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Dear Residents of St. Johns County,
I am delighted to announce that we are once again pulling back the curtain on St. Johns County's inner operations, and you're invited to join us in the front row to watch and participate in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Dialogue Series. These dialogues are conducted between each operational department leader and me, or between community partner leaders and me, to review their proposed levels of service and requested funding needed to accomplish those service goals and operations.
You are invited to listen in because I would like to give you a clear view of how funding decisions are made — and, more importantly, how your voice can influence those decisions.
From May 8 to May 13, 2025, each County department will present to me its operational needs, priorities, and plans for the coming year. Topics will span from public safety services like fire rescue and infrastructure to quality-of-life investments in parks, libraries, and economic development. This is your chance to understand the landscape of community needs, the trade-offs we face, and the strategies behind how we fund the public services that serve you. Each of the budget dialogue sessions will be broadcast live and recorded, so whether you prefer to watch from home or join at one of our public viewing locations, you’ll be able to follow the process on your terms. You’ll find access links and session details on our government TV platform at www.sjcfl.us/GTV.
The series will be held at the St. Johns County Administration Building, located at 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. We have arranged for limited seating in the San Sebastian conference room for in-person attendance and additional space in the County Auditorium, where attendees can watch live on GovTV. After the sessions are completed, please email us at budget2026@sjcfl.us to provide feedback and ask questions, and we will get back with you. For more information on this opportunity, please visit www.sjcfl.us/2026budget.
As we continue into 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the people who make St. Johns County such a special community. Every day, I witness the incredible dedication of our residents, volunteers, and County staff who work tirelessly to enhance our quality of life. Whether you are revitalizing the beautiful Vilano Main Street or the historic Hastings Main Street, organizing book sales through the Friends of the Library to enrich our readers' experiences, or advocating in West Augustine to bring vital medical facilities and safe spaces for our youth — your impact is felt. From Ponte Vedra leaders who keep a careful watch over the quality of our streets, beaches, and neighborhoods, to those who maintain our ballfields in perfect condition for the next tournament, to our firefighters who are always ready between calls, your commitment shines in every corner of our county. The list goes on and on, and I can't wait to thank you in person when you join us. This letter is a celebration of you — your passion, your generosity, and the progress we are making together.
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One of the most significant milestones achieved this year is the adoption of our first-ever Strategic Plan by the Board of County Commissioners. Thanks to the incredible work of Sarah Taylor, Assistant County Administrator, and her team in the Office of Performance and Transparency, as well as Chief of Staff Angie Cowling. Built with valuable community input, I see this plan serve as our guiding tool to prioritize residents' needs, deliver services in alignment with our community’s vision, and ensure accountability through strong performance metrics. It is our essential reference to move forward prudently, making well-informed decisions that reflect our focus on transparency, efficiency, and excellence. You can explore the plan at www.sjcfl.us/sjc-strategic-plan.
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Coming Together for a Cleaner Community
January kicked off with the second annual New Year’s Trash Bash, a testament to our community’s commitment to environmental stewardship. With the leadership of our Solid Waste Division and Environmental Division, and in partnership with St. Johns River State College’s Vikings Day of Service, more than 250 volunteers from 20 county departments and organizations collected over 1,000 pounds of litter across eight locations.
A special thank you to our Public Library System, which once again showed the power of community generosity through the Food for Fines program. This effort led to the donation of 2,500 nonperishable food items to our Health and Human Services Food Pantry, ensuring local families receive the support they need.
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Honoring Power of Purpose and Strength in Public Service
In February, we proudly recognized Sammy McKinnon, Road and Bridge Superintendent, as our Employee of the Year. With more than 30 years of dedication to St. Johns County, Sammy’s leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact. His career is a testament to the power of purpose driven processes, reflecting his strength and dedication to making an impact through public service--keeping our community safe and connected.
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In April, two of our employees received awards with unique distinction:
The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau named Robert McFarland, our Sports Tourism Development Specialist in the Parks and Recreation Department, the 2024 Tourism and Hospitality Employee of the Year for Government.
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Joel Sneed, Assistant Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, received the Patriot Award. It was presented in a ceremony by Rob Lawrence, Military Outreach Director of Florida for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Sneed served from 1979 to 1983 in the United States Navy as an Air Crewman. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made by an individual to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures, including flexible schedules, time off before and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
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New Spaces for Play & Connection
We’ve made great strides in enhancing community spaces and infrastructure:
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Continuing to Invest in Safer Roads, Stronger Infrastructure
Growth brings challenges, but thanks to our Public Works and Utilities teams, we are making major strides in transportation and infrastructure:
The Longleaf Pine Parkway widening project is now complete, adding over four miles of expanded roadway between Roberts Road and Veterans Parkway.
Across the county, our teams are actively working on 108 transportation projects and 99 utility projects—each one ensuring that our community continues to thrive. You can check out updates at www.sjcfl.us/services-and-information/featured-projects.
We continue to produce new video features to show you the progress being made. Recently we completed videos on the expansion of Racetrack Road and the beautiful new intersection at Mickler’s /A1A.
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A Historic Step for Florida’s First Black History Museum
On March 11, 2025, we celebrated a historic achievement as the Florida Senate Committee on Community Affairs voted unanimously (7-0) in favor of Senate Bill 466, supporting St. Johns County’s efforts to establish the state’s first-ever Black History Museum in West Augustine. With leadership from Senator Thomas J. "Tom" Leek, this legislation lays the foundation for a governance framework for the Florida Museum of Black History—a project that will honor and preserve the rich history of Black communities in our region.
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Thank you for Staying Connected & Getting Involved
In April, we launched a new video series, Inside SJC, aimed at educating, engaging, and empowering residents and business owners by showcasing the County’s departments, services, and key initiatives. The video series will roll out strategically, with each episode focusing on timely topics for the community. Inside SJC will provide an in-depth look at how the County operates, the resources available to residents, and the programs that contribute to making St. Johns County a vibrant and thriving community. From parks to libraries, the series will cover a wide array of subjects, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of essential County services.
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Also in April, we hosted the News4Jax newscasts at Veterans Park as part of their “4 Your Neighborhood” series. The station featured the success of regional parks plans, discussed our efforts to address infrastructure projects, and profiled various people and places in our community. We have been proactive the past few years in getting our news out to the press and the community, now the news is coming to us to talk about St. Johns County!
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In March, thanks to the amazing work from the Office of Public Affairs, we proudly launched the inaugural SJC 101 Citizens Academy. Led by Wayne Larson and Tyler Jarnagin, along with the tireless efforts of their team, the program kicked off on March 6. Building on the success of last year’s pilot program, this comprehensive 12-week academy provides residents and business owners with an in-depth understanding of County government operations. It was bittersweet that the Spring 2025 class quickly reached full capacity, and a waitlist is now open for the Fall 2025 session. If any of you are interested in future sessions, you are encouraged to apply online at www.sjcfl.us/sjc101 to secure a spot on the waitlist for the next available program.
I cannot be more grateful for the level of engagement from our residents. Many of you are making an investment of your time and resources to stay connected and involved in our community’s progress.
More ways to stay connected:
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None of these accomplishments would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our incredible County staff and the support of our residents. Your commitment to making St. Johns County a better place to live, work, and play is truly inspiring.
On behalf of our entire team, thank you for being an active part of our thriving community. Together, we are building a bright and sustainable future for St. Johns County.
Joy Andrews
County Administrator
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