St. Johns County approves funding for expanding needed government office space
Share this @internewscast.com

The morgue is at capacity, the elections supervisor needs more space and courtrooms are needed for two new judges.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — More space is necessary. This is a sentiment shared by several county leaders, including the sheriff, medical examiner, and elections supervisor in St. Johns County.

The population boom there is putting pressure on county offices to keep up.

Vicky Oakes, the St. Johns County supervisor of elections, has been asking for more space since 2021.

Last fall, the county’s medical examiner showed off her cramped quarters.

“The administrative and the morgue, yes, yes, is at max capacity,” Daniel Whitcraft said. He is the director of facilities for St. Johns County.  

A recent study shows the Medical Examiner’s Office needs twice as much space as it currently has.

The state just added two new judges to the Seventh Circuit Court in St. Augustine, Whitcraft noted.

But at the St. Johns County Courthouse, “We don’t currently have space for those two new judges,” Whitcraft said. 

From 2020 to 2024, St. Johns County experienced a 22.5% population surge, according to the U.S. Census, straining various government facilities.

On Tuesday, the St. Johns County Commission voted 3-2 to allocate $13.5 million for retrofitting and expanding specific county government buildings.

Whitcraft said the price tag could have been much more, possibly $100 million if the county had built all new spaces. However, the staff was able to knock down the cost to $13.5 million by finding unused space.

“We’ve been able to identify underutilized spaces,” he said. “We are thinking outside the box…there was no way we were going to get $100 million to address these things.”

So, for example, the former jail, which is now called the annex at the sheriff’s office, was up for demolition approval. But now, “it’s not going to be demolished,” Whitcraft said. It’s going to house administrative space for the sheriff’s office.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will actually have an addition built, costing $6 million.

The total $13.5 million will not be coming from impact fees, according to County Administrator Joy Andrews, who said impact fees have already been slated to build things such as “parks, libraries, and for the sheriff administration building. “

As for the supervisor of elections, she will get the space she’s been asking for since 2021: an office will be retrofitted next to her current facility.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
PETA sues American Kennel Club over breeding standards for French bulldogs and other breeds

PETA Files Lawsuit Against American Kennel Club Over Breeding Practices for French Bulldogs and Other Breeds

The animal rights organization PETA initiated a lawsuit on Tuesday aiming to…
Parents claim Virginia private school expelled 3 siblings after they complained of antisemitism

Virginia Private School Expels 3 Siblings After Parents Voice Antisemitism Concerns

Two parents from Virginia claim that their three Jewish children were dismissed…
Trump administration resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause

Trump Administration Restarts Limited Arms Shipments to Ukraine following Pentagon Interruption

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has resumed the delivery of certain weapons…
Trump hosts West African leaders from Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissa amid sweeping US aid cuts

Trump Welcomes West African Leaders Amid Broad US Aid Reductions

U.S. President Donald Trump is welcoming five West African leaders to the…
Charlamagne suggests 'Big Beautiful Bill' is sign that midterms and 2028 election will be 'fixed'

Charlamagne Claims ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Indicates Possible Manipulation in Upcoming Elections

Radio host Charlamagne Tha God remarked on Tuesday that the Republican-driven “Big,…
Alleged attempted kidnapper on New York City street throws 6-year-old as parents chase him down

Suspected Kidnapper in NYC Throws 6-Year-Old While Being Pursued by Parents

A man has been apprehended after attempting to abduct a 6-year-old boy…
PETA sues AKC over breed standards for Frenchies, pugs and more

PETA Files Lawsuit Against AKC Over Breeding Rules for French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Other Breeds

PETA argues that the influential club is promoting unhealthy physical features. NEW…
Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch

Fisherman Bitten by Shark While Returning Caught Predator to Sea

In a luxurious beach vacation destination, a fisherman became the target of…
X CEO Linda Yaccarino resigns from social media platform after 2 years

Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of Social Media Company After Two-Year Tenure

Musk hired Yaccarino, a veteran ad executive, in May 2023 buying Twitter…
Kamala Harris laughing at a podium.

I had an unusual interview with Kamala Harris before the election, but it was never shared to avoid any responsibility for a potential loss.

Ahead of the election, Kamala Harris participated in an interview that was…
Smoke from a massive wildfire obscuring a city.

Marseille on High Alert: Wildfires Close Airport Again and Over 100 Injured During Looting

FIREFIGHTERS continue to battle with the wildfire in Marseille with over 100…
Police say 'sightseers' hindering Texas recovery efforts as teams search for victims in debris

Authorities report that curious onlookers are interfering with recovery operations in Texas as teams work to locate victims in the wreckage.

Texas law enforcement is facing difficulties from “sightseeing” individuals as they try…