Together We Can Fix it
The dune system must be restored.
The dune system must be restored.
Progress To Date
2018
- Formed non profit, Save Ponte Vedra Beach, to protect PVB’s interests by retaining an attorney and a coastal engineer (Olsen Associates).
- Educated the community on the extent of the problem and a corrective plan of action – along with Olsen. The goal is restore the beach to its 1980’s condition.
- After engaging an attorney, SJC hired Taylor Engineering for initial work on PV’s shoals.
- Commissioner Blocker is elected. We supported his candidacy and platform focused on restoring PV’s beach.
2019
- March: Commissioners reallocated $500,000 of the annual bed tax to Ponte Vedra’s beach going forward.
- April: Friends of Ponte Vedra is formed.
- June: State funding in the 2019-2020 budget was received in the amount of $1.38 million for Ponte Vedra’s beach.
- August: PVB’s sand shoals look promising per Taylor Engineering. The shoals have sufficient amounts of sand which is compatible with that on PV’s beach. Now onto permitting.
- September: SJC Commission votes for SJC to cover the cost of design and permitting vs the unfair MSTU on coastal property owners.
- November: SJC Commission approves $3 million in surplus budget funds for PV’s beach.
2020
- April: FEMA approves berm for 19 miles of coastline in St Johns County, including Ponte Vedra
- May: St Johns County Commissioners approve an additional $500,000 of funding for construction of Ponte Vedra’s renourishment project
Where We Stand
- St Johns County currently has a $15.5 million 2020 budget surplus.
- The people of Ponte Vedra have been footing the bill for the beach project for two years without any assistance from St. Johns County, despite representing nearly 40% of the county's tax base.
- Ponte Vedra Beach hotels alone generate $3 million a year in bed tax revenues for St. Johns County with very little in return.
- St. Johns County is highly financially dependent on Ponte Vedra and it’s time for the county to allocate a meaningful portion of the budget surplus to Ponte Vedra’s beaches.