DRAFT – Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

FY 2026 Budget Workshop Sessions

Community Letter from County Administrator Joy Andrews

Dear Residents of St. Johns County,

I am delighted to announce that we are once again pulling back the curtain on St. Johns County’s inner operations, and you’re invited to join us in the front row to watch and participate in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Dialogue Series. These dialogues are conducted between each operational department leader and me, or between community partner leaders and me, to review their proposed levels of service and requested funding needed to accomplish those service goals and operations.

You are invited to listen in because I would like to give you a clear view of how funding decisions are made — and, more importantly, how your voice can influence those decisions.

From May 8 to May 13, 2025, each County department will present to me its operational needs, priorities, and plans for the coming year. Topics will span from public safety services like fire rescue and infrastructure to quality-of-life investments in parks, libraries, and economic development. This is your chance to understand the landscape of community needs, the trade-offs we face, and the strategies behind how we fund the public services that serve you. Each of the budget dialogue sessions will be broadcast live and recorded, so whether you prefer to watch from home or join at one of our public viewing locations, you’ll be able to follow the process on your terms. You’ll find access links and session details on our government TV platform at www.sjcfl.us/GTV.

The series will be held at the St. Johns County Administration Building, located at 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. We have arranged for limited seating in the San Sebastian conference room for in-person attendance and additional space in the County Auditorium, where attendees can watch live on GovTV. After the sessions are completed, please email us at budget@sjcfl.us to provide feedback and ask questions, and we will get back with you. For more information on this opportunity, please visit www.sjcfl.us/2026budget.

Warm regards,

Joy Andrews
County Administrator

Budget Workshop Sessions Workbook

View Budget Workshop Sessions Workbook

The Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Workshop Sessions workbook reflects all budgetary requests from each BCC Department including personnel, operating, and capital. It is compiled by County service area to assist, both the public and interested constituents, in understanding resource needs for each service area during the Budget Workshop Sessions (beginning on May 8^th). Budget Summaries for new personnel requests, capital, vehicles, and the five-year capital improvement plan, are included to further assist in the Session discussions.

At this point in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget process, the workbook reflects only BCC Department requests and projected revenues. Constitutional Officer budget requests (Sheriff’s Office, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, and Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller) for Fiscal Year 2026 are not included for the Budget Sessions, but will be included in an updated version of the Budget Workbook in June. In addition, the Property Appraiser’s Office will provide a certification of taxable values by July 1, 2025, providing the final variable to calculating Ad Valorem property taxes for a Fiscal Year 2026 Recommended Budget in July.

The County Office of Management & Budget will use the Budget Workshop Sessions and feedback from County Administration to provide an overview to the Board of County Commissioners in June in preparation for submitting a Fiscal Year 2026 Recommended Budget in July, in accordance with Florida Statute 129.03. Subsequently, the Board of County Commissioners will consider the adoption of final millage rates and the budget in two public hearings held in September.