BY DAN HILDEBRAN
In his final legislative delegation meeting before he is termed out, State Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-MacClenny) heard pleas from Union County officials for a $1.5 million water storage tank, a revived farmer’s market, and protection from looming property tax cuts that could gut local services.
The annual hearing, hosted at Lake Butler City Hall, drew county commissioners, city leaders, the school superintendent, clerk of courts, tax collector, and court officials, all united in gratitude for past funding and in expressing urgency about new priorities.
With Sen. Jennifer Bradley absent due to Tallahassee commitments, Brannan carried the load solo, a first in his tenure.
“I’ve never had to carry it by myself,” he laughed. “But Senator Bradley sends her regrets.
“Last year we had 41 projects and got 31 funded,” he said.
Union County Board Chair Channing Dobbs and County Coordinator Jimmy Williams thanked Brannan for previously funded projects and gave the lawmaker an update on each.
Commissioner Melissa McNeal pitched a new farmers’ market structure.
“In the 1950s, semis lined the roads for our market,” she said. “We want to bring that back, not just for sales, but community space, food trucks, and local artisans.”
Lake Butler Mayor Melissa Hendrix delivered an update on the city’s 80-year-old ground storage tank. She said the original plan was to replace the tank, but limited by an $870,000 grant, officials instead elected to refurbish the old one.
She added that the project has uncovered a critical gap in the city’s water utility: the need for a backup tank.
She said a $1.5 million backup would protect the municipality from a main tank failure.
Schools Superintendent Mike Ripplinger thanked Brannan for the district’s first $29.5 million draw for a new Lake Butler Elementary School.
However, he also noted that the state’s new Family Empowerment Scholarships have drained $1.6 million from district revenues, forcing the district to make staff cuts.
Clerk of Courts Kellie Hendricks Rhoades called for a cost-of-living adjustment in the amount of revenues clerks receive from the state. She said the amount has not been adjusted since 2008.
“No business operates on 2008 prices,” she told Brannan, “Especially after COVID inflation. Counties are subsidizing a state responsibility.”
Tax Collector Lisa B. Johnson repeated several local officials’ concerns about property tax reform and its potential impact on local revenues.
“For small counties, this is huge,” she told Brannan. “We don’t have beaches or industry. If you take it away, how do you replace it?”
