GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners unanimously passed its Appropriations and Legislative Priorities that will be sent to the state ahead of the next legislative session that opens on April. 10.

The BCC voted to remove the planned pickleball courts from the County Regional Sports Complex, with funds instead being sought for a cross-country trail, additional restrooms and expanded amenities for parking. 

A trail would be more cost-effective. With the potential to build to NCAA standards, the facility could cater to various age levels and sporting events, hosting anything from junior high meets to collegiate-level competitions, potentially providing a boon to the community while attracting more big-ticket sporting events. 

The BCC also voted to modify the Property Assessed Clean Energy statute to clarify the authority to regulate the activity within its jurisdiction and improve customer protection. The plan won’t expand the permissible uses of the Tourist Development Tax, while continuing to fully fund Visit Florida, limit short-term rental legislation changes, and limit changes to the Florida Retirement System, while also increasing the maximum amount for the assessment of additional court costs and surcharges, which would increase the allowable fee and modify reporting requirements for the Value Adjustment Board.

Earmarked monies from the state will be divided into three categories: Infrastructure and Resiliency, Trails, Parks and Lakes and Public Safety and Library Facilities. Proposed funding the county would seek to receive from the state in the first category includes County Road 209 safety improvements ($1.5 million), extending County Road 218 to four lanes ($1.5 million), extending County Road 220 to four lanes ($1.5 million) west of Knight Boxx road, a bridge and safety improvements for County Road 217 ($2.5 million) and a State Road 16 right-of-way and four-lane from First Coast Expressway to Randall Road for a right-of-way acquisition ($1.5 million). 

Trails, Parks and Lakes, the county will seek $1 million for a number of appropriations, including multi-use fields, volleyball courts, a cross-country trail, or additional lighting at the County Regional Sports Complex.

Then, a matching $1 million ask will be made for the Veterans Park Greenway Access, providing access to Veterans Park, along with $3 million for the Moccasin Slough Boardwalk and Tower, which would provide access to Moccasin Slough. Then, a trail mitigation for the Black Creek Bike Path, transitioning from wood to composite, would total $750,000.

The county will work with the State on Phase 2 of the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project, which is part of the Geneva Restoration Project and the restoration and refill Lakes Geneva and Brooklyn in Keystone Heights.

Finally, Public Safety and Library Facilities will look to get $10 million for Phase 1 of the 911 and Emergency Operations Center building, $750,000 for Fire Station No. 15, $750,000 for Fire Station No. 21 and $750,000 for the Oakleaf Plantation Library.