Commissioners direct staff to work with Tallahassee on Lake Henrietta drainage, flooding concerns in Jay Gaither area

Commissioners directed county staff to work with the City of Tallahassee to identify and recommend solutions for recurring flooding that affects the Jay Gaither community, including the West Side of North Ridge Road and Lake Henrietta.

Commissioner Proctor said residents and a neighborhood leadership board raised multiple concerns: overflow from runoff passing through the golf course, water backing under the North Ridge Road bridge, and reduced capacity at Lake Henrietta. He asked staff to coordinate with city counterparts to identify problem locations and potential remedies. “I'm merely asking that the scope of our inquiry as well as relief to make that water flow is the Lake Henrietta and the West Side Of Ridge Road,” Proctor said.

County staff confirmed the request was consistent with ongoing work on Lake Henrietta and said they would support the city's efforts to address swales and ditches so flow reaches the lake. The board voted on a motion to direct staff to work with the city; the motion passed unanimously.

Action directs county staff to collaborate with municipal officials to identify obstructions, coordinate potential dredging or grading, and recommend measures to alleviate flooding in the specified area. The motion explicitly noted the city's jurisdiction for some drainage features (east side) and the county's responsibility on the west side of Ridge Road.

Staff said they will return with recommendations and any needed follow-up steps for board consideration.