Welcome:

Welcome to our beautiful county nestled along the banks of the majestic St. Johns River in Northeast Florida. We are one of the nation's fastest growing regions, and we offer unsurpassed quality of life and unlimited opportunity for business development.  

529th MP Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
Keystone Heights
Staff Sgt. Dick Alson Lee Jr., a military policeman assigned as a military working dog handler to 529th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, and a native of Orange Park, Fla., died April 26th in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, due to injuries suffered in an Improvised Explosive Device attack.  Also killed in the attack was his assigned Patrol Explosives Detector Dog, Fibi.  This was Staff Sgt. Lee’s fourth combat deployment.  The incident is under investigation. Lee is survived by his wife and two children.  

A memorial ceremony is scheduled for May 14 at the Keystone Heights High School football field at 7:00 pm. For more information regarding the ceremony, the media may contact:

John Ward, Deputy Director
Clay County Emergency Management
904-541-2767
John.ward@co.clay.fl.us

Swimming Pool Opens and Swim Lessons at Camp Chowenwaw Park
The Camp Chowenwaw Swimming Pool opens April 20, 2012.  Swimming Lessons are offered to pre-school and youth age levels, beginning May 1, 2012.  Registration is now open for Swimming Lessons.  Please click above for more details or call Camp Chowenwaw Park at 904-529-8058.

Federal Emergency Management Agency Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published preliminary (revised) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps for unincorporated Clay County and the municipalities of Penney Farms, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights and Orange Park. All of the local governments in Clay County are required to participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program in order for property owners to qualify for federally backed flood insurance rates. For unincorporated Clay County, the revised maps will replace the current floodplain maps, which became effective in 1992. The preliminary maps are expected to become effective in 2013.

The preliminary flood maps have been developed as part of the nationwide map modernization effort spearheaded by FEMA, which administers the National Flood Insurance Program. The preliminary maps, which delineate floodplains based upon computer modeling, are for the first time in a digital format, thereby providing greater detail and making it easier for citizens to view the information. Property owners, both homeowners and business owners, renters, realtors, mortgage lenders and insurance agents are encouraged to review the preliminary maps to determine the risk from flooding.

While most property in Clay County is not identified as floodplain, the numerous water bodies in the County result in the risk of flooding for property throughout the County. Because the modeling used to delineate the floodplain in the preliminary FEMA maps uses more up-to-the-date and precise data, the boundaries of the floodplain have been modified in some locations as identified on the current floodplain maps. The effect of this change is that some properties previously identified as floodplain will no longer be so identified. Alternatively, some properties previously identified outside of the floodplain may be identified within the floodplain.

While Clay County’s preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted by the FEMA, interested parties should ascertain any change in floodplain status for their property and submit comments and appeals if they can demonstrate to FEMA that any part of the maps are in error. FEMA’s formal appeal period has not yet started; this website will be updated with that information when the County receives notification from FEMA. The FEMA Project Manager may be reached at (704) 643-0108 X4315.

Directions for viewing the maps:  Click on the above link to open the FEMA index map.  Once opened please click on the map panel ID to open that panel.  Please be aware that the individual map panels are quite large and may take a few minutes to download.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Sung-man Kim, Floodplain Manager at 904-541-3828 (sung-man.kim@co.clay.fl.us) or Mike Kloehn, Director of Planning and Zoning Division at 904-541-3830 (mike.kloehn@co.clay.fl.us).

Notice Regarding Curbside Trash Pickup
Clay County’s Solid Waste Franchising and Collection Ordinance (90-24) allows for Receptacles and Bundles for Hand Pickup Service to be placed at the curb prior to 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. In no case, however, shall Receptacles or Bundles be placed on public right-of-way more than twelve (12) hours preceding the day of collection. The normal hours of collection are after the hours of 6:00 a.m. on days designated by the Franchisee. The Customer shall place Receptacles and Bundle ready for collection at a maximum distance of ten (10) feet from the travelled, graded or paved portion of the right-of-way and adjacent to the Customer's driveway.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in North Florida Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on February 15th, 2012, that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Florida as a result of freeze and frost that occurred between Nov. 11 and Dec. 12, 2011.

