St. Johns County successfully hosted its budget workshop series for fiscal year of 2026 on May 8 to May 13.
The series brought together county leadership and community partners for what county administrator Joy Andrews called, "the most engaging and productive budget discussion I’ve ever experienced in my 19 years serving the county."
The presentations, video-on-demand of the discussions, and details on the proposed budget are available to the public at www.sjcfl.us/2026Budget. The public is encouraged to email questions to budget@sjcfl.us.
“We hosted the most engaging budget dialogue to date, fostering meaningful conversations and shared vision,” Andrews said.
During the four days of budget workshops, 26 presentations were given by various county departments and community partners.
The sessions were designed to encourage open and collaborative conversations around the county’s fiscal outlook, strategic priorities, and departmental goals.
Rather than traditional top-down presentations, the format encouraged cross-department dialogue, an open exchange of questions and answers, and joint exploration of both opportunities and challenges ahead.
In a follow-up message to participants, Andrews expressed heartfelt appreciation.
“Your presence, insights, and willingness to lean into honest, thoughtful conversations made this more than just a budget meeting — it made it a moment of real collaboration,” Andrews expressed. “It’s clear how much time, heart, and expertise went into preparing such solid presentations and shaping a budget that reflects both responsibility and vision.”
Department leaders gave presentations on key areas of service, including public safety, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and quality-of-life initiatives.
Special attention was given to countywide issues such as workforce sustainability, growth management, and long-term capital investment strategies.
The atmosphere of the session underscored a growing culture of transparency and shared ownership in local governance.
“It felt less like a formality and more like a shared mission, one where every voice mattered and every contribution pushed us closer to the community we’re all working to serve,” Andrews said.
