Government & Politics

Local government meetings, elections, policy and civic updates

Free STAR Shuttle Expands to the Beach Today, Adding 15 New Stops

Starting Oct. 1, St. Augustine's free STAR Circulator stretches past downtown for the first time, linking the historic district to the Alligator Farm, St. Augustine Beach City Hall and the St. Johns County Ocean Pier.

Oct 13 min read

Government & Politics

Developer Sues St. Johns County to Stop Do-Over on 1,165-Acre I-95 Development Vote

Heritage Development Company wants a judge to block today's special commission meeting, arguing the county has no legal right to reconsider agricultural enclave approvals it already granted in August.

Sep 284 min read

Government & Politics

St. Augustine Cuts Ribbon on Court Theophelia Flood Fix and City's First Bioswale

A ribbon-cutting Friday morning marks the end of a long-running project to dry out a flood-prone St. Augustine neighborhood, and introduces the city's first green stormwater feature.

Sep 184 min read

Government & Politics

Country Carriages Faces Sept. 30 Deadline to Clear City Stable, Sell Off Horses

St. Augustine's largest horse-drawn carriage operator must vacate its Riberia Street stable in three and a half weeks, and owner Jennifer Cushion says she'll have to sell the company's horses when the city's franchise agreement expires.

Sep 64 min read

Government & Politics

St. Augustine Sets Sept. 9 and Sept. 23 Dates to Vote on Fire Fee Hike, 7.5-Mill Tax Rate

The City Commission's FY2027 budget would keep the property tax rate at 7.5 mills but raise the fire assessment nearly 16%, along with water, garbage and stormwater fees. Two public hearings, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, will decide it.

Aug 293 min read

Government & Politics

St. Augustine Wants a 5-0 Vote Before Any Conservation Land Can Be Paved

The City Commission gave first-reading approval to a charter change that would end simple-majority votes on Fish Island Preserve and the city's other protected parcels. One more vote makes it official.

Aug 153 min read

Government & Politics

County Commission Votes Tuesday on Putting a $100 Million Conservation Bond, and a Tax Hike, Before Voters

St. Johns County commissioners decide Tuesday morning whether to ask voters in November to borrow up to $100 million to buy land, repaid by a property tax of up to $15 a year per $100,000 in taxable value.

Aug 134 min read

Government & Politics

County Sets First Rules for Food Truck Parks, With Final Vote Aug. 18

St. Johns County planners unanimously backed a code rewrite that defines food truck parks for the first time, capping hours at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and setting distance rules from homes. Commissioners take the final vote Aug. 18.

Aug 94 min read

Government & Politics

Early Voting Opens Saturday: St. Augustine's Seat 4 and Four County Offices Could Be Settled Aug. 18

Seven early voting sites open at 9 a.m. Saturday ahead of the Aug. 18 primary, which will decide two County Commission seats, a School Board seat and a circuit judge outright, plus St. Augustine's City Commission Seat 4 if anyone clears 50%.

Aug 54 min read

Government & Politics

Gun-Rights Group Sues St. Augustine Over 'No Firearms' Signs, Names Mayor and Three Commissioners Personally

Florida Carry Inc. wants a judge to order the city to strip firearm bans from signs at the Visitor Information Center and City Hall, and to fine five St. Augustine officials personally up to $5,000 each.

Aug 34 min read

Government & Politics

St. Augustine Shuts HOAs and CDDs Out of Its $3,000 Neighborhood Grants

City commissioners voted unanimously July 27 to make homeowners' associations and community development districts ineligible for the Neighborhood Grant Program, saying those groups can already tax their own residents. The change is in effect now, ahead of the October application window.

Jul 304 min read

Government & Politics

County Freezes Tax Rates in $1.46 Billion Budget, and Your Bill Still Goes Up

St. Johns County commissioners voted 3-2 to hold millage rates flat for next year, which puts the aggregate rate 2.06% above rolled-back. TRIM notices hit mailboxes Aug. 24, and residents get two shots at the microphone in September.

Jul 264 min read

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