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.

Commissioners received a progress update on the County’s Bonded Transportation Program from Program Administrator Ed Dendor. As of August 6, $133.4 million has been expended. Owner’s Representative WGI continues to work closely with County staff. For the full discussion, view the meeting at the 28:23 mark. More information is also available on our road projects webpage. 

Project Highlights:

• CR 218 (Project 1): On schedule. Excavation at Pond #3 nearly complete; driveway and drainage work ongoing.
• CR 209 (Project 2): Traffic shifted to new pavement; sidewalk, drainage, and curbing work continues.
• CR 209 (Project 3B): Delays due to permitting; stormwater installation in progress.
• Sandridge Rd (Project 4): Completed and accepted on July 31.
• CR 220 (Project 5) & CR315 (Project 6B): Permit review ongoing; preliminary pond design underway.
• Cathedral Oak Pkwy (Project 6B): Opened to traffic on August 9; punch list items being finalized.

Public Safety Projects

• Fire Station 1 (Old Jennings Road & Brannan Mill Boulevard) A new five-bay station is set to break ground in early October. Permits are nearly complete, with construction expected to last 14 months.
• Fire Station 24 (Sweat Rd & CR 226) A 13,000 sq. ft., four-bay station is in the 90% design phase. FEMA approval is expected by November, with completion projected for summer 2027.
• Fire Station 22 (Arena Rd & CR 220) A 16,000 sq. ft., five-bay station will break ground in early September. Permitting is nearly finished, and construction should wrap up by fall 2026.

Parks & Recreation

• Black Creek Bike Trail Boardwalk Repairs: 1,700 linear feet of boardwalk under repair. Southern sections are complete; the northern section is nearly finished.
• Omega Park CCUA Connection: New water/sewer mains, lift station, and grease trap upgrades are planned. Design is complete, and the project is in the pre-bid phase.

Facilities Improvements

• Orange Park Tax Collector's Office: Interior renovations (8,150 sq. ft.) are 80% complete, with millwork underway and completion expected this fall.
• Keystone Heights Tax Collector’s Office: Renovations (1,800 sq. ft.) are 53% complete, including HVAC and roof work. Painting and parking lot improvements are next.

Engineering Projects

• Completed: Cathedral Oak Parkway, First Coast Expressway, Canova Road, and Plantation Oaks resurfacing (pending final pavement markings).
• CR 220 (Knight Boxx to Hollars Place): 45% complete. Drainage and bridge deck work are ongoing.
• CR 220/Lakeshore Dr. W. Traffic Signal: Nearing 50% complete, with paving and signal installation in progress. Completion expected in early 2026.
• East-West Parkway: Safety improvements and signal upgrades to begin soon.
• Live Oak Ln./Old Jennings Rd. Trail: Trail base installed; utilities complete. A grant-funded, 12-foot-wide Sun Trail extension is in design (30%), with construction planned for the first quarter of 2026.

FDOT Update

• U.S. 17 (Water Oak Ln. to Eagle Harbor Pkwy): Resurfacing and turn lane improvements to resume soon.
• U.S. 17 (Black Creek Bridge to Oak St.): Night work underway to enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians. Expect lane closures and minor delays.

Commission Auditor Heather Boucher briefed Commissioners on a range of cost-saving initiatives and process improvements being implemented across Clay County.

Highlights include:

• $65,000 saved by having the Engineering Department complete pavement design and permitting for Moody Park in-house.
• $200,000 in savings on the new Animal Services building by purchasing tax-exempt materials directly and using alternative gutter materials.
• $500,000 reduction in Fire Station construction costs by refining design scopes, eliminating unnecessary features, and bundling building designs.
• $20,000 saved on the Sun Trail project by utilizing an existing sidewalk instead of constructing a new one.
• $135,000 savings achieved by removing redundant fire alarm systems at the Sheriff’s Office building in Fleming Island.

Additional process efficiencies have also improved operations for fire services, school zone beacons, and library systems. To learn more about how Clay County is reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency, visit the DOGE website or listen to the presentation at the 55:50 mark of the meeting video.

Following presentations from the top three finalists for RFQ No. 24/25-074, the Board of County Commissioners selected E. Vaughan Rivers, Inc. as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the new Oakleaf Library. Based in Orange Park, E. Vaughan Rivers brings nearly 50 years of construction experience, with over 95% of its projects completed for government clients. The contractor will collaborate closely with the previously selected design team, Fleischman and Garcia & Planners, AIA, PA, to ensure a cost-effective build and provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the project. The selection becomes official after a 72-hour protest period, after which an agreement with the firm will be brought to the Board for final approval. Listen to the presentations and Commissioner's discussion starting at the 1:30:07 time stamp.

The Board of County Commissioners has approved two new appointments to key citizen advisory boards. Michael Boucher was appointed to the Construction Trades Licensing Board to fill the vacant business professional seat. Boucher, a successful roofing business owner in Clay County, brings over 15 years of hands-on contracting experience, making him a strong addition to the Licensing Board. Commissioners also approved the appointment of Lucas Wilhelm to the Lake Asbury/Penney Farms Citizens Advisory Committee. Wilhelm is a U.S. Navy veteran with a bachelor’s degree in management studies. His background in government contracting, planning, and project execution will bring valuable insight to the Committee. The full discussion can be viewed at the 2:46:52 mark of the meeting video.