[CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:03] >> OKAY , Y'ALL READY? Y'ALL, I'M STARTING. >> GO FOR IT. >> PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION LED BY THE COMMIS COMMISSIONER. >> PLEASE BOW WITH ME. GRACIOUS LORD, OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, THANK YOU FOR TODAY. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR EVERY BLESSING REALLY. FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLED IN YOUR PRESENCE. WE ASK YOU, GOD, TO HAVE YOUR WAY TODAY. TO CONTINUE TO HAVE YOUR WAY. LORD, THANK YOU FOR EVERY BLESSING. THANK YOU FOR THE RAIN, GOD, AND THE BLESSING THAT THAT HAS BEEN IN THESE WARMER TEMPERATURES. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY, THAT YOU BROUGHT US HERE TO HANDLE. LORD, I I LIFT UP TO YOU SOLOMON'S PRAYER. LORD THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US YOU A HEARING HEART AND A MIND TO UNDERSTAND, TO GOVERN YOUR PEOPLE. PLEASE, LORD, GIVE US WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, LORD, WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP. BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HELP US, WE HAVE NO HELP. SO PLEASE, GOD, COME THROUGH. HAVE YOUR WAY HERE TONIGHT. IN THE NAME OF JESUS I PRAY, AMEN. >> ALL RIGHT. TODAY WE'RE HONOURED TO HAVE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE RETIRED MASTER SERGEANT MICHAEL CASH LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> MASTER CASH SFSHED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE FOR SEVEN YEARS WHILE STATIONED IN FORT WATTEN BEACH WITH THE 24 SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, KUWAIT, THE CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICA. DURING HIS MILITARY CAREER HE EARNED NUMEROUS MILITARY HONOURS. TODAY MASTER SERGEANT CASH CONTINUES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AS A SOFTWARE SYSTEMS MANAGER FOR THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO CLAY COUNTY. PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE AND THEN PLEASE HAVE A FEW WORDS AFTER. >> PLEASE REMOVE YOUR HAT. SALUTE OR CROSS YOUR HEART. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDID I VISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. I HAVE A SHORT THING TO SAY. IT'S AN HONOUR TO REPRESENT THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> CALLED TO ORDER , BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING AUGUST 25, 2026. [PET ADOPTIONS] HAVE ALL OF MY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, FELLOW HE COMMISSIONERS HERE TODAY, AND WE'LL GO RIGHT INTO PET ADOPTIONS WITH THERESA. >> OUR FIRST CAT TODAY IS FERN, SPADE FEMALE, DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR, 3 MONTHS OLD AND WEIGHS 4 POUNDS. EVERYONE RELAX. FERN HAS ARRIVED. AND YES, THOSE BIG EYES ARE REAL. WE'RE NOT SURE IF SHE'S CONSTANTLY SURPRISED, JUDGING OUR LIFE CHOICES OR JUST MAKING SURE WE'RE ALL BEHAVING. EITHER WAY, FERN IS RIDICULOUSY CUTE AND READY TO FIND HER PEOPLE. COME MEET FERN AND PREPARE TO BE STARED AT, LOVINGLY, OF COURSE. OUR FIRST DOG IS MAGGIE SPADE FEMALE CORGIE MIX. A LITTLE EXTRA TO LOVE AND A LOT OF PERSONALITY. SHE'S A LITTLE ON THE FLUFFY SIDE, A LITTLE SASSY AND COMPLETELY CONVINCE WITHED SHE KNOWS EXACTLY HOW THINGS SHOULD BE DONE. MAGGIE IS READY TO TRADE SHELTER LIFE FOR A KOEZ HEY HOME, SOME GOOD SNACKS AND A GOOD FAMILY WHO APPRECIATES A GIRL WITH OPINIONS AND ADORABLE LITTLE LEGS. COME MEET MAGGIE AND CINCINNATI IF HER BIG PERSONALITY IS EXACTLY WHAT YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN MISSING. OUR NEXT CAT IS DORIAN, SPADE FEE MAIM DOMESTIC SHORT HAIR 3 MONTH OLD AND WEIGHS 5.1 POUNDS. DORIAN IS STILL WAITING. SERIOUSLY, WHAT'S THE HOLD UP? DORIAN IS A BEAUTIFUL, GREY TABBY GIRL WHO HAS BEEN WAITING WAY TOO LONG FOR SOMEONE TO REALIZE HOW SPECIAL SHE IS. SHE'S CUTE. SHE'S GOT THE PERFECT TABBY FACE. AND SOMEHOW SHE'S STILL HERE. DORIAN IS READY TO TRADE HER SHELTER KENNEL FOR A COZY HOME, A COMFY BED AND A FAMILY TO CALL HER OWN. COME MEET THIS GORGEOUS GIRL BEFORE SHE HAS TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT HOW LONG SHE'S BEEN WAITING. [00:05:02] LASTLY BARNACLE, NEUTERED MALE MIXED BREED 3 YEARS OLD, HEART WORM NEGATIVE. BARNACLE IS 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS OFFICIALLY DECIDED AWKWARD INTRODUCTIONS ARE OVERRATED. HE MAY HAVE STARTED PLAY GROUP A LITTLE NERVOUS, BUT GIVE HIM A FEW MINUTES AND SUDDENLY HE'S PL PLAYED, RUN ARE YOUING AND MAKING FRIENDS. COME MEET THIS HANDSOME GOOF BALL AND SEE IF YOU'RE HIS NEW BEST FRIENDS. READY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND? OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ARE WAITING TO ADD SOME EXTRA LOVE AND FUN TO YOUR LIFE. FROM WAGGING TAILS TO PURRING KITTIES WE HAVE THE PERFECT COMPANION JUST FOR YOU. WANT TO SEE WHO'S AVAILABLE? HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE AND MEET OUR ADORABLE CREW LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES. IF YOU'VE GOT QUESTIONS YOU CAN DROP US A LINE AT CLAYADOPTIONS@CLAYDOWN.GOV AND WE CAN CHAT. YOUR NEW BEST FRIENDS IS JUST A CLICK AWAY. EVEN DOGS ARE LOOKING FOR FOSTER HOMES AND WE'RE ALWAYS IN NEED OF FOSTER HOMES WHERE THEY CAN GROW, RECEIVE SOCIALIZATION AND CARE UNTIL THEY'RE READY TO PROVIDE ADOPTION. COULD YOU PROVIDE A LOVING TEMPORARY HOME FOR ONE OF OUR FOSTER ANIMALS? IF SO CONTACT US AT CLAYCOUNTYGOV.COM. AND LOOK AT OUR AMAZON WISH LIST. WE'RE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ITEMS FOR THE SHELTER ANIMALS. JUST GO TO AMAZON.COM. THAT COMPLETES OUR PET ADOPTIONS. >> THANK YOU, THERESA. AND IF MY FELLOW HE COMMISSIONERS WITH WOULD JOIN ME UP FRONT FOR SOME PROCLAMATIONS. [1. Library Card Sign-up Month (September 2026)] >> ALL RIGHT. SO LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS OF ALL AGE TOLLS DISCOVER MANY RESOURCES, PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES. I WITH WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR LIBRARY STAFF TO JOIN US UP FRONT. ALL RIGHT. SO OF AFTER COMMISSIONER READS THE PROCLAMATION WE'LL WELCOME ANY BRIEF REMARKS. LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH IS OBSERVE ED EACH SEPTEMBER BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND LIBRARIES NATIONWIDE TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE OF LIBRARY CARDS AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THEIR LOCAL LIBRARIES. AND, WHEREAS, SINCE 1987 LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH HAS PROMOTED LIBRARY ACCESS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, REMINDING FAMILIES THAT A LIBRARY CARD CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO READING, LEARNING, CREATIVITY, TECHNOLOGY AND LIFELONG DISCOVERY AND; WHEREAS, CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVE THROUGH MULTIMILLION BRANCHES WITH BOOKS, DIGITAL RESOURCES, INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS, TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE, MEETING SPACES AND LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT INFORM, CONNECT AND INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY AND; WHEREAS A A CLAY COUNTY LIBRARY CARD PROVIDES ABOUT SAYS TO E-BOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND TOOLS AND OTHER SERVICES THAT HELP RESIDENTS ARE LEARN NEW SKILLS, EXPLORE INTERESTS,ING CONNECT WITH INFORMATION, AND PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND; WHEREAS, CLAY COUNTY'S 2026 LIBRARY SIGN UP CARD THEME AMERICA 250, CELEBRATE OUR COUNTRY'S MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY WITH EVENTS, PROGRAMS, READING SUGGESTIONS AND MORE TO HONOUR OUR HISTORY AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA, THEREBY RECOGNIZES SEPTEMBER 26TH AS LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH. IN CLAY COUNTY AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO VISIT THE CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, SIGN UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD AND DISCOVER THE MANY RESOURCES, PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM. DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLAY COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS 25TH DAY OF AUGUST 2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION? WE HAVE A MOTION. A SECOND. ALL YOU IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SO THE FIRST THING I WANT TO [00:10:01] DO IS SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE LIBRARY TEAM. I'M REALLY FORTUNATE THAT SO MANY INDIVIDUALS WERE ABLE TO COME UP HERE TODAY. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM. I KNOW IT GOING TO BE SHORT. I PROMISE. SAVANNAH PAYNE IN PROGRAMMING, HEATHER ULSHW WITH -- ULSHWITZ IN OUTREACH. [INDISCERNIBLE] MELISSA MCNICHOL THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SARAH PENDLETON THE BRANCH MANAGER, CINDY BLACK THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE LIBRARY, KYLIE KNIGHT THE BRANCH MANAGER AT THE MIDDLEBERG LIBRARY, JENNIFER GOSS THE OUTREACH AND PROGRAMMING MANAGER, WAYNE DAVIES WHO'S ALSO PART OF THE OUTREACH TEAM, AND MARY KEMPVILLE THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR, MYSELF. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT HE WE RECOGNIZE THIS IS NATIONAL LIBRARY SIGN UP MONTH AND THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR WE'VE RUN ARE A CONTEST. IT'S CALLED ART THE CARD. AND I'LL JUST ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS THAT WE HAD FROM THIS YEAR. WINONA TEE IN PRESCHOOL CATEGORY, JAMIESON TEE IN KINDERGARTEN CATEGORY. SUSAN H IN OUR ADULT CATEGORY AND AUBREY P. IN OUR PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY. PATRONS MAY COME IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AND THEY CAN RENEW THEIR CARD OR EXCHANGE IT FOR ONE OF OUR ART TO CARD CARDS FOR FREE IF YOU'D LIKE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LIBRARY CARD WE CAN ASSIST NEW ANYWAY IN ANY OF OUR FIVE BRANCHS. AND AS THE COMMISSIONER STATED, ALWAYS REMEMBER LIBRARIES ARE BOOKS AND MORE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE LIB LIBRARY, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS. [2. National Recovery Month (September 2026)] >> ALL RIGHT. SO NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH CELEBRATE THE STRENGTH OF INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY AND RAISES AWARENESS FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE COMMUNITY PARA MEDICINE STAFF TO JOIN US UP FRONT. AFTER WE READ THE PROCLAMATION WE'LL WELCOME ANY BRIEF REMARKS. >> DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL, IF YOU GUYS CAN COME UP YOU TOO, THAT WOULD GREAT. THEY'RE ALREADY HERE? GREAT. AWESOME. BEFORE YOU I READ THE PROCLAMATION, I JUST WANT TO SAY THE CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PARA MEDICINE PROGRAM TRULY IS SECOND TO NONE. IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF WHAT THEY DO IN THE PARA MEDS SIN PROGRAM, THEY HELP SUPPORT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, BOTH FIREFIGHTERS AND EMT'S FOR CALLS TO SERVICE THAT HAPPEN MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY THAN NORMAL 911 CALLS. AND FROM BEING ON THE GROUNDS YOU CAN SEE THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT THE PARA MEDICINE PROGRAM BUILDS WITH RESIDENTS, AND YOUR EFFORTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW YOU SAVE TAXPAYERS A TON OF MONEY WITH THIS PROGRAM, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD AS WELL. AND GET PEOPLE THE HELP THEY NEED T PROCLAMATION STATES, WHEREAS THE CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PARA MEDICINE PROGRAM PROVIDES INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES, INCLUDING 24-HOUR OVERDOSE RESPONSE, NALOXONE, EDUCATION AND DISTRIBUTION, MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, PEER RECOVERY SUPPORT, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REFERRALS, FOLLOW-UP CARE AND CONNECTIONS TO TREATMENT AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES, HELPING REMOVE BARRIERS THE RECOVERY AND IMPROVE OUTCOME S FOR CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS; AND WHEREAS, CLAY COUNTY HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THE OVERDOSE CRISIS WITH FATAL DRUG POISONINGS DECLINING FROM 52 DEATHS IN 2022 TO 28 IN 2024, REPRESENTING AN APPROXIMATELY 48% REDUCTION WHILE PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND DISTRIBUTION, PEER SUPPORT AND RECOVERY INITIATIVES HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY; AND WHEREAS, [00:15:03] THESE EFFORTS DEMONSTRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A PROACTIVE OUTREACH, COMPASSIONATE CARE, EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT, HARM REDUCTION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN SAVING LIVES AND CREATING PATHWAYS TO LONG-TERM HE RECOVERY; AND WHEREAS, NO PERSONER OR FAMILIIED AFFECTED BY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SHOULD EVER FACE RECOVERY ALONE, AND CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS SEEKING ASSISTANCE CAN CONTACT THE CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE PARA MEDICINE PROGRAMS 24 HOUR SUPPORT LINE AT 904-284-7703 FOR COMPASSIONATE AND CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTAGES; AND WHEREAS, BYWY WOULDING TOGETHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, FIRST RESPONDSERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS ARE CAN REDUCE STIGMA, PREVENT OVERDEATH AND ENCOURAGE RECOVERY AND BUILD A HEALTHY MORE RESILIENT CLAY COUNTY. NOW BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT SEPTEMBER 2026 BE RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH IN CLAY COUNTY AND THE BOARD ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY, PROMOTE AWARENESS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND HELP BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE RECOVER IS CELEBRATED AND HOPE IS SHARED. DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA THIS 25TH DAY OF 2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION? AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOUR, AYE? AYE. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. [APPLAUSE] >> SO I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, THANK YOU COUNTY MANAGER, CAPTAIN. THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE INDIVIDUALS AND ARE WALKING THROUGH YOU THE WALK. THANK YOU YOU TO THOSE IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RECOVERY RO. IT'S A BIG THING FOR US. OUR PROGRAM DOES PHENOMENAL THINGS THAT WE COULD TALK ABOUT DATA AND NUMBERS AND THIS AND THAT. NATIONWIDE WE'RE DOING GREAT AS A COMMUNITY, OUR PROGRAM, BUT I CAN TELL YOU, IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE, THE FAMILIES. IT'S ABOUT THOSE THAT ARE IN RECOVERY. YEAH. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE AGAIN TODAY. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO DO WHAT WE DO. WE DON'T DO THIS ALONE BUT WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH DOH, CLAY BEHAVIORAL. THEY'RE NOT HERE. BUT WE DO PHENOMENAL THINGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND THE BIGGEST THING IS WE'RE DOING THIS WITHOUT ANY STIGMA, WITHOUT ANY BARRIERS, WITHOUT ANY JUDGMENT. WE'RE HERE 24 HOURS A DAY REACHING OUT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. YOU CAN REACH US ON OUR WEBSITE, BY CALLING 911, VARIOUS DIFFERENT WAYS. BUT WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND REST ASSURED EVERYBODY IS AFFECTED BY THE OPIOID CRISIS. ASK AROUND, TALK TO YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, BUT WE'RE HERE FOR YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR DOING WHAT WE DO. WE LOVE THIS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS. ANYONE FROM THE OF SHERIFF'S OFFICE LIKE TO SPEAK? ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS? MICHELLE FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT. [APPROVAL OF MINUTES] ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO APPROVAL OF MINUTES. >> I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE COMMISSIONER MEETING MINUTES FROM JULY 28 AND AUGUST 11, 2026. >> ALL RIGHT. I HAVE A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR AYE. [PUBLIC COMMENTS] AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 5-0. ALL RIGHT. AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT. THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA IS DESIGNED -- AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DEBATE OR ANSWER QUESTIONS. YOU MAY E-MAIL, ASK ASKCLAY@CLAYCOUNTYGO V.ORG. [00:20:12] YOU'RE TO LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO 3 MINUTES. AT 2 MINUTES THE YELLOW LIGHT WILL COME ON AND AT 3 MINUTE YOUR TIME WILL BE UP AND YOU ARE T BE FINISHED. BEFORE ADDRESSING THE BOARD STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND ALSO IF THIS IS -- AND THIS IS ONLY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU'RE SPEAKING ON AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA YOU'LL STAVE THAT FOR THAT NUMBER -- SAVE THAT FOR THAT NUMBER. NOW I'LL OPEN UP YOU THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR TODAY'S MEETING. THE FIRST IS DENISE CRINEOSTEIN. >> COMMISSIONER, I SPOKE TO YOU. I'M SORRY I'M NOT DRESSED. I CAME STRAIGHT FROM MY NEW HOUSE YOU TO HERE, SWEATY AND DIRTY. >> YOU ARE FINE. >> BUT WHAT I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS ON MY WAY HERE I WAS GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT YOU AND I HAD SPOKE ABOUT. ON THE WAY HERE A DETECTIVE CALLED ME, AND HE'S GOING TO BE HANDLING THAT RESEARCH. >> WONDERFUL. >> SO I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE UP YOU THAT KIND OF TIME. I'M GOING TO GIVE HIM SOME TIME TO HANDLE IT, RESEARCH IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT. IF HE DOESN'T, I'LL BE BACK ON THE NEXT BOARD MEETING. BUT WHAT I'VE REALLY WANTED TO TALK THE ALL OF Y'ALL ABOUT IS I'M MOVING TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. CLAY COUNTY HAS BEEN MY HOME FOR OVER 33 YEARS. I WAS BORN HERE. AND I YOU LOVE CLAY COUNTY. BUT Y'ALL ARE TURNING IT INTO A LITTLE DUVAL. [APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT. THERE WILL BE NO MORE CLAPPING. NO MORE SPEAKING OUT. THIS IS A MEETING, A BUSINESS MEETING. SO IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE ESCORTED OUT, OKAY? SO PLEASE REFRAN AND GO AHEAD. >> IT SADDENS THEY' THAT I I FELT LIKE I HAD TO MOVE. I AM A TRUE FLORIDIAN. I WAS BORN HERE, RAISED IN DUVAL, MADE IN PUTNAM COUNTY, SO I'M TRULY A TRUE FLORIDIAN. AND CLAY HAS BEEN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE IN, UNTIL RECENTLY. THE CRIME IS BAD. HAD HAD WITH I FIRST MOVED OUT HERE THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO, I ACTUALLY COULDN'T SLEEP THE FIRST NIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS SO CALM AND PEACEFUL AND QUIET. THAT'S WHAT CLAY COUNTY USED TO BE. NOW I HAVE TO SLEEP WITH A BEGUN BESIDE MY BED AND CARRY ONE WITH IN MY VEHICLE. BECAUSE I'M SCARED I'M ON MY OWN WITH A LITTLE PUPPY. I BEG Y'ALL, YOU I REALLY DO. THEY HAVE JUST AS MUCH RIGHT TO BE HERE AS WE DO. AND IT TEARS MY HEART UP TO SEE A DEER HIT OR RAN OVER. AND IT MAKES ME SO FRUSTRATED WITH ALL THIS ROAD CONSTRUCTION. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO DOWN 220 IN GOD KNOWS HOW LONG, AND IT'S RIDICULOUS. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO JENNIFER DEAN I I BELIEVE, AND NEXT THERESA SANDAY. >> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JENNIFER DEAN AND I'M A CLAY COUNTY RESIDENT. I'M HERE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHO IS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FLOCK CAMERAS BEING REPLACED THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY. AND I'M GETTING CONFLICTING INFORMATION. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SOME OF THIS FALLS UNDER THE COUNTY WHILE DURING PREVIOUS COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS IT WAS STATED THAT THE FLOCK CAMERAS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AS A CITIZEN, THAT IS CONCERNING. THESE CAMERAS ARE BEING PLACED IN OUR PARKS NEAR SCHOOLS AND NEAR PLACES AS SENSITIVE AS RESTROOM ENTRANCES. WE COULD BE ABLE TO CLEARLY UNDERSTAND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM AND WITH WHO IS [00:25:01] ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PLACEMENT AND USE. MY CONCERN BEGAN AT RONNY VAN ZALM MEMORIAL PARK WHEN I WAS LEAVING A WOMEN'S RESTROOM. I COULD SEE A CAMERA FACING THAT AREA BEFORE I FULLY EXITED THE DOORS. REGARDLESS OF THE PURPOSE, THAT CAMERA, NO WOMAN, PARENT, CHILD OR CITIZEN SHOULD HAVE TO WONDER THEY'RE BEING WATCHED WHILE COMING OUT OF A RELSROOM. I'M NOT SAYING PUBLIC SAFETY DOES NOT MATTER. IT OBVIOUSLY DOES. I'M ASKING HOW WE BALANCE PUBLIC SAFETY WITH PRIVACY, TRANSPARENCY AND USE OF RAPIDLY EXPANDING SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY. I REALLY ONLY NEED THREE THINGS CLARIFIED. FIRST, WHO OWNS, OPERATES AND ULTIMATELY HAS AUTHORITY OVER THESE CAMERAS? CLAY COUNTY? THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? FLOCK OR SOME COMBINATION OF THESE? SECOND, WHO DECIDES WHERE THESE CAMERAS ARE PLACED, WHAT THEY'RE POINTED TOWARDS AND PARTICULARLY AROUND PARKS, RESTROOMS AND SCHOOLS. THIRD, WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION THEY COLLECT, HOW LONG IS IT RETANLD AND WHAT OVERSIGHT EXISTS TO ENSURE ACCESS IS PROPERTY? I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHO I SHOULD FORMALLY CONTACT FOR CONTRACT, POLICIES, DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS SO THAT CITIZENS CAN ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THE SYSTEM OPERATES. I'M NOT ASKING THESE QUESTIONS TO ATTACK LAW ENFORCEMENT IN CLAY COUNTY. I'M ASKING BECAUSE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SURVEILLANCE EXPANDS THIS QUICKLY, THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GO FROM AGENCY TO TAEGS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. THERE SHOULD BE ONE CLEAR ANSWER. I ALSO ADVOCATE FOR RESPONSIBLE E-BIKE AND ELECTRIC MOBILITY SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT REASONABLE TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY MEASURES THAT PROTECT PEOPLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT SAFETY SHOULD NOT COME AS AN EXPENSE TO TRANSPARENCY, PRIVACY OR ACCOUNTABILITY. AS ELECTRIC MOBILITY CONTINUES TO GROW IN CLAY COUNTY, I HOPE WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT REASONABLE SAFETY RULES AND INFRASTRUCTURE RATHER THAN SIMPLY INCREASING SURVEILLANCE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU NEXT. >> MY NAME IS THERESA SANDAY. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. GOOD AFTERNOON, ALL. I'M SUPPOSED TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR 3 MINUTES BECAUSE I I FIND OTHERS WHO DO HAVE MISSED THE MEMO. FOR IT IS WE, THE PEOPLE, THAT GIVE THEM THE PLEASURE OF SERVING US WITH GRACE AND THE CONSCIOUSNESS THAT IS COMMANDED OF THEM WHEN THEY SWEAR TO THE OATH. ANYWAY, I'M NOT CONCERNED OF THIS FEE AS I AM ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT USING TAX DOLLARS TO CREATE A SURVEILLANCE STATE WITH DATA CENTRES, FLOCK CAMERAS AND NOW 50,000 AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS APPEARING NEXT YEAR TO THE TUNE OF $54.6 BILLION OF OUR MONEY. A 24000% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR. THIS IS REAL. CHECK IT OUT ONLINE. DID THE TAXPAYERS GET ANY MEETINGS ON LOSING OUR ABILITIES TO TRAVEL AND HAVE SOME BIT OF SELF AUTONOMY AND PRIVACY? NO. THIS MEETING IS A JOKE. THE QUESTION WE IS, WHAT ARE WE GONNA BE DOING ABOUT IT THE REAL PROBLEM? THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MR. NUNE AND THEN MS. PASCO. >> TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLAY COUNTY, MY NAME IS JOHN NUNE. I'M IN DUVAL COUNTY. CLAY COUNTY LEADERSHIP, DISTRICT ONE, CHAIRMAN OF THE TDC, COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY TO HELP RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, DISTRICT 2 ALEXANDER SERVES ON THE SMALL COUNTY COALITION. YOU HAVE A DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, DISTRICT 5 DR. KRISTEN BURKE, THE NORTH FLORIDA TPO, 2025, 0522. THAT'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS. AND THAT'S AMENDMENT 3 STUFF. DEALERSHIPS. DISTRICT 3, A DISTINGUISHED NAVAL CAREER, SERVES ON THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE FIRE WATCH COUNCIL, FORMER PRESIDENT THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ALSO SERVING ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THAT'S SEVEN COUNTIES. DISTRICT FOUR BETSY, CHAIR OF THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION COUNTIES, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, ARA NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL'S PERSONNEL BUDGET FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THAT'S HUGE. NOW, I'M HERE BECAUSE OF AMENDMENT 3. YOU HAVE BLACK CREEK IN CLAY [00:30:01] COUNTY. YOU CAN HAVE POTSBERG CREEK FOR CLAY COUNTY. 2026004 THAT'S A PARKS TRUST FUND. 2026 A MOVIE TRUST FUND IN DUVAL COUNTY. NOW, I'M HERE BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND VISION THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE CITIZENS OF CLAY COUNTY. SEPTEMBER 3, IN NINE DAYS THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL IS MEETING IN DUVAL COUNTY. ON THE AGENDA, AMENDMENT 3. NOW, I I HOPE THAT CLAY COUNTY UNDER OLD BUSINESS, NEW BUSINESS, MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS, TO SAY CLAY COUNTY WANTS THE BUSINESS OF A TRUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BY BANKING POLTSBERG CREEK AND DUVAL COUNTY AN AMENDMENT 3 CASH COW FOR CLAY COUNTY. NOW, I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT IN DUVAL COUNTY WE HAVE A TREE COMMISSION. THAT HAS $27 MILLION. AND SO THEY'VE SAID TO ME, NUNE, WE DON'T SAVE TREES. WE PLANT TREES. SO ANYWAY, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HAVE AN OR CHARRED. ANOTHER FAMILY 3 WOULD BE REVENUE FROM CHARGING STATIONS. 20250522 IN DUVAL COUNTY, THAT WAS FORD. AGAIN, PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. FISHING. THESE ARE FIDDLER CRABS. AND I JUST GOT THEM. PICKED THEM UP. BUT FISHING, PUBLIC ACCESS TO A WATERWAY THAT ULTIMATELY CONNECTS TO BLACK CREEK VIA THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER. UNDER YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES YOU HAVE OPERATED UNDER THE HOME RULE CHARTER SINCE 1991. THE CHARTER POWERS, ADDRESS SELF GOVERNMENT. SO AMENDMENT 3, CLAY COUNTY, POTSBERG CREEK AND DUVAL COUNTY, THAT WILL CONTINUE CLAY COUNTY'S VISION OF A BETTER TOMORROW AND THE BEST POSSIBLE TODAY. IT'S TOURISM. VISIT CLAY COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. MS. PASCO AND MR. COOK AFTER. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M DEBBIE PASCO FROM ORANGE PARK. YOU I WATCHED THE RECORDING OF LAST THURSDAY'S BUDGET WORKSHOP ON SUNDAY, IN WHICH IT WAS PROPOSED TO HALT THE DISTRICT 2 LIBRARY PROJECT. SO I CREATED A PETITION BUT ONLY HAD TWO DAYS TO COLLECT NAMES. I ONLY GOT A LITTLE OVER 200 SO FAR. I'M HERE TONIGHT AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN WAITING A VERY LONG TIME TO SEE A LIBRARY BECOME A REALITY IN DISTRICT 2. MY FAMILY MOVED TO CLAY COUNTY IN MAY OF 2014. WE CHOSE CLAY COUNTY BECAUSE OF IT GREAT SCHOOLS, LOW TAXES AND ITS PROXIMITY TO SO MANY THINGS WEEN JOY. AND WE SPECIFICALLY CHOSE THE PLANTATION BECAUSE IT REMINDED ME OF GROWING UP ON ARMY BASES. EVERYTHING IS RIGHT THERE. SHOPPING, SCHOOLS, PLAY GROUNDS, POOLS AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. A THEATRE, A BOWLING ALLEY AND A LIBRARY ARE THE ONLY THINGS MISSING LT THEN I DISCOVERED THE ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND I SAW THERE WAS ACTUALLY A SITE DESIGNATED FOR A FUTURE LIBRARY. I WAS THRILLED AND I THOUGHT OH , MY GOSH, WE'LL GET TO WALK TO THE LIBRARY. UNFORTUNATELY THAT NEVER HAPPENED. WHEN HE WAS SMALL, ONE OF MILL FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WITH MY SON WAS ATTEND STORY THYME AT THE JACKSONVILLE LIE BRAR NEAR TARGET. SOMETHING STRUCK ME EVERY TIME I WENT. SO MANY OF THE FAMILIES THERE WERE FROM OAKLEY. BUT ACCESSING A CLAY COUNTY LIBRARY IS VERY DIFFICULT. IT COULD BE A 30-MINUTE DRIVE OR MORE. OUR NEED ISN'T GETTING SMALLER. DISTRICT 2 IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GREG AREAS IN OUR COUNTY. AS MORE FAMILIES MOVE IN THE DEMAND FOR RESOURCE SOCIAL SECURITY ONLY GOING TO GROW. WITH WHEN WHEN THE COMMISSIONER ASKED OUR COMMUNITY WHAT WE WERE MISSING, ONE CONSISTENT ANSWER WAS WE REALLY NEED A LIBRARY. SHE LISTENED AND SHE WORKED REALLY HARD TO HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN. AND NOW AFTER YEARS, EVEN DECADES, OF WAITING, WE'RE FINALLY WITHIN MONTH OF COMPLETING THE PLANNED AND FUNDING PROCESS FOR THIS LONG PROMISED RESOURCE. AND I'M ASKING YOU TONIGHT, PLEASE DO NOT STOP NOW. IT WILL BE A PLACE WITH KIDS CAN STUDY AFTER SCHOOL, HOME SCHOOL GROUPS CAN GATHER, SENIORS CAN CONNECT AND COMMUNITY CLUBS CAN MEET. IT'S GOING TO BE AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION. I ASKED ON FACEBOOK WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT AND I YOU HEARD PEOPLE SAYING OH, MY GOSH, I'M SO EXCITED. IT'S BEEN 22 YEARS I'VE LIVED HERE. WITH ONE PERSON WAS, LIKE, ME! FLEMING ISLAND AND ORANGE PARK ARE WAY TOO INCONVENIENT FOR US. SO I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER CONTINUING THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE SO CLOSE TO COMPLETING FOR OUR DISTRICT 2 LIBRARY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ALL RIGHT. MR. COOK WILL BE NEXT, AND I HAVE TO ASK FOR EVERYONE STANDING TO PLEASE FIND A SEAT. THERE IS OVERFLOW DOWNSTAIRS, BUT YOU'LL NEED TO FIND A SEAT FOR US YOU TO GO ON WITH THE [00:35:03] MEETING. >> DANIEL COOK, FOR THE RECORD. ADDRESS IS ON FILE. I ALIGN COMPLETE WHERE WHERE THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE CONCERNS OF FLOCK SAFETY, OR ABOUT THE FLOCK SYSTEM. I WROTE A PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR, AND I'LL BE WRITING A SIMILARLY WORDED PETITION FOR THIS BOARD AS WELL. WHEREAS, THE MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LICENSE PLATE ARE READERS, AUDIO DETECTORS, MOBILE SECURITY CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS PROVIDED BY COMPANIES SUP AS FLOCK SECURITY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RIGHT AND PRIVACY OF FLORIDA CITIZENS; WHEREAS, GOVERNMENT'S ACCESS TO COLLECTION OF DATA BYPASS IT IS CHECKS AND BALANCES OF GOVERNMENT POWER AS WRITTEN IN THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND BILL OF RIGHT; WHEREAS, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE STATES IN PART, GOVERNMENTS ARE INSTITUTED BY MENDER RIVING THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED; AND WHEREAS, SECTION 1 ARTICLE 1 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION STATES THAT ALL POLITICAL POWER IS INHARNLT -- INHERENT OF THE PEOPLE; AND WHEREAS, ARTICLE 1 SECTION 5 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION STATES THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT, PEACEABLY, TO ASSEMBLE TO INSTRUCT THE REPRESENTATIVES AND TO PETITION FOR REDRESS OF FWROOEFENSES; WHEREAS, WITHOUT WE THE PEOPLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR MISUSE OF POWER EXISTS WITH THE MULTITUDE OF AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS AND ENTITIES THAT HAVE ACCESS TO DATA COLLECTED BY MASS DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS; AND WHEREAS, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 23 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION STATES THAT EVERY NATURAL PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO BE LET ALONE AND FREE FROM GOVERNMENTAL INTRUSION INTO THE PERSON PEACE PRIVATE LIFE, EXCEPT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN; WHEREAS, ARTICLE 4 OF THE BILL OF RIGHT STATES, THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO BE SECURE IN THEIR PERSONS HOUSES, PAPERS AND EFFECTS AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCHES P SEIZURES SHOULDN'T BE VIOLATED, AND NO WARRANT ISSUED BUT UPON PROBABLE COAST PROVIDED BY OATH OR AFFIRMATION AND PARTICULARLY DESCRIBING THE PLACES TO BE SEARCHED AND THE PERSONS AND THINGS TO BE SEIZED; AND WHEREAS, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IS IT CREDITED BY SAYING, THOSE WHO WOULD GIVE UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO PURCHASE A LITTLE TEMPORARY SAFETY DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY NOR SAFETY; AND WHEREAS, ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 6, CLAUSE 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION, FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DOS SANTOS IS POUND BY OATH OR AFFIRMATION TO SUPPORT THIS CONSTITUTION, AND WHEREAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MASS SURVEILLANCE, WHETHER BY THE GOVERNMENTS DIRECTLY OR BY PRIVATE ENTITIES AND CONTRACT OR CORROBORATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTES AN ININVITATION OF PRIVACY OF ALL FLORIDA CITIZENS; THEREFORE, WE THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING THIS PETITION WITH OUR AUTOGRAPHS LAWFULRY AND PEACEFULLY INSTRUCT FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DOS SANTOS TO USE HIS POWER TO IMP ELEMENT THE TOTAL REMOVL OF MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LICENSE PLATE READERS, MOBILE SECURITY CAMERAS AND AUDIO DETECTORS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA. >> THANK YOU, SIR. IS THERE TWO SEATS SOMEWHERE IN THE ROOM? I HAVE TWO PEOPLE THAT NEED A ROOM. THESE ARE FINE, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP FRONT. SIR, WE NEED EVERYONE TO SIT. PLEASE. MISS SCHAFER IS NEXT AND MR. HOGG NEXT. ONE SECOND MS. SCHAFER. CAN WE HELP HIM FIND A SEAT? PLEASE, SOMEONE. OKAY , GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SHEILA SCHAFER. I'M A MOTHER, A HOME SCHOOLER, AND AN ADMINISTRATOR OF OAKLEY HOME SCHOOL GROUP. I'M HERE BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE OAKLEY LIBRARY MEANS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO'S ALREADY TRYING TO BUILD THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS LIBRARY COULD SFERVE. I ORGANIZE CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND TEENS IN OAKLEY. WE WE HAVE KIDS THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, FAMILIES THAT WANT THE COMMUNITY AND PARENT THAT ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN, BUT WOOR RUNNING INTO THE SAME PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO DO IT. WE'VE HAD TO HE REARE LIE ON THE DUVAL COUNTY SERVICE, AND BECAUSE OF THE CAPACITY LIMITATIONS, WE'VE HAD TO ACTUALLY WAIT LIST CHILDREN FOR [00:40:02] PROGRAMS THAT WOOR TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR OUR ON COMMUNITY. THIS IS WHAT THE LACK OF A LIE BRAR LOOKS LUKE IN REAL LIFE. IT ISN'T SIMPLY THAT OUR CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE SOMEWHERE TO WHICH CAN OUT A BOOK. IT MEANS THEY DON'T HAVE A LOCAL PLACE TO DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW. OR TO ATTEND A PROGRAM, STUDY, MEET OTHER KIDS, EXPLORE STEM, PARTICIPATE IN CLUBS, OR SIMPLY JUST BELONG. AND THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU TODAY, PLEASE DON'T MAKE OAK LEAF CHOOSE BETWEEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT STORM WATER IS IMPORTANT. OUR FAMILIES LIVE HERE. WE WANT OUR ROADS ROW, DRAINAGE AND NEIGHBORHOODS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY AND SAFELY. BUT OAK LEAF HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS LIE BRER FOR DECADES. THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY MOVED THIS PROJECT THROUGH. PLANNING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, DESIGN AND FUNDING. SO PLEASE DON'T LET THIS SOLUTION TO ONE WITH COMMUNITY NEED COME AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER. YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OAK LEAF SOMETHING THAT WILL SERVE GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN. NOT JUST TODAY BUT FOR DECADES TO COME. I'M ASKING YOU TO YOU KEEP THE OAK LEAF LIBRARY MOVING FORWARD AND KEEP ITS FUNDING DEDICATED TO THIS PROJECT. BECAUSE I DON'T JUST WANT A LIBRARY FOR MY CHILDREN BUT A PLACE FOR ALL OF OUR CHILDREN TO GROW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT UP YOU IS LELAND HOGG. >> LELAND HOGG. ALL RIGHT. IF THERE'S AN LELAND HOGG DOWNSTAIRS F ANYONE CAN HEAR ME, THEY CAN COME ON UP. MICHAEL SEAGER IS NEXT. MICHAEL SEAGER, WAS THAT -- ARE YOU -- >> THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE DOWNSTAIRS, SO THEY'RE TRYING TO CYCLE THEM UP HERE RIGHT NOW. >> YEAH. I HAVE MICHAEL SEAGER AND LELAND HOGG. [CONSENT AGENDA] >> MADAM CHAIR, WHILE WE'RE WAITING DO YOU WANT TO MOVE TO CON CONSENT? >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE -- I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO CONSENT WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR THEM TO COME UP. DO I HAVE A MOTION FOR CONSENT OR NOT? >> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> I SECOND. >> A MOTION, A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? 5-0. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL WAIT AGAIN. [24. Letter of Support for Florida Forever Project Boundary Amendment Application related to Lovett Property.] ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO LETTERS FOR ACTION. NUMBER 24. LETTER SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT BOUNDARY AMENDMENT APPLICATION RELATED TO LEAVITT PROPERTY. >> I WOULD MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROJECT LOVE IT PROPERTY. >> I'LL SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT. A MOTION TO SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0. ALL RIGHT. I HEAR THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY. >> I CAN TELL YOU A JOKE IF YOU [00:45:03] WANT ME TO. >> PLEASE. >> THIS IS WHAT WE DO WHEN WE HAVE TO WAIT. WHERE DO MATH TEACHERS GO ON VACATION? NEW YORK CITY. BECAUSE TIME SQUARE IS A MUST SEE. >> JB, YOU HAVE ONE? >> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. [LAUGHTER] >> I HAVE TO THINK OF ONE. >> MAKE IT CLEAN, JB. >> I GOT ONE. >> K OKAY. GO AHEAD. PLEASE. >> WHERE DOES A MANATEE STORE HIS MONEY, HER MONEY? IN THE RIVER BANK. [LAUGHTER] >> YEAH, IT'S NOT TIME YET. WE'LL CALL YOU UP WHENEVER IT'S TIME. IT'S NOT TIME. ARE YOU MR. HOGG OR... NOPE. MR. SEAGER POSSIBLY? NO. ANDREW LYONS, YOU CAN COME ON UP. NO, HE'S NOT. HE'S HERE. >> I'M ANDREW LYONS FROM 1033 ORANGE PARK. I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE OAK LEAF LIBRARY COMING UP. MY MOM IS ALSO PART OF THAT HOME SCHOOL GROUP. I'M THE ONE DRIVING THEM AROUND SO I'VE SOON FIRSTHAND THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYWHERE WHERE TO GO. THE CLOSEST LIBRARY IS DUVAL COUNTY LIBRARY. WE CAN GO THERE, BUT IT PRETTY SMALL. HE WE CAN'T CHECK OUT BOOKS, LIMITED RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO US. . LOOKING AT THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026, I'M NO ECONOMIST, BUT LOOKING AT IT, THERE'S $18 MILLION SLOTTED FOR VEHICLE REPLACEMENTS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND I HEARD THEY GOT THEIR VEHICLES REPLACED IN 2022 AND $18 MILLION TO ME, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT THAT'S PRETTY CLOSE TO THE $9 MILLION WE NEED IN THE STORM WATER AND $9 MILLION WE'LL NEED FOR IF LIBRARY. SO I'M WONDERING IF WE'VE GOT ALL THIS MONEY FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND ALL THESE OTHER, YOU KNOW, BLANK BUDGETS FOR THE GENERAL FUND, I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY WE'RE HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LIBRARY, LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. LIKE THE LADY BEFORE ME WAS SAYING A LITTLE BIT AGO, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE WELCOME FOR ME COMING HERE AND GIVING MY PIECE AND LETTING YOU GUYS KNOW HOW IT IS BACK DOWN WHERE WHERE WE LIVE. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NO CLAPPING, PLEASE. >> MADAM CHAIR, WE ASKED PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN. THEY'RE STILL LOOKING FOR HIM. WE ARE SIMULCASTING ON 88.5, FACEBOOK LIVE, YOUTUBE AND OUR WEBSITE. SO ... >> SO DO WE KNOW IF THEY'RE STILL THERE? >> THEY'RE MAKING SURE. SOME PEOPLE WENT OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WAIT UNTIL 5:00 ANYWAY. SO WE HAVE 10 MINUTES NO MATTER WHAT. [00:59:20] >> OKAY , ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT. [00:59:22] IF YOU WANT TO COME UP, CLIF CLIFFORD. >> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME. MY NAME IS CLIFFORD. I'M A RESIDENT OF FLEMING ISLAND. I I DO NOT HAVE A CHILD IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. I'VE NOT HAD ONE WITH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE 2004. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE [01:00:02] COMPENSATION FOR CLAY COUNTY TEACHERS. THEY HAVE NOT HAD ADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS. THAT HAS COST THEM MORE THAN 37% OF THEIR PURCHASING POWER, ACCORDING TO CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. THE RECENT PAY ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT ADEQUATELY COVER THE RISING COSTS OF HEALTH INSURANCE, AND WE'RE AT RISK OF LOSING THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLS, WHICH IS SATISFACTORY, BUT SHOULD STROIF TO BE EXCELLENT. I'D LIKE TO ASSURE YOU I DID NOT GO DOWN RANGE TO AFRAID AMERICA WHICH WILL NOT EDUCATE ITS CHILDREN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL RIGHT. [16. Public Hearing on Ordinance and Resolution to Amend the Capital Improvement Plan and Resolution for Other Budget Adjustments (M.Rood)Approval of the following ordinance and resolutions that provide budget adjustments for departmental needs:(1) Public Hearing to consider approval of Ordinance amending the Capital Improvement Element (CIE) portion of the Clay County Capital Improvement Plan.(2) Resolution amending the Non-Capital Improvement Element (Non-CIE) portion of the Clay County Capital Improvement Plan.(3) Resolution amending the FY 25/26 Budget for operating adjustments.Various Funding Sources] ALL RIGHT. WE ARE AT 5:00, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION TO MANED THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND RESOLUTION FOR OTHER BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WE'VE PRESENTED A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. THIS WILL BE THE LAST BUDGET AMENDMENT YOU'LL SEE BEFORE OUR PUBLIC BUDGET HEARINGS. SO IT IS PRESENTED AS BRIEF TO YOU. SO IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER THEM THIS EVENING. [INAUDIBLE] >> THE SPNLDTURES EXCEED THE REVENUE TO THE POINT ARE WHERE WE HAVE TO MOVE SOME MONEY TO THE RESERVE ACCOUNT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. YOU KNOW, WE START THE BUDGET WITH A 16.7% ARE RESERVE. AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE USE THAT RESERVE FOR THE ITEMS WE HADN'T PLANNED FOR. AND IT JUST CAME TO LIGHT TO ME, WHAT IS -- WHAT PERCENTAGE ARE WE AT RIGHT NOW? >> SO WE'LL BE ENDING THE YEAR AT AROUND 6%, AS OF RIGHT NOW. >> 6%. AND WE DISCUSSED THIS. AND I'M NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT 6% IN AUGUST. BECAUSE OCTOBER 1ST IS A NEW BUDGET YEAR. IF THIS WERE MARCH, BEFORE THE HURRICANE SEASON, I'D BE A LITTLE BIT -- I'D BE VERY CONCERNED. AND SO I'M ASKING THE COMMISSION, WE DO NOT -- MAYBE I MISSED IT, BUT WE DON'T GET A BRIEF ON TRIGGERS. LIKE, WITH WHEN IT FALLS BELOW 15 OR WHEN IT FALLS BELOW 10. YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T A BOTTOMLESS CUP. THERE IS A BASE TO THIS. IT'S ZERO. SO I WANT US TO CONSIDER ADVISING, REQUESTING STAFF BRIEF US WITH HAD WHEN IT HITS SOME TRIGGER THAT MAKES YOU NERVOUS, I GUESS IS WHAT I'M SAYING. SO THAT'S MY REQUEST. YOU KNOW, I'M OKAY WITH THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT. I MEAN, IT'S ALL LEGITIMATE, BUT I DO GET CONCERN WHEN WE GET DOWN TO 6%. NOT THIS TIME OF YEAR, BUT IF IT WERE, LIKE I SAID MARCH OR FEBRUARY OR JANUARY, THEN I'D BE VERY CONCERNED. >> ANYBODY ELSE? >> YES, MADAM CHAIR. MJ, WITH WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET AMENDMENT I HAD CONSIDERABLE CONCERN ABOUT THE $2.1 MILLION TRANSFER FOR FIREFIGHTER OVERTIME. MAYBE THE CHIEF CAN EXPLAIN. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. >> YES, I WITH WOULD DEFER TO THE CHIEF ON ANY QUESTIONS FOR TH THAT. >> THE MAJORITY OF THE TRANSFER WAS CIRCLING AROUND WHAT I WITH WOULD CONSIDER THREE MAJOR EVENTS THAT WERE UNPLANNED OR UNANTICIPATED WITH THE SCOPE OF IT. ONE WAS THE EXTENT OF THE DROUGHT THAT PUT US IN EXTREMISTS FOR WILD FIRES LITERALLY FROM ABOUT NOVEMBER THROUGH THE JULY PERIOD. IT ACCOUNTED FOR PROBABLY THE MAJORITY OF THAT COSTING AS WE AUGMENTED OF STAFFING TO ENSURE WE HAD STAFFING TO COVER THOSE GAMES FOR THE EVENT. YOU'LL RECALL THAT WE HAD FOUR SIGNIFICANT WILD FIRE EVENTS. THE FIRST ONE OCCURRING ABOUT THANKSGIVING TIME, IN THE KEYSTONE AREA. WE HAD ONE IN MARCH IN THE MCCRAE AREA, AND ONE IN THE MIDDLEBERG AREA DURING MARCH. EACH OF WHICH REQUIRED STAFFING ADDITIONAL UNITS FOR A GREATER [01:05:02] PERIOD OF ABOUT A WEEK TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD COVERAGE WITH OUR FOREST SERVICE PARTNERS TO DO THAT. THE LARGEST ONE OBVIOUSLY IS THE RAILROAD FIRE, WHICH OCCURRED IN APRIL. SO IF YOU TRACK OVER TIME OVER THAT TIME, THAT WAS THE SIGNIFICANT PERIOD. IT LITERALLY LASTED FROM NOVEMBER TO ABOUT THE END OF JUNE, BEGINNING OF JULY. THE SECOND PIECE WITH IT WAS THAT WE EXPANDED COVERAGE IN THE RURAL AREAS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE REVISION WITH COVERAGE FOR WATER SUPPLY. THAT REQUIRED STAFF TO UTILIZE OVERTIME TO ENSURE THAT WE COULD IDENTIFY TARGET AND ADDRESS THE WATER SUPPLY POINTS THAT WE NOW USE FOR THE PROVISION OF WATER IN THOSE RURAL AREAS. AND BEGINNING IN APRIL, WE DEPLOYED THE ADDITIONAL UNITS THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR US TO ENSURE THAT WE COULD GET COVERAGE FROM ISO FOR RURAL SUPPLY. THAT WOULD EXTEND RURAL WATER SUPPLY COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, INSTEAD OF JUST AREAS THAT WERE WITHIN A THOUSAND FEET OF A FIRE HYDRANT. SO THOSE TWO PIECES, THE ISO COVERAGE AND THEN A SECOND PIECE FOR THE BACKGROUND WORK THAT ALLOWED US TO IDENTIFY THOSE AND DEPLOY COUNT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THAT SPENDING. >> ARE ANY OF THOSE LARGE EVENTS REIMBURSABLE THROUGH FEMA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? >> WELL, THE WILD FIRES AREN'T. THEY FUNCTION UNDER SOMETHING CALLED A FORESTRY OR A FIRE MITIGATION ASSESSMENT GRANT. THAT IS THROUGH U.S. FOREST SERVICE BACK THROUGH THE STATE. THE EARLIER FIRES, THE THREE HE THAT I MENTIONED, UNFORTUNATELY THEY OCCURRED ALL BEFORE THE STATE OF FLORIDA REACHED THE THRESHOLD PERIOD. THE THRESHOLD PERIOD WAS REACHED AT OR ABOUT THE POINT OF THE RAILROAD FIRE. SO WE'RE ACTIVELY WORKING ON RECOVERY ARE FOR THOSE DOLLARS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE MAJORITY THAT WE SPENT PRIOR TO THAT TIME IS UNRECOVERABLE UNDER THAT PROGRAM. >> YEAH, I JUST SECOND THE COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS. YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE'VE STARTED TO -- SOME OF THEM ARE UNPLANNED, RIGHT? OBVIOUSLY. I THINK THAT'S -- WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THAT LATER TONIGHT. BUT WE CAN'T KEEP GOING -- YOU KNOW, ROBBING THE RESERVES LIKE WE HAVE BEEN. