In a critical update, the City of Starke, represented by engineering firm Woodard and Curran, presented plans for extending water and wastewater services to the State Road 16 bypass, an initiative crucial for regional growth. The city outlined two primary alternatives for extending the sewer force main. The first involved a two-mile extension down Rayford Road, including an upgrade to an existing lift station, with costs estimated at approximately $1.8 million. The second, more economical option, involved extending the main down Rayford Road to Orange Street, projected at $8 million. The council favored the latter due to its cost-effectiveness and simpler design, despite the project facing funding challenges. The city seeks additional funding sources while aiming to start the design phase in the fall, with a timeline extending to 2028 for completion.

The utility extension project, supported by over $4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), has so far seen about $100,000 spent on initial evaluations. However, concerns about the timeline and transparency were raised, with some participants emphasizing the need for ongoing updates to maintain public trust. The council underscored the importance of regular communication between the city and county, proposing quarterly meetings to ensure all parties remain informed. The total cost for the water project is estimated at $18 million, with the overall investment for upgrading the city’s water and sewer systems reaching $26 million.

Parallelly, a proposal for courthouse renovations was discussed, with a design, engineering, and consulting services budget of up to $140,000, sourced from state appropriations. The renovation aims to address outdated facilities, ADA deficiencies, and improve safety features. The project is divided into phases, with phase one focusing on relocating service desks, creating a new lobby, and adding ADA-compliant restrooms. Subsequent phases will address courtroom accessibility and modernize other facilities within budget constraints.

The importance of minimizing disruption during courthouse renovations was emphasized, with plans for contractors to work off-hours to reduce noise and space issues. The council unanimously supported the design and project plan.

Public comments during the meeting reflected community concerns over transparency in government processes and the implications of Florida’s new open carry firearms law on community safety. Larry Ford raised questions about the law’s impact on public parks, highlighting parental concerns over firearms near children. The board clarified that local authorities cannot restrict open carry laws in public areas due to state regulations.

Teresa Bulock expressed dissatisfaction over a lack of communication regarding land development near her property, questioning the notification process for the Victory Park subdivision. She requested a 10-foot fence between her property and the new development to maintain privacy and challenged the transparency of the decision-making process.

Financial transparency was another theme, with Bo Hastings scrutinizing council members’ earnings and budget increases, expressing concern about undocumented meetings and potential implications for residents. Vion Strong echoed these sentiments, frustrated over past interactions with the board about budgetary issues, cautioning against concentrating decision-making power in the zoning department.

The council also addressed upcoming legislative requests, seeking $1.5 million for the second phase of courthouse renovations, $175,000 for a feasibility study at Keystone Heights airport, and $600,000 for a new fire engine. Letters of support for surrounding municipalities’ projects were discussed, including support for Brooker’s fire station and apparatus upgrades and various infrastructure projects in Starke.

A notable moment in the meeting came when condolences were expressed for Jorge Selenus, deputy county manager of Flagler County, and his wife, who tragically died in a car accident. Their contributions to state policy were acknowledged, highlighting the interconnectedness of community leadership.