elected school superintendent.
Builders Council
Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Special elections: St. Johns County will have a special election this winter to fill three open state legislative seats. The reason for the elections is the resignation of Sen. John Thrasher, who left the Senate to become Florida State University president. Following Thrasher’s resignation, Rep. Doc Renuart (R-District 17) and Rep. Travis Hutson (R-District 24) filed to run for his seat, creating two open spots in the Florida House. A host of candidates have come forward to fill the open House positions, including NEFBA-endorsed candidate Mike Davis, who is running for District 17. The primary elections will be Jan. 27 and the general will be April 7.
Builders Council
Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Increase in construction theft: The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an increase in appliance thefts from new construction. If you have surveillance videos or photographs of suspicious activity at your job sites, please contact Nassau County Sheriff Sgt. David Griffith at (904) 557-3396 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS (8477).
Builders Council
Palmer Kuder, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355