This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine
Published on September 27, 2023 at 4:40 pm
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St. Johns County will present its 2024 legislative priorities to the county’s state legislative delegation next month, and residents have an opportunity to express what they want lawmakers to focus on.
The Board of County Commissioners agreed on a list of priorities to be presented at a public meeting Oct. 13 in St. Augustine. They include four areas: improving transportation infrastructure, improving public safety and coastal protection, protecting natural resources, and economic sustainability in the county.
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Economic sustainability priorities include a request for $5 million from the state to buy the World Golf Hall of Fame building and other surrounding buildings. The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is closing at the end of 2023.
This issue weighs on the minds of many county residents, said Adam Tecler, the county’s grants and legislative affairs manager.
“Through survey research, St. Johns County is currently identifying the community needs and evaluating the future opportunities that might align with this site,” Tecler said during the county commissioners’ meeting Sept. 16.
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The public has an opportunity to let the county know what they want to see at the World Golf Village through a survey that closes Saturday. You can access it here.
Other highlights of the county’s legislative priorities include a $400 million request to address critical infrastructure projects like a four-lane road along State Road 16 from Interstate 95 to International Golf Parkway; asking the delegation to remove or modify provisions of laws that may limit the constriction of new schools; and encouraging the Museum of Black History Task Force to consider St. Augustine as the site for a new state museum honoring the history of African Americans in Florida.
The public meeting of the St. Johns County legislative delegation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct.13 at the St. Johns County Auditorium in St. Augustine. You can sign up by emailing Curbow.Danielle@flsenate.gov by Oct. 6.
As for legislative priorities in other counties, Clay County says those are still being worked out. A representative for the Duval County Legislative Delegation says the delegation does not have any priorities for the upcoming session and there are no plans to develop any. There is a a meeting scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Jacksonville City Council Chamber if you would like to let the delegation know what you would like for Duval County.
The 2024 legislative session in Tallahassee will begin Jan. 9.
