[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6218366,"mediaKeyId","3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197","parentId",3629253,"title","Lotto (Lotte) requests MOU before joining county fire assessment; commission gives consensus to draft agreement","audioSeconds",345,"startMs",4767000,"endMs",5112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197&start=4767&end=5112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197/thumbnail_4767000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218366/Bradford-County/Florida/Lotto-Lotte-requests-MOU-before-joining-county-fire-assessment-commission-gives-consensus-to-draft-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218366-d5d61830b17a7e8e09327eca0c6e2737/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171659&Signature=hmnWGfF~DVrE3GW1wtn-qQv9Yg-ukZB69Nd5kPZpMCqGNrj2pmq-ZUtPEV1rTDqh11p7xdzMLsaqWnottN9s20FEUcmmiWySXyF0BReW1bwLEn2yKuhxbMh62~aoUjUqlNytzP4rYk-UfXEKjy51SDsKDlleew-uDvWkohGSd3uwjmIIBMYU0aaZ~A0hGYBNueIuwLA~eN1oVSv3CJrtQ6k3R9dNzvrzIAWNoNrSxT-q2NVA6vZXKpf-k0DUnNtmxXsNCyVanK6xMiC3P74sKrVI2MnqhEYremUT-o19raETMfOdlfximoSrZHYc40eGky1wjpexmaA4HBkkWqq9yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bradford County, FL","date","2025-05-27T22:52:48Z","article","County and fire officials reported that the City of Lotte is prepared to proceed with a fire assessment but requested a written memorandum of understanding addressing perceived double taxation and operations before approving the assessment.

Chief Carter and County Manager Carnegie told the board they attended a Lotte City Council meeting where Lotte councilors said they currently budget about $27,000 a year for fire department–related expenses (utilities, bay‑door repairs) and that residents worry about paying both city charges and the county fire assessment. Lotte scheduled a special meeting for June 16 to conduct a second reading and vote on the fire assessment; the city requested an MOU in advance that would clarify the allocation of responsibilities and any credits for existing city spending.

County officials said Lotte owns its fire station building but not the apparatus, and the town suggested a long‑term lease for the facility similar to arrangements made with Brooker. County staff estimated there are roughly 270 dwelling units in Lotte and that the county would collect about $45,000 from Lotte if the city participates in the county fire assessment. Staff said a draft MOU is ready for review and asked for the board’s consensus to proceed so the county could present the agreement on the June 17 agenda; the board gave consensus.

Why this matters: Lotte’s participation affects county fire assessment revenue and the fairness perceptions among small municipal taxpayers. Officials said a signed MOU would reassure Lotte residents about taxes and define maintenance and utility responsibilities.

Next steps: staff will finalize the MOU, the City of Lotte will proceed with its scheduled June 16 vote, and the county will place the MOU on the June 17 agenda for formal board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bradford County Commissioners Meeting 6-3-25 @ 9:30AM","oneSentenceSummary","The city of Lotte asked the county for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) addressing utility and expense allocation before it adopts the county fire assessment; the county manager and fire chief recommended drafting an MOU and the commission gave consensus for staff to prepare one for review on June 17.","taxTitle","Bradford County, Florida","taxId",27811,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218371,"Commission approves sheriff’s request to spend federal forfeiture funds on license‑plate reader system upgrade",2022,2659000,4681000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197&start=2659&end=4681","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","/articles/6218371/Bradford-County/Florida/Commission-approves-sheriffs-request-to-spend-federal-forfeiture-funds-on-licenseplate-reader-system-upgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218371-cf43423159244660b67f3af5bf76f63f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171659&Signature=IGUUi1~CVEkRqRUvbKwwArcKkn5HlKPgynm~RoMBL~yqJSEv16aWEcKifg52HfzVn6ej-cscWrdkvKIGDSYYFHXPkzy7KQRIYPO9qP8AmYu9R8laxZhSsRbzoSEqvHUKCmA2kGUDbVHWM2qyKpIVjzcPuLQWjpSpoMR-PqpYPXxIJdeE03vgA-Gah3WoLCao-4wC~eGVJwTb4fl9iO2UTcT4SwZOJkMk~AnEMEh6Gj51dY0Y7473wG-Dr2DvdE6sInETer7HnQ7FG14T15oVQS1-RnMl56zv8BlkKQaqHoDfSeEbdba53g9Bv7Qq-wBhto2bYl3Je1P1Me0k7V~3Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Gordon Smith asked the Bradford County Commission to approve using federal forfeiture funds to pay for an upgraded license‑plate reader system and a three‑year contract that he said would save county law enforcement money.

Smith told the commission the federal forfeiture account balance was about $237,000 and that the license‑plate reader network is “probably become one of our biggest crime fighting tools.” He said the proposed three‑year contract would save the county about $16,000 per year and “over a 3 year period, is a hundred and $15,500,” as phrased during the meeting.

