dd

Jeb

 Smith 

Vice-Chair/District 2 

Board of County Commissioners

  P: 904.209.0302    

C: 904.325.4182

[email protected] 

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Upcoming
Meetings  
March 25

Planning and Zoning Agency

April 2

Board of County Commissioners
April 7
 
Planning and Zoning Agency
April 16
May 5
 

All meeting dates are subject to change. Please visit www.sjcfl.us for current meeting information. 

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Upcoming
Shows
For upcoming St. Augustine Amphitheatre or Ponte Vedra Concert Hall events please call 904.209.0367 or visit the events website.
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Quick Links
  
  
  
  
St. Aug. VCB

 

Vilano Beach Main Street

 

450th Commemoration

 

  
St. Johns Cultural Council

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Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 2 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 2 and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.

St. Johns County District 2 Update 

I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as your County Commissioner. The reality of being elected and the breadth of the responsibility of this position are being pursued and fulfilled with prayer, fervor, and enthusiasm. I am here to serve. Hence, my ears are prepared to listen and my hands are ready to work. I appreciate your support and am anxious to assist you.

 

For centuries, our area has not been the focus of development and growth. Our terrestrial paradise was mostly rural and home to wildlife and domesticated livestock. A few European settlers and Native Americans had roots here but no significant population ever threatened our tranquility. That is no longer the situation. We are now experiencing accelerated growth and its benefits and challenges.

 

We are very blessed to live in St. Johns County. I believe it is one of the greatest places to reside and work on earth. The geographic and climatic benefits are actively alluring families to locate here. With a beautiful coastline comprising our eastern border and the serenity of the St. Johns River in the west, waterfront property abounds along with the pleasure it provides. Ample green space and access to areas of outdoor recreation are unparalleled.

 

There are jobs, too. Our County houses many viable industries critical to the local, state, national, and global economies. Agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing are viable. Likewise, we are the home of the Professional Golfers Association (P.G.A.) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (A.T.P.). I am determined to make sure that our County Government does all it can to insure that our businesses not only survive but thrive. An environment conducive to growth and expansion is imperative for these entities.

 

Accompanying growth are challenges. A quality water supply for business and residents, road expansion and maintenance, public safety, and many more areas of service will be brought to the forefront in the near future. As we compete on a global level, the businesses that call us home are adapting. Our government's involvement in reconciling some of these issues may vary, but we are committed to assisting our citizens and protecting their rights and welfare. We have challenges. We have some solutions.

 

District 2 has been my home all my life. Except for the years I spent in college, I have lived and worked on my farm in Hastings. My family has resided in St. Johns County over 100 years. It is home. We have seen changes. We have witnessed challenges and obstacles. Yet, firmly rooted in faith, perseverance and vision have directed us through tumult and to where we are today.

 

If you have any needs or would like to relay some of your ideas, please contact me. I look forward to listening to you and helping you.

 

Your servant,

 

Jeb Smith 

Vice-Chair/District 2 

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners 

Stormwater Mitigation
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rules reach deep into the County and into taxpayers' pockets. Under section 303 (d) of the 1972 Clean Water Act (CWA), EPA is implementing action to reduce Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) on state identified "impaired water bodies". This action is making its way into our backyard through the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD).
 

St. Johns County staff has dutifully engaged in actions to comply with the TMDL requirements. This focus has been on the upstream portion of the St. Johns River which is located in the southwestern sector of the County. This area is mostly rural and agrarian.

 

Some residents might have observed the excavation and construction being done on George Miller Rd. or on Highway 13, both south of Hastings. These projects will target the removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended particulates from ditches and canals before entering the St. Johns River.

 

Other efforts have been made in the northwestern part of the County. Some waffling devices have been placed at the ends of culverts to intercept stormwater flow and capture sediment and elements from entering the river.

 

County staff has worked cooperatively with the SJRWMD to accomplish the goals of the EPA. Compliance is expensive. Much of the exorbitant cost for St. Johns County has been mitigated through SJRWMD project donations and state grants. 

 

Hastings Recreational Needs Community Meeting
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. /  Saturday, March 28

Walter E. Harris Community Center

 

St. Johns County is hosting a community meeting to receive resident feedback regarding the recreational programming needs in the town of Hastings and the surrounding area from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 at the Walter E. Harris Community Center, 400 East Harris Street.

