BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Scott Kornegay’s work as county manager continues to please commissioners.
Kornegay shared credit with the county’s various department heads during an annual update for the commission last week.
From the beginning, Kornegay said a primary goal has been building a strong working relationship with commissioners. To that end, his office met regularly with commissioners to prioritize goals and understand expectations. This includes regular phone calls and meetings to discuss the county’s agenda. It also includes attending community events and town halls together as well as training opportunities and professional conferences.
Related has been the goal to build trust with the public and have open communication. In house that includes meeting with constitutional officers and staff to understand priorities and needs. It also includes outreach such as attending meetings with civic groups, business groups and other community leaders.
“I had a little bit of an advantage when I started here, because I already had relationships with a number of the leaders in the community. But since then, we’ve developed other relationships that have been very valuable, and that’s key and critical to any success that we might have as a county government,” Kornegay said.
The county commission’s meetings are now streamed live and archived on YouTube, and Kornegay maintains that his office is open and accessible to all. If someone isn’t available in the office, messages are left offering an explanation and directing the public where to go for assistance.
There is an ongoing effort to amend board policies and procedures. Board operating policies were updated in February, with personnel and purchasing policy updates coming in May.
A review of insurance policies and coverage did not provide a huge cost savings, but it did offer an opportunity for updates and efficiencies, Kornegay said.
The county reduced a $1.2 million shortfall in funding for its solid waste operation by raising the special assessment, which for most property owners resulted in an annual increase from $75 to $125. The shortfall is now closer to half a million dollars, he said.
Deemed unachievable when Kornegay first came on board, the county was told it would lose its investment in work on a new access road at the Keystone Heights Airport and lose out on a $2.3 million DEO grant opportunity. Working with DEO officials in Tallahassee, Kornegay and Public Works Director Jason Dodds modified the scope of the project and resumed work. They avoided losing the grant, and construction of the road was completed in June 2023. FDOT also agreed to allow the county to tie the road into S.R. 100.
Public works completed around $500,000 in road construction with gas tax revenue, and FDOT-funded projects on Southeast 49th Avenue and Northeast 219th Street totaled more than $300,000.
Other achievements by public works include replacement of the courthouse HVAC system using American Rescue Plan Act revenue, replacing hydraulic lifts at the fleet maintenance site and paving at the Bradford County Fairgrounds.
But the biggest project Kornegay highlighted was the conveyance of the state-owned Douglas Building on U.S. 301 to the county at the end of last year. A lease agreement with MHD Rockland will soon be finalized, he said. In addition to renovating and updating the 100,000 square-foot facility to serve as warehouse space, MHD Rockland may also build a two-story building to house a flight simulator and 3,000 square feet of new administrative space.
“When they do get in there and start doing business, we will have created an additional $1.2 million in annual revenue as well as brought 48 new high-wage jobs to the county,” Kornegay said.
Bradford County Fire Rescue Chief Ben Carter joined the presentation to review annual data, which included 7,747 calls for service. Those calls encompassed 36 structure fires, 22 vehicle fires and 76 brush fires, calls to 586 traffic crashes and 59 cardiac arrests. The resuscitation rate for patients whose hearts had stopped was 36%, which was higher than the 24% state average. Bradford was also the first rural county to partner with UF in faster response for stroke patients.
Six BCFR employees graduated from fire academy and four became paramedics. The agency was awarded more than $750,000 in grants and government appropriations, and it negotiated a 16% increase in its contract with HCA for interfacility transfers. A new fire engine will be purchased thanks to a $450,000 legislative appropriation, and increased billing rates will provide more revenue.
The Station 10 expansion to include living quarters, paid for largely through private donors, should be completed by the end of June, Carter said. State funds will also build new living quarters at the stations in Sampson City and Theressa.
Finally, Carter reported they partnered with multiple agencies as part of the new Community Resource Paramedicine Program. Materials for the substance abuse program and a patient referral process have been established. In just over two weeks, six patients have already been enrolled, with one admitted to rehab, he said, giving credit Chief Dylan Rogers and Lt. David Weeks.
“These two here have really taken the ball and run with that program and are out there providing a great service to this community,” Carter said.
The effort is funded with opioid lawsuit settlement funds from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Other updates included:
—The county has a one-year extension from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to complete grant-funded construction of a new boat ramp at Cypress Run. CHW Professional Consulting is taking over as engineer of record for the project from DRMP.
—The SHIP office completed five of 10 housing rehabilitation projects and accepted two purchase assistance applications for down payment and closing costs.
—The library introduced new staff training and team building programs. They added two new children’s programs as well as programs for students and citizens with disabilities. Staff conducted more than 100 programs for 2,100 participants and served more than 23,000 people. The library added notary and fax services to generate additional revenue.
—The county extension office expanded 4-H programs and participation. Volunteer Master Gardeners are reducing county and UF labor costs. Programs include food preservation and food giveaways, crop and garden soil testing, and planning for an Ag to School project at Starke Elementary. Irrigation systems have been provided for school gardens.
—Planning and Zoning processed 30 zoning applications totaling $35,000. The department is working with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation to identify parcels with potential for commercial and industrial development. An interlocal agreement is being drafted to allow the floodplains administrator to work with Brooker, Hampton and Lawtey on flooding issues. They are also ensuring that the county comprehensive plan is consistent with the state management plan for the Palatka to Lake Butler Trail and working with FWC to avoid encroachment on the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
—The Building Department issued 589 permits, generating more than $97,000 in revenue. Businesses being built, expanded or renovated include Zaxby’s, RaceTrac, a concrete plant, the Thermacell laboratory, the RV resort, and others. Residential permits include an increase in reroofing permits.
—Selling surplus property, vehicles and equipment raised more than $210,000 for the county, including the sale of the former Pizza Hut property, which is being renovated into a barbecue restaurant.
What’s next?
Kornegay wrapped up his presentation by offering a glimpse of the future.
—Currently under evaluation, they are looking at the feasibility of a county-owned water and wastewater facility to serve commercial and industrial development at the Keystone Heights Airport. Kornegay said a Jacksonville company is looking for grants to fund the study.
—They are on the lookout for funding to hire a consultant to conduct a countywide strategic plan.
—The county will undertake a comprehensive analysis of all its owned properties.
—They will continue working with Starke on the extension of utilities to the bypass on S.R. 16.
—Multiple requests for qualifications will be issued for continuing service contracts.
—More than 60 fire chiefs will attend the Northeast Regional Florida Fire Chiefs Association’s annual conference at the county conference center.
—The launch of a new website is anticipated next month.
Before closing, however, Kornegay and his assistant, Amanda Brown, joined the commission in recognizing the contributions of the county’s leadership team in every department.
Following positive comments, commissioners agreed to meet with Kornegay for individual evaluations and then consider a merit raise.