These loans are available in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties in Florida.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers.

Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Those affected by the disaster may also apply for disaster loans electronically from SBA’s website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than October 9, 2012.

Clay County Emergency Management: Code Red Weather Warn Press Release
Clay County has recently upgraded its CodeRED system to include a CodeRED Weather Warning service. CodeRED Weather Warn is an extension of the high-speed notification system which alerts subscribers, free of charge, about impending severe weather to including Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings. The system taps into the National Weather Service’s Storm Based Warnings, automatically alerting citizens in the path of severe weather just moments after a warning has been issued.

 CodeRED Weather Warn is an opt-in service only, requiring citizens to log into the CodeRED registration webpage through the county website at www.claycountygov.com. Simply click on the CodeRED icon, click on the service you wish to have and enter your respective information. Once registered, message recipients can easily identify calls coming through the systems as message recipient’s Caller IDs will read Emergency Communications Network or 866-419-5000 for CodeRED calls. CodeRED Weather Warning calls will read either Emergency Communications Network or the number 800-566-9780.

“Residents can simply dial the number displayed on their Caller ID to hear the last message delivered," said Chief Lorin Mock, Clay County Emergency Management Director.  "This will greatly reduce the number of inbound inquiries handled by our office and will offer residents an immediate replay of the message.” 

It is recommended that all businesses register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number. Those without Internet access may call Clay County Emergency Management at 800-246-3320, Monday through Friday, (8AM-4:30PM) to supply their information over the phone.

Clay Post Disaster Redevelopment Plan
The record-setting hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 underscored the need for Florida communities to be prepared to face the tremendous, wide-ranging challenges of re-building after a disaster. Those years highlighted the value of pre-planning for the long-term redevelopment phase of disaster. A Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan (PDRP) is now a requirement of all Florida coastal counties and municipalities, and is encouraged for inland communities. The PDRP covers policies, operational strategies, and roles and responsibilities for implementation which will guide decisions that affect long-term recovery and redevelopment of the community after a disaster. The PDRP emphasizes the opportunities for hazard mitigation and community improvement and together with the goals of the Clay County Comprehensive Plan works to redevelop a more sustainable and disaster resilient community. This planning process is undertaken with participation from various community stakeholders. For further information, please visit our website at www.claycountygov.com/pdrp.htm.

Florida Hardest-Hit Program
The federal government has allocated funding to help pay the mortgages of qualified homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own. The Florida Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) program aims to assist qualified Florida homeowners by providing mortgage assistance for up to six (6) months (capped at $12,000), or until the homeowner finds adequate employment to resume paying the mortgage (whichever comes first).

HHF assistance is paid directly to the loan servicer/lender for those homeowners deemed eligible to participate in the program.

To find out if you qualify for assistance, please visit the HHF official website at www.FLHardestHitHelp.org to review eligibility criteria and to apply; please use Referral Code 25071 when completing your application. For further questions, contact the Hardest-Hit Toll-Free Information line at 1-(877) 863-5244, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Clay County SHIP Program is an approved HHF Advisor Agency. After reviewing HHF program benefits/guidelines and eligibility criteria on the official HHF website, you may contact us for a pre-screening at 904-278-4700/904-278-4786 fax/holly.maclean@co.clay.fl.us.

Clay County Department of Engineering and Public Works Lane Closures
May 13, 2012 to May 19, 2012

Henley Road Widening Project
There are lane closures expected Thursday May 17th, 2012 and Friday May 18th, 2012 along Henley Road for the placement of drainage pipes. The lane closures will be from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please expect moderate delays during these hours.

FDOT Lane Closures
May 5, 2012 to May 11, 2012

SR 21 about 2.4 miles south of SR 16 One southbound lane will be closed on Tuesday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance. Two-way traffic will be maintained using flaggers.

SR 21 at Foxridge Road One northbound lane will be closed daily between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. from Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 11 for roadway maintenance.

ATTENTION: ALL ONLINE INSPECTIONS FOR NEXT DAY MUST BE SCHEDULED BY 8:00PM. 
ANYTHING AFTER 8:00PM WILL BE CANCELLED.