Bradford County officials used the delegation meeting to press state legislators for a slate of appropriations to finish ongoing infrastructure and public-safety projects.

County Manager Scott Cornigay told Senator Jennifer Bradley and the delegation that Bradford has received about $53 million in state appropriations in recent years, but still needs additional money to complete multiple projects. “You were generous enough to get us about a half a million dollars last year, and we need an additional $1,500,000 to finish the job here at the courthouse,” Cornigay said.

The county’s front‑line priorities include finishing the Bradford County courthouse renovations, road resurfacing and bridge work, and water and wastewater extensions. Cornigay said the county supports a City of Starke request for a water/wastewater extension from State Road 16 to the interchange and that the city’s ask is expected to be about $1.5 million. He also listed a $3.75 million request to replace a narrow, aging bridge at the Bradford Sportsman Farm with a two‑lane Department of Transportation‑compliant bridge.

Public safety items on the list include another fire engine for the county and continued funding to complete phase 2 of a fire station in Brooker; Cornigay said the remainder request for Brooker was roughly $1.5 million (the packet will be adjusted). County staff also requested $875,000 for a drinking‑water meter replacement program in the City of Starke and $325,000 for a Starke stormwater master plan.

Commissioner Chris Doherty, speaking as chair of the Small Counties Coalition, urged sustained attention to programs that support rural communities, including rural renaissance initiatives, farm‑to‑market road funding and the small county road allocation formula. “We just need to figure out through all these proposals how are we going to backfill, you know, to be able to provide services for the citizens in our areas?” Doherty said, warning lawmakers to consider the revenue impacts of any property‑tax changes.

Sheriff Gordon Smith and other public‑safety leaders thanked the delegation for prior support and noted requests tied to radio systems, towers and apparatus. Smith described long response times for some parts of the county and framed additional stations and equipment as life‑safety needs.

County leaders also highlighted smaller community projects that depend on state help: a sports‑field and recreation program run by Bradford Sports United ($150,000 request for fencing and field upgrades), and a $1.5 million request for phase 4 of the RJE facility renovation pursued by the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County. Several municipal representatives — from Stark, Hampton, Brooker and Lawtey — presented project specifics to the delegation, stressing that small cities rely heavily on grants and legislative appropriations.

Why it matters: County officials said the requested appropriations represent a large share of Bradford’s capital needs and are critical to completing projects already under way. Cornigay noted the roughly $53 million secured over recent years “represents a little more than half the annual county budget for Bradford County,” underscoring the county’s dependence on state support.

What’s next: Delegation staff reminded local applicants of deadlines and described the house appropriation filing deadlines; county leaders were asked to submit formal forms and documentation so legislators’ offices can advance the requests during the 2026 session.