BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Highlighting the successful track record of bringing financial support to the communities they serve, Bradford County’s Legislative Delegation held this year’s public hearing ahead of the next legislative session, which begins earlier in 2026 because of the election year.
Sen. Jennifer Bradley emphasized the value of strong participation in legislative delegation meetings. Bradley described how recurring issues, especially around property tax reform and fiscally constrained counties, shape legislative priorities and bill ideas. She noted the upcoming session will start on Jan. 13, encouraging ongoing constituent feedback and involvement.
Rep. Chuck Brannan celebrated having secured nearly $53 million in funding for Bradford County over three years for diverse local projects and discussed the importance of setting aside funds in anticipation of possible future state budget shortfalls, while also advocating for continued state investment in rural and fiscally constrained communities.
Speaking of those communities, proposed property tax reforms remain a concern for local leaders. While popular with voters, eliminating property taxes could severely hamper small counties’ ability to fund essential services. Bradford Commissioner Chris Dougherty likened the proposals to “free ice cream” — popular but lacking a plan to replace lost government revenue.
Bradley said if voters decide on a constitutional change on taxation, they could not guarantee permanent funding safeguards. Legislators could implement the changes through bills that initially hold fiscally constrained harmless, but there is no mechanism binding future legislatures to do the same.
County requests
Most funding requests involved new or continuing infrastructure projects. Bradford County, which received $500,000 of last year’s $2 million request for courthouse improvements this year asked for the remaining $1.5 million next year. Modernization addresses accessibility as well as security.
The county also requested $150,000 for park upgrades on behalf of Bradford Sports United as well as a new fire engine for the fire department. The county also needs funding to replace the one-lane bridge on Southwest 106th Avenue, which leads to the Bradford Sportsmen’s Farm. The projected cost is $3.75 million.
Finally, County Manager Scott Kornegay requested $175,000 to study placing a water and wastewater plant to serve development at the Keystone Heights Airport.
Prior appropriations have been used to construct a new access road to open land at the airport for development and design new turn lanes into the airport. An additional $3.4 million is sought to widen State Road 100 and construct the turn lanes.
Big news at the airport
Kornegay said the airport received $1 million for the planned “economic development corridor” inside the airport, which will connect the two access roads and create highway frontage for businesses.
“That project sets up the airport perfectly for the light industrial economic development that we expect,” Airport Chair James Eifert said. Amber Shepherd with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation said a potential project at the airport has arisen out of many discussions and could involve a $400 million capital investment from a group from India and the United Arab Emirates and create 600 jobs in the first phase alone.
“With the existing tariff and administration challenges, they’re looking to bring manufacturing into the U.S., and looking to get their products into the U.S., and have had significant roadblock and obstacles. And so, by bringing manufacturing here, combined with the incentives offered by Florida Commerce and grant opportunities that are available, it looks like this could be a real project, coming to the community,” she said.
Municipal infrastructure
Brooker is getting started with the partial funding received for its fire station and apparatus. Mayor Gene Melvin illustrated the need to reduce response times in his request for $1.5 million to complete construction of the station and acquire a fire engine to go with its tanker. He said the nearly 30-minute wait for rescue after a fall was enough to convince on citizen to support a county fire assessment to help fund the operation of a new Brooker station.
Starke Mayor Andy Redding discussed the continued need for funding for the water and wastewater extension down State Road 16, saying they have been working with Union County businessman Avery Roberts on development there. Redding said Starke doesn’t want to be forced into growth like other areas but wants to be prepared, partnering with Bradford County and the state.
“We want to get ahead of that growth and to be able to manage it and provide opportunities to not only our citizens, but future citizens here,” he said. In addition to another $1.5 million request for that project, Starke is seeking $875,000 for water meter replacement and $325,000 for a stormwater master plan.
Lawtey wants to keep its 50-year-old water system up and running. Mayor Jimmie Scott described the deteriorating system, which serves the city as well as Lawtey Correctional Institution. While the city has requested $7 million from the State Revolving Fund for the first phase of the project, the city would have to repay a significant portion of that award. Scott requested a $1.2 million appropriation to do so, saying it’s difficult to ask the town’s declining population to “dig deeper.”
Alica McMillian, president of Concerned Citizens of Bradford County, said they are grateful for county, city and state support on prior phases of the RJE rehabilitation project. Rising costs and the cost of hazardous material removal ate into prior awards. The organization is requesting $1.5 million for a fourth phase to finish work on the gymnasium, building and campus, including addressing stormwater infiltration.
Other appeals
Guardian ad Litem requested legislative support for salary increases to retain passionate child welfare professionals and attorneys, highlighting turnover due to low pay compared to other agencies. They aim to maintain effective advocacy for children in dependency and foster care cases and expand mentoring for teens in the system.
Bradford Soil and Water Conservation District requested continued funding and legislative backing for local conservation projects, such as invasive species removal and water quality monitoring. They also voiced opposition to proposals threatening the autonomy of elected soil and water boards, underscoring the importance of local, community-driven conservation work.
Citizen John Mercier also requested that a state audit requested by the city of Lawtey, but which the city cannot afford, be funded by the state. The amount was $75,000 to $85,000. The administration has been in place for years without modernization, he said.
“We need some help in getting this city to be more proficient and to save money in what we do, because I think we’re losing money where we shouldn’t be,” he said.
