The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $1.8 billion budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026 that includes $159 million for capital improvement projects.
The budget allocates funding for continued construction on four new fire stations, four new regional parks, a new library branch and two new library hubs as well as new and expanded roadways, water and wastewater facilities, and critical infrastructure enhancements.
Future and ongoing capital improvement projects in the plan include:
- $35 million for improvements to the Silverleaf Sports Complex. Plans are to create a regional 40-acreathletic facility with a stadium field and outdoor track, lighted multipurpose fields, bathrooms, playground, concession stands, sidewalks and lighted parking lots. The funding is being requested for FY 2026.
- A $18 million St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office administration building in St. Augustine. The up-to 120,000 square foot multilevel structure would replace the current facility, which is currently located in a storm surge evacuation zone that is prone to flooding.
- A $14.7 million expansion of the county’s public service center. The county is expanding the footprint of the existing permit center to improve and consolidate services by creating a one-stop shop for numerous county services provided. The funding allocation for FY 2026 is $5.4 million.
- $13 million for a new North Central/Silverleaf Fire Station. The new station would house offices for fire rescue and sheriff’s office personnel in the northern part of the county.
- A new $1.27 million county emergency operations center. The building will be used to train inoculation administration, virus test administration, distribute personal protection equipment, staff offices, and for response and recovery resource storage, such as PPE and hand washing stations. The building is being constructed on county-owned land.
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