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M JUST -- I I LOVE YOUR IDEA, COMMISSIONER, AS FAR AS A TRIGGER WHEN IT GETS TO A CERTAIN POINT. WHERE WHERE ALL OF US HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER ON WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS WOULD BE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUST REAL QUICK, THE IMPACT OF THE RESERVE IS IT DOESN'T CARRY -- YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE DOESN'T CARRY FORWARD. SO IT IMPACTS NEXT YEAR. IT'S PART OF THE BUDGET, ABSOLUTELY. >> ALL RIGHT. I'LL TAKE A MOTION FOR NUMBER ONE. >> I'LL MOVE. >> MOTION IS SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. PASSES 4-1. AND NUMBER TWO. RESOLUTION AMENDING NON-CAPITAL PORTION OF THE COUNTY IMPROVEMENT PLAN. I DO NOT. DO IT FOR EACH OF THEM? JUST THE ONE WITH. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE WHOLE ITEM. WITH WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK? I DO HAVE BRIAN DUNCAN. BRIAN DUNCAN? BRIAN DUNCAN? ALL RIGHT. CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. NUMBER TWO. >> AGAIN WITHIN THE BUDGET AMENDMENT, DID HAVE ABOVE THE LINE, UNDER THE LINE CIE AND NONCIE ITEMS. SO AS BRIEF, THOSE WERE WITH THE ITEMS IN THE BUDGET AMENDMENT. AGAIN, PENDING ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS, HERE TO ANSWER THOSE. >> ANYONE? TAKE A MOTION. >> I'LL MOVE. >> I'LL SECOND. >> MOTION IS SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0. NUMBER THREE AMENDING BUDGET FOR [01:10:02] OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS. >> SO THAT IS WHAT'S WITHIN WITH THIS BUDGET AMENDMENT. SO ANY OPERATING ADJUSTMENTS AS BRIEFED. SO ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS, I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THAT. >> OKAY. >> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL. >> ACTUALLY, I HAVE SOME DISCUSSION. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO ASK SHERIFF TO COME UP. I HAD A QUESTION FOR HIM REGARDING THE BUDGET. HELLO, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WHAT WAS YOUR INTENT OF YOUR OFFICE. BUDGET THIS YEAR AS THE LEADING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER IN THIS COUNTY AND WHAT DID YOUR OFFICE HAVE TO GIVE UP TO MAKE THIS BUDGET BALANCE? >> WE CUT ROUGHLY $3 MILLION FROM THE BUDGET. PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALWAYS OUR FIRST CONSIDERATION, TRYING TO MAINTAIN THAT IS OUR MAIN FOCUS. THE WAYS WE DID THAT CUT DOWN FROM THE NORMAL 25 NEW HIRES WE TRY TO FORECAST FOR GROWTH WITHIN THE COUNTY DOWN TO TWO THIS YEAR. WE FROZE ALL OF OUR HIRING OTHER THAN FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DETENTION. VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE AND CUT THE BODY WORN CAMERA CONTRACT DOWN BY A HUNDRED CAMERAS AND THEN ULTIMATELY AS IT PERTAINS TO BUILDING MAINTENANCE WE'RE IN 30 DIFFERENT BUILDINGS. WE'LL HAVE TO DEFER TO THE FUTURE, BUT $1.35 MILLION THERE TO GET TO A 3.351982 NUMBER FOR CUTS THIS YEAR. >> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR DEPUTIES HAVE BODY WORN CAMERAS. >> ALL OF THEM IN PATROL HAVE THEM RIGHT NOW. BUT THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ANY KIND OF SPECIALIZED UNITS, INVESTIGATORS, ANYTHING LIKE THAT. NONE OF THEM WILL HAVE IT. >> AND CAN YOU ANNUNCIATE THE BENEFIT OF BODY WORN CAMERAS. >> TRANSPARENCY. IT GIVES EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HE SEE THE WORK OUR FOLKS DO. >> NECK BE USED AS WELL IN CRIMINAL CASES AND USED TO MITIGATE COMPLAINTS AS WELL. >> I'VE READ THAT THE LEGAL CHALLENGE IS MUCH REDUCED IF YOU HAVE BODY WORN CAMERAS. >> CERTAINLY. THERE'S NO QUESTION AS TO A HE SAID HE SHE SAID ABOUT AN INCIDENT WHEN IT'S ON FILM. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, UNDER SHERIFF. WE'RE HOPEFULLY GOING TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. WE'RE STILL OVERLOOKING EVERYTHING, BUT AS WE'LL DISCUSS FURTHER ON THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT, WE ARE VERY LEAN AND 60 OF THAT, 67 I BELIEVE NOW PROBABLY GOING TO BE LOWER IN THAT RANKING AS FAR AS HOW MUCH TAXES ARE CONTRIBUTING IN OUR COUNTY. AND SO WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN, BUT WE HE NEED TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE KNOW YOU DO A WONDERFUL JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. WE APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. SO I HAD A MOTION FOR A NUMBER 3. >> I'LL SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? [17. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of COMP 26-0015 and ZON 26-0015. (District 5, Comm. Burke) (D. Selig)A. COMP 26-0015This application is a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change the future land use designation of 5.0 acres from Agriculture (AG) to Rural Residential (RR).B. ZON 26-0015This application is a Rezoning to change 5.0 acres from Agricultural (AG) to Agricultural/Residential (AR).] PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU, MJ. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 17. FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF COMP 26-0 015, ZONING 26-0015 AND MY DISTRICT, AND WE HAVE DODY. >> GOOD EVENING. BEFORE I GO INTO THE PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE THIS EVENING, I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF OUR APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT UP TO THE ROOM. GOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED A MOMENT TO MAKE SURE THEY'D MADE IT TO THE ROOM. >> OKAY. SO THIS APPLICATION IS FOR THE PROPERTY ON AIR PARK LOOP WEST WITH. AND THE FIRST PART OF THE APPLICATION IS A COMP PLAN 2615 THAT WOULD CHANGE THE FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THIS PARCEL FROM AGRICULTURE TO RURAL RESIDENTIAL. AND THE SECOND PORTION IS THE ZONING APPLICATION ZONED 2615 IN A WOULD CHANGE THE ZONING DISTRICT FROM AGRICULTURAL TO AGRICULTURAL/RESIDENTIAL. SO SIGNS WERE POSTED AND MAIL OUTS WENT OUT TO PROPERTIES, WITHIN THE BUFFER RANGE. THE PROPERTY IS ON THE AERIAL SURROUNDED IN THE YELLOW BOX, AND ALSO IN THE HATCH AREA ON THE PARCEL MAP ON THE RIGHT. ANDEN THE LEFT HERE IS THE [01:15:02] EXISTING FUTURE LAND USE AND ON THE RIGHT IS THE PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USE. YOU CAN SEE THE PROPERTY AND THE EXISTING MAP IS AGRICULTURAL AND IS AN ISOLATED DISTRICT. THERE'S NO OTHER AGRICULTURAL RIGHT AROUND IT. THE PROPOSED LAND USE, THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL IS THE YELLOW COLOUR, WHICH IS -- IT COMPRISES ALL OF THE AIR PARK PROPERTIES. WHERE THIS PROPERTY OWNER ALREADY HAS PROPERTY. THESE ARE THE ZONING EXISTING AGAIN ON THE LEFT. AND THE PROPOSED ON THE RIGHT. AUGUST 4TH THE PLANNING ECONOMICS VOTED 7-0 TO RECOMMEND BOTH APPLICATIONS. STAFF LOOKED AT THE CRITERIA FOR BOTH AND RECOMMENDS THEM. AND THE APPLICANTS ARE HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> ALL RIGHT. IF APPLICANTS CAN CAN BE SWORN IF, IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK. >> ALL RIGHT, SIR. WE'LL SWEAR YOU YOU IN. IF YOU'RE ABLE TO RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND, SGLUK I'M SORRY, I CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> GO AHEAD. >> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. >> I'M GOING TO SWEAR YOU IN, SIR. DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THE TESTIMONY YOU'LL GIVE TODAY WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD? >> I DO. >> I APPRECIATE YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO SAY? >> NO. >> DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS? >> I KNOW ALL OF MY NEIGHBOURS. >> THEY APPROVE? >> HE THEY ALL PROOF. TWO OF THEM ARE ON THE BOARD. >> TWO OF THEM ARE SITTING BACK THERE. >> ARE THEY? I DIDN'T SEE THEM. TRUST ME, THEY'D BE UP HERE SAYING SOMETHING IF THEY DOESN'T APPROVE. >> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. I'LL TAKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL. OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE? ALL RIGHT. WE'RE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'LL TAKE A MOTION. >> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. PASSES 5-0 AND THEN FOR THE ZONING. >> AS WELL AS THE ZONING. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? VERY GOOD. PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU, SIR. [18. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of COMP 26-0019 and ZON 26-0017 (District 5, Comm. Burke) (D. Selig)A. COMP 26-0019This application is a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to the 2045 Future Land Use Map (FLUM). The application would change two portions of a single parcel of land from Lake Asbury Rural Fringe (RF) and Lake Asbury Interchange Village Center (LA IVC) to Lake Asbury Rural Fringe (RF) and Lake Asbury Interchange Village Center (LA IVC).B. ZON 26-0017This application is a rezoning to change two portions of a single parcel of land from Lake Asbury Rural Fringe (RF) and Lake Asbury Interchange Village Center (LA IVC) to Lake Asbury Rural Fringe (RF) and Lake Asbury Interchange Village Center (LA IVC).] >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GOOD LUCK. >> FULTHOR FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF 26-0019 AND ZONING 26-0 017. WITH DODY AGAIN. AND MY DISTRICT. SURPRISE. >> THE APPLICANT IN THIS CASE IS SUSAN FRASER WITH SLF CONSULTING. THE PROPERTY'S ON THE EAST SIDE. IN THE PENNY FARMS DISTRICT. THERE'S ONE PARCEL INVOLVED. THE COMP APPLICATION 2619 WITH WOULD CHANGE .37 ACRES FROM THE ENTER INTERCHANGE VILLAGE CENTRE TO FRIENDSHIPING FRINGE AND A MATCHING REVERSE CHANGE -- [INDISCERNIBLE] THE ZONING, WHICH IS APPLICATION 2617 MIRROR THAT IS SAME LAND USE CHANGE. SIGNS WERE POSTED, AND MAIL OU S WERE SENT TO ALL THE PROPERTY OWNER S IN THE BUFFER AREA. ON THE LEFT WE HAVE THE -- SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE AERIAL. YOU CAN SEE THE YELLOW IS THE ACTUAL AREAS, TWO AREAS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED TO BE CHANGED. I'M AFRAID -- I'M SORRY, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN THIS MAP. THE ONE ON THE LEFT IS THE EXISTING LAND USE AND THE RIGHT IS THE PROPPROPOSED. BECAUSE THEY'RE SMALL AREAS IT'S VERY COLORFUL. THE PARCEL BEING CHANGED IS ON THE VERY LEFT SIDE OF EACH OF THOSE MAPS. AND CORRESPONDINGLIEN THE VERY [01:20:01] RIGHT SIDE. IT'S THE BLACK LINES. AND THIS IS THE ZONING MAP. AGAIN, SAME CHANGE, SAME LOCATION. SO ON JULY 9TH THE PENNY FARMS CAC VOTED 9-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF BOTH ITEMS. AUGUST 4TH THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED 7-# TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF BOTH ITEMS. STAFF LIFTED THE CRITERIA. THEY'VE BEEN MET FOR BOTH ITEMS AND RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. AND THE APPLICANT IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> ALL RIGHT. >> ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? YOU NEED TO BE SWORN IN. >> DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR THE TESTIMONY YOU GIVE WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD? >> I DO. >> THANK YOU. >> TOM YOUNG, BLACK SOUND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY. WE'RE THE APPLICANT AND PROPERTY EARN OWNER. I'LL TRY TO KEEP THIS BRIEF. WE WANT TO THANK STAFF RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. WE WERE HERE ON THE SAME PROPERTY A COUPLE MONTH ACHE. WE GOT TO WORK ON DOING THE PLANS AND NOTICED THERE WAS JUST THIS LITTLE GAP THERE AT THE CORNER OF HENLEY AND THE FUTURE OF THE RUBINA PARKWAY. SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE LEGAL TO DO EVERYTHING AND GET THE PAPERWORK MATCHING UP. WE APPROACHED STAFF AND SAID OOPS, WE NEED TO FIX THIS. SO THEY SAID A COMP PLAN AND ZONING CHANGE IS NEEDED. SO WITH THE LITTLE PIECE ON THE END, THAT WAS JUST AN EFFORT TO NOT ASK FOR ANYMORE PROPERTY TO BE CHANGED TO IVC. SO IT WAS GETTING THE .37 ON THE CORN OR BUT TO KEEP THAT OVERALL 52 ACRES THE SAME, WHICH BASICALLY INCREASED THE BUFFER ON THE OTHER SIDE SO THE RESIDENTIAL COULD WOULD HAVE ANOTHER 15 FEET ON THE OTHER SIDE. IT WITH WOULD NOW BECOME RESIDENTIAL RATHER AN IVC. SO AGAIN, WE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT IT THE FIRST TIME, BUT WE CAUGHT IT NOW SO WE'RE HERE BEFORE YOU AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> ANYONE? ALL RIGHT. I'LL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL RIGHT. CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. >> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL OF COMP CHANGE. >> I HAVE A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0. ALL RIGHT. AND FOR ZONING. >> I'LL MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND THE MOTION. >> MOTION IS SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. AND I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK YOU, MR. YOUNG, FORGETTING THIS AHEAD OF US. >> GOD WILLING WE'LL GET IT OPEN. [19. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of COMP 26-0016 (District 5, Comm. Burke) (D. Selig)This application is a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change 2.56 acres from LA MPC to LA GW and 0.70 acres from LA GW to LA MPC.] THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 19. FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF OF COMP 26-0016. IN MY DISTRICT. >> GOOD EVENING. SO THIS ITEM, THE APPLICANT IS FRANK MILLER. THE PROPERTY IS SOUTH OF FALLING STAR LANE AND NORTH OF PETERS CREEK. THIS IS, AGAIN, LIKE AS PREPENNY FARMS DISTRICT, COMMISSIONER BURKE'S DISTRICT. ONE PARCEL T APPLICATION WOULD CHANGE 2.56 ACRES FROM THE MASTER COMMUNITY TO LAKE ASBURY GREEN WAY AND .07 ACRES FROM LAKE ASBURY GREENWAY TO MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY. AGAIN, SIGNS WERE PLACED ON THE PROPERTY AND MAIL OUTS WENT OUT TO SURROUNDING PROPERTY OWNER S. THERE WERE A MUCH LARGER NUMBER FOR THIS APPLICATION. YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT THE PARCEL LINE IS OUTLINED IN RED. THE SMALL AREAS ARE HATCHED IN BLACK. ON THE RIGHT IT'S EASIER TO SEE THE YELLOW AREAS REPRESENT THE AREAS BEING CHANGED. SO ON THE LEFT AGAIN WE HAVE THE EXISTING FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATIONS AND ON THE RIGHT THE PROPOSED CHANGE. THE BROWN COLOUR IS THE MASTER PLAN COMMUNITY, WHICH IS A RESIDENTIAL FUTURE LAND USE, AND THE GREEN REPRESENT IT IS GREENWAY. THE PORTIONS BEING CHANGED ARE MORE OR LESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF EACH OF THOSE MAPS. THIS IS A CONCEPT PLAN THAT WAS PROVIDED EARLIER ON IN THE PROCESS, LAYING OUT ROADS AND HOUSE LOTS WITHIN THAT AREA. AND THIS MAP SHOWS AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE AREAS THAT ARE IMPACTED SO THAT YOU GET AN [01:25:03] UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A CHANGE. THE READ AREAS ARE CURR CURRENTLY GREENWAY AND PROPOSED TO BECOME RESIDENTIAL. AND THE BLUL ARREST IS CURRENTLY RESIDENTIAL AND PROPOSED TO BE GREENWAY. THIS WOULD EXPAND THE EXISTING GREENWAY, WHICH IS IN KEEPING WITH OUR COMP PLAN POLICIES. SO ON JULY 9, THEY VOTED 9-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS ITEM. AND ON AUGUST 4TH THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED 7-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ITEM. STAFF HAVE LOOKED AT THE CITE WHY AND BELIEVE IT'S BEEN MET AND ALSO RECOMMEND ARES APPROVAL. AND THE APPLICANT HERE WITH QUES QUESTIONS. >> AND ON THE BACK WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT 2.5 ACRES AND NOT EVEN AN ACRE. >> CORRECT. >> SO ARE THEY JUST EXPANDING -- OR MR. MILLER, ARE YOU JUST EXPANDING THOSE LOTS ON THE BACK THERE? >> YOU HAVE TO COME TO THE MIC, MR. MILLER. >> FRANK MILLER. MY ADDRESS IS 1 INDEPENDENT DRIVE SUITE 2300 IN JACKSONVILLE. ONE OF THE REASONS TO DO THIS WAS SO THE LOTS COULD BE LARGER THAN NORMALLY WOULD BE THE CASE. AND AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE GOING FROM THE GREENWAY AND ADDING TO THE GREENWAY. >> SO YOU'RE JUST -- BUT THOSE LOTS JUST THERE AT THE ENDS AND THEN AT THE BOTTOM. YOU'RE JUST GOING TO MAKE THOSE BIGGER? OR ARE YOU MAKING ALL THE LOTS BIGGER? >> THOSE WILL BE 60 AND 70 FOOT LOTS. >> JUST THOSE? >> THE WHOLE THING. >> THE WHOLE PROJECT IS BIGGER LOTS. OKAY. THE GREENWAY NO RESIDENTIAL DENSITY. >> NOT SEEKING ANY DENSITY. NOT SOOKING TO INCREASE ANY DENSITY OR ANY DENSITY BONUS PROGRAMS OR ANYTHING. >> A QUESTION FOR CODY. THE SINGLE EGRESS IS 100 HOMES? IS THAT WHAT IT IS? YOU NEED TWO EGRESS? >> 99 LOTS. >> 99. IS THAT WHAT IT IS? >> YEAH. >> ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ALL RIGHT. MOTION IS SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. [20. Public Hearing to consider ZON 26-0012 (B. Carson)This application is a land development code text amendment to Article III to add the Branan Field Institutional (BF INST) district.The Planning Commission has continued this item to September. Staff requests that this second reading be continued to the September 22, 2026 meeting] PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU, MR. MILLER. ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 20. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ZONING 26-0012. COMMISSION HAS CONTINUED THIS ITEM TO SEPTEMBER. ANYTHING TO SAY? >> NO, MA'AM. STAFF REQUESTS THIS IS A LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND SO THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND PUBLIC HEARING THAT YOU ALL WOULD NEED TO HAVE. BECAUSE IT WAS CONTINUED, THIS IS ALSO REQUIRED TO BE CONTINUED. >> OKAY. I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. >> MOVE TO CONTINUE IT TO SEPTEMBER 22ND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR SAY AYE. [21. Final Public Hearing to consider PUD 26-0006 (District 3, Renninger) (B. Carson)This application is a Rezoning to change 18 acres from Shopping Center District (BSC) to Planned Commercial Development District (PCD)] >> PASSES 5-0. >> FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER 26-0026. WITH BETH. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THIS IS 26-6T PROPERTY OWNER IS QUARTA FTU ORANGE PARK LLCT AGENTS HERE REPRESENTING, AND MARK SHELTON FROM KINLY HORN. THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED AT 1910 WELLS ROAD ORANGE PARK. THIS IS IN THE GATEWAY DISTRICT WHICH IS CAN COMMISSIONER RENNINGER'S DISTRICT. DISTRICT 3. IT'S A SINGLE PARCEL AND THIS APPLICATION IS A REQUEST TO HE REZONE APPROXIMATELY 18 ACRES FROM SHOPPING CENTRE DISTRICT VSC TO PLANNED COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AND THIS IS THE ORANGE PARK MALL. JUST THIS SEGMENT OF IT. THE MAP SHOWS YOU WELLS ROADS [01:30:03] AND THE MAP ON THE RIGHT SHOWS YOU AN AERIAL. THIS IS THE MOST WESTERN SEGMENT OF THE MALL. THE PART THAT'S ACTUALLY BEEN DEMOLISHED AT THIS POINT. BUT THE PART THAT WAS ATTACHED, AS WELL AS A PORTION THAT WAS UP ON THE HILL. THE AUTO CENTRE. THE MAP ON THE LEFT IS THE NOTIFICATION MAP. THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE SIGNS THAT WERE POSTED. THE MAP ON THE LEFT IS THE EXISTING ZONING MAP. CURRENTLY IT'S THE GREEN. IT'S SURROUNDED PRIMARILY BY COMMERCIAL T GREY IS ALSO COMMERCIAL. AND THE YELLOW, WHICH IS THE -- IT WAS TARGETED ACROSS THE WAY AT ONE POINT. IT'S PCD. BUT IT'S ALSO COMMERCIAL. THE PROPOSED ON THE RIGHT WOULD BE CHANGING WITH A PCD, THERE IS REQUIREMENT FOR SITE PLAN AND WRITTEN NARRATIVE. THIS IS THEIR SITE PLAN. THE HEAVY GREEN LINE INDICATES THE SPECIAL REGULATION DISTRICT LINE FOR THE WELLS ROAD, THERE IS PARTICULAR STANDARD THAT APPLY TO WELLS ROAD. THIS PARCEL FALLS WITHIN IT AS SINGLE PARCEL AND IT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THOSE REQUIREMENTS IF SUBDIVIDED ONLY PARCEL THAT CROSS THAT LINE WOULD BE SUSPECT TO IT. IT IS SEPARATE OWNERSHIP FROM THE BALANCE OF THE MALL. AND WITH PCD IT OFFERS OPPORTUNITY FOR UNIFIED PLAN, THEY PRESENT UNIFIED PLAN WITH LANDSCAPING AND MASTER SIGNAGE PLAN. JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA THEY PROPOSED RETAIL SHOPS THAT WOULD BE DETACHED FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF THE MAP IS THE TOP PART OF THE MAP RATHER WHERE IT WOULD CONNECT TO THE EXISTING MALL AND SO IT WOULD BE SEPARATED FROM THE MALL WITH A LOADING AREA BETWEEN. THEY WOULD HAVE PARKING AND THEN THEY WOULD HAVE OUT PARCELS ALONG THE LANDING. THE WRITTEN NARRATIVE PROVIDE LIST OF USES SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CURRENTLY COULD HAVE UNDER BS C AND MORE CONTEMPORARY USES INCL INCLUDING MEDICAL OFFICE, FOOD TRUCK, BUT NOT OVERNIGHT, CONVENIENCE STORES, EV CHARGING AND TASTING ROOM FOR A FOOD OR BEVERAGE STORE. THE DISTANCE REQUIREMENT FOR ON PREMISE OR OFF PREMISE CONSUMPTION NOT APPLY TO TASTING ROOMS. USES WITH 4 LP LICENSE ESTABLISHMENTS OR SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS, THAT IS PART OF CRITERIA THAT BCD PRESENTED. LAND LANDSCAPING UPDATED FROM WHAT IS OUT THERE NOW, WHICH IS DATED AND COMPLY WITH CURRENT STANDARD WITH EXEMPTION OF LOADING AREA WHICH TO ALLOW FOR FUNCTIONALITY, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SCREEN THEM. SOUTHERN PERIMETER BUFFER AREA PLANTING, THERE IS A STEEP SLOPE ALONG THAT ACCESS ROAD SO THEY WOULD KEEP THE CURRENT MATERIAL THAT IS ALREADY THERE. AND THE PARKING LOT TREE SPACING MAY EXCEED 100 FOOT, THEY ARE STILL PROVIDING INTERNAL PARKING ISLANDS WITHIN PARKING LOT. THEY ARE PRESENTING UNIFIED SIGN PLAN WITH BETTER THAN COUNTY STANDARD AND LIGHTING FOR PARCEL ALONG THE LAND ING CONSISTENT WITH STANDARD INTERIOR PORTION OF MALL SIMILAR TO WHAT EXISTING MALL IS. THOSE LAST TWO ITEMS WERE OF CONCERN BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION. THEY IDENTIFIED AREAS THAT THEY FELT WERE EXCESSIVE AND THE APPLICANT HAS COME BACK AND REVISED THOSE STANDARDS TO BE LESS THAN COUNTY CODE REQUIRES. THEY ARE LIMITING NUMBER OF FLAG POLES TO ONE 50-FOOT POLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE SITE, ONLY ONE. THE PD OF STAFF FOR REZONING AND FOUND THEY HAVE MET REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION, PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED 5-1 APPROVAL OF 266 AND NO ACTIVE CAC IN THE GATEWAY AREA. NO RECOMMENDATION. AND THE APPLICANT HAS PRESENTATION, I WILL PAUSE, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME? >> THE ATA, WE SPOKE, JTA HAS A [01:35:02] ROUTE THAT GOES THROUGH THIS PROPERTY AND AT THE TIME WE HAD NOT FIGURED THAT OUT YET, HAVE WE FIGURED IT OUT? NO. OKAY. CONCERN THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT NEXT COUPLE MONTHS OR SO. >> HAS ANY COMMISSIONER HAD COMMUNICATION THAT NEED TO BE DISCLOSED? >> I'VE SPOKEN TO THE DEVELOPER AND, YEAH. >> OKAY. >> I'VE ALSO SPOKEN TO THE DEVELOPER ON THEIR TEAM. >> I, TOO, HAVE. >> ECK INTOEN TO APPLICANT, YEP. >> SAME. >> I SPOKE TO THE PLANNER AND THE ATTORNEY, I HAVE NOT SPOKEN TO THE APPLICANT. >> ALL RIGHT, WE WILL NEED TO HAVE SWEARING IN, ANYONE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AS WELL AS THE APPLICANT. >> SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUTS THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, TRY TO MAKE THIS AS BRIEF AND QUICK AS POSSIBLE. MARK SHELTON. 12740 GRANDBAY PARKWAY WEST, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. WITH ME TODAY IS STACEY RUIS WITH DRIVER MCAFEE LAW AND CORY WITH COURT QUARTA FTU. THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION, BETH. COMMISSIONER RENNINGER, WE ARE WORKING WITH JTA, AT THEIR TIMELINE AND IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THEM ABOUT THAT BUS STOP RELOCATION AND WILL COMMUNICATE WITH BETH AND STAFF AS SOON AS WE HEAR BACK FROM THEM ON PROPOSED LOCATION. THIS IS REUSE OF SEARS PORTION OF OREANGE PARK MALL. ADDING NATIONAL RETAILERS, FIVE OUT PARCELS AND MORE. TO GET TO THIS POINT WE WORKED WITH YOUR PLANNING STAFF, PUBLIC WORKS STAFF, FDOT, WATER MANAGEMENT, CLAY COUNTY AUTHORITY AND MORE. I'M USED TO BEING UP THERE, APOLOGIES. NEXT SLIDE. SO HERE AS BETH POINTED OUT IS SURROUNDING ZONING. NEXT, EXISTING AERIAL OF SITE RIGHT NOW, IN LAST FEW WEEKS, BUILDINGS STARTED TO COME DOWN. NEXT SLIDE, STREET VIEW ASPHALT PARKING LOT WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS NEW SITE PLAN AS BETH POINTED OUT, TAKING AWAY THE TWO BUILDINGS WHICH EQUAL ALMOST 250,000 SQUARE FEET, FIVE NEW OUT PARCELS, FOUR FROM ALONG BLANDING AND WE'LL GET TO ACCESS IN A MINUTE. NOTICE NEW WATER MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENT REQUIRE TWO PONDS YOU SEE THERE THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY NOT INSTALLED. ACCESS WE WORKED WITH DOT, FULL ACCESS ON BLANDING BECAUSE THAT MEDIAN IMPROVEMENT HAPPENING AT THAT INTERSECTION, THIS IS TURNING INTO RIGHT IN RIGHT OUT, WE'VE ASKED DOT TO ALLOW US TO HAVE RIGHT IN ON WELLS ROAD, YOU SEE THAT TOP RED CIRCLE. THEY AGREE WITH US, THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO KEEP TRAFFIC IN THIS AREA AND THEY PERMITTED THAT TO HAPPEN. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS OUR COLORIZED SITE PLAN, YOU CAN SEE THINGS MORE VISIBLE. INCLUDE LANDSCAPE ISLAND, BETH TALKED ABOUT RELIEF, LOADING UNLOADING AREA NEXT TO GROCER IN RETAIL, WHY WE NEED RELIEF FOR LANDSCAPING SCREENING THERE. NEXT SLIDE. SO SOME OF YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS PCD ARE NEXT, PRESERVING RING ROAD. ADDING LANDSCAPING, CREATING UNIFIED SIGN PLAN THAT IS BETTER THAN WHAT THE CODE IS RIGHT NOW. REDUCTION IN IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA, SO THIS IS LESS CONCRETE AND MORE GREEN AREA. REDUCE STORM WATER RUNOFF GOING TO BLANDING BOULEVARD DONE BACK IN THE '70S AND REDUCE STORM -- REDUCE SEA OF PARKING WITH ADDING BENEFIT OF OUT PARCELS. OKAY, NEXT SLIDE. UNIFIED SITE PLAN BASED OFF YOUR EXISTING SIGN CODE AS BETH POINTED OUT, THIS IS LESS THAN WHAT IS CURRENTLY ALLOWED WE REVISED ALLOWABLE FLAG POLES PER PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENT. NEXT SLIDE. HERE IS PROPOSED MASTER PLAN IDENTITY SIGN THAT SAYS THIS IS ONE CONCEPT FOR ORANGE PARK [01:40:06] PLACE ALONG BLANDING AND NEXT. SOME PCD, CHANGES REQUESTING IS REDUCTION IN ALCOHOL DISTANCE REQUIREMENT FOR TASTING ROOM, REDUCING SCREENING OF LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONE NEXT TO GROCER AND RETAIL OF THE ANCHOR TENANTS AND REDUCTION OF LANDSCAPING BETWEEN OUT PARCEL TO ALLOW MORE PEDESTRIAN CROSS ACCESS, LANDSCAPE ISLAND DISTANCE WE MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY AND ADJACENT TO RING ROAD AND SEARS. WITH THAT, WE AGREE WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATION, I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE WITH ME IN GOING THROUGH THIS QUICKLY, I KNOW YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE. WE AGREE WITH PLANNING COMMISSION AND VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND WE'RE HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> MARK, COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE TASTING ROOM WAIVER YOU ARE REQUESTING? >> YES, SIR, THE TASTING ROOM IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEWER TO WINE STORES AND IT IS A BACK ROOM THAT IS THERE FOR EDUCATION AND TASTING IS NOT FOR PUBLIC SALES, YOU HAVE TO REGISTER TO GO THERE TO TASTE WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO BUY. IT IS ONLY ACCESSED THROUGH MAIN FRONT DOOR OF THE WINE STORE, NO BACK ENTRANCE SCOMB IT IS NOT ADVERTISED. 4 POC CONSUMPTION ON PREMISE, FULL LIQUOR, SAME LICENSE AS IF YOU ARE A BAR, THIS IS NOT A BAR, IT IS TASTING ROOM. TRY TO MAKE REDUCTION AND LIMITATION DISTANCE 1500 LINEAR FROM NEAREST CHURCH OR SCHOOL DOWN TO 1200 WE WILL NEED FOR THIS TASTING ROOM. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> YEAH, SO I KNOW THAT ONE OF MY LINGERING QUESTIONS WAS THE PROXIMITY TO THE CHURCH THAT WAS NEARBY AND I KNOW THAT WHEN WE SPOKE WE HAD NOT HAD A RESOLUTION TO THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING CHANGED ON YOUR END. WE DID HAVE STAFF, IT DID CHANGE FOR YOU ALSO? >> I HEARD FROM STAFF, MA'AM. YES. >> THEY GAVE ME THE SAME UPDATE. I'M FOR THAT REASON I'M CONTENT WITH MOVING FORWARD. >> YES, MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT. >> I'LL OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. >> WAIT, YOU CAN COME AROUND. YOU WILL NEED TO BE SWORN IN, COME TO THE CENTER. >> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD. >> SO HELP ME GOD. >> YES, SIR. >> HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL PARKING WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THIS PLAN RIGHT NOW? LOOK LIKE A LOT OF PARKING, MIGHT WANT TO IMPLEMENT DECK PARKING. HE MENTIONED NATIONAL RETAILER, WE DON'T NEED NATIONAL RETAILERS, WE NEED MORE LOCAL RETAILERS. ALSO, IS THIS ROAD BYPASS AROUND MALL AND CAN BE GOING NORTH ON BLANDING AND TAKE RIGHT AND TAKE WELLS WHEN TRAFFIC SO INCOMPR INCOMPREHENSIBLY ABLE TO MAKE A RIGHT ON WELLS, IS THAT GOING TO BE THERE? >> IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE? >> ALL I HAVE. >> NAME AND ADDRESS. >> GET WITH CHRISTY, ON YOUR -- >> I WANT TO SPEAK ON THE NEXT THING, AS WELL. >> WHAT IS YOUR NAME? TELL US YOUR NAME SO WE CAN MATCH IT UP. >> (INAUDIBLE) -- >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. WOULD YOU MIND ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS? >> I'D BE HAPPY TO, PARKING MEETS ALL REGULATIONS, IT IS ACTUALLY REDUCTION IN SEA OF PARKING THAT USED TO BE THERE, PAR PARKING MEET CODE REQUIREMENT, NATIONAL RETAILERS ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU HAVE IN CLAY COUNTY AND I THINK IT WILL BE KIND OF MORE CHOICE MORE OPTIONS FOR CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY ORANGE PARK RESIDENTS AND RING ROAD ACCESS WORKED WITH PUBLIC WORKS ON THAT WITH RICHARD AND WORKED WITH ALL EXTERIOR ACCESS, FDOT, OUR HANDS ARE TIED THERE. WE DO WHAT WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO DO. >> RING ROAD WILL NOT CHANGE. >> YES, SIR, CORRECT. >> GREAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING. BRING BACK TO BOARD FOR MOTION. >> MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE MOTION, [01:45:02] THANKS TO STACEY AND CORY AND MARK. THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR THE ORANGE PARK MALL OVER THE YEARS I GREW UP HERE AND THE MALL USED TO BE THE PLACE TO BE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS WORKED HARD TO MAKE THE MALL SAFE AND RANDY BOWMAN AND HIS TEAM HAVE WORKED HARD TO INCREASE LEVEL OF SERVICE AT THE MALL AND WHAT YOU WILL PUT THERE WILL BRING PEOPLE TO ORANGE PARK MALL AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THAT AREA. SO THIS IS A REALLY GOOD THING. >> MARK, IS IT PUBLIC INFORMATION THE STORES THAT HAVE SIGNED ALREADY? >> PARKERS KITCHEN IS ONE. THEY ARE AT THE CORNER THERE IN FOR ENGINEERING. RIGHT NOW WITH COUNTY. AND SEVERAL RESTAURANTS, ONE REASON WE'RE ASKING FOR THAT SPECIAL REDUCTION, SEVERAL RESTAURANTS SIGNED UP, I DON'T THINK WE ARE ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE YET. >> THE FOOD -- >> I STAND CORRECTED, A GROCER THAT IS WELL KNOWN HAS SIGNED A LEASE AND THEY ARE ONE MAIN ANCHOR TENANT. >> WE'RE GETTING A GROCERY STORE, TOO. >> WHOO-HOO. >> I TRIED FOR BUCCEE'S, I WANTED IT IN CLAY COUNTY. THEY SAID IT IS NOT BIG ENOUGH. >> NO. >> MADAM CHAIR MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM 21. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE I ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT WE HAVE SEATS UP HERE, WE NEED EFRP TO HAVE A SEAT, THERE ARE SEATS IN THE FRONT IF EVERYONE CAN TAKE A SEAT AND MOVE ON. [22. Public Hearing to consider adoption of the Final Stormwater Assessment Resolution and, thereafter, consideration of Interlocal Agreement for Reimbursement of Tax Collector (Stormwater MSBU) and Interlocal Agreement for Reimbursement of Property Appraiser (Stormwater MSBU) (T. Nagle/C. Grimm)] FOR NUMBER 22, COMMISSIONER AND ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR RECEIVED INQUIRY AND OBJECTION BY E-MAIL AND U.S. MAIL, MANY REQUESTED THEIR CORRESPONDENT BE INCLUDED AS PART OF RECORD FOR THIS ITEM. THEREAFTER CONSIDERATION OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR REIM REIMBURSEMENT -- COUNTY MANAGER, OVER TO JONES EDMONDS WHO WILL DO THE PRESENTATION, IF PLEASES THE BOARD. >> SOUNDS GOOD. >> YOU'LL ADVANCE SLIDES FOR ME? OKAY. JONES EDMONDS. >> MARK NELSON. >> SO WE WILL GIVE YOU A OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT. IN SIMPLE TERMS STORM WATER UTILITY IS DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO SUPPORT STORMWATER ACTIVITY, OEM, CIP THOSE TYPE OF THINGS. THIS STORM WATER UTILITY FOR UNINCORPORATED PORTION OF CLAY COUNTY, FUNDED BY ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENTS ARE BASED ON THE DEVELOPED PROPERTIES, BURDEN TO THE SYSTEM, VERY STANDARD, SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN UPHELD IN THE COURT SYSTEM IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IS DONE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. ONE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO TO DETERMINE WHAT THE STORM WATER FEE IS GOING TO BE IS DETERMINATION OF COST, WE WENT THROUGH ALL YOUR CURRENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT AND PROJECTED HOW THAT MAY CHANGE IN THE FUTURE, PROJECTED HOW YOU MAY WANT TO CHANGE YOUR LEVEL OF SERVICE IN THAT AND WE LOOKED AT WHAT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS YOU WANT TO FUND OVER COURSE OF THIS STORM WATER UTILITY, THAT IS WHAT CHART SHOWS AND YOU CAN SEE SLIGHT INCREASE IN OEM WITH UNDERSTANDING IT IS GROWING COUNTY, YOUR SYSTEM IS GROWING AND THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE ACTIVITY NEEDED BY THE COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE. THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFIT TO HAVING DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE. FOR INSTANCE, WITH DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE THINGS LIKE NOT HAVING MOODY AVENUE CULL VERT COLLAPSE YOU HAD, THERE IS MORE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO IN TERMS OF BEING PREVENTATIVE AND BEING ABLE TO GET TO PROJECTS YOU DID NOT HAVE, COULDN'T GET TO IN TIMELY MATTER ON CIP. THAT IS SOME BENEFITS THAT THE UTILITY WILL PROVIDE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE LOOKED AT THREE DIFFERENT [01:50:02] SCENARIOS, WE LOOKED AT IMPLEMENTING CIP OVER FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THIS STORM WATER UTILITY AND IMPLEMENTING IT OVER 10 YEARS AND LOOKED AT 10-YEAR BUILD-UP. THAT IS WHAT THE FEES CORRESPOND TO THROUGH DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND I'LL GET INTO THAT MORE A COUPLE SLIDES LATER. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. NEXT PART IS RATE STRUCTURE. HOW IS EVERY PARCEL GOING TO BE CHA CHARGED. WE SELECTED IMPERVIOUS AREA BECAUSE THAT IS THE MOST COMMON. IT HAS BEEN UPHELD BY COURTS AND GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST TECHNICALLY DEFENSIBLE, MOST UTILITY IN FLORIDA USE THIS SAME METHOD OF COMING UP WITH THE CHARGE. IN WHAT WE LOOK AT ALL SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT DISTRIBUTION LOOKS LIKE AND YOU CAN SEE THERE IS PRETTY BIG DISPARITY IN IMPERVIOUS AREA. YOU MIGHT HAVE PROPERTIES THAT ONLY HAVE THOUSAND SQUARE FEET OF IMPERVIOUS AREA UP TO OVER 10,000 SQUARE FEET AND WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE TO CHARGE THEM THE SAME. WE DO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND BREAK THOSE UP INTO BINS. SO THE ONE ON THE LEFT, WHAT WE CALL SFR 1 ARE SMALLER PROPERTIES, SMALLER AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUSNESS, CHARGED .6 ERU, I WILL EXPLAIN. IN THE MIDDLE 1 ERU, AND LARGEST AMOUNT 1.9 ERU. IF YOU SUM UP ALL PROPERTIES AND LOOK AT IMPERVIOUS AREA, MEDIAN OF THAT IS THE 3780. THAT IS THE BASIS OF YOUR ERU, THAT IS VERY COMMON, HOW THESE ARE CALCULATED. THEN ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF NON -- OUTSIDE OF SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL GETS CHARGED RATHER THAN PUTTING IN A BIN, CHARGED BASED ON ACTUAL AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS ON THE PROPERTY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AS IS COMMON IN STORM WATER UTILITY, MITIGATION CREDITS GIVEN SO THE FIRST ONE IS THE STORM WATER TREATMENT MITIGATION CREDIT AND THAT IS 25%, SO PROPERTIES THAT HAVE A PRIVATELY OWNED AND MAINTAINED STORM WATER SYSTEM THAT MEETSES ST. JOHN ELIGIBLE FOR 25% CREDIT AND WE'VE TRIED TO IDENTIFY THOSE IN ADVANCE BUT IF THERE ARE ANY THAT ARE MISSED, YOU HAVE APPEALS, PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE APPEAL TO GET THAT CREDIT. THE 25% IS PRETTY COMMON, THAT IS VERY TYPICAL NUMBER FOR STORM WATER UTILITY, IF YOU GO THROUGH CALCULATION IN TERMS OF BURDEN ON SYSTEM AND WHAT PRIVATELY MAINTAINED STORM WATER SYSTEM DOES, THAT IS HOW THE MATH WORKS OUT, 25% CREDIT. RESI RESIDENTIAL LARGE LOT FOR LOTS OVER FIVE ACRES, SO YOU CAN IMAGINE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD KIND OF RESIDENTIAL AREA A LOT OF IMPERVIOUS AREAS DIRECTLY CONNECTED. IT CAME OFF YOUR ROOF, GO DOWN YOUR DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET AND NO CHANCE TO INFILTRATE. LOTS GET BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER AND THAT HOUSE IS SURROUNDED BY NO IMPER VIOUS AREA AND NOT AS MUCH BURDEN ON THE SYSTEM, THAT IS WHERE 50% CALCULATION COMES FROM. THEN THERE ARE SOME AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES THAT BY LEGISLATION, IF THEY MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA, THAT GET 100% MITIGATION CREDIT. SO ALL THAT IS FACTORED INTO THIS WHOLE ANALYSIS. WE HAD LOOKED AT THREE RATE STRUCTURE. THE ONE THAT MAKES MOST SENSE IS 10-YEAR BUILD-UP TO GIVE YOU MORE TIME TO GET TO YOUR CIP WHICH COMES WITH LOWER RATE AND THEN RAMP-UP MEANS YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT AT ONCE, IT MAKES SENSE YOU TAKE TIME TO HIRE PEOPLE, TAKE TIME TO BUILD THIS PROGRAM OUT. THAT LEAVES US IF YOU TAKE ALL NUMBERS I TALKED ABOUT THAT LEAVES ONE ERU, YOUR AVERAGE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOME WITH CHARGE OF 85 DOLLARS PER [01:55:03] YEAR. THEN THAT WOULD RAMP UP OVER THE COURSE OF 10 YEARS TO MAX OUT AT 110 DOLLARS PER YEAR. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. TO SHOW YOU HOW THIS COMPARES TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOU CAN SEE THE THIRD YELLOW BAR IN THERE AT 85 DOLLARS PER YEAR, THE COUNTY IS ABOUT 50, BREVARD ABOUT 64, GREEN COAST SPRINGS IS 300, TOWN OF ORANGE PARK ABOUT 280 AND I WILL SAY SOME OF THESE CAN BE A LITTLE APPLES TO ORANGES. BREVARD HAS A HALF CENT SALES TAX CALLED SAVE THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND THAT GOES TO STORM WATER TYPE PROJECTS AND THINGS YOU MIGHT COVER WITH STORM WATER UTILITY. GUILTY LITTLE GRAIN OF SALT -- >> DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG THEY HAD THESE? BREVARD COUNTY? >> OH, ORANGE PARK. >> I CAN TELL YOU, 18 YEARS, WE'VE HAD IT 18 YEARS. >> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT GREEN COVE. >> THEY HAVE HAD THEM ALREADY? >> OH, YEAH. JACKSONVILLE'S IS PRETTY OLD. >> UH-HUH. >> DECADES OLD AND I THINK SAME WITH BREVARD AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT COUNTY. >> DO THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TIERS? >> SOME OF THE EARLY STORM WATER UTILITIES DIDN'T AND THOSE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED SUCCESSFULLY, ONES TO DON'T HAVE TIERED RESIDENTIAL THEY HAVE GONE BACK AND GONE TO TIERED RESIDENTIAL. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO JUST CLOSE WITH A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AND TYPICAL QUESTIONS THAT WE GET. ONE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT, WHEN IT COMES TO STORM WATER, SURFACE WATER, THINK OF IT GOING INTO ONE OF THREE BUCKETS. YOU HAVE PRIVATE STORM WATER SYSTEM, THAT COULD BE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, CDC, INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER OR BUSINESS OWNER ISSUE THOSE ARE PRIVATE SYSTEMS, THOSE SYSTEMS DISCHARGE TO THE COUNTY SYSTEM, I CALL THAT MS-4 AND I'LL EXPLAIN THAT IN A MINUTE. AND THEN MS-4 THEN DISCHARGES INTO WATER OF THE U.S. THINK OF LIKE BIG SYSTEMS, BLACK GREEK, ST. JOHN'S RIVER, WATERS OF THE U.S. EVERY COUNTY IN FLORIDA HAS WHAT IS CALLED MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM PERMIT THAT IS WHAT MS-4 STANDS FOR, MPDS, NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE PERMIT WHICH COMES FROM CLEAN WATER ACT. SO THE COUNTY HAS TO HAVE THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THAT PERMIT AND ALLOW YOU TO DISCHARGE YOUR WATERS INTO WATERS OF THE U.S. WITH THAT COMES ALL THE BURDEN THAT GOES WITH IT. TMDL'S AND MAINTENANCE YOU HAVE TO DO AND A LOT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO AS PART OF THAT MS-4. A LOT OF COST YOU SEE, A LOT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THINGS YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DO AS A COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SOME OTHER QUESTIONS THAT COME UP ARE PRIVATE ROADS, THINGS LIKE THIS THAT I GUESS POINT TO THIS, EVERYTHING PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY WILL END UP DISCHARGING TO THE MS-4, YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT IS GOING ON IN THAT PRIVATE PROPERTY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WATER THAT COMES INTO THE MS-4 AND HAS TO DISCHARGE. >> WE'RE NOT DOING THAT, PLEASE. >> THAT IS JUST A FACT ACROSS THE STATE. THEN SIMILAR WITH CDD, OR HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE DOING YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PRIVATELY OWNED AND MAINTAINED THAT DOES NOT RELIEVE BURDEN TO THE COUNTY SYSTEM IT JUST REDUCES BURDEN TO COUNTY SYSTEM, THAT IS THE 25% MITIGATION CREDIT AIMED AT RECOGNIZING. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE NEXT ONE THAT COMES UP IS EQUAL CHARGES, SO IT'S VERY UNCOMMON TO HAVE A STORM WATER UTILITY THAT HAS UNIQUE CHARGE FOR EVERY SINGLE PARCEL AND THE REASON IS THEY ARE A BALANCE BETWEEN SIMPLICITY AND FAIRNESS, [02:00:04] IF WE WERE TO GO THROUGH EXERCISE OF CALCULATING TO THE PENNY EVERYONE'S WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN IN TERMS OF IMPERVIOUS, IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE AND YOU WOULD SPEND MONEYY ON SOMETHING ADMINISTRATIVE INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING MS-4 AND CIP. THAT IS WHY WE TYPICALLY HAVE WHAT WE DID FOR YOU HERE, THAT IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS REASON. THEN THE OTHER THING THAT COMES UP SPECIAL BENEFIT, SO YOU MAY WONDER, WELL, THERE IS NOTHING DIR DIRECTLY BENEFITING ME AT THE EDGE OF MY PROPERTY, THE COURTS RECOGNIZED THERE IS COMMUNITY-WIDE BENEFIT TO THIS. FACT YOU CAN DRIVE STREETS AND THEY ARE NOT FLOODED, FACT YOU ARE ADDRESSING YOUR REQUIREMENT FOR MS-4 LIKE TMDL AND FEE MAPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THERE IS BENEFIT PROVIDED TO ALL PARCELS. AND THAT'S PART OF THE BASIS OF THE CHARGE. AND THAT IS THE LAST SLIDE WE HAVE. >> DEBBY. >> COULD YOU BACK UP TO YOUR SLIDE SFR123? >> YEAH, KEEP GOING BACK, BACK, BACK. THERE. THERE. WHERE DID YOU COLLECT YOUR DATA FROM? >> THAT IS -- GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. THERE ARE TWO SOURCES THAT ARE CONSIDERED THE BEST AVAILABLE DATA FOR IMPERVIOUS AREA. ONE OF THOSE IS FROM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA, THERE ARE RECORDS OF IMPERVIOUSNESS FOR EACH PARCEL AND THEN WE HAVE WHAT IS CALLED NOA C-CAP DATA, MORE RECENT REMOTE SENSZING OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS AND SO FORTH THAT CAN DETECT IMPERVIOUS AREA. UNFORTUNATELY THE GOOD THINGS, IT IS VERY ACCURATE, DONE TESTING ON IT AND IT IS ABOUT 97 OR 98% ACCURATE, NOT 100% NOR IS PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA 100%, BUT THEY ARE CLOSEST WE CAN GET. TYPICALLY WHAT WE FOUND LIMITATION OF C-CAP DATA TAKEN IN 21-22 TIMEFRAME. SO IT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANYTHING NEW, ANYTHING NEWER WOULDN'T BE CAPTURED. WHEN WE DID COMPARISON OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS, C-CAP DATA WAS MORE ACCURATE THAN PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA, WE USED THAT PARCELS WITH YEAR BUILT FROM THERE AND OLDER AND USE PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA FOR WHAT WAS NEWER. THOSE BEING OUR TWO BEST SOURCES OF BEST AVAILABLE DATA. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. YOU HAVE MORE, RIGHT? >> NO. >> YOU ARE DONE? >> YEAH. >> OKAY. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. I AM GOING TO GO INTO OUR PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RULES, WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN ORDER WITH THIS MANY PEOPLE HERE FOR SURE. BOARD OR ANY COMMITTEE RESERVE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN ORDERLY CONDUCT DURING A MEETING INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MEMBERS OF AUDIENCE INSTRUCTIONS] -- >> IN TAX COLLECTOR OFFICE, A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS CAN SEE ON TV AND IF NOISE IS TOO LOUD THERE IS FOYER PORTION. IF YOU CALL A NAME, WE WILL CALL THE ONES ON DECK THREE TO FOUR TO FIVE OUT, THEY WILL KNOW TO BRING THEM UP AND COME HERE. IF PERSON DOESN'T SHOW I ASK TO PUT CARD TO SIDE AND HAVE STAFF MAKE SURE WE FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE, THAT IS MY REQUEST, THANK YOU. >> I WILL CALL UP CHARLES HODGES AND MARIA PIERCE, KIM STACEY AND JOY TIERNEY, AFTER HIM OR HER, AND TWO MINUTES AND [02:05:09] THREE MINUTES AND YOU'RE DONE. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER SAYS, YOU GUYS HAD GUYS COME GIVE A GOOD SPEECH A WHILE AGO, TELL US ABOUT IMPERVIOUS AREAS. LET ME TELL YOU, I LIVE IN DISTRICT FOUR OF KEYSTONE HEIGHT. I LIVA 800 ACRE LAKE THAT MY PROPERTY DRAINS, TO WE'VE BEEN IN SUCH A DROUGHT, WE SPENT MILLIONS TO BRING A PIPE TO KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. LOVE YOU GENTLEMEN TO COME TO MY HOUSE AND LOOK AT THE LAKE THAT HOLDS 30 ACRES OF WATER AND EXPLAIN HOW I NEED STORM WATER MITI MITIGATION. LOVE YOU TO SHOW ME HOW YOUR SYSTEM IS GOING TO WORK, ALL I HEAR, LEGAL STANDING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO, I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE SELLING SOMETHING, WE PROBABLY PAID I 5 MILLION TO DO THIS STUDY. COMMON SENSE TELLS ME WATER DOESN'T RUN WITHOUT A PUMP, NEVER HAS. I TRIM MY BUDGET AND MAKE IT WORK. OKAY. YOU LOOK OUT HERE IN THIS ROOM RIGHT HERE, LOOK AT MEDIAN AGE OF FOLKS HERE, THEY DON'T HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO PAY OUT ANOTHER T TAX. GOOD FRIEND OF MINE, HIS FIRST YEAR WAS $200 AND NOW HE PAYS $10,000 A YEAR ON PARCEL. WE DON'T WANT THAT. IF WE CAN HELP YOU GENERATE MONEY, WE'RE ALL FOR IT. COME RIDE DIRT ROADS WITH US AND LOOK AT OUR DRIED UP LAKES YOU ARE CHARGING PROPERTY TAX ON AND TELL US WE HAVE A DRAINAGE PROBLEM IN OUR DISTRICTS, THERE IS NO WAY. IF YOU COLLECT THIS MONEY, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE YOUR MIND MADE UP IF YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT OR NOT. I ASK THAT YOU LOCK MONEY FROM DISTRICT TO THE DISTRICT IT IS GENERATED IN. KEYSTONE, MIDDLEBURG, CLAY HILL SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR ORANGE PARK OR FLEMMING ISLAND OR ANYWHERE ELSE GOD FORBID WE NEED IT IN OUR AREA. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> THANK YOU. MARIA PIERCE. >> IF WE CLAP, WE CAN STAY HERE ALL NIGHT, IT IS FINE WITH US, WE'RE USED TO IT, THAT IS WHY WE START AT 4:00. IF YOU CLAP, WE WILL HAVE TO STOP AND WAIT UNTIL OFFICERS FIND YOU AND LEAVE AND CAN WE DO THIS THE EASY WAY? WE'RE ALL HAVE DIGNITY AND LIKE TO GET THIS MEETING ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU. >> MARIA PIERCE, KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FLORIDA. >> CAN YOU SAY THAT AGAIN. >> I CAN'T HEAR WITH ALL THE TALKING. >> NAME IS ADDRESS. >> MARIA PIERCE, KEYSTONE HEIGHTS FLORIDA 32656. THREE YEARS AGO WE STARTED BUILDING UP HERE AND DECIDED WE LOVE KEYSTONE AND WANT TO MOVE HERE. FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF EVEN ASKING FOR PERMITS WE PAID OVER $13,000 JUST TO GET STARTED. THE ROAD WAS SO BAD I MADE A CALL TO AT THE TIME THE COMMISSIONER FOR OUR AREA TO ASK TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THAT ROAD, YOU COULD BARELY GET UP THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET A CALL BACK AND THAT NEVER HAPPENED. THE ROAD IN OUR AREA, SEVERAL MILES BIG TREE LAKES AREA, IT IS AREA OUT OFF OSCEOLA, LAREDO, THOSE IN THE BACK THERE. THE DRAINS WE WERE TOLD TO PUT IN CULL VERTS FOR DITCHES THAT ARE NEVER MAINTAINED.VERTS FOR E NEVER MAINTAINED. WHY DID WE NOT HAVE SHOULDER MAINTENANCE TO PULL DIRT AND GRAS OFF THE ROAD SO CAN FLOW INTO THE DITCHES. IN OUR CASE, WATER RUNS DOWN THE ROAD, DESTROYS THE ROAD AND RUNS DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY AND DESTROYS OUR PROPERTY. NONE OF US HAVE WATER RUNNING >> THE ROAD, IT IS RUNNING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO OUR PROPERTY BECAUSE IT CAN'T LEAVE THE ROAD AND GO INTO THE DITCHES. THE SIDES ARE SO MUCH HIGHER, IF THEY WOULD SKIM THE SHOULDER, YOU WILL GET WATER OFF PEOPLE'S PROPERTY AND IT WILL COST LESS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS, COST LESS AND SIPHON WATER INTO THE INLET [02:10:08] AND DOWN INTO THE LAKE WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE WATER TO GO TO. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO ASK ME TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR MAINTENANCE, STORM WATER I'M NEVER GOING TO GET, NO PLAN FOR OUR AREA TO HAVE STORM WATER MAINTENANCE. IT IS DITCHES ARE NOT USED. YOU HAVE THE CART IN FRONT OF THE HORSE. THESE PEOPLE, ALL OF US CAN'T AFFORD TO ASSESS US AND NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. UNTIL YOU DO SHOULDER MAINTENANCE, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM AND IT IS DESTROYING OUR PROPERTIES, WE'RE NOT LEECHING WATER TO YOU, YOU ARE LEECHING WATER ON TO US. ACCORDING TO YOU, IT IS SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN STORM WATER PROCESS, AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO DO THE SAME AND KEEP WATER OFF OUR PROPERTY? IT IS SERIOUS, THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND TAX US LIKE THIS IS WRONG, IT IS WRONG WAY TO DO THIS. WE NEED TO START DOING RIGHT KIND OF MAINTENANCE ONROAD AND SAVE OUR ROADS, THEY WON'T WASH OUT FROM WATER LAYING ON THEM. >> THANK YOU. KIM STACEY AND JOE TIERNEY, PATRICK LEE AND LISA TURNER. KIM STACEY. >> AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, KIM STACEY, I LIVE IN GREEN COVE. I'M RESIDENT OF CLAY COUNTY, I WANT TO OPPOSE THE STORM WATER ASSESSMENT. CALL IT WHAT IT IS, A BACKDOOR TAX, BY LABEL THIS CHARGE AS ASSESSMENT TIED TO OUR PROPERTY, YOU ARE USING TOTAL PROPERTY IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AS A WORK AROUND TO KEEP THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN OFF THE BALLOT. YOU ARE BYPASSING VOTERS BECAUSE YOU KNOW IT WOULD NOT BE VOTED IN. FAMILIES ACROSS CLAY COUNTY ARE TIGHTENING THEIR BELTS AND HANDLING RISING GROCERIES, INSURANCE AND BILLS, WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS ROUTINE FEE. YOUR METHODOLOGIES YOU ARE PENALIZING US FOR HAVING A ROOF OVER OUR HEAD AND DRIVEWAYS FOR CARS AND PATIOS TO SIT ON, CHARGING RESIDENTS BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE OF HARD SURFACE THAT MAKES A HOME LIVEABLE. SO LET ME ASK THE BOARD FAIRLY DIRECT QUESTION, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE US DO? LIVE WITHOUT ROOFTOPS AND FLOORS? SHOULD WE RIP OUT OUR DRIVEWAYS AND SLEEP IN THE MUD TO LOWER CLASSIFICATION TIER? MY SPECIFIC PROPERTY SITS ENTIRELY IN FLOOD ZONE X, DESIGNATED AS MODDER AT TO MINIMUM RISK AREA BECAUSE MY LAND IS NATURAL AND LOW RISK ZONE, IT PLAYS LITTLE OR NO OPERATIONAL BURDEN ON THE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE. CHARGING FLAT ASSESSMENT ACROSS UNINCO UNINCORPORATED PARCEL FAIL TO TOPPO GRAPHY OF THE FACTS OF THE PROPERTY. WATT RELYING ON COUNTY MAINTENANCE SYSTEM, IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE TO PENALIZE ASSISTANCE RAINFALL FROM SKY NATURALLY MANAGED STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS A CORE DUTY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDED THROUGH EXISTING REVENUES. IT SHOULD NOT BE FUNDED BY SLICING UP PROPERTIES INTO SQUARE FOOT OF CONCRETE AND SHINGLES TO FIT A NEW REVENUE STREAM. IF THERE IS SHORTFALL IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING COUNTY NEED TO CUT WASTE IN FUNDS AND LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS LIKE THE REST OF US DO INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR TAX OUR ROOFS AND DESTROYS, LISTEN TO CITIZENS WHO PUT YOU IN OFFICE, SCRAP THE STORM WATER ASSESSMENT, RESPECT TAXPAYERS AND TAKE THIS TO THE PUBLIC VOTE WHERE IT BELONGS. AT LEAST AT VERY LEAST YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD, IMPLEMENT CREDIT OR EXEMPTION FOR FLOOD ZONE X PROPERTY AND I WANT TO SUBMIT THIS FOR OFFICIAL RECORD. >> YOU CAN TAKE IT AROUND. WE HAVE TO MOVE ON. JOE, PATRICK LEE, LISA TURNER AND JOHN STOCKTON AFTER THAT. R >> GOOD EVENING, JOE, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. IN SECTION ONE OF THIS ORDINANCE, 2026-33 [02:15:03] IT STATES IN SECTION D STORM WATER ASSESSMENT IMPOSED ONLY ON DEVELOPED PROPERTY SPECIFICALLY BENEFITED BY THE AVAILABILITY AND PROVISION OF STORM WATER MA MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND STORM WATER IMPROVEMENT AND SHALL BE FAIRLY AND REASONABLY APOPORTION APPORTIONED USING ERU METHODOLOGY, STORM WATER ASSESSMENT IS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AND NOT A TAX, THAT IS WHAT IT SAYS IN D. I OBJECT TO BEING CHARGED FOR STORM WATER ASSESSMENT SINCE MY PROPERTY DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY BENEFIT FROM THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT DEVELOPED DRAINAGE DITCHES IN CONJUNCTION WITH ST. JOHN'S RIVER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT THAT HANDLES OUR STORM WATER RUNOFF. IN ADDITION MULTIPLE PROPERTIES HAVE DUG PONDS TO HANDLE RUNOFF AND FEED INTO WETLANDS AND MAKE IT TO ST. JOHN'S RIVER. CLAY COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT TO CONTROL THIS FLOW, IT FOLLOWS A NATURAL CREEK. FURTHER LOOKING AT PLANNED PROJECT AND MAINTENANCE ON THE WEBSITE, THERE IS NOTHING PLANNED IN OUR AREA. DUVALCOUNTY ESTABLISHED UTILITY FOR FOR LARGE HOME SOMETHING GREATER THAN 4650 AT $90 A YEAR, SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN WHAT I'M GOING TO PAY FOR CLAY COUNTY. SAINT JOHN'S COUNTY MORE THAN BROAD RESIDENTIAL STORM WATER UTILITY ASSESSMENT. THEY DON'T PAY ANYTHING. ST. AUGUSTINE, THEY PAY. I BELIEVE CLAY COUNTY SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF THE BENEFIT THAT I RECEIVE IN ORDER TO SATISFY THIS SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE. SHORT OF THAT, I DON'T SEE HOW CLAY COUNTY CAN EXPECT CITIZENS TO BLINDLY ACCEPT THIS NEW MONEY GRAB. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR, NEXT UP PATRICK LEE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS PATRICK LEE, I LIVE ON FLEMMING ISLAND, MY WIFE AND I OWN TWO HOMES AND AN AIRCRAFT HANGAR AND IN PARTNER AT HELLER AIRPARK. WE RECEIVED STORM WATER ASSESSMENT FOR TWO FLEMMING ISLAND HOMES AND I DON'T HAVE ISSUE. HOWEVER, STORM WATER ISSUE AT HELLER IS DIFFERENT. IN 23 YEARS I OWNED PROPERTY AT HELLER I'VE SEEN OUR RUNWAY GO UNDER WATER AFTER SEVERAL EVENTS, FOUR INCHES OF WATER INSIDE HANGAR I SHARE WITH THREE NAVY PILOTS. THE AREA TOTALLY DESTROYED. OUR TURF RUNWAY UNUSABLE AND ROAD WASHED OUBT OUT BY THE EVENTS WITH NO HELP FROM CLAY COUNTY, OUR COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO SWITCH THE DRAINAGE ISSUE USING OUR OWN HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER AND 40,000 FROM AIRPARK RESIDENTS AND WITH BLESSING OF WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT CREATED STORM WATER AND HEAVY DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT IS TOTALLY TRANSFORMED OUR AIR PARK. WE ADDED EIGHT STORM WATER RETENTION PONDS, CREATED WIDE DITCHES SO IT DOESN'T FLOW OFF THE AIR PARK AT ONCE, INSTALLED HUGE CONCRETE PIPES THAT MOVE WATER UNDER RUNWAY. AS WELL AS HUGE ONE-WAY CHECK VALVES TO GUIDES STORM WATER FLOW AND ANOTHER 60,000 DOLLARS FROM RESIDENTS WE PAVED OUR WASHED OUT ROADS. ALL USING AIR PARK RESIDENTS LABOR AND MONEY. ONE ACRE SOLD FOR $30,000 BUYER PROJECT. AFTER THE PROJECT THAT ONE-ACRE LOT SELLS FOR $300,000 AND CLAY COUNTY REAPS HUGE PROPERTY TAX WINDFALL WITHOUT INVESTING A THIN DIME. NOW THE AIR PARK GIVEN YEARLY ASSESSMENT OF $2500 FOR MAINTENANCE OF THAT SAME STORM WATER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE CREATED AND MAINTAIN. THAT IS ON TOP OF ASSESSMENT EACH AIR PARK OWNER GIVEN FOR HIS OR HER PROPERTY, YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE OUR AMAZEMENT AND ANGER, THE ROAD AND RUNWAY IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX FOR SAME LAND. WHAT DO WE GET AFTER HAVING TAXES INCREASE BY 130%? PINE FOREST IN THE COUNTRY OR USED TO BE AND BEING SURROUNDED [02:20:03] BY DEVELOPER SAYS ALONG WITH STATE ROAD 17 TRAFFIC. WE DON'T GET COUNTY WAR, COUNTY SEWER OR DRIVE ON A COUNTY ROAD TO GET TO OUR AIR PARK. WE DO GET GARBAGE PICKUP AND FIRE AND RESCUE AND THANK YOU TO RESCUE 24, THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT. WHOSE STORM WATER SYSTEM ARE WE PAYING FOR? ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR AIR PARK AND GREEN COAST SPRING AND KEYSTONE IN REGARD TO WATER DRAINAGE. >> I HAVE TO MOVE ON, WE HAVE TONS, SORRY. LISA TURNER, JOHN STOCKTON, HAROLD NOLES AND AFTER THAT ROSE NOLES. >> MY NAME IS LISA TURNER, I LIVE ON LAKE ASBURY, LAKE ASBURY, AS OLD TIMERS KNOW HAVE BEAUTIFUL SPRING-FED LAKES, YOU GO ON THE WATER AND CAN FEEL THE SPRINGS. THEY PUT RUNOFF FROM HENLEY ROAD AND SURROUNDING AREA AS CONSULTANT SAID CONTAMINATED AND POLLUTED INTO OUR LAKES. IT IS AFFECTING OUR LAKES, THAT IS NOT BAD ENOUGH, WE'RE PAYING FOR IT. I LIVE ON WATERFRONT PROPERTY AND NOW I HAVE AN ALLERGY PROBLEM. WE'VE GOT THIS CONTAMINATED WATER COMING INTO OUR LAKES, YOU ARE GOING TO CHARGE ME FOR LUXURY OF HAVING CONTAMINATED PA POLLUTED WATER AND I HAVE WATERFRONT PROPERTY, DRAINAGE WAS INSTALLED ON THE LOT, IT HAS TAKEN A PERCENTAGE OF MY LAKE FRONT TO MOVE WATER FROM THE ROAD INTO MY LAKE. IT IS FILLING IN THE END OF MY FINGER WITH SAND. I WON'T EVEN HAVE A LAKE FRONT AT SOME POINT, IT WILL JUST FILL IN. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT WE'RE GOING TO BE ASSESSED FEES FOR SOMETHING WE'RE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED FOR IN MY COMMUNITY. I GET WE'RE UNIQUE, WE HAVE A LITERAL BODY OF WATER THAT DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE ELSE UNLESS OVERFLOW FOR HURRICANES, WE HAVE A BODY OF WATER THAT WATER COMES IN AND SITS THERE AND DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE, DOESN'T GO TO THE CREEK OR RIVER, IT SITS THERE, WE'RE GOING TO PAY STORM WATER FEES. THE WATER FROM MY LAND GOES DOWN TO THE LAKE, I'M ON 15-FOOT SLOPE FROM ROAD DOWN TO LAKE. IT IS LIKE A RIVER, RIGHT? BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, WE ALREADY ARE PAYING AS A COMMUNITY AND OUR LAKES ARE SUFFERING, I ASK YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I APPRECIATE ALL THESE PEOPLE COMING OUT AND EXERCISING THEIR CIVIL RIGHT TO YOU CAN TA-ABOUT THIS, IT IS GREAT. >> THANK YOU. JOHN STOCKTON, NOLES AND KATHIE MILLER. JOHN STOCKTON. GOOD EVENING, I'M HERE TO EXPRESS ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FOR THIS NEW TAX, WHO KNEW INFRASTRUCTURE ACTUALLY NEEDED TO BE MAINTAINED AFTER IT WAS BUILT. IT IS INSPIRING TO SEE US SOLVE PROBLEMS NO ONE COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED. NECK NICHL ALLOWING TAX TO INCREASE 40% WITHOUT NOTIFYING US, WHY BOTHER US WITH MAIL WHEN YOU CAN JUST COLLECT THE MONEY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. PEOPLE THIS COUNTY HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY LYING AROUND BETWEEN GROCERIES, HEALTH YOUR HONOR S INSURANCE, EVERYONE IS SITTING ON PILE OF CASH AND REVENUE IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THE COUNTY VISION THAT IS ONLY $6000 PER HOUSEHOLD, WE'RE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE. I HAVE A FEW EXTRA REVENUE IDEA. HOW ABOUT CHARGING PEOPLE THOUSANDS FOR LIVING IN A HOUSE THEY BOUGHT WITH MONEY THEY PAID TAXES ON, EVEN WHEN IT IS PAID OFF AND EVEN IF THEY ARE 90 ON A FIXED INCOME. WAIT, WE ALREADY DO THAT. WE TAX CAR OWNERSHIP AND EDGE ARE STRAGZ REGISTRATION, 10,000 STEPS PER DAY, $10,000 BUCKS PER YEAR, ZONE CONSTRUCTION TOLL, FINISH SO QUICKLY WE BARELY MAKE A DIME AND SINCE WE SPEND QUARTER MILLION A YEAR LEASING FLOCK CAMERAS NOBODY WANTS, WHY NOT MONETIZE THAT, FOURTH [02:25:04] AMENDMENT INFRINGEMENT FEE. WE CHARGE FEE UNTIL WE CHARGE YOU WITH A CRIME. SARCASM ASIDE, RESIDENTS OF CLAY COUNTY ARE NOT CONSUMERS BUYING OR RENTING SERVICES OR PRIVILEGES FROM GOVERNMENT, WE ARE SHAREHOLDERS, WE CARE ABOUT THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME. YES, WE'RE GOING TO BE UPSET WHEN IT FEELS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE A VOICE OR FEEL CONTINUALLY SQUEEZED. WE ARE NOT CHILDREN WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR US. WE KNOW THINGS COST MONEY, WE WANT A SAY INOW MONEY ARE SPENT. WHEN YOU STRETCH US TOO THIN, WE CRACK AND TEAR APART. WE AREN'T IN YOUR WAY, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE US, PLEASE DONALD TRUMP TREAT US LIKE MEANS TO AN END. THANK YOU. >> HAROLD, ROSE, KATHIE MILLER, GLORIA, CHRIS WEIR. >> HAROLD NOLES, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WE CREATED BY HAVING SO MANY ROOFTOPS TOGETHER, IT KEEPS ONGOING WITH IMPE IMPERVIOUS -- WE NEED LIKE WE SAY ALL THE TIME, THAT NEEDS TO STOP. EVERYBODY HERE LEARNED BASIC RULES OF WATER WHEN THEY WERE A KID IN THE TUB BECAUSE THEY ARE ALIVE, NOBODY HERE DROWNED. WATER RUNS DOWNHILL, HARD TO FIND SOMETHING THAT DISCRIMINATES LESS THAN RAIN. IF YOU BOUGHT A HOUSE WITH TREES IN YOUR YARD, YOUR DECISION. MY PROPERTY IS FAIRLY HIGH, I DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM, I ANTICIPATED THAT. I SHOULDN'T, HAVE YOU ENGINEERS TO SAY FINE TO BUILD ON THAT CYPRESS POND, WHY DOESN'T HE GO BACK TO ENGINEERS THAT SAID THAT IS OKAY. WE KNOW THAT HOLE WILL FILL UP WITH WATER, GUARANTEED THING. THE LORD SENT THE WATER, I DIDN'T. WHY DO WE KEEP BUILDING IN LOW AREAS AND ENGINEERS AREN'T HELD ACC ACCOUNTABLE OR DEVELOPERS. DEVELOPMENT BY THE HOUSE, OUR WATER WILL STAY RIGHT HERE, IF THAT IS TRUE, WHY DO WE HAVE STORM WATER ISSUES AT ALL? I JUST THINK IT IS -- Y'ALL HAVE TAUGHT ME HOW TO DRIVE AROUND ROADS NOT COMPLETE. A BRIDGE ON 220, I HAVE LEARNED TO DRIVE AROUND. ROADS ARE FLOODED, THAT SHOULD BE THEIR TO DEAL WITH, WHOEVER BUILT IN THAT AREA, THAT SHOULD BE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, NOT MINE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ROSE, KATHIE, GLORIA, CHRIS, CHELSEA MEADOWS. >> >> HI, MY NAME IS ROSE NOLES, 2098 NOLES ROAD. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO OUR CONCERN, THIS ITEM IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION AND IT SHOULD. WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO FILL A ROOM TO CONVINCE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO LISTEN TO US. I BELIEVE YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS STAND ON THIS ISSUE. I WAS TAUGHT WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, YOU DON'T COMPLAIN, YOU BRING A SOLUTION. I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY HAS FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, I DO NOT BELIEVE CREATING ANOTHER MANDATORY FEE FOR RESIDENTS REGARDLESS WHERE THEY LIVE OR CONTRIBUTE TO STORM WATER PROBLEM IS THE SOLUTION. IF A FAMILY SPENDS MORE THAN IT EARNS AND ASKS EVERY NEIGHBOR ON THE STREET TO CHIP IN TO COVER THE SHORTFALL, WOULD THAT BE FAIR? SAME SHOULD APPLY TO COUNTY. IF YOUR SOLUTION IS IT IS ONLY A FEW DOLLARS, YOU PAY IT. DON'T LEAVE IT TO US. SOME OF THE DECISIONS MADE BY PREVIOUS COMMISSIONS CONTRIBUTED TO FINANCIAL SITUATION WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY. THAT DOES NOT MAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS TO ACCEPT ANOTHER FEE BECAUSE COUNTY NEEDS MORE REVENUE. I WORRY THIS IS A KNEE-JERK REACTION TO POSSIBILITY OF LOSING PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.S U, WHY SPEND MONEY WE DON'T HAVE AND HOW DID THAT BECOME MY PROBLEM. I WORRY THAT COUNTY IS COUNTING ON CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT, MORE HOUSES AND ROOFTOPS TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. [02:30:04] WE MUST BE WILLING TO SAY NO. NO MORE DEVELOPMENT TO GENERATE TAX INCOME. NO MORE HO HOMES WHEN OUR SCHOO ARE CROWDED, NO GROWTH WHEN ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP AND WE'RE SPENDING BECAUSE WE ASSUME MORE MONEY WILL BE THERE LATER. YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO COLLECT ENOUGH UNTIL YOU RECOGNIZE AND CORRECT OVERSPENDING. YOU CANNOT TAX YOUR WAY OUT OF A SPENDING PROBLEM. THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO GROWTH, CONSEQUENCES TO OVERSPEND, WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO PUSH CONSEQUENCES TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY HERE. BEFORE ASKING RESIDENTS TO PAY ANOTHER FEE, I BELIEVE COUNTY SHOULD LOOK AT EXISTING BUDGET, PRIORITIES AND SPENDING. PLEASE DON'T MAKE THE EASY DECISION SIMPLY BECAUSE IT BRING UPONS IN MORE MONEY. MAKE THE RESPONSIBLE DECISION, WE NEED FIVE OF YOU TO MAKE A DECISION, MAKE DIFFICULT DECISION AND PROTECT PEOPLE WHO ALREADY LIVE HERE. NOT TO MAKE US RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT WE DID NOT CREATE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. KATHIE MILLER, GLORIA. >> GLORIA DOES NOT WANT TO SPEAK. >> CHRIS WEIR, CHELSEA MEADOWS AND BRIAN DRIVER. >> KATHIE MILLER, 5950 COUNTY ROAD 209 SOUTH. I DID NOT WANT TO SPEAK, I WILL. IT SAID AGRICULTURE LAND OVER FIVE ACRES SUPPOSED TO BE 100%, MY PROPERTY WAS ZONED AGRICULTURAL, WE HAVE ALMOST 26 ACRES AND WE HAVE PROTECTED WETLAND OF 10 ACRES WITH TREES WE DON'T TOUCH. ON THE LAND WE DID DEVELOP, WE HAVE TWO POND FOR OUR WATER AND OUR WATER RUNS TO SAINT JOHN'S RIVER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE LARGE PARCEL AGRICULTURAL, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THIS SINCE WE TOOK STEPS TO MAINTAIN OUR WATER AND PLUS PRESERVE OUR WETLANDS WHICH PEOPLE AROUND US HAVE FELT IN THEIR WETLANDS. AS A SENIOR RETIRED, THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS CHRIS WEIR, MY ADDRESS ON FILE SOMEWHERE WITH YOU GUYS. I'M A PROPERTY OWNER AND UNINCORPORATED AREA OF CLAY COUNTY AND YOU ARE ASKING ME TO PAY FOR ALL THE INCORPORATED AREAS. I LIVE DOWN A PRIVATE DIRT ROAD, COUNTY DOESN'T MAINTAIN IT, I'M BACKED UP ON CREEK, I HAVE W WETLANDS, Y'ALL DON'T DEAL WITH MY RUNOFF, Y'ALL HAVE NEVER HELPED US WITH OUR ROAD, WE'VE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, PHYSICAL LABOR, BOUGHT KWI EQUIPMENT TO MAINTAIN OURSELVES, I DON'T GET BENEFIT FROM THIS. I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ARE FROM ORANGE PARK OR GREEN COVE OR INCORPORATED AREAS, YOU ARE NOT ASKING THEM TO PAY FOR IT, YOU ARE ASKING US TO. WE DON'T SEE BENEFIT FROM IT. MOST PROJECTS PLANNED FOR THIS ARE NOT IN UNINCORPORATED AREA, ORANGE PARK AND GREEN COVE, AGAIN, THEY ARE GETTING THE BENEFIT WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY FOR IT, WE'RE BEING ASKED TO, THIS IS NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE, GUYS. Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN OVER OTHER THINGS IN THE PAST AND IT HAS NOT WORKED OUT WELL, CERTAINLY NOT TO OUR BENEFIT AS RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, NAMELY THE TRASH PICKUP. WHEN I MOVED HERE 20 YEARS AGO WE PAID FOR OUR OWN TRASH PICKUP, OF COURSE PEOPLE DID NOT PAY AND TRASH BUILT UP AND CAUSED ISSUES. Y'ALL TOOK IT OVER, I WAS PROMISED BY MY COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE MY COMMISSIONER NOW, IT WOULD NEVER TURN INTO WHAT IT IS NOW, WHICH IS WE'RE GIVEN ONE TRASH CAN FOR THE WHOLE WEEK AND FORGET SPRING CLEANING OR ANYTHING IN OUR YARDS. Y'ALL HAVE ALLOWED SO MUCH GROWTH IN THIS COUNTY THAT IS [02:35:07] WHERE MOST RUNOFF PROBLEMS ARE COMING FROM. MAKE THEM PAY FOR IT. Y'ALL GOT OVER 500 ACRES YOU ARE ABOUT TO ALLOW TO BE CORPORATE COMMERCIAL AREA, I GOT A FEELING YOU WILL GIVE THEM TAX BREAKS TO MOVE IN THERE TO PROVIDE JOBS OR WHATEVER ELSE, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR THEIR OWN RUNOFF, DON'T MAKE US PAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, SIR. CHELSEA MEADOWS, BRIAN DRIVER, BRIAN LUGO, GENE BROOKS. >> I AM HERE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE ORDINANCE, STORM WATER ORDINANCE THAT REMOVES PROTECTION FOR VULNERABLE AND UNFAIRLY TAXES RESIDENTS AND CHARGES UNINCORPORATED FOR AREAS IN MUNICIPAL AREAS. YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND MORE ON ADMINISTRATION THAN THE DRAINAGE ITSELF. FIRST EXEMPTION, SECTION TWO REPEAL HARDSHIP AND DISABLED VETERANS EXEMPTION THAT EXISTED UNDER STORM WATER ASSESSMENT, UNDER NEW ORDINANCE ACTIVELY STRIPPING GUARANTEED RELIEF FOR DISABLED VETERANS. SAME TIME SECTION 20-32, YOU STILL AUTHORIZE COUNTY TO USE DIRECT BILLING FOR FORECLOSURE AFTER BEING 60 DAYS DELIFNQUENT ON THE WATER FEE, PLACING LOWER INCOME FAMILIES AND VETERANS AT GREATER RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOME. THE PROJECT ITSELF IS IT IS PROBLEM. WORK IS PLANNED IN MUNICIPAL AREAS THAT ARE YET THE FEE IS IMPOSED ON UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS, ACCORDING TO THE MAP YOU CAN'T SHOW EVERYBODY IT SHOWS WHERE MOST PROJECTS ARE IN CITY LIMITS AND I DON'T KNOW, WILL IT BE COMBINED INTO THE SAME BILL WHERE YOU COLLECT TAXES FROM ORANGE PARK, GO INTO THE SAME FUND OR COME OUT OF THE FUND UNINCORPORATED CITIZENS PAY AND USE FOR PROJECT IN MUNICIPAL AREAS. IT IS NOT FAIR NOR LOGICAL TO DO THAT AND THIRD THIS IS DOUBLE TAXATION, PROPERTY TAXES GO TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR STORM WATER MANAGE MANAGEMENT, IN 20-25, MAY STILL FINANCE STORM MANAGEMENT, TAKE REGULAR PROPERTY TAXES AND FUND THIS PROJECT, AS WELL, WHICH IS ABOUT 9 MILLION DOLLARS RIGHT NOW CURRENT BUDGET IS $400,000 AND ANY ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT IS PAYING THE SAME TAXES TWICE FOR THE SAME SERVICE. THIS COUNTY CHOOSES TO PURSUE THIS PROGRAM AFTER PROPERTY TAXES ARE ELIMINATED, THE FEE SHOULD BE A FLAT RATE OR NOTHING AT ALL. COST IS THE FINAL POINT I HAVE. COUNTY'S PLAN SHOWS $400,000 BUDGETED FOR DRAINAGE ON REGULAR YEARLY BASIS AND -- >> BRIAN DRIVER, BRIAN LUGO, GENE BROOKS, CHARLIE STEEL, JAY CHRIS PIKE. >> MY NAME IS BRIAN DRIVER, I LIVE IN MIDDLE BURG. ADDRESS IS ON FILE. THANKS FOR LETTING US ADDRESS YOU TONIGHT. THIS LETTER EVERYBODY RECEIVED IN CASE NOBODY READ ENTIRE THING SAYS ON THE BACK FAILURE TO PAY THIS NEW ASSESSMENT WILL CAUSE TAX CERTIFICATE TO BE ISSUED AGAINST A PROPERTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF TITLE, IN CASE ANYBODY DIDN'T KNOW THIS, IF YOU DON'T PAY THIS AND IT PASSES, THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR HOUSE. BACK OF THE PAPER THEY SENT OUT TO YOU. I NOTICED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT THIS IS ITEM 22 ON ALL OTHER ITEMS IT HAS PASSED 5-0, HOPE SOME OF YOU REJECT THIS AND OBJECT TO IT. YOU ARE MY COMMISSIONER, HOPE YOU VOTE AGAINST IT. WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO PASS. [02:40:03] THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HERE AND OUTSIDE AND DOWNSTAIRS WE ALL OPPOSE THIS. I'M AFFECTED CLAY COUNTY PROPERTY OWNER THAT FORMAL LY OBJECT TO THIS STORM WATER ASSESSMENT SCHEDULED FOR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT. THESE ARE THE REASONS, I DISAGREE INITIAL ANNUAL RATE OF $85 AND DETERMINATION TO INCREASE IT BY 41% THE FOLLOWING YEAR TO 120, COUNTY NOT EXPLAINED TO GRAB AND BIG FANCY WORDS, NOT EXPLAINED HOW CALCULATED IN SIMPLE TERM AND WHAT SERVICE OR IMPROVEMENT MY PROPERTY IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE. I DISAGREE THE COUNTY HAS EXPLAINED THE NEED FOR THIS FOR A LOT OF US, THIS IS FIRST TIME WE'VE HEARD THIS. THE COUNTY IDENTIFIED WHAT STORM WATER FACILITY TREATMENT, IMPROVEMENT OR OTHER STORM WATER PLAN TO PROVIDE. THEY WILL DEFINITELY AFFECT MY PROPERTY. SO INSTEAD OF SPENDING 9 MILLION HOW ABOUT DONALD TRUMP SPEND $7 MILLION ON TOURISM, WHY DO WE HAVE THAT MUCH GOING OUT TO TOURISM ON ANNUAL BASIS? THE COUNTY UNEXPECTED BUILDING PERMIT EXCEEDED AVERAGE OPERATING BUDGET FOR PREVIOUS FOUR FISCAL YEARS. TO COME IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE THINGS BECAUSE AUDITOR ACTUALLY SAID RECOMMENDED COUNTY ANALYZE FUNDS ACTIVITY AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS DEEMED NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH THE STATUTES. WHAT THEY FOUND WAS EITHER DUE TO MISMANAGEMENT OR FRAUD WHICHEVER THAT IS WHAT THEY SAY WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT TO BECOME COMPLIANT TO THE STATE STA STATUTE, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO REFUND OR REDUCE THE RATES. >> THANK YOU, BRIAN LUGEO, GENE BROOKS, CHARLIE STEEL, JAY CHRIS PIKE AND DAVID NOPOREX, I HOPE THAT IS WHAT THAT IS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS BRIAN LUGEO, DISTRICT FOUR IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AND I OBJECT TO THIS STORM WATER ASSESSMENT FOR TWO REASONS, THE COUNTY NOT ESTABLISHED VALID JULY 28TH ORDINANCE VOTE. TRANSCRIPT AND VIDEO RECORD-BREAKINGED INITIAL VOTE WHILE CONDON WAS OUT OF THE ROOM. THE MOTION DID NOT PASS, THE CHAIR THEN STATED, WE HAD MAJORITY, WE JUST VOTED, THE ORDINANCE CALLED AGAIN AFTER CONDON RETURNED AND PUBLISH FIRST VOTE AND REPORT ONLY 5-0 VOTE. THE MINUTES YOU JUST AFFIRMED TONIGHT IS MINUTES I'M TALKING ABOUT, PUBLIC RECORD REQUEST, THE COUNTY CONFIRMED NO ELECTRONIC VOTING REPORT AUDIT HISTORY OR OTHER VOTING RECORD AND VIDEO AND MINUTES ARE ALL WE HAVE AND THEY DO NOT AGREE. IF THE SECOND VOTE REPLACED FIRST, IDENTIFY AUTHORITY FOR REPEATING THE VOTE, WHICH VOTE IS OPERATIVE AND HOW 5-0 WAS DETERMINED. UNTIL THEN I CONSIDER JULY 28 ACTION INVALID. SECOND, PUBLIC CANNOT INSPECT WORK NECESSARY TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS FAIR, ATTACHMENT E, FROM THE NOVEMBER 3 JONES EDMONS PROJECT REQUIRED SPECIFIC DELIVERABLE TASK THREE IDENTIFY PARCEL THAT DO NOT CONTRIBUTE ONLY PARTIALLY CONTRIBUTE TO COUNTY SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE EXEMPT OPT AND CREDIT, MAP ZONE AND ADJUSTMENT FACTOR TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND EXCEL CALCULATION, THAT WORK CAN SHOW WHETHER PROPERTY RECEIVE DIFFERENT LEVEL OF BENEFIT AND REASONABLY RELATE TO BENEFITS, I RECEIVE RECORD UP UNTIL I REQUESTED THOSE, NOW RECORDS ARE HIDDEN BEHIND PAY WALL I CANNOT ACCESS, NOBODY WILL GIVE ME ACCESS TO. I WILL NOT SPECULATE ABOUT WHETHER THIS IS BUREAUCRACY OR SOMETHING WORSE, RESULT IS THE SAME. THE BOARD IS SITTING TONIGHT AND BEING ASKED BEFORE THE PUBLIC CANNOT INSPECT THE DOCUMENTS AND BOARD IS SITTING TO MAKE A DECISION. DO NOT IMPOSE UNLESS COUNTY DEMONSTRATE WITH PUBLICLY AVAILABLE EVIDENCE EACH PROPERTY RECEIVE SPECIAL BENEFIT AND COST IS FAIRLY AND REASONABLY APPORTIONED AMONG PROPERTIES RECEIVING BENEFIT. PRODUCE REQUIRED ANALYSIS, [02:45:04] PROVIDE ESTIMATE AND GIVE PUBLIC TIME TO REVIEW EVIDENCE BEFORE FINAL ACTION AND PLEASE CONFIRM, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE HOW THIS IS NOT A TAX AND WHY THOSE REQUIRED TO PAY HAVE NO DIRECT VOTE. IT WILL APPEAR AND BE COLLECTED BY COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR AND IF UNPAID MAY RESULT IN LIEN ON OUR PROPERTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GENE BROOKS, CHARLIE STEEL, JAY CHRIS PIKE, DAVID AND THOMAS SELLERS. >> I LIVE IN A DAMN SAND HILL. >> NO PROFANITY, SIR. >> IT FREE SPEECH. >> TAKE AWAY MY RIGHTS, THAT IS GOOD. 161 DOLLARS, I LIVE ON A SAND HILL, NO RUNOFF ON A PRIVATE ROAD. TELL ME WHAT AM I GETTING? SILENCE. >> PUBLIC COMMENT, WE WILL NOT ANSWER, GO AHEAD. >> IS PROBABLY BETTER. I HEAR IT IS $85, I GET BILL ARE FOR $161, THAT IS A TAX OR FEE? PUT A LIEN ON MY HOUSE? TAX LIEN? WHAT? IF I DON'T PAY IT. SO IF IT IS TAX LIEN, IT IS NOT A FEE. I SERVED MY COUNTRY, COME HOME TO THIS. Y'ALL GOT VOTED IN TO HONOR YOUR CITIZENS, LOOK OUT FOR THEM. RIGHT NOW I SEE FAILURE. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL, IF UNANIMOUS VOTE, THAT IS FAILURE. YOU GOT VOTED IN, YOU CAN GET VOTED OUT. I YIELD MY TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> CHARLIE STEEL, JAY CHRIS PIKE, DAVE, THOMAS SELLERS AND NOEL SOBERS. >> HELLO, CHARLIE STEEL, GOOD EVENING, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE AND I'M ASKING YOU VOTE NO ON THE STORM WATER ASSESSMENT. I'M NOT AGAINST FIXING STORM WATER PROBLEMS, I'M AGAINST PLACING ANOTHER ASSESSMENT ON PROPERTY OWNERS WITHOUT DETERMINING WHO CREATE PROBLEM, WHO BENEFITS AND WHO SHOULD PAY. MANY RESIDENTS IN KEYSTONE AND OTHER RURAL AREAS LIVE ON ACREAGE WITH WOODS, PONDS, DITCHES, MANY LIVE ON PRIVATE DIRT ROAD WITH DRAINAGE ON OUR LAND, COUNTY DOES NOT MAINTAIN ROADS, WE DO, THEY WASH OUT, NEIGHBORS FIX THEM. WE CONTRIBUTE OUR OWN MONEY, TRACTOR, EQUIPMENT, LABOR AND TIME TO MAINTAIN ROAD AND DRAN A DRAINAGE AND BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR ANOTHER STORM WATER ASSESS EMPTY MEANWHILE RURAL RESIDENTS PAID TAXES AND COUNTY REVENUE FOR DECADES TO SUPPORT ROAD, PARK, FACILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT CLAY COUNTY. CLAY COUNTY RECOGNIZE ALREADY RECOGNIZES INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS VARY GEOGRAPHICALLY. LET'S TALK ABOUT GROWTH. WHEN WOODS AND PASTURES BECOME ROOFTOP, PAVEMENT, PARKING LOT AND SUBDIVISION, WE CREATE SURFACES AND RUNOFF, CLAY COUNTY FOLLOWS PRINCIPLE GROWTH SHOULD PAY FOR GROWTH. STORM WATER SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT. PUT MORE COST WHERE ADDITIONAL IMPACT IS BEING CREATED INSTEAD OF PLACING ON RURAL HOMEOWNERS AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE, WHAT HAPPENS DURING A DROUGHT OR MINIMAL RAINFALL, DOES ASSESSMENT DECREASE, IF LESS IS NEEDED OR COLLECTED OR ISN'T SPENT DOES IT REMAIN PROTECTED IN THE AREA THAT PAYS IT OR CONTINUE YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE HAVE SEEN CLAY COUNTY ADJUST WHEN SERVICES CHANGE BEFORE INCLUDING CREDIT AND RECYCLING >> FAIRNESS FOR UNINCORPORATED, [02:51:10] GOOD EVENING, FELLOW CITIZENS, WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OF PROPOSED STORM WATER ASSESSMENT, TAX THAT WHILE WELL INTENTIONED IN GOAL FOR FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR REALITY OF THE RURAL LIFE OF CLAY COUNTY. THE COUNTY ARGUMENT IS THAT THIS FEE IS EVERY PROPERTY WILL BE IMPERVIOUS CONTRIBUTE TO RUNOFF AND SHOULD PAY FOR -- BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR MANAGING THEIR OWN STORM WATER, CHARGING THEM ADDITIONAL IMPACT FEE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ZERO SERVICE IS NOT ASSESSMENT, IT IS TAX, COUNTY CLAIMS ALL RUNOFF EVENTUALLY ENTERS BROADER WATER SHED WHILE THAT MAY BE TRUE IN HYDRO LOGICAL SENT, IT IS NOT BASIS FOR FAIR SERVICE FEE, IF I'M MITIGATING IMPACT ON WATERSHED BY MAINTAINING MY OWN LAND I'M SUBSIDIZING DRAINAGE NEED TO SUBURBAN SUBDIVISIONS THAT DO NOT RELY ON COUNTY EXPENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE NOT ASKING TO BE EXEMPT FROM RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIVING IN COMMUNITY, WE ARE ASKING IS SYSTEM THAT RECOGNIZES REALITY, IF COUNTY WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH ASSESSMENT, MUST BE BASED ON BENEFIT PROVIDED FOR THE PROPERTY. IF COUNT DOES NOT MAINTAIN YOUR ROAD OR CLEAR YOUR DITCHES, IF COUNTY DOES NOT PROVIDE DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT PROPERTY SHOULD NOT BE TREATED THE SAME AS SUBDIVISION, WE'RE CALLING FOR SIMPLER CREDIT SYSTEM THAT RECOGNIZESES PRIVATE MAINTENANCE WE ALREADY PERFORM. I REALLY WISH YOU ALL WOULD VOTE NO ON THIS. BLANKET FEE THAT IGNORES THAT INFRASTRUCTURE GAP BETWEEN THE SUBURB AND RURAL ROAD IS POLICY THAT ASKS THE LEAST SERVED RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR MOST SERVED AREAS. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> WE NEED HELENNA, CHERYL, D DALE, JIMMY WEEKS. >> HELLO, HELENA, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND FOR HEARING US TODAY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WE CAN SEE 200 ACRES OF CONSERVATION LAND HAS BEEN TURNED OVER. IT HAS BEEN A FIGHT AND BEEN HARD. ON THAT SAME THOUGHT WE GOT LAND DEEDED TO US AND STORM WATER IN CDD, WE HAVE TO PAY FOR DUE TO BONDS WE PAY ON OUR HOUSE YET WE WILL BE CHARGED FEES AND IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. WHEN DEVELOPMENT COME IN AND DEVELOP A COMMUNITY, SOME OF THE NEWER ONES, THE COMMUNITY [02:55:04] RESPONSIBLE FOR ROADS, RESPONSIBLE FOR STORM WATERS, OUR PARTICULAR COMMUNITY IS AN OLDER ONE, YOU STILL TAKE, HAVE CONTROL OVER OUR ROAD AND WE PAY INTO THE FUND FOR THAT BUT NOT ALL CDD'S MOVING FORWARD ARE PAYING THAT SAME WAY. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THEY WILL STILL HAVE ANOTHER CHARGE AND ANOTHER FEE WHEN THEY STILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN DEVELOPMENT. AND IT KNOW DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME WHEN I THINK ABOUT EVERY TIME A POD COMES IN HERE AND YOU APPROVE IT, THAT IS A CONCEPT ANY WATERSHED AND STUFF IT IS PRODUCING, THEY HAVE TO MANAGE IT AND TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND THEY HAVE RETENTION PONDS AND DEVELOPMENT AND APPROVE DEVELOPMENT WITH DESIGN AND ENGINEERS AND IT IS LIKE IF WE'RE DOING ALL OF THIS, WHERE IS THE FALL OUT? AS WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE BEST DECISION AND TRYING TO TAKE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION, I DID NOTICE SOMETHING ON THAT SPREADSHEET THAT SAID AGRICULTURAL WILL BE 100% EXEMPT, I UNDERSTAND AGRICULTURAL FARM AND BEING EXEMPT BUT IF THERE IS LAND SITTING ON ENTITLEMENT TO DEVELOP AND THAT ENTITLEMENT IS LIKE READY TO GO, IF THEY SELL IT OR DO, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE CONSIDERATION WHEN A PROPERTY COMES IN HERE AND DEVELOP THAT PUD, AND THEY CAN SELL IT FOR THE AMOUNT THEY CAN, THEY ARE ALREADY NOT PAYING TAXES BECAUSE OF AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTION AND NOW THIS. AND SO THERE IS WAYS TO GET MONEY COUNTY NEED AND I HOPE YOU WILL EVALUATE OTHER AREAS AND I HOPE PROJECT AS WHOLE LIKE LIBRARY DOES NOT GET CUT, MAYBE BUDGET 10% LES ON DIFFERENT ONES SO WE CAN HAVE THINGS WE NEED AND I PROMISE DEVELOPERS THAT WANT TO BUILD WILL FIND WAYS TO REDUCE COST TO MEET THOSE BUDGETS THAT ARE OUT FOR THE PROJECTS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME, HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION. >> ARE YOU MS. STURDEVANT? YOU CAN GO FIRST AND Y'ALL IN THE BACK. SORRY, CHERYL. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD EVENING, CHERYL, 7452 -- >> PULL THE MICROPHONE TO YOUR MOUTH, IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> VINEVILLE AVENUE, STONE HEIGHTS, FLORIDA. I HAVE PROPERTY THAT IS WELL AND SEPTIC. WE HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL CODES AND GET EVERYTHING APPROVED. I HAVE A ROAD IN FRONT OF ME THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN STUCK, I HAVE MOVED MY MAILBOX BECAUSE THE IS SO BAD AND NOBODY COME TO MAINTAIN IT OR CLEAN OUT C CULVERTS OR ANYTHING AND I DON'T SEE WHERE I HAVE NO DRAIN OFF OR NO STORM WATER THAT YOU WOULD ALL TOUCH. AND MY MOM IS 93 YEARS OLD AND TODAY I HAD TO GO THROUGH PUDDLES TO TAKE CARE OF HER. NOBODY MAINTAINS THAT ROAD. SO WE'RE JUST PAYING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. AND IT IS HARD MAKING IT AND THERE IS SEVERAL IN OUR AREA, SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD THIS AND IF THEY ARE TAXED AND THEY CAN'T KEEP THEIR PROPERTY BECAUSE THAT GU LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, IT MIGHT NOT MEAN MUCH TO YOU, IT IS A LOT TO THEM. SO IT IS HARD TO MAKE IT AND IT IS NOT FAIR AND WE HAVE, WE NEED BETTER SERVICES, MY MOM HELPED MAINTAIN ROAD BY PAYING FOR IT AND WE HAVE NEIGHBORS THAT HELPED MAINTAIN IT, TOO. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DA DAVID, THOMAS SELLERS, NOEL SOBERS AND DALE CARTER. >> DAVID NAPPIER, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. I LIVE ON A PRIVATE ROAD. THE COUNTY DOES NOT MAINTAIN IT. IT IS PRIVATE ROAD. IT LITERALLY HAS DIPS AND HIPS IN IT EVERY TIME IT RAINS, THE WATER FILLS UP, THERE IS NO [03:00:05] RUNOFF OR DITCHES, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE BEING CHARGED WITH THAT. MAYBE IF WE WERE NOT PAYING FOR FLOCK CAMERAS THAT NO ONE WANTS AND IF FLORIDA DID NOT GIVE ISRAEL 1.3 BILLION WE COULD PUT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO EVERYTHING. I DON'T THINK YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH WE GIVE THEM. ON THE SPOT NOW. YOU NEED TO DO BETTER. Y'ALL ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WHAT WE ASK OF Y'ALL AND Y'ALL SEEM LIKE YOU ARE OVERDEVELOPING OUR TOWN WHEN OUR GROCERY PRICES ARE SO HIGH, WHY NOT TRY TO MANAGE MORE FARMLAND FOR MORE COWS SO WE CAN PUT MORE FOOD IN GROCERY STORES IN INSTEAD OF BUYING MEAT FROM ARGENTINA >> I FEEL LIKE OUR COUNTRY IS BEING MISMANAGED FROM THE HIGHEST ORDER WHERE OUR PRESIDENT SITS TRICKLING DOWN TO OUR COMMISSIONERS, YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE AREN'T YOU? I WISH YOU GUYS WILL LISTEN TO US BUT THANK YOU THAT'S MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THOMAS SALAS KIRKDALE CARTER, JIMMY WEEKS,. >> NO? NOAH? >> NO SADLER'S, 417 FLEMING ISLAND AND WHEN I GOT THIS I WAS JUST THRILLED BECAUSE I THOUGHT TEN BUCKS, FOR THE GREATER GOOD THAT NOTHING. BUT THEN I STARTED LOOK AND READING MORE AND I WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS VERY VAGUE, THERE WASN'T A LOT OF BACKUP I GAVE THIS INFORMATION TO THE LAST COMMISSION MEETING AND I'LL GO THROUGH IT AGAIN SO A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS IN SUCH A GREAT PRESENTATION I HAVE READ ONE OTHER PRESENTATIONS 8073 PAGES. THAT WAS ONE OF THEM. AND THERE WERE OTHER ONES THAT I READ. BUT JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR, THEY HAD BEEN EATING WITH JONES EDMONDS IN MEETINGS FROM MARCH 24, NOVEMBER 24 NOVEMBER 23 THROUGH OCTOBER 25. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHO THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH BUT THEY'VE BEEN MEETING WITH CLAY COUNTY OFFICIALS TO GO OVER THESE STUDIES AND TO LEARN STUFF BECAUSE THIS WAS IN THE STUDY THAT I LOOKED AT AND READ ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AND WHEN YOU GO BACK TO IT, SOME OTHER STUFF THAT SURPRISED ME SO IS IN THEIR STUDY THEY PUT DOWN THAT SOME OF THIS IS BASED OFF OF GLOBAL WARMING/CLIMATE CONTROL SEA LEVELS RISING TORRENT RAINFALLS AND ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS MAYBE THEY SHOULD RUN AND DO STUFF FOR THE WEATHER CHANNELS AROUND HERE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET ANYTHING RIGHT. I WANT TO GET DOWN FOR SOME OF THE NUMBERS. THEY DID NOT DISCUSS NUMBERS, SHAME ON YOU FOR THAT. ON THAT $9.2 MILLION FOR ONE YEAR WHAT THEY DID IN THEIR STUDY 4.7 OF IT IS ALREADY SPOKEN FOR AND HOW WAS IT SPOKEN FOR? THEY WILL BE MOVING MONEY FROM THE CLAY BUDGET AND MOVING IT OVER TO THE STORMWATER PROGRAM THROUGH ONE THEY HAVE TO HIRE THREE PEOPLE AND THEY WON'T BE CHEAP AND CLAY COUNTY PAYS VERY WELL FOR THESE PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PART OF THIS PROGRAM THAT ARE IN CLAY COUNTY AND SALARIES NOW WILL BE MOVED OVER AND THE PROJECT THAT THEY HAVE WILL BE MOVED OVER, THAT'S IN THERE. I TRIED TO FIND STEADY AMOUNTS ON WHAT THEY HAD BEEN PAYING THESE GUYS I CAN'T FIND THEM BUT THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THE IMPLEMENT -- IMPLEMENTATION OF THE START OF THIS PROGRAM BUT I DO HAVE IN THEIR STUDY SAYING 60 TO 90,000 FOR POLLUTANT STUDY. 200,000 TO 300,000 FOR STUDY FOR LIFESTYLE STUDIES PLUS OF THE MONEY FROM THIS WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING $148,000 FOR THE STUDY TO THE TAX ASSESSOR OUT OF THE MONEY FOR THE TAXES THEY'RE DOING I ASSUME THEY DO THE SAME THING FOR THE GARBAGE WHERE THEY'RE PAYING MONEY FROM THE GARBAGE MONEY COLLECTOR OVER TO THE TAX ASSESSOR TO DO THE PAPERWORK. AND AGAIN THEY DID NOT TOUCH ON THE 85 TO 90 AND 100 HOW THEY HAVE A RATE THEY'RE PLANNING ON ROLLING IT BACK UP. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME? MY PROPERTY TAXES. >> THANK YOU, SIR. DALE CARTER, JIMMY WEEKS. PATRICIA WATSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER [03:05:04] COMPERE I. WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING TO YOU, I SIT AND WATCHED YOU WATCH US STRAIGHT FOR US, SOME OF THE OTHERS NOW. >> YOU DON'T EAT IT KNOW YOU CANNOT YOU ARE DIRECTING BOARD. >> YOU NEED TO LET THE TAXPAYERS TALK. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU'VE DONE THANK YOU OKAY. GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I HAVE A SERIOUS ABOUT THE PROPOSED STORM WATER SYSTEM PARTICULARLY AS IT APPLIES TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN RURAL UNINCORPORATED CLAY COUNTY. I UNDERSTAND THAT STORM WATER MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT, I UNDERSTAND THE DRAINAGE STRUCTURE COSTS MONEY TO MAINTAIN AND I'M NOT OPPOSED TO RESPOND -- RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENTS IN OUR COUNTY. WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN CLAY COUNTY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT HERE. THIS IS A SCAM, I'M SORRY, YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE THIS IS ACTUALLY A SCAM THAT YOU GUYS ARE FIXING. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE TAXPAYERS NEED, IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WANT, THIS IS SOMETHING TO GAIN MONEY AND WE ALREADY HAVE OVER BUDGET, YOU GUYS ARE AS FAT AS YOU CAN GET WHEN YOU CAN GET TO A BUDGET. AND YOU DON'T DO NONE OF THIS. WE DON'T GET NOTHING IN MY AREA, MY COMMISSIONER BUT WE DON'T GET ANYTHING OUT THERE, IF YOU WANT THE GREAT, YOU HAVE TO CALL INTO THE ROAD DEPARTMENT TO GET THE ROAD GRADED, IF YOU WANT A TREE FIXED UP YOU HAVE TO CALL IN. WHERE IS THE STORM WATER? WHERE IS OUR TAXES GOING? YOU GET ALL KIND OF MONEY FOR GRANTS WE HAVEN'T SEEN NONE IN OUR AREA, THE SIDEWALK GOES NOWHERE. IS 6 INCHES THICK INSTEAD OF 4 INCHES THICK. SO WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS IN MY RURAL PROPERTY RECEIVING IN EXCHANGE FOR THE NEW ANNUAL CHARGE? I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OF IT. MY PROPERTY HAS BEEN ASSIGNED ONE POINT TO AND WILL BE CHARGED $161, I LIVE ON 121 ACRES, TELL ME WHAT Y'A WILL DO FOR 121 ACRES? NOTHING. EXACTLY WHAT Y'A HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. THAT MAY SOUND LIKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT THE REAL PROPERTY OWNERS THAT IS NOT SIMPLY A NUMBER ON A PIECE OF PAPER, IT'S ANOTHER REOCCURRING COST BEING PLACED ON A PROPERTY JUST LIKE THE GARBAGE TAX, IF STARTED ONE WAY AND IT'S ENDED UP ANOTHER WAY. IT'S HIGH. IF THE COUNTY IS GOING TO COLLECT APPROXIMATELY 9.2 MILLION FROM PROPERTY OWNERS I BELIEVE WE DESERVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE MONEY WILL GO. AND I ASK YOU TO PLEASE ACCEPT THAT THE MONEY THAT IS COLLECTED IN DISTRICT FOUR STAYS IN DISTRICT FOUR, MISS COMPERE IF YOU COLLECTED IN YOURS YOU STAY IN YOUR AREAS, YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY PER DISTRICT. INSTEAD OF IT ALL GOING TO A LARGE PART TO MR. RENNINGER AREA THAT FIXES OLD INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH. I'M NOT SAYING JUST YOU, SIR, BUT I'M JUST SAYING. WE ALL KNOW EVERYONE IN HERE KNOWS THAT IT IS GOING THERE, THE RURAL AREA IS NOT GOING TO GET A TENTH OF THIS MONEY. SO PLEASE. >> JIMMY WEEKS, KYLE PATRICIA WATSON, ELIZABETH KERR AND JENNY WEBBER. >> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS, RETIREMENT IS GOOD AND FIVE YEARS IN NOW I LOVE IT, I GET TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH GRANDKIDS BUT WHEN I HAVE A LOT OF CALLS FROM FRIENDS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT HAVE THAT -- THAT I MADE THROUGH THE YEARS AND IT HINGES ON MORE MONEY AND IMPACTS TOWARDS THEM, IT'S TIME TO COME OFF THE FARM AND COME SAY A WORD TO ALL OF Y'ALL. WE RECOGNIZE Y'ALL ARE HERE TO NIGHT TO SERVE, YOU HAVE A LOT OF DECISIONS YOU HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS, YOU HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION BEFORE YOU, THERE IS SOME FOLKS HERE TONIGHT THAT HAVE GIVEN YOU OUTSTANDING INFORMATION AND SO I WILL NOT REPEAT ANY OF THAT THAT -- I'VE TAKEN SOME NOTES TO GIVE YOU. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU WERE IN A POSITION TO WHERE DEVELOPMENT RULES AND CONTROLS CLAY COUNTY AND THAT IS SAD. THAT IS SAD FOR A LOT OF REASONS BECAUSE THEY LEAVE OUT AND THEY LEAVE BEHIND AND THEY LEAVE A PROBLEM AND A COST TO CLAY COUNTY THAT WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETELY SOLVE, WERE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE THAT. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU TONIGHT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, ONE MAN I KNOW PARTICULARLY, AN OLD FRIEND, HE SERVED IN VIETNAM, HE HAS GIVEN ALL HE COULD TO COME BACK HERE AND LIVE, HE IS LIVING ON $17,400. HE SHOWED ME AND PROVED TO ME THAT HE IS LIVING ON $17,400, SO WHAT IS $85 OR 160 MEAN TO SOMEBODY LIKE HIM? [03:10:02] IT NOT ME, I CAN PAY THE MONEY AND I KNOW I CAN, I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN OFFER THAT, BUT THERE ARE MANY CITIZENS HERE TONIGHT THAT CANNOT. I CANNOT EVEN GET INTO A PARKING LOT, I'M PARKED WAY OUT THERE ON A STREET BLOCKS AWAY, THAT MEANS FROM WHAT I SAW TRYING TO GET IN THROUGH SECURITY, THERE WAS TONS OF PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU FOLKS THAT REPRESENT THEM. I AM ASKING YOU, IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD WHEN ON PAPER IT HAS SOMETHING THAT SAYS BASICALLY WE WILL PUT A TAX LANE OR A CERTIFICATE ON YOU BECAUSE YES, WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT TRICKLES OUT TO ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AND THEN SOMEBODY DOES COME TO THE BLOCK OF THAT COURTHOUSE AND BUYS YOUR PROPERTY. THAT IS SAD THAT FOLKS THAT HAVE SPENT 50 YEARS, THIS GENTLEMAN THAT I TOLD YOU SERVED IN VIETNAM A MIG 17 FOR, HE'S GOT 1.2 ACRES HE'S BEEN ON FOR OVER 50 SOMETHING YEARS. THERE IS WAY OUT IN THE COUNTRY, NO DRAINAGE AND THERE'S THOUSANDS OF OTHERS LIKE HIM. SO I THINK YOU NEED TO LOOK AT MODIFYING THE PROCESS TO PUT THE HEART OF THE MATTER WHERE IT IS IN THE SUBDIVISIONS WHERE EVERY 10-FOOT THERE'S A HOUSE, THERE'S FIVE HOUSES ON 1 ACRE. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. PATRICIA WATSON, ELIZABETH. [APPLAUSE] >> JODI WEBBER, JEANNIE MALONE AND THEN MARY RIZZO. THAT'S PROBABLY WHY YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO CLAP. HOW ABOUT THAT? ELIZABETH, JODI WEBBER, JEANNIE MALONE AND MARY RIZZO. >> READY? >> NO WE'RE NOT. NOW YOU CAN THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS PATTY, PATRICIA WATSON, YOU'VE ALREADY GOT MY ADDRESS, I'M BASICALLY HERE, I AGREE WITH ALL THAT I'VE HEARD, I'VE BEEN DOWNSTAIRS SWEATING FOR A LONG TIME, I'M WAITING TO GET IN. SO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPOKEN AGAINST THIS, I AGREE WITH THEM. I THINK -- I. FEEL LIKE THIS IS A TAX, IT'S COMING ON OUR TAX BILL, AND WE DON'T WANT IT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, I GUESS IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT, I THINK I WILL HAVE TO START COMING TO ALL THESE MEETINGS. SO I KNOW BECAUSE I JUST HEARD OF SOMETHING ELSE THAT'S COMING UP NUMBER 23 TONIGHT THAT WILL ALSO IMPACT VETERANS. THAT YOU GUYS ARE WANTING TO START CHARGING THEM 50% FOR THEIR GARBAGE AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE NOT HAVING TO PAY ANY, I'M AGAINST THAT IN TOTAL BUT ESPECIALLY FOR VETERANS THAT ARE DISABLED, 100% DISABLED. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT THEY'VE GIVEN ALL FOR US. SO WE SHOULD NOT BE TAKING BACK AND BASICALLY THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I DO LIVE ON THE ROAD AND I CAN TELL YOU OUR ZONED -- OUR ZONE IS AGRICULTURAL WE DON'T SHED WATER ONTO THE STREET OR ANYWHERE, ALL THE WATER FROM THE STREET COMES TO US TO OUR BACKYARD AND OUR PROPERTY THAT LONG SIDEWALK THERE I THINK PLANTATION PUT IN OR MAYBE L. -- EAGLE HARBOR I'M NOT SURE, THAT WHOLE DITCH DOES NOT DRAIN IT STANDS THERE CONSTANTLY. IS STAGNANT WATER FROM MOSQUITOES. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS WILL HELP US, I'M AGAINST IT, IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VOTE FOR, NOT JUST FIND OUT ABOUT IN THE PAPER COMING TO US SAYING YOU WILL START PAYING THIS NOW. THAT IS ALL, THANK YOU. >> ELIZABETH CARE, JODI WEBBER, JEANNIE MALONE, MARY ROSSO. >> HELLO MY NAME IS ELIZABETH I. LIVE ON OLD HARD ROAD, I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE THAT WE ARE ALL HOPING THAT YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND VOTE NO ON THE STORM ASSESSMENT, DOES IMPACT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEGATIVELY AND THE STATUTES SAY THAT AN ASSESSMENT MUST BENEFIT THE PEOPLE IT ASSESSES. I LIKE TO SAY WE HAVE BEEN -- I. LIVE ON THE OLD PART OF OLD HARD ROAD AND PADDY IS ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS AND WE GET FLOODED BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ACROSS FROM US WHO WAS BUILT BY -- DEVELOPER. SO TRANSPARENCY IS IMPORTANT, HOLDING BUILDERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROPER STORM DRAINAGE AND CHECKING THE ENGINEER'S REPORTS, LIKE HE WAS SIGNING OFF ON THOSE. I HAVE SENT EMAILS AND NOTIFICATIONS AND PHOTOS FOR [03:15:01] WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE STREET, I WAS TOLD THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT, ARE THEY PAYING STORM ASSESSMENTS? AND IF THEY ARE, I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER PEOPLE WE WAITED DOWNSTAIRS FOR A LONG TIME, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE BEING DOUBLE CHARGED APPARENTLY. WHO ALREADY PAY FOR STORM ASSESSMENTS. AGAIN, WE ARE HOPING THAT YOU'VE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE SPEAK HERE TONIGHT AND WE DO VOTE FOR YOU AND WE'RE HOPING THAT YOU ARE WORKIN IN OUR BEST INTEREST AND TO VOTE NO ON THE STORM ASSESSMENT, THANK YOU. -- ON THE STORM ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU. >> FIRST OFF, JODI WEBBER, ADDRESS IS ON. I LIVE IN COMMISSIONER BURKE'S. FIRST OFF, WE NEED BETTER SEATS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO GAIN THE MONEY, CAN WE GET BETTER SEATS IN HERE, PLEASE? PLEASE. THEY'RE HARD TO GET UP AND DOWN. SERIOUSLY THOUGH, I AM SAYING THAT I AM AGAINST. 30 YEARS AGO, A LITTLE OVER 30 YEARS AGO, I WAS A WATER TECH. I UNDERSTAND THE WATER. I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT DOES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU PAID JONES & EDMONDS OF OUR MONEY FIRST OFF TO GET THAT STUDY. I BELIEVE MAYBE YOU COULD HAVE HAD STAFF DO THAT PROBABLY CHEAPER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS MONEY TONIGHT. PEOPLE HERE ARE IN THE RURAL AREA. THIS IS NOT, THESE AREAS HERE THAT ARE REPRESENTED TONIGHT ARE NOT IN YOUR CITY LIMITS. WE HAVE RUNOFF THAT GOES TO OUR OWN LAND. I HAVE THREE HOUSES HERE. TWO BY DEATH THAT I HAVE INHERITED. WITH THAT, TWO OF THEM DON'T EVEN HAVE WATER RUNNING INTO A COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY, THEY GO TO PETERS CREEK. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I HAVE ONE THAT I DON'T EVEN HAVE A DITCH IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AND THE COUNTY DOESN'T EVEN MAINTAIN THE ROAD LIKE THEY SAID WHEN MY GRANDFATHER GAVE THE LAND. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EVERY TWICE A MONTH WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET THAT DONE. WE DID WHEN MY HUSBAND AND THE OTHER TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS THAT RAN THE GRADERS THAT KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING WOULD DO IT. NOW I GET IT DONE MAYBE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS. SO WITH ALL OF THIS SAID, FIRST OFF, I THINK WE ALL NEED TO PRAY TO FIND THE MONEY. SECOND OF ALL, THE RAIN THE GOOD LORD GAVE US NEEDS TO MAKE IT TO THE AQUIFER, AND WITH ALL OF US OUT HERE IN RURAL CLAY COUNTY, THAT'S WHERE IT GOES. THAT'S WHERE OUR RUNOFF GOES. WE WANT IT TO GET TO THE AQUIFER. PLUS WE'VE GOT A BIG BOTTLING PLANT THAT'S TAKING A LOT OF THE WATER AWAY. SO WE NEED THE WATER TO GO. WE DON'T HAVE DRAINAGE, RUNOFF. I DO HAVE TO SAY IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE HOUSES, I DO HAVE A COUNTY PIPE THAT'S IN FRONT OF IT TO GO TO A TRIBUTARY. BUT THE PIPE IS PUT IN TOO HIGH. WE'VE TOLD THEM, Y'ALL NEED TO DIRECT STAFF WITH ROAD AND BRIDGE TO CALL PEOPLE BACK. TO CALL THE PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT ARE PAYING THEIR SALARIES. I ONCE WAS ONE OF THEM. SO I UNDERSTAND. BUT WE NEED THE MONEY TO GO WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO WHEN WE PAY FOR IT. IF WE PAY IN OUR AREA, LET IT STAY IN OUR AREA. I AM WITH EVERYONE ELSE. I TAKE CARE OF A CEMETERY IN GREEN COVE SPRINGS. OUR MONEY GOES TO THERE. >> THANK YOU. >> AMY MALONE, EDWARD RIZZO, MICHAEL POT. >> THE RIZZOS ARE DOWNSTAIRS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> JEAN MALONE COMING UP? GREAT. >> GOOD EVENING. HI, MISS -- I NEED YOU TO VOTE NO. AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE. THIS IS NOT FAIR. GET RID OF THIS RUDE ONE IN THE MIDDLE BY THE WAY. SHE'S DISRESPECTFUL. AND THIS MAN RIGHT HERE, I'VE CALLED THE COUNTY MANAGER AT LEAST SIX TIMES SINCE 2019 AND I'VE FAILED NEVER EVER TO GET A RETURN PHONE CALL. NOT EVEN FROM THE FOR NO APPARENT REASON ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGERS, NOT EVEN FROM THEM. MISS BETSY, I LIVE AT 121 PLANKTON AVENUE. THERE'S 107 REGISTERED VOTERS ON MY ROAD. [03:20:02] THEY'RE NOT HERE. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME ON MY ROAD IS ABOUT $30,000. MOST OF THEM ARE ELDERLY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR THEM. I NEED YOU TO SAY NO. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? I'M NOT PLAYING. THESE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET FOR THIS. WE LIVE IN THE SAND HILL. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT PLANKTON AVENUE Y'ALL. IT'S 45 FEET OF ELEVATION. WE GROW PINE TREES, GRASS, AND CACTUSES. WHEN IT RAINS IT'S GONE IN ABOUT 25 MINUTES, ON A GOOD HARD RAIN FOR ABOUT EIGHT HOURS. THERE'S NO REASON WE SHOULD HAVE THIS. THERE'S NO REASON YOU SHOULD BE TAXING US OR FEEING US WHATEVER. THE MAN FROM THE COMPANY, THIS GUY RIGHT HERE, HE SAID THE WORD COURT ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING. THAT JUST TELLS ME HE'S GOT TO GO TO COURT A LOT. AND THAT'S NOT OKAY. AND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. OKAY 24-25, YOU FILED ABOUT OVER -- HOUSES TO BE BILLED. THAT'S $16,000 A HOUSE IMPACT FEE. THAT'S $51 MILLION. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHENEVER I WANT TO GO ON VACATION, I ATE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES FOR BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AND I COOK AT DINNER AT NIGHT AND I GET MY MONEY TO GO ON VACATION. I SUGGEST YOU DO THE SAME THING. HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THANK YOU. >> ARE THE RIZZOS HERE YET? >> I WAS TOLD THAT THE RIZZOS LEFT. MR. PRICE CHECKED AND THEY'RE GONE. >> EDWARD, MICHAEL, LINDA JOHNSON, KATHLEEN YULE. >> I SAW MR. HUDNEL EARLIER. BUT EITHER HE WENT DOWNSTAIRS OR HE LEFT. HE'S MY CONSTITUENT. >> ALL RIGHT. MICHAEL POTS. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MICHAEL. I LIVE AT 4940 GREEN COVE SPRINGS. LOOKING AT THE OLD REPORTS AND FACEBOOK POSTS, CLAY COUNTY HAS BEEN FIX SATED ON ESSENTIALLY THE SAME METHODOLOGY TO COLLECT STORMWATER MAINTENANCE FUNDS SINCE AT LEAST 2017. PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN BEFORE THE BOARD MULTIPLE TIMES APPARENTLY SINCE THAT TIME. THE MOST RECENT ONE AND THE ONE I PARTICIPATED IN WAS A RESOLUTION IN 2024 IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE BEFORE US NOW. THE COMPLAINTS ARE THE SAME. DON'T NEED IT. DON'T WANT IT. AND COLLECTING FUNDS IN ONE AREA OF THE COUNTY TO BE SPENT IN ANOTHER ARE THE COMMON COMPLAINTS. PROPER STRUCTURING COULD ALLEVIATE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PUSHBACK AND ACCOMPLISH WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I WOULD PROPOSE THE ORDINANCE BE REWRITTEN SPECIFICALLY TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTING STORMWATER IMPACT FEES. THERE IS A NECESSITY TO BUILD OUT INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE FRONT END RATHER THAN WAIT FOR NATURE TO TAKE CONTROL AND PROVIDE A MESS TO CLEAN UP. THE ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION MAKE THE POINT NUMEROUS TIMES THAT DEVELOPMENT, BE IT A SINGLE HOUSE OR 3,000 HOUSES IN A SUBDIVISION IS THE CAUSE OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES. ALL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO CONTRIBUTE TO A FRONT-LOADED SOLUTIONS. THE MOBILITY ORDINANCE, WHILE NOT PERFECT BY ANY MEANS DOES PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK TO APPLY TO THE STORMWATER ORDINANCE. THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TO ADDRESS FUNDING FOR INITIAL INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD OUT DRIVEN BY DEVELOPMENT. TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MAINTENANCE REPAIRS IMPROVEMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING IDEAS. AGAIN THE MOBILITY ORDINANCE DISTRICTS ARE A GOOD PLACE TO START. THESE DISTRICTS WOULD BE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE IMPACT FEES AND MAINTENANCE FEES, COLLECTIONS AND DISBURSEMENTS. FEES TO BE COLLECTED FOR MAINTENANCE REPAIRS OR IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE SET ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT. THE HIGH MAINTENANCE AREAS MAYBE GETTING TO $300 BILLS WHILE THE [03:25:05] LOW MAINTENANCE AREAS MIGHT GET TO $60 BILLS. THE BILL PROCESS WOULD USE THE ERU MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY. FLAWED BUT WORKABLE. THE ACCOMMODATION FOR PROPERTY SIZES IS GOOD BUT COULD BE IMPROVED. I THINK THESE SUGGESTIONS TAKEN AS A WHOLE MAKE THE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE CONSIDERABLY MORE PALATABLE. AS WE ROOF OVER AND PAY OVER LARGE AMOUNT -- PAVE OVER LARGE AMOUNTS OF LAND, THERE'S LESS AREA FOR AQUIFERS. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO ADDRESS MORE THAN HOW TO KEEP IT OUT OF STREETS AND HOUSES. THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR SORMWATER MANAGEMENT WOULD BE TO GET THE WATER TO WHERE IT NATURALLY WOULD HAVE GONE AND TO BE AS CLEAN AS IT NATURALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN UPON ARRIVAL. >> THANK YOU, SIR. LINDA JOHNSON, KATHLEEN YULE, WAYNE MCCARTY AND ANN HERKEL. >> BELINDA JOHNSON, I LIVE IN CLAY HILL. I RECEIVED THIS LETTER, THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT LETTER ON AUGUST 10TH. I GUESS YOU GUYS HAVE HAD IT DATED ON JULY 31ST. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER SEEN THIS, OF YOU GOING TO DO THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT TAX. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS BOARD. THIS IS NOT HOW CLAY COUNTY SHOULD ACT. WE SHOULD LET THE PEOPLE KNOW UP FRONT WHAT WE'RE DOING TO OUR CITIZENS. THIS IS NOT HOW WE USED TO DO THINGS. WE ARE -- I THINK THIS IS UNDERHANDED. AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED. WE USUALLY HAVE WORKSHOPS FOR YOU PEOPLE ON THE BOARD THAT WE VOTED FOR TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THIS COUNTY THAT AFFECTS US. AND YOU DID NOT DO THAT. YOU GAVE US 20 DAYS TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER THAT I DID NOT EVEN RECEIVE UNTIL AUGUST 10TH. MOST OF MY COMMUNITY ARE ON PRIVATE ROADS IN WHICH THE COUNTY DOES NOT MAINTAIN, NEVER HAVE, I'M A FIFTH GENERATION, AND WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED OUR ROADS. MY BROTHER AND I LIVE ON 80 ACRES. WE'RE ON A PRIVATE ROAD. WE'VE INSTALLED CULVERTS, PAVEMENT TO GO TO OUR PROPERTY. I LIVE ON A SAND HILL. IT CAN RAIN TEN INCHES. I CAN MOW MY GRASS IN 30 MINUTES. SO THAT LAND IS RUNNING OFF INTO BLACK CREEK LIKE IT HAS FOR 100 YEARS. BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT AFTER DEVELOPMENT FILLING IN THE WETLANDS WHICH IS A NATURAL DRAINAGE. IF YOU DON'T FILL IN THE WETLANDS AND YOU DO THE DEVELOPMENT PROPERLY, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ALL OF THE STORMWATER PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE. I KNOW FOR A FACT ON COLLEGE ROAD THERE WAS A DEVELOPMENT COMING IN, THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT, THE RESIDENTS BEHIND IT, BECAUSE I SERVED ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR 22 YEARS. THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT, THERE WAS A DEVELOPMENT COMING IN FRONT OF THEM, THEY RAISED THE LAND FOUR FEET. NOW WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT WATER IS GOING TO GO? AND WE TRIED TO TELL THEM THAT THAT WATER IS GOING TO GO. BUT THEY'RE SAYING WELL, THEIR STORMWATER COULD NOT RUN ON THAT DEVELOPMENT. HELLO. THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THIS BOARD TO VOTE NO AND GIVE THE COMMUNITY THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT YOU TOOK AS AN OATH TO PROTECT US AS A COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. WAYNE MCCARTY. ANN HARKEL, RICHARD BALM. >> WAYNE MCCARTY. I LIVE ON KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. ADDRESS ON FILE. BEEN HERE 20 YEARS. WE MAINTAIN OUR OWN ROADS. THE COUNTY DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WITH THEM. WE'VE GOT A CREEK THAT RUNS THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. AND RUNS ALL THE WAY THROUGH SEVERAL DIFFERENT CREEKS AND THEN BLACK CREEK. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE PAYING FOR OVERALL Y'ALL'S SCREW UP AS FAR AS BRINGING IN ALL OF THESE DEVELOPERS THAT ARE, YOU'RE BUILDING ON DRAINAGE. YOU'RE FILLING IN DRAINAGE. 5,000 HOUSES. WHERE'S THE WATER GOING TO GO? PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING FOR THINGS AND NOT GETTING ANYTHING FOR IT. WE'RE DONE. [03:30:03] AND WHOEVER YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE NEED TO VOTE YOU OUT. >> I'LL BE GONE. DON'T WORRY. THANK YOU. >> MARCIA NORMAN, RICHARD BALM, JENNIFER SCARBERRY, AND CHARLES SCARBERRY. MARCIA NORMAN? NOPE. WHAT'S THAT? KATHLEEN YULE? >> KATHLEEN WALLS. >> NO, IT WAS KATHLEEN YULE. >> OH I'M SORRY. >> SORRY, SHE'S BACK THERE. >> GOOD EVENING. Y'ALL KNOW THAT MY NAME IS KATHLEEN YULE. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. AND I'D LIKE TO -- I HAVE ALL OF THESE NOTES AND EVERY TIME SOMEBODY TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING, I THOUGHT OH MY GOSH, I NEED TO MENTION THAT. BUT I LOVE WHERE WE LIVE. I REALLY DO. AND THE HISTORY IS THAT WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN JACKSONVILLE, WE WANTED TO START A FAMILY. NOT IN JACKSONVILLE, AND WE FOUND MIDDLEBURG, FLORIDA. AND WE CAME OUT HERE. WE CHOSE A LOT THAT WAS HIGH AND DRY. AND I'M GLAD WE DID BECAUSE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN OUT THERE WHICH IS 41 YEARS IN THE SAME PLACE, THAT'S HOW MUCH WE LIKE IT. AND THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU COULDN'T GET A BUILDING PERMIT ON CERTAIN LOTS. EVENTUALLY THESE PEOPLE GOT BUILDING PERMITS ON CERTAIN LOTS. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF HOW DEEP THE WATER WAS ON SOME OF THESE LOTS. THEY STILL BUILT A HOUSE. OKAY, FINE. WE WERE STILL BUSY WITH OUR CHILD AND THINGS AND I DIDN'T NOTICE THE HOUSE BEING BUILT. I SAID Y'ALL ARE GOING TO BE WET. THE FLOODING HAS GONE TO THEIR DOOR AND THE NEXT HOUSE AND ONE MORE AND THEN YOU TAKE A RIGHT ON RUSTIC OAK AND YOU GO DOWN FARTHER AND THERE'S A SKRR LARGE HOUSE BEING BUILT -- THERE'S A LARGE HOUSE BEING BUILT. HE HAD TO BRING IN SO MUCH DIRT. OH WHAT? AT ANY RATE -- >> YOU'VE STILL GOT A MINUTE. >> I'M JUST SAYING, WE LIVE ON A PRIVATE ROAD. NOBODY DOES ANYTHING FOR US, ABSOLUTELY 0. USE IT FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS. WE HAVE TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE BUSINESS AT THE END OF THE ROAD. SO WE HAD A LOT MORE TRAFFIC WHEN WE WENT OUT THERE. IT'S NOT JUST HOMEOWNERS AND PEOPLE. THERE'S THE BUSINESSES THAT DRAW THAT PARTICULAR TRAFFIC. AND THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD SITTING WATER EVER, ALL OF THIS WATER WE HAD IS GONE. LIKE THE PREVIOUS LADY SAID, YOU CAN CUT YOUR GRASS WITHIN THAT HOUR BECAUSE IT'S PERMEATED UNDERNEATH AND WE NEED TO GIVE THE WATER TO THE AQUIFER. WE NEED IT VERY BAD. AT ANY RATE, I HAD ALL OF THESE OTHER NOTES AND I DIDN'T READ ANY OF IT. SO ANYWAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. VOTE NO THOUGH PLEASE. >> ANNA HERKEL, RICHARD BALM, JENNIFER SCARBERRY AND CHARLES SCARBERRY. >> ANNA HENKEL MAYBE? IS THAT YOU? MARCIA NORMAN? THANK YOU. RICHARD BAUM? ARE YOU RICHARD BALM? JENNIFER SCARBERRY? [03:35:06] CHARLES SCARBERRY? PHILLIP MCCLEAN. >> I'M PHILLIP MCLEAN, I LIVE AT 4050 INGLEWOOD DRIVE. >> CAN YOU PULL THE MIC UP? THEY'RE SAYING THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> OKAY. IS THAT BETTER? ALL RIGHT. I'VE LIVED HERE 30 SOMETHING YEARS. FOUR ACRES. I GET ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FROM THE COUNTY OTHER THAN MANDATES WHEN I FLOODED AND THE MANDATES WERE THAT YOU MUST NOT ONLY MEET THE FEMA FLOOD REQUIREMENT, YOU MUST MEET THE COUNTY ORDINANCE AND BE 13 BOARD FOOT ABOVE THE FEMA FLOOD REQUIREMENTS. IN ABOUT 30 YEARS, THAT'S ALL Y'ALL HAVE DONE FOR ME. TO SUM IT UP, IT GETS OLD, PEOPLE. AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO BILL ME FOR WATER YOU CANNOT CONTROL. THAT STORMWATER IS GOING TO RUN ACROSS ME AND SUBMERGE MY PROPERTY. AND WHEN IT DOES, I GET NOTHING. EXCEPT FOR A $185 BILL. JUST DON'T SEEM RIGHT, PEOPLE. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. SO I WANTED TO INFORM YOU PEOPLE THAT I REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE BEING BILLED FOR SOMETHING THAT I RECEIVE NOTHING OF. AND MY QUESTION IS IN SECTION D, IT SAYS THAT IT'S ONLY FOR PROPERTY THAT RECEIVES A DIRECT BENEFIT. NOW I KNOW THERE'S AN APPEAL PROCESS BUT THAT APPEAL PROCESS HAS NOT BEEN PUT OUT. WHEN WILL IT BE PUT OUT AND WILL IT BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE FOR THOSE OF US THAT LIKE ME RECEIVE NOTHING FOR IT? AND WILL THE FEE BE IMPOSED PRIOR TO A REVIEW PROCESS OF THE APPEAL? WILL THERE BE AN APPEAL PROCESS? IT SAYS THERE WILL. >> THERE'S AN EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER ON THE LETTER. YOU CAN CALL THAT NUMBER TO TALK ABOUT AN APPEAL. IT'S ON THE BACK OF THAT LETTER. >> ALL RIGHT. WILL THE FEE BE IMPOSED PRIOR TO AN APPEAL? >> NO, IT'S NOT GETTING IMPOSED IMMEDIATELY, NO. BUT CALL THAT NUMBER, OKAY? >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. GEORGE HUEY. REX BROWN, CATHERINE PAGEANT, LEANN WILBUR. GO AHEAD COME ON UP. HUEY, HOLD ON ONE SECOND. YES, THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS CHARLES SCARBERRY. THIS TAX YOU WANT TO PUT ON ALL OF US LIKE ALL OF THESE TAXES, IS WHAT IT IS. I CAN'T AFFORD IT. I LIVE ON A PRIVATE ROAD. THERE AIN'T NOTHING THE COUNTY HAS DONE IN TEN YEARS DOWN THERE. I HAVE NO DITCHES, THE WATER DRAINS OFF MY HOUSE, GETS ALL OVER MY TWO AND A HALF ACRES. ALL OF THIS IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE FOR THE PEOPLE AND MAKE EVERYBODY EQUAL. WHAT I'VE SEEN, I'M GOING TO PAY $161 AND MY FRIEND IN TANGLEWOOD IS GOING TO PAY $85. HE'S GOT DITCHES, RETENTION PONDS. MINE AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE, IT'S SITTING RIGHT THERE ON THE PROPERTY. AND THEN THE OTHER THING WITH THE VETERANS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON DISABILITY THAT THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY DISABILITY FOR THEM. THIS IS INCONSIDERATE ALL TOGETHER. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE A HEART ATTACK TOMORROW? YOU BREAK A LEG AND CAN'T WALK ANYMORE OR BREAK A SPINE. YOU'RE ON DISABILITY, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO AFFORD THINGS? I THINK Y'ALL NEED TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND VOTE NO ON THIS. THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE IT. WHEN MY VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN, AND I HAVE TO BUY AN $800 VACUUM BOOSTER, I HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK. THAT'S WHAT Y'ALL NEED TO DO. YOU'VE GOT THE IMPACT FEES, SALES TAX, PROPERTY TAX. PROPERTY TAX GOING BYE-BYE. WE KNOW WHEN THE PROPERTY TAX GOES BYE-BYE, THE POLICE AND FIRE AIN'T GOING TO GO AWAY. THEY'RE ALL STILL GOING TO BE THERE. DO THE RIGHT THING, VOTE NO. HELP US OUT. [03:40:04] WE NEED ALL OF THE HELP WE CAN GET. WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY -- IF THAT GOES BAD FOR ME, THERE AIN'T A SINGLE PERSON THAT I'LL GET THE MONEY FROM YOU. I DON'T HAVE THAT. YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO IT EITHER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR. SCARBERRY, IS MS. SCARBERRY COMING? OKAY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HEARING ALL OF THIS THIS EVENING. MY NAME IS JENNIFER SCARBERRY. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ME AND MY MOTHER, I'M HERE DUAL POWER ATTORNEY. SHE LIVES A TENTH OF A MILE FROM MY DOOR TO HER DOOR. WE BOTH LIVE IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS ON A DIRT ROAD. OUR RAINWATER SHEDS OFF IN OUR OWN LAND. WE DON'T HAVE ANY DITCHES, ANYTHING THE COUNTY TAKES CARE OFF. WE ALL TAKE CARE OF IT OURSELVES. OUR ROAD DOESN'T EVEN DRAIN OFF ONTO 315C. IT ACTUALLY DRAINS THE OTHER WAY. THE STORMWATER, LIKE I SAID RUNS OFF AND THE LARGE HOLES THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY ON OUR ROAD ABSORB VERY QUICKLY. WE DON'T HAVE ANY NEED FOR THE STORMWATER. IF WE ARE TO BE CHARGED FOR STORMWATER FEES, WE WANT IT TO STAY IN DISTRICT 4 FOR THIS BENEFIT TO BE FOR US. AS WE'RE PAYING FOR IT, WE NEED IT IN OUR AREA. WE'RE NOT GETTING IT. WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SEE OUR MONEY IF WE ARE CHARGED FOR THIS TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHERE IT GOES, TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR AREA. AND WE CAN AGREE THAT WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY IN THEIR HOMES. WE DON'T WANT TO FORCE THEM OUT. WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR HOMES TO THESE EXTRA FEES THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING -- THAT THEY ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO. WE'RE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE STORMWATER PROBLEM IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AND A LOT OF CLAY COUNTY. MOST OF THESE NEW HOMES ARE ACTUALLY DOING THIS. THAT'S WHERE THE FEE NEEDS TO GO AND I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WHEN IT COMES TO -- SORRY I LOST MY PLACE. FOR THE EXEMPTIONS, IF PEOPLE ARE GETTING EXEMPTIONS ON THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, THEY SHOULD GET IT ON THESE OTHER FEES AS. THAT'S NOT FAIR TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE VETERANS. IT'S NOT FAIR TO TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE DISABILITY INDIVIDUALS. AND ALSO THE STORMWATER FEE IS STATED TO GO INTO EFFECT IN OCTOBER WHICH IS IN ADDITION TO OUR PROPERTY TAX WHICH IS HARD ENOUGH FOR A LOT OF US TO AFFORD. WHY NOT GIVE US MORE ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE FEE AND SCHEDULE IT FOR NEXT YEAR'S TAX BILL WHICH WE CAN VOTE ON WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO SEE ABOUT IT PASSING FOR OUR NOVEMBER BALLOT WHICH WE GET THE VOTE ON. WHICH WILL HELP EVERYONE'S BUDGETS. AND GIVE YOU THE COMMISSIONERS TIME TO GIVE US THE RESIDENTS THE PROOF WE ARE REQUESTING BEFORE YOU TRY CHARGING US THESE FEES FOR AND LETTING US VOTE ON IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PLEASE VOTE NO. THANK YOU. >> GEORGE HUEY, REX BROWN, CATHERINE PAGEANT, LEANN WILBUR. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS GEORGE HUEY. I LIVE IN GREEN COVE. ADDRESS IS ON FILE. FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I KNOW IT'S TOUGH. I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH DECISION. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'VE GOT THIS MANY PEOPLE COMING AT YOU SIDEWAYS. THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE. THERE'S PROBABLY MORE PEOPLE HERE THAN SOME OF Y'ALL GOT VOTES. BE HONEST WITH YOU IF YOU COUNT EVERYBODY DOWNSTAIRS. SO Y'ALL HAVE A DUTY TO DO RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE. EXCUSE ME JUST A SECOND HERE. ALL RIGHT SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, Y'ALL USED TO BE ONE OF US FOR REAL. Y'ALL USED TO SIT BACK HERE, Y'ALL USED TO WATCH THESE MEETINGS. I HOPE YOU GUYS MAKE A DECISION THAT THE PEOPLE WANT. THIS IS WHAT WE VOTED YOU GUYS IN HERE FOR. SO YOU GUYS STATED THAT WE HAVE A GREAT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM. HOW CAN IT'S ALWAYS GOOD STUFF. WHY CAN'T WE PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WE FAILED THE STORMWATER [03:45:04] ASSESSMENT IN 2017? WHY DON'T WE SHOW THE GOOD AND THE BAD? SO A MANDATORY FINANCIAL CHARGE OR LEVY IMPOSED BY A GOVERNMENT ON INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES, OR PROPERTY TO FUND PUBLIC SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS. THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF A TAX. A MANDATORY CHARGE IMPOSED BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS BASED ON SPECIFIC BENEFIT OR SERVICES PROVIDED TO A PROPERTY. YOU GUYS CLAIM THAT EVERYBODY RECEIVES A BENEFIT BECAUSE YOU GET TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. I'VE NEVER SEEN A PARCEL DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. IT SAYS A PROPERTY, NOT THE PERSON THAT OWNS IT. BUT I UNDERSTAND YOU WENT THROUGH THE LEGAL AVENUE AND YOU GUYS SAY THIS IS LEGAL, WHICH MAYBE IT IS. BUT DOES THAT MAKE IT RIGHT? BLANKETLY CHARGING EVERY PROPERTY OWNER IS NOT RIGHT. IT DOES NOT TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO KNOW THAT NOT EVERY PROPERTY RECEIVES A BENEFIT. WE CAN'T BLAME NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR THIS BECAUSE NOT ALL NEW DEVELOPMENTS CREATE MORE STORMWATER. IN FACT SOME PARCELS THAT HAVE NOTABLE DEVELOPMENT CREATE MORE STORMWATER RUNOFF THAN DEVELOPMENTS DO. THIS IS IN YOUR GUYS ASSESSMENT. HE KNOWS. ALL RIGHT. AFTER LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE PROJECTS, THEY'RE ALL FROM ORANGE PARK. I DID THE MATH. OUT OF $40 MILLION IN YOUR CAPITAL PROJECTS, $31.1 MILLION OF IT IS IN ORANGE PARK. IT'S ALL FROM NEIGHBORHOODS BUILT FROM THE '50S TO '70S, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYBODY ELSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WHY CAN'T WE CREATE MSBUS FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS SO THAT THE MONEY STAYS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IT NEEDS TO STAY IN. IF IT'S NOT BENEFITTING ANOTHER COMMUNITY IN CLAY HILL OR KEYSTONE HEIGHTS OR RIGHT HERE IN GREEN COVE, WHY ARE THEY PAYING IT? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE MONEY IS SPENT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE SPENT. THESE PEOPLE ARE PAYING TAXES ON THEIR PROPERTIES FOR SIX YEARS, NOBODY THOUGHT THEY SHOULD KEEP IT TO REDO THEIR STORMWATER STRUCTURE? >> THANKS. >> I GOT A LOT MORE. >> REX BROWN. CATHERINE PAGEANT? >> GOOD EVENING. I'M CATHERINE PAGEANT. I'M A RESIDENT OF CLAY COUNTY. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> YES. >> I'M A RESIDENT OF CLAY COUNTY DISTRICT 4. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO LOOK YOU IN THE EYE AND OPPOSE YOUR RELENTLESS STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. YOU CAN CALL IT A FEE. YOU CAN HIDE BEHIND CONSULTANT STUDIES AND YOU CAN SLAP IT ON OUR TAX BILLS. BUT LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT REALLY IS. ANOTHER HAND IN THE POCKET OF HARD-WORKING CITIZENS. FAMILIES ACROSS OUR COUNTY ARE ALREADY DROWNING UNDER THE CRUSHING WEIGHT OF INFLATION, SOARING INSURANCE RATES AND EVERYDAY COST. AND WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION? TO DREAM UP ANOTHER BRAND NEW TAX BASED ON SQUARE FOOTAGE OF OUR ROOFS, OUR DRIVEWAYS, AND OUR PATIOS. YOU ARE CHARGING CITIZENS FOR THE RAIN THAT GOD DROPS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. WORSE YET, YOUR ORDINANCE STRIPS AWAY CRITICAL PROTECTIONS, YOU BUILT IN FUTURE MAXIMUM CAPS AND RATE HIKES, SETTING THE STAGE TO SQUEEZE MORE MONEY YEAR AFTER YEAR. YOU OFFER NO REAL HARDSHIP EXEMPTIONS FOR FIXED INCOME SENIORS OR FAMILIES FACING GENUINE FINANCIAL RUIN. YOU'RE TELLING THE PEOPLE WHO'VE BUILT AND SERVE THIS COMMUNITY THAT THEY OWE THE COUNTY MORE MONEY FOR A PUDDLE IN A DITCH. FOR MONTHS WE'VE HEARD ABOUT BUDGET DEFICIT SHORTFALLS, YET YEAR AFTER YEAR WE WATCH AS MASSIVE SPRAWLING DEVELOPMENTS GET GREEN LIT ACROSS THE COUNTY. TEARING UP NATURAL WETLANDS, PAVING OVER GREEN SPACES, AND OVERWHELMING OUR FRAGILE DRAINAGE BASINS. YOU LEFT MASSIVE COMMERCIAL BUILDERS ALTER THE NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND THEN WHEN THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN'T KEEP UP, YOU TURN AROUND AND SEND THE BILL TO EVERYDAY PROPERTY [03:50:02] OWNERS. WHY WOULD A HOMEOWNER IN A RURAL AREA WHOSE YARD NATURALLY HANDLES RUNOFF PAY FOR THE MISTAKES OF OVERDEVELOPMENT? FIX YOUR ZONING PRIORITIES, STOP RUBBER STAMPING PROJECTS THAT CREATE THE FLOODING IN THE FIRST PLACE. YOU HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD STAY IN THE DARK, PAY THEIR BILLS QUIETLY, LOOK THE OTHER WAY. WELL WE AREN'T LOOKING THE OTHER WAY ANYMORE. TRUST BETWEEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TAXPAYERS IS ALREADY FRACTURED. WHEN YOU NICKEL AND DIME THE RESIDENTS WITH STORM ASSESSMENTS, SOLID WASTE, UTILITIES, YOU BREAK THAT TRUST COMPLETELY. GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE AN UNLIMITED -- >> THANK YOU. MR. BROWN. COME ON UP, MR. BROWN. >> MY NAME IS REX BROWN. BASICALLY I'M GETTING OLD AT THIS. 85 YEARS OLD NOW. VERY SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN ENGINEERING. I'M AN ENGINEER BY TRADE. LICENSED ENGINEER IN FLORIDA SINCE 1969. I COME FROM A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECIVE. AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD COMMENTS MADE HERE TONIGHT. AND THE BIG THING IS IN MY CAREER IT'S PAY FOR PLAY. AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE DEVELOPERS NEED TO PAY FOR THE STORMWATER. THAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SALES PRICE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE PROPERTIES. AND ONCE YOU GET PAST THAT, THERE NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY. OKAY? THE ENGINEERS THAT DID THOSE DRAWINGS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. NOW WHAT I'M HERE TODAY, I'M REQUESTING THAT I'VE BEEN ON KINGSLEY LAKE SINCE I LEARNED TO SKI OUT THERE 1949, SKIM THE SAME SUMMER. I'VE BEEN THERE EVERY SUMMER SINCE. I HAVEN'T LIVED OUT THERE ALL THAT TIME, BUT I RETIRED THERE. KINGSLEY LAKE IS FAIRLY UNIQUE AND EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT THE SANDHILLS. YOU TALK ABOUT THE SAND HILLS, TRAIL RIDGE WAS THE ORIGINAL SAND DUNE WHERE FLORIDA STARTED. SO WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM OUT THERE AT KINGSLEY LAKE. AND MY QUESTION IS, YOU WANT TO CHARGE THE MONEY FOR STORMWATER WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. BUT THE PEOPLE THAT CREATE THE STORMWATER NEED TO PAY FOR IT. OH. >> YOU HAVE ANOTHER MINUTE. >> OH I'VE GOT ONE MORE MINUTE. OKAY. A GOOD EXAMPLE, AT KINGSLEY LAKE, TRAIL RIDGE HAS AN ELEVATION OF 245 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. BY THE TIME YOU GET TO KINGSLEY LAKE IT DROPS DOWN TO 175 FEET. WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO THE BASIN OF BLACK CREEK, WHERE BLACK CREEK, THE NORTH PRONG AND SOUTH CREEK PEOPLE DON'T REALLY REALIZE, THOSE TWO CREEKS LINE UP PERFECTLY AND IT USED TO BE IN MY OPINION, A SINGLE CREEK. THAT ELEVATION IS ABOUT 110 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT FLOOD WATER, THE ELEVATION DETERMINES THE FLOW OF THE WATER AND CAUSES ALL OF THE EROSION. BECAUSE VERY SIMPLE, USE SOME COMMON SENSE AND HOLD THESE CONSULTANTS ACCOUNTABLE WFOR TH DAMAGES THAT THEY CAN CREATE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. LEANN WILBUR, ROBERT GREAT, ROBERT -- HMM. WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LEANN WILBUR. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN DISTRICT 5 IN MIDDLEBURG. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE WATER ASSESSMENT PLACED ON PROPERTY OWNERS IN CLAY COUNTY. [03:55:01] LET ME SAY CLEARLY, I UNDERSTAND CLAY COUNTY HAS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I UNDERSTAND MAINTAINING DITCHES, CULVERTS, PONDS, PIPES AND OTHER INFRACTURES COSTS MONEY. BUT HAVING A REAL PROBLEM DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN EVERY PROPOSED SOLUTION IS FAIR. MY CONCERNS IS ABOUT RURAL PROPERTY OWNERS. RURAL PROPERTY ISN'T THE SAME AS A DEVELOPED SUBDIVISION WITH CURVES AND GUTTERED STREETS, STORM DRAINS, RETENTION PONDS AND LOTS OF COUNTY INFRACTURES. MANY HOMEOWNERS HAVE LARGE LOTS, MANY MANAGE THEIR OWN STORMWATER, SOME HAVE DITCHES, SWELLS, PONDS, CULVERTS, AND OTHER DRAINAGE FEATURES ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY. SOME MAY HAVE VERY LITTLE IF ANY COUNTY STORMWATER FRACTURES DIRECTLY TO SERVE THEM. UNDER PROPOSAL, THE ASSESSMENT IS MOSTLY BASED ON THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACE, NOT ON WHETHER A PROPERTY RECEIVES THE SAME STORMWATER SERVICES. THAT RAISES A PRETTY SIMPLE QUESTION, IF WE ARE BEING CHARGED FOR A SERVICE, WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE GETTING FOR THAT CHARGE. THE ASSESSMENT IS EXPECTED TO BRING IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT. IF WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE THOUSANDS OF PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY THIS MONEY, THEN I BELIEVE THE COUNTY OWES THEM TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS. BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT MOVES FORWARD, I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE COMMISSION TO DO FOUR THINGS. FIRST, SHOW US THE SERVICE GIVING RURAL PROPERTY OWNERS A CLEAR MAP SHOWING WHAT COUNTY STORMWATER INFRACTION SERVES THEIR PROPERTY, AND WHAT PROJECT THEIR ASSESSMENT IS SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT. IF A HOMEOWNER HAS A PERMITTED DRAINAGE OR CAN SHOW THAT THEIR PROPERTY MANAGES ITS OWN RUNOFF, THEY SHOULD BE A MEANINGFUL AND EASY USE CREDIT. THIRD, PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO CAN AT LEAST AFFORD ANOTHER BILL. A HOMEOWNER ON A FIXED INCOME SHOULD BE SHOULDN'T BE TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME AS A HIGHLY DEVELOPED PARCEL JUST BECAUSE BOTH ARE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES. AND FOURTH, GIVE THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MONEY. IF THIS ASSESSMENT IS APPROVED, I WANT TO SEE A CLEAR ACCOUNTING OF HOW MUCH IS COLLECTED, WHERE THE MONEY GOES, WHAT DRAINAGE PROJECTS ARE COMPLETED AND HOW RURAL AREAS BENEFIT. COMMISSIONERS, I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO IGNORE CLAY COUNTY'S DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I'M ASKING YOU TO SOLVE FAIRLY. PLEASE DON'T MAKE RURAL HOMEOWNERS PAY FOR A SYSTEM THAT MAY NOT USE IN THE SAME WAY HEAVILY DEVELOPED AREAS DO. IF THE COUNTY NEEDS MORE REVENUE FOR DRAINAGE, THEN LET'S HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT'S NEEDED, WHERE IT'S NEEDED AND WHO SHOULD PAY FOR IT. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THOSE RURAL ROADS AND PROPERTIES. FIX THE DRAINAGE PROBLEM. >> ROBERT GREAT, ROBERT MEADOWS. TROY HUMPHREY. >> GOOD EVENING, RONNY GAN. HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING TONIGHT? >> WE'RE GREAT. >> YOU HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO HANDLE OUR TAX DOLLARS PROPERLY. NUMBER ONE, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT MY ASSESSMENT IS BECAUSE I HAVEN'T GOT THE LETTER. THE TIMING OF THIS IS JUST HORRIBLE. YOU'RE ROLLING UP ON AMENDMENT THREE. PEOPLE WANT RELIEF. THIS STORMWATER TAX FEE IS GOING TO GO TO BUSINESSES. THEY'RE GOING TO PASS IT OFF TO PEOPLE WHO LEASE THEIR BUSINESS, RESTAURANTS, THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE FOOD PRICES. IT'S GOING TO HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT ALL THE WAY DOWN. NOT JUST THE RESIDENTS. AND I CAN TELL YOU, OVER IN MCCRAY LANDING, WE'RE SURROUNDED BY A CYPRESS SWAMP. AND THE ONLY STORMWATER WE DEAL WITH IS HURRICANE IRMA. WHEN IT COME OUT OF ITS BANKS AT BLACK CREEK. YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, I'VE SEEN THESE NUMBERS UP HERE. AND IT GOES OUT ABOUT TEN YEARS. BUT WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THOSE NUMBERS IS YOU FACTORED IN THE COST OF MATERIALS OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS. IN THOSE NUMBERS. AND YOU TALK ABOUT EVERYBODY DRIVES ON STREETS AND THESE CULVERTS CAVED IN. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ABOUT 2012 WHEN MIDDLEBURG GOT SEPARATED AND WHEN A STORM CAME THROUGH AND WASHED A CULVERT OUT BECAUSE A LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY WAS DUMPING ROAD ON ANOTHER PART OF 218 ACROSS ANOTHER PIECE OF PROPERTY. THERE ARE LARGE PARCELS OF [04:00:03] PROPERTY IN THIS COUNTY THAT DUMP MAJOR STORMWATER IN YOUR DITCHES AND IN YOUR CULVERTS. IT'S JUST NOT OUR ROOTS, AND IT'S NOT OUR DRIVEWAYS. AND THE HYPOCRISY IS THE BEGINNING OF THIS MEETING FOR SEVERAL YEARS YOU'VE BROUGHT VETERANS IN HERE AND RECOGNIZED THEM. AND THEY'VE LED THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. AND YOU NOW HAVE LEFT THEM OUT THE STORMWATER FEE. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY IT. THAT'S SHAMEFUL. THAT'S VERY SHAMEFUL. YOU NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING. YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO PAY FOR THIS. YOU CAN START WITH TIGHTENING THE BUDGET IN THAT COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE. HE'S GOT WAY TOO MANY ASSISTANT COUNTY MANAGERS AND YOU'VE GOT WAY TOO MANY LAWYERS. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> ROBERT. ROBERT GREAT. ROBERT MEADOWS. TROY HUMPHREY AND AARON PHILLIPS. >> I'M NOT MUCH FOR A PUBLIC SPEAKER. THIS IS THE FIRST COUNTY MEETING I'VE EVER BEEN TO. ONE THING I NOTICED IN THE BACK FOR 30 MINUTES WAS HOW MANY OF YOU COMMISSIONERS HIDE YOUR FACE. THERE'S ONE, MA'AM, YOU'VE LOOKED CONCERNED THE ENTIRE TIME. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AS MANY PEOPLE SAID, I LIVE ON A PRIVATE ROAD. WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY GRADING THE ROAD. WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY GRADING DITCHES. WE HAVE A PRIVATE POND THAT IT ALL LEADS OUT TO. IF I CALLED 911, I'M PRETTY SURE HALF THE COPS COULDN'T GET DOWN MY ROAD. IN FACT, WHEN I BOUGHT MY HOUSE SIX YEARS AGO, I GOT BROKEN INTO BY RICHARD HIGGENBOTHAM III. ANYBODY KNOW IT? IT TOOK THE COP 37 MINUTES TO FIND THE HOUSE WHERE THREE RETURN PHONE CALLS FROM 911. SO I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT MY 85 OR 86 OR WHATEVER DOLLARS IT'S GOING TO BE IS GOING TO GO TO OTHER THAN DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS THE UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE. AS YOU'VE HEARD PROBABLY SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES TONIGHT, THE CITIZENS DO NOT WANT THIS. WE'VE LUMPED WHAT DO THEY CALL IT? UNINCORPORATED IN WITH OUTSIDE OF GREEN COVE OUTSIDE OF ORANGE PARK, OUTSIDE OF KEYSTONE, OUTSIDE OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT. WELL THE PEOPLE OF CLAY COUNTY, WE'RE NOT ALL UNINCORPORATED. WE'RE RURAL. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. THAT'S WHAT WE BOUGHT WHEN WE GOT HERE. LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY. >> THANK YOU. ROBERT MEADOWS. TROY HUMPHREY, JESSICA PHILLIPS, AND TONY HUDSON. >> STEPHANIE, WOULD YOU GIVE THIS TO THE MANAGER, PLEASE? >> MR. MEADOWS, WE'RE READY. >> I'LL WAIT UNTIL THAT'S RECEIPTED FOR. >> WE GOT IT. GO AHEAD. >> NOW THE TIMER STARTS. I OBJECT TO THIS PROPOSED STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. THE CONSULTANT'S OWN REPORT SHOWS THE NUMBERS ARE BASED ON 2021 AERIAL IMAGERY, NOT CURRENT PARCEL BY PARCEL VERIFICATION. [04:05:03] THE COUNTY IS PREPARING TO CHARGE THOUSANDS OF PROPERTY OWNERS USING DATA THAT ITS OWN EXPERTS SAY STILL NEED A DEDICATED GIS ANALYST AND YEARS OF UPDATES. THAT IS NOT FAIR OR PROPOR PROPORTIONATE, IT IS GUESSING AT SCALE. THE REPORT ALSO ADMITS THIS UTILITY EXISTS TO MOVE STORMWATER COST OFF THE GENERAL FUND OFF THE PROPERTY TAX BUDGET AND ONTO A NEW ASSESSMENT. AT THE SAME TIME, IT PROPOSES MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN PERSONAL COSTS IN THE FIRST YEAR INCLUDING THREE NEW POSITIONS. RESIDENTS ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY FOR BOTH PAST GENERAL EXPENSES AND FUTURE PLANNING LEVEL ESTIMATES THAT HAVE NEVER EVEN BEEN APPROVED BY THIS BOARD. AN AREA SUCH AS PETER'S BRANCH, THE COUNTY IS ALREADY CONCENTRATING ROAD RUNOFF FROM PINE AVENUE, BALD EAGLE, HOLLYWOOD FOREST, AND HARVEY GRANT DISCHARGING IT WITHOUT EASEMENT. THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT IN THE WEST LAND SKATING CASE MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT CASTING CONCENTRATED SURFACE WATERS IN AN UNREASONABLE MANNER IS UNLAWFUL. DOING THAT WITH A NEW ASSESSMENT COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. I ASK THAT YOU START THIS PROCESS. DO NOT ADOPT OR COLLECT THE ASSESSMENT UNTIL THE COUNTY HAS CURRENT VERIFIED IMPERVIOUS AREA DATA THAT PROPERTY OWNERS CAN REVIEW AND CHALLENGE. UNTIL THE COSTS ARE LIMITED TO TRUE SPECIAL BENEFITS AND UNTIL UNAUTHORIZED DRAINAGE ONTO PRIVATE PROPERTY HAS CEASED. NOW IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE PROPERTY THAT WAS INCREASED BY FOUR FEET. THE COUNTY IS AT FAULT FOR ALLOWING THAT. AND YOU NEED TO REVIEW THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT CASE AND ALL OF YOU NEED TO LOOK AT IT. WESLAND SKATING VERSUS SCOTT GUY BUICK. ALLOWING THE ELEVATION TO CAST WATER ONTO YOU IS ILLEGAL. >> THANK YOU, MR. MEADOWS. NEXT UP CAM ARSENDORF. NEXT UP WE HAVE CAM ARSENDORF. IS CAM HERE? THERE SHE IS, ALL RIGHT. THEN ON DECK TROY HUMPHREY THEN TONY PHILLIPS. >> GOOD EVENING. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. I'M THE SITTING CHAIR OF THE FLEMING ISLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUT I'M NOT HERE IN THAT CAPACITY. I'M HERE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. MY QUESTION IS ABOUT THE MITIGATION CREDITS SINCE MY NEIGHBORS HAVE THOROUGHLY ADDRESSED EVERYTHING ELSE. BETTER? COOL. IF A BUSINESS RECEIVES A CREDIT BECAUSE IT MAINTAINS PRIVATE STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, HOW DOES THE COUNTY DETERMINE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACTUALLY REDUCES THE PROPERTY'S BURDEN ON THE PUBLIC STORMWATER SYSTEM. IS THE CREDIT BASED PRIMARILY ON THE EXISTENCE AND DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM? OR DOES THE COUNTY CONSIDER ACTUAL CUMULATIVE IMPACTS? ESSENTIALLY WHAT MECHANISM WOULD EXIST TO EVALUATE OR REEVALUATE A PROPERTY'S CREDIT WHEN ITS STORMWATER MITIGATION MAY BE COMPLIANT ON PAPER BUT NOT IN REALITY? DOES THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT PROVIDE ANY MITIGATION CREDIT FOR PROPERTIES THAT AREN'T A BURDEN ON THE PUBLIC SYSTEM OR PRIVATELY INSTALLED RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM LIKE CISTERNS OR SOMETHING? IF NOT, WHY IS A BUSINESS CREDIT MAINTAINED WHILE A RESIDENTIAL ONE IS NOT. I'M HOPING YOU TURN THIS DOWN TODAY OR REQUEST A CONTINUATION, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO WORD IT AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE CONSTITUENTS HAVE VOICED AND BRING IT BACK AT A LATER TIME. JUST A FINAL NOTE. LET'S HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE WITH EACH OTHER. IT'S A LATE NIGHT. >> THANKS, CAM. TROY HUMPHREY. THEN TONY PHILLIPS. IS TROY HERE? IS TONY HERE? TONY COME ON UP, IF WE CAN GRAB TROY HE'LL GO NEXT. AND JESSICA HUDSON AFTER TROY. