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 are posted.  

You can watch the meeting in full on our Facebook page or website.

County Road 217 bridge replacement

Commissioners approved a state-funded grant agreement with FDOT to assist with the replacement of the old County Road 217 bridge in northwest Clay County.  FDOT identified the bridge as a regional priority due to long-standing safety and weight-limit concerns and awarded a $2.5 million grant toward the estimated $5.5 million project. The project will replace the existing 25-foot-wide bridge with a 40-foot-wide, two-lane bridge, including shoulders and bike lanes. Grant funds will be used for design work, with an engineering firm expected to be selected by May 2026. Design and permitting will take 8–12 months.  Bidding for construction is anticipated in mid-2027, and construction is planned for the FY 2027–2028 budget year, contingent on funding. Listen to the entire discussion at the 35:14 time stamp of the meeting video.

Bonded Transportation Program ongoing project update

• Project 1, County Road 218 from Masters Rd to Pine Tree Lane - Work is underway on asphalt removal, drainage installation, pipe placement, and driveway demolition along the north side of County Road 218. The project schedule is currently under review for possible adjustments. All work is anticipated to be completed in late summer 2026.
• Project 2, County Road 209 east of the railroad tracks- Traffic continues to flow on the north side of CR 209 east of the railroad tracks while crews install sub-base and base materials, storm drainage, curb, and sidewalk on the south side. Traffic patterns were recently shifted, opening up the intersections at CR209, and CR315B and the railroad tracks. A traffic shift west of the railroad tracks moved southbound vehicles onto new asphalt on CR 315B and CR 209.
• Project 3B, connecting the east end of project #4 on Sandridge Road, through the roundabout to CR209B - Crews are continuing work along the corridor, installing stormwater structures and pipes, sub-base, and base materials. Sub-base, base, and curbing have been placed in the roundabout, and sidewalk construction is ongoing along the east side of Russell Road.

For more information, listen in starting at the 41:27-minute mark of the meeting. 

Capital projects update

The Capital Projects Department is overseeing 81 projects across 13 departments this year, representing approximately $95 million in investments.

• Public Safety Bond projects- The County’s $65 million Public Safety Bond is supporting upgrades and new construction for fire stations and other public safety facilities to meet the needs of our growing community. Construction is underway on two new five-bay fire stations: Fire Station 1 at Branan Mill Boulevard and Old Jennings Road, and Fire Station 22 at County Road 220 and Arena Road. Both are expected to be completed later this fall. Design is complete for Fire Station 24 at CR 226 and Sweat Road, with site clearing nearly finished and construction anticipated to begin this spring, targeting completion in spring 2027. Design and bid planning are also underway for Fire Stations 5, 13, 15, 16, and 21.
• New animal shelter update - The new 32,000-square-foot, single-story animal shelter and care facility off CR 220 is 67% complete. Roofing, overhead electrical, and ductwork are currently underway, with completion expected later this fall.

Additional project updates are available by viewing the meeting beginning at the 49:11 timestamp.

Engineering projects update

• The County Road 220 bridge replacement and roadway widening project, spanning from Knight Boxx Road to Hollars Place, remains on schedule with overall completion anticipated in late summer 2026. Construction of the new bridge deck is expected to be finished within the next two weeks, followed by installation of bridge railings and approach slabs. Paving is also underway to add two new travel lanes.
• The Live Oak Lane/Greenway Trail project remains on schedule. Roadway paving is complete to just north of the state forest parking area, and base material for the SUNTrail has been placed up to the FWC checkpoint. Final grading and paving will begin once utility relocation is complete. Please observe the 25-mph speed limit.
• Radar Road will connect Town Center Boulevard to U.S. 17 and help reduce traffic congestion along the corridor. A pre-construction meeting is scheduled for late January, and utility relocation is already underway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
• The Town Center Boulevard drainage pipe replacement was required after drainage structures installed in 1999 failed, posing a risk to the roadway. Work is progressing as planned and remains on schedule. A temporary ADA-accessible sidewalk is in place, and the road will remain closed for up to 45 days until construction is complete.

To hear more about these projects and others, please tune in at the 55:10-minute mark of the meeting.

Commissioners welcome new/reappointed committee members

Commissioners approved the appointment of George Goodrich to the Clay County Board of Adjustment. Goodrich holds a bachelor’s degree in construction and is licensed in Florida as a general contractor, roofing contractor, and real estate professional. Commissioners thanked him for applying and noted his experience would be a strong asset to the Board.

Commissioners also approved the reappointments of John Bentley, Colin Groff, Christopher Luther, and Lucas Wilhelm to the Lake Asbury/Penney Farms Citizen Advisory Committee. The resignation of Janet Wantage was approved, leaving a vacancy on this advisory board.  Discussion on these appointments can be heard at the 1:39:45 timestamp of the meeting.