Commission approves additional voluntary flood‑buyouts and a building‑department property purchase

The Clay County Board approved three purchase‑and‑sale agreements and related deed restrictions as part of a voluntary home buyout program intended to remove repeatedly flooded properties from private occupancy and preserve the land in perpetuity. County staff said the buyouts are part of an eight‑property program funded through the county’s program and that deed restrictions would prevent future rebuilding on the acquired parcels.

Board members queried staff about specific properties, including one in the Orange Park Country Club area that has a history of flooding and a nearby power substation that was submerged during Hurricane Irma. Staff said they have coordinated with the homeowners association and the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to ensure acceptance of the properties and to avoid taking on assessment liabilities for homeowners.

Separately, commissioners authorized the county manager to execute closing documents for a purchase of property to relocate the Building Department. Commissioners acknowledged the purchase price exceeded appraisal by about $120,000 but supported securing an adjacent parcel to preserve operational options for county facilities. Both actions were approved unanimously.

What happens next: staff will finalize closures and deed restrictions, and continue coordination with DEO and homeowners about assessments and future maintenance arrangements.