 

The meeting will provide residents with the opportunity to have input into how County staffing and funding resources are invested in the future of recreational services, programs, and facilities in that community. The event will also include refreshments and youth sports activities including wiffle ball, golf, soccer, and basketball. For additional information, please 904.209.0333.

 

Hastings Library Update

The Hastings Branch Library will remain in its current location for the immediate future. The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to execute a lease agreement with the Town of Hastings for space in the historic Hastings High School. The money secured by this agreement will provide the town's leadership some funding to aid with the long awaited repairs to the facility.

St. Johns County Library System Now Offering Notary Service

The Main, Bartram Trail, Hastings, and Southeast branch libraries are now offering notary services. "Our patrons have come to expect that the library is a one-stop location for many types of services, and offering to notarize basic documents such as oaths, bills of sale, and acknowledgement of a signature, fits into that service model," said Library Director, Debra Rhodes Gibson. "Notary service easily folds into the many services offered at St. Johns County Public Libraries."

 

While the libraries strive to provide this service during all operating hours, it is recommended the public call ahead to ensure a notary will be available during their visit. A photo ID is required to have documents notarized, and a fee of $3 for each item is due at the time of service. Library notaries will not provide service if the customer, document, or circumstances of the request raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, or uncertainty. Library notaries do not offer legal advice, and they will not leave county property to perform notary services. For more information about this new service, visit the "Policies and Plans" link at www.sjcpls.org or contact Harold George at 904.827.6928.

St. Johns County Celebrates Opening of New HHS Center
St. Johns County hosted a ceremony celebrating the opening of the new Health and Human Services Center on Thursday, February 26, 2015. The important new facility, located at 200 San Sebastian View, is home to five local and state agencies and will provide a vari ety of critical services to the residents of St. Johns County. Ag encies who call the new facility home include the St. Johns County Family Integrity Program, St. Johns County Veterans Services, The Stewart-Marchman-Act, and the Florida Department of Health.
2015 Vehicle Beach Parking Passes Now On Sale

For beach visitors seeking more convenient access to the sand, sun, and surf, St. Johns County is now offering 2015 vehicle beach parking passes. Seasonal vehicle beach access passes are required between March 1 and September 30. Pass prices are $40 for St. Johns County residents, $60 for non-residents, and $30 for handicap access. Daily and three-day passes are also available for purchase at all beach access ramps and the St Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier.

 

Annual passes are available during normal business hours at the following locations: Tax Collector's Main Office, 4030 St. Lewis Speedway, Tax Collector's Dupont Center, 6658 US1 South, Tax Collector's Julington Creek Office, 725 Flora Branch Blvd, Tax Collector's Ponte Vedra Office, 5430 Palm Valley Road, Tax Collector's Hastings Office, 6195 S. Main Street, St. Johns County Beach Services Office, 901 Pope Road, and the Pier Gift Shop, 350 A1A Blvd.

 

Residents must present a valid I.D. with a St. Johns County address or present proof of property tax payments in St. Johns County. When requesting a handicap pass, a vehicle with a handicap hang-tag or license plate must be presented. 100% Disabled Military are eligible for a free annual pass by presenting military I.D. or a letter from Veterans Affairs (VA).  For more information about beach parking passes, please visit www.sjcfl.us or call the St. Johns County Beach Services Office at 904.209.0331, ext. 3. Visit the Reach the Beach Mobile App, www.sjcfl.us/Beach/index.htm, for beach access updates and beach driving conditions.

 

New Social Media Enhances Communication and Transparency

St. Johns County is excited to begin the New Year with the launch of Instagram and YouTube accounts to enhance communication and increase transparency regarding county programs and events. The new social media services will provide county information to a wider audience and offer additional means for current users to access accurate and timely information.

 

Instagram, a mobile photo-sharing service, will enable the County to share pictures regarding local services and facilities. YouTube, a video-sharing website, will allow the County to share informational videos and public service announcements concurrently airing on GTV and the County's online streaming service. Those interested in connecting with St. Johns County through social media are encouraged to do the following:

St. Johns County Today

St. Johns County recently launched St. Johns County Today, periodic video news updates featuring County services, programs, and facilities. The new communication tool will enhance transparency and provide residents, businesses, and visitors with the opportunity to see their local government in action on GTV, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and the County website. Please watch the first edition to learn about the new St. Johns County Health and Human Services Center.  

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