St. Johns County Receives Record $59 Million in State Appropriations

Several county projects got a boost from Tallahassee with a record level of state funding, according to a county media release. St. Johns County received $59 million in appropriations from the State of Florida after Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget into law. It is the largest amount of state appropriations the St. Johns County government has ever received and surpasses the $12.4 million appropriated last year.

“I am incredibly grateful to our legislative delegation, which included Speaker Paul Renner, Sen. Travis Hutson, Representative Cyndi Stevenson, and Representative Bobby Payne,” St. Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad said, in the release. “Our community thanks them for their diligence in getting these funds to help enhance the quality of life for our residents.”

At the top of the list of funded projects is $25 million for the complete restoration of North Ponte Vedra Beach. These funds, which complete a multi-year investment by the state, will match more than $8 million in local funds to construct an engineered beach with a vegetated dune system, reversing the progressive deterioration of the beach due to coastal storms, according to the release. This project reinvigorates a recreation and tourism asset critical to the regional economy and provides long-term protection of property, infrastructure, and vulnerable ecosystems.

Another highlight is $15 million to extend County Road 2209 to International Golf Parkway. Phase 1 will construct a four-lane divided roadway from Silverleaf Parkway to International Golf Parkway, further enhancing north-south connectivity. St. Johns County also received $19 million to enhance safety along transportation corridors and coastal barrier islands, the release states. 

“As we developed our legislative requests, St. Johns County was responsive to the needs of our citizens for roadway improvements and beach restoration, displayed the trust placed upon us by our residents to address public safety for commuting within our communities, and we were innovative in leveraging the state’s dedication to projects with the support from federal dollars,” St. Johns County Commission Chairman Christian Whitehurst said in the release.