Three St. Johns County commissioners are questioning why a lobbying firm hired by the county did not alert them to Senate Bill 686 before it became law July 1, according to firstcoastnews.com.
The law changes the definition of an agricultural enclave. Under the revised statute, developers may seek that designation for undeveloped property that meets new state criteria, including being surrounded by a certain level of existing development. The report says that designation can allow development to move ahead even when a project does not satisfy local approval requirements.
Commissioners Krista Joseph, Ann Taylor and Clay Murphy said the law limits local authority over large neighborhood development. Joseph said, “It’s horrible for the people of this county. It completely takes home rule away.” Taylor said, “It takes away the voice of our residents, so it’s infuriating.” Murphy called it “a challenge for us locally.”
The Legislature approved the measure in March. Taylor and Joseph said they learned about it in May, while Murphy said he became aware of SB 686 when it passed. Joseph, Taylor and Murphy said the county’s lobbying firm did not tell them about the bill while lawmakers were considering it.
St. Johns County hired three lobbying firms last year. One of them, The Fiorentino Group, now called the Florida Group, was hired for $96,000 a year to keep the county updated on state and legislative matters. Joseph and Taylor questioned why they were not warned, while Murphy said he shared responsibility for not knowing about the bill.
