Citizens Working Together for our County
Policy Priorities and Positions
Policy Priorities and Positions
State Legislative Priorities
Florida Forever and Florida Wildlife Corridor
Florida has a long history and tradition of land conservation dating back to the mid-1800’s. Over seven years ago, 75% of Floridians voted to Constitutionally mandate one-third of the real estate stamp revenue to be allocated for land conservation. We urge the legislature to fully fund Florida Forever and the Florida Wildlife Corridor at its mandated levels to protect our fragile natural resources which will ultimately save taxpayers money.
Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
St. Johns County has a long and storied history in agricultural production but has been rapidly losing farming and ranching land to residential and commercial developments. The economic contributions of all agricultural related sectors in the county has been considerable. In 2018 the economic output was $118 million and created an estimate 30,511 jobs. We urge the legislature to fund this program to protect the family farm and protect the state’s second-largest industry.
Reduce Septic Tank, Sewer and Nutrients Pollution to Protect Florida Waterways
St. Johns County is blessed with access to the Atlantic Ocean, St. Johns River, Intracoastal Waterway and numerous rivers and streams. Yet, leaking septic tanks, nutrient runoffs and aging sewer systems are polluting our waters and causing unnecessary harm. We urge the legislative delegation to support increased funding for septic-to-sewer conversions and updating other systems which are the source of nutrient water pollution.
Sea Level Rise and Infrastructure Funding
Rising sea levels are being experienced in St. Johns County. We commend the legislature and governor for funding a board range of mitigation and resiliency projects. We strongly encourage state leaders to build upon these measures and to keep the focus on this critical need. Florida can either be a leader in state resiliency efforts or it can be the country’s number one victim to sea level rise.
Funds for Expansion of St. Johns County Public Transit System
Support legislation that will increase funds to the Transportation Fund and oppose efforts to divert funds from the trust fund. The county’s growing population dictates expanding public transportation to employment areas and collaborate on more regional routes.
A1A Vilano Multi-use Trail
Support funding for the completion the A1A Vilano Multi-use Trail along the Scenic Highway from the City of St. Augustine to the Vilano Town Center to Ponte Vedra.
Protection of Local Government Revenues and Statutes
Oppose any legislation which would further erode local governments from capturing revenue in the form of ad valorem values, impact fees, concurrency compensation and user fees. This revenue is critical to provide necessary programs and services for residents and to meet unfunded mandates.
Short-term and Vacation Rentals and Plastics Regulations
Oppose any legislation which preempts local governments from regulating short-term and vacation rentals because local governing bodies know what is best for their communities. Local control is best when it comes to the ability to enact local zoning provisions to ensure quality of life for its citizens, including the use of plastics.
State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Funding
Supports the county’s request for the full amount of funds collected from the St. Johns County Document Stamp Taxes that are paid into the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund which are allocated back to the county’s SHIP fund. These funds are critical to meet the need for more affordable housing and should not be redirected to other programs.
Open Meeting Exemption for Economic Development Purposes
Opposes efforts to broadly amend the Florida Government in the Sunshine statute to allow local governments to meet and deliberate in private on economic development issues. These amendments as currently proposed could allow almost any non-residential development proposals to be negotiated in private without public disclosure and input. This exemption should be more narrowly cast to apply only to those rare instances where confidentiality is adequately justified by findings and theses findings are publicly disclosed prior to any official action on the subject matter being taken.
County Priorities
Future of our County -- Visioning Process
The Roundtable requests that the Commission embark on a process to seek community input on the future of the County and set a strategic and comprehensive plan and then stick to it. As planning begins for review of the Comp Plan, we believe that conducting a series of community and stakeholder workshops regarding infrastructure, traffic, environment and water needs, quality, economic development, and quality of life will lead to a better Comp Plan.
Preemption
Encourage the County to be more vocal on maintaining County authority vis-a-vis state preemption.
Resiliency and Sea Level Rise
Increase the County's focus on resiliency and sea level rise as well as the preservation of silviculture.
