GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Residents piled into the Board of County Commissioners chamber to express their concerns and ideas for the county on Monday.

The annual Legislative Delegation public hearing included State Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Rep. Judson Sapp and Rep. Sam Garrison, who sought to hear questions and ideas regarding future legislation before their return to Tallahassee on March 4.

From state funding and red light cameras to disability support and LGBTQ+ rights, the meeting was a breeding ground for numerous discussions on the future of Clay County.

Here is a highlight of a few:

• Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook spoke on the importance of revitalizing and expanding the county’s current Sheriff’s Office facilities. Cook noted that the Sheriff's Office currently maintains people and equipment in more than 30 different buildings throughout the county, most of which need repair and are even listed for sale. The Sheriff’s Office is working on a master facilities plan for future expansion, and Cook has urged the delegation to support the vision. 

“Clay County has grown and continues to grow. And the Clay County Sheriff’s Office must meet the needs of our community,” Cook said. 

• The approval of House Bill 21 was another topic of concern. The bill, filed on Dec. 6, highlights dental therapy and includes the authorization of Medicaid to reimburse for dental services provided by specific mobile dental units. The Way Free Medical Clinic Executive Director Andrea Crowder spoke on the importance of dental care in the county, which the new clinic now provides. Crowder urged the delegation to ensure that nonprofit organizations are included in the bill’s implementation.

“We see about 20 to 25 individuals a week for dental care,” she said. “And we’ve been closed for the last four months because we’ve been just regrouping and trying to gather information to see what is needed. And this is one of those things needed for our county.” 

• Green Cove Springs Mayor Steven Kelley spoke on the city’s request for funding for the design and engineering of a trail connecting Spring Park, Reynolds Park and the new Shands Bridge trail. The multi-year project will also connect to the Bayard Conservation area, south to the Putnam County trail corridor and west to the Mike Roess Gold Head State Park trail. Kelley said the development is vital to protect access to the St. John’s River, accommodate growth and promote the city’s trail system.