Nassau
New county attorney: Former Nassau County Attorney Mike Mullin returned to his former position with the county in March. County commissioners made the selection official Feb. 11. Mullin has been in private practice with the NEFBA member law firm Rogers Towers for the past eight years. He also serves on the Nassau Builders Council board of directors.
Builders Council: Palmer Kuder [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Duval
NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: Meets at 8:30 a.m., April 23, at the NEFBA office, 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100, Jacksonville.
Proposed sales tax hike: City Councilman Bill Gulliford has proposed a half-cent sales tax hike to help the city fill the $1.6 billion deficit in the Police and Fire Pension Fund. The current local sales tax is 7 percent. The increase would take the tax to 7.5 percent. Under Gulliford’s proposal, the city would have to raise property taxes for one year because it would take a year for the sales tax to start generating revenue. Gulliford estimates a half-cent sales tax increase would generate $60 million. After that year, the council would roll back the property tax increase. Pending council approval, Guillford’s plan could go on the ballot as early as May.
Duval County Issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Clay
Transportation infrastructure funding: In a fight between funding transportation infrastructure and a new sports facility, the Clay County Commission voted 4-1 to down the idea of using $10 million in unspent bond money to bring a mega-sports complex to the area. During discussion, several commissioners voiced concerns about spending the excess bond money on a sports complex when the county has infrastructure problems that also need funding. “I come down on the side of infrastructure on this,” said Commissioner Wayne Bolla. Joining Bolla’s position were Commissioners Gavin Rollins, Ronnie Robinson and Diane Hutchings.
Builders Council: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
St. Johns
Comprehensive plan amendment: The St. Johns County Board of County Commissions voted to approve the Comprehensive Plan amendments proposed in June 2014. The amendment, which includes changes to the Vilano Town Center and a reduction in the Northwest Scenic Edges, had been delayed due to heavy public comment.
Special election: St. Johns County held its primary election Jan. 27 for House Districts 17 and 24 and Senate District 6. NEFBA-endorsed candidates Paul Renner (House District 24) and Rep. Travis Hutson (Senate District 6) won their races by wide margins. County Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson also won her primary for District 17. NEFBA and the St. Johns Builders Council have endorsed Stevenson in the April 7 general election.
Builders Council: Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Baker
Baker County Issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Florida
FHBA spring legislative conference: The Florida Home Builders Association spring legislative conference is March 16-18. The conference includes FHBA meetings, legislative socials and visits with state legislators from Northeast Florida. Issues to be discussed include springs protection, lien law changes, septic tank regulation, Sadowski funding, homeowners associations and the building code bill. If you are interested in attending the conference with NEFBA, contact Jessie Spradley at [email protected]
NEFBA special interest councils
Sales & Marketing Council Director/Nassau Builders Council/E-Council: Palmer Kuder, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Member Services Director: Hans Krieg, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Events Coordinator/Remodelers Council/Education: Corey Hacker, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355
Governmental Affairs Director/Clay Builders Council/Young Professionals: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355