Leek, St. Johns County officials discuss legislative priorities

Rep. Tom Leek, District 28, recently visited St. Johns County to learn more about the county’s 2024 legislative priorities and how these priorities will benefit the region and state.

“This morning, I had the opportunity to visit the impressive St. Johns County Commission facility with County Chair Christian Whitehurst and Deputy County Administrator Brad Bradley,” Leek said. “I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the wonderful folks of St. Johns County and appreciate the warm welcome.”

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2024 Legislative Action Plan at its Sept. 19 regular meeting.

The plan requests more than $69 million in state appropriations for the following local projects:

• State Road 16: to alleviate traffic congestion and improve safety.
• County Road 2209: to complete the central segment of this critical road corridor.
• Central Public Safety Station: to provide additional emergency response capacity.
• Regional Fire Training Facility: to address the emergency responder workforce shortage.
• Porpoise Point Stabilization: to reduce persistent flooding and protect a federal navigation channel.
• South Ponte Vedra Beach: to protect property and infrastructure from further erosion.
• Genovar Park: to design and construct recreation enhancements, including a regional boat ramp.

The Legislative Action Plan also requests the Legislature address critical statewide or regional priorities, including:

• Removing outdated requirements that raise the cost of school construction or inhibit investment in new school construction.
• Identifying historic farming communities and providing pathways to conserve working lands and encourage public infrastructure investment.
• Facilitating the restoration of the Old Matanzas River Ecosystem in St. Johns and Flagler counties.

The 2024 Legislative Action Plan will be presented at the annual St. Johns County Legislative Delegation meeting, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in the St. Johns County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.

The chair or vice chair of the Board of County Commissioners will welcome the delegation and present the county’s 2024 legislative priorities. The meeting will be broadcast live on county GTV at sjcfl.us/gtv for those unable to attend.

The purpose of the Oct. 13 meeting is for the delegation, which includes Sen. Travis Hutson, Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, Speaker Paul Renner and Rep. Bobby Payne, to hear public testimony on legislative issues, appropriations, and local bills.

Interested citizens wishing to be placed on the agenda for the Oct. 13 meeting must contact CURBOW.DANIELLE@flsenate.gov by Oct. 6.