St. Johns' proposed 2025 budget isn't much different from 2024. What are the priorities?

Correction : An earlier version of this story inaccurately said that the 2025 proposed budget is smaller than the 2024 budget. But it was comparing the proposed 2025 budget to the final 2024 budget, which doesn't take into consideration carryovers from the previous year. The final 2025 budget will be higher than the proposed once those carryovers are known. An exact comparison between the final 2025 budget and the final 2024 budget won't be known until later in the process.

Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a two-part series on the St. Johns County proposed FY 2025 budget.

St. Johns County Administrator Joy Andrews recently proposed a $1.215 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 .

The proposed budget is about $23 million — or nearly 2% — more than what was proposed in 2024, but it won't be set in stone until carryovers are applied. Last year's proposed $1.19 billion proposed budget came to $1.67 billion after carryovers from the previous year. Those carryovers in this year's budget won't be known until later in the budget process.

In presenting the proposed budget to county commissioners recently, Andrews went over a list of accomplishments, as well as the priorities that we will address.

Community Services

Andrews said county community services assisted 3,782 veterans with Veterans Administration claims which garnered more than $237 million in VA benefits for St. Johns County veterans.

The county's Health & Human Services department finalized 43 adoptions, partnered with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Center to serve 139 inmates and provided emergency rental assistance to 398 households.

The CDBG Program — Community Development Block Grants given annually to low and moderate-income populations to prevent urban blight and eliminate slums — helped 129 children and provided housing consultations to 206 residents, resulting in $2 million in mortgages.

Ability Housing is currently building 92 affordable multifamily units supported by more than $9 million in FEMA reimbursements. The Victoria Crossing Affordable Housing Complex is completely leased. The last home for Restore St. Johns is completed.

“Our Social Services Division has served over 10,620 clients and provided extensive housing counseling services,” Andrews said in her presentation.

Infrastructure

Describing infrastructure as the county’s highest priority, funds have been allocated for road repairs, bridge maintenance and new construction projects.

“Notably, we continue widening CR 210 between Cimarron and Greenbrier, as well as east of I-95 from two to six lanes,” she said.

Additional projects include:

• SR 207 Water Reclamation Facility.
• SR 16 Reclaimed Water Transmission Main.
• Investing $15 million in Capital Improvement Projects in Hastings.
• More than 200 manhole improvements.
• New utility lab.
• Investment of software infrastructure of the new Enterprise Resource Planning tool.
• SJCSO tactical training facility.

“These investments are critical for supporting our growing population and ensuring safe and reliable transportation networks,” Andrews said.

Growth Management

The Mobility Fee Study, the Impact Fee Update, the Comprehensive Plan and oversight for extending Veterans Parkway are currently underway.

Andrews recommended removing the 40% commercial impact fee buydown program through a previously adopted ordinance to sidestep using property taxes to provide commercial developers a 60% discount on obligatory impact fees.

“This recommendation is reflected in my budget recommendation with a saving of $2.5 million in the general fund,” she said.

Open governance and transparency

Andrews underscored the importance of having “revamped” administrative budget hearing sessions, allowing 28 sessions of budget dialogue to include county residents.

Feedback is positive,” she said. “Communication is open and trust is being reestablished."

Andrews gave a nod to the BOCC.

“We could not have deployed this new tool without your full support, and the hard work of staff from OMB, Public Affairs, and the rest of the directors of our operational divisions,” she said.

“Since the creation of the Office of Performance & Transparency , we’ve launched Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) with an implementation cost of $3.4 million over three years.”

Other notable achievements include a new county website; a bilingual monthly newsletter; the SJC Connect Mobile APP; the St. Johns County Citizens Academy pilot program; and over 200 videos produced by the Office of Public Affairs.

Financial Stewardship

Andrews acknowledged the need to allow investments to “catch up” on capital projects.

“The board unanimously gave us direction to move forward with a $144 million multi-phased bond program to develop four regional parks, two library hubs with one full library , and four fire stations, leveraging impact fees, state allocations and Tourism Taxes,” she said.

Andrews said she’s determined to carefully evaluate costs to pursue saving 15% through negotiation and strong project management to save $20 million.

According to Andrews, the Intergovernmental Affairs office secured more than $170 million in state and federal funds the past two years and initiated a public-private partnership with a 501(c)3 to manage the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall .

“And we are undergoing an Insurance Services Office rating review with the goal of achieving significant cost savings for resident property owners and business owners,” she said.

Internally, Facilities Management launched the SJC Energy Conservation Program to optimize energy usage through energy-saving projects and responsible energy management among county personnel.

“Today we present you a budget recommendation with a firm goal of reaching a 15% increase in our discretional reserve, which is the safety net our community needed as we step into this active hurricane season,” she said.

Emergency Management

Accomplishments include activating the Emergency Operations Center and implementing a Hazard Mitigation Grant to install a generator at Freedom Crossing Academy. Also, Fire Station 11 is expected to be completed by September.

“Our Animal Control Division has been active in rescuing animals, hosting adoption events, and improving safety at our Pet Center,” Andrews said. “We have also assisted neighboring counties with animal welfare initiatives and continue to promote pet adoptions through various community events.”

Andrews requested funding for five new fire stations and to increase the on-hire salary for deputies at the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office to $55,000.

Quality of Life

Renovations for parks and recreational facilities include Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park; the Alpine Groves shoreline restoration; the construction of Mill Creek Park; the expansion of the county’s library systems, including a new bookmobile and the Hastings Community Center and Library; Parks and Recreation summer camp programs to serve 555 children; and a number one ranking for FCT grant funding for the San Sebastian Boat Ramp ($3.5 million).

Development and Internal Services

Andrews noted the county’s thriving tourism economy — a 2% increase in tax revenue this year and a 62% increase since 2019 — would support investments for destination marketing and cultural, beach and sports tourism programs, including Fort Mose’s Jazz and Blues Series and the Sing Out Loud Festival.

“We are also working with local partners to become a Certified Autism Destination,” she said. “The Economic Development office has created a strategic master plan and assisted in community engagement, planning and the acquisition of World Golf Foundation assets, adding 639 high-quality jobs through multiple projects including Acadia Healthcare Company and many others.”

Andrews also mentioned $9.6 million in state funding for the Airport Authority Project.

Conservation

Multiple large grant applications were submitted to acquire Land Acquisition Management Program properties and critical beach dune habitats by leveraging non-property tax funding.

Andrews is seeking funds and partnerships to conserve the Matanzas River Estuary Habitat and promote water conservation along with examining the possibility of a conservation impact fee paid by developers “without placing the property tax burden on residents.”

The budget also recommends $2 million to fund LAMP.

Community Partnership

“We are launching a new West Augustine Affordable Housing Pilot Program to utilize county-owned lots in West Augustine with funding provided by the Community Redevelopment Area toward a homebuyer program,” she said. “Today we recommend a West Augustine Housing Trust Fund with an initial allocation of $650,000 funded by CRA TIF, to provide support for planning and road access.”

Andrews acknowledged the successful relocation of the Canright House to West Augustine , thanking community leaders, and the Parks Foundation for their collaboration.

The county administrator also recommended a 7.5% cost of living adjustment for all BOCC employees designed to “improve retention and confront the rising cost of living.”

Andrews concluded by thanking the BOCC, staff members and residents.

“Together, we are making strategic investments that will ensure the prosperity and well-being of St. Johns County residents and employees,” she said. “This budget reflects our commitment to listening to your needs and working tirelessly to build a future where only your needs and expectations are the consideration.”

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Johns' proposed 2025 budget isn't much different from 2024. What are the priorities?