Category: Government

Historic City News has compiled the following list of state workers in St. Augustine who earn an annual salary of $60,000 or more, plus benefits; nearly double the $34,572 average annual wage of workers in all industries reported on the St. Johns County website.

Journalists Susan Page and Carl Leubsdorf will be the next speakers for the 2009-2010 Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy according to an announcement received by Historic City News today.

In this week’s St. Augustine Report, Former Mayor and Commissioner George Gardner is reporting that a proposed ordinance to allow outdoor dining on Aviles Street hinges on finding a funding source for the project.

Historic City News was watching this morning as St. Johns County Tax Collector Dennis W. Hollingsworth returned $5.77 million to the Board of County Commissioners; representing excess fees collected by his office.

In a communication received by Historic City News this morning, Charles Cox, chairman of the board of the Visitors and Convention Bureau, promises that a number of recent changes made at the Visitors and Convention Bureau will make the organization more responsive to industry needs during a difficult period for tourism.

It wouldn’t have been possible under up-front utility connection fees, but under a lease plan approved by commissioners Monday, a 400-seat restaurant on SR 16, expected to employ 200, can move forward.

As reported by Historic City News on October 8, 2009, a portion of the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor Information Center has been closed for repairs made necessary by an apparent design flaw in the HVAC system serving the restrooms and entrance lobby.

Friday afternoon, County Administrator Michael D. Wanchick released his bi-weekly St. Johns County report to Historic City News. The following updates in the Public Works and Utilities departments were provided by Wanchick: