NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: Will meet at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at the NEFBA office, 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville.
Snipe Sign Fine Increase: Councilwoman Denise Lee’s proposed a bill to increase the penalties on snipe signs continues to make its way through city council. NEFAR and NEFBA have been working with several council members to make sure this legislation helps remove blight signs while not affecting real estate and temporary directional signs.
Duval County issues, Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
TPO Transportation Study: After several months of delay, the Clay County Transportation Study has gained traction. A draft report was released Sept. 19 to the TPO focus group, which included several NEFBA members. The focus group met the following week to receive comments on the report. The amended report was presented to the county and TPO for review the first week of October and submittal of the final report is scheduled for mid-October.
Millage rate increase: The Clay County Commissioners voted to increase the millage rate to 8.1010 mills for fiscal year 2014-15. The increase was approved 4-1, with Commissioner Ronnie Robinson the lone dissenting vote. The millage rate is a slight increase of 0.25 mills over last year’s rate of 7.8510. One mill equates to $1 in tax revenue for each $1,000 in assessed property tax.
Builders Council, Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Proposed Mobility Plan: In a 5-0 vote, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve the proposed Mobility Plan on Aug. 25. The new mobility fee is designed to offer more clarity and consistency than the county’s old transportation concurrency system. It also will address several negative issues the old system created, including the “first-come, first-served” approach that resulted in encouraging sprawl and limiting infill development.
Builders Council, Palmer Kuder, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Comprehensive Plan Amendment: St. Johns County officials are expected to resume workshops in October about a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Land Development Code Amendment. The amendments, which included changes to the Vilano Town Center and the Northwest Scenic Edges, were introduced in June but delayed due to heavy public comment. No meetings have been scheduled.
Builders Council, Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355