BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Bradford Commissioners approved multiple fire assessment roll adjustments and a handful of hardship exemptions Tuesday.
Fire Chief Ben Carter explained during the assessment workshops held earlier this year that the assessment roll would need to be adjusted for individual property owners who found themselves charged a fee for structures that were uninhabitable, for example, or for accessory buildings not used as dwelling units.
Nearly 30 were removed from the roll this week. A number were from the Lawtey area, but there were also properties from the unincorporated Starke, Hampton and Brooker areas, as well as a couple of Lake Butler and Keystone Heights addresses in Bradford County.
Most of the removals were accessory buildings not used as dwelling units, lacking bathrooms or not connected to electrical or water. Some were damaged structures. In addition to the lack of utilities, a property was uninhabitable if it was missing doors or windows, if the roof was falling or missing in large sections, if there were signs of structural collapse, or if the building had been condemned or partially demolished.
A couple were government properties. Those belonged to cemetery associations. One was a large metal shed being charged at the nonresidential rate of 11 cents per square foot. Then there were some split parcels because the property crossed a section, township or boundary on the county’s map. Those parcels were contiguous with the owner’s primary parcel and created for administrative purposes only. Therefore, no fire assessment was due.
Three financial hardship exemptions were also approved. These exemptions are available to property owners living at or below the poverty level. Exemptions are also available for completely disabled veterans.
If you believe you own a structure that should not be on the fire assessment roll, or if you want to inquire about applying for an exemption, contact 904-966-6228, or email [email protected].
In other business:
—during additional conversation about educating the public about the county, Commissioner Chris Doughery wanted people to know that just like the fire assessment pays for firefighting services, the solid waste assessment pays for solid waste and gas taxes pay for local road projects. The funds are not intermingled. Gas taxes cannot pay for the fire rescue budget. Commission Chairman Danny Riddick suggested using signage during road construction to remind people this was their gas tax money at work.
—Riddick was excited about the additional gas tax revenue collected since RaceTrac and Wawa have opened, saying he hopes more roads will be added to the maintenance list.
—the commission approved a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for $2.3 million to resurface County Road 21B from Southeast 43rd Street to Southeast Eighth Avenue. FDOT approved the project years ago, according to the county, but funding was not allocated until Fiscal Year 2026.
—a Justice Assistance Grant Award agreement was approved for $48,856. The award will be used to cover overtime costs for personnel assigned to targeted crime reduction operations. Examples include highway checkpoints that deter and distrupt narcotics trafficking and surveillance leading to drug busts.
—a working group of county employees are going through more than 200 agreements and contracts. The first bid advertisements are for pest control and floor cleaning. “These folks are doing an amazing job, a daunting task. Honestly, I had no idea that we had over 200 agreements and contracts with various vendors and service providers,” County Manager Scott Kornegay said.
—change orders were approved for M&R Construction for work completed at Station 9 in Sampson City, including extending the concrete apparatus aprons, painting existing structures to match the new living quarters and a new drain field. The $25,166 cost is covered by the same state appropriation as the living quarters.
—the commission approved $157,003 for mowing equipment from John Deere and Ag-Pro, purchased at the state contract price. The commission agreed by consensus during budget discussions in April to purchase the equipment.
—the commission accepted a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $79,080 and approved a county match of $7,908 for the purchase of firefighter breathing apparatus protective gear.
