Sam's First Day In Office Motions

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I will ask staff to begin developing a strategic, data-driven plan that evaluates residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational development. We need a data-driven document so we can make informed decisions about where major infrastructure investments must occur. Incremental improvements are no longer enough. "Infrastructure first" is a political soundbite created by the development industry. That should be the baseline. Infrastructure must be funded by the growth, not by us, the taxpayers. We need to evaluate infrastructure requirements, residential concurrency, and what responsible growth looks like from a countywide perspective. I will motion staff to create either a Strategic Growth position search or consultant with a two year contract . Within 60 days, the scope of work will be presented to the Commission. This is not meant to become another drawn-out process. Any consultant or new staff person selected must have both local knowledge and state and/or national experience in creating strategies that produce measurable results—not simply another study or another county position. Until then, I will not approve any new plan amendments, rezonings, or PUDs.   

 The second motion will direct staff to bring back every resource the county currently has related to messaging and gathering information from residents. 

I know that SJC Connect, as well as systems currently used by the Sheriff's Office, have the capability to communicate directly with residents in real time. Why are we not using those systems? 

Within 45 days, a dedicated two-way communication plan to proactively reach and listen so residents are informed and can provide feedback. The communication sent to residents must be based on accurate information so we can focus on our future instead of long, emotionally charged public meetings where residents are concerned that commissioners do not have a clear understanding of what the community actually wants.

Based on the Commission meetings I have attended, there appears to be a lack of understanding and preparation regarding certain aspects of how county government operates, including codes, laws, financing, and county processes. 

I will propose educational workshops for both commissioners and the public, where the fundamentals are taught—the fundamentals how these systems work, not just what St. Johns County. This will allow commissioners to make decisions based on their own knowledge, combined with public input and never have a reason for a public official to not be prepared.

This should also help address questions about whether commissioners fully understand their responsibilities while allowing the public to better evaluate whether those entrusted with taxpayer dollars are properly prepared to serve the community

If action has not already been taken before I assume office, I will make a motion for a one-year moratorium on data center approvals. The year will clearly define and identify how we can meet our county's growing demand for data-driven applications, including online commerce, AI-supported business software, healthcare technology, and entertainment streaming. The objective is to return with a clear set of criteria that ensures St. Johns County is being a good steward of our environment, meeting the needs of our residents, and planning responsibly for the future so we do not repeat the infrastructure challenges we now face with traffic

Request to be placed on the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), where the incumbent sits but has not participated. Regardless of the property tax ballot outcome, we have a serious infrastructure challenge. Rather than relying on a single funding source such as taxing our existing residents, or trying to find monies and being reliant on the state which still is our tax dollars, we should evaluate the entire funding system and opportunities  and determine the best long-term solution for St. Johns County. Identifying industry can address livable wages that aligns with our county while being good stewards of our environment and ensuring financial health.