The sheriff showed examples of how the system aided investigations and recoveries, citing cases in which cameras helped recover stolen trailers and locate a missing person. He said federal forfeiture funds must be used for crime‑prevention purposes and that such use is consistent with those limits.

A motion to approve the requested use of federal forfeiture funds was offered, seconded and carried by voice vote. The chair announced “motion carries.” No roll‑call votes of named commissioners were recorded in the meeting transcript; the clerk recorded the motion, second and a voice vote for approval.

What happens next: the county will withdraw from the federal forfeiture account to fund the three‑year contract on the license‑plate reader system and will implement the system for countywide camera data collection as described by the sheriff.","The commission approved using federal forfeiture funds to buy a three‑year contract for an upgraded license‑plate‑reader system (\"Flock\"), with the sheriff saying the account holds roughly $237,000 and the contract will save about $115,500 over three years.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218376,"Commissioners debate $150,000‑a‑year recreation funding proposal and partnership with Starke and TDC",3362,1058000,4420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197&start=1058&end=4420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197/thumbnail_1058000.jpg","/articles/6218376/Bradford-County/Florida/Commissioners-debate-150000ayear-recreation-funding-proposal-and-partnership-with-Starke-and-TDC","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218376-6d9c24ee426c19f7e9a457819799475b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171659&Signature=BbUrbZ41800jK~j5B9QSKV29jBxQfuAVCJQaNqRwgHpd2lEQcGsKE~Qp1z7~lyXEsSkwxQw5VFlFq76CIHDj4P6RcrWV5uDjjqPzXsQVgRpYkZM9ksMeXPnO7vCx8Q8pxrn6Ev03X~zLpIxOGX4U-cbdVZfVMjhZTiYSKF03MPpMVP3pMphvAQG5GuaGY2EW8hS3mRw2Q2nv5oBi1HSX2qvBcHEgUolWoM7EvnWgb8tJ4ccPE0LLE4IaecZETQyVEeKTGwDBjJYIocN5hzI8QE9cl2p8hCA8LRiZVmBJ1tz4qmbE7cdDnq6fkqL52z27w8614a-AVQUcxIFbMdxLzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Riddick presented a proposal to create a coordinated recreation program that would hire a full‑time recreation director, pool city and county facilities and seek funding from the Tourist Development Council to improve fields at the Edwards Road complex.

Riddick asked the Bradford County Commission for a motion to fund recreation for two years at $150,000 per year from the county and said he planned to ask the City of Starke and the TDC board for matching contributions. He described a proposed governance board (one county appointee, one city appointee, one TDC appointee, plus two citizen members), a part‑time assistant, and a budget that would cover salaries, maintenance and program costs. Riddick said the TDC currently holds about $800,000 and brings in $20,000–$25,000 monthly.

Why this matters: commissioners and community speakers said affordable, locally available youth sports keep families in the county, reduce juvenile idling and support local business through tournaments. County staff and elected officials asked for clearer budget sources, a two‑year commitment, and city and TDC concurrence before any county appropriation.

Speakers at the meeting described existing local programs and facilities. Sheriff Gordon Smith called youth sports “crime prevention 101,” and Samson Jackson, the Bradford County athletic director, described an eight‑week youth league that used middle- and elementary‑school gyms to provide low‑cost, coed programming. A player named Weston said the spring league helped him improve his play and urged “please bring more sports for us kids.”

The presentation identified current assets: the Edwards Road complex (city‑owned) with six fields, a splash park, skate park and restrooms; Thomas Street football field; and the Bradford County Fairgrounds for larger events and parking. Riddick said immediate needs include 200‑foot removable home‑run fences, higher sideline fencing and additional porta‑potties for tournaments.

Several commissioners and the county clerk expressed strong support for recreation in principle but raised budgetary constraints. County staff said the current county recreation line item is $15,000. Several commissioners urged not to vote on a funding commitment until the city of Starke, the TDC and smaller municipalities (Brooker, Hampton, Lodi) are consulted and until budget planning identifies offsets. County Attorney and staff suggested the item be developed during the budget process and returned with firm city or TDC commitments and a two‑year plan.

Riddick said he would present the plan to the City of Starke on June 17 and return to the county commission for consideration. Several officials warned that tabling the proposal could delay implementation for years, while others said deliberate planning and guaranteed funding streams are necessary.