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING. I KNOW IT'S GETTING LATE. MY NAME IS TONY PHILLIPS. I LIVE AT 990 VENICE DRIVE IN ORANGE PARK. FIRST LET'S SAY REST IN PEACE, DOLLY PARTON. THE THINGS THAT WERE SAID HERE TONIGHT, I LIVE ON A PRIVATE DRIVE JUST LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE FOLKS HERE DO. I CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE NON AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT. [04:10:07] THAT'S WHAT IT IS. THIS NEEDS TO BE A TAX, AND THIS TAX NEEDS TO BE PUT TO A VOTE BY THE CITIZENS OF CLAY COUNTY. THE FOLKS THAT ARE SPEAKING HERE TONIGHT ARE TELLING YOU SOMETHING. THEY'RE TELLING YOU THEY DON'T RECEIVE ANY SPECIAL BENEFITS FROM THIS ASSESSMENT. AND BY LAW THAT'S WHAT A NON AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT DOES. I'D LIKE YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND VOTE NO ON THIS BECAUSE IT'S A TAX. SO IF IT IS A TAX, LET'S PUT IT TO THE PEOPLE. THE OTHER THING IS YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO PUT SOME MORE PROPERTY TAXES ON US. IT'S PRETTY CLEAR OUR GOVERNORS RIGHT NOW TRYING TO PUSH TO GET RID OF PROPERTY TAXES. I'M IN MY EARLY 50S. I'M LOOKING AT RETIREMENT REAL SERIOUSLY NOW. A LOT MORE THAN I USED TO. I HEAR THESE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE, SOME OLDER FOLKS, IT'S A BIG DEAL TO THEM. THE 260 THAT DOLLARS THAT I'M LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW IS GOING TO BE $1,000 BY THE TIME I GET READY TO RETIRE. SO NO IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE ANSWER AS LONG AS I CAN HELP IT. I DON'T WANT MY TAXES TIED TO MY PROPERTY. I'VE PAID FOR IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE TELLING YOU. I KNOW YOU NEED THE MONEY TO OPERATE. WE ALL NEED THE MONEY TO OPERATE. IT'S HOW YOU GO ABOUT GETTING IT. TYING MORE TAXES TO OUR PROPERTIES, AGAIN, THESE FOLKS ON FIXED INCOMES, YOU KEEP RAISING THE MARGIN, RAISING THE MARGIN, BUT THEIR INCOME STAYS THE SAME. I APPRECIATE YOU HEARING THAT. THANK YOU. I'M GOOD, THANK YOU. >> TROY HUMPHREY. JESSICA HUDSON. ARNOLD PINES AND BRUCE WALTER. >> GOOD EVENING. THANK Y'ALL FOR ALLOWING US TO TALK. THIS IS I'VE LIVED HERE FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS AND I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE IN OUR LITTLE TOWN. A LOT OF WASTE. A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL LAND TURNED INTO SUBDIVISIONS. WHY? TO GENERATE FUNDS, TAXES, AND FEES. JUST THE TREES ALONE THAT WE'VE CUT DOWN AND THE LAND THAT WE'VE DESTROYED COULD HAVE SAVED A LOT OF THIS WATER THAT Y'ALL ARE WORRIED ABOUT. THIS YEAR ALONE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON OUR BRIDGES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. AND NOW Y'ALL HAVE WASTED MONEY TO FIND A BACK DOOR WAY FOR THE PUBLIC WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON WHAT'S GOING ON HERE TONIGHT. KEEP IN MIND WE VOTED ALL OF Y'ALL IN. WE COUNT ON Y'ALL TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR US. THE PUBLIC GET TO VOTE ON THIS SWM FEE OR TAX AS WE CALL IT. HOW MUCH MORE MONEY WILL BE WASTED AND SPENT ON THIS RESEARCH TO TRY AND GAIN MORE MONEY FROM THE PUBLIC? I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT NUMBER WAS. THERE'S A LOT OF EYES ON THIS BOARD AS YOU CAN TELL. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE. WE CARE WHAT GOES ON IN OUR COUNTY. WE CARE WHAT Y'ALL DECIDE TO DO WITH OUR MONEY. OUR TAXPAYER, OUR HARD EARNED MONEY. Y'ALL SAY THAT WE'RE 30 OR $40 MILLION DEFICIT. AND YOU KNOW THAT A MAJOR CHANGE CAN HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER THAT CAN MAKE IT EVEN WORSE. IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE. IT'S TIME TO STOP WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY. IT IS TIME TO SAVE OUR COUNTY. IT'S GONE TOO FAR. WE HAVE LET TOO MUCH HAPPEN TO DATE. WHY? FOR MONEY? WE CAME ON THIS EARTH WITH NONE. WE WILL LEAVE WITH NONE. I WATCHED ALL THE BOARD PASS AND PUSHED US THROUGH SINCE JULY 28TH WHEN EVERYBODY SAID [04:15:02] YES TO IT THEN WE ALL IMMEDIATELY GOT SOMETHING IN THE MALE AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE ALL HERE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> JESSICA HUDSON -- ARNOLD, BRUCE WALTER, DON SWANSON. >> JUST TALK RIGHT INTO THIS LIKE THAT. MY NAME IS JESSICA HUDSON. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN MIDDLEBURG FOR JUST ONLY FOUR YEARS. I'VE BEEN LIVING IN JACKSONVILLE SINCE 2008. THE MILITARY BROUGHT ME HERE. SO SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON BUT I'M A WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH AND I KNOW THAT GOD IS GOING TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION COMING OUT OF THIS. AND I JUST DO WANT TO SAY AFTER READING AND LISTENING TO EVERYBODY'S STORIES I DID NOT REALIZE THE AMOUNT OF FLOODING GOING ON OUTSIDE OF MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. MY HOUSE WAS BUILT IN 1985 AND AFTER A HARD RAIN AND TYPICAL FLORIDA AFTERNOON I. WEAR RAIN BOOTS IN MY BACKYARD AND RAIN SITS THERE IN MY BACKYARD COMING UP TO MY SHINS. SO I UNDERSTAND THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE RESULTS OF EVERYBODY WANTING TO COME TO THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA AND JUST FLOOD US BUT I WOULD JUST SAY IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT THEIR YARDS FLOODED. AND AS A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL ALSO THERE'S A LOT OF MOULD THAT COMES UP WITH THAT. AND I'VE DONE MY OWN PETRI DISH IN MY HOME IN DIFFERENT ROOMS AND THERE'S MOULD IN MY OWN HOME. THAT CAUSES A LOT OF HEALTH ISSUES. THERE'S A WOMAN WHO'S BEEN TRYING TO GET PREGNANT. SHE'S HAD TWO MISCARRIAGES. A LOT OF PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO THAT ARE RENTING HOUSES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE THEIR KIDS ARE GETTING SICK. SO I WOULD SAY CONSIDER JUST THE HEALTH ISSUES AND JUST WHATEVER GOD DESIGNS COMING OUT OF THIS AND WHATEVER THE ANSWER IS GOING TO BE JUST PLEASE GO TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT REALLY NEED HELP AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY IS GOING THERE BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG YOU ALL HAVE SERVED HERE BUT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF STUFF HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY, MANY YEARS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THOSE STREETS JUST BE REPAIRED WHATEVER THE DECISION IS OUT OF THIS. THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO. IT'S HARD AND IT'S GETTING LATE AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE 3 MINUTES BECAUSE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO SAY SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. BRUCE WALTER. ARNOLD HERE. BRUCE WALTER. YOU HAVE TO GO AROUND THE OTHER WAY. DON SWANSON MARK TAINTON AND MILTON BAKER. CHRISTY ALL RIGHT GOOD EVENING AND I'M GOING TO CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE BIT. EVERYBODY HERE HAS TALKED ABOUT RURAL. I'M IN TANGLEWOOD. WE ACTUALLY HAD THE STORMWATER DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE AND THIS GETS MY ATTENTION BECAUSE I'VE LIVED THERE 26 YEARS PHOTO DOCUMENTED AND TAKEN PICTURES OF THE FLOODING THAT GOES ON IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE FLOOD ZONE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND JUST FOR AN EXAMPLE WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A DROUGHT. NOW WE ARE GETTING EVENING RAINS. PRETTY CONSISTENTLY. MY YARD AS WELL AS MY NEIGHBORS ARE STARTING TO GET SATURATED. WE GET A LITTLE GOOD COUPLE HOURS STORM, THUNDERSTORM HURRICANE OFFSHORE, DOESN'T HAVE TO HIT. AND WE ARE GOING TO FLOOD. AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS I BOUGHT A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT EVERYTHING COMING DOWN TANGLEWOOD BOULEVARD THE SOUTHERN WESTERN SIDE OF TANGLEWOOD COMES TOGETHER PURE COLLEGE DRIVE THE WOODS AND UNDEVELOPED AREA THERE'S A FEW HOUSES BACK THERE. ALL THAT HAPPENS TO COME TOGETHER IN MY YARD. AND I DON'T MIND FLOODING. I'M A WATER KIND OF A GUY. I HAVE BOATS. NOT A BIG DEAL WHEN A BOAT FLOATS OFF THE TRAILER IN MY BACKYARD. MY KIDS, HIS FRIENDS AT ALL WHEN IT FLOATS WE BRING OUT JET SKIS KAYAKS AND HAVE A BLAST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD A. DOESN'T BOTHER ME. THE WATER GETS ABOUT A QUARTER INCH FROM COMING IN MY HOUSE. [04:20:02] SAME WITH THE NEIGHBORS ON THE OTHER SIDE. I WISH THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME HAD IT SO LUCKY. THEY JUST OPENED THEIR DOORS AND LET IT FLOW RIGHT ON THROUGH. WE PAID TO HAVE THE RETENTION PONDS DUG OUT AND ALL THAT. DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD IF YOUR GROUND SATURATES. FLOODS. WATER IS KNEE DEEP. END YOUR ENGINEER OR COMPANY NO AMOUNT OF MONEY IS GOING TO FIX IT. IT'S JUST NOT GOING. IT'S A WASTE. IT'S HITTING US IN THE REAR POCKET FOR NOTHING AND I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL NEIGHBORHOODS BUT I CAN SPEAK FOR ONE WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE ALREADY THERE. GETS TO A CERTAIN POINT IT'S A WASTE. WE JUST LIVE WITH IT. I WON'T TAKE UP ANY MORE TIME. THANK YOU DON SWENSON, MARK TAINTON. MILTON BAKER. PAUL L. CARTER -- L. CANTER. >> MY NAME IS DON SWENSON. I LIVE AT 241 EGRETS WALK IN FLEMING ISLAND. I'M AGAINST THIS BILL AND I WILL TELL YOU WHY. IT'S BECAUSE THE CURRENT STORMWATER ASSESSMENT IS NOT DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN DEVELOPMENTS THAT PLACE THEIR STORMWATER BURDEN ON THE PUBLIC SYSTEM AND DEVELOPMENTS LIKE WHERE I LIVE THAT DESIGN BUILD MAINTAIN AND PRAY FOR THEIR STORMWATER TREATMENT. RIGHT NOW THE STRUCTURE IS BASED SOLELY ON IMPERVIOUS AREA. DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR PRIVATELY FUNDED STORMWATER SYSTEM. AS A RESULT PROPERTIES THAT RELY ENTIRELY ON COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE ARE BEING TREATED THE SAME AS PROPERTY THAT ASSUME THEIR OWN STORMWATER BURDEN. IT'S NOT EQUITABLE AND NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNTY'S OWN STADIUM METHODOLOGY. EGRETS WALK IS A 10-ACRE PLOT OF LAND THAT IS ONLY 13 HOMES ON A PRIATE ROAD. WHEN IT NEEDS REPAVEMENT WE REPAVE IT. WE HIRED AN ENGINEER IN 1986. HE CONDUCTED A TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY AND BUILT A SYSTEM THAT CAPTURES AND CONVENES ALL THE STORMWATER RUNOFF. THE ROAD WAS INTENTIONALLY SLANTED TO THE SOUTH SO RAINFALL FROM THIS IMPERVIOUS AREA FLOWS DIRECTLY INTO THE SOUTHERN SWELL. WATER FALLING NORTH OVER THE ROAD IS COLLECTED AND INSTALLED BETWEEN EVERY YELLOW LOT AND DIRECTED INTO THE MAIN NORTHERN SWELL. BOTH PERIMETER SWELLS CARRY THE WATER TO THE WETLANDS FOR FILTERING AND THEN TO THE RIVER. NONE OF OUR RUNOFF ENTERS CLAY COUNTY STORMWATER FACILITIES. WE BUILT THIS SYSTEM AND MAINTAIN IT. WE INSPECT IT AND WE PAY FOR ALL REPAIRS OURSELVES. THESE PRIVATE IMPROVEMENTS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE DEMAND PLACED ON COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE. THE CURRENT ASSESSMENT OUR DEVELOPMENT CHARGE THE SAME RATE AS LARGE COMMUNITIES THAT RELY 100% ON THE COUNTY TO ELECT AND CONVEY TREAT AND MANAGE THE RUNOFF. I'M AGAINST THIS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT TREATED THE SAME AS BIG DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE RELIED ON THE COUNTY TO CONVEY THEIR STORMWATER RUNOFF. AND ACCORDINGLY I HAVE MORE TO ADD BUT THAT'S JUST MY TIME IS UP. YOU HAVE IN YOUR MITIGATION CREDITS AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LARGER THAN 5 ACRES GET A 50% REDUCTION. PRIVATELY OWNED MAINTAINED PERMITTED STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS WHICH RECEIVED 25% FEE REDUCTION. EGRETS MEETS BOTH CRITERIA. WE HAVE A PRIVATELY MAINTAINED STORMWATER SYSTEM THAT CAPTURES AND CONVEYS OVER TO THE RIVERS. MILTON BAKER PAUL ALCANTAR DONALD WILSON. >> GOOD EVENING. I HEARD EVERYBODY SAY THEY DON'T GET ANYTHING FROM THE COUNTY IF YOU COME HERE TO TELL YOU I GET PLENTY FROM THE COUNTY. ABOUT 14 INCHES DEEP 80 FEET WIDE TRAVELING THROUGH AT ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR. WE DO HAVE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS HERE. DOES NEED TO BE HANDLED. THIS IS NOT COMING FROM MY 3000 SQUARE FOOT ROOF. THIS COMES FROM JACKSONVILLE [04:25:02] SOUTH SUBDIVISION. IT FLOODS OUT OUR AREA. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. BUT UNFORTUNATELY I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT CHARGING ME TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT ISN'T MINE. SOMEBODY ELSE'S MAYBE THE COUNTY'S THAT'S NOT RIGHT. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE COUNTY THROUGH THE COUNTY THROUGH REGULAR TAXATION. WE ARE TALKING $9 MILLION. IT'S A LOT OF MONEY. AROUND ONE% OF OUR ANNUAL BUDGET PLEASE CONSIDER PUTTING IT BACK INTO THE REGULAR BUDGET. FUNDING IT THAT WAY. FINDING A WAY TO COME UP WITH ONE%. WE NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND EFFICIENTLY DO THE RIGHT THINGS FOR OUR COUNTY. WE NEED A NEW BUILDING APARTMENT. WE BUILT ONE. DID WE NEED THAT BUILDING DEPARTMENT, THAT BUILDING CAN WE WE NEED A NEW ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER. WE REALLY DO BUT DO WE NEED THAT ONE CAN WE ARE WE REACHING TOO FAR CAN WE CAN WE BRING IT BACK INTO PERSPECTIVE OF WHERE WE ARE LIVING IN THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE LIVING WITH AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD AS EFFICIENTLY AS WE CAN AND TRY TO RESOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AND WORK TOGETHER? EACH OF YOU HAVE COME TO US AND YOU HAVE ASKED FOR OUR TRUST TO TAKE YOUR POSITION AND WE HAVE GIVEN YOU OUR TRUST AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE TO GIVE OUR TRUST TO YOU AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL IN FACT DO THE RIGHT THING. I THINK THE RIGHT THING WOULD BE TO GET THIS OFF OF AN ADDITIONAL BILL BECAUSE FLATLY WE ARE JUST GETTING TIRED OF BEING BILLED EVERY TIME WE HAVE ANOTHER EXPENSE OR SOMETHING. WE CAN PUT ANOTHER BILL ON IT. LET'S GET IT BACK INTO THE BUDGET. LET'S WORK WITH OUR BUDGETS AND PUT A CITIZENS BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOGETHER THAT THE CITIZENS CAN LOOK AT THE BUDGETS ITEM BY ITEM WITH EACH DEPARTMENT MANAGER AND HELP TO GIVE GUIDANCE TO THE COUNTY OF WHAT THE CITIZENS FEEL WE NEED TO MOVE INTO THAT DIRECTION. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I KNOW YOU WORK HARD. AND IT'S A ROUGH JOB. GOD BLESS YOU ALL BUT PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. MILTON BAKER HERE PAUL, DONALD WILSON, JOHN. >> MILTON BAKER, MIDDLEBURG RAVINES. THE RAVINES IS A PRIVATELY DATED AND GATED COMMUNITY. OUR ROADS ARE PRIVATE. WE HAVE OUR OWN RUNOFF SYSTEM, PONDS WITHIN THE RAVINES TO CAPTURE THE WATER AND WE ARE FORCED BY THE COUNTY TO MAINTAIN THOSE PONDS TO A CERTAIN STANDARD. I'M NOT SURE WHY I. WOULD BE ASSESSED A FEE FOR RUNOFF. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE RAVINES IS NOTORIOUS FOR SANDY SOIL AS EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID. MY YARD NEVER PUDDLES. TORRENTIAL RAINS CAKI MIGHT SEE A LITTLE WATER FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN IT'S GONE. THIS EE IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT A FEE IS A TAX. YOU ARE PUTTING IT ON MY TAX BILL. I CONSIDER IT A TAX. I WANTED TO MENTION THAT OUR ILLUSTRIOUS GOVERNOR DESANTIS WHO'S LEAVING US TRYING TO DO AWAY WITH PROPERTY TAXES. NOT THAT WE SHOULDN'T PAY FOR POLICE AND OTHER NECESSARY THINGS, SCHOOLS. BUT I OWN MY HOME. I AM PAYING THE MORTGAGE ON IT AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE UNFAIRLY ASSESSED FOR ADDITIONAL TAXES JUST TO LIVE HERE BEYOND THE NECESSARY THINGS LIKE POLICE AND FIRE. THE ROADS IN MY COMMUNITY ARE OURS TO KEEP UP WITH. THEY ARE PAVED BUT WE ARE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THAT. AND I JUST THINK THAT THIS IS VERY UNFAIR TO IMPOSE THIS UPON PEOPLE WITHOUT A TO VOTE OR TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE GETTING AND WHAT WE ARE PAYING FOR. SO THAT'S ABOUT ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. PAUL, DONNA WILSON, DON, [04:30:07] KATHLEEN. IS PAUL HERE? >> DID YOU CALL MY NAME, MA'AM, CAN WE. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME CAN WE. >> BUDDY GRIFFIN. >> I DID NOT CALL YOUR NAME. >> I CAN'T HEAR YOU IS WHY. >> I KNOW YOUR NME WHY. >> PAUL ANYBODY? DONNA WILSON? >> REPORTER: DONALD WILSON ORANGE PARK. I BELIEVE MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. I WILL GET MY THREE QUESTIONS TO GET THEM OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE . WHY AREN'T THERE SPECIFICS IN THIS PROPOSAL? NUMBER 2 IF WE DID GET THOSE SPECIFICS IS THERE ANYTHING TO PREVENT BACKFILLING IN OR OUT OF THE FUNDS SPECIFIED FOR THESE PROJECTS? NUMBER 3 HOW MANY OF THESE PROJECTS ARE CAUSED BY DEVELOPERS RATHER THAN THE EXISTING TAXPAYERS. I'M HIS CONSTITUENT FOR THE REST OF THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME I AM CALIFORNIA REFUGEE. I AM RETIRED FROM THE CAPITAL IN CALIFORNIA. AND THIS KIND OF GARBAGE PROPOSAL IS EXACTLY WHY I MOVED FROM CALIFORNIA TO CLAY COUNTY TO GET AWAY FROM. SO ANY TIME YOU DON'T HAVE SPECIFICS IN YOUR BUDGET IT JUST BECOMES A SLUSH FUND FOR POLITICIANS AND UNELECTED UNACCOUNTABLE BUREAUCRATS. AND IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE THAT AN OVERPAID CONSULTANT GAVE YOU THIS STUDY. I'M STILL WITH RONALD REAGAN THE NINE SCARIEST WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARE I'M FROM THE GOVERNMENT HERE TO HELP SO I TRUST HIM MORE THAN I TRUST THE CONSULTANTS. WHEN I ASK ABOUT BACKFILLING I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THIS BEFORE. MOVING OFF BUDGET, THE NEBULOUS AND ARBITRARY IDEAS PEOPLE HAVE. YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW GAVIN NEWSOM WASTED TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON HIGH SPEED RAIL THAT DOESN'T EXIST IS BECAUSE OF NONSPECIFIC PROPOSALS. THIS ISN'T JUST BAD FOR RURAL TAXPAYERS BUT ALSO BAD FOR SUBURBAN TAXPAYERS. YOU HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS. THAT'S WHY I ASK ABOUT IS THERE ANYTHING ON THE BACK END TO PREVENT BACKFILL? 1993 WE HAD A PROPOSAL STATE LEGISLATURE BLACKMAILED THE CONSTITUENTS OF CALIFORNIA BY FULLY FUNDING WELFARE TELLING THEM THEY WANT TO POLICE FIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS BUT THEY HAVE TO VOTE FOR HALF CENT SALES TAX WE'RE GETTING AROUND THAT BY CALLING IT NOT TAX AND GETTING RID OF THE PEOPLE'S VOTE. THAT'S A DIFFERENT STORY. WHAT HAPPENED IS THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR THE HALF CENT SALES TAX IN 1993 AND WITH THE LEGISLATURE THEY JUST TOOK ALL THE MONEY FROM THE HALF CENT SALES TAX, TOOK ALL THE MONEY OUT OF THE GENERAL BUDGET GAVE IT TO THE PROGRAMS THEY WANTED AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE OFFICERS DIDN'T GET ANYTHING MORE IN THEIR BUDGET EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE FUNDED. LAST THING FOR FURTHER DISCLOSURE I USED TO SIT ON MY PLANNING COMMISSION PRESIDENT ON MY SCHOOL BOARD WHEN I MOVED HERE BECAUSE GAVIN NEWSOM SHUT DOWN PUBLIC EDUCATION. IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EXISTING TAXPAYERS TO FUND THE PROFITS OF DEVELOPERS. I WOULD BET MOST OF YOUR STORMWATER PROBLEMS COME FROM BAD DEVELOPMENTS. >> THANK YOU. WAS THAT DONALD WILSON? >> JOHN, KATHLEEN, SUSAN RUSSELL, AND ROBERT LUDWIG. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> I'M KATHLEEN YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE HERE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID. I NOTICED THAT YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT A TAX BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON IT SO YOU TOOK THAT OPTION AWAY FROM US. JUST KIND OF SLIP IT IN. I ALSO WOULD ASK. I KNOW YOU DIDN'T WANT TO LIMIT DEVELOPMENT BUT THE DEVELOPMENT THE WAY IT CURRENTLY GOES YOU HAVE 10 FEET TOTAL BETWEEN HOUSES. IF I SPEAK NORMAL CONVERSATIONAL TONES MY NEIGHBOR SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HEAR ME BUT THE DENSITY THAT YOU ARE PERMITTING AND ALLOWING ARE THE PROBLEM WITH STORMWATER DRAINAGE. WHEN WE BUILT A BARN ON THE EVIDENT REALLY FAST THAT IT ALTERED THE WAY WATER FLOWED AND HOW EVERYTHING WENT OR DIDN'T GO. SO ANYWAY REDUCE THE DENSITY OF [04:35:03] THE DEVELOPMENT, RECLAIM THE WATER, USE IT FOR IRRIGATION. IS THIS AN OPEN-ENDED PROPOSAL THAT IT'S GOING TO BE GOING ON FOREVER OR IS IT JUST FOR A SHORT TERM. WE DON'T KNOW HOW WHAT KIND OF DIFFICULTY YOU'RE HAVING WITH YOUR BUDGET OR HOW MUCH MONEY YOU REALLY NEED. IT DOES SEEM A TAD LIKE A SLUSH FUND BECAUSE YOU ARE ANTICIPATING WHAT IF THE TAXES GET REDUCED AS WAS PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE GET MORE MONEY SO WE'LL PUT THIS IN AND THEN WE CAN TAKE IT AND THROW IT WHEREVER WE WANT IT. DONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WAS PAUL HERE CAN WE JOHN. ANYBODY CAN WE SUSAN RUSSELL? SUSAN RUSSELL 5634 APACHE CORP. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR PRIVATE ROADS ON THE SEMINOLE VILLAGE A MILE AND A HALF BATH. I BACK UP TO BLACK CREEK RAVINES CONSERVATION AREA WE'RE 90 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON A YELLOW SAND HILL. RIGHT ACROSS FROM MY PASTURE LINE THEY RELOCATE GOPHER TURTLES TORTOISES. WE ARE DRY. WE'VE NEVER HAD ANY WATER. IT'S A PRIVATE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY FOR 40 YEARS THAT SUBDIVISION HAS BEEN THERE THE COUNTY HAS DONE NOTHING. WE HAVE NO DITCHES OR CULVERTS EXCEPT FOR THE HOMEOWNERS HAVE PUT IN THEMSELVES. ALL THE NUMEROUS PONDS OUT THERE ARE BONE DRY. THE ONLY TIME WE'VE HAD WATER I HAVE BEEN THERE 15 YEARS AT THIS LOCATION WAS 2017 WITH THE HURRICANE BUT WE HAD TO EVACUATE WITH OUR HORSES TO THE JACKSON EQUESTRIAN CENTER. THAT'S THE ONLY TIME AND I FIND THAT INTERESTING IS WHEN WE FAIL THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. 2017. THAT WAS THE WORST. 2016, 2017 AND THAT'S WHEN WE DID STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. THE WHOLE COUNTY WAS UNDER WATER AT THAT TIME. I FIND THAT KIND OF COINCIDENTAL. I KNOW THE COUNTY NEEDS MONEY. I THINK THEY CAN BE VERY MUCH MORE FISCALLY COMPLIANT AND REALLY LOOK AT THEIR BUDGET IF THERE'S A LOT OF FLUFF IN THIS COUNTY. ALL THIS DEVELOPMENT I LIVE IN LAKE ASBURY. THEY HAVE DECIMATED LAKE ASBURY THE DEVELOPMENT'S. ZERO LOT LINES ROOF TO ROOF TO ROOF THEY HAVE CUT DOWN EVERY TREE. WHERE DO THEY EXPECT THE WATER TO GO IN OUR AREA? THEY'VE REALLY RUINED CLAY COUNTY AND THEY'VE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT. AGAIN ON TERRA FARMS ROAD I HAVE A FRIEND HER HOUSE FLOODED SIX TIMES. THE DEVELOPMENTS ON EITHER SIDE ARE FOUR TO 8-FOOT HIGHER THAN HER PROPERTY. THE WATER FUNNELS IN. SHE SPENT UNDERWATER SIX TIMES NOW. THE COUNTY COULD DO MORE. I REALLY QUESTION SOME OF THIS ENGINEERING. THEY ARE PAID CONSULTANTS CHARGING VERY, VERY HIGH FEES. RECENTLY RETIRED NURSE. FOR 40 YEARS I TRAVELED ALMOST EVERY BACK ROAD IN THIS COUNTY TAKING CARE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS HERE. I'M SO PROUD OF EVERYBODY SHOWING UP TONIGHT BUT A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE IN HORRIBLY FIXED INCOMES. THEY CAN'T EVEN BY THEIR MEDS. ELECTRIC BILLS HAVE DOUBLED. LOOK AT THE GAS AND THE GROCERIES. THIS IS REALLY PUTTING A HARDSHIP. THIS WAS NOT A GOOD TIME TO BRING THIS AND WE REALLY NEEDED CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARDS. I THANK YOU FOR GIVING US OUR TIME. THANK YOU. ROBERT LUDWIG. HENRY BUENO. MICHAEL NEAL. >> ROBERT LUDWIG. 6451 LOCH LOMOND DRIVE, KEYSTONE LAKE FLORIDA. GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY OPPOSITION TO THE STORMWATER FEE. I'M PRIVATE ROAD RESIDENT. PROBABLY CAN SPEAK FOR MOST OF [04:40:01] MY NEIGHBORS ALONG OUR ROAD. LOCH LOMOND DRIVE IS A PRIVATE DRIVE NORTH OF KEYSTONE HEIGHTS IN UNINCORPORATED CLAY COUNTY. IT'S APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE LONG AND IT'S A DEAD END ROAD. ONLY ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT. IT'S A MIXTURE OF SAND AND CLAY. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 25 OR SO RESIDENTS IN HOMES THAT ARE ON LOCH LOMOND DRIVE. MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON OUR ROAD ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE, RETIRED PEOPLE, PEOPLE ON A FIXED INCOME. I'VE LIVED THERE FOR 25 YEARS. WE OUR PRIVATE ROAD. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN AND DO EVERYTHING THAT IT TAKES TO KEEP THAT ROAD WHERE WE CAN HAVE GOOD INGRESS AND EGRESS OUT OF THERE BECAUSE IT'S A DEAD END ONE WAY ROAD. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS WHAT WE EXPERIENCED THERE WHEN IT RAINS YOU GET WASHOUTS. YOU GET EROSION IN SMALL PONDS. WHEN YOU DRIVE THROUGH COME UP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR OF YOUR CAR IF YOU'RE IN A CAR. DEEP MUD. WHEN WE HAVE DRY CONDITIONS WE HAVE DEEP BLUE SUGAR SAND WHICH IS VERY EASY TO GET STUCK IN AND WASHBOARD CONDITIONS THAT WILL JUST ABOUT RATTLE YOUR TEETH OUT OF YOUR MOUTH. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME AT MY AGE. WE'VE HAD ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THROUGHOUT MY 25 YEAR. OF LIVING THERE GARBAGE TRUCKS GET STUCK, OTHER LARGE VEHICLES THAT COME BACK ARE DELIVERING GOODS AND SERVICES TO RESIDENTS THAT GET STUCK AND AGAIN IT'S ONE WAY IN ONE WAY OUT SO IT BLOCKS THE ENTIRE ROAD. WE HAVE POSTAL SERVICE WE GET NOTES FROM TIME TO TIME BECAUSE IF THEY ARE GETTING STUCK AND CAN'T GET IN AND OUT OR GET STUCK JUST TRYING TO GET TO OUR MAILBOXES EACH INDIVIDUAL MAILBOX THEY LEAVE US A NOTE SAYING THEY WILL NOT DELIVER OUR MALE. SO WE HAVE TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS AS THE RESIDENTS OF OUR ROAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET MONEY COLLECT MONEY FOR THINGS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO HELP KEEP IT TO WHERE WE CAN GO TO AND FROM OUR HOMES. LIVING ON A PRIVATE DIRT ROAD LIKE THAT REQUIRES WEEKLY MAINTENANCE OR MONTHLY MAINTENANCE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT AND YOU HAVE ROAD GRADING TRACTOR SERVICES, FUEL YOU HAVE TO USE TO RUN THESE, PERSONAL LABOR PERSONAL TIME FROM TIME TO TIME WE HAVE TO BUY MORE SAND AND CLAY TO BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN ON THE ROAD TO KEEP IT ACCESSIBLE. WE'RE ALREADY PAYING AMONGST OURSELVES COLLECTING AND PAYING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS SO WE CAN GET TO AND FROM OUR HOUSES. DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S FAIR TO PUT THE BURDEN ON US TO GET THE DOUBLE WHAMMY AND HAVE TO ALSO PAY FOR SERVICES MOST OF US WILL PROBABLY NEVER EVER NEED OR EVEN HAVE TO ACCESS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY. JUST ASK YOU PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING NO ON THIS. >> THANK YOU. MICHAEL NEAL TIMOTHY GILBERT PETER I'M CARRIE FERNELL. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU RECONSIDER THE STORMWATER SYSTEM FEE. DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS ALL RESIDENTS IN CLAY COUNTY. MY HUSBAND AND I RETIRED. WE ARE ON A FIXED INCOME RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT SO I HAVE A PENSION AND WE BOTH HAVE SOCIAL SECURITY COULD WE AFFORD THIS FEE PROBABLY FIND IT IN OUR BUDGET BUT SHOULD WE HAVE TO COULD WE ABSOLUTELY NOT WE DON'T HAVE ANY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT IN PLACE IN OUR AREA. RAINWATER RUNS DOWN OUR GUTTERS DOWN THE DOWNSPOUT ABSORBS INTO OUR YARD AND DISAPPEARS PERFECTLY IN OUR YARD. THE ONE THING THIS HAS DONE FOR ME IS MADE ME REALIZE WE'VE BEEN CHARGED THE LAST FOUR YEARS FOR AN EXTRA 1.35 ACRES WE DON'T REALLY HAVE SO THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS WITH THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY DOES NOT MAINTAIN THE ROADS AT ALL. WE GRADE THE ROADS OURSELVES BUT OUR EQUIPMENT THIS IS BEING CALLED A FEE BUT WE NEED TO CALL IT WHAT IT REALLY IS IS TAX PLAIN AND SIMPLE PURE WITH AMENDMENT THREE A HOT AND HEAVY TOPIC ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER I BELIEVE THIS IS A WORKAROUND PURE FEE AND IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT LIKE AN HOA. AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE VEILED THREAT OF TAKING OUR HOMES IF WE DON'T PAY. I DON'T GET THAT AND HOW DARE YOU. WE OWN OUR HOME OUTRIGHT. THE DREAMS OF LIVING OUT OUR SENIOR YEARS QUIETLY NEAR OUR GRANDCHILDREN WE SOLD OUR HOME AND WERE ABLE TO FINALLY BUY A HOME OUTRIGHT. WE OWN IT. PREVENTING IT FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IT'S NOT FAIR. IT'S NOT RIGHT. SO HERE WE ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP FROM BEING TAXED AND FEED OUT OF OUR HOMES. YOU'VE LOST OUR TRUST AND OUR FAITH. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND YOU KNOW IT. WHAT REALLY GALLS ME IS I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE A SUBSTANTIAL RAISE FOR ALL OF YOU ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER, LIKE TRIPLE. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS TRUST GOOGLE [04:45:01] BUT THAT'S WHAT GOOGLE SAID. THAT'S VERY AUDACIOUS TO REQUEST THAT IF THE TIMES ARE AS TOUGH AND LEAN AS YOU SAY THEY ARE. I URGE YOU TO REVISIT THE BUDGET. I URGE YOU TO CALL IT WHAT IT IS, A TAX. RECONSIDER THE JULY 28TH VOTE AND PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. I HAVE A LOT MORE BUT I'M NOT GOING TO. I APPRECIATE YOU. YOU ARE MY COMMISSIONER. WE TALK MANY TIMES AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE ADVISED ME ON. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND ASK YOU TO PLEASE RETHINK THIS BECAUSE THIS ALTHOUGH WE CAN FIND IT IN OUR BUDGET WE HAVE A LOT OF NEIGHBORS THAT CANNOT DO THAT AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. WE TRUSTED YOU AND ASKED YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND PLEASE RECONSIDER THIS AND DON'T CHARGE THIS FEE. THANK YOU. MIKE O'NEILL TIMOTHY GILBERT. DIANE GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS MICHAEL NEAL. I LIVED IN YOUR DISTRICT. I'M HERE TO FORMALLY STATE I'M OPPOSED TO THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT FEE. I BELIEVE IT'S UNFAIR TO PLACE ANOTHER FINANCIAL BURDEN ON LOCAL RESIDENTS ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN IT'S ALREADY DIFFICULT FOR MANY FAMILIES TO KEEP UP WITH RISING COST OF LIVING. ADDING ANOTHER FEE TO HOMEOWNERS MAKES IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO REMAIN FINANCIALLY SECURE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT MANY OF THE STORMWATER ISSUES WE ARE FACING MAY BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY. NATURAL LANDSCAPES FORESTS AND AREAS THAT ONCE ABSORBED AND MANAGED STORMWATER NATURALLY ARE BEING CLEARED AND REPLACED WITH HOMES PARKING LOTS AND OTHER IMPERVIOUS SURFACES. IF DEVELOPMENT IS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE PROBLEM I DON'T BELIEVE THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION IS SIMPLY TO CONTINUE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT WHILE SHIFTING THE RESULTING COSTS ONTO HOMEOWNERS THROUGH ADDITIONAL TAXES AND FEES. IF THERE'S A LEGITIMATE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ADDRESS STORMWATER PROBLEMS I BELIEVE THE COUNTY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER PLACING A GREATER PORTION OF THAT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON THE DEVELOPERS PROFITING FROM THIS GROWTH. AT A MINIMUM THE COUNTY SHOULD CONSIDER PAUSING OR CAREFULLY REEVALUATING DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS WHERE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND STORMWATER SYSTEMS CANNOT ADEQUATELY HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL DEMAND. LONGTIME RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO CONTINUALLY PAY MORE FOR PROBLEMS THEY DID NOT CREATE AND IN MANY CASES DID NOT ASK FOR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS, PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES AND FAMILIES STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK IF THE FETUS GO THROUGH WHICH ONE OF YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING OUR MONEY IS BEING USED APPROPRIATELY TRANSPARENTLY AND AS AND FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. RESIDENTS DESERVE CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY AND REGULAR UPDATES ABOUT THESE FUNDS HOW THESE FUNDS ARE COLLECTED AND SPENT. I ASK THAT OUR LOCAL OFFICIALS DO CONSIDER THIS ASSESSMENT EXAMINE HOW DEVELOPMENT IS CONTRIBUTING TO STORMWATER PROBLEMS AND LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT PLACE THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HOMEOWNERS AND RESIDENTS OF CLAY COUNTY. THANK YOU GUYS TIMOTHY GILBERT DIANE FORGE'S CHANCE JACOB MACHIAVELLI. MY NAME IS TIMOTHY TJ GILBERT. A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ME BY TJ. 5189 COUNTY ROAD 214 KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AND JUST LIKE ME AND MY NEIGHBORS STORMWATER DOESN'T REALLY AFFECT ME. CAN RAIN A YEAR AND WITHIN 10 MINUTES AFTER IT STOPS IT'S DONE. IT SEEPS IN. I HEAR THE NUMBERS WE ARE GIVEN FOR THE ASSESSMENT, YOU ARE TRYING TO ASSESS MY PROPERTY AT THE HIGHEST TIER. I CALCULATED THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF MY SO-CALLED IMPERVIOUS AREA AND I COME UP WITH 4000 SQUARE FEET. WHY ARE YOU SAYING I'M GOING TO BE CHARGED FOR 5400 SQUARE FEET PLUS? THAT DOESN'T MAKE NO SENSE. I GUESS THE DRONES GOT IT RIGHT. MY WIFE AND I HAVE LIVED OUT THERE FOR 30 YEARS. WE HAVE JUST NOW STARTED CONTEMPLATING MOVING OUT OF THIS COUNTY. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE MY TEENAGE YEARS. GRADUATED FROM MIDDLEBURG HIGH SCHOOL. WE'RE CONTEMPLATING MOVING OUT OF THIS COUNTY BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOW THEY DECIDE TO GOVERN OUR MONEY. YOU WANT US TO PAY FOR SOMETHING WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE A BENEFIT ON. KIND OF LIKE YOU ARE TELLING US TAKE THIS BUNCH OUT TO DINNER CAN'T TAKE THEM TO THE FANCIEST RESTAURANT YOU CAN FIND BUT YOU CAN'T EAT BUT YOU CAN PAY FOR THEIR BILL. THAT'S THE SILLIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD. IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. IT IS LUDICROUS AND I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD ENTERTAIN THAT IDEA THAT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING WORTH SENDING TO THE PEOPLE. WHY OPPOSE THIS STORMWATER FEE. [04:50:09] I THINK LIKE I SAID IT'S LUDICROUS. I THINK IT'S ALMOST ON THE CRIMINAL FOR WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT OUT. REALLY IS. I HAD A LIST OF THINGS I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT. I STUCK IT IN MY POCKET BECAUSE I FIGURED NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK FROM THE HEART. LIKE A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING AND I HOPE THEY WILL TAKE THEIR PLACE BEHIND THE PODIUM AND TELL YOU HOW THEY REALLY FEEL. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR US. WE VOTE YOU IN TO WORK FOR US. YOU ALL FORGET EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE. YOU WORK FOR US. YOU GO AHEAD WITH THIS THING TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT, I THINK THERE BETTER BE A MORATORIUM ON BUILDING BECAUSE WE'RE OVERTAXED IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND YOU WANT MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T NEED NO MORE OF PURE BUT THAT'S ANOTHER POINT FOR ANOTHER TIME I. GUESS. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. I HOPE IT DOES NOT FALL ON DEAF EARS AND I HOPE YOU ALL WILL VOTE THE RIGHT WAY AND THE ETHICAL WAY. >> THANK YOU DIANE, CHANCE, JACOB. IS DIANE HERE CAN WE AND THEN MATTHEW ZIEGLER. DIANE. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ANYBODY. EVERYBODY IS IN THIS ROOM PURE CHANCE OF SORTS. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS CHANCE SCHWARZ. MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE STORMWATER COMMISSIONERS I'M NOT AGAINST FIXING CLAY COUNTY'S DRAINAGE PROBLEM. I'M AGAINST ASKING NEARLY 93,000 PROPERTY OWNERS TO PERMANENTLY PAY MORE FOR COUNTY PROBLEMS BECAUSE THE COUNTY HAS NOT DEMONSTRATED IT HAS ADEQUATELY MANAGED THE MONEY AND RESOURCES THAT ALREADY HAD. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE TIMELINE I. WILL TRY NOT TO JUMP AROUND SO IT'S NOT HARD TO FOLLOW. STARTED BEFORE 2024 BUT FOR SIMPLICITY AND TIME CONSTRAINT REASONS THE STORY STARTS 2024. THE COUNTY STORMWATER PROGRAM WAS BEING REVIEWED AND COUNTY NOW TELLS US THAT AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND REVIEW IDENTIFIED A LACK OF FUNDING TO MEET REGULATORY OBLIGATIONS AND RECOMMENDED FIXES CREATING STORMWATER UTILITY AND ASSESSMENT FEE TO ADDRESS THOSE DEFICIENCIES. OUR GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ORDERED -- AUDITS STATEWIDE. CLAY COUNTY OFFICIALLY RESPONDED TO THE GOVERNOR IN MARCH OF 2025 THAT THE COUNTY WAS IN SOUND FINANCIAL HEALTH WITH NO FINANCIAL EMERGENCY OR DISTRESS. THE COUNTY PROUDLY DOCUMENTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES IT HAD IDENTIFIED IN 2025 INCLUDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ESTIMATED SAVINGS FROM REVIEWING PROJECTS CONTRACTS PURCHASES AND SCOPES OF WORK. IN 2026 WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WE NEED A NEW RECURRING ASSESSMENT ON APPROXIMATELY 93,000 PARCELS EXPECTED TO GENERATE MORE THAN $8 MILLION EVERY YEAR. THAT'S THE PART I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. THE COUNTY NEW IN 2024 STORMWATER OBLIGATIONS WERE COMING AND IN 2025 THE COUNTY WAS ASKED HOW IT'S DOING AND TELLING THE GOVERNOR ITS FINANCIAL CONDITION WAS SOUND AND FUNDING SIGNIFICANT EFFICIENCIES AND NO MORE EMERGENCIES NEEDING FUNDING THEN I THINK THE TAXPAYERS HAVE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS TONIGHT. WHY WASN'T THIS ANTICIPATED A BUDGETED PRIORITIZED AND PLANNED FOR BEFORE WE REACHED A POINT OF CREATING ANOTHER MANDATORY CHARGE AGAINST PROPERTY OWNERS? I ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE LEFT CAN YOU CALL THIS NOT A TAX PURE FLORIDA LAW PROVIDES ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR YOU, FOR UNPAID NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENTS THAT CAN ULTIMATELY INVOLVE TAX CERTIFICATE AND POTENTIALLY LOSS OF TITLE BUT DON'T WORRY. THAT GUY HAS BEEN TO COURT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS IS LEGAL. LET'S START ARGUING OVER WHAT WE CALL IT AND SKIP BECAUSE I'M LOSING TIME. YOU CAN'T EXPLAIN THE PILLS PROCESS. YOU SAID THERE WOULD BE ONE. THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SINCE IT'S SUPPOSED TO CONNECT PROJECTS BUDGETS AND FINANCING AND THE PLAN IS SUPPOSED TO BE FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE. IS THIS PROJECT IN THAT PROGRAM THE COUNTY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS A ROLLING SCHEDULE FOR FIVE YEARS OF PROJECT AND FUNDING. HOW LONG WILL THIS FEE LAST? BEFORE ASKING TAXPAYERS FOR NEW RECURRING ASSESSMENT SHOW US A PLAN. DON'T SHOW US THE RECORDS ARE AVAILABLE PUT THE INFORMATION IN A FORMAT AND ORDINARY TAXPAYER CAN UNDERSTAND. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [04:55:01] >> JACOB, MATTHEW, DAVID GATES, AND CHARLES LENTZ. >> I WILL DO IT GO AHEAD. >> JACOB MCCULLEY. WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY WAS ALREADY SAID BETTER IN 1867 BY SPOONER. IT IS TRUE THE THEORY OF OUR CONSTITUTION IS ALL TAXES ARE PAID VOLUNTARILY THAT OUR GOVERNMENT IS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY VOLUNTARILY ENTERED INTO BY PEOPLE BUT THE THEORY IS WHOLLY DIFFERENT FROM THE PRACTICAL FACT. THE FACT IS THE GOVERNMENT LIKE A HIGHWAYMAN SAYS TO A MAN MONEY AND YOUR LIFE AND MANY IF NOT MOST TAXES ARE PAID UNDER THE COMPULSION OF THAT THREAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WAYLAY A MAN IN A LONELY PLACE, SPRING UPON HIM FROM THE ROADSIDE HOLDING A PISTOL TO HIS HEAD PROCEED TO RIFLE HIS POCKETS BUT THE ROBBERY IS NONETHELESS A ROBBERY ON THAT ACCOUNT AND FAR MORE DASTARDLY AND SHAMEFUL. THE HIGHWAYMAN TAKES SOLELY UPON HIMSELF THE RESPONSIBILITY, DANGER AND CRIME OF HIS OWN ACT. HE DOES NOT PRETEND HE HAS ANY RIGHTFUL CLAIM TO YOUR MONEY OR INTENDS TO USE IT FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT. HE DOES NOT PRETEND TO BE ANYTHING BUT A ROBBER. HE'S NOT ACQUIRED IMPUDENCE ENOUGH TO PROFESS TO BE MERELY A PROTECTOR AND TAKES MEN'S MONEY AGAINST THEIR WILL MERELY TO ENABLE HIM TO PROTECT THOSE INFATUATED TRAVELERS. WHO FEEL PERFECTLY ABLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES OR DO NOT APPRECIATE HIS PECULIAR SYSTEM OF PROTECTION. HE' TOO SENSIBLE A MAN TO MAKE SUCH PROFESSIONS AS THESE. HAVING TAKEN YOUR MONEY HE LEAVES YOU. HE DOES NOT PERSIST IN FOLLOWING YOU ON THE ROAD AGAINST YOUR WILL ASSUMING TO BE YOUR RIGHTFUL SOVEREIGN ON ACCOUNT OF THAT PROTECTION HE AFFORDS YOU. HE DOES NOT KEEP PROTECTING YOU BY COMMANDING YOU TO BOW DOWN AND SERVE HIM REQUIRING YOU TO DO THIS AND FORBIDDING YOU TO DO THAT BY ROBBING YOU OF MORE MONEY AS OFTEN AS HE FINDS IT FOR INTEREST OR PLEASURE TO DO SO AND BRANDING YOU AS A REBEL AND TRAITOR AND ENEMY TO YOUR COUNTRY AND SHOOTING YOU DOWN WITHOUT MERCY IF YOU DISPUTE HIS AUTHORITY OR RESIST HIS DEMANDS. HE'S TOO MUCH OF A GENTLEMAN TO BE GUILTY OF SUCH IMPOSTURES INSULTS AND VILLAINIES. HE DOES NOT IN ADDITION TO ROBBING YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE YOU HIS DUPE OR. >> THANK YOU. >> MATTHEW, DAVID GATES, CHARLES WENTZ, LINDA AND THEN DANIEL I. HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS DAVID GATES. 3290 MIDDLEBROOK. I'M IN DISTRICT TWO. I LIVE OFF DISCOVERY ROAD. THE ROAD IS HIGHER THAN OUR ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD. THAT DRAINS INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WITH THAT ASSESSMENT INSTEAD OF US PAYING YOU, SHOULD YOU NOT PAY US BECAUSE YOUR ROAD IS DRAINING INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? ALSO FLORIDA STATUTE SECTION 403893 STATES THAT A FEE SHOULD HELP MY PROPERTY. I HAVE A NO CULVERT. I HAVE NO DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE COUNTY TOOK MILLINGS AND RAISED MY ROAD 18 INCHES HIGHER THAN MY PROPERTY. I GOT A LETTER FROM THE POST OFFICE SAYING THEY CANNOT DELIVER MAIL BECAUSE NOW MY MAILBOX OF 30 YEARS IS TOO LOW. I LIVE RIGHT UP AGAINST CANDLEWOOD WHICH IS PROBABLY FOUR OR 5 FEET HIGHER THAN MY PROPERTY. THE WATER THAT LANDS ON MY PROPERTY DOES NOT LEAVE MY PROPERTY. BUT I'VE BEEN DOING LUCKILY I WORK FOR A PRECAST OR. I'VE SEEN MANY, MANY PLANS COME THROUGH. CLAY COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE THEIR OWN STORMWATER DETAILS. THEY FOLLOW JACKSONVILLE. 90% OF THE PLANS I HAVE THEY DO NOT CALL IT UNDER GREENS CURB INLETS REGULAR STORM WHICH GO OUT 20 FEET ON EACH SIDE SO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT STOOD UP TODAY AND TALKED ABOUT MY LAND FLOODS THEY'RE 18 TO 24 INCHES UNDERNEATH THE GROUND. LIKE A FRENCH DRAIN IT ABSORBS WATER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE NOT HOLDING DEVELOPERS HAVING THAT PUT IN THEIR SYSTEM. THAT WOULD HELP OUT A LOT OF THIS MOVING FORWARD. THE CURRENT PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORANGE PARK I DON'T THINK THE AREA SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. IF WE DO GET THIS TAX WHICH I AM DEFINITELY AGAINST IT SHOULD STAY WHERE IT GOES. I UNDERSTAND ORANGE PARK IS VERY OLD AND FLOODS A LOT. [05:00:01] I DECIDED NOT TO LIVE IN ORANGE PARK. DECIDED TO LIVE OFF A DIRT ROAD OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. EVERYTHING JUST BUILT UP AROUND US. I'VE DONE MANY PLANS AND THEY GET STAMPED THROUGH WITH LITTLE DRAINAGE. I GOT FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN EAGLE LANDING AND IT FLOODS CONSTANTLY AND THERE ARE $400,000 HOUSES BUT IT WAS JUST BECAUSE OF THE PLANS THAT WERE DONE AND WRONG DRAINAGE PUT IN AND WE JUST NEED TO HOLD THE DEVELOPERS FEET TO THE FIRE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT NOW BUT I DON'T THINK EVERYBODY HERE -- >> THANK YOU. >> CHARLES WENTZ. LINDA? GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS MATTHEW ZIEGLER. I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF SEATS OF GRACE A NONPROFIT SERVING THE HIGH ESTATE COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST CLAY COUNTY AND I'M HERE AS A RESIDENT AND PROPERTY OWNER. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. WE'RE NOT HERE TO OPPOSE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. THERE'S A WRITTEN COMMENT SAYING WE ARE HERE TO ASK THE SERVICES THIS ASSESSMENT WILL FUND APPEAR IT'S ENTIRELY UNINCORPORATED THIS PARCEL WILL PAY THE $85 ASSESSMENT STARTING IN NOVEMBER. FOR MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS ON MODEST INCOMES THIS IS A HARD EXPENSE. MEANWHILE DITCHES AND CULVERTS RECEIVE NO MAINTENANCE AND WHEN IT RAINS HARD ROADS FLOOD AND WASH OUT. CHILDREN MISS BUS STOPS AND WE WORRY WHETHER FIRE RESCUE COULD GET THROUGH. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS. PROJECT LIST FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR SAID HIGH RIDGE IS NOT ON AND WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO REOPEN IT TONIGHT. THE LIST IS LARGELY REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS ON THE COUNTY'S BOOKS. HERE'S A FACT THAT MATTERS MOST. DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS ALREADY ON THE COUNTY'S BOOKS. IN DECEMBER 1969 DEVELOPER DEDICATED ALL ROADS EASEMENTS IMPOUNDING AREAS AND SUBDIVISION TO CLAY COUNTY. IN THE PLANET'S OWN WORDS PLAT BOOK EIGHT PAGES 38, 39, 40, 41 AND 42, CHECK ME IF I'M WRONG I HAVE AN EXHIBIT TO SUBMIT TO THE CLERK THIS EVENING. WE ARE NOT ASKING THE COUNTY TO BUILD SOMETHING NEW WE'RE ASKING IT TO MAINTAIN WHAT IT'S OWNED FOR 56 YEARS. OUR OWN REQUEST COMES THREE PARTS. BRING THE DRAINAGE AREAS THE COUNTY OWNS AND COUNTY MAINTAINED ROADS INTO THE MAINTENANCE THIS PROGRAM WILL FUND. THESE ARE COUNTY ASSETS. NO RIGHT OF WAY QUESTIONS STAND IN THE WAY. HAVE COUNTY ENGINEERING CONDUCT DRAINAGE AND CULVERT NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF HIGH RIDGE AND UTILITIES FIRST YEAR SO THE COUNTY'S OWN SYSTEM IS DOCUMENTED IN TIME FOR THE 2027-28 PLANNING CYCLE WHERE EVERYTHING ELSE IS A BARRIER TO SERVICE WORK WITH US TO RESOLVE IT. AS YOU ALL LIE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PANEL REPORT FOR THE COUNTY'S OWN HIGH RIDGE INITIATIVE RECOMMENDED IN 2023. SEATS OF GRACE IS A PARTNER. THE SYSTEM BELONGED TO THE COUNTY SINCE 1970 AND OUR FAMILIES WILL BEGIN PAYING A NEW ASSESSMENT ON TOP OF IT. WE ASK THE COUNTY MAINTAIN WHAT IT OWNS. HIGH RIDGE IS STILL HERE STILL PAYING AND STILL HOPEFUL. THANK YOU. SINCE I HAVE MORE TIME I WANT TO REMIND THE BOARD THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS $30,000 WITH ESTIMATE OF 25% OF THOSE RESIDENTS LIVING ON INCOME LESS THAN $25,000 A YEAR. SO IT HAS BEEN ARGUED OUR ROADS ARE PRIVATE. ARE MARKED AS SUCH. YOU DRIVE BY THEY HAVE THE WHITE SIGNS. THAT INDICATES YOUR PRIVATE. IF YOU REVIEW YOUR OWN PLAT BOOK EIGHT AND HAVE THE REFERENCE TO SUBMIT TO THE COURT AS MENTIONED PRIOR BOOK EIGHT PAGE 38, PAGE 39, PAGE 40 AND 41. THANK YOU. >> LINDA, DANIEL I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT IS. YOU'LL HAVE TO TELL ME POSSIBLY. PHIL, JESSICA AFTER THAT. LINDA? IS THERE A DANIEL HERE THAT WANTED TO SPEAK? DANIEL. PHILLIP TRENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I'M READING THE NAMES, MA'AM. DANIEL PHILLIP AND JESSICA QUIET. [05:05:06] DESHAUNA BUCHANAN. NONE OF THOSE ARE HERE? GO AHEAD AND COME ON. NO ONE ELSE IS HERE APPARENTLY. >> THERE'S STILL 80 CARDS LEFT. THERE'S A WHOLE STACK OF THEM. GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> I CAN BEGIN? >> YES. