Here are some topics from the last Board of County Commissioners meeting. If you want to know more about what was discussed and decided, you can read the agendas and minutes as they get posted. You can watch the meeting in full on our Facebook page or website.

Historic Preservation Board welcomes new member, reappoints current chair 

The Board of County Commissioners has appointed Steven Griffin to fill the vacant District 5 At-Large seat on the Historic Preservation Board. A resident of Green Cove Springs, Griffin is a retired social studies and history teacher with a graduate degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He previously served as president of the Clay County Historical Society and brings a strong passion for uncovering and preserving local history. In addition, Commissioners approved the reappointment of current chair Billy Gould as a District 5 At-Large member. Gould has served on the Historic Preservation Board for the past two years and brings valuable experience in County signage and sign regulations. He continues to play an important role in promoting awareness of Clay County’s historical landmarks. Listen to the discussion at the 52:34 time stamp.

Traffic and Safety upgrades planned for Blanding Boulevard/Wells Road intersection

The Florida Department of Transportation’s upcoming access management project is aimed at improving traffic flow and safety for the busy Blanding Boulevard and Wells Road intersection. This area sees up to 140,000 vehicles daily and experiences heavy congestion during peak hours. The project includes closing median openings in front of properties west of Blanding Boulevard and redesigning the intersection into a U-turn configuration. This change will limit access to right turns only, helping to reduce traffic conflicts and improve overall flow. Residents and local business owners are encouraged to attend an FDOT open house to learn more about the project. The event will be held on Wednesday, July 30, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM at the Orange Park Library. Watch the project video and listen to the discussion at the 54:25-minute mark.

County engineer provides status update on current road projects

County Engineer Richard Smith updated the Commissioners on some of the ongoing road projects in our communities. You can listen to the full discussion at the 59-minute mark.

• County Road 220 Widening and Reconstruction Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects- The projects are about 30% complete and on schedule, with completion anticipated by late 2026. The old bridge has been completely removed, and work is ongoing to install the new, wider bridge.

• I-295 at U.S. 17 Interchange Improvements - The flashing traffic lights at US 17 and Eldridge are anticipated to be fully functional in mid-July once the intersection work on Eldridge Avenue is complete

• Plantation Oaks Boulevard – Resurfacing work is anticipated to be complete on June 26, and nighttime striping work will take place in a few weeks once the asphalt has cured.
• U.S. 17 from Water Oak Lane to Eagle Harbor Parkway Resurfacing and Intersection Improvements – Nighttime Resurfacing on US 17 continues from Eagle Harbor Parkway to County Road 220, including the right turn lanes and turn lane into Eagle Harbor. Work is expected to be complete on July 17.

• FDOT Monitoring Traffic at New SR 16/First Coast Expressway DDI Intersection - The Florida Department of Transportation is closely monitoring traffic conditions at the new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at State Road 16 and the First Coast Expressway. While the new configuration is in place, peak-hour congestion remains a challenge due to high traffic volume and on-ramps that are not yet open. FDOT is evaluating potential signal timing adjustments to help improve traffic flow during these busy periods.

County renews mental health services agreement for first responders

County Commissioners have approved a three-year agreement with Command Counseling Center, LLC, to continue providing vital mental health support for front-line first responders. These individuals often face traumatic and high-stress situations that can significantly impact their mental well-being. Command Counseling specializes in services tailored specifically to the needs of first responders, including preventative counseling, training, critical incident support, clinical assessments, and consulting for emergency service departments, personnel, and their families. To learn more about this agreement, visit the 28:21 time stamp in the meeting recording.