No More Septic Tanks
Pass a moratorium on construction of new septic tanks and institute stricter
standards for current tanks.
Short Term and Vacation Rentals
We urge the County to fully implement the vacation rental ordinance and finalize enforcement and the schedule of fines for violations.
Past Resolutions
May 2020: Amendment to Articles IV and XII of the St. Johns County Land Development Code
The St. Johns County Civic Association Roundtable supports the County's adoption of an ordinance imposing fines for unauthorized tree removal or land clearing with the following recommendations:
1. Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) should be added to the species of tree assessed with higher fines for specimens 2 inches and greater along with Sand Live Oaks (Quercus geminata) Southern Red Cedars (Juniperus silicicola).
2. The area in which Sand Live Oaks, Southern Red Cedars and Southern Live Oaks are considered Protected Trees for species over 2 inches should be expanded to include areas west of the Intracoastal Waterway to Interstate I-95.
3. The fines assessed for all categories of unauthorized tree removal should be doubled to more accurately reflect the actual cost of purchasing replacement trees and serve as an effective deterrent to unauthorized tree removal.
Click here for more information:Rationale for above Protected Tree Removal Recommendations
As proposed, the Protected Tree Removal ordinance does not include the Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginians). The prevalence and significance of the Southern Live Oak in our county warrants its protection. It is only fitting that the country's oldest city is also home to an over 600-year old Live Oak, the Old Senator tree, an historic landmark and its oldest resident.
2. The area of jurisdiction should be expanded to include lands west of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the boundary of I-95. County land west of ICW is critically important for its hammocks, wetlands and wildlife habitats. The draft ordinance would not have covered the unauthorized clear cutting of trees on Gun Club Road as objected by Commissioner Blocker late last year.
3. The tree fines for all categories should be doubled to act as a greater deterrent to unpermitted tree removal and to more accurately reflect tree replacement costs. St. Johns County fine structure should be competitive with neighboring counties to be effective. For example the fine for clear cutting in Duval County is $50,000 per acre and the proposed fine for St. Johns County is $30,000 per acre.
Policy Priorities and Positions
2022 State Legislative Priorities
Florida Forever and Florida Wildlife Corridor
We urge the legislature to continue to increase funding for Florida Forever and the Florida Wildlife Corridor; last year’s funding was $400 million. It is an important investment for future generations and quality of life. Land conservation to protect our fragile natural resources ultimately saves taxpayer money
Funding for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
Agriculture in St. Johns County has a long and storied history and leads the state in the production of potatoes and cabbage. According to the latest UF/IFAS statistics, St. Johns County natural resource industries have an overall impact of more than $171 million annually and provides 22.8% of all county jobs. It is imperative for the legislature to protect our family farmland. This county is one of the fastest growing in the state which further endangers precarious farmland. The program has received little to no funding in the last few years and family farms need state help to protect agriculture land.
Reduce Septic Tank & Sewer Pollution to Protect Florida Waterways
Florida is nothing without its springs, creeks, rivers, lakes and seas. Water is our invaluable natural resource and we must protect this vital heritage. Yet, leaking septic tanks and aging sewer systems, especially in St. Johns County, are polluting our waters and causing unnecessary harm. We urge the legislative delegation to support increased funding for septic-to-sewer conversions and updating of sewer systems. Furthermore, there are under-utilized technologies, among others, like vacuum sewer systems which transport sewage in partial vacuum piping to a vacuum collection station, thus reducing the potential for leaks.
Funds for Expansion of St. Johns County Public Transit System
Support legislation that will increase funds to the Transportation Trust and oppose efforts to divert funds from the trust fund. The county’s growing population dictates expanding public transportation to employment areas and collaborate on more regional routes.
Protection of Local Government Revenues and Statutes
Oppose any legislation which would further erode local governments from capturing revenue in the form of ad valorem values, impact fees, concurrency compensation and user fees. This revenue is critical to provide necessary programs and services for residents and to meet unfunded mandates.
