Participate in county budget process

St. Johns County Administrator, Michael Wanchick, is encouraging Historic City News readers to participate in the process that will establish the county’s operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2012.

Communication Manager Karen Pan told Historic City News today that county officials are well into preparations for the new budget which begins October 1, 2011.

The public is invited to participate throughout the process, including at the upcoming Administrator’s Requested Budget Hearings May 10–12 and the Administrator’s Town Hall Meetings throughout June.

Administrator’s Requested Budget Hearings: The County Administrator’s 2012 Requested Budget Hearings provide a close comprehensive look at the requested budget for 2012 by County department. The Hearings are open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to attend the hearings and learn more about County operations and finances.

The budget hearings will be held May 10-12, beginning each day at 9:00 am, in the San Sebastian Conference Room of the County Administration Building, located at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. A tentative listing of the times scheduled for specific departments is listed on the County website at www.sjcfl.us in the Budget Hearings item on the Calendar.

Administrator’s Town Hall Meetings: Additionally, County Administrator Michael Wanchick will host the third annual Town Hall meetings throughout St. Johns County in June. These meetings are an opportunity for Wanchick to share budgetary information and solicit feedback from the community.

Residents who may be interested in attending are encouraged to mark their calendars for the following:

• Wednesday, June 1st – 6:30 pm – St. Johns County Convention Center at World Golf Village (in the Renaissance)

• Thursday, June 2nd – 3:00 pm – St. Augustine Beach City Hall

• Monday, June 6th – 6:30 pm – Southeast Branch Library

• Thursday, June 9th – 6:30 pm – Hastings Town Hall

• Thursday, June 16th – 6:30 pm – Bartram Trail Branch Library

• Wednesday, June 22nd – 6:30 pm – Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library

• Monday, June 27th – 6:30 pm – Main Library in St. Augustine

Budget Process: The Budget Hearings and upcoming Town Hall meetings will lead to the County Administrator’s Recommended 2012 County budget due to the Commission in July, as required by Florida statutes. The process will then culminate in September with two advertised public hearings and final adoption by the County Commission. The entire budget calendar is at www.sjcfl.us in the Management and Budget section.