Commission approves creation of Feed Mill Community Development District amid residents’ concerns about unbuilt amenities

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on May 28 to establish the Feed Mill Community Development District (CDD) and adopt the ordinance creating the district after a staff‑led public hearing and comments from residents.

Katie Buchanan, attorney for the petitioner, described the proposed Feed Mill CDD as a multi‑phase, roughly 1,003–1,035‑acre development with approximately 2,148 lots and a buildout anticipated over about 10 years. The petition seeks typical CDD powers for financing and maintaining infrastructure and requested authority to construct and operate parks, recreation and security improvements including gates and guard houses. Buchanan explained CDD mechanics to the board: the district may issue bonds to build master infrastructure, levy assessments to repay debt, and operate under sunshine, public records and related statutory requirements. She noted that district debt does not transfer to the county and that, by statute, districts transition to resident control after at least six years and 250 registered voters.

Several commissioners asked how projects handle market downturns or defaults. Buchanan said in prior cases property was often turned to trustees/bondholders and later resold to developers who completed projects; trustees and bondholders have enforcement authority when necessary. Commissioners and residents focused heavily on an existing community example (Rolling Hills): residents and speakers including Helena Cormier said multiple “pocket parks” and other amenities that had been promised were never built or were turned over without sufficient reserves for completion. Commissioners and staff discussed where obligations are documented (engineer reports, capital improvement plans, development orders) and how specificity has varied across older and newer projects.

After public comment, the commission approved the establishment (motion carried by voice vote 5‑0) and then approved the ordinance creating the Feed Mill CDD (voice vote 5‑0). Several commissioners used the discussion to urge transparency for future buyers, better clarity in engineer reports and development orders, and to remind prospective homeowners to read closing documents and development agreements.

Why it matters: CDDs are a common financing mechanism in Florida that shifts certain capital and maintenance obligations to property owners within the district through assessments; the board’s approval creates a new local unit of government that will have authority to levy assessments and issue bonds tied to the Feed Mill development.

What’s next: The ordinance establishment moves the CDD forward; staff and the petitioner will follow the statutory establishment process and file required documents; commissioners asked staff to ensure engineer reports and development orders provide clear definitions of amenities and to consider how the county can improve transparency for residents.