The City of Keystone Heights discussed water quality improvements, the Heritage Museum, and crime on Monday, June 9, at its monthly council meeting.

Mayor Nina Rodenroth led the way during the two-hour session at City Hall.

Executive Director Jeremy Johnston of the Clay County Utility Authority (CCUA) presented on future changes regarding water treatment and the expansion of operations to accommodate continual growth throughout Clay County.

CCUA provides services to just over 56,000 accounts in the area, equating to approximately 130,000 individuals. They predict that this number will double in the next 20 years.

"It doesn't matter if you are a resident up near Orange Park, Lake Asbury or Keystone; our costs are equated across the entire service area for equal, consistent rates, fees, and charges,” said Johnston.

According to Johnston, 22 water treatment plants are throughout the entire service area. Currently, they are operating at full capacity, pumping 74,000 gallons per day, and they aim to expand this capacity to 200,000 gallons per day. This expansion would require an investment of approximately $9 million.

One proposal from the water company was to convert a septic-to-sewer system. The Doctor's Lake area has just completed its first septic-to-sewer conversion.

CCUA is prepared for hurricanes and blackouts, ensuring residents can access water even if the power goes out.

Heritage Commission Museum

The evening's discussion revolved around the Heritage Commission Museum. Board members engaged in debates regarding the museum’s location and the crucial issue of funding, seeking to table the proposals for the future.

The Heritage Commission hosted a workshop on June 5 in Keystone Heights, during which they discussed obtaining a museum and partnering with the city.

Dr. Rhonda Heiser, a grant writer and consultant, is excited to partner with the city and the Heritage Commission to realize her vision. She assured city leaders that she has secured funding for the new museum.

In the spring of 2025, the Heritage Commission hosted an impactful Chautauqua event featuring a dynamic pop-up museum.

One suggestion was constructing a 10,000-sq.-ft. metal building at Sunrise Estate. Heiser estimated the cost of the construction and land to be around $86,000.

Mayor Rodenroth suggested that the museum remain downtown.

The city attorney, Rich Komando, stated there would need to be a review of how public-private ownership would work and if it would be applicable per the city ordinance guidelines.

Crime and Tickets

Assistant Chief Chad Ricks of the Clay County Sheriff's Office addressed the pressing issues of speeding and drug-related activities in our community.

During the last city meeting, it was conveyed that the Sheriff's Department needed to take decisive action to ensure that speeders are held accountable and measures are implemented to slow down traffic.

"We had a few groups of people that were committing some low-level crimes of bringing some crimes into our county and causing some problems here at Keystone Heights, and we put together a special detail for three nights," said Assistant Chief Ricks

A task force was assigned to assist in slowing down speeders while cleaning up the streets of Keystone Heights and making several arrests related to drug trafficking.

Overall, they made 225 traffic stops, issued 110 and 150 warnings, wrote around 80 citations, and made approximately 15 or 16 arrests over those three nights. Out of those arrests, 11 were criminal citations, according to Ricks.