FLEMING ISLAND – Residents had the opportunity Monday night to help county officials create a 20-year long-range strategic plan. 

Although the Board of County Commissioners generally look 10 years into the future, they solicited help in developing a master plan that will serve as a roadmap for the next generation. 

“I’m definitely a proponent of habits for success,” said County Manager Howard Wanamaker. “So, these habits can lead to many things out into the future. So as a county and as we’re growing and expanding, we can now take the lead and ultimately have a litmus test on how we’re doing and achieving these goals.” 

Some residents were surprised to know many future projects were already approved. Assistant County Manager Troy Nagle said, “We’re doing seven bonded road projects. We have implemented impact fees recently, which is a fee charged on new developments to help them pay for the needs like fire stations and police stations. We are currently working on a regional park and a gun range; we’ve got designs in the works for two fire stations and others to build four fire stations in the next five years.” 

Residents were encouraged to list what they liked and disliked about the county. Then they were asked to suggest what they’d like to see in the future. Two primary concerns were roads and growth. 

Some said the best part of living around Clay County is the small-town feel. Others said their biggest concern is how growth is erasing that coziness. 

Other popular features of the county were the quality of schools, availability for recreation, overall quality of life, safety, low taxes and affordability for retirees. 

Dislikes mentioned were traffic, over-development, a lack of access to public transportation, food deserts, a lack of alternative modes of transportation and putting development ahead of addressing infrastructure. 

Monday’s meeting focused on District 1, and it was the first of six that are scheduled around the county. Others will be at the County Administration Building in Green Cove Springs on May 11, Middleburg/Clay Library on May 24, Orange Park Library on June 1, Plantation Oaks Athletic Center on June 5 and the Keystone Heights Pavilion on June 14. All town halls will be from 6-7:30 p.m. 

Residents were asked to identify which projects they wanted the most and which ones weren’t as important. Congestion – particularly the two-lane section of County Road 220 in Middleburg – dominated the conversation. The busy artery has four lanes from U.S. Highway 17 on Fleming Island to Knight Boxx Road. The final portion of the road narrows down to two lanes westbound to State Road 21 (Blanding Boulevard). 

District 1 Commissioner Mike Cella said there are plans to widen the road. 

The first phase will include expanding the intersection at Henley Road. The second will involve widening the road to four lanes from Henley Road to Baxley Road. The final phase will be to go to four lanes from Knight Boxx to Henley. The entire project is expected to take about two years, but the first two phases are scheduled to start later this summer. 

Wanamaker said it was important to think 20 years into the future so the county would be in a better position to plan. 

“We’ll bring back the data to the Board of County Commissioners in a plan and then ultimately see if it kind of fits nicely into our budget,” he said. “We always have done a five-year plan for capital improvement projects. We’ve managed to get it out now to 10 years, budgeted, right? You’re going to say, ‘Where are we going to be 10 years from now, revenue-wise?’ Well, we’ve got to make a few assumptions.” 

By then, residents said they’d also like to see higher-paying jobs, alternative recreation parks, more manufacturing jobs, conservation of green spaces, more parking at boat ramps, affordable housing and a ferry service along the St. Johns River to Jacksonville.

The county has a survey posted on its website, claycounty.gov, where residents can make additional suggestions.