No formal motion to appropriate county funds was taken at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to continue coordination with the city and TDC and to include the proposal in budget discussions.","A multi‑partner proposal to fund a countywide recreation program and a recreation director drew broad support but no vote; commissioners asked for more budget detail and city and TDC commitments before approving a two‑year, $150,000‑per‑year county contribution.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6218381,"FDOT outlines SunTrail projects in Bradford County, including two pedestrian bridges and June 11 bid opening",1307,325000,1632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197&start=325&end=1632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3629253-855843183b91174582f976bff1996197/thumbnail_325000.jpg","/articles/6218381/Bradford-County/Florida/FDOT-outlines-SunTrail-projects-in-Bradford-County-including-two-pedestrian-bridges-and-June-11-bid-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218381-9d29bb194c88c5eaa7ce8668041b5676/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171659&Signature=PtetEAN~6jwVKoUq0g5mlsxhlnQOMTSEs4g~A-vPA1cCmuKoCZXKO3Hj2PRl6FAryACuuBnZMI90G2dfBFt7elRfX7GzYnoSZTZOrKUSqwRoMnKtqe1ZE3DfLCAxz5Yix8WUhpTaljVFKYiD7PngSmxCdqadsxY7f9bKe853StDA8abODrhl6klG5Gml2g-BnCBHP01gQcb2xQ76ZUUw8FaPHh8V332UK-w6rr3NEoNcWy3jPilSrAvRnALLp8XyzO0CaY8bcu1jKIwWIMNOlEssq-u6HIWTUNp4TucxtYu5K3jDB6n8JgHCFbVJmXhDNwkyzRoheyLlcZ9TiLlYNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barney Bennett, a consultant project manager with the Florida Department of Transportation, told the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners that FDOT will put three of four SunTrail corridor projects out to bid on June 11 and that design plans for those sections are complete.

The county-commission meeting presentation described four linked trail segments: a 2.3-mile segment connecting Union County Road 2307 to Bradford County Road 2305 (including replacement of a railroad trestle with a roughly 600-foot pedestrian bridge); a 4.1-mile segment into Sampson City; a 3.4-mile segment (unfunded) through Sampson City that requires CSX crossing easements and a 20-foot pedestrian bridge over the Sampson River; and a 2.9-mile Hampton segment that includes a 225-foot pedestrian bridge over U.S. 301.

Why this matters: the SunTrail corridor would close gaps in a trail that begins in Lake Butler and is intended to link to Hampton and to longer regional connections toward Keystone Heights and St. Augustine. Commissioners and residents asked how construction will affect traffic, what amenities would be provided, and what legal or permitting obstacles remain.

FDOT said the two projects that include the New River pedestrian bridge and the Sampson City section will be let together under a single construction contract with a 630‑day contract duration and an estimated completion date of June 2027. The Hampton-to-Canterbury segment is bid with a 400‑day construction duration and an estimated completion in November 2026, assuming the bid and construction schedule proceed as planned. Bennett said “SunTrail is the program that's funding these trail projects,” and that the three projects going to bid are funded by available state SunTrail allocations.

FDOT warned of two constraints affecting the unfunded Sampson City segment: (1) CSX requires permanent easements and will only grant a maximum five‑foot width to cross its tracks, forcing a temporary narrowing of the trail to a sidewalk across the ROW; and (2) the Sampson River span crosses state sovereign submerged lands and requires Florida Department of Environmental Protection permitting. Bennett also said CSX crossings could affect railroad signal systems, and if work triggers signal rebuilds CSX may charge the project — an unknown cost that is holding up construction funding for that segment.

On the Hampton-to-U.S. 301 bridge, FDOT presented renderings and engineering constraints: the bridge deck will be roughly 24 feet above the roadway, the structure will be about 225 feet long, and FDOT requires 17 feet 6 inches of clearance under the bridge for truck traffic. Bennett noted conflicts with Florida Power & Light and Comcast infrastructure; FPL is relocating lines underground in the corridor and Comcast must move its attachments.

Commissioners asked about traffic impacts during bridge beam setting. Bennett said daytime lane restrictions are not permitted on U.S. 301 and that beam placements will require short nighttime lane closures and brief diversions; pile driving will be limited to daytime hours. When asked about trail amenities, Bennett said SunTrail program legislation does not allow FDOT to fund benches, restrooms or shade structures within the scope of these projects; he identified Bobby Shepherd Park in Hampton and existing city-funded trailheads in Keystone Heights as nearby facilities that provide restrooms or parking.

Bennett and FDOT staff said they have extra paper copies of the presentation for commissioners and county staff and offered to answer follow-up questions. He encouraged local governments or the county to pursue Transportation Alternatives funding for additional tie-ins, such as linking the corridor to Stark’s downtown trail.

The presentation left several open items for local follow-up: the unresolved CSX easement and potential signal-rebuild cost for the Sampson City crossing; DEP permitting for the Sampson River bridge; final construction contract award following the June 11 bid opening; and coordination with utilities for the U.S. 301 bridge.","Florida Department of Transportation officials described four SunTrail projects that would extend the Lake Butler–Hampton corridor through Bradford County, detailed construction constraints at CSX railroad crossings and estimated timelines for two projects out to 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lotto (Lotte) requests MOU before joining county fire assessment; commission gives consensus to draft agreement

Commission approves sheriff’s request to spend federal forfeiture funds on license‑plate reader system upgrade

Commissioners debate $150,000‑a‑year recreation funding proposal and partnership with Starke and TDC

FDOT outlines SunTrail projects in Bradford County, including two pedestrian bridges and June 11 bid opening