The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is set to shake up its schedule, as the body's usual morning meeting will now be held in the evening. The regular meeting slated for May 20, will kick off at 5 p.m., a departure from its customary 9 a.m. start time. Intended to lure those typically unable to attend during working hours, the upcoming session will convene in the County Administration Building's auditorium, located at 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.
Fostering a more inclusive environment, the BCC aims to actively involve different segