Council hears waterfront project update; commissioner urges public to weigh in on July 30 millage decision

The Fernandina Beach Historic District Council received an update July 18 on the waterfront project and heard a public comment urging residents to attend a July 30 city commission meeting about the millage/rollback rate and downtown funding.

The chair told the council that the city commission voted 5–0 to move the waterfront project forward and identified $2,000,000 from parks impact fees to support the project’s modest elements, including the pavilion, restrooms, landscaping and walkways; those items are expected to come before the council for certificate approval on Aug. 15.

In public comment, Commissioner Chip Ross described the budget choices before the commission and urged public participation at the special meeting. Ross outlined revenue outcomes under different rate choices, saying the "modified rollback rate" would leave the city about $560,000 more than last year, a different rollback approach could produce $1,100,000 more, and if the commission set the full millage rate that could yield about $2,200,000 in additional revenue. He urged residents to attend or email commissioners, noting the commission was considering funding three new police officers and three new firefighters.

"If you wanna see the historic downtown taken care of, you need money," Ross said, adding that many downtown improvement proposals depend on matching funds from the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and on decisions by county commissioners about whether they will match or release funds tied to the city’s chosen millage approach.

Council members and staff encouraged anyone who intends to weigh in to email commissioners ahead of the meeting or attend the July 30 session.