Removing park programming, increasing athletic association fees and eliminating its $1.3 million Jacksonville Transit Authority program were some of the many ideas tossed around during the four-hour meeting —all in a bid to dig the county out of an $8 million gap ahead of the approaching fiscal year.

"This is very difficult. We don't want to cut anything. But we will have to go big," said Commission Chair Kristen Burke.

In light of a $44.5 million shortfall and a potential property tax cut that could result in the loss of $35.9 million in county revenues, the board heard from each of the county's various departments to gauge specific areas where money could potentially be saved.

A highlight was Parks and Recreation, which presented a $1.9 million budget. Following a presentation from Director Justin Pierce, District 1 Commissioner John Sgromolo suggested the exceeding costs for Camp Chowenwaw are something the board needs to consider trimming down on.  

While annual revenue for the camp in 2024-2025 was $160,935, the county spends more than $500,000 to operate it, Pierce said. Sgromolo and District 4 Commissioner Betsy Condon called the park, which the county purchased from the Girl Scouts in 2006, a "losing proposition." 

"When you look at a county with 240,000 people, I believe the number was 1,341 visitors annually, that's a very small percentage of people for $500,000," he said.

The board shuffled through potential outcomes. One idea was possibly reversing its no-alcohol policy for special events. The county said it had turned down various events in its big cabin for this reason, losing potential revenue streams. 

"That would be something I would like to look in to instead of totally eliminating" Burke said.

Condon suggested leasing the cabin out to a restaurant, while Sgromolo also brought up making it a passive park with no county involvement. 

County staff said it would come back to the board with options to make the numbers work.  

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the meeting was Sgromolo's idea of chopping half the funding for the county's UF/IFAS Extension Office. 

The UF/IFAS Extension Clay County is a part of the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, helping homeowners, businesses and families by sharing learning opportunities for agriculture, lawn and garden, and natural and family resources. 

One of its biggest programs, however, is 4-H Youth Development—where more than 400 Clay County youth explore summer camps, enrichment workshops, special interest clubs and afterschool programs. 

"It's very disappointing for me that the county's considering to decrease investments," said Taylor Thigpen. "Especially in programs that are changing lives and building sustainable infrastructure. [And] keeping our agricultural community and land [alive] here in Clay County."

As a Clay County business owner, 4-H alumni and Trustee of the National 4-H Council reaching 6.5 million youth, Thigpen knows firsthand the importance of the program. He joined 4-H when he was just 8 years old. Although he didn't have much of an agricultural background, the program taught him empowerment and sustainability.

When he was 14, he founded PlantKingUSA, a business that skyrocketed to great heights working with growers worldwide. 

"4-H doesn't just build cute kids programs and cute skills," he said.

"Leadership, youth-adult partnership and communication allowed me to be so far beyond peers that did not have Extension involvement because I learned how to create actionable steps in my community."  

Many community members took to the county's regular board meeting on July 28 to express their disapproval and speak about how much the program has provided them the mentorship, confidence and skills they need to thrive.

UF/IFAS is offered in all 67 counties in Florida.  As a federal-state partnership, the county contributes $600,000 towards the program.

Thigpen said he appreciates the board's mindful approach but stressed that any potential funding decrease for the program could have substantial consequences, including loss of essential resources and job cuts.  In addition to civic engagement, he urged county commissioners to ask questions and reconsider its full benefit.

Sgromolo said he's been a supporter for Clay County agriculture since he's been a commissioner, but his job is to ensure every cent of taxpayer dollars is spent for the betterment of the community. That includes verifying that staff and programs are performing at sustained success.

"In a tight budget season, if we're not digging deep, unturning every stone and asking tough questions, then we're not doing our job," he said. 

The board said they always value public feedback. They will meet for their next budget workshop on Aug. 20 from 9-11 a.m. at the Clay County Administration Building, 477 Houston St.