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County staff seek roughly 71 full-year positions and $4.9M in new personnel requests as budget work wraps
Summary
HR presented new position requests totaling about 71.15 full-year equivalents and approximately $4.9 million in associated budget requests, with proposals spanning libraries, fire stations, utilities and procurement; staff advised staggered hiring given fiscal uncertainty.
St. Johns County HR staff presented personnel requests that would add an estimated 71.15 full-year equivalent positions and cost roughly $4.9 million if fully funded.
HR representative Desiree said the county currently requested 55.74 positions based on timing and 71.15 positions for a full year, and that the total budget request for the positions is around $4,900,000. She advised departments have prioritized requests and that the county will evaluate fund health before finalizing hires.
Key position requests included: a digital accessibility compliance specialist in Public Affairs (to focus on ADA requirements for web and digital content); two purchasing positions requested by Director Jamie Lochler (a supplier/compliance coordinator and a procurement coordinator); library staff increases totaling 13.24 FTE equivalents for youth services, bookmobile operations and staff for three new branches; parks staffing for Shore Park and new Greenbrier/Nocatee openings; fire staffing for the new Beach Walk station (about 23 positions to be phased in, completing roughly 30 positions for the station), plus a deputy fire chief and logistics roles; and multiple utilities trainees and maintenance hires to staff a State Road 207 water-reclamation facility expected to open in summer 2026.
HR and several commissioners discussed staggering library hires to manage fiscal risk. Staff said most of the requests are funded from the general fund (property-tax–supported) but that some—such as the golf course positions—are supported by special revenue or enterprise funds.
Why it matters: Personnel costs are a core recurring portion of the county budget and decisions on timing and funding of these positions will affect service levels at libraries, parks, fire/EMS and utilities.
What happens next: Staff will rank and review prioritized positions in the coming days alongside fund-health analysis and return recommendations to the board for appropriation decisions.
