A much lighter day for everyone but not one short on substance.
Proclamations were presented recognizing:
- EPIC Behavioral Healthcare on their 50th Anniversary
- October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- National 4-H Week
Public Safety Update
During the Public Safety Update, Director Tara Wildes represented SJSP and remarked on the partnership with EPIC in the re-entry and rapid response programs run by the Sheriff’s Office.
She also shared about the new golf cart law that went into effect October 1. The Sheriff’s department is particulary proud of this new law as this was an initiative put forward by Sheriff Hardwick who worked with Representative Cyndi Stevenson to get this law enacted during this year’s Legislative Session.
Learn more about the new golf cart law: Golf Cart Law Brochure
The Fire Rescue Update was provided by Acting Fire Chief Sean McGee shared that in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, you will see operations personnel wearing bright pink shirts in their “Pink T-Shirt Campaign.”
At the conclusion of the update by Acting Chief McGee, Commissioner Joseph asked if Chief Bullard had formally resigned. Interim County Administrator Andrews advised he had submitted his verbal resignation on Monday.
There was some discussion about the resignation of Chief Bullard and the role of the Commissioners vs the role of the County Administrator.
Watch the discussion here: Discussion on Fire Rescue Chief
The Clerk of the Court highlighted Domestic Violence Awareness month and introduced the Family Law clerks who file injunctions related to domestic violence. He also shared that the county had been victim of a Cyber Fraud in the amouont of $1.1 Million. They have recovered about 65% of that amount and do have cyber insurance.
The Public Works Director gave an update on current projects underway.

Watch the update here: Public Works Update
The Palm Valley Boat ramp is nearing completion and they hope to have a ribbon cutting by the end of the month.
Longleaf Pine Parkway widening is expected to be completed by September of 2024
County Road 210 widening project is out for bid. If all goes to schedule, work should begin in January, 2024.
Information was shared about the work being done to alleviate the issues on 210 east of I-95. The county and the Sheriff’s office are working together to do real time video monitoring of traffic situations on 210 and making adjustments to traffic signals. The county has engaged England, Tims & Miller as the project engineer. They presented a rendering of the final solution of the six lanes in front of Beachside High School.
Also shared was a plan to put in two east bound left turn lanes to alleviate some of the pressure during the construction phase.

The Hastings Community Center design was selected by a vote of local residents and groundbreaking is expected after the first of the year.

Consent Agenda
Commissioner Joseph asked that Item 25 on the Consent Agenda be moved to the Regular Agenda.
Commissioner Dean advised Consent Agenda Item would be withdrawn and brought back at a later date.
Regular Agenda items:
Agenda item 3 was a report from Tara Meeks, Director of
Tourism and Cultural Development provided a report on the potential of
allocating Tourist Development Tax Reserve funds for the Florida State Parks
Foundation’s (Foundation) Fort Mose reconstruction project.
The Foundation has raised approximately $1.38 million for the project from a
combination of sponsorships and a Florida African-American Cultural &
Historical Grant. The Foundation continues to fund raise to generate the additional
$500,000 (approx.) in funding that is needed to complete the Fort Mose
reconstruction project.
There were several representatives from the community who spoke in favor of
the funding.
During discussion, Commissioner’s Arnold and Alaimo expressed their support
for the project and also said they thought the recommendation for use of the
funds should go through the Tourism Development Council before the
Commissioner’s voted on it.
The motion to use the reserve funds was approved 3-2, with Commissioners
Arnold and Alaimo being the no votes.
Details are here: Fort Mose Agenda item
Agenda Item 4 was a report from Director of Parks and Recreation, Ryan Kane, on the Tortuga Park project.
Director Kane presented 3 options to the Board:

Details are here: Tortuga Park Presentation
Several residents spoke against moving the project forward.
After discussion, Commissioner Alaimo made a motion for Option 2, sell the property and pursue the purchase of another beach access point. That motion failed with a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Arnold, Whitehurst, and Joseph were the three No votes.
Commissioner Alaimo then offered a motion for Option 1, retain ownership of the property but table development plans. That motion passed 3-2 with Commissioners Arnold and Whitehurst being the No votes.
Agenda Items 5 was the reappointment of Megan McKinley to the Ponte Vedra Zoning & Adjustment Board.
Agenda Item 6 was the reappointment of Melissa Churchwell to the Industrial Development Authorigy and Orville Dothage to a new 4 yaer term on the Industrial Development Authority.
Agenda Item 7 was former Consent Agenda Item 25, “Approval of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Funding Agreement 23SJ4 for cost sharing of the Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Beach Projects”
Commissioner Joseph questioned why this was on the Consent Agenda as at a previous meeting there had been consensus to look at how the $9.5 Million funding would be allocated.
Commissioner Joseph’s concern was funding for the North Ponte Vedra Beach community not being included in this allocation. Commissioner Whitehurst asked if this money could be used for immediate needs while the county continued to look into funding for the North Ponte Vedra community. The answer was yes, both could be done.
Commissioner Joseph made a motion that the $7MM that could be remaining after the repairs in the southern beaches be allocated to the North Ponte Vedra Beach project. That motion died with no second.
After much more discussion and public comment, Commissioner Dean made a motion to approve the funding and provided information that the funding was specifically for FEMA projects and that is what would be covered here.
There was much more discussion and modifications. Eventually, the motion was made to approve the funding and any remaining funding to go to the North Ponte Vedra Beach project
You can watch the entire discussion at this link: Beach Berm Funding Discussion
Commissioner’s Reports
Commissioner Joseph urged the consideration of continued operation of the IMAX theater at World Golf Village by either Epic Theaters or Sun Ray Cinemas owners, both of whom have expressed interest.
Commissioner Alaimo talked about the need for updated beach codes and ordinances. He asked the Board for consensus to have staff evaluate the beach code and ordinances to bring them up to date. The Board agreed.
Commissioner Dean shaed that the Legislative Delegation meeting is on October 13 which is earlier this year because the Legislative Session begins in January, not March next year. This is because of the 2024 Presendential election cycle.
Commissioner Arnold asked the Board for consensus for staff to look at an ordinance for boating safety on Pablo Creek.
Commissioner Whitehurst brought up a recent meeting with the TAG! Children’s Museum group around a request for funding that is coming. to the Board. He asked for board consensus to send the request back to the TDC for more specificity clarification on to fund this project. The Board agreed.
Commissioner Whitehurst also asked for Board for consensus to request the county attorney to review and advise on options to enact an ordinance creating consequences for violations of the Board’s Rules of Decorum. Consensus was not achieved so a motion was made for the same. The motion passed 4-1 (Joseph)










