City addresses Memorial Day cancellation
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – With the cancellation of the 30th Annual Memorial Day RiverFest, city staff is working to refund vendors and reschedule a similar event in which it will honor veterans.
City staff is currently working on contacting RiverFest vendors for refunds, which will be made in full. Staff are also looking to reschedule the bloodmobile to take donations for its latest blood drive.
The city cancelled its May 28 Memorial Day event by only using Facebook, which led to about 100 guests showing up in Spring Park on Monday hoping to take part in the festivities.
“City Council and staff understand how much residents look forward to the event every year, and the decision to cancel was not made lightly. It was based on a forecast given to the City early Sunday by Clay County Emergency Management that called for isolated storms in the morning and heavy downpour with strong winds throughout the afternoon and into the evening,” states a prepared statement from city hall.
The City had concerns that subtropical storm conditions would reach Green Cove Springs early in the day and cancelled the event for the safety of residents, veterans and visitors.
However, the Spring Park pool was still open to the public free of charge on Memorial Day and brought in an estimated 250 visitors throughout the day.

Grants awarded for projects at Camp Blanding
TALLAHASSEE – The Clay County Development Authority will oversee a $500,000 grant to make improvements at the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center. The grant, a portion of nearly $3.5 million in grants announced by Gov. Rick Scott, is part of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Defense Infrastructure Grant Program and the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program.
“This project will restore approximately 37,600 square yards of degraded asphalt road surfaces on [Camp Blanding.] This resurfacing corrects the deteriorating surface and increases the designed structural strength and load bearing capacity, and thus supporting sustained movement for high gross vehicle weight equipment associated with mobilization and emergency response. This also results in an extended surface life of 15 to 25 years,” said Josh Cockrell, executive director of the CCDA.
Cockrell said the grant strengthens the Authority’s strategic partnership with Camp Blanding and will improve transportation and access to the installation, which comprises approximately one-fifth of Clay County. He said the base is strongly tied to the economic viability of Clay County. Florida’s military installations contribute more than $84.9 billion in economic impact and the defense industry supports nearly 800,000 jobs in the state.

Property values increase in Clay County
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Property values continue to rise in Clay County, according to Clay County Property Appraiser Roger A. Suggs.
Suggs said the 2018 taxable value of all properties in the county is estimated at approximately $10.5 billion, which is an annual increase of more than $595 million.
Suggs submitted the working taxable value estimates to the Clay County taxing authorities on June 1.
The statutory assessment date for the 2018 assessment roll is January 1, 2018. Therefore, the overall increase in value is a reflection of the upward direction the real estate market has taken during 2017. Although market values have increased, the assessed values of properties with a homestead exemption will be limited or ‘capped’ at a 2.10 percent increase (excluding any additions or improvements) and non-homestead residential and commercial properties will be limited or ‘capped’ at a 10 percent increase due to constitutional amendments passed by voters in 1992 and 2008, respectively. Taxable value is based on the market value minus differentials (‘caps’) and exemptions.
Robust permit activity and new construction are contributing factors in the taxable value increases in the county and most taxing authorities. Although new construction is still significantly lower than the peak that took place in 2006 when property valuations were $650 million, the taxable value of new construction has remained positive over the past six years. During that time approximately $217 million in new property was added to the portfolio during 2017.
Estimates for the various Clay County taxing authorities includes:

County Fair wins statewide awards at Fair Conference
ORLANDO – Clay County Agricultural Fair received two awards at the 2018 Federation of Fairs and Livestock Show Convention.
The Clay County Agricultural Fair placed first in the “non-Fair related agricultural event/program which is produced or co-produced by your Fair” category for its partnership with the Annual Farm City Luncheon. The luncheon is produced by the Florida Agricultural Extension Office, Clay County Farm Bureau, Clay County Cattleman’s Association and the Clay County Agricultural Fair, the luncheon serves to unite stakeholders from Clay County’s agricultural industries.
The fair also placed second for its new Goat Yoga event in the category that honors “newly-established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture to the fair going public.” Goat Yoga was held on the first Friday and the last Saturday of the 2018 fair and attracted more than 400 participants from all over.
“I am continually surprised and appreciative of the recognition we receive. Our volunteers and partners make everything we do possible, they deserve the recognition!” said Tasha Hyder, general manager of the Clay County Agricultural Fair.

Fleming Island resident wins statewide award
FORT MYERS – A statewide economic development organization honored a Fleming Island resident with its prestigious Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year Award.
Cathy Chambers, who serves as a board member for the Clay County Development Authority, received the award May 22 at the 2018 Florida Economic Development Council annual conference in Fort Myers.
The Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year award is given annually to recognize the achievements of an outstanding Florida economic developer. The award was first given in 1985 and was renamed in 1991 to honor Eunice Sullivan for her dedication and commitment to the economic development profession and the Florida Economic Development Council.
Chambers also serves as senior vice president of strategy and business development for JAXUSA Partnership, the multi-county economic development agency that is under the umbrella of Jax Chamber, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
“Cathy is a highly respected voice for economic development in the Northeast Florida region and the state,” said Jerry Mallot, president of JAXUSA Partnership and 1997 recipient of the Eunice Sullivan Award. “Many business decision-makers and site consultants have recounted that they are drawn to the region because of Cathy’s professionalism, credibility and knowledge. She consistently impresses our clients resulting in their investment in the region which is good, not only for them, but also for our community.”