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS DESHAUN BUCHANAN. I AM A JENNING POINT CONDOMINIUM PROPERTY OWNER IN OAKLEY PLANTATION. MY FULL ADDRESS IS ON FILE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I'M HERE TO MAINTAIN MY FORMAL OBJECTION TO MY INDIVIDUAL STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. MANY SPEAKERS TONIGHT HAVE REPRESENTED RURAL LAND, PRIVATE ROADS, LAKES AND LARGER PARCELS. I'M A CONDOMINIUM OWNER IN A MORE DENSELY DEVELOPED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREA. PROPERTIES AND INFRASTRUCTURES ARE DIFFERENT WHICH IS WHY HOW THIS ASSESSMENT IS APPORTIONED MATTERS. I SUBMITTED MY WRITTEN OBJECTION WITHIN THE OBJECTION. THE COUNTY RESPONDED REGARDING CBD AND REGARDED PROPERTY SPECIFIC CALCULATION. THE DOCUMENT I RECEIVED CONTAINED A LARGE BLACKED OUT OBSCURED AREA. PORTIONS WERE CUT OFF AND I HAVE THEM HERE. AND WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR LABELS. I REQUESTED CLARIFICATION AND A CLEAN COPY. AS OF TONIGHT I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE OR CORRECTED COPY. THE CALCULATION LIST 440,000 SQUARE FEET OF IMPERVIOUS AREA FROM A CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT DIVIDES IT AMONG 228 UNITS AND ADDS MY UNITS 1049 SQUARE FOOT BASE FLOOR AREA. FOR THE RECORD WHAT MAKES UP 440,000 SQUARE FEET? DOES IT INCLUDE BUILDINGS, PARKING AREAS, ROADS, SIDEWALKS OR OTHER COMMON AREAS AND IF IT INCLUDES OUR BUILDING FOOTPRINTS, OR ROOFS WHY IS 1049 SQUARE FEET ADDED AGAIN AND HOW IS THE COUNTY ENSURING IT IS NOT COUNTED TWICE? TONIGHT WE RECALLED THE COUNTY RELIED ON NOAA SEA CAT AND PROPERTY APPRAISER DATA WHICH ARE NOT 100% ACCURATE I'M REQUESTING UNDERLYING RECORD SHOWING WHICH DATA WAS USED FOR MY DEVELOPMENT AND PROCESS DEADLINE AND FOR CHALLENGING OR CORRECTING MY .59 ERU ASSESSMENT IF AN ERROR WAS FOUND. I NEED CLARIFICATION REGARDING THE RATE. IT STATES THE MAXIMUM OF $120 PER YEAR WELL TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION STATED 10-YEAR BUILD UP MAXES OUT OF 110. I AM ALSO A NONRESIDENT PROPERTY OWNER. I KNOW ABOUT THIS HEARING BECAUSE I RECEIVED A NOTICE BY MALE. TONIGHT I LEARNED OF OTHER PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR WHICH I RECEIVED NO MALE NOTICE. I UNDERSTAND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS DIFFER BUT IF NOTICE RELIANCE ON SIGNS HOW IS AN OWNER WHO DOESN'T LIVE WITH A REASONABLY SUPPOSED TO SEE THEM? MEANINGFUL REDRESS REQUIRES ABILITY TO OBJECT, RECEIVE THE INFORMATION IMPOSED ON YOUR PROPERTY. ASK REASONABLE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS AND HAVE THOSE CONCERNS CONSIDERED BEFORE FINAL ACTION. >> WE HAVE TO MOVE ON. LINDA? DANIEL PHILIP, JESSICA KIEV, DESHAUNA BUCHANAN HAS GONE. ANY OTHER PEOPLE HERE CAN WE WHAT DID YOU SAY CAN WE. >> I'M READING THEM AS I HAVE THEM HERE HOPEFULLY IT WILL COME UP SOON. KIRSTY ALLEN BRIAN CHADWICK. IS THAT KIRSTY? GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AND ALL OF THE REST OF MY CONSTITUENTS. I AM ACTUALLY REPRESENTED BY MRS. KENTON BECAUSE I AM MY DAD'S DPOA FULL CIRCLE AND GETS NO TYPE OF ATTENTION FROM CLAY COUNTY. I'M ALSO REPRESENTED BY MISS COFFEE HERE BECAUSE I LIVE IN OAKLEY. MY CONCERN IS THE FACT I. DO NOT RECEIVE WATER FROM CLAY COUNTY AT ALL. I AM IN OAKLEY NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH G SERVICES I ALREADY ASSESSED THE STORMWATER SO THAT [05:10:02] IS DEFINITELY MY CONCERN THIS EVENING HOW AM I BEING TAXED WITH SOMETHING THAT I'M ALREADY HAVING TO PAY THROUGH G. THANK YOU. BRIAN CHADWICK WILLIAM HOUGH. INDIA PEREZ. BRIAN CHADWICK. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME. I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ALL TIRED. WE ALL ARE. I'M STARVING. I WANT TO TELL MY STORY A LITTLE DIFFERENT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS AND ALL THAT BUT I WANT TO COME AT THIS FROM DIFFERENT BECAUSE IN JUNE FIRST I JUST RETIRED AFTER NINE YEARS IN THE NAVY AND I TAUGHT MATH OVER AT MANDARIN HIGH SCHOOL FOR 27 YEARS. AND I JUST RETIRED. A FEW YEARS AGO I STARTED THINKING ABOUT WHERE'S A GOOD PLACE TO RETIRE? I DIDN'T WANT TO RETIRE IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA BECAUSE IT'S TOO MUCH PEOPLE. I WANTED TO GO MORE RURAL. I DECIDED ON KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AND TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE AFTER I BOUGHT A LITTLE PIECE OF PROPERTY. TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE AT THE HARDEES. NICE PEOPLE WELCOMED ME WHEN I TOLD THEM MY STORY I WANTED TO MOVE THERE. THEY'RE ALL ENCOURAGING BUT AS I IMAGINE MYSELF HERE I WANT TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND I IMAGINE MYSELF BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND MAYBE SINCE I TAUGHT MATH AND TAUGHT PRE-CALCULUS ALL THE WAY UP TO CALCULUS MAY BE I. COULD HELP BUILD THE HIGH SCHOOL. I WANTED TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY SO WHEN I STARTED LOOKING AT WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE FOR ME TO PUT SOMETHING ON MY PROPERTY I WAS SHOCKED TO GET $13,000 TAX JUST TO MOVE HERE. THAT'S NOT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. IT'S NOW STARTING TO ENCOURAGE ME. I'M STARTING TO THINK TWICE ABOUT SELLING THE PROPERTY STAYING IN THE HOME I PAID OFF ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO. I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO DO THAT BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THAT HOW MUCH YOU ARE TAXING PEOPLE. THAT'S THE POINT OF MY THING HERE. THE TAX I'M GOING TO PAY IS ALMOST AS MUCH AS I PAID FOR THE PROPERTY. IT'S MAKING ME TURN IT OFF AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THE FULL D YOU TO KNOW THAT THE AMOUNT OF TAXES YOU'VE PUT ON PEOPLE DISCOURAGES GROWTH. IT'S DOING THAT WITH ME. I WOULD LOVE TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY BUT I'M THINKING TWICE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF TAXES AND AFTER SEEING ALL THIS GOING ON NOW IT'S MAKING ME THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT SHOULD I STAY WHERE I'M AT AND THAT'S THE ONLY STORY I WANTED TO TELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME. >> THANK YOU. SHARON LESLIE IS NEXT AND TRACY SAYLES. >> I HAVE A LITTLE PROBLEM WITH THIS PROPOSED THING YOU WERE BILLING ME. I LIVE IN RURAL AREA OF CLAY COUNTY NOTHING BUT DIRT ROADS. NO ASPHALT OR CONCRETE ANYWHERE AND EVERY TIME IT RAINS I GET A FOOT OF WATER IN MY YARD AND THAT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THE DRAINAGE DITCHES THAT ARE NOT WIDE ENOUGH DEEP ENOUGH TO HANDLE RAINWATER. SO HOW IS THIS BILL GOING TO HELP ME WHEN I'M THE ONE WHO NEEDS THE HELP CAN WE AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW ANNA PEREZ. HERE. SHARON LESLIE. DID I CALL YOU? GREAT. NOW I CAN'T SPEAK. >> I HAVE LIVED IN CLAY COUNTY OVER 30 YEARS OUT IN MAXVILLE CLAY HILL AREA. WE HAVE OUR OWN PRIVATE DIRT ROADS THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN OUR DITCHES. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN EVERYTHING. I DON'T SEE WHY I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY THIS TAX BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M BEING TAXED AT WHAT YOU ALL WANT TO CALL INSTEAD OF $85 I HAVE TO PAY $161. YOU SAY I'M OVER 3700 SQUARE FEET. MY LIVING AREA IS UNDER 2000 SQUARE FEET I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS. THIS IS NOT WHAT I MOVED OUT HERE FOR 30 YEARS AGO. MY HOUSE EVERYTHING IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR. WHY AM I KEEPING HAVING TO PAY MORE AND MORE EACH YEAR AND YOU TELL ME IT'S GOING TO GO UP EACH YEAR. ARE YOU GOING TO COME OUT AND PAY FOR MY ROAD, MAINTAIN MY DITCHES, MAKE SURE I CAN GET IN AND OUT OF MY PROPERTY? [05:15:03] NO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN STUFF. I'M RETIRED. MY HUSBAND IS DISABLED. WE ARE ON FIXED INCOME AND WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS. I NEED SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING, WHOEVER MY COMMISSIONER IS NEEDS TO SAY NO. THANK YOU. TRACY SAYLES, KATHLEEN WELLS. AND TAMIKA. >> I'M TRACY SAYLES. CLAY HILL AREA. I LIVE ON WESTWOOD ROAD NORTH. I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 37, 38 YEARS. YOU GUYS DON'T DO NOTHING FOR ME, FOR MY ROAD, MY DITCHES, FOR MY WATER, NOTHING. WHEN IT RAINS IT WASHES OUT. IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO GET THROUGH THEY CAN'T. IT'S RESIDENTS WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVES THAT GO OUT AND HELP THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. YOU WANT TO CHARGE US WATER DRAIN OFF, STORM WATER RUNOFF CAN WE FOR ORANGE PARK, PACE ISLAND, FLEMING ISLAND, WHOEVER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. HASN'T DONE NOTHING FOR ME. I KEEP PAYING MORE TAXES. THIS IS LIKE DEJA VU. SAME THING WITH THE TRASH. BY THE TIME WE HAD A MEETING LIKE THIS IT WAS ALREADY DONE. YOU GUYS DECIDED YOU WASTED OUR TIME. YOU DIDN'T LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON JUST LIKE YOU DID WITH THIS. THE FIRST TIME I EVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. RIDICULOUS. YOU WORK FOR US. WE PUT YOU HERE AND YOU GUYS SURE FORGOT IT. >> MICHAEL, MICHAEL SEEGER AND PEGGY, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. >> MY NAME IS MIKE. I'M CLAY COUNTY HOMEOWNER RETIRED RETIRED U.S. NAVY OFFICER AND DISABLED VETERAN. I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING I'M NOT OPPOSED TO ADEQUATELY FUNDING CLAY COUNTY STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE. IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE OF MONEY THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT TOWARDS IT. THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY IS UPSET ABOUT IT. THERE HASN'T BEEN FULL DISCLOSURE. THAT'S WHAT WE FEEL. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER THE NEW $9.24 MILLION RECURRING ANNUAL ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN JUSTIFIED AND WHETHER IT'S BEING ADMINISTERED FAIRLY. THAT'S $13 MILLION. LET'S CALL IT WHAT IT IS. ASSESSMENT OR NOT WHAT HAVE YOU. MY FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT THE COUNTY STORMWATER ASSESSMENT PLANNING PROCESS IDENTIFIED APPROXIMATELY $5 MILLION A YEAR RECOMMENDED LEVEL FOR PROACTIVE STORMWATER MAINTENANCE AND ALSO ADDRESSED $30 MILLION SUPPOSED SHORTFALL IT WAS 5 MILLION WHERE ARE WE COMING UP WITH THE 9.24. PROPOSED ASSESSMENT WILL COLLECT APPROXIMATELY 9.24 ANNUALLY. I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY ALSO HAS CAPITAL PROJECTS AND DEFERRED MAINTENANCE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BUT THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR TAXPAYERS TO SEE EXACTLY HOW ADDITIONAL REVENUE WILL BE SPENT. DISCREPANCY. THE RESOLUTION STATES THE TOTAL ASSESSMENT COST OF $9.24 MILLION BUT THREE COMPONENTS IDENTIFIED IN THE RESOLUTION TOTAL $8.9 MILLION. A DIFFERENCE OF $339,000. THAT'S JUST THE PROBLEM. NONE OF THE LINE ITEMS ARE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED. BEFORE APPROVING THIS ASSESSMENT I ASKED THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOW THE DIFFERENCE AND EXPLAIN 9.2 MILLION ANNUAL ASSESSMENT HOW IT WAS CALCULATED, RELATIVE PROXIMITY OF THE 5 MILLION ANNUAL MAINTENANCE NEEDS, SECOND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH 2 MILLION GENERAL FUND YOU GUYS HAVE PULLED TO PAY FOR THIS BEFORE AND FINALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT YOU SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE TOTALLY PERMANENT DISABLED VETERANS AND GIVE THEM THE SAME AFFORD THEM THE SAME LATITUDE THAT YOU DO WITH THE TRASH. THANK YOU MICHAEL SEEGER HERE. PEGGY DEAR DEBBIE MARK WARD. [05:20:07] ANYBODY MARK WARD HERE. PATTY MENARD. CHRIS MENARD. VINCE HIGGINS AFTER HIM WILL BE LORI ANN TAYLOR, MARTY MILLER, DONALD RAY MILLER. HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING? SAYS HERE CONSIDERING THE IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION NO OBVIOUS OVERWHELMING OPINION OVER THE RESIDENTS WHICH WAY ARE YOU ALL LEANING CAN WE IT'S AN INTENDED TAX IMPOSITION. HOW BAD IS THE STORMWATER ISSUE COUNTYWIDE REALLY THAT EACH PROPERTY OWNER BE SUDDENLY SHAKEN DOWN FOR $160. GOD SENDS THE RAIN. IT ISN'T FLOODING ALL THE TIME. THIS IS FLORIDA. IT'S LOW LAND AND IT RAINS REGULARLY. PEOPLE SEEM TO FIND A WAY TO GET BY. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THE COST OF THE STORMWATER REMEDY AREN'T ALREADY BAKED IN THE CAKE WITH NEW BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT AND IF NOT WHY NOT. THIS HAS BEEN SPRUNG ON RESIDENTS AND AGGRAVATINGLY LAST MINUTE WAY. ONCE A TAX IS SUCCESSFULLY PERPETRATED ON THE PUBLIC IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY. EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. IT WILL ALWAYS GET INCREASED. SIMPLE THOSE IN CHARGE OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY JUST NEED TO BE A LOT MORE CONSERVATIVE WITH PEOPLE'S MONEY. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF DEVELOPERS AND PEOPLE OTHER THEN LOCAL PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE SOMEHOW GAINED MORE INFLUENCE WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM THE VERY CITIZENS. HOW MANY CITIZENS HAVE YOU HEARD IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS INTENDED TAX. I MEAN HONESTLY. THE PEOPLE UNANIMOUSLY WANT YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS. AND I'M ONE OF THEM. PLEASE RESPECT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU PURE LORI ANN TAYLOR MARNEY MILLER, DONALD RAY MILLER. ANYBODY. ARE THEY HERE? BERLIN HAMPSHIRE CHUCK DID YOU PULL OUT A CARD, PLEASE JAMES WOODRUFF. HALEY WOODRUFF AND EDDIE HAMPSHIRE ANY OF THOSE HERE CAN WE. [LAUGHTER] ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GET TO YOU. GARY BRUNSWICK JR PURE CHRISTIAN ENGLISH. JENNIFER RIGHTEOUS. ALL RIGHT FELICIA HAMPSHIRE. >> FELICIA. >> LET ME GET MY GLASSES. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FELICIA HAMPSHIRE. I'M SURE MY ADDRESS IS ON RE RECORD. ALL RIGHT CHAIR BURKE. COMMISSIONERS THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. INITIALLY I WAS JUST GOING TO SHOW UP FOR THE COMMENTS. THAT WAS IT. BUT I DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL STORY THAT MANY HAVE SHARED TONIGHT BUT I RESPECT THEIR STORIES. I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT I DON'T LIVE IN AN UNINCORPORATED AREA. BUT I HAVE RELATIVES WHO DO AND YOU JUST NAMED A COUPLE OF THEM. THEY COULDN'T GET INSIDE EARLIER. AND HONESTLY I'M STILL NOT QUITE SURE HOW I GOT INSIDE. SO I AM SPEAKING FOR THEM AND FOR EVERY RESIDENT WHO COULDN'T GET THROUGH THE DOOR. MY CONCERN IS STRAIGHTFORWARD [05:25:06] APPEAR CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I DON'T MIND BEING CORRECTED. STORMWATER FEES ARE BEING PROPOSED FOR UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS. AT THE SAME TIME THE COUNTY IS USING CIP ROAD FUNDS. AM I WRONG? YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. TO COVER STORMWATER COST. THAT MEANS TWO THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT ONCE. ROAD FUNDS ARE BEING DRAINED TO FIX STORMWATER PROBLEMS. RESIDENTS ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY NEW STORMWATER FEES ANYWAY. THAT'S A DOUBLE HIT. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW FEES. MOBILITY FEES WHENEVER DESIGNED TO COLOR ALL THE RULES IN THE COUNTY. THEY HELPED OFFSET DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS BUT THEY DON'T MAINTAIN OR EXPAND THE ENTIRE ROAD NETWORK SO WHEN MOBILITY FEES FALL SHORT CIP ROAD FUNDS STEP IN. BUT NOW THOSE SAME ROAD FUNDS ARE BEING USED FOR STORMWATER. WHICH LEAVES UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS WITH DETERIORATING ROADS AND A BRAND NEW BILL FOR STORMWATER. UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS RELY ENTIRELY ON COUNTY SERVICES. THEY DON'T HAVE A CITY GOVERNMENT PROTECTING OUR BUDGETS. WHEN COUNTY FUNDS GET SHIFTED AROUND THEY FEEL IT FIRST AND THEY FEEL IT THE HARDEST. I'M ASKING THE COMMISSION TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THE EQUITY ISSUE HERE. IF STORMWATER NEEDS MORE FUNDING, I AGREE THAT STORMWATER IS CRITICAL, LET'S BUILD A SUSTAINABLE PLAN THAT DOESN'T QUIETLY DRAIN ROADS, ROAD FUNDS TURN AROUND AND CHANGE RESIDENTS FOR THE GAP THAT WAS CREATED. >> THANK YOU MISS FELICIA. ELIZABETH KERR JILL ALCANTAR. TANYA AND EARLENE PADGET. ANY OF THOSE HERE CAN WE GEL OUR CANTER, TANYA, EARLENE PADGET. DEBORAH BISHOP, JOE AND ROBIN WATSON, ANY OF THOSE? WHITNEY BOOTH. KATHY WILEY. DAKOTA WILEY. MICHAEL BOOTH. SHEILA BOOTH. THOMAS MANGANO. ROLAND JACK. ZACH KENT. YELL IF YOU ARE HERE PURE KATHY WILEY. KAREN DAVIS. DANIEL ROBERTS. CLARA HUMPHREY. SANDRA NUNEZ. ERNEST WILLIAMS. JACKIE BUTTERFIELD. ALICIA SLOCUM. GREG. JESSE PLOWMAN. BRUCE WISOFF. FRANK JENKINS. IS THERE A FRANK? ZOE GREEN ALAN WEAVER. PATRICIA HALEY. TASHA FERNANDEZ. ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I HAD A THREE-PAGE SPEECH WRITTEN OUT, AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE EVENING I CHANGED IT TO SOME STICKY NOTES BECAUSE YOU'VE HEARD A LOT HERE. I DON'T WANT TO REITERATE THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SAID. I LIVE IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. I OWN TWO PROPERTIES THERE. I'VE LIVED THERE FOR 26 YEARS. MY TAXES HAVE NEVER WENT DOWN. [05:30:02] MY ASSESSMENTS KEEP GOING UP. EVEN WHEN MY INCOME WENT DOWN. EVEN WHEN I WAS DISABLED AND HAD NO INCOME WITH FOUR CHILDREN. MY TAXES WENT UP, MY ASSESSMENTS WENT UP, AND WHATEVER YOU CALL THIS, THIS IS A TAX DRESSED UP AS A FEE. I PROMISE YOU. AND IN THOSE 26 YEARS THAT I'VE LIVED IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS AND PAID MORE AND MORE TAXES, MORE AND MORE FEES, THE SERVICES FROM THIS COUNTY ARE ALMOST NONEXISTENT. WE HAVE HORRIBLE THINGS WE SAY ABOUT THIS COMMISSION. WE'RE THE PIMPLE ON THE BUTT OF CLAY COUNTY. THAT'S WHAT I HEAR. AND I FEEL LIKE IT'S TRUE. THIS COMMISSION HAS REGULARLY IGNORED KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. BUT YOU HAVE THE AUDACITY TO COME HERE AND ASK US WITH YOUR HANDS OUT FOR YET ANOTHER TAX. IT IS A TAX, I ASSURE YOU. AND NONE OF OUR PROPERTIES WILL BE SPECIFICALLY BENEFITTING. NONE. THE $86 THAT'S PRESENTED TODAY WILL GO UP IN TEN YEARS. THAT JONES EDMONDS REPORT, THE PRESENTATION, THERE WAS NO IF, AND, OR BUTTS. IT'S GOING TO GO UP. BY 41%. I CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE -- AND I'VE BEEN BLESSED WITH A GREAT JOB. I WILL NOT HAVE MY INCOME GO UP 41%. IN THAT JONES EDMONDS' PRESENTATION, THIS $86 -- $86. NOT THE 100 AND SOMETHING THAT COMES DOWN THE LINE. IS CHARGED TO TWO DIFFERENT COUNTIES. $9 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY. FIND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. NOT MY POCKET. MUCH OF THE JONES EDMONDS PRESENTATION DEALT WITH THE LEGALITY OF THIS TAX. BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD. GARY MCINTYRE. ARE YOU STILL HERE? AFTER GARY WE HAVE RONALD JONES, THOMAS BAKIN, AND THOMAS BASHIR. AND THEN CHERYL HARTZARG AFTER THAT. >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK Y'ALL, EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE AND THE ONES DOWNSTAIRS AND THE ONES THAT WENT HOME AND THE NAMES OF THOSE YOU CALLED BUT DID NOT MAKE IT. LOOK AT THOSE NAMES AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR TAX. I'M AGAINST THIS PARTICULAR TAX. I'VE LISTENED TO YOUR POSITION, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO MISS THIS WHEN YOU RETIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. NOW, BACK HERE, I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO HER, AND I THINK SHE'S GOT SOME QUESTIONS. IT IS A CHALLENGE, AND I APPRECIATE Y'ALL BEING HERE. I KNOW YOU'RE UNDER-PAID. THERE'S LOTS OF WORK. YOU'VE EARNED YOUR JOB. YOU'VE EARNED YOUR MONEY TODAY. TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOANING HAVEN'T BEEN UP THERE. THEY SPEND MANY, MANY HOURS UP THERE. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. I'M AGAINST THIS TAX. I DON'T THINK IT'S PROPERLY PRESENTED. THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO BRING THIS AROUND. DON'T PASS IT DOWN. THIS IS A VERY BAD TIME TO PUT ANOTHER TAX ON THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU, GARY. IS RONALD JONES HERE? THOMAS BASHIR? CHERYL? I DON'T THINK SHE'S HERE. ROBERT? MAYNARD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND DEXTER COLLINS. ANYBODY? [05:35:08] >> MY NAME IS DEXTER COLLINS. I'M A RETIRED NAVY VETERAN. I RESIDE IN CLAY COUNTY. I LIVE ON A RURAL ROAD WHERE RESIDENTS TAKE CARE OF THEIR PROPERTY. I UNDERSTAND CLAY COUNTY HAS RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO DRAINAGE AND OTHER SERVICES. I ALSO KNOW THAT THOSE SERVICES COST MONEY. AND I'M HERE TO SAY THAT STORM WATER MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT. I AM ASKING YOU TO MAKE SURE THIS ASSESSMENT IS FAIR, ACCURATE. MY PROPERTY MANAGES RAINFALL RUNOFF ON MY PROPERTY. THE GUTTERS HAVE DOWNSPOUTS THAT ARE DISCHARGED IN MY YARD, AND THE WALTER FILTRATES INTO THE GROUND. AND I DON'T LIVE IN THE FLOOD ZONE, AND MY PROPERTY IS NOT SENDING WATER INTO A COUNTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THAT RAISED AN IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR ME. IF MY PROPERTY IS ALREADY MANAGING ITS OWN STORMWATER ON SITE, WHY SHOULD IT BE CHARGED? WE'RE POTENTIALLY BEING PENALIZED FOR LIVING UNDER A ROOF AND HAVING A STRUCTURE ON OUR PROPERTY. HOMEOWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY THIS FEE WITHOUT RECEIVING ANY ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE OR IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES. WHILE RAINWATER WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUR FROM THE SKY. I QUESTION WHETHER IT IS FAIR TO IMPOSE THIS TAX BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT MY PROPERTY'S CREATING A STORMWATER PROBLEM WHERE NO ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN PLACED ON MY COUNTY. I ALSO ASK THAT THE COUNTY CONSIDER WHETHER PROPERTIES THAT MANAGE THEIR STORMWATER ENTIRELY ON SITE SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THIS. I'M ALSO ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER VETERANS AND ALL HOMEOWNERS THAT CONTINUE DAILY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS COUNTY. HARD WORKERS AND TAXPAYERS FOR THIS COUNTY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY. THIS TAX WILL SIGNIFICANTLY BURDEN THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ARE ASKED TO GIVE MONEY TO THE COUNTY, WITH BASIC COST OF LIVING NEEDS CONTINUING TO RISE. I ASK THAT YOU MAKE SURE NO HOMEOWNER IS ASSESSED BASED ON INACCURATE AREA MEASUREMENTS AND THAT HOME OWNERS HAVE A CLEAR AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO CHALLENGE THIS TAX WHICH MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THEIR PROPERTY'S CURRENT WATER IMPACT. I ASK THAT YOU ACTIVELY LISTEN TO EACH HOMEOWNER THAT'S GETTING UP HERE TONIGHT. THIS TAX WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON ALL OF US IF PASSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ALLOWING US TO SPEAK. AND I VOTE "NO" ON THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. CHARLES HEDGINS? THEN PATRICIA BAILEY AND BRUCE MCKINNEY. CLIFFORD AIR. BETH CLEARLY. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M CHARLES HUDGENS. FIRST OFF, I'M VERY PROUD AND IMPRESSED BY THE NEIGHBORS AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE. THE ONES THAT HAVE REALLY DONE THEIR HOMEWORK, DONE A LOT OF FACTS. BROUGHT OUT A LOT. AND THE ONES THAT ARE HERE TO STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS. HAVE THE COMMISSIONERS -- INSTEAD OF PAYING THESE CONSULTANTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR DOING A STUDY, YOU HAVE ENGINEERS. HAVE YOU IDENTIFIED WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE WITH THE RAIN WATER -- OR THE STORMWATER? I'VE LIVED IN CLAY COUNTY FOR OVER 62 YEARS. AND I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER A LOT OF AREAS OF STORM WATER EXCEPT WHEN A DOOR CAME THROUGH IN '64 AND IRMA. I KNOW THE COUNTY IS DEVELOPING SO FAST THAT BY 3 O'CLOCK, THE TRAFFIC COMING IN IS BACKED UP PAST THE BLACK CREEK BRIDGE. DO YOU TAKE THAT KIND OF GROWTH INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN YOU APPROVE ALL THESE RESIDENTIAL AREAS? DO YOU HOLD THE DEVELOPERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR THE DRAINAGE? YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE'S SO MUCH INFLUENCE FROM THAT OR NOT. I'M RAISING MY GRANDSON, AND I'M [05:40:02] RAISING TWO FOSTER KIDS. MONEY'S A LITTLE BIT TIGHT, AND I'VE BEEN APOLITICAL FOR A LONG TIME. AND THEN MY WIFE SAID WE GOT THIS THING SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO TAX THE RAIN THAT COMES OFF THE ROOF OF MY HOUSE. I KIND OF LAUGHED AND SAID, YEAH RIGHT. SHE SAID, NO, THEY ARE. THEY'RE GOING TO TAX THE RAIN COMING OFF THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE. AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT BY THE SIZE OF THE ROOF. AND IF I HAVE A SHED IN THE YARD, THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT BY THAT TOO. AND I SAID, NO WAY. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU'RE TAXING RAIN FROM THE ROOF? I LIVE NEXT TO PETER'S CREEK. THE RAIN RUNS RIGHT OFF. THE ONLY TIME WE'VE HAD ISSUES IS WHEN THE HURRICANES CAME THROUGH. AND WHY WOULD YOU PAY A MILLION DOLLARS TO CONSULTANTS WHEN YOU'VE GOT ENGINEERS THAT WORK FOR THE COUNTY? CAN THEY NOT IDENTIFY WHERE RAIN WATER IS COLLECTING? OR STORM WATER? CAN THE ENGINEERS NOT FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CORRECT IT? IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THE USE OF THE MONEY IS JUST NOT GOING WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO. AND YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO CONTROL THAT, TO KEEP THINGS UNDER CONTROL AND FIND SOLUTIONS FOR THESE MINOR PROBLEMS. AND WHY NOT ADDRESS THEM WHEN THEY'RE MINOR PROBLEMS? I'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME. GRADUATED FROM ORANGE PARK WHEN THERE WERE ONLY TWO HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, SIR. IS PATRICK BAILEY HERE? CLIFFORD AIR. BETH QUERREY. WHAT'S THAT? >> I'M PATRICIA BAILEY. >> OKAY. BRUCE MCKINNEY. >> THANK YOU, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME'S BRUCE MCKINNEY, AND I LIVE IN MIDDLEBERG. I OWN THE PROPERTY FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT FOR 64,000 40 YEARS AGO, AND NOW IT'S WORTH 284 AND THEY'RE TAXING ME MORE FOR MY INSURANCE, AND THE HOUSE IS ALREADY PAID OFF. THESE ASSESSMENTS -- AND THEY ARE TAXES, WHETHER YOU CALL THEM AN ASSESSMENT, A FEE, OR WHATEVER. THEY ARE STILL A TAX BECAUSE IF THEY CAN CONFISCATE MY HOUSE THAT I WORKED FOR FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS, THEN SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THIS. I'M A 22-YEAR DISABLED 100% VETERAN. I TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL FOR MY SECOND CAREER, AND NOW I COME HERE, AND I CAN TAKE THE CHANCE OF LOSING MY HOUSE BECAUSE I DON'T PAY THIS ASSESSMENT. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THIS COUNTY. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. AND I VOTE DEFINITELY "NO" OR HOPE YOU VOTE DEFINITELY "NO" FOR THIS. >> THANK YOU. IS CLIFFORD AIR HERE? AND YOUR BETH QUERREY? >> MY NAME IS PATRICIA BAILEY. AND YOU HAVE MY ADDRESS ON FILE. I'M AN AFFECTED CLAY COUNTY PROPERTY OWNER BY THIS STORM WATER TAX. NO ONE'S IDENTIFIED WHAT STORM WATER IMPROVEMENT THIS FEE CURRENTLY PROVIDES OR WILL PROVIDE THAT SPECIFICALLY BENEFITS MY PROPERTY. STORM WATER FROM MY PROPERTY ISN'T COLLECTED, TREATED, OR MITIGATED BY A COUNTY-OPERATED STORM WATER SYSTEM, TO MY KNOWLEDGE. COUNTY HASN'T IDENTIFIED THE PATH TAKEN BY RUN-OFF FROM MY PROPERTY OR COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MANAGES IT. THERE HASN'T BEEN ADEQUATE DEMONSTRATION THAT PROPOSED ERU METHODOLOGY FAIRLY MEASURES STORM WATER BURDEN OR WHAT BENEFIT MY PROPERTY WILL RECEIVE. IMPERVIOUS SURFACES ALONE MAY NOT ACCOUNT FOR DIFFERENCES IN SOIL ABSORPTION, TOPOGRAPHY, NATURAL DRAINAGE, AND THE EFFECT OF RUN-OFF. THERE HASN'T BEEN ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON HOW THERE IS A DISTINCTION IN PROPERTIES. WHAT PORTION OF THE 9.2 MILLION DOES THE COUNTY EXPECT TO [05:45:03] COLLECT THE FIRST YEAR WILL ACTUALLY BE SPENT IN RURAL, UNINCORPORATED CLAY? NOT MUCH. WITHOUT A REDUCTION OR REALLOCATION OF EXISTING FUNDING, THE COUNTY HASN'T DEMONSTRATED THAT PROPERTY OWNERS WON'T BE CHARGED THROUGH EXISTING TAXES AND THE NEW TAX FOR OVERLAPPING STORM WATER EXPENSES. BEFORE IMPOSING AN ASSESSMENT THAT WILL APPEAR ON PROPERTY TAX BILL AND MAY BECOME A LIEN IF UNPAID, THE COUNTY SHOULD PROVIDE PARCEL-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE OF SPECIAL BENEFIT AND A CLEAR EXPLANATION SHOWING THAT THE AMOUNT ASSESSED IS FAIRLY AND REASONABLY ASSESSED. FOR THESE REASONS, I REQUEST THE BOARD NOT IMPOSE THE PROPOSED TAX ON MY PROPERTY. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT DEMONSTRATES A SPECIAL BENEFIT PROVIDED TO MY PROPERTY FAIRLY AND ANSWERS THE FUNDING AND SERVICE QUESTIONS STATED HERE. OH, NO. DO YOUR JOB. >> CLIFFORD AIR. BETH QUERREY. NOBODY? RONA COOKLAND? I'M SORRY? OKAY. STACEY ARCHER? AFTER STACEY IS CATHY ACRES, I BELIEVE. CHARLES AND BUDDY GRIFFON. YEAH, YOU'RE AFTER HER. >> ARE WE READY? OKAY? MOST OF THE STUFF I WAS GOING TO SAY HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID. ONE WAS BROUGHT UP, AND THE OTHER IS SOMETHING THAT WE WENT THROUGH. I HAVE LIVED IN MIDDLEBERG. THE BLUE JAY -- IT'S A ROAD THAT USED TO BE REAL BAD. DIRT ROAD. EVERYBODY WILL BE LIKE, YOU LIVE ON BLUE JAY? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? THEY DON'T WANT TO COME DOWN YOUR ROAD TO VISIT. SO THE PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER, WENT TO THE COUNTY AND SAID, HEY, YOU PUT THIS MUCH PROPERTY TAXES FOR FIVE YEARS AND WE'LL PAVE IT FOR YOU. BECAUSE IT'S A PRIVATE ROAD. IT WAS A PRIVATE ROAD. I THINK IT STILL IS. BUT NONE OF THE SIDE ROADS WERE PAVED, JUST THE MAIN ROADS SO PEOPLE COULD GET BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT RUINING THEIR VEHICLES. WE LIVE ON ONE OF THOSE ROADS OFF OF BLUE JAY. THE TAX WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE FOR FIVE YEARS TO PAY OFF THE PAVING THAT YOU GUYS PROVIDED. SO THAT SHOWS ME THAT, ONE, YOU CAN PICK AND CHOOSE WHO PAYS FOR WHAT SERVICES THEY NEED. YOU MADE US PAY. THERE'S ALSO OTHER ROADS THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED THE SAME DEAL WHERE THEY CAN COME IN AND YOU PAY -- EVERYBODY ON THIS ROAD, IF Y'ALL AGREE TO PAY US THIS MUCH MONEY TO THE COUNTY ON PROPERTY TAXES, WE'LL DO IT FOR YOU. WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO WAS TAKE IT OFF. IT'S BEEN OVER 20 YEARS. ALMOST 30. THEY STILL HAVEN'T TAKEN THAT TAX OFF. WE'VE WELL OVERPAID FOR THAT ROAD. THEY DON'T MAINTAIN THE SIDE ROADS, THEY DON'T MAINTAIN ANYMORE. THEY JUST PAVED IT FOR US. THAT'S IT. THE SECOND THING THAT I NOTICED IS THAT PRIVATE ROADS, THE COUNTY TELLS US, WE CAN'T HELP YOU. IT'S A PRIVATE ROAD. WE CAN'T HELP YOU WITH YOUR DITCHES OR YOUR CULVERTS. THESE PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR THEIR OWN STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM. SO YOU'RE WANTING US TO PAY YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WILL HEH HELP -- YOU HELP THEM. BUT WE CALL TO SAY, OUR ROAD FLOODS OUT EVERY TIME WE GET A REAL BAD RAIN. SORRY, IT'S A PRIVATE ROAD. WE CAN'T HELP YOU. YOU CHOSE TO LIVE THERE. AND YOU'RE CORRECT. WE CHOSE TO LIVE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY NOT SURROUNDED BY CONCRETE. YOU DECIDED TO PUT THE CONCRETE IN, YOU SHOULD PAY FOR IT. WE CHOSE TO MIDDLEBERG FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF LIVING IN A RURAL COMMUNITY. WE DID NOT MOVE OUT THERE FOR ANY OTHER REASON. WE WANTED LAND AND PEACE AND QUIET. AND YOU ARE RUINING IT, AND NOW YOU'RE MAKING US PAY FOR PEOPLE WHO DO WANT TO LIVE THAT WAY. WE HAVE ORANGE PARK FOR THOSE [05:50:02] PEOPLE. YOU CAN LIVE THERE AND LIVE IN A CITY. BUT DON'T COME OUT TO RURAL AREAS, CONCRETE THEM, AND THEN TELL US ITS OUR FAULT AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR EVEN CONSIDERING DOING SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THANK YOU. >> BUDDY GRIFFON. >> WELL, IT'S BEEN A LONG WAIT! AND I'M A LOT OLDER THAN WHAT I SAT UP THERE. MY NAME IS BUDDY BRGRIFFON. I LIVE IN ORANGE PARK, FLORIDA, AND I WANTED TO COME OUT FOR TWO REASONS. I'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL ME AND CAN ME WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, AND I'VE HAD OTHER PEOPLE CALL ME AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT. AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE BIG POLITICS. YOU CAN ONLY VOTE 'EM OUT FOR VOTE 'EM IN. AND I'M IN HOPES THAT WHAT Y'ALL HAVE DONE HERE TONIGHT AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU'VE HEARD WITH VERY GOOD IDEAS, A LOT OF THEM RESEARCHED, I HOPE YOU LISTEN TO THEM AND VOTE "NO" TO IT. IT'S NOT RIGHT. I CAN TELL YOU IT'S NOT RIGHT. AND I BELIEVE IN RIGHT AND WRONG. I'LL TELL YOU A STORY TO TELL YOU HOW DEEP POLITICS GO. IT WAS 4-1 AGAINST BUDDY GRIFFON WHEN HE SAT UP THERE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU HAVEN'T MOVED TONIGHT! YOUR EYES AND EARS HAVE BEEN WORKING. I'VE SEEN THEM! AND YOU'RE TO BE PRAISED. GIVE THEM PRAISE. THEY CAN'T RUN YOU OUT OF HERE! THEY BOUGHT AND PAID FOR THIS BUILDING. WE'LL EVICT THEM. AND THAT'S THE TRUTH! YOU HAVE TO DO IT UNOPPOSED, UNFORTUNATELY. BUT WHEN I WAS COUNTRY COMMISSIONER, THEY TRIED TO KEEP ME IN THE DARK. I HAD MY OWN LITTLE ROOM THERE IN THE DARK, AND WHEN I'D WALK THE HALLWAYS, I'D SEE FOUR COMMISSIONERS SITTING IN ONE PERSON'S OFFICE. I EVEN HEARD IT SAID, WELL, HE DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU. HE SAID, WELL, HE WON'T GET MY VOTE NEXT TIME. MATTER OF FACT, HE CAN TRY FOR HIS ZONING FOUR TIMES AND HE'S NOT GOING TO GET IT UNTIL I HAVE TO. THERE'S MACHINES THAT TOLD ME I'VE GOT ONE MINUTE LEFT. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY TELL Y'ALL THAT YOU'VE GOT ONE MINUTE LEFT. FIVE MINUTES. THAT'S NOT RIGHT! THAT'S NOT RIGHT! PEOPLE HAVE SAT HERE ALL NIGHT TO TALK TO YOU, AND THEN WHEN THE RED LIGHT GOES ON, YOU HAVE TO SIT DOWN. I DON'T LIKE THAT SYSTEM. BUT WHAT THEY DID TO ME WAS THEY WENT TO TALLAHASSEE AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE ROADS OVER ON 21. OVERCROWDED ROADS. THEY CAME UP WITH A PLAN TO FOOL TALLAHASSEE, BUT THEY DIDN'T FOOL ME. AND I CALLED THEM AND TOLD THEM WHAT THEIR PLAN WAS, AND THEY SAID, IF WE HAD KNOWN IT, WE WOULD HAVE STOPPED IT. WELL, THEY KEPT A GOOD SECRET FROM ME. AND I CAN TELL SOME OF Y'ALL HOW THEY DID IT, BUT MY RED LIGHT'S FIXING TO COME ON, SO I'LL JUST SIT DOWN EARLY AND SAY, PLEASE LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE TONIGHT. THEY'RE GOD SENT. >> THANK YOU. CATHY ACRE HERE? CATHY ACRES? DEBORAH KENT? MARY HEATH. PATRICIA GRAFF? WILLIAM RATCLIFFE? DON KEEN? MARK ACRES JR. MARK ACRES SR. MARK WILLIAMMAN? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I LIVE AT 2016 [INAUDIBLE]. I'M HERE TO OPPOSE CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL STORM WATER TAX FOR DRAINAGE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND PLANNED YEARS AGO. MY MAIN CONCERN IS [05:55:02] ACCOUNTABILITY. BEFORE ASKING TAXPAYERS FOR MORE MONEY, I BELIEVE THE RESIDENTS DESERVE A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF WHERE OUR EXISTING TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING. SINCE 2017, WE HAVE PAID ADDITIONAL FUEL TAXES THAT WAS INTENDED FOR ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVEMENTS. ALSO -- WE ALSO KNOW THE STATE HAS INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PROJECTS THROUGHOUT CLAY COUNTY, INCLUDING US-17 STATE ROAD 21, AND STATE ROAD 16 IMPROVEMENTS. SO MY QUESTION IS SIMPLE: IF DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOW SUCH AN URGENT PROBLEM, WHY WASN'T IT ADDRESSED WITH FUNDING THAT WAS ALREADY COLLECTED FOR INVESTMENT OVER THE YEARS? MY SECOND CONCERN IS FAIRNESS. A STORM WATER TAX WOULD APPLY TO RESIDENTS AND INCORPORATED CLAY COUNTY. WHILE RESIDENTS IN ORANGE PARK, GREENCO SPRINGS, AND OTHERS ARE EXEMPT. WHY SHOULD ONLY PART OF THE COUNTY BEAR THE BURDEN OF PAYING THIS TAX? MY THIRD CONCERN -- MY THIRD CONCERN IS [INAUDIBLE] DEVELOPMENT. CLAY COUNTY HAS APPROVED SIGNIFICANT ROAD AND TAXPAYERS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS PAID ON MAJOR PROJECTS. YET WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR DRAINAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE. I UNDERSTAND DEVELOPERS PAY IMPACT FEES, THAT GROWTH CREATES DEMANDS ON ROADS, DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, AND ASSURES INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN PLACE BEFORE APPROVING DEVELOPMENT. NOT COME BACK LATER ASKING THE RESIDENTS TO COVER THE COSTS. GROWTH SHOULD PAY FOR GROWTH. BEFORE CREATING ANOTHER TAX, I ASK THE COUNTY TO SHOW RESIDENTS HOW MUCH TAX REVENUES HAS BEEN COLL COLLECTED. >> THANK YOU. ARRLENE PAGET? DARREN CARR? SAMUEL LEE? JACOB -- OH, WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> SAMUEL. SAMUEL LEE. >> OKAY. >> GLAD TO BE HERE. COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I AM SAMUEL LEE, A PASTOR IN MIDDLEBERG, FLORIDA. >> PULL YOUR MICROPHONE UP, SIR. >> OH, OKAY. >> PASTOR ST. MARK IN MIDDLEBERG, FLORIDA. AND I'M HERE TO STAND FOR THE PEOPLE'S CONGREGATION AND ALSO FOR THAT WHOLE COMMUNITY. I CONVERGED WITH THE PASTORS THERE AND ALSO OTHER MEMBERS THAT'S NOT MEMBERS OF MY CHURCH BUT OF THE COMMUNITY. AND NO ONE IS IN FAVOR OF THIS STORM WATER DRAINAGE IN THAT AREA. THIS IS IN THE HILL TOP AREA. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE HILL TOP AREA? WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT [INAUDIBLE] ALREADY? THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE REQUESTED TO BE DONE, BUT AIN'T NOTHING GETTING DONE. IT'S NOT GOOD. THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS AN ELDERLY NEIGHBORHOOD. A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, WE HAVE MANY WHO ARE HOME BOUND. THEY'RE A RETIRED NEIGHBORHOOD, SO THEY DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT. THEY'RE TRYING TO HOLD ONTO THE PROPERTY THAT THEY WAS LEFT WITH, THEY ACQUIRED, THROUGH THEIR ANCESTORS. SO IT'S A GOOD, QUIET COMMUNITY. PEOPLE DON'T HAVE NO PROBLEMS. THEY DON'T LIKE DISTURBANCE. BUT AS THEIR REPRESENTATIVE, I COME OUT AND SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF. SO I HOPE THAT YOU WERE LISTENING TO ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE BEFORE ME, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE BEHIND ME, AND EVEN THE CROWD THAT WAS HERE EARLIER TODAY. [06:00:01] YOU GOT TO SEE THE CROWD. THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT HERE WANTING TO COME OUT HERE AND SEE AND SPEAK ON THIS BEHALF. SO I JUST PRAY THAT YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THIS. ONE DAY YOU'RE GOING TO GET OLD. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF SITUATION YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS DECISION TODAY, THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AND THINK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. ARE YOU TAKING FROM IT OR GIVING TOWARDS IT? THANK YOU, ALL. MY VOTE IS "NO." OH, WHAT'S YOUR NAME? JAKE. OKAY, GREAT. THERESA TETTER AND GAIL PERRY, IF THEY'RE HERE NEXT. >> I'M ACTUALLY HERE TO REPRESENT MY MOTHER, 85 YEARS OLD. SHE LIVES IN A COMMUNITY WITH CDD THAT MANAGES THEIR OWN STORM WATERMENT SHE LIVES ON A FIXED INCOME, AND SHE DOESN'T NEED THIS ADDED RESPONSE. IT'S A DOUBLE DIP, SO SHE'S NOT BUYING INTO YOUR SCAM. IT'S GOT A REAL STENCH. >> THANK YOU. THERESA TETTER. ARE THEY HERE? GAIL PERRY? JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM? >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM OF MIDDLEBERG. MY ADDRESS IS DEFINITELY ON FILE BECAUSE THIS COUNTY SENT ME A LETTER TO DEMAND AN ADDITIONAL TAX. I OPPOSE THIS NEW TAX ASSESSMENT, IN WRITING, AND REQUESTED SPECIFIC DETAILS ON JUST HOW THE COUNTY CALCULATED WHAT I WILL OWE THEM FOR THIS TAX. NOT SURPRISINGLY, I DID NOT RECEIVE A REPLY. AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO OPPOSE THIS MEASURE IN PERSON. SO LET'S START BY GETTING DOWN TO WHAT THIS REALLY IS. THIS TAX AND THIS HEARING TONIGHT IS AN ATTEMPT TO PUNISH THE TAXPAYER FOR THE FAILURES OF ITS ELECTED GOVERNMENT, PAST AND PRESENT. THIS COUNTY HAS AND CONTINUES TO CHAMPION AND CELEBRATE A POSITION THAT LARGE AREAS OF NATURAL AREAS CAN BE CLEAR-CUT AND OVERLY DEVELOPED. WE'VE BEEN PROMISED THERE ARE MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF EFFECTS TO EXISTING RESIDENTS. THIS CURRENT CRISIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF 25 YEARS OF IRRESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND INADEQUATE PLANNING. THE TIME HAS NOW COME TO REAP THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE ACTIONS. RATHER THAN ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES, THE COMMISSIONER WOULD RATHER HAVE RESIDENTS REACH INTO THEIR POCKETS SO THESE DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS CAN CONTINUE INDEFINITELY. NOBODY HERE TONIGHT IS ARGUING THAT COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE DOESN'T NEED MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS. BUT WHY NOW? IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS BURDEN OF SYSTEMIC FAILURE IS BEING SHIFTED ENTIRELY ONTO THE RESIDENTS. THIS COUNTY CONSISTENTLY CLAIMS THAT THERE'S NO MONEY IN THE BUDGET FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS. THIS CLAIM CAN EASILY BE CONTRADICTED BY THE COUNTY'S OWN SPENDING PRIORITIES. ACCORDING TO PUBLIC COUNTY RECORDS, THIS COUNTY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS ALLOCATED JUST UNDER $1.4 MILLION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND AT THE SAME TIME PERIOD, THE COUNTY ALSO SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CONSTRUCT AND NOW MAINTAIN A LARGE SOCCER PARK THAT, TO THIS DAY, STILL DOES NOT ALLOW THE TAXPAYER FULL ACCESS TO USE. WE ANTICIPATE THE COUNTER ARGUMENT FOR THESE PROJECTS IS THEY'RE FUNDED BY STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS. GRANTS ARE NOT FREE MONEY. GRANT MONEY IS A SUPPLEMENT, NOT A SUBSTITUTE, FOR RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING. $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS ROADS AND SIDEWALKS. THIS RAISES A CRITICAL QUESTION TONIGHT. WHY WAS THAT FUNDING NOT PRIORITIZED FOR THE DRAINAGE ISSUES WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT? THIS BOARD HAS A CHOICE. THIS BOARD CAN IMPLEMENT A TAX, OR THIS BOARD CAN HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE WHO CREATED THESE STORM WATER ISSUES. WE DIDN'T COME OUT HERE TO BEG YOU TO GIVE US TAX RELIEF. WE'VE COME OUT HERE TO DEMAND THAT THIS GOVERNMENT BEFORE US, BEFORE IMPLEMENTING FOR TAX INCREASES, WILL SOLVE FOR THE UNDERLYING ISSUES. >> THANK YOU. PATRICK FAULKNER? CHARLOTTE GIBSON? ANGELA ADAMS? DAWN PRICE? RONALD SINGLETERRY? SEAN BURCHARD? ROBERT LUDWIG? DOTTY BAKER? JOSEPH SCHALKE. [06:05:23] >> GOOD EVENING. MUCH LIKE MANY OF THE PEOPLE HERE, ESPECIALLY MANY OF THE ELDERLY, AND MANY OF MY FELLOW VETERANS, THEY HAVE BEEN HERE A VERY LONG TIME. I HAVE NOT. I MOVED HERE A YEAR AGO. SO LESS, IN FACT, THAT YOU WERE STILL GOING TO CHARGE ME WITH SOMEBODY ELSE'S NAME. AND IF I HAD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THIS BY ACCIDENT, BY MY KIDS RIPPING OPEN THE MAIL, I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THIS. MY NAME IS ON FILE HERE BECAUSE I JUST PUT MY NAME AND ADDRESS DOWN. BUT WHAT AM I TO DO WHEN I PUT A LIEN ON MY HOUSE BECAUSE I DON'T PAY SOMETHING THAT NEVER CAME TO ME? NOT TO MENTION THIS STORM WATER ASSESSMENT, ARTICLE 1 SECTION 20-1, INTENT AND PURPOSES. SUBPARAGRAPH D. THE MEANING OF IT IS THAT THE MONEY COLLECTED DIRECTLY FUNDS THINGS THAT HELP MY PROPERTY -- NOT MYSELF, SPECIFICALLY MY PROPERTY. TO MANAGE THE HEAVY RAINS, INCLUDING MAINTAINING STORM DRAINS, CLEARING DITCHES, OR BUILDING RETENTION PONDS. THAT BEING SAID, I DO THAT MYSELF. I WORK 90 HOURS A WEEK TO KEEP MY WIFE AND MY KIDS AT HOME SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO. I COME HOME ON WEEKENDS, WHICH I HAVE TO COME HERE, WHICH Y'ALL ARE KEEPING ME FROM MY KIDS. I LEFT WORK EARLY, WHICH ALSO TAKES AWAY FROM MYSELF AND MY KIDS. TO FIGHT THIS, AND Y'ALL WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR SOMETHING THAT I ALREADY PAID TAXES ON IN THE FIRST PLACE WHEN I BOUGHT THE HOUSE. BY THE WAY THIS LOOKS, I SHOULD BE CHARGING YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF MY OWN DITCHES. SO WHERE DO I SEND THAT INVOICE? I MAINTAIN THE ROAD. MY 70-YEAR-OLD NEIGHBOR MAINTAINS THE ROAD. AND, AGAIN, I HELP HIM WITH IT. WHY? BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. IMPROVED SAFETY AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO DEVELOPED PROPERTY THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF STORM WATER. ALLEVIATION OF THE BURDENS CAUSED BY STORM WATER RUNOFF AND ACCUMULATION INTENDED WITH THE USE OF PROPERTY, INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL. I HAVEN'T SEEN Y'ALL OUT ONCE, OTHER THAN TO GET THE FCC TRUCK OUT OF THE CULVERT. AND Y'ALL DIDN'T EVEN REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT DID. I'M AT A LOSS. WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO HERE? YOU WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR WHAT GOD'S PUTTING ON THIS -- EARTH. EXCUSE ME, BUT I AM A SAILER. UNTIL THE DAY I DIE. >> THANKS, SIR. MICHAEL SEGER. TOMMY CHILDRESS? D DIANA PATTERSON? JAMIE BLUE? >> [INAUDIBLE]. YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER TO US. JESUS IS KING. YOU ALL WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO HIM ONE DAY, AND I HOPE Y'ALL CAN ANSWER FOR THE CHOICES YOU MAKE. WE VOTED YOU GUYS IN, AND WE MADE THE CHOICE TO VOTE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU IN. REGARDLESS. SO Y'ALL'S WORDS MEANT SOMETHING TO US BACK THEN WHEN WE VOTED TO Y'ALL. TO Y'ALL STICK TO YOUR WARDS AND STICK UP FOR US. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. YOU'VE HEARD EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN HERE. YOU SEE ALL THESE OLDER PEOPLE HERE. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME OUT HERE TO FIGHT YOU GUYS FOR WHAT'S RIGHT. YOU KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT. Y'ALL KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG. MA AND DAD DIDN'T HAVE TO TEACH YOU THAT. IT'S COMMON SENSE. RIGHT FROM WRONG. ARE WE THE ONLY ONES WHO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG? NO. Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG. AND THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY. MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. [APPLAUSE] >> WONDA DUBE? [06:10:08] >> MY NAME IS WONDA DUBE. I LIVE ON INDIAN TRAIL. BETSY, YOU ARE MY COMMISSIONER. AND SHE ALWAYS GETS BACK TO ME WHEN I CALL -- OR WHEN I MESSAGE HER. AND I DON'T LIKE SPEAKING, SO HERE WE GO. I LIVE ON A ROAD THAT IS MAINTAINED BY THE COUNTY BUT IS NOT A COUNTY ROAD. WE PAY THAT MS WHATEVER THING, AND THEY PUT IT ON MY THING EVERY YEAR. I DON'T HAVE A DITCH. WE DON'T HAVE CULVERTS. WE DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT. OUR DITCH IS KIND OF SELF-MADE. WHEN IT RAINS, IT GOES ACROSS THE ROAD AND THEN THE BUSSES WON'T COME DOWN IT. I DON'T FEEL THAT ASKING ME TO PAY FOR A STORM WATER ASSESSMENT IS FAIR. AND OUT OF CURIOSITY, I HAVE ONE QUESTION. IF Y'ALL GET THIS MONEY, IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE THE 218 ROAD? HAS ANYBODY BEEN DOWN THE ROAD ON 218 WHERE THE ROAD SITS AN INCH AND A HALF TO 2 INCHES BELOW THE STORM DRAINS? I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO COLLECT THE STORM WATER. BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M OPPOSED. AND, BETSY, PLEASE VOTE "NO." >> CHARLES GRANT? BARBARA CAPANEGRO. CATHY MONROE. MAX MULLER. >> HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING? MAX MULLER. I'M FROM THE PIMPLE ON THE RUMP OF CLAY COUNTY. KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. REALLY THE CROWN JEWEL OF CLAY COUNTY. THANK YOU, BETSY. FIRST OFF, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS, YOUR ATTENTION TO THE PEOPLE SPEAKING TO YOU. IT SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE A GENUINE CONCERN AND YOU TAKE WHAT YOU DO VERY SERIOUSLY. SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. IT'S BEEN A LONG NIGHT FOR YOU. I'M HERE -- I MEAN, IT'S A SMALL FEE, RIGHT? AND IF IT IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD, WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND THAT. WE JUST DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TRANSPARENCY ON IT RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK THAT'S A BIG PART OF WHY EVERYBODY'S HERE TONIGHT. THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP FOR YOU GUYS TONIGHT, AND I THINK YOU NEED TO SHOW UP FOR THE COMMUNITY AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT. THIS $80 FEE THAT EVERYBODY'S OPPOSED TO, THEY CAN GO AND BUY A RAIN BARREL AND HELP THE PROBLEM. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM. FLORIDA'S BEEN GETTING RAINED ON FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS. THE PROBLEM IS THE IRRESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING. I WORK WITH A LOT OF BILLIONAIRES, AND THEY'RE ALL BUILDING IN FLORIDA RIGHT NOW. THESE GUYS HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY. THEY SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THIS. IT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BACKS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF YOUR COUNTY. WE'RE NOT PUTTING WATER DOWN THE ROADS IN THESE COMMUNITIES. IT'S GETTING ABSORBED INTO OUR PROPERTIES. WE'RE NOT THE PROBLEM. WE'RE NOT THE ONES WHO SHOULD BE PAYING AND FOOTING THE BILL FOR. IT'S WRONG. IT REALLY IS. I THINK YOU GUYS ARE ALL INTELLIGENT PEOPLE, AND I KNOW Y'ALL WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I UNDERSTAND BALANCING A BUDGET IS VERY, VERY TOUGH. I KNOW YOU CAN FIND THE MONEY ELSEWHERE. I HEARD SOME OF THE SPENDING THAT WAS GOING ON. KEEP OUR POLICE AND FIREMEN WELL FUNDED. YOU KNOW, WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND SEE TEN PEOPLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HOLDING A SHOVEL AND NOBODY WORKING AND ALL OF THEM GETTING A SALARY FOR IT, AND YOU GUYS ARE COMING TO THE PEOPLE IN THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHO DON'T HAVE A LOT AND ASKING FOR MORE MONEY, RIGHT? EVERY TIME I GO TO THE GAS STATION OR TALK TO A NEIGHBOR FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS, IT'S ALL BEEN ABOUT THIS. AND THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT FEEL THAT THIS IS RIGHT. YOU GUYS NEED TO DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. WE ALL PUT YOU THERE, WE ALL WANT TO KEEP YOU THERE. JUST MAKE A GOOD DECISION. GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP YOURSELF, ALL RIGHT? THANK YOU FOR STAYING LATE AND HEARING ALL OF US TONIGHT. BETSY, KEYSTONE IS THE BEST PLACE IN CLAY COUNTY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, EVERYBODY. >> MORGAN TRAILER. CAROL SUNBERG. >> [INAUDIBLE], BUT REX BROWN THAT CAME IN HERE TALKED ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF, TWO HOURS AGO. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND WALLY BACK THERE. WE'RE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 6225 KINGSLEY LAKE DRIVE IN UNINCORPORATED CLAY COUNTY. AND WE'RE SPEAKING TO FORMALLY [06:15:01] REJECT TO THE ADOPTION OF THE PROPOSED STORM WATER ASSESSMENT FOR OUR PROPERTY AND FOR ALL OF THOSE IN THE KINGSLEY LAKE COMMUNITY. WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT ON JULY THE 28TH, THE BCC ADOPTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHAPTER 20 OF THE CLAY COUNTY CODE, STORM WATER, UTILITY, AND ASSESSMENTS. THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED, APPARENTLY, BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. IF THE PROPOSED ASSESSMENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST HOW MUCH, IS APPROVED, HOW IS THE UTILITY GOING TO SPEND THE ANNUAL INCOME OF $9.2 MILLION? NOTHING IN THE RESOLUTION THAT WERE ATTACHMENTS THAT WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE INDICATED WHAT WAS GOING TO BE SPENT. TO DATE WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY STORM WATER MANAGEMENT SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY TO OUR PARCEL OR ANY OF THE PARCELS IN THE KINGSLEY LAKE COMMUNITY. SECTION 20.5 STATES THAT THE COUNTY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ASSESS, AND UNDERLINED AND IN BOLD, ALL OR PART OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALL OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. ARTICLE 3, SECTION 20-14B, STATES EACH STORM WATER ASSESSMENT AREA SHALL ENCOMPASS ONLY THAT PROPERTY -- ONLY IF THAT PROPERTY SPECIFICALLY BENEFITTED BY THE STORM WATER IMPROVEMENTS. WE REQUEST IF THE ASSESSMENT IS APPROVED THAT THE ENTIRE KINGSLEY LAKE COMMUNITY, BUT MOST SPECIFICALLY 6225 KINGSLEY LAKE DRIVE, BE REMOVED FROM THE STORM WATER ASSESSMENT AREA UNTIL AND UNLESS THE PARCELS WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY WILL ESPECIALLY BENEFIT. THE PHRASE, ESPECIALLY BENEFIT, OR BENEFITTED PROPERTIES, APPEARS AT LEAST 22 TIMES WITHIN THOSE DOCUMENTS. IT'S CLEAR THAT IT WAS INTENDED FOR JUST THOSE AREAS THAT ARE SPECIALLY BENEFITTED. SHOULD KINGSLEY LAKE COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO BE INCLUDED, WE ASK THAT THE ASSESSMENTS BE LOOKED AT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROPORTIONATE. >> THANK YOU. KEITH HEADBERG? STEVEN CAROL? ANTONIO IMINS? AND THEN MARK IS AFTER. >> I OPPOSE THE PRINCIPALS AND MANS IN WHICH YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS WHAT SEEMS TO BE DECADES OF NEGLECT. AND THE FACT THAT THE DOCUMENT IS SO BIG REGARDING THE SCOPE OF WORK, TIMELINE, AND TOTAL COST. WHAT'S MISSING? HOW MUCH GOVERNMENTAL FUNDS ARE GOING TO THIS PROJECT? HOW WILL OUR CURRENT TAXES BE APPLIED TO THIS PROJECT? HOW ABOUT COOPERATIONS WITH DEVELOPERS? AND WILL THIS PROBLEM EVEN -- AND WILL MAKE THIS PROBLEM WORSE. HOW ABOUT CORPORATION WITH MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER COMPANIES WHOSE RUN-OFFS NEED TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED? COOPERATIONS WITH THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE THE COUNTY TO CATCH UP ON THE MAINTENANCE THAT'S FALLEN WAY BEHIND. A BUILDING MORATORIUM. THAT MEANS THE THINGS YOU HAVEN'T APPROVED YET, JUST STOP. STOP THE GROWTH. THE TAXES WE ALREADY PAY GO DIRECTLY TO THE GENERAL FUND. THE UNINCORPORATED SERVICES AND THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT. AND ALL OF THESE PLAY A ROLE IN STORM WATER MAINTENANCE, ESPECIALLY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. WHICH RIGHTLY CLAIMS ON THE WEBSITE TO BE IN CHARGE OF STORM WATER DRAINAGE. AND THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER WATER MANAGEMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN COORDINATING WITH CLAY COUNTY IN MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. THE EXTENSIVE LIST OF UNSTARTED WORK ORDERS TOTAL TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AS NEGLIGENCE. AND NOW YOU WANT US TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE SOMEHOW OUR ROOFS' RUN OFF CAUSED IT. [06:20:03] THE PLAN IS SO VAGUE I CAN'T TELL IF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUMPING STATIONS OR JUST AN OFFICE TO ADD EVEN MORE OVERHEAD EXPENSES TO THIS PROBLEM. A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT IS NOT NECESSARY. IT SHOULD BE HOUSED WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS CONSIDERABLE MONEY THAT CAN BE DIVERTED TO ACTUAL MAINTENANCE WORK. THERE'S A LOT ON THIS. YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR FILES. BUT IF YOU INSIST ON CONTINUING, THERE ARE A LOT OF MITIGATING THINGS THAT YOU HAVE NOT CONSIDERED. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE NATURAL SYSTEMS. OUR ST. JOHN'S RIVER, ANYBODY WHO LIVES ON THE RIVER OR NEAR THE RIVER HAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THIS. THEY SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM ANY KIND OF ADDED ASSESSMENT. THE PINE FORESTS, THEY TOTALLY ABSORB ALL OF THE EXTRA RUNOFF. THE UNPAVED ROADS EXTEND THE PARCEL SIZES. OUR DRAINAGE, OUR SANDY SOILS. EVERYBODY KNOWS AS SOON AS IT RAINS, YOU CAN GO OUT AND KICK THE DIRT AND IT'S WHITE. OUR SOIL TAKES CARE OF THIS. YOU DO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS APPARENTLY IN CERTAIN OLDER AREAS OF THE COUNTY. BUT YOU HAVE A PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. WORK WITH THE PEOPLE YOU ALREADY HAVE EMPLOYED. >> THANK YOU. MR. IMINS? ROY JOHNSON AFTER THAT, IF HE'S HERE. >> DO I HAVE TO PUSH A BUTTON? >> NO. GO AHEAD. >> OH, OKAY. MY NAME'S MARK, AND I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT WHO OPPOSE THIS FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS. WHERE WE LIVE IS HIGH AND DRY, AND WE'RE BACKED RIGHT UP TO WATER MANAGEMENT. AND ANY, IF ANY, RUNOFF THAT COMES OFF MY PROPERTY GOES THERE. I DON'T HAVE A WATER PROBLEM. I'VE NEVER HAD A WATER PROBLEM. AND YOU HIRE CONSULTANTS TO DO THIS. I WORKED FOR THE ARMY CORP ENGINEER FOR 25 YEARS, AND WE NEVER SENT CONSULTANTS TO SOLVE A WATER PROBLEM YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS WATER AND HOW THE NATURAL FLOW OF WATER -- WATER IS A VERY POWERFUL THING ON EARTH. BEYOND FIRE AND EVERYTHING. SO YOU NEED SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS WATER AND HOW TO DIRECT WATER TO GET IT TO FLOW RIGHT. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CULVERTS CAVING IN UNDERNEATH THE ROADS. THAT'S BECAUSE THEY USE CHEAP MATERIALS. HE PUT THAT METAL UNDER IT, AND IT COLLAPSED AWAY. OF COURSE IT WOULD COLLAPSE. IT SHOULD BE A CONCRETE PIPE. THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS DONE ON THE CHEAP WHERE YOU COULD ACTUALLY, IF YOU SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY IN THE BEGINNING, WOULD SAVE YOU ON THE BACK-END. YOU KNOW, IF THAT MAKES SENSE. I'M JUST TELLING YOU FROM EXPERIENCE FROM WHAT I KNOW. WHERE WE LIVE, WE DON'T HAVE NO DRAINAGE PROBLEM. WE NEVER HAVE. WE'VE BEEN THERE 15 YEARS. MORE THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE A SAND PROBLEM. OUR NEIGHBORS HAD A HEART ATTACK ONE TIME, AND THE AMBULANCE GOT STUCK IN THE ROAD. SO THEY HAD TO CALL ANOTHER AMBULANCE TO COME DOWN WHILE THIS GUY IS HUFFING THIS GUY UP THERE ON A GURNEY TO PUT HIM IN THE OTHER AMBULANCE. IF YOU HAVE A HEART ATTACK, WHO'S GOING TO BE THERE TO HELP YOU? SO THE ROADS ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO ME, EVEN IF IT IS A PRIVATE R ROAD. THEY ASKED ME IF I'D RATHER HAVE A HARD ROAD OR WATER DRAINAGE. GIVE ME THE HARD ROAD ANY DAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS -- PART OF CLAY COUNTY NEEDS THAT THE OTHERS DON'T. NOT EVERYBODY NEEDS THE EXACT SAME THING. AND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE PARKING LOTS SHOULD PAY FOR THE DRAINAGE IF IT GOES TO A PUMPING STATION. OR IT SHOULD NATURALLY FLOW OUT TO THE ROAD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ROY JOHNSON? >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ROY JOHNSON. I LIVE -- I OWN PROPERTY ON LAKE BROOKLYN IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS. I WORK FOR THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR 23 YEARS AS A HYDRO SPECIALIST. [06:25:03] MY AREA OF EXPERTISE WAS DATA COLLECTION AND DATA MANAGEMENT. THE COUNTY MANAGER ACTUALLY REPRESENTED US -- ACTUALLY SHOWED US WHERE THEY GOT THE DATA FROM FROM THIS REPORT. THEY SAID THEY GOT IT FROM ROW MOTE AREAS SUCH AS SATELLITE PHOTOS AND COUNTY RECORDS. WELL, THIS LETTER THAT I GOT SAYING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE AN ASSESSMENT FOR STORM WATER WAS ADDRESSED TO A DECEASED PERSON. SO THERE'S YOUR COUNTY RECORDS, HOW GOOD THEY ARE. AS FAR AS MITIGATION'S CONCERNED, THERE ALREADY EXISTS A RETENTION POND AREA ON MY ROAD THAT COLLECTS STORM WATER. IT REQUIRES VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE SINCE IT PERCOLATES IN THE GROUND ALMOST INSTANTLY AND IS DRY 99.9% OF THE TIME. SO THERE'S NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED THERE. I RECENTLY -- WE RECENTLY HAD A RAINFALL AMOUNT. WE GOT, LIKE, 3 INCHES OF RAIN IN A MATTER OF A COUPLE OF HOURS ON MY PROPERTY. AND I HAVE LAKE FRONT PROPERTY ON LAKE BROOKLYN. NONE OF THAT WATER EVER MADE IT TO THE LAKE. THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE LAND I LIVE ON IS DESIGNATED A HIGH RECHARGE SITE. WHICH IS THE WHOLE REASON WHY THEY BUILT THAT PIPELINE. THERE IS NO AREAS THAT HAVE A NET -- WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? IM IM IMPERVIOUS AREA. SO HOW CAN YOU TAX ME FOR THAT WHEN IT DOESN'T EXIST? AND WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING I DON'T NEED AND WILL NEVER GET? ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, THERE SHOULD BE EXEMPTIONS AND CREDITS APPLIED TO PROPERTY. LET ME ASK YOU: HAVE YOU DONE ANY GROUND TRUTH ON THIS DATA THAT YOU BASE THIS REPORT ON? HAVE YOU BEEN TO KEYSTONE HEIGHTS? HAVE YOU SEEN LAKE BROOKLYN? I THINK -- I'M SAYING THAT THIS WHOLE REPORT THAT YOU'RE BASING THIS TAXATION ON IS BOGUS. EVERYBODY KNOWS, ALL THESE HOME CENTERS KNOW, THAT THE WHOLE REASON YOU SPENT PROBABLY A MILLION DOLLARS OF OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY ON THIS IS JUST SO YOU CAN GENERATE INCOME BECAUSE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER WHEN THE PROPERTY TAX BILL COMES. SO THIS IS JUST BASICALLY A SCAM. AND IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR JOBS, YOU NEED TO VOTE "NO" ON THIS. >> THANK YOU. >> HI AND GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS STEVE RAY. >> CAN YOU PULL THE MICROPHONE UP? >> YEAH. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS STEVE RAY. WE LIVE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM FIRE STATION 22. PRIVATE ROAD. 13, 14 PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. WHEN WE WERE SEEKING OUT THAT PROPERTY, I WAS DOING EVERYTHING I COULD TO FIND A VALUE-ADDED PROPERTY AND SAVE MONEY. THAT INCLUDED TOPOGRAPHICAL REUSE, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE PROPERTY LOOKED LIKE, MAKING SURE I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FLOOD INSURANCE. SO WE DID THAT. EVERYBODY ON OUR PROPERTY MAINTAINS OUR ROADS. IT'S A RUNOFF. WE HAD NO PUBLIC UTILITIES OUT THERE. THE STORM WATER ASSESSMENT TAX THAT IS BEING PROPOSED RIGHT HERE IS TOTALLY INVALID. I SPEAK FOR 15 PEOPLE IN A COMMUNITY OF PROBABLY 200 OR MORE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN THE LETTER CAME TO ME ON AUGUST THE 10TH, 11 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PUBLISHED, GIVING ME 15 DAYS TO COME TO THIS MEETING HERE, QUICK PURVIEW AND SURVEY ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE TAX REPRESENTS A TAX THAT IS PROPOSED HERE, $9 MILLION, REPRESENTS 1.1% OF THE BUDGET THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS UNDER Y YOUR CONTROL. 31% OF THE CITIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE UTILIZING THIS METHODOLOGY OF THE ADD-VALUE TAX TO IMPLEMENT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THIS [06:30:07] I AGREE. %-Ú THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TO SHO THEIR COMMITMENT TO GENERATE PURSUANT TO THE THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT. MY APPEAL IS THAT YOU KNOW AND THERE'S PLENTY OF EVIDENCE AND PLENTY OF SUPPORT TO BELIEVE -- IS TOTALLY UNSUPPORTED TO BELIEVE IT EVEN MADE AT THE FAR. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND THANKS FOR LISTENING. WE WILL WAIT FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE. >> JOE TUBBS? AND DANIEL COOK. I THINK HE IS HERE. DIDN'T YOU ALREADY SPEAK ON THIS ? THAT WAS ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I WASN'T PLANNING TO SPEAK O THIS BUT AFTER HEARING THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AND VOICED EVERYBODY'S INDIVIDUAL CONCERN, I THOUGHT I SHOULD SPEAK MINE TOO. SO I HAVE THIS QUESTION OF COST OF OVER DEVELOPMENT. IS THIS AN ISSUE OF TAXATION, SOMETHING ELSE? OR IS THIS AN ISSUE OF THE FOUNDATION AMERICAN PRINCIPLE O GOVERNMENT BY CONSENT. I GREW UP ON FLEMING ISLAND BAC WHEN IT WAS -- BEFORE IT WAS OVERDEVELOPED PARADISE ARE TRANSFORMED THROUG THE 90S AND 2000 AND I WANT TO SHARE DIFFERENT STORY THERE I MOVED OUT OF CLAY COUNTY AND WENT DOWN TO NAPLES, FLORIDA. IN NAPLES HE USED TO BE A SMALL FISHING TOWN UNTIL I GOT OVERDEVELOPED BECAUSE THE COUNT COMMISSIONERS AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PAVED THE WAY FOR ENDLESS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I LEFT NAPLES AND CAME BACK HERE PRESS BECAUSE THE RENT GOT TOO HIGH. SO THE REASON WHY I BRING THAT UP IS BECAUSE I SEE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES IN THE WAY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT THEY ARE PAVED THE WAY FOR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHEN THE PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER TO VOICE THEIR CONCERN AND I SEE THE SAME THING HAPPENING HERE SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY I OPPOSE THIS TAX AND I HOPE THAT CLAY COUNTY CAN STAY LIKE THIS SMALL TOWN. AND I MOVE BACK YOUR RECENTLY, I WAS SHOCKED AND SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH OF A SMALL TOWN FEEL I STILL HAD AFTER BEING AWAY FOR 20 YEARS. I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY. DEFINITELY APPLIES TO TAXATION AND I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT. >> IS THERE ANYBODY WE MISSED. IF YOU HAVEN'T GONE, THAT IS FINE. SORRY ABOUT THAT, MY FEET ARE ASLEEP. PROBABLY MORE OF ME IS ASLEEP TOO AND I JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT MY NAME IS KAREN KUHN. I LIVE AT 1006 BEING AWAY ON TH SOUTH END OF THE COUNTY, SOUTHEAST AND MY CONCERN AS I WAS HERE FOR THE LAST MEETING AND THIS ORDINANCE WAS PUSHED THROUGH SO FAST, IT WAS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND IT WAS READ OFF THE AGENDA AND THEN AS SOON AS IT WAS READ IT WAS STATED DOES ANYBODY HALF ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THOSE AND THEN THEY SAID GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE, GOING THREE. WE ARE DONE. ALL RIGHT. SO I WENT HOME AND I LOOKED UP THIS MEETING BECAUSE PEOPLE WER TOLD ALL OF THIS IS PUBLIC RECORD BUT BEFORE I CAME TO THE MEETING LAST MONTH, I TRIED TO GET THIS AGENDA THE DAY BEFORE AND I WAS TOLD THE AGENDA WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY SAID COM BACK TOMORROW AT THE MEETING. IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT IN A MEETING BEFORE HAND, HOW DO WE [06:35:03] KNOW TO COME TO SPEAK ABOUT THI PICK AND THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW ABOUT IT IS IF YOU READ THAT CLAY COUNTY CRESCENT, WHICH WIL BE POSTED IN THEIR, WHETHER YOU COME UP WHICH THIS WAS ACTUALLY POSTED IN JANUARY. IT WAS ORIGINALLY. AND IT DIDN'T COME UNTIL JULY. SO I DON'T KNOW THE BIG DIFFERENCE THERE BUT MY CONCERN REALLY IS THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BENEFIT ANYTHING FROM THIS. I CAN OPPOSE IT BUT I FEEL THAT THERE ARE AREAS THAT PROBABLY D NEED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. MY AREA COMMENDABLE GOING TO GE IT. I DIDN'T GET THE CUPBOARDS THAT I WANT TO BE REPLACED UNTIL 50 YEARS UNTIL THEY BUILT A FIELD ACROSS THE ROAD FOR ME AND FPL VOLUNTEERED TO SPLIT THE BILLS TO GET THE NEW CULVERTS PUT IN BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT THE HEAV EQUIPMENT THEY WERE BRINGING IN WERE NOT GOING TO STAND UP ON THAT ROAD. CAN YOU GET THE CARD. ANYONE ELSE? BEFORE I CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT. CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT AND BRINGING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. ANYBODY. >> I SAT HERE FOR OVER FIVE HOURS LISTENING TO EVERYONE SPEAK. >> WE DON'T NEED ANYONE ELSE TO SPEAK. EVERYBODY CAN LEAVE AND WE CAN JUST MEET BY OURSELVES. WE'D LISTEN, PLEASE HAVE ENOUGH RESPECT AND LET US FINISH NOW. >> I WANT TO COMPLIMENT EVERYON THAT CAME OUT AND SPOKE TONIGHT BECAUSE I LEARNED A FEW THINGS THAT I DIDN'T KNOW. I WANT TO COMPLEMENT PHILIP EDMONDS AND MARK AND BRENT FOR BEING HERE TODAY, WHICH IS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS HERE. BUT I A LITTLE STATEMENT AT THA I AM GOING TO READ IT HERE. IN MATTERS OF GRAVEN CONSEQUENTIAL IMPACT, I'VE ALWAYS RELIED ON PROFESSIONALS TO GIVE ME INFORMATION ON AREAS I'M NOT WELL VERSED ON. WHETHER IT'S ON AIR OR LAND OR SEA, THERE ARE PROFESSIONALS THAT MAKE BUSINESS THEIR BUSINESS BY MAKING SOLID PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. IT COULD BE TRAFFIC. IT COULD BE DEVELOPMENT. IT COULD BE INSURANCE, IT COULD BE INVESTMENT OR LEGAL ADVICE, THERE IS ALWAYS A PROFESSIONAL THAT I CAN TOUCH AND GET SOME INFORMATION FROM. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF CONFLICTIN PROBLEMS OUT HERE. YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SET UP HERE. WE HAVE DATA CENTERS. YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT DATA CENTERS. YOU CERTAINLY HEARD A LOT ABOUT LPR'S TONIGHT. RECYCLING, YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THAT TONIGHT BUT YOU HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT POSSIBLE WATER, GROPE GRAY WATER, WASTEWATER, BIOSOLIDS AND STORM WATER IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. WITH LIVE ON A PENINSULA WITH NAMES SUCH AS CLAY COUNTY. THE SOIL HERE IS MADE UP OF SAN AND CLAY. I WAS ON THE SALVATION ARMY BOARD AND WE BUILT THIS FACILIT ON 220. WE COULDN'T DO IT WITH THE THAT WAS THERE IT WAS BUILT ON SPONG CLAY. IT IS WEIRD CLAY. WE COULDN'T BUILD ON IT. IT IS IMPERVIOUS AND IT JUST HOLDS WATER. SO WE HAD TO BRING IN A BUNCH O GOOD GROUND AND IT HAD TO BE DU OUT AND THEN WE BUILT IT, WE BUILT THE FACILITY PERIODS OF SURFACE WATER IS A REAL PROBLEM IN CLAY. I REPRESENT THE THIRD DISTRICT IN CLAY COUNTY WERE INFRASTRUCTURE SOME OF THE OLDEST. THIS CONSTANT DISRUPTIONS. JUST ASKED THE RESIDENTS. IT REPLACES THE SURFACE WATER [06:40:01] WHICH USED DOWN THE TOPOGRAPHY. IT WOULD PUT THE SIDEWALKS AND LINGER THERE AND ALGAE AND IT WOULD GET SLIPPERY AND YOU COUL BARELY WALK ON THE SIDEWALKS. ASKED FOUL ABOUT THE STANDING WATER PROBLEMS. IT ALMOST MAKE YOU FEEL -- ASKED MOODY ROAD RESIDENCE HELP THEY'D LIKE THE THREE MONTH DETOUR WHEN THEY CLOSE MOODY BECAUSE A CULVERT COLLAPSED AND FAILED TO REFLECT THE DIDN'T LOSE A CAR OR ANY PEOPLE BUT WE RODE THAT FACILITY TO FAILURE. ASKED THE RESIDENTS OF WALTER DRIVE HOW TO DO LIKE THE BACKYARD SLIPPING INTO THE 20- FOOT DITCH THAT CARRIES WATER FROM ORANGE PARK. MANY OF THE UNFUNDED PROJECTS, WE HEARD THAT A COUPLE TIMES. IT'S TRUE. WHAT YOU DIDN'T HEAR, I HEARD A LOT ABOUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT PROJECTS, WE HAVE ABOUT $60 MILLION FOR PROJECTS, WHETHER THEY BE MAINTENANCE AND ARE FUNDED. WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW. SOME OF THOSE YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT. EVEN THOUGH I AM AT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, I'M REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTY. WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF UNMET NEED AND RISKS SUCH AS THE DAM AT ASBURY. THEY'VE BEEN RATED AS VERY CLOS TO FAILURE. IT IS STILL IN ITS PRIVATE PROPERTY. WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO FIX IT. HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN ON COUNTY ROAD 220. WE JUST REPLACED SOME BRIDGES THEY ARE IN FEAR IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THOSE BREACHES. THAT IS ALL THE STORMWATER TYPE STUFF. I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY HAD ANY BENEFIT. 209, 217, 220. 217 IS JUST ON THE CLAY HILL AREA. IT BASICALLY IS UNDERRATED FOR THE TRAFFIC. AND IT IS USED AS A BYPASS AND WE HAVE BEEN SWEATING THAT FOR LONG TIME. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT FUNDS TO GET THAT PROJECT. I TALK BUT WE AND THE BIG WE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FEDERAL AND STATE LOCAL RESIDENTS, THE BIG WE PAY FOR A PIPELINE THAT GOES DOWN TO KEYSTONE, $181 MILLION WAS SPENT ON THAT PIPELINE THEY'RE ALL IT DOES IS TAKE WATER OUT OF BLACK CREEK, WHICH DOESN'T PERCOLATE. SOME OF THE GEOLOGISTS, HOWEVER THE WATER GUYS ARE SAFE DOESN'T PERCOLATE DOWN TO AQUIFER SO IT TAKES SURFACE WATER BEING PUMPE ONTO KEYSTONE, $181 MILLION. WE JUST HAD A FAILURE THERE COM A BRAND-NEW PIPE. WE HAD TO GET RID OF 7 MILES OF 30-INCH WATER MAIN. BID TO GET RID OF 7 MILES OF WATER ONCE THE PIPE BROKE AND THEN IT BECAME -- WE HAD TO GET RID OF ALL THAT WATER. WE TEAMED HERE WITH THE JONES EDMUNDS AND I AM GOING TO BREAK ON THEM A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE THE EXPERTS IN WATER MANAGEMENT. WEEK USE THEM IN ORANGE PARK WHEN I WAS ON THE ORANGE PARK TOWN COUNCIL. BUT WAS PRESENTED 15 YEARS AGO WAS EXCEPTIONAL, IN MY OPINION. SO THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR ALL YOU WORK ON THAT. I'M PATTING YOU ON THE BACK THERE. THREW THAT STUDY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD STORMWATER IN -- AND IT IS NOT $85 A MONTH. IT IS $280. SO IT BOILS DOWN TO YOU WANT TO WRITE ON BALD TIRES. YOU ONE OF RIGHT AND THE JET UNTIL THE ENGINE COPS OUT ON YOU . YOU WANT TO TELL ME THAT PAIN I YOUR LEFT SHOULDER IS INDIGESTION. YOU'VE YOU'VE GOT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH AND EMBRACE THE FACTS. GET A PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT I WHICH WE'VE DONE AND TIME IS NOW . WE SHOULD'VE DONE IT. [06:45:02] PEOPLE SAY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS. THE COUNTY BEFORE I WAS HERE, I THINK WAS 2019 AND 17 AND 18, THE COUNTY WAS TALKING ABOUT STORMWATER AND WE JUST NOW ARE BRINGING IT UP. SO THE TIME IS NOW FOR ME ANYWAY . THANK YOU. YOU CAN LEAVE SIR. THAT IS YOUR WARNING. DO YOU NEED TO BE ESCORTED OUT? THAT IS IT. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. PLEASE ESCORT HIM OUT IF HE WANTS TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE. >> I WILL GO AHEAD, MADAM CHAIR. SO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING TONIGHT AND STAYING HERE LATE WITH US. WE RECOGNIZE THAT FOR SURE WE HAVE RESIDENTS COME TO THE PODIUM THAT ADVOCATE FOR ALL KINDS OF THINGS AND WE HAVE STUDENTS COME AND ADVOCATE FOR PROGRAMS AND YOU HAD PEOPLE ADVOCATE FOR LIBRARIES. WE HAVE PEOPLE ADVOCATE FOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. BUT AT ZONING HEARINGS, THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT I'VE HEAR THE PAST TWO YEARS IS RESIDENTS ADVOCATE FOR STORMWATER. AND OUR PRESIDENTS EXPECT THAT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AN THE REALITY IS MANY OF YOU HAVE STATED TONIGHT IS THAT PAST COMMISSIONS HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF IT AND THEY KICKED AND KICKE AND KICKED DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE HAD NO ROAD TO KICK IT ON. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WAS INTERESTING TO ME TONIGHT I HOW DIVERSE OUR COUNTY IS. I WAS KEEPING NOTES AS THE SPEAKER WAS DATING HIS ADDRESS WAS LOOKING AT THE CARDS AND ADDRESSES. OVER 90% OF TONIGHT SPEAKERS AR FROM COMMISSIONER CONDON'S DISTRICT, WHICH SAYS A LOT. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT AM WRESTLING WITH ON THIS AS HO TO MAKE IT AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE AND THE FIVE OF US HAVE TO HAVE TOUGH DECISIONS BECAUSE THERE I NOT A SINGLE DECISION WERE EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DID HAVE SOME RESIDENTS LIKE THAT RECOGNIZE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS SO THAT FUNDING OF FIXING THOSE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS, THEY LEFT AN THEY ARE SAYING IT THERE LEFT I THE SAME SITUATION. AS A COMMISSIONER I'VE HEARD YO LOUD AND CLEAR, CLAY COUNTY, THAT YOU WANT DEVELOPMENT TO PA FOR ITSELF AND ONE OF THE THING THAT I WANT TO TELL YOU, THIS I THE FIRST COMMISSION MEETING YOU'VE BEEN AT, THIS BOARD IS DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. WE HAVE MAXIMIZED MOBILITY FEES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT BEFORE TH STATE LAW AND THAT IS THE MOST WE CAN DO. BUT OF THE THINGS I WOULD ADVIS YOU TO DO, LET YOUR LEGISLATOR KNOW YOU DO NOT LIKE THE FLORID STATE LAW THAT LIMITS MOBILITY AND IMPACTS THE INCREASES TO 50 BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE STATE LAWS RIGHT NOW AND IT GOES BACK TO THE FACT THAT MANY COMMISSIONS BEFORE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE GROWTH BUT THIS COMMISSION RIGHT HERE IS DOING THAT AND I COMMEND MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND LEVERAGING BU WE HAVE AVAILABLE. ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY ABOUT THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT IS THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME WHEN I WAS MEETING WITH STAFF O THIS AND HOMEOWNERS CONTRIBUTED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY TOWAR THESE IMPROVEMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT GROWTH. HOME DEPOT IS SPENDING $8,000 ANNUALLY. WALMART $12,000 ANNUALLY. TARGET $7,200 ANNUALLY. ACADEMY SPORTS $10,000 ANNUALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO THIS. I CHOSE TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN 2023 AND I WENT DOWN THERE AND FILED, I DIDN'T DO IT TO BECOME POPULAR. I LOOK BACK THE TIMES THAT I'VE HAD IN THIS COUNTY STARTING IN 1995 WHEN I WAS LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, GOING TO PATTERSON ELEMENTARY OFF OF PINEAPPLE AND PLAYING BASEBALL AT ORANGE PARK ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND MEETIN MY WIFE IN OUR FIRST HOME IN ASBURY. RAN FOR OFFICE TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY THAT CREATED ME AND THAT IS WHAT I PLAN TO DO. THREW THAT IN THIS CHAIR, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO. REALLY TOUGH DECISIONS I THINK THAT NONE OF US, IF YOU WANT BACK TO 2018, BUT THOUGHT WE [06:50:03] WOULD BE DEALING WITH THE INFLATION THAT WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH IN 2026, WHETHER YOU'RE BUYING A CHICKEN SANDWIC FROM CHICK-FIL-A, YOU GO TO THE GAS PUMP FOR THE GROCERY STORE EVERYONE IS FEELING THE PINCH, INCLUDING THE COUNTY COMMISSION. AND PAYING ME TO APPROVE, WITH DO A $2.1 MILLION BUDGET TRANSFER OUT OF RESERVES FOR FUEL. THAT IS FUEL FOR POLICE CARS AN THAT'S FUEL FOR FIRE TRUCKS AND THINGS EVERYONE EXPECTS. THERE'S THREE THINGS WHEN I DECIDED TO DO THIS THAT I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DO. ONE MUST FULLY FUND PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH WE ARE DOING THAT SO YOUR PROPERTY TAXES FOR THIS COMING YEAR, THE 26-27 BUDGET WILL BRING IN $181 MILLION. HOUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET FOR CLAY COUNTY IS $205 MILLION, SO WE ARE DOING THAT. THE SECOND THING IS I WANTED TO BE SMART AND STRATEGIC WITH GROWTH AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN TH THIRD THING WAS SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS. TO ME SUPPORTING A SELF-SUSTAINING FUND OVER $50 MILLION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES KEEPING THE PROMISE THAT I MADE TO THE VOTERS AND BEING STRATEGIC WITHIN THE STRUCTURE. IF YOU DON'T KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE. AND WE HAVE SEEN THIS. YOU DON'T KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE, IT IS GOING TO COS THE TAXPAYERS THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT ON THE BACKEND. THAT ROAD FAILURE WAS ALMOST A MAN DOLLARS, WHICH WOULD NOT COST THAT MUCH IF WE WERE PROACTIVE. I WANT TO SHARE ONE SHORT STORY ABOUT A PRESIDENT THAT REACH OU TO ME THAT LIVES IN MY DISTRICT OFF OF SWIMMING. CREEK. HE SENT ME AN E-MAIL AND SET MY HOUSE IS ABOUT TO CAVE IN AND THIS IS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME, THIRD OR FOURTH WEEK THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE O THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT TO MYSELF WAS THIS GUY IS JUST MAKING THIS UP BEEN I SAID CAN WE BE A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFI AND HE TOOK A PICTURE AND E-MAILED TO ME AND SAID MY HOUS IS ABOUT TO CAVE IN. SO I DROVE TO HIS HOUSE WHEN I GOT THERE I SAW HIM STANDING IN THE YARD AND THEY IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE COUNTY MANAGER AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND SAID I NEED YOU TO MEET ME AT THIS LOCATION SO THEY CAME OUT AND MET ME. THE THREE-FOOT THREE-FOOT THE MODERN RP STILL HERE BUT THERE WAS A GUY THAT SPOKE ABOUT HE KNEW A LOT ABOUT STORMWATER, CONCRETE PIPES. HE'S TOTALLY RIGHT. THIS PIPE WAS THE THREE-FOOT CORRUGATED PIPE THAT TOOK THE NEIGHBORHOOD RUNOFF FROM SWIMMING PENS AND DUNKED IT INT BLACK CREEK. IN 2018 WHEN THIS HOMEOWNER WAS NOT THE RESIDENCE AT THE TIME, SOMEBODY APPROVED A VARIANCE THAT ALLOWED THIS THREE-FOOT PIPE -- OR THIS HAS TO BE BUILT 5-8 FEE FROM THIS THREE-FOOT PIPE. THE PAPER BEEN THERE FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND THE CORRUGATED METAL HAD FAILED IN THE STORMWATER PRESS THEN WASHING OUT ALL OF THE DIRT SUPPLY STOO NEXT OF PIPE, YOU CAN SEE ITS NET. UP TIME IS SET WE'VE GOT THE FI THIS AND WHAT THEY TOLD ME AND THE STAFF HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT AND UPFRONT WITH ME BE AT HE'S GOT TO DO A HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PLAN AND I SET A HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CLAIM , THAT IS OUR PIPE. FOR ME PERSONALLY TO PUT MY HEA ON THE PILLOW EVERY NIGHT, I PU BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE I SURVIVE JUST TELL TELL PEOPLE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT BUT FOUL THE HOMEOWNERS TO MOVE ABOUT OUT MY BUSINESS. I DON'T ROLL THAT WAY. THIS ISN'T A SHINY THING TO FUN BRITISH SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO BE A POLITICIAN THAT'S GOING TO DUCK AND DIVE AND AVOID EVERY TOUGH TOPIC, I'M NOT YOUR GUY. I BOUGHT THE AGAINST UTILITY TA LAST YEAR BECAUSE THAT MONEY GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND. IS NOT A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR STAFF AFTER THAT. THIS FUND IS LOCKED IN TO GO STRAIGHT TO STORMWATER STUFF AN WHENEVER EVERYONE ELSE IS DONE, HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS. I WANT TO THANK OVERWHELMINGLY THE DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT. I WAS LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED I A LOT OF DISTRICT 4 WHO CALL ME A LOT AND PEOPLE DIDN'T CALL ME ABOUT THIS. AND SOUTH THAT WAS DISAPPOINTIN TO ME. THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT WITH STAFF SINCE LAST FALL WE TALKED ABOUT AT MEETINGS AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN -- HAS KNOWN THAT I HAVE BEEN AGAINST IT FROM THE BEGINNING I DID VOTE TO SEND THE LETTERS TO [06:55:01] YOU AND YOU CAN FAULT ME FOR THAT. BY THAT I DO THAT? BECAUSE I WANTED TO HEAR FROM YOU. I ONE OF THE TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT AT ANY RATE, A LOT OF UGLY THINGS HALF BEEN SAID I HAVE CO RESPECT FOR MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. A LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SAID THIS IS THE MOST DAMAGING COMMISSION OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT EVER IN CLAY COUNTY. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. THIS COMMISSION IS TRYING THEIR HARDEST TO FIX THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WRONG IN OUR COUNTY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. THIS COMMISSION HAS NOT HID BEHIND PEOPLE JUST SAYING WE AR NOT WILLING TO RAISE TAXES. WE ARE 60TH OUT OF 67 COUNTIES IN TEXAS BUT WITH WE THE 25TH LARGEST COUNTIES SO WE ENJOY LO TAXES IN CLAY COUNTY. WE ENJOY HEAVILY HOMESTEADED I LOVE THAT BECAUSE I WAS BORN -- I WAS BORN IN CLAY COUNTY. I WASN'T BORN HERE BUT I WAS BORN IN GAINESVILLE. I'M REALLY PRETTY OLD. AT ANY RATE MY PARENTS WERE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND I'M A NATIVE FLORIDIAN, PROBABLY SEVE BUDGET GENERATIONS MAY HAVE A CERTIFICATE THAT SAYS I'M AN ORIGINAL FLORIDA CRACKER AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS, IT IS NOT AN OFFENSIVE TERM. AT ANY RATE, I LOVE OUR HOME IN THE GENTLE MEN WHO SPOKE EARLIER , THAT IS THE CROWN JEWEL OF CLAY COUNTY BUT IT IS WHERE LIVE AND I LOVE REPRESENTING DISTRICT 4 AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT. IT HAS BEEN CLEAR TO ME THROUGH THIS, I HAVE LESSENED THE THING THAT I REMEMBER BEFORE COMMISSIONER WAS ELECTED OR MAYBE SHE WAS FIRST ELECTED AND WE HAD THE STORMWATER FAILURE I PINE RIDGE. IT WAS VERY, VERY COSTLY AND WE HAD TO CLOSE WROTE DOWN BECAUSE SOMEONE'S HOUSE WAS GOING TO FALL IN HER COULD FALL AND END SCHOOL WAS GETTING OUT AND IT WAS A MISS. VERY EXPENSIVE. I GET IT. SO WE DO HAVE $60 MILLION OF UNFUNDED PROJECTS FOR THE LOOKE AT THE LIST OF PROJECTS AND I'M PRETTY SURE MAYBE IT WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION IF I SAID I ONE OF THE OTHER SEATS APPEAR BUT DICE SIT IN THE SEED THAT I SIT IN ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 4 AND THERE'S LESS THA $5 MILLION OF PROJECTS INTO DISTRICT 4 THAT ARE ON THIS LIS THAT IS BECAUSE WE PRETTY MUCH DON'T HAVE STORMWATER BUT WE DO HAVE DITCHES, WE HAVE THE ROADS WE TALKED ABOUT THE PRIVATE ROADS. SO IN THIS CURRENT DRAFT, I CAN'T SUPPORT THE ASSESSMENT COORDINATES COORDINATES AND I WON'T. AND IF IT NEEDS TO PASS, AND I' NOT SUGGESTING, BUT IF IT NEEDS TO PASS, IF IT COULD STAY IN TH AREAS BECAUSE I THINK WE DID HEAR THERE IS A NEED AND THIS I ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I BEEN YOUR COMMISSIONER FOR OVER SIX YEARS IN DISTRICT 4. IF DOING THE MATH MY CAN SERVE TEN YEARS BECAUSE I SERVED THE FIRST TWO SHEARS AS A SPECIAL ELECTION SO IT WON'T HIT THE EIGHT YEAR TERM UNTIL MIDWAY THROUGH THE NEXT TERM. I WAS JUST REELECTED AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I LOST THAT TRAIN OF THOUGHT. THAT'S NOT A GOOD THING BUT I WANTED TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, I WAS THAT THERE A LOT OF NEEDS I OUR DISTRICT ABOUT ROAD. I HAVE WORKED WITH A HEART AND THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS HAVE SUPPORTED HIM WE HAVE DONE MORE ROADWORK IN DISTRICT 4 THAT HAS EVER BEEN DONE BENT THAT THEN B ANY OTHER COMMISSION. AND COMMISSIONER BURKE AND COMMISSIONER RENNINGER WERE ELECTED THE SAME TIME I WAS ALMOST SIX YEARS AGO AND THERE WAS $3 MILLION TO BUILD ROADWOR COMPLETELY. THAT'S ALL IT WAS. NOW WE ARE UP OVER $11 MILLION PERIODS YES, WE HAD A HUGE PRIC INCREASE SINCE COVID HAS HAPPEN BUT WE HAVE NEW STAFF AND OUR COUNTY ENGINEER IS NOT NEW NOW BUT HE WASN'T THE TIME TIME, NE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. AND UNDER THEIR LEADERSHIP, THE REALLY HAVE COMMITTED TO GETTIN OUR ROADS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTUR [07:00:01] INFRASTRUCTURAL BRIGHT THAN THE COUNTY BUT WE CAN'T GO BACK IN TIME. NONE OF US HAVE A TIME MACHINE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE O OUR COMMISSION. THINGS WERE VERY DIFFERENT. I DON'T THINK THERE WERE TERM LIMITS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS . IT WAS A DIFFERENT WORLD SO IF WE COULD KEEP THE MONEY IN DISTRICT 4 MY MIGHT BE WILLING TO CONSIDER IT TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE DONE THE NIGHT. THE CURRENT STATE I WON'T SUPPORT IT. I HAVE COMPLETE RESPECT FOR YOU THE UGLY THINK THAT I HAVE BEEN SAID COME ACCUSATIONS ABOUT HOW NONE OF US CARE AND HOW WE ARE LINING OUR POCKETS, NONE OF THA IS TRUE. SO I JUST, I RESPECT YOU AS HUMAN BEINGS AND I RESPECT YOU AS FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS AND I RESPECT THAT YOUR CONSTITUENT ELECTED YOU TO MAKE THE DECISIONS HERE. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND STEP ON THE BOARD THAT IS GONE INTO THIS. OUR COUNTY MANAGER AND COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF HAD REALLY HORRIBLE THINGS SAID ABOUT THEM. THERE JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR JOB AND IT IS NOT RIGHT. WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT TONIGHT ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE NOT RIGHT NOW DON'T THINK THAT IS READY EITHER. AT ANY RATE, THAT IS WHAT I HAV TO SAY. YOU WANT TO START WITH YOUR QUESTIONS FIRST? >> OKAY. I'D LIKE TO HAVE YOU COME BACK UP. WE HEARD OVER AND OVER OUR CONSTITUENTS DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NECESSARY. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT AND ALSO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OR I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROJECTS AT I'M GOING TO BRING UP ERIC AND RICHARD FOR THAT. >> SO THE FIRST QUESTION WAS, B THE FEE IS NECESSARY? >> BY INCLUDING THE STORMWATER WOULD BE NECESSARY TO WORK OUT, IN YOUR EYES COME IN THE STUDY THAT YOU DID. >> I CAN SAY THE REASON THAT PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE, PROBABLY TWO REASONS THEY'VE DONE IT IS IT IS A RELIABLE SOURCE OF FUNDING, AS YOU ARE PROBABLY PAINFULLY AWARE. IT DOESN'T GET THE SAME PRIORIT EVERY YEAR. YOU DON'T HAVE A WAY OF GUARANTEEING OF WHAT NEEDS TO GET DONE IS GOING TO GET DONE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS IF THERE IS GENERAL FUND, IT IS A NECESSARY BUT IT IS EQUITABLE BUT IT IS BASED ON IT IS BASED ON THE PROPERTY VALUE AS OPPOSED TO TH CONTRIBUTION TO THE SYSTEM. SO IT IS A FAIR WAY TO FUND WHA NEEDS TO BE DONE. AND FIND SOMETHING THAT IS RELIABLE. THOSE ARE THE REASONS IT IS TYPICALLY DONE. THE COUNTY HAS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE PERMIT AND THAT IS NOT AN OPTION YOU HAVE. THERE ARE CHALLENGES FOR THAT I THE PERMIT PROCESS IS REQUIRED TO DO MAINTENANCE WORK AND OTHE ACTIVITIES AND UNFORTUNATE THOS ARE NOT OPTIONS THAT YOU HAVE AND YOU CAN GET INTO REGULATORY TROUBLE WITH THOSE ACTIVITIES, SO THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY MECHANISMS USED I'M SURE THAT THE FUNDS TO CONTINUE TO BE ABL TO COMPLY, FROM THE PERMIT. WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE THAT YO HAVE WITH WATER. WITH WATER, LIKE OUR EXPERIENCE. I HAVE A BACHELOR AND MASTERS DEGREE. MY MASTERS WAS A SPECIALIZATION IN WATER RESOURCES AND I HAVE PRACTICED IN THIS FIELD FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS. I'M THE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE STORMWATER ASSOCIATION ONE OF THE CO-AUTHORS OF THE MANUAL THAT IS USED. I HAVE A BACHELOR AND MASTERS DEGREE AND BRETT AND I HAVE [07:05:09] WORKED ON UTILITIES FOR 20 SOME ODD YEARS. AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS. AT THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE MOST WELL-RESPECTED PERSONS IN THE INDUSTRY IN STORMWATER IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THEY PROBABLY HAVE DONE MORE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAN ANY OTHER FIRM. >> ON THAT REGARD, THE STORMWATER. WHENEVER WORK IS DONE, CAN YOU LET US KNOW HOW THAT WILL PASS. >> SO YOU PAID FOR, I GUESS I WOULD WANT TO BREAK THAT INTO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SEGMENTS PAID SO MAINTENANCE AND DAY-TO-DAY SEGMENTS OUT OF TRANSPORTATION TRUST IN THEIR SELF-SUSTAINING SAY YOU BEEN TRYING TO FIND DOLLARS TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE OF STORM WATER. NOT COUNTING THE CULVERT. CAPITAL FUNDING THE MAJOR PROJECTS HAVE BEEN PAID FOR OUT OF CA PE. AND YOU HAD ABOUT $400,000 BUT DON'T THINK THAT ISN'T ELEMENT OF THAT IS ALL THE NEEDS YOU HAVE, THAT IS ALL THE FUNDS I COULD BE ALLOCATED TOWARD THEM. A LOT OF THAT IS WHERE WE CAN FIND FUNDING. WE DID SPEND CLOSE TO $4 MILLIO TRYING TO SOLVE SOME OF THOSE PROBLEMS FROM $10 MILLION TO TR TO CATCH UP ON THOSE. THAT IS WHERE YOU SPEND SOME OF YOUR MONEY AT. AND I DID BRING THE PROJECT LIS UP. >> ONE OF THE FUNDING WAS THE MONEY THAT CAME OUT OF COVID FO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SPEAKIN ABOUT GRANTS IT WAS BASICALLY A FEDERAL GRANT THAT THEY GAVE TH COUNTY AND THERE WAS NO MATCH T IT. THAT IS DRIED UP. THEY WILL NOT HAVE THAT REVENUE STREAM ANYMORE. BASICALLY TRY TO CATCH UP ON SOME OF THE NEED. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] >> I'VE GOT THE LIST THAT YOU ASKED FOR. >> ALONG WITH THIS LIST, CAN YO ALL GO TO -- I WAS TOLD AND DEFINITELY I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CONCERNS BUT IS IT NOT TRUE -- >> I WOULD REFERRED TO ERIC. THERE IS THE 4-5 MILLION IN DAY TO DAY MAINTENANCE. I DON'T KNOW THAT BREAK DOWN. ON THE OTHER SIDE THERE IS THE CAPITAL PROJECT. THAT'S 15-16 PROJECT THAT YOU'R SEEING ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW. AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT. AND THEN BELOW THAT AND BELOW THAT IS A LIST OF ANOTHER 30 PAGES OF PROJECTS THAT ARE MORE YOUR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS THEY DON'T QUALIFY FOR CAPITAL BECAUSE THE NET INCREASING CAPACITY. THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE IN TH PROCESS OF REVEALING AN ITEM OF THAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO SAY IT ERIC. >> REALLY THEY JUST COME UP AROUND -- THE PIECE GOES OVER REHABILITATION. SO THEY ARE JUST REPLACING AND ALL THESE RIGHT HERE, THIS IS A FOUR PLAY PAGES BROKE DOWN FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS. THESE ARE THAT WE FOUND OVER TH YEARS THAT EITHER THROUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE ARE PROACTIVE ARE ONLY PROACTIVE IN A COUPLE OF ITEMS AND EVERYTHIN ELSE IS REQUESTED OR REQUEST BASED TYPE OF OPERATIONS. SO WHATEVER WE GET A SERVICE REQUEST FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT W JUST CHECKED TO SEE WHAT'S GOIN ON. AND THIS IS A RESULT OF THOSE TYPES OF INSPECTIONS THAT WE DO. WHEN THEY GO OUT THERE, THEY PU ACTUALLY SEE WHAT KIND OF [07:10:06] GREETING EACH ONE OF THEM GET. IT'S EITHER COMPLETELY REPLACED. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE. AND IT GOES TO THIS LIST. AND IT IS FORTUNATE FOR THREE YEARS AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS , MY FIRST TWO YEARS HERE, WE REALLY DIDN'T NEED THE BUDGE PAY THE ONLY FUNDS AT RUBLE TO GET OUR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FUNDS AND A LOT OF THOSE REALLY TRY TO DO THOSE SWEAT AND THEY WERE AT FAILURE. THIS LAST YEAR THE FIRST YEAR W ACTUALLY RECEIVED 1.6 MILLION AND ACTUALLY CLEANED UP 30 PROJECTS AND THEY WERE ALL INSIDE REPAIR AND REHABILITATION . >> I'M SURE YOU WOULD AGREE THA THERE ARE MANY PROP LECTURES -- PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT ON THE LIST THAT YOU HAVEN'T EVEN FOUN YET. >> ABSOLUTELY, MA'AM. WE FIND THEM ALL THE TIME. THIS LIST IS A LITTLE, WE HAVE ABOUT 27 MORE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THERE THERE IS ACTUALLY, NOT EVEN A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THE PROJECTS THAT WER TALKING ABOUT, TO 20 THE BRIDGE WHEN THEY WERE GOING THROUGH AN PUTTING IN THE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE IN THAT AREA ACTUALLY PUMPED DOWN THE POND THAT IS LOCATED THERE WHEN THEY DID THEY FOUND OUT THAT MOST OF THE STRUCTURES GOING FROM THE BOX TO 220 WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SEDIMENTATION OR NETWORKING TO TO THE POINT -- THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR THOSE MY SHOP WAS ABLE TO CLEAN OUT AND WE FOUND QUITE A BIT OF THAT AND NOT WORKING FOR VERY LONG TIME. I THINK THAT IS INDICATIVE OF GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. FUN THINGS WE SEE REGULARLY, IN OUR CORRUGATED METAL PIPE AND THAT IS REALLY THE LIFESPAN OF THOSE FOR 25-30 YEARS, BUT DEPENDING ON A COUPLE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. >> DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADD? >> JUST ONE THING THAT HAPPENED ON THAT WHILE ERIC WAS FUNNY THAT PROBLEM IN THE WORKS OWN, DISCOVERED ANOTHER PROBLEM 1600 FEET EAST OF THERE OUTSIDE OF THE WORKS ZONE AND THAT WAS ABOUT A $350,000 REPAIR THAT WA FUNDED WE HAD TO COME UP WITH A 60-INCH PIPE PAGE YOU CAN IMAGINE A 5-FOOT DIAMETER PIPE FULL OF DIRT AND MUD, PROBABLY 30-40 YEARS AND THE PIPES HAD COME APART AND FOUND THAT WE HA TO FIX THAT. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE ABOUT THE LAST 8-10 WEEKS. WE GOT A LIST ON THE GO IN YOUR WILL GET IN THERE AND FIND SOMETHING ELSE. FOR A MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT, I NOT IN THE LIST. THAT WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE PREVIOUS COUNTY. EXPLAINED TO ME WHEN I HAD TO CROSS PATHS, THIS DID NOT PASS IN 2019. AND THAT REALLY PUT THE COUNTY BEHIND. >> IT WOULD'VE BEEN ACIDIFIED ALL OF ACROSS-THE-BOARD AND BE PUT NOT BE ALL THIS BOARD RIGHT NOW IF WE HAD NOT KICKED THE CA DOWN THE ROAD. >> TWO HOME DEPOT'S, A COUPLE O WALMARTS AND PUBLICS IS ALL OVER . THEY'VE GOT RETENTION PONDS THA ALSO GOT A PARKING LOT OUTFRONT. SO THEY ARE PAYING MULTIPLE TIMES ON HALF-ACRE, 2,000-FOOT FACEPLATE SEE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE EVEN THOUGH THEY DO TREAT IT, IT DOES PUT A BURDEN TRANSFERRING THE PROPERTY TO TH EVENTUAL -- WHICH IS WHERE BLACK CREEK AND THE RIVER -- AND I WROTE THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING I RAN ON. THAT IS DEAFLY SOMETHING THAT CAME ON TRYING TO FIGHT AS SOON AS I GOT HERE. [07:15:01] WE DID HAVE A MORATORIUM IN DISTRICT 5 FOR THREE YEARS, FOU YEARS BUT IT WAS FOR A 350 PRETTY COULDN'T JUST CUT OFF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE WE WOULD GET SUED AND WE WOULD LOSE. IT IS A FACT. WE JUST CAN'T STOP GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. WE CANNOT STOP PEOPLE FROM SELLING THEIR PROPERTY AND I HA MANIAC -- MAJOR LAND OWNERS THAT SOLD THEIR PROPERTY AND THEY SOLD IT TO DEVELOPERS AND THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BUILD. NEVER EVEN HAD THIS ON OUR BOARD . SO I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID SOMETHING THAT YOU MADE APPROVE 24 HOMES POSSIBLY HERE AND THER ON THIS BOARD. WE DID APPROVE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD THE PROPERTY SOUTH OF GREEN COVE IT WASN'T DEVELOPED FOR 15 YEARS. I LEARNED A VERY VALUABLE LESSO ON THAT ONE. THAT IS IT AND, YES, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR US. RICHARD COME IF YOU COULD TOUCH ON THAT, WE TALKED ABOUT, I HEARD IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ARE DEVELOPERS SHOULD BE PAYING FOR ALL OF THIS. CAN YOU TOUCH ON THAT PART US. WE REPLACED GUARD RAILS CONTINUOUSLY. A CULVERT DOES NOT MEET ANY TYP OF SPECIFICATIONS. WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE SILVER LINING FROM A REALLY DARK CLOUD, THERE ARE RULES NOW THAT HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT AND MARK CAN CORRECT ME FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHSF, THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER. IT'S MORE STRINGENT THAN IT WAS 3-4 YEARS AGO SO WHEN WE START DOING BETTER, THEY HAVE TO PARADIGM SAYING THAT THEY ARE BUILDING IMPERVIOUS DRIVEWAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND WE ARE DOING THE TREATMENT OF THE WATER WHEN IT COMES OUT IS MUCH HIGHER, IS CLEANER THAN IT EVER WAS FOR ANY NEW STUFF. WE WERE SEEING A LOT OF PRESERVATION. I WOULD NEVER ABOUT A QUARTER ACRE LOT. HE'S NOT REAL GOOD AT PUSHING A LAWNMOWER SHE'S GOT 1300 ACRES TO MOW. SHE PROBABLY DID GOOD IN A 5,00 SQUARE-FOOT LOT BUT WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU PRESERVE MAY BE 80 ACRES OF GREEN SPACE OR WILDLIFE. THAT PROPOSAL CAME UP RECENTLY ON THE PROJECT AND THEY WERE GOING TO PRESERVE ALL THIS LAND IN THIS SMALL AREA. SO YOU STILL HAVE GOT THE SAME INTENSITY THAT THEY WANTED TO B PROFITABLE. SO I'M NOT SAYING IT IS GREAT T BUILD SMALL LOTS, BUT THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT AND W CAN'T TAKE THESE PROPERTY RIGHT AWAY FROM FOLKS. I BELIEVE WE GET THE RIGHT OF WAY. IF WE CAN GET THEIR GUNS FIRST, THEY WERE REALLY HOLDING ONTO THEIR LAND. >> SO WE HAVE SAID, WE HAVEN'T ADDED UP IN EAST JUST BEAR. MATTER WHAT THE STUDY SAYS, WE WERE BEHIND AND THEY WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE 5 BILLION SO N MATTER WHAT IS THE DISTRICT WAS STILL GOING TO HAVE MAINTENANCE AFTER THE FIRST YEAR AND MAINTENANCE HAS TO BE DONE SO N MATTER WHERE WELL DRIVE THESE ROADS IN CLAY COUNTY, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IS STILL SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE LOOKED AT EVERY YEAR. WE HAD TO GET WHERE WE POSSIBLY COULD AND IT HAS NOT BEEN NICE. AND PERSONALLY I WISH WE PUT UP GONE AHEAD AND TAKING CARE OF IT . THE MANDATE, YOU MENTIONED THAT EARLIER BUT WHAT THAT STANDS FO [07:20:01] IS WE'VE GOT -- EVERY OUTFALL THAT COMES WITH A SPEAR TO CONCRETE DITCH, GRASS DITCH, ANYTHING THAT DUMPS INTO A CREEK OR A WATERWAY. I LEARNED EVERY CREEK NAME. WE HAD SUGARHOUSE CREEK AND DAL BERRY BRANCH. WE HAVE ALL THESE NAMES. EVERYBODY THAT LIVES ON THE COUNTY ROAD WITH A CULVERT, THE GOT A LIFETIME GUARANTEE. IN THAT DITCH, IN THAT MANDATE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS THAT IT DOESN'T DO DAMAGE. SOAK YOUR CULVERT FAILS OR YOU JUST MOVE THERE AND WAS A CULVERT BUILT IN DOSING YOU HAV THAT METAL PIPE THAT IS ROTTED AWAY, THAT IS THOSE THOSE ARE NOT FREE. IT'S A 4-$5,000 REPLACEMENT TO KNOW HOW THEY ARE DOING IT. ONCE THAT CULVERT IS IN THE GROUND, IT IS A LIFETIME GUARANTEE. THERE IS A PROBLEM AT THE END O THAT. THE STATE DOES NOT SEND US A DUNK TRUCK FULL. AND THEY DON'T PAY US AND I DON'T THINK WE GET A CHECK IN HERE. THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY YOU DIDN'T DO THE STUDY. >> THAT IS A BIG HEAD ON TOP OF OUR SHOULDERS. THE STUDY 50 IS BASED A LOT ON THE VOCALS WE GET. SOMEBODY SAYS TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND WE SAY THAT'S A PROBLEM . THAT WAS A BRAND-NEW PIPE AT A RELATIVELY NEW SUBDIVISION. IT WASN'T OUR FAULT. THE COUNTY DIDN'T BUILD THAT PIPE. THEY DIDN'T PAINT A HOUSE HERE OR HANG ONE SHINGLE. THAT DEVELOPER, THEY BUILT A ROAD AND WE GOT A BILL OF GOODS ON THAT ONE. AS IT IS NOW, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN THIS IN THE SUBDIVISION AND THERE IS A SPECIAL BOX IN THEIR TAXES WHERE THEY PAY, THE HOMEOWNERS PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT ROAD IS ALS GETTING THE ROAD RESURFACED EVERY 20 YEARS SO WE DIDN'T HAV THAT. IT WAS UP THERE COME A VERY EXPENSIVE AND VERY DIFFICULT -- WHAT IT WAS OVER, WE HAD TO CLOSE ROADS AND GO DOWN THE DIR ROAD. BUT IT WAS OVER THE CONTRACT WA SO GRATEFUL, I REMEMBER TELLING YOU GUYS THE STORY, HE WAS SO GRATEFUL TO THE CITIZENS BECAUS THEY HAD TO -- THANKSGIVING THEY DIDN'T HAVE A DRIVEWAY. THEY HAD TO PARK AND WALK. HE GAVE THE GIFT CERTIFICATES. HE WAS JUST THANKFUL MOST PEOPL WERE THANKFUL TOO. SO -- >> ALONG THOSE LINES, WE ARE DEALING WITH MOST EMPLOYEES NOW THAT WE HAD IN 20 OF SIX, WE HAVE, YOU TALK ABOUT LEAN BUDGET. TO REMEMBER THAT PETITIONER COMMENT ON THE LAST MEETING ANNOUNCED TO HER CONSTITUENTS ANYTIME YOU WANT TO SIT AND LIV IN OUR BUDGET COMMISSION, IT IS THEY. I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT RIGHT YET . THE ENGINEERS ISN'T PLURAL. >> IN WHICH IT IS GOING NONSTOP. AND I'M SURE EVERYONE ELSE DOES HERE TOO. JUST TO KIND OF GO INTO THAT. THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO SAY THIS. LIVING IN OUR MEANS, CUTTING OU BUDGET, TRIMMING THE BUDGET, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. WE WERE 40 MILLION A DEFICIT. THAT IS A NORMAL BUDGET PROCESS TO HAVE A THAT DEALS WITH THE BUDGET AND THAT IS A NORMAL PAR OF A BUDGET. THEY CAN TURN IN EVERYTHING THE WANT. BRIGHT AND SHINY THINGS. THEN YOU TRIM THE BUDGET THEY [07:25:01] GET ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS. OUR PARKS AND REC AND LIBRARIES COME EVERYTHING A ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT TRIMS THEIR BUDGET I A MAJOR WAY. SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT, YOU CAN SEE IT AT ANY TIME. WE HAVE HOTSPOTS THAT WERE CUT $12,000, PARKS, PROGRAMS, $20,000, LIBRARY LOCKERS, $20,000. SOFTWARE, $36,000. REDUCE TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS, $65,000. AND THIS IS AFFECTING OUR EMPLOYEES. THE HAPTIC EVERYWHERE. LET'S TRIM THE BUDGET. DON'T CUT THIS AND DON'T CUT THAT. YOU CAN'T JUST SAY I'M GOING TO CUT CERTAIN PLACES. WE ARE -- TWO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. WE HAVE TWO FULL-TIME PEOPLE HERE TO POSITIONS AND WITH SIX PEOPLE IN GRANTS NOW. WE HAVE THREE NOW. WE ARE NOT FILLING IT AGAIN. THERE NOT FILLING IT AGAIN. ANYTIME A POSITION OPENS, COUNT MANAGEMENT FREEZES THE POSITION AFTER PROVE TO HIM -- MUNICIPAL PEACE APPS, -- OUR EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING A STRAIGHT 1,000 RACE AND THAT'S WHAT THEY GET. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE SALARY IS OR WHAT THE PAY IS BI THAT'S $500,000. THEY ARE ALL THREE SUFFERING $545,000. PARK AND REX PROJECTS. SO ALL OF YOU THAT CALL ME AND SAY OUR PARKS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF, I'M SORRY, YOU GOING TO CALL ME AND I'M GOING TO SAY WHEN WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO. YOU TOLD ME TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS THAT A LOT OF OF -- OVERNIGHT GOING TO BE ABLE TO D A IS VERY IMPORTANT. 3-POINT $3 MILLION BUT IT IS 3 POSITIONS AND AGAIN WE ARE HAVING TO PROVE AND NEED ANOTHE EMPLOYEE TO COME ON. PLEASE DON'T SAY WE ARE LIVING WITHIN OUR MEANS, WE ARE. WE ARE. WE'VE BEEN DOING IT THE WHOLE TIME I'VE BEEN ON BOARD. WASTEFUL SPENDING, THAT IS NOT IN THIS VOCABULARY. I'VE WORKED HARD FOR WHAT I HAVE . I AM SURE EVERYONE ELSE IS TOO MAC I DO KNOW HOW TO BUDGET. AND I CAME ON THIS BOARD TO MAK THIS COUNTY BETTER. IT MEANS A LOT TO ME AND MY FAMILY SO WHENEVER I HEAR COMMENTS LIKE THAT CAN TAKE GREAT OFFENSE AND HOPEFULLY YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO COMMISSION LIK THAT BIT HOPEFULLY ABLE FIND ON WHEN I'M NOT HERE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD QUESTION. OUR CODE IN CLAY COUNTY CORRUGATED METAL PIPE CONCRETE, DOES THE CODE SPELL OUT WHAT THEY HAVE TO PUT IN REGARDING STORMWATER? >> IF WE FIND THOSE, THEY ARE VERY OLD. THE HIGH DENSITY PLASTIC PIPE, THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU US THROUGHOUT THE CORRUGATED METAL OR THE CONCRETE PIPE WILL COME IN BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE. THAT LASTS ABOUT A HUNDRED YEARS . MY QUESTION IS AS I'M TRYING TO LICK PROACTIVELY TO PREVENT FUTURE COMMISSIONS FROM BEING I THIS SITUATION, DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT IN THE CODE AND HAS TO BE CONCRETE. AND INVITED WE WE HAVE THAT. WHEN A NEW PCOME UP WITH WANT THEM TO GO -- >> THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR TROY . THIS HAS TO BE FIRST STORMWATER CORRECT. [07:30:01] >> YES, SIR. THIS IS FOR THE ACCOUNT MANAGER. FOR ME PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOT OF TRANSPARENT ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THIS PROGRA IN TERMS OF WHAT PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON WHAT PROJECTS ARE SCHEDULED IN THE TIMELINE O THOSE PROJECTS. I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE VER IMPORTANT. I HAD A NOTE BECAUSE MISSES WATSON WAS HERE AND SHE MENTIONED SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE, 450,000 OUR PROJECT RIGH IN FRONT OF HER HOUSE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M STILL KIND OF STRUGGLING WITH IS IT WILL B $9 MILLION ANNUALLY AND YOU TALKED ABOUT 5 MILLION FOR MAINTENANCE AND 4 MILLION TO TACKLE THE CAPITAL PROJECTS. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MY COLLEAGUE'S THOUGHTS ON WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE CATCH UP. BECAUSE OF TERMS I WILL NOT BE ON THE COMMITTEE BUT I THINK WOULD BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE T HAVE A DIAL BACK AND MAY BE JONES EDMUNDS CAN ANSWER SOMETHING LIKE THAT BIT OF YOU SEEN EVER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES HAVE THE ABILITY TO SET UP IT U THAT WAY. >> I'M NOT SURE THAT I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN THAT. I'M NOT SAYING THAT YOU COULDN' BUT TYPICALLY WHEN THE FIRST UTILITIES WENT IN AND IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THEM TO REVOLVE, MOST OF THEM WERE PRETTY UNDERFUNDED SO THEY FUNDED A CERTAIN PORTIO OF IT AND THEY STILL HAD TO USE GENERAL FUNDS FOR OTHER THINGS. SO EVEN IF THEY ACCOMPLISHED, YOU'VE GOT SOME CAP ITEMS OFF O THE LIST. THEY COULDN'T JUSTIFY A DIAL BACK. I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU COULDN'T. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM DOING THAT. AND THEN ON THAT NOTE, US IMPORTS AT THE RATE EVERY YEAR. THAT IS PART OF YOUR RATES SO THEORETICALLY ANYONE CAN DIAL BACK AT ANY TIME BECAUSE THAT I A BOARD VOTED ASSESSMENT. >> OKAY, GOOD. ON THE LAST THING THAT I HAVE O THE CHAIR IS OUR NEXT ITEM OF TONIGHT'S AGENDA, REDUCING THE VETERAN EXEMPTION, WHICH I CAN' SUPPORT. I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF DOING THAT AND HEARING THE COMMUNITY TONIGHT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE HURTING. THERE DEFINITELY RESIDENCE THAT EVEN IF THEY ARE THE LOWEST TIER , THIS IS GOING TO BE TOUGH ON THEIR BUDGET. I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSION WITH THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT TO CONSIDER DOING A 50% VETERAN EXEMPTION AND 100% HARDSHIP EXEMPTION THAT A PRESIDENTS QUALIFY FOR THOSE, THERE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT WILL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. I FEEL THAT IS A FAIR COMPROMISE . SO I JUST WANTED TO THROW THAT OUT THERE. I BOARD REFERRED TO LEGAL COUNCIL. >> BUT WE WOULD DO IS JUST BRIN BACK THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, A RESOLUTION THAT JUST COMPLEMENT THAT SO THE ORDINANCE THAT YOU WENT BACK TO SETTING UP THE UTILITY PROVIDES A WAY FOR YOU TO DO THAT. >> I WOULD JUST GIVE YOU TWO CAVEATS ON ONE BECAUSE THE TIMELINE THAT YOU YOU'RE IN RIGHT NOW. MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT RESOLUTION HAS -- THE PEOPLE ARE QUALIFIED UNDER VETERANS FOR SOLID WASTE WOULD BE -- YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO OPEN UP A WHOLE NEW APPLICATION PROCESS, I WOULD SAVOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY QUALIFIED UNDER SOLID WASTE -- AND THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD AND THE SECOND THING IS AN TRANSPARENCY TO THE BOARD, MAKE SURE NOT TO MOVE THAT MONEY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE YOU CAN LEGALLY EXEMPT SOME ONE. HOLISTICALLY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE, FROM SOME OTHER FUND. BASED ON THAT, I DON'T THINK WOULD BE THAT HIGH BECAUSE HE GOT TO REMEMBER THE VS LOWER THAN WHAT YOUR SOLID WASTE WATE IS. I WOULD SAY IT'S MORE THAN 500,000 BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO RU THE NUMBERS BEFORE THE NEXT BOARD MEETING TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE FOR TRANSPARENCY BUT I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE LESS THAN 500,000 BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID. THAT IS WHAT THE BOARD'S DESIRE WOULD BE. >> AND THEN MY OTHER WISH FOR [07:35:01] THEIR, 121, WHATEVER IT IS. >> WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MAXIMUM ASSESSMENT. DOWN TO 110 INSTEAD OF 120. I THINK FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, WE WOULDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT. 110 FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THA PROMOTE STAFF PERSPECTIVE SUPPORTING THAT. >> TWO QUESTIONS FOR CLARIFICATION. ONE IS FOR RICHARD. >> THANK YOU ALL. >> THERE WAS A COMMENT ABOUT STORMWATER PROJECTS BEING MUNICIPALITIES. ARE THERE ANY MISSED MUNICIPALITIES? >> KNOW, THERE IS NOT. MUNICIPALITIES, THERE ARE SPECIFIC LINES, TOWN LIMIT LINE COME IN LARGE PART, FOR INSTANCE , IS ON THE RAIL LINE FROM, I GUESS TO DO ALL COUNTY LINES SOUTH. WE HAVE A DUDLEY CREEK AND IT WAS IDENTIFIED IN A STORMWATER STUDY. THAT-ONES ON THE COUNTY SIDE OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS SO AGAIN, I IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW, THE PROJECT YOU SAW IN STORMWATER MASTER PLAN, THOSE ARE THE BIG ONE. THOSE THE ONES WE SAY -- THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT. FOR LOOKING AT THE DAY-TO-DAY STUFF GETTING TO THE GROCERY STORE, MAKING SURE KIDS ARE GETTING TO SCHOOL. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. >> CAN I EXPAND ON THAT A LITTL BIT. NOT ONLY DO THOSE PROJECTS COME IF YOU LEGALLY WOULD NOT BE ABL TO SPEND YOUR MONEY FROM YOUR FUND ON A PROJECT IN MUNICIPALITY. THAT IS NOT, IT WAS A PROJECT THAT BENEFITED BOTH MUNICIPALIT AND THE COUNTY, US DEPARTMENT HAVE TO ENTER SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT WITH MUNICIPALITY AND HAVE THEIR FAIR SHARE FOR YOU NOT BE ABLE TO EXPAND THESE NUMBERS IN THE MUNICIPALITY. SO JUST PUT THAT ON THE RECORD. >> THE SECOND MUNICIPALITY PUT BE B SHOULD BE SPARED BUT PRIOR COMMISSION SUSPENDED -- >> TEN YEARS. >> SO WE ARE WAY BEHIND. SO BEFORE WE GOT HERE -- >> AND WHEN WE REINSTATE THEM W JUST CAN'T GO BACK TO WHAT WE MISSED OUT ON. WE HAVE TO SLOWLY GO UP. >> AND WE HAVE DEVELOPERS AND BUILDERS THAT IMPACT FEES, THEY WERE NOT HAPPY WITH US. JUST FOR CLARIFICATION. >> I'M TRYING TO STOP THESE CHAIRS. OF A QUESTION FOR COURTNEY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY IT IS A BE KNOT OF PACK BASICALLY THE STATUTE -- IT IS UNDER STATUTE 403-4893, WHERE THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED FOR UTILITY AND SPECIFICALLY PROVIDE FOR IT TO BE AN ASSESSMENT OR A FEE, NOT A TAX, AND ALLOWS YOU TO COLLECT IT THROUGH THAT METHOD. >> WHICH IS WHAT YOU FOLLOWED I THIS CASE. >> COURTNEY, CAN YOU ALSO EXPAN UPON MY -- IT DOES NOT GO TO THE BOULDERS OR IF JOY WANTS TO ADDRESS THAT. I THINK THERE IS THE NUMBER OUT THERE AND IT IS A TAX WE HAVE T GO TO THE VOTERS AND THAT IS NO TRUE, I KNOW. WE CHOSE NOT TO, BY THE WAY. IF YOUR PROPERTY VALUE WENT UP THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM NOT OURS. CAN YOU MAYBE ADDRESS -- >> THERE'S A FEW THINGS THAT HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS BY STATUTE. >> I'M NOT SURE IF ALL -- >> SOME OF IT DOES HAVE TO GO T THE VOTERS BY STATUTE. >> OH, THE CONSERVATION. >> BUT AS FAR AS THE OTHER TAXES , THOSE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT I KNOW THAT ARE STATUTORIL GOING BY PROCESS. AND I WILL SAY ALSO, YES GARBAG HE DID GO UP BECAUSE WE WERE AT [07:40:06] THE END OF OUR CONTRACT AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD TO DO IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND SO BUT OTHER THAN THAT WE HAVE NOT RAISED ANYTHING AND WE ARE ASSESSING FEES EVERY YEAR AND W JUST HAVEN'T. IN FIVE YEARS NOTHING HAS CHANGED AS FAR AS THAT. SO PROPERTY VALUES DID GO UP. I'M HEARING THAT FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? STAFF? JONES EDMUNDS, ANYBODY. >> SO I'VE JUST BEEN SITTING HERE THROUGHOUT THE MEETING WONDERING HOW WE EVEN GOT HERE, DECISIONS THAT WE FACED AND MADE . IN EARNEST, I REGRET ANY AND EVERY DECISION BUT I HAVE MADE THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO GETTING TO THIS POINT. IF ANY AND ALL MISMANAGEMENT OF YOUR RESOURCES. REALLY I THINK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY OFF-TOPI A LITTLE BIT. I DODGED BEING THE CHAIR FOR FIVE YEARS. I LOOKED THE OTHER WAY WHEN THE WERE VOTING. I AM CHAIR THIS YEAR BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO BE IN CHARGE. I AM A MOM SO I'M PRETTY GOOD A DIRECTING TRAFFIC AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF BUT NOBODY WANTS TO BE IN A MEETING WHERE EVERYBODY IS JELLY EVERYTHING S I APOLOGIZE IF I HAD TO COME OF HARSH. I JUST TRIED TO DO MY BEST. THAT IS MY GOAL AND THAT IS WHA I TRY TO TEACH MY KIDS SO, AGAIN , I'M SORRY BUT I DO APOLOGIZE BUT IT FELT LIKE OVERALL IT WAS A GOOD MEETING AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE THAT HAD PATIENCE HERE AND IT'S NICE TO SEE THE COMMUNITY COME OUT AND WE DO APPRECIATE AT THAT NO MATTER WHAT COMING TO MATTER WHAT WE FACE, IT IS NICE TO HAV THE COMMUNITY ACTUALLY COME UP HERE IN THE RAIN AND HAVING TO BE DOWNSTAIRS. SINCE BEFORE I BECAME A COMMISSIONER -- SIR, WE ARE NOT IN PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I KNOW THAT. I ASKED A QUESTION OF YOU. TO GIVE A LETTER TO THE BOARD AND I ASKED FOR A RECEIPT AT IF YOU PUT PLEASE READ THAT. >> NO. YOU CAN TALK TO US AFTER THE MEETING THOUGH. >> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE LEGALITY. >> NO, YOU CAN'T. I'M SORRY. I'M GOING TO FINISH MY STATEMENT . AS SOON AS I BECAME A COMMISSIONER, I HEARD THERE WAS NO INFRASTRUCTURE HERE AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROADS, NO PLANNING, AND I THINK EVERYONE THAT HAS LISTEN TO THIS MEETING CAN TELL THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. WERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILIES -- OUR PLAN IS FOR BUILDING THEIR FUTURE. WE CAN'T NEGLECT THAT. WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE. TO SHOT UP AND ADDRESSED YEARS AGO. IT WASN'T. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I SET EVERYTHING UP WANT TO SAY. WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WERE HAVING TO DEAL WITH, SOME OF IT IS 30 YEARS OLD AND MORBI THAT'S ALL I HAVE. AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION I ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK . >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT THE FINAL STORMWATER ASSESSMENT RESOLUTION. AT ENTER LOCAL AGREEMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. >> ARE YOU GOING TO ADD -- >> DEEP $110 MAX. >> MODIFY EMACS TO THE $110. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, SO THE [07:45:09] FINAL RESOLUTION THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING TO ADOPT WHAT HALF TH 110 MAX, THE EXEMPTIONS WE WOUL BRING BACK AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING FOR YOU TO INCORPORATE IN PART FOR A CONSENT TO THAT TAX COLLECTOR. >> THAT'S MY MOTION. >> I SECOND THE MOTION. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. MOTION PASSES 3-2. >> WE ARE IN LOCAL AGREEMENT FO TAX COLLECTOR AND PROPERTY APPRAISER. >> I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR THE TAX COLLECTORS. >> I SECOND. >> MOTION IN SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. [23. Public Hearing to consider the adoption of an Ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Clay County, Florida, amending Article IV, Solid Waste Disposal Assessment, and Article V, Solid Waste Collection, of Chapter 10, Garbage and Trash, of the Clay County Code, to amend Section 10-111.1 of Article IV, adopted by Ordinance No. 99-9, and Section 10-146 of Article V, adopted by Ordinance No. 2006-53, Exemption for Service Connected Total and Permanent Disability and Death, to reduce the Veterans Exemption for the Disposal Assessment and the Collection Assessment to 50% of each assessment; providing for severability; and providing an effective date (M. Towns/C. Grimm)] MOTION PASSES. >> WE WILL MOVE ONTO NUMBER 23. >> COURTNEY. >> JUST FOLLOWING UP WITH THE CONSENSUS DIRECTION TO THE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS COVERAGES BRIN BACK TO YOU THE REDUCTION FOR ITS ONLY THE VETERANS EXCEPTION TO REDUCE IT BY 50% FOR THE SOLID WASTE. THAT'S BOTH THE DISPOSAL AND COLLECTION. >> ANY DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I WILL TAKE A ---PUBLIC HEARING. >> OKAY. OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL RIGHT. I'VE GOT A CARD AND THAT STACK. MY NAME IS CHARLIE STOMACH AND HAVE VETERANS IN MY FAMILY. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THEY HAVE 100% DISCOUNT NOW ON THEIR TRASH . WERE TALKING ABOUT OUR DISABLED VETERANS THAT HAVE TO ROLL THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD NOW AND WERE GOING TO TRY TO CHARGE THEM 50%. LET'S MAKE NOTE OF THIS. YOU'VE ALL GOT THIS FOR MOTOR THING. NOW IS TAKE OF THE VETERANS THING. >> THANK YOU. >> IS THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? >> YES. >> I DON'T HAVE A CARD TO. MY NAME IS BRUCE NELSON. >> MY STATEMENT HERE HAS NOTHIN TO DO WITH THE COUNTY. AS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE STATUTE THAT WHICH YOU IMPOSED WITH BECAUSE THE MECHANISM REQUIRED IS A SPECIAL METHOD DEMONSTRATED IN THE OVER ONE -- OVERWHELMING MAJORITY -- >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THIS ITEM OR THE LAST. >> I'M TALKING ABOUT THE BROADE ASSESSMENT. >> WE MOVED ON. >> OKAY, WELL NOW YOU'RE HEARIN MY PEACE. TO DEMONSTRATE A SPECIAL BENEFI FOR THE SPECIFIC PEOPLE YOU WIS TO IMPOSE THIS ON. >> BE VOTED ON THIS ALREADY. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU CAN COME ON UP. >> NONE OF YOU HAVE THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY AND THE MINIMAL BIT OF RESPECT FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN, SOME OF THEM HERE WHO SIGNED A CONTRACT TO PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR THIS NATIO AT GET WHEN THEY ARE INJURED TO THE POINT THEY ARE DISABLED AND DISCHARGED, THEY ARE SENT TO TH VA FOR CARE BECAUSE THE ARMED FORCES DOES NOT. AND YET, YOU. YOU WILL TAKE FROM THAT VETERAN WHO SUFFERS FROM DISABILITY FIRST SERVING HIS COUNTRY AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE HIM [07:50:04] WHEN MOST OF THEM HAVE A LIMITE CAPABILITY TO WORK AT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THIS. WHERE IS YOUR HONOR AND SHORT INTEGRITY AND RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PUT THE LIVES OF TH LINE FOR EVERYONE IF YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. I HOPE YOU ALL WILL VOTE AGAINS THIS AND NOT REDUCE THEIR TAX BURDEN. >> ANYONE ELSE. I WROTE THIS WOULD NOT TOUCH TH HARDSHIP, IS THAT RIGHT? >> CORRECT. COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE A DISABLED VETERAN WHO HAS NOT APPLIED FOR THE HARDSHIP PAID YOU COULD APPLY FOR THE HARDSHIP AND RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT. >> THIS IS THE SAME PRETTY MUCH THAT WE JUST VOTED ON. YOU ARE A VETERAN. I'VE BEEN TOLD THERE ARE NO OTHER COUNTIES THAT WE KNOW OF THAT DO THIS. THERE ARE VERY FEW COUNTIES THA DO THIS. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS. >> BUT I UNDERSTAND IS THIS WAIVER AND PRODUCTION WAS DONE BEFORE THE STATUTE PROPERTY TAX SO -- >> IT WAS TO GIVE THEM RELIEF. OKAY. ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMMISSIONER RENNINGER BEING A VETERAN. MICE SON IS BETTER AND SAW COMBAT. I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK THAT WHATEVER THE VOTES ARE DENIED THAT WE AREN'T GRATEFUL, VERY, VERY GRATEFUL. THAT JUST DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH ME. I'VE BEEN VERY GRATEFUL FOR BOT OUR COUNTY MANAGER AND COMMISSIONER RENNINGER AND THEI SERVICE. >> I ACTUALLY HAVE THE HONOR OF TREATING VETERANS PRETTY MUCH ALL DAY LONG AT MY OFFICE. SO THE VA SENDS THEM TO ME AND SO IT'S A BIG HONOR FOR ME AND LOVE ALL OF MY VETERANS THAT I APPRECIATE EVERY BIT OF SERVICE IN BUT THEY DID FOR OUR COUNTRY. SO ANYWAY, THAT IS -- I DON'T HAVE A MOTION YET. >> I WILL TAKE A MOTION. EXPECTED YOU HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING ALREADY? >> WE DID. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTIO TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE, ORDINANCE FEES, WAIT A SECOND. SOLID WASTE FEES, ASSESSMENT, AND WE NEED TO MODIFY IT. >> THAT IS WHAT IS IN THIS NOW. THE HARDSHIP REMAINS. I WILL SECOND IT. >> WE HAVE AN MOTION PUT ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED. [PUBLIC COMMENTS] PASSES 3-2. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE OUR SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TO PUBLIC COMMENT? ARE YOU COMING UP, MR. MEADOWS? GREAT, THANK YOU. >> I AM ACTUALLY AMAZED AT THE FACT THAT YOU CAN GRAB MONEY FROM A CUP OF VETERANS AND THERE'S ABOUT 22,000 IN THIS COUNTY AND A BUNCH OF THEM ARE DISABLED BUT YOU WOULD RUB THAT MONEY FROM THEM AND NOT HELP THEM AND THEN YOU ALSO PASS THI [07:55:01] RESOLUTION, THE TAX ON WASTEWATER AND WHEN YOU'RE GRUBBING THAT MONEY FROM THE PEOPLE BECAUSE EVERY PART OF YO ARE AFRAID OF STADING UP TO THE SHERIFF AND THEIR OVERSTAFFED APARTMENT. I UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ONE OF YO WILL ASK FOR A LINE BY LINE BUDGET. MY SURVEY SHOWS SHE HAS ABOUT 7 PEOPLE THAT DO NOTHING BUT ABSORB MONEY. ARE YOU PROUD OF THAT? CAN YOU ANSWER THE QUESTION? >> WE WILL NOT. >> KEEP IT UP. MAYBE WE WILL ALL FIND YOU RECALLED. >> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> I'M TAKING MY HAT OFF FOR YOU . I'M A LITTLE BIT MORE TOGETHER NOW THAN I WAS EARLIER. I FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT OF M LIFE OR I COULD BUY AN ACRE OF LAND. IS ACTUALLY AN ACRE AND A HALF. I GREW UP OUT HERE. I'M ONE OF THOSE THAT GRADUATED FROM MIDDLEBURG. I'VE BEEN OUT HERE FOR A WHILE. I HAVE NO RUNOFF. IT GOES RIGHT INTO THE GROUND. I GET -- I MEAN,, FOR WHAT. I HAD TO PAY AN IMPACT FEE. I DIDN'T IMPACT NOTHING. I GREW UP HERE. SAME TRUCK, RUNNING DOWN THE SAME ROADS, NOW YOU'RE GOING THROUGH THIS OTHER TAX. ARE WE BECOMING A NORTHERN STATE ? THIS GUY LOOKS LIKE HE IS ASLEEP . I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. >> CIRCUM- I DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER TO YOU. >> I'M MAKING A STATEMENT. >> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DEGRADE ME. >> IT IS NOT DEGRADING. >> YES, IT IS. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES THIS? >> THANK YOU. >> UNLESS WE ARE TALKING, WE DON'T HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. >> I CAN'T LISTEN TO YOU WITHOU LOOKING AT YOU. >> I AM LOOKING AT YOUR PHONE. ANYWAY. MRI AND A TIME LIMIT. >> GO AHEAD. >> WHERE IS THE MONEY, THE IMPACT FEE IS 18,000 NOW. WHERE IS ALL THAT MONEY GOING. ALL THESE NEW HOUSES. YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE NEW TAXES. I UNDERSTAND PAYING FOR THIS GU AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. BUT YOU'VE GOT ALL THIS MONEY. WHERE IS IT GOING? COME ON, THAT HAD TO GET APPROVED HERE, I BELIEVE. THIS GENTLEMAN SALARY, NO PROBLEM THE FIRE AND RESCUE, NO PROBLEM. MI DONE? >> YES, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. >> I LIVE ON FLEMING ISLAND. I'VE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN STATE POLITICS, NATIONAL POLITICS. CLAY COUNTY POLITICS THROUGH MEETINGS. SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCILS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ASIDE FROM A COUPLE OF YOU. OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT I DON' THINK THAT YOU RECOGNIZE [08:00:06] . >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU EVEN REALIZE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE OUT DOWNSTAIRS, BY THE ELEVATORS, PACKED, OUT IN THE PARKING LOT. >> WE ARE TALK ABOUT THE CITIZENS OF CLAY COUNTY THAT CAME THROUGH A THUNDERSTORM TO COME AND SPEAK TO TO YOU AND THAT'S WHAT'S ON MY HEART IS THE FACT THEY CAME TO SPEAK TO YOU, SO IN PERSON, NOT JUST AN EMAIL OR A TEXT. IN PERSON. THAT'S IMPORTANT. THAT'S VALUABLE. AS A ELECTED OFFICIAL. THAT'S VALUABLE BECAUSE IT SHOWS THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THEY DIDN'T COME TO COMPLAIN. NOT ALL OF THEM CAME TO COMPLAIN. THEY CAME TO SHARE THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES WITH YOU. BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT THEM. THAT'S AN HONOR. WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO SERVE, YOUR LOCAL COUNTY, YOU'RE DOING IT FOR A REASON. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, MR. RENIGER HOW YOU CAN VOTE TO REDUCE A VETERAN'S PERCENTAGE ON THE GARBAGE TAX HOW ANY OF YOU COULD VOTE ON THAT THE THEY SHOULD BE CLEAR AND THE ATTORNEY STATING THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW HARDSHIP, YOU KNOW HOW MUCH PAPERWORK THAT IS AND HOW FAR IT IS. THINK ABOUT HOW HARD IT IS. IT SHOULD BE ODD MACK. THEY'RE AUTOMATIC EXEMPT BUT YOU'RE REQUIRING THEM TO FILE. YOU'RE REQUIRING A DISABLED VETERAN TO FILE MORE PAPERWORK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A BENEFIT. HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO THAT? HOW MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY THINK TO DO THAT? THEY SHOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT, AND THE ASSESSMENT IS A TAX AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AS A CITIZEN 40 YEARS. INTO THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? >> ALL RIGHT. COUNTY ATTORNEY? ARE YOU COMING UP NOW. >> YES, MA'AM. MY NAME IS KAREN [INDISTINCT]. I GOT MY CARD. I DO APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU ALL HAVE SPENT HERE ANALYST END. I THINK THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ORDINANCE IS THE WAY IT'S PRESENTED, AND I HOPE IN THE FUTURE THAT YOU WILL SEE HOW THIS ORDINANCE WAS PRESENTED AND COME UP WITH A BETTER WAY TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU NEED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED HAD SERVICES TO EVERYONE. THE FIRE, THE POLICE, THE ROAD SYSTEM, EVERYTHING. IT'S NOT FREE. WE HAVE TO ALL PITCH IN SOMETHING. BUT NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD WHAT YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO PITCH IN, OR THAT THEY DO NOT SEE THE REASONING FOR THAT AMOUNT. BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ASSESSED EQUALLY. AND ALL OF THESE, ANY OF THOSE ORDINANCES AFFECTS ALL OF US IN THE COUNTY, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. WHETHER IT NOT BE YOU PERSONALLY, IT COULD BE YOUR NEIGHBOR, I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD IN A LITTLE BITTY SQUARE THAT IS GOING TO BE ATE UP BY DEVELOPMENT, THAT IS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. BUT ON THE SAME TOKEN, EVERYONE IN MY DEVELOPMENT ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AND IF THEY ARE NOT, I HAVE ONE FAMILY THAT LIVES NEXT TO ME WHO IS A SINGLE FATHER, WITH FOUR CHILDREN. ALL RIGHT? I HOPE AND I PRAY THAT HE CAN AFFORD THIS ADDITIONAL TAX. LAST YEAR, HE SOLD HIS CAR TO PAY HIS COUNTY TAXES. HIS WIFE'S CAR. WHAT IS HE GOING TO HAVE TO SELL THIS YEAR? BUT IT'S A DROP, BECAUSE IT'S [08:05:02] ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT'S NOT GOES, YOU'RE NOT FOR WARNING US THIS IS GOING TO BE APPLIED TO US NEXT YEAR, OKAY, TO GIVE US A YEAR TO SAVE THAT EXTRA MONEY. IT'S ALL OF A SUDDEN WE GET A NOTICE IN THE MAIL, AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE CHARGED THIS CHARGE. I FOR ONE, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD FOR ME TO MAKE IT, BUT I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT, BECAUSE I SAVE FOR [BEEP]. >> I'M A SPEAKS MISS AND I KNOW THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS [INDISTINCT]. MIC. ON THE TAX AD VALORUM THERE WAS A WAY TO PROPOSE OR A MY FOR A MITIGATION CREDIT. >> WITH THE CDD? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT -- >> I'M TALKING ABOUT UNINCORPORATED CLAY COUNTY. JOHN, YOU ARE MY REPRESENTATIVE. >> NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT IN A CDD. IT'S ON A PRIVATE ROAD. >> PRIVATE ROAD. THAT'S CORRECT. MITIGATION CREDIT, APPLICATION PROCESS. >> I THINK HE IS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT -- >> THAT IS ACTUALLY STILL AVAILABLE. >> THE CREDIT IF SOMEONE LIVES IN CDD MAY HAVE PAID FOR STORMWATER. THAT'S WHAT THE MITIGATION CREDIT WAS FOR. >> THEN THE LETTER TOTALLY MISREPRESENTED THE INTENTION OF THAT. I HAD 20 DAYS AFTER TODAY TO SUBMIT FOR A MITIGATION CREDIT, SO THAT MY FAMILY CAN SEEK RELIEF. FROM IN ADDITIONAL TAX. >> IT'S NOT THE MITIGATION CREDIT. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE APPEAL PROCESS. >> THE APPEAL PROCESS OCCURS AFTER TODAY. THE APPEAL PROCESS WAS NOT THE ONE THAT WAS 20 DAYS AFTER YOUR JULY 31ST LETTER. >> RIGHT. IF WANT TO SPECIFICALLY OBJECT TO YOUR PERSONAL, FOR YOUR PROPERTY. >> CORRECT. >> AS PROVIDEED IN YOUR NOTICE YOU HAVE THE 20 DAYS. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE 10 EXTRA DAYS UNDER THE ORDINANCE IF YOU WANT TO APPEAL THE VALIDITY, AND THAT COMES TO THE COUNTRY IF YOU WANT TO APPEAL THE VALIDITY OF THE FINAL RESOLUTION THAT'S SOMETHING YOU FILE OVER AT THE CIRCUIT COURT AND THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL. THAT'S THE ENTIRE PROCESS. >> HOW CLEAR IS THAT TO THE AVERAGE CITIZEN TO DO? >> IT'S VERY CLEAR. IT'S LAID OUT IN THE ORDINANCE AND THE RESOLUTION. >> SIT IN THE SINGLE LETTER I RECEIVED? >> YES. >> ON HOW TO DO THAT? >> WE HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS OBJECTIONS THAT WE HAVE HAD RESPONDED TO. >> I UNDERSTAND. SO THERE'S 20 DAYS PLUS 10. THERE'S 30 DAYS FROM TODAY? >> NO, SIR. IN YOUR LETTER IT'S 20 DAYS FROM THE MAILING OF YOUR NOTICE. >> NO, NO. IT'S NOT 20 DAYS FROM THE MAILING OF MY NOTICE. IT'S 20 DAYS FROM TODAY. >> NO, SIR AND IT'S BY FLORIDA STATUTE. CAN I GIVE YOU THE STATUTE NUMBER. >> SO THAT'S EXTREMELY CONFUSING. I TALKED TO MR. WEIGEL, TROY? >> NATION SNEEL NAGLE EXCUSE ME. THANK NUCHLT THE LETTER THAT I HAVE, IT ARTICULATES 20 DAYS FROM TODAY -- >> MR. NAGLE WILL TALK TO YOU OUTSIDE. HE WILL GO OVER WITH IT WITH YOU. HE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. THAT WILL HELP YOU GET THE ANSWER TO IT. SO YOU CONTINUE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CALLING OR ANYTHING. HE'S RIGHT IN THE BACK. >> THAT'S VERY HELPFUL. >> GREAT. >> HOPEFULLY THERE IS AN OUT TO APPEAL SOMETHING WHERE I DON'T EVEN QUALIFY FOR A PERSONALIZED BENEFIT OF A TAX. SO. WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE? >> I FILED AN APPEAL ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] FRIDAY AFTERNOON. >> YOU ALREADY SPOKE, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT. [COUNTY ATTORNEY] NOBODY ELSE? NO. OKAY. COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> YES, I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY FOLLOW UP AS YOU WERE AWARE, WE [08:10:02] WERE ONE OF THE 33 COUNTIES THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE FEDERAL COURT ACTION THAT WAS FILED BY THE FLORIDA ACTION COMMITTEE, CHALLENGING THE SEXUAL PREDATOR REGULATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY. WE HAVE FURNISHED THE DEFENSE OR OUR DEFENSE IS CURRENTLY BEING COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE. THEY ALSO HAVE OTHER COUNTIES THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING THE DEFENSE FOR AS WELL. OUR RESPONSE TO THE ACTION WILL BE DUE MID OCTOBER. SO, RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY JUST GET EVERYBODY TOGETHER ON A JOINT DEFENSE STAND. SO OF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, JUST LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. HOLD ON. COUNTY? [COMMISSIONER COMMENTS] >> NOTHING FURTHER UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS INTO DID YOU WANT TO START? >> YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR. I SERVED 26 YEARS IN THE NAVY. OKAY, AND I'M DISABLED NOW BUT I CLAIM ZERO DISABILITY AND THE REASON I DO THAT IS BECAUSE I HAD AN EXPERIENCE AND I HAD AN INDIVIDUAL ON A BOARD THAT WAS 100 PERCENT TOTALLY PERMANENTLY DISABLED FLYING FOR FEDEX, EARNING $400,000 A YEAR, GETTING A PHYSICAL EVERY SIX MONTHS TO MAINTAIN HIS QUALIFICATION, THE V.A. IGNORED VETERANS FORWARD MANY, MANY YEARS AND THE PENDULUM HAS SWUNG BACK TO THE OTHER EXTREME, THAT CONGRESS IS LOOKING AT V.A. 100 PERCENT TOTALLY PERMANENTLY DISABLED CATEGORY SAYINGS SO I REALLY DON'T WANT MY RESIDENTS PAYING FOR SOMEONE WHO IN MY OPINION FLYING FOR FEDEX EARNED EDWARD 400,000 A YEAR CAN AFFORD, YOU KNOW, THEIR GARBAGE FEE. SO I'M A LITTLE BIT SENSITIVE TO THAT, BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE D.B. LICENSE PLATES, $300,000 RV'S AND YOU'LL SEE IF YOU LOOK AT IT YOU'LL SEE IT. BUT UNTIL YOU SERVE 26 YEARS IN THE NAVY, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANK YOU. >> MR. [INDISTINCT]. >> NO COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. >> YES, MADAM CHAIR, I JUST HAVE THREE THINGS I WANTED TO ADDRESS. I WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF OUR RESIDENTS ASK ABOUT WHY DON'T WE HAVE A MORATORIUM AND THE ANSWER IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT LEGAL AND IT'S NOT LEGAL BECAUSE OF STATE LAW. WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY SECOND COMMENT, AND THAT IS, I, IT'S QUITE REMARKABLE TO ME. I DON'T -- I DON'T DISPARAGE OUR GOVERNOR AT ALL. I THINK HE'S BEEN A GREAT GOVERNOR FOR US, BUT IT IS REMARKABLE TO ME THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SAY WE HAVE A WONDERFUL GOVERNOR, THEY SPEAK SO HIGHLY OF OUR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, AND THEY BASH LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WELL, DEVELOPERS ARE GOING TO THE STATE TO SEEK RELIEF, BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN DEVELOPMENT APPROVED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND SO, IF YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW COMMISSIONER SCIRMILA SAID YOU SHOULD TAKE TO IT THE STATE LEVEL, OUR HANDS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL ARE TIED WHAT WE HAD CAN RESTRICT F. SOMEONE OWNS A BUILDING AND THEY OBJECT NEED A ZONING OR LAND USE CHANGE. AND THERE'S AIMED KINDS OF OTHER STATUTES THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED THAT ARE PHAROAH DEVELOPMENT IN TALLAHASSEE AND THE OTHER THING I WANT TO ADDRESS BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMENTS NOT JUST OUR GENTLEMAN TONIGHT BUT I FEEL LIKE I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN ANSWER ABOUT IMPACT FEES AND PEOPLE ASK WHERE ALL THE MONEY IS WELL IMPACT FEES ARE VERY SPECIFIED ON WHAT WE CAN USE THEM FOR. SO FOR INSTANCE WE HAVE A SHERIFFS IMPACT FEE WE HAVE A FIRE IMPACT FEE AND WE HAVE THE SCHOOL IMPACT FEE. WELL, SCHOOL ONE IS PRETTY SELF EXPLANATORY EXCEPT THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH WE DO NOT GOVERN AT ALL, OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TO USE THAT TO BUILD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IN SCHOOLS. THEY CANNOT USE TO IT RENOVATE A CURRENT EXISTING SCHOOL. WE CANNOT USE THE SHERIFFS IMPACT FEE. WE HAVE TO ADD EITHER DEPUTIES OR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS TO DO WITH DEPUTIES AND ACTUALLY, WE CAN'T PAY THE DEPUTY WITH THE IMPACT FEE. YOU HAVE TO LIKE ADD THEIR CAR OR YOU CAN ADD THEIR OFFICE LOCATIONS OR THINGS LIKE THAT, SAME WITH FIRE KWEEMT ADD [08:15:02] TRUCKS. WE ADD EQUIPMENT. WE CAN BUILD NEW STATIONS BUT IMPACT FEES ARE VERY SPECIFIED, THEY HAVE TO ADD CAPACITY. THAT WAS PASSED AT THAT TIME STATE LEVEL, AND THE ONLY FOLLOWUP I WOULD ADD TO THAT IS THAT A GENTLEMAN SAID TONIGHT HE HAD TO PAY $13,000 IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS BEFORE HE GOT HIS BUILDING PERMIT THAT'S HIS IMPACT FEE WELL BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE STATE STATUTE IS WRITTEN ABOUT IMPACT FEES YOU CAN'T ASSESS AN IMPACT FEE IN ONLY PARTED OF THE COUNTY. I AM WORKING WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVE, MY REPRESENTATIVE, JUDSON [INDISTINCT] HE'S MY STATE REP AND HE ANDRY IN THE PRELIMINARY STATIONS OF WORKING ON A REVISION FOR THE STATE STATUTE ABOUT IMPACT FEES TO PROTECT LEGACY HORMUZ. AND SO, LAND OWNERS, SO THAT YOU COULD EITHER GIVE YOUR CHILD A PIECE OF LAND OR BUILD ON YOUR LAND THAT YOU'VE OWNED FOR YEARS AND NOT HAVE TO PAY THOSE IMPACT FEES BUT THE WAY THAT THE STATE STATUTE IS WRITTEN TODAY, EVERYONE HAS TO PAY THEM, ACROSS THE WHOLE COUNTY. SO ASSESSING THE NEW GROWTH AFFECTED LEGACY, LAND OWNERS WITH UNDEVELOPED LAND IN CLAY COUNTY. SO I JUST WANTED TO HOPEFULLY CLEAR UP A FEW THINGS THAT WERE STILL HANGING OUT THERE THAT I HAD MADE A FEW NOTES ABOUT, AND I APPRECIATE THE PRIVILEGE, MADAM CHAIR. AND I WANT TO SAY, HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. AND I GUESS IT'S ACTUALLY TOMORROW, WHICH IS ACTUALLY, IT'S MY OLDEST SON'S BIRTHDAY. >> OH. >> YEAH. GOOD MORNING. HAPPY WEDNESDAY. LISTEN. I JUST THINK THAT THING THAT IS ON MY HEART RIGHT NOW IS HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR CLAY COUNTY AND FOR EVERY SINGLE RESIDENT THAT TOOK THE TIME TO COME AND SPEAK. THAT'S EXACTLY HOW DEMOCRACY IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. THESE ARE TOUGH DECISIONS. I WAS SPEAKING WITH FORMER COMMISSIONER MIKE SELLA A FEW WEEKS AGO AND I SAID THIS IS MY SECOND BUDGET SKULTD OF REALLY SHARPENING THE PENCIL AND DIVING DEEP AND I SAID HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE CUTS IN 8 YEARS AND HE LAUGHED AND SAID NOT MANY IF ANY AT ALL CONSIDERING THE WAY THINGS HAVE GONE. SO I'M VERY THANKFUL THOUGH FOR EVERYONE THAT CAME TONIGHT AND VOICED THEIR OPINION. THE OTHER THING I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR IS THESE FOUR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SITTING NEXT TO ME UP ON THIS DAIS, AND I'M THANKFUL WE HAVE ENOUGH RESPECT FOR US TO VOTE WITH OUR HEART AND THERE'S NEVER ANY PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT THAT. AND I APPRECIATE THAT. AND THAT'S HOW WE MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD. YOU KNOW, VETERAN THING IS A BIG DEAL TO ME. MY GRANDFATHER WAS F-14 FUEL MECHANIC MY DAD IN THE MARINE CORPS, MY WHIFF WIFE A TWO STAR GENERAL IN THE AIR FORCE. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR FAMILY AND I APPRECIATE ALL OUR VETERANS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE POINT WE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT DO IT IT'S PROUD OF THAT AND I'M OKAY WITH FINDING WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK. OTHER THAN THAT, THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. I DON'T REALLY HAVE MUCH TO SAY. I THINK I SAID IT ALL. I WILL SAY, WE HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS AND DEFINITELY ONES THAT ARE UNPOP HARD, AND SOMETIMES WE GET BULLIED AND ALL THOSE THINGS ON FACEBOOK AND YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS RIGHT IN OUR HEART AND THAT'S WHAT I STAND FOR AND I CAN PRETTY MUCH ASSURE YOU THAT'S WHAT ALL FOUR HAVE THE OTHER FOUR DO IN THE PAST SIX YEARS. EVERYONE * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.