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 4-H Summer Camps

The St. Johns County 4-H Program has kicked off the summer months with a variety of 4-H day camps for youth, including Babysitting Camp, Elite Equine Camp, and Drones in Agriculture Camp. Throughout the summer, campers have an opportunity to gain valuable skills through fun and interactive learning activities. Slots are still open for July camps. For more information and to register your child, please visit the St. Johns County 4-H camp webpage.

St. Johns County UF/IFAS Upcoming Events

The St. Johns County UF/IFAS Extension Office, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, is hosting a Small Farm Poultry workshop seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on August 18. This evening workshop is designed to provide poultry enthusiasts an overview of poultry regulations and management strategies. Snacks will be provided. To register for this free event, please call 904.209.0430. For more information on upcoming UF/IFAS events, please visit their website.

St. Johns County Horse Council

The St. Johns County Horse Council is a local nonprofit that strives to promote, defend, and propagate equestrian interests in St. Johns County. Since their establishment in 1999, the Council has become involved in promoting all types of equine activities and raising awareness regarding the economic impact of horses in the County. In addition to quarterly public meetings, the Council hosts numerous events at the St. Johns County Equestrian Center for handlers of all ages and experience levels. For more information on the St. Johns County Horse Council, events, and how to become a member, please visit their website or send them an email.

Presentation of Fiscal Year 2017 Recommended Budget and Recommended Budget Workshop

In conjunction with the annual budget process, members of the community are invited to attend two public hearings to provide feedback on the Fiscal Year 2017 St. Johns County Budget. Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2017 Recommended County Budget to the Board of County Commissioners is tentatively scheduled for July 19, 2016 as part of the regular agenda. A follow-up Board workshop on the Fiscal Year 2017 Recommended County Budget will be scheduled tentatively for July 26, 2016 at 9 AM. At that time, following the workshop, the Board will be asked to set the tentative Fiscal Year 2017 County millage rates in order to accomplish the required mailing of notices of proposed property taxes. For additional information, please view the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Calendar or call the St. Johns County Office of Management and Budget at 904.209.0572. The Fiscal Year 2017 Recommended County Budget Workbook will be made available prior to the July 19th presentation on the County's Office of Management and Budget webpage.

St. Johns County Prepares for Hurricanes

St. Johns County hosted an immersive hurricane simulation exercise to prepare for an actual emergency in our area at the St. Johns County Emergency Operations Center on June 9. County staff worked diligently with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, St. Johns County Fire Rescue, City of St. Augustine, Department of Health, Florida National Guard, and several other partnering agencies to practice and enhance hurricane response strategies during a mock Category 3 hurricane. Participants were lead through a two-part scenario which included preparing for the impact of the storm, issuing an evacuation notice, opening shelters, and responding to road, home, and utility damage.

To find out more about St. Johns County Emergency Management, to sign up for the Code Red Alert system, or to view evacuation zones and routes, please visit www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.

Volunteer Opportunities with St. Johns County Boards and Committees

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents who have an interest in participating in their local government with a variety of board and commission opportunities. Depending on the board or commission, the volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding a myriad of topics including planning and zoning issues, development projects, the library, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Please visit the Boards and Commission Webpage to view an updated list of board and commission vacancies and download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information.

St. Johns County Offers Free "Reach the Beach" Shuttle Service during Summer Holiday Weekends

With the demand of off-beach parking expected to exceed capacity during the holidays this summer, St. Johns County is offering a free shuttle service to Mickler's Beachfront Park and the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following weekends:

* Independence Day: July 2 - 4

* Labor Day: September 3 - 5

The Mickler's Beachfront Park shuttle will transport beach visitors between Cornerstone Park, 1046 A1A North, and Mickler's Beachfront Park, which provides direct access to the beach. The Pier shuttle will transport beach visitors between St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A South, and the Pier parking lot, which provides direct access to Pier amenities and the beach. The shuttles will run every 20 minutes with the final shuttles departing at 4 p.m.

Both shuttle service routes will be provided by the St. Johns County Council on Aging, Inc. DBA Coastal Transportation and will be subject to inclement weather. Service updates will be provided via the St. Johns County Reach the Beach mobile website, Twitter feed, and Facebook page. St. Johns County and the Tourist Development Council provide the Reach the Beach shuttles to relieve congestion at the Mickler's Beachfront Park and the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, and to give St. Johns County residents and visitors a more safe and convenient beach experience. For additional information, please visit www.sjcfl.us/Beaches or call 904.209.0331.

St. Johns County Summer Football and Soccer Clinics at Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park

St. Johns County is hosting free summer football and soccer clinics for children ages 6 to 12 at Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park, 10 North Holmes Blvd. The clinics will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday evening, with football clinics running June 5 through 30, and soccer clinics July 5 through 28. Participants are asked to wear comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers. Parents or guardians are required to check in their children and stay for the duration at each clinic. A waiver must be signed prior to participation. For additional program information or to pre-register, please contact Willie Cooper at wcooper@sjcfl.us or call 904.209.0395.

