Government Advocacy Update

Realty Builder
NEFBA

Nassau

Fernandina Beach impact fee study: The Fernandina Beach City Commission hosted a workshop Aug. 4 to review a draft update of the Parks, Fire, Police and Public Facilities Impact Fee Study. Dr. James C. Nicholas presented the study to the commission.

Builders Council: Palmer Kuder [email protected] and (904) 725-4355

Duval

NEFBA’s Government Affairs Committee: The next Government Affairs meeting is 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 24, at the NEFBA offices (103 Century 21 Drive, Suite 100).

NEFBA Beast Feast: The much-anticipated annual NEFBA Beast Feast is Oct. 1. This important political event brings together elected officials, candidates for local office and NEFBA members. Last year’s feast was attended by nearly 400 guests and this year’s event is expected to be even bigger. Beast Feast begins at 5 p.m. at the NEFBA offices.

Mayor’s budget: Mayor Lenny Curry’s 2015-16 proposed city budget includes increased spending for public safety and infrastructure. The $1.14 billion budget would set aside $71 million for resurfacing streets, enhancing city parks, drainage improvements and building repairs. It also recommends hiring 40 police officers and 40 community service officers. Curry’s budget would keep the current property tax rate of 11.4419 mills. The budget is being reviewed by the City Council.

Duval County Issues: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355

Clay

Millage rate increase: The Clay County Board of Commissioners has proposed a tentative maximum county property tax rate of 8.4585 mills as the basis for a proposed budget totaling about $288.5 million for 2015-16. The new rate is 0.3575 mills more than the current 8.1010 per $1,000 of taxable property. The commission will hold a second public hearing on both the budget and tax rate at 5:05 p.m. Sept. 22. A final commission vote will come at the conclusion of the Sept. 22 hearing.

Builders Council: Jessie Spradley, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355

St. Johns

St. Johns County budget: County Administrator Michael Wanchick presented a $568 million 2015-16 budget to the County Commission. The proposed budget includes $6.7 million for pavement maintenance, a sizable increase from the roughly $1.5 million put toward that effort this year. The budget would reduce tax rates in the general fund while raising rates for transportation and fire service, with the gains and losses balancing each other and more money being earmarked for particular uses.

Growth management workshop: The Board of County Commissioners hosted a special meeting Aug. 25 regarding growth management. The crowd included a multitude of NEFBA members as the group discussed the possibility of the county placing a moratorium on Comprehensive Plan Amendments, limiting growth geographically to areas of the county north of the outer beltway or some other line and increasing impact fees.

Builders Council: Leona Brown, [email protected] and (904) 725-4355