Local governments should be allowed to regulate Short-term and Vacation Rentals and Plastics
Opposes any legislation which preempt cities and counties from regulating short-term and vacation rentals because local governments know what is best for their communities. Local control is best when it comes to the ability to enact local zoning provisions to ensure quality of life of its citizens, including the use of plastics.
Open Meeting Exemption for Economic Development Purposes
Opposes efforts to so broadly amend Florida’s Government in the Sunshine statute to allow local governments to meet and deliberate in private on economic development issues. These amendments as currently proposed could allow almost any non-residential development proposals to be negotiated in private without public disclosure and input. This exemption should be more narrowly cast to apply only to those rare instances where confidentiality is adequately justified by findings, and that these findings are publicly disclosed prior to any official action on the subject matter being taken.
Program funding for the Vilano Beach/Ponte Vedra Beach Trail
Supports funding for the completion of the pre-construction engineering for the initial phases of the multi-use Vilano Trail/Ponte Vedra Trail along State Road A1A between the City of St. Augustine. Vilano Town Center and Ponte Vedra Beach.
Support Meaningful & Comprehensive Legislation to Further Limit Water Pollution
Enact legislation and increase funding to address the sources of nutrient pollution, especially from septic tanks, biosolids, sewage spills, fertilizer and other runoffs which seep into groundwater and water tables. Nutrients are widely recognized as the major driver of algae proliferation.
Sea Level Rise Infrastructure Funding
Support funding to assist coastal communities in assessing vulnerabilities and risks associated with sea level rise and help develop plans and approaches for mitigation.
2021 County Priorities
Future of our County -- Visioning Process
The Roundtable recommends that the Commission embark on a process to seek community input on the future of the County and set a strategic and comprehensive plan and then stick to it. Conduct a series of growth management workshops regarding infrastructure and traffic, environment and water needs and quality, economic development, and quality of life
Preemption
Encourage the County to be more vocal on maintaining County authority vis-a-vis state preemption.
Staffing
Hire an experienced Growth Management Director.
Climate Change
Increase the focus on climate change and resiliency, sea level rise as well as the preservation of silviculture.
No More Septic Tanks
Pass a moratorium on construction of new septic tanks and institute stricter
standards for current tanks.
Past Resolutions
May 2020: Amendment to Articles IV and XII of the St. Johns County Land Development Code
The St. Johns County Civic Association Roundtable supports the County's adoption of an ordinance imposing fines for unauthorized tree removal or land clearing with the following recommendations:
1. Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) should be added to the species of tree assessed with higher fines for specimens 2 inches and greater along with Sand Live Oaks (Quercus geminata) Southern Red Cedars (Juniperus silicicola).
2. The area in which Sand Live Oaks, Southern Red Cedars and Southern Live Oaks are considered Protected Trees for species over 2 inches should be expanded to include areas west of the Intracoastal Waterway to Interstate I-95.
3. The fines assessed for all categories of unauthorized tree removal should be doubled to more accurately reflect the actual cost of purchasing replacement trees and serve as an effective deterrent to unauthorized tree removal.
Click here for more information:Rationale for above Protected Tree Removal Recommendations
As proposed, the Protected Tree Removal ordinance does not include the Southern Live Oaks (Quercus virginians). The prevalence and significance of the Southern Live Oak in our county warrants its protection. It is only fitting that the country's oldest city is also home to an over 600-year old Live Oak, the Old Senator tree, an historic landmark and its oldest resident.
2. The area of jurisdiction should be expanded to include lands west of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the boundary of I-95. County land west of ICW is critically important for its hammocks, wetlands and wildlife habitats. The draft ordinance would not have covered the unauthorized clear cutting of trees on Gun Club Road as objected by Commissioner Blocker late last year.
3. The tree fines for all categories should be doubled to act as a greater deterrent to unpermitted tree removal and to more accurately reflect tree replacement costs. St. Johns County fine structure should be competitive with neighboring counties to be effective. For example the fine for clear cutting in Duval County is $50,000 per acre and the proposed fine for St. Johns County is $30,000 per acre.
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Read about Roundtable Policy Positions