BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Bradford Commission Chair Carolyn Spooner led a strategic planning workshop last week, presenting a list of goals and encouraging input from commissioners and the public.
Beginning with a review of the county’s mission statement, vision statement and values, revisions were suggested by Spooner and the public.
Mission statement
The mission of the Board of County Commissioners of Bradford County, Florida, is to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of the residents, communities and environment of Bradford County through responsible governing of the resources entrusted to the board by its citizens.
Vision statement
The vision of the Board of County Commissioners of Bradford County, Florida, is to be recognized as a safe rural community rich in history, culture and common values, which strives for excellence as a great place to live, work, raise a family and experience planned economic growth and development.
(This may be further modified based on public input that the statement be the vision for Bradford as a whole and not just the county commission.)
Values statements
Respect: Treat everyone with dignity and respect while promoting civic pride and building a workforce that is strong and that values the people we represent.
Honesty and integrity: Honor our word and be transparent in all that we do, to ensure that our citizens know that our methods are honest and can be trusted.
Communication: Work to communicate and find time for needed meetings, to ensure we are providing the services we were elected to provide and to do so in an open and transparent fashion.
Innovation/Accountability: Always strive to find ways to improve our county, and continuously look for ideas or methods that make us one of the most cost-effective counties while providing accountability to those we serve, including making an effort to conserve fiscal resources and seek all appropriate grant opportunities.
Teamwork: Make an effort to build on our relationships with community partners in Starke, Lawtey, Hampton and Brooker, as well as constitutional officers, who are all working towards making Bradford County better. Have workshops where everyone could be involved and promote brainstorming — great ideas come out of these type meetings.
Political communication: Invite our representative and senator to meet with us and openly discuss our needs, and seek ideas from their knowledge. Ensure that we are present when discussions are made that concerns decisions for Bradford County. We must be a voice for our county, collectively as well as individually.
Based on the multiple town halls Spooner held, during which common themes and goals emerged, she enumerated several strategic goals. In no particular order as they have not been prioritized, those goals include addressing planned economic growth and development, public health and safety, infrastructure and mobility improvement, workforce improvement, and public transportation.
Objectives were presented for each strategic goal as well as proposed timelines. Under planned economic growth and development for example, by the end of 2024 the county should:
—work with the chamber of commerce, agencies for tourism and economic development and UF/IFAS to pursue opportunities for new business growth.
—apply for additional state and federal funding through the county’s community development office to fund affordable housing.
—partner with the county extension office to plant a first community garden.
—partner with local 4-H and FFA clubs to encourage future agricultural pursuits in Bradford County.
Long-term goals include:
—joining with neighboring counties to request state and federal funds to support regional growth.
—making use of existing vacant structures as warehouse properties for new businesses. (One project for MHD Rockland is already underway.)
—identifying investors to develop businesses around the bypass interchanges.
Target date for the long-term goals is the end of 2028.
Strategic goals for public health and safety include:
—expanding the reach of emergency management and fire rescue services for adequate coverage in all areas of the county. Spooner called for plans to cover Hampton and Brooker, with new fire stations added by the end of 2028.
—improve law enforcement coverage for Hampton and Brooker as well by the end of 2024.
—assist with the establishment of additional Bradford County Community Partnership Health and Wellness Hubs.
—complete amendments to the comprehensive plan and land development regulations in the next six months.
—work with agencies including the Suwannee River Water Management District on protecting water as a natural resource.
Objectives to improve infrastructure and mobility include:
—working with local partners for resources to provide broadband internet service throughout Bradford County.
—using state grants and local gas tax revenue for more road maintenance and paving of unsurfaced roads.
—continuing work with the city of Starke to extend water and sewer lines to the bypass interchanges and elsewhere.
The focus for the objective addressing Bradford County’s economy and workforce is to work with CareerSource and local colleges to improve employment opportunities. Spooner would like to see those opportunities increase by 10% by the end of 2024.
As for public transportation, the objective is to work with the regional planning council and Suwannee River Economic Council for additional funding to provide services to the transportation disadvantaged.
Spooner will work with county staff to compile feedback from the workshop with these goals and present a final product to the full commission for approval.
