Clay County Times

Commissioners further serve our community through participation on a variety of boards, committees, and commissions.

Each year the Board of County Commissioners Chair appoints Board members to serve on the variety of Clay County boards, commissions, and committees that have been developed to serve our community and improve the quality of life for residents, visitors, and the workforce. This year, BCC Chair Betsy Condon made the selection based on the experience, knowledge, and interests of the current Board. Serving in those capacities, commissioners attend regular meetings and provide input. 

Commissioner Kristen Burke will continue to serve on the Affordable Housing Committee, which meets as needed at least twice a year. The committee reviews the adopted established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and the local government comprehensive plan, and makes recommendations on any specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing projects.

Commissioner Mike Cella will serve on the Bikes, Blueways, and Trails Committee, which meets monthly at Grace Anglican Church in Fleming Island.  This grassroots citizens group makes recommendations on projects intended to improve bike paths, trails, roads, and waterfront facilities countywide to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors and boost economic development.

Commissioner Jim Renninger will serve on the CareerSource Northeast Florida Consortium, which meets quarterly remotely and in person at various locations throughout Northeast Florida. The consortium functions around several initiatives designed to connect job seekers in transition with training and employment and focuses on economic development through workforce preparation. The organization plays a key role in attracting new business and helping current businesses expand in Northeast Florida.

BCC Chair Betsy Condon will serve as the Chamber of Commerce Liaison and Commissioner Jim Renninger will serve as the alternate. At the monthly meetings, the BCC chair reports on current county-wide happenings of interest including businesses, roads, homes, local and statewide legislation, parks and recreation, and community items of interest or concern. This committee meets at 8 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Chamber’s office in Orange Park Town Hall. 

Commissioners Jim Renninger and Mike Cella will serve on the Clay County Economic Development Council, which meets bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m. The Board has established economic development as a priority to create initiatives for sustainable economic growth by creating high-wage employment opportunities that grow the non-residential tax base and improve the overall business climate and quality of life in Clay County. 

The recently formed City of Green Cove Spring Community Redevelopment Agency was organized to revitalize blight in downtown Green Cove Springs by fostering new development, providing necessary infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and focusing public investment according to the initiatives outlined in the City’s Community Redevelopment Area Plan. Commissioner Kristen Burke and Commission Auditor Heather Boucher will continue to serve on this committee representing the Clay County Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioner Alexandra Compere will serve on the Mental Health and Recovery Resource Working Group, which meets virtually on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. to share information and discuss and implement actions to provide more access to recovery and mental health resources for residents of Clay County.

BCC Chair Betsy Condon and Commissioner Kristen Burke will continue to represent the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, which is the independent regional transportation planning agency for Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties.  The TPO Board is comprised of elected officials, and transportation agency representatives, and is led by an executive director. The TPO meets on the second Thursday of the month to discuss issues and make decisions about future transportation projects, initiatives, and regional improvements.

The Northeast Florida Regional Council is a regional government agency that covers seven counties – Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. The Council meets on the first Thursday of the month to discuss Key programs including Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, Growth Management & Community Engagement, and Economic Development, and to provide input into the annual Regional Council work priorities. BCC Chair Betsy Condon will serve on the Executive Committee and represents Clay County on the Board of Directors. Commissioner Jim Renninger will serve on the Personnel, Budget, and Finance Policy Committee and Affordable Housing Committees, and represent Clay County on the Board of Directors.

Commissioner Jim Renninger will continue to represent Clay County on the Northeast Florida Firewatch Council, which is a multijurisdictional government entity formed in November 2019 by Baker County, Clay County, Nassau County, St. Johns County, and the City of Jacksonville working together to create and implement a comprehensive solution to reduce veteran suicide in Northeast Florida.

Northeast Florida Community Action Agency meets virtually on the last Thursday of each month except for November and December when it meets on the second Thursday of December. The agency provides services for Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties. The agency works to create access and opportunity for our most vulnerable residents and build communities in which all people can thrive. Commissioner Alexandra Compere will represent Clay County in this agency.

The Public Safety Coordinating Council was established by resolution, which in coordination with the county offices of planning and budget, makes formal recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners regarding how the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program may be best implemented in the community. The Council meets quarterly in the BCC meeting room. BCC Chair Betsy Condon will serve on this council and Commissioner Jim Renninger will serve as the alternate.

The Small County Coalition is a non-partisan statewide alliance of county commissions in Florida’s small and rural counties with the primary mission of helping Florida’s small and rural counties address legislative issues from a small county/rural perspective and working effectively with state agencies’ leadership. BBC Chair Betsy Condon and Commissioner Mike Cella will represent Clay County in this coalition, which meets periodically as needed.  

The Tourist Development Council is an advisory committee of the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. The TDC meets once per quarter on dates set by the TDC and develops strategies to administer funds received from the Tourist Development Tax and oversees and recommends ways to promote Clay County as a tourist destination. Commissioner Mike Cella will continue to serve on this Council.

Commissioner Chair Betsy Condon will continue to serve on the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. The Board meets quarterly in the BCC meeting room and provides information, advice, and direction to the Community Transportation Coordinators on the services to be provided to the transportation disadvantaged through the Florida Coordinated Transportation System. The goal of the TD Program is to effectively coordinate funds and activities to provide older adults, persons with disabilities, and persons with low income with access to employment, health care, education, and other life-sustaining activities. 

Commissioners Mike Cella and Jim Renninger will serve on the Clay County Value Adjustment Board, which is responsible for overseeing administrative proceedings that provide citizens an opportunity to file petitions challenging the determinations of the Property Appraiser regarding exemption and valuation issues. The Board meets twice annually or as needed for the purpose of acting on the recommendations of the Special Magistrates and to conduct organizational duties and certify the tax rolls.

Original source can be found here.