Vilano Beach Fishing Pier Closed for Safety Enhancements

The Vilano Beach Fishing Pier, 260 Vilano Rd., is closed for safety enhancements. The project will include necessary structural repairs including work on the steel I-beams, railings, and electrical and water supply infrastructure to maintain the structural integrity of the pier. In addition, the pier deck will be resealed, sand blasted, and painted.

The project is anticipated to last approximately ten months with the pier projected to reopen in spring 2017. During this time, residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy alternative fishing experiences in the immediate area including Porpoise Point and surf fishing along the adjacent beaches. In addition, the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, 350 A1A Beach Blvd., offers fishing passes and equipment rentals. For more information regarding the Vilano Beach Fishing Pier project, please call 904.209.0324.

St. Johns County Public Libraries host Tenth Annual Nature Detective Butterfly Workshops

St. Johns County Public Libraries are hosting free interactive Nature Detective workshops for children ages 6 through 12 throughout the summer. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about butterflies through hands-on activities, take-home materials, and books that can be checked out from the libraries. The workshops will be held at the following locations:

* Hastings Branch, 904.827.6970 - July 7 / 1 and 2:30 p.m.

* Ponte Vedra Beach Branch, 904.827.6950 - July 9 / 1 and 2:30 p.m.

* Anastasia Island Branch, 904.209.3730 - July 20 / 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

* Main Library, 904.827.6940 - July 22 / 10 and 11 a.m.

* Southeast Branch, 904.827.6900 - August 3 / 2 p.m.

To register your child for a workshop, please call or visit any participating branch library. Nature Detective workshops are sponsored and supported by the Garden Club of St. Augustine, the Friends of the Library organizations of each branch library, and the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, please visit www.sjcpls.org.

St. Johns Golf Club Leagues

The St. Johns Golf Club offers golfers a variety of leagues and organized play for all skill levels. The St. Johns County Men's Golf Association plays Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The St. Johns County Ladies' Golf Association plays Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Men's Club plays Tuesdays and the second and fourth Saturday of every month, and the Skins Group plays Thursdays and Saturdays. In addition, the First Tee of North Florida and the PGA Junior League provide younger golfers with instructional and competitive play opportunities. For additional information about the course or league play, please call 904.209.0350, visit www.sjcgc.com, or follow the St. Johns Golf Club on Facebook or Twitter.

St. Johns County Launches Project Race Track Communication Plan

St. Johns County has launched a comprehensive, multi-media communication plan to ensure those who live near Race Track Road have access to accurate and timely information regarding project updates and traffic conditions. The communication plan allows residents and motorists to obtain updates and information through social media, text alerts, and a dedicated webpage. Those interested in Project Race Track updates are encouraged to visit the following:

* Website: http://sjcfl.us/projectracetrack/

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectRaceTrack/

* Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectRTR

* Text "Follow @ProjectRTR" to 40404

The Race Track Road improvement project primarily consists of the widening of Race Track Road from two lanes to four lanes between Durbin Creek Elementary School and CR 2209. The project will also include construction of storm water management infrastructure; sidewalk, driveway, and asphalt removal and construction; and the installation of additional traffic signals. This enhancement will help reduce traffic congestion in the area while improving roadway safety. For more information on Project Race Track, please contact Doug Tarbox at dtarbox@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0124.

Fire Rescue Hosts Flag Day Ceremony

In honor of National Flag Day, St. Johns County Fire Rescue hosted a Flag Retirement on June 14 at the Fire Administration Building. Performed by the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Honor Guard, the patriotic ceremony demonstrated the formal process for retiring out-of-service American flags. The Honor Guard developed a program that meets the national protocol for this process and invited members of the public to submit flags for retirement. The event was attended by active duty military, veterans, local dignitaries, and members of the community.

National Library Card Sign Up Month

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the St. Johns County Public Library System encourages all residents to take this opportunity to explore one of the community's six libraries and discover the vast array of services and materials they offer. In addition to books, today's libraries provide a variety of community programs, special events, movies, music, and digital materials. For more information, to obtain a library card, or find the library closest to you, please visit www.sjcpls.org.

State of Florida Zika Virus Hotline

Governor Rick Scott directed State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Phillips to activate a Zika Virus Information Hotline for current Florida residents and visitors, as well as anyone planning on traveling to Florida in the near future. The number for the hotline, managed by the Department of Health, is 1.855.622.6735.

St. Johns County Holiday Hours

Independence Day

All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, St. Johns County library branches, and the Pet Center will be closed Monday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. All offices and branches will resume standard business hours on Tuesday, July 5.

Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules for the week will not be delayed. The Tillman Ridge solid waste scale house will be closed during this time. However, the Stratton Road solid waste scale house will remain open on the holiday during standard business hours.

Labor Day

All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, St. Johns County library branches, and the Pet Center will be closed Monday, September 5 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. All offices and branches will resume standard business hours on Tuesday, September 6.

Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules for the week will not be delayed. The Stratton Road solid waste scale house will be closed during this time. However, the Tillman Ridge solid waste scale house will remain open on the holiday during standard business hours.

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