Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Clay County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
27 issues in taxes budget
Affordable housing bond plan
State law requires the county to update its list of surplus land suitable for affordable housing every three years. The updated list includes small vacant parcels in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park.
Bed tax collections and tourism revenue
Bed tax collections jumped double digits in two straight months, boosted by the new Echo hotel and major events. A $2 million annual collection would mean more grant money for future events.
FY26/27 budget deficit (~$44.5-50M)
Member Kathy Kass questioned what the board's mission is beyond markers and cemeteries, noting no budget for new markers. Members proposed forming a subcommittee with new Chair Shawn Atwell to set direction, and a recognition certificate program is moving forward with nominations due by next meeting.
Capital Improvement Plan and Budget Adjustments
The unfunded project list jumped from $196 million to $371 million during the meeting. Commissioners discussed a possible stormwater fee, raising mobility fees, and squeezing efficiencies out of software licenses and telecom to cover it — all ahead of a property tax repeal debate.
Clerk of Court Orange Park branch closure risk
Under a 15% cut scenario, the clerk says the only way to hit the target is closing the Orange Park branch, which handles passports, hunting licenses and court payments.
Elections funding under Amendment 3
Commissioners discussed which services — including problem-solving courts — could be cut if the November ballot amendment passes, and cautioned that state law limits their ability to advocate on the measure.
Pace of the county land conservation program
The committee is figuring out how to actually spend the county's $42 million land acquisition fund. One member argued rising land prices make outright purchases unrealistic and the county should lean on cheaper conservation easements and partnerships instead.
State property tax reform impact on Clay County
If Amendment 3 passes, Clay County — the second-most negatively impacted county in Florida — could lose $40 million in year one and $70 million in year two. That could mean cutting 171 to 577 positions depending on how cuts are spread. The board will get a full presentation from the Sheriff, Fire/EMS, and Elections at the next meeting.
Tax Collector state funding shortfall
Tax Collector Diane Hutchings is returning $2.2M to the county but says a stale $6.25-per-license DMV fee from 2010 forces Clay taxpayers to subsidize out-of-county driver's license services; she asked commissioners to push the legislature for a fix.
Veterans' stormwater and garbage fee exemptions
The board cut the 100% garbage-fee exemption for totally and permanently disabled veterans to 50%. Several speakers and two commissioners objected, calling it unfair to veterans on fixed incomes.
Municipal impacts — Keystone Heights
The Winn-Dixie replacing the closed Hitchcock's is targeted to open July 31, 2026, sparing Keystone Heights from becoming a food desert.
Healthcare rate increase of 13%
Health insurance rates jump 13% for 2027 — the county budgeted 10%, so employees cover the rest, up to $758 more per year for family PPO. Retiree premiums are also a concern, with a single retiree paying roughly $10,000+ a year out of pension.
CDBG Funding Plan 2026-2030
A plan to add $900,000 for sidewalks and $100,000 for two nonprofits stalled over funding nonprofit employees. It comes back March 10 with more data on county needs.
UF-IFAS Extension Office and 4-H Funding
Four residents urged the board not to cut Extension funding, citing Master Gardeners, 4-H, and Head Start nutrition education. Commissioner Sgromolo questioned the administrative staffing ratio but pledged to protect student programs.
Certification of the 2025 Assessment Rolls
TRIM notices with proposed property values and tax estimates mail August 24, and the deadline to timely file a VAB petition is September 18. Late petitions are possible only with verifiable extraordinary circumstances — "I didn't get my notice" usually isn't enough. Most filers never talk to the Property Appraiser first, which staff say could resolve many disputes informally.
Governor's property tax exemption proposal
Tallahassee bills could phase out non-school property taxes on homesteads, potentially costing the county about $33.5M a year. That money pays for sheriff's deputies, fire service, parks, libraries and roads, and officials are weighing fee increases or cuts to fill the gap.
2025 Property Tax Assessment Appeals
Exemption denial hearings are tentatively set for the week of November 16, with a makeup week of November 30; real property and tangible personal property valuation hearings are set for the week of February 17, with a makeup week of February 24. Moving exemption hearings earlier lets the clerk's office clear the small number of those cases sooner.
Commission Auditor Charter Position
Tim Nguyen raised whether the county's Commission Auditor duplicates the Clerk of Court's own audit and Inspector General duties. Only two Florida counties (including Clay) have internal auditors reporting to the commission, and Hillsborough is eliminating its position. The topic was tabled for more expert input in February.
Charter Review: Commissioner Salary Referendum
A proposed charter amendment would remove the fixed $37,000 commissioner salary and the requirement that pay changes be approved by voters, instead tying salaries to the state formula for non-charter counties. It cleared its second public hearing with no public input and heads to the final hearing May 18 before going to the county commission.
Minutes transparency and completeness
Gerard Casale argued the board should write fuller minutes instead of relying on summary-plus-video, saying important context gets lost and issues keep resurfacing. Staff pointed to full transcripts available on the county website.
Engineering consultant procurement process (RFQ 25/26-004)
Commissioner Condon argued the eight-category RFQ system favors giant firms, locks out small local businesses, and lets work up to $7.5 million bypass the board via work orders. The board expanded some award lists and agreed to revisit evaluation criteria.
Charter Review Committee public hearings
The Charter Review Committee is wrapping up and has scheduled three public hearings on April 20, May 4 and May 18 for its one remaining ballot topic.
Repeal of the County Charter
The commission added a topic asking whether voters should decide if Clay County should stop being a charter county. The charter's main practical benefit cited was the utility tax; ending charter status would also put commissioner pay under state law.
Utility Tax Tied to Charter Status
Commissioner Condon urged the commission to consider a ballot measure letting voters repeal the 4% utility tax on electric bills, which generates about $4 million a year and could legally go to 10%. The topic remains on next meeting's agenda.
Gas tax erosion from electric vehicles
Gas tax revenue stays flat because it's charged per gallon, and EVs pay nothing. Only about 3% of the county's 185,000+ registered vehicles are electric or hybrid, but commissioners want the legislative delegation engaged and data on local EV use.
Clay County Fair public safety costs
The fair's fire rescue bill jumped from about $45,000 to nearly $131,000 under the new fee schedule. The board split this year's cost 60% county / 40% fair, with the fair phasing to full cost over four years.
Strategic Plan adoption
The county updated its five-year roadmap, adding goals like cutting premature deaths 5%, improving 20,000 feet of stormwater pipes, and boosting JTA ridership 50%. Performance data will be posted online and briefed to the Board quarterly.