St. Johns County Commissioners extend administrator's contract 3 years amid tense debate
St. Johns County's Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday extended the contract of its County Administrator.
This comes weeks after Action News Jax's Ben Becker confirmed that Joy Andrews applied for the Palm Beach County Administrator position, then withdrew her name from consideration.
'I made a decision, regardless of the differences of opinion about me or my role or how I'm performing, my hope is that I can at least show my commitment to my staff, my children, my community who have shown up today,' Andrews said at Tuesday's meeting.
County Commissioner Krista Joseph, who has been a critic of Andrews, said during the meeting she was now 'all for' Andrews, but said she just wanted to see more initiatives fully completed.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
'I haven't seen a lot of the goals completed. I've seen them on their way, but not completed. The Black History Museum, it's not a done deal. There are so many things, the World Golf, the FCC, the comprehensive plan, the tree ordinance. When I see those things accomplished, I'm like all for you. I do, we do work together great when we do the agendas. I don't have any problem with Joy. I just want to see accomplishment and reward accomplishment with an increase in time or salary,' Joseph said.
By a 3-2 vote, the commissioners gave Andrews a three-year contract extension on top of 18 months remaining on her existing contract, keeping her on through 2030.
Her pay remains $285,000 a year plus annual cost of living increases.
In an email that was sent last month, Andrews wrote she was withdrawing from consideration because she wants to see through 'critical initiatives' in St. Johns County.
'Given the politics at the time, I briefly considered all my options,' Andrews said in a statement to Becker in May. 'I am 100% committed to St. Johns County and it has been my family's home for more than two decades. I'm grateful for the support of a majority of the commission and look forward to working together for years to come.'
Andrews has served as county administrator since 2023, following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor, Hunter Conrad.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
In January, St. Johns County Board Chair Krista Joseph introduced a motion of no confidence in Andrews, a move that signaled internal tension within the county leadership.
That motion was ultimately voted down by the rest of the board, allowing Andrews to retain her position.
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lowcountry doctor believes Lindsey Graham is ‘beatable' in SC Senate race
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WSAV) – A Lowcountry doctor said the time to stay on the sidelines is over. Now she is making a second run at a South Carolina political office. Dr. Annie Andrews has officially announced her candidacy for South Carolina Senate. She will run as a Democrat for the seat currently held by Lindsey Graham. Andrews, a Charleston Pediatrician, made an unsuccessful run for the SC District 1 Congressional seat in 2022. Since that race she has stayed active, gaining a strong presence as an advocate on social media. Because of the state of the nation it was time to get off the web and into the race. 'Everything that I've seen happen since the inauguration in 2020 helps me understand how necessary it is for voices like mine to step up and to take on these fights,' Andrews said. 'As a physician, I'm watching this coordinated attack on our nation's health care system and our nation's public health infrastructure. With the elevation of a conspiracy theorist to the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, we're seeing this coordinated attack gutting our nation's Medicaid program, which is the largest insurer for children in South Carolina.' A dedicated pediatrician and public health expert, Andrews talks about her career career on the frontlines-treating kids with gunshot wounds, kids whose families can't afford insulin or even their next meal, and kids in mental health crises with nowhere to turn. She called what's going on in Washington 'corruption and BS', hurting real families, and that our kids are paying the price. 'It is infuriating because I know that Lindsey Graham doesn't really actually care about the Medicaid program or the SNAP program,' Andrews said. 'But he's willing to cut them for the sole purpose of delivering tax cuts to billionaires because he's a corrupt career politician who has lost his way and lost touch with the people of South Carolina.' It is the people of South Carolina that Andrews wants to hear from and serve if elected. 'He (Graham) boldly said into a microphone not that long ago that he doesn't need a town hall because he's in Washington, D.C. to do what Donald Trump tells him to do.' Andrews said. 'Well, that's not the job of a U.S. Senator. You know, I believe in the kids and families in South Carolina. I believe in South Carolina. And I'm not afraid to stand up to people like Lindsey Graham who are willing to sell them out.' That 'sell out' starts with the latest Trump budget proposal. 'This bill that he is so eager to vote yes on will kick 1.1 million South Carolinians off of the Medicaid program,' Andrews said. 'Our hospitals cannot sustain a budget impact like that. This will impact every single person in the state, whether you are on the Medicaid program or not. And it is cruel and devastating. And I can't sit on the sidelines while our elected senator is willing to go along with this plan.' While Andrews knows it's a tall task to take out Graham, an incumbent who has been in office since 2002, recent elections in the state, and the reaction of the people she has spoken to, give her hope. 'South Carolina, House District 50. That's a district that Kamala carried by five points and the Democrat won it by 42 points,' Andrews details. 'That's a 37-point swing, which tells you that everything is in play. And we cannot count out Democrats just because we're in a red state. Republicans and Democrats alike are fed up with the chaos from this administration because of career corrupt politicians like Lindsey Graham. I wouldn't be in this race if I didn't think it was winnable. He's as vulnerable as he ever has been because he says he's as corrupt as he ever has, he ever has been, and someone needs to run against him, and I am prepared to do that. And I will bring home a victory in November 2026 if people give this campaign a chance.' Andrews is one of four Democratic candidates announced so far. Graham has two challengers who have already signed on to run against him in the Republican primary. Dr. Annie Andrews for Senate Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florida's Hurricane Tax Holiday Delayed Amid Budget Gridlock
For years, Floridians have relied on the state's Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday to help them save money while stocking up for hurricane season. But this year, the tax break is missing, stalled by a budget stalemate in Tallahassee. At Hagan Ace Hardware in Mandarin, shelves are stocked with essentials like batteries, tarps, and flashlights — the very supplies normally exempt from sales tax in early June. Doug Kreie, the store's general manager, said the delay has slightly slowed business. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'When they announced the sales tax, we do see a bump because it reminds people,' Kreie said. The state legislature has yet to approve a final budget. That means the tax holiday, which traditionally begins June 1, hasn't been authorized. Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed two 14-day tax-free periods this year, estimating more than $70 million in savings, but negotiations are only just beginning. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The delay comes as forecasters predict another above-average hurricane season, with up to five major storms possible. And for shoppers like Geoffrey Decker, the uncertainty is frustrating. 'I know it isn't a lot, but it does draw people out to get it done,' Decker said. 'That's what I'm waiting on.' Decker said he's holding off on buying more expensive items until the tax break kicks in, if it does. He's got his list handy. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'Batteries, water, pet supplies. God forbid if something does happen, we're prepared. And that's what it's all about,' said Decker. While lawmakers continue to negotiate in the state capital, experts and retailers urge Floridians not to wait. The storms won't delay, even if the legislature does. Kreie said calm weather may also be lulling some into a false sense of security, but now is the time to prepare, tax break or not. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fernandina Beach closes application window for paid parking program proposals
The city of Fernandina Beach is now looking over proposals for companies interested in putting paid parking kiosks downtown after closing its window for applications. Action News Jax first told you two months ago about the city's talks of going from free to paid parking downtown, which some city commissioners tell us hasn't been around in about 50 years. Sarah Campbell, the city's manager, said paid parking is still just an idea that hasn't yet been approved by city commissioners, but that it could be a way for the city to get money for some of its projects. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'The paid parking program could generate about $2 million a year,' Campbell said, 'We're looking in the $30 to $40 million range for those projects.' Some of those projects include building a seawall and making repairs on Centre Street, one of the areas downtown being considered for paid parking. The city said it might not be able to receive enough funding for those projects if it doesn't use a revenue-generating measure like paid parking, unless it receives enough money in state grants, instead. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'This would be really a premium parking program that would only apply to about 40% of the parking spaces that are available downtown,' said Campbell. The city hasn't yet shared exactly how much parking fees would be if a paid parking program were put in place, or which spots would be charged. But if only about 40% of the 660 parking spaces the city says are located in the downtown area would be charged, that would add up to around 264 total spots. People we spoke with who were visiting Fernandina Beach told us, for the most part, that the thought of paid parking is driving them away. 'I hate it,' said Sean Robertson, visiting from out of town, 'it just detracts from the city a lot.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Business owners like Stephen Colwell, who has owned Fantastic Fudge on Centre Street for the last 30 years, said he is worried how paid parking would affect the number of people who come downtown. 'I think it's a horrible idea,' Colwell said, 'if you start charging for parking, then we'll probably lose most of our local people.' The city said it's going to be taking up more public feedback before making any decisions on whether or not to implement paid parking. A town hall will be held at City Hall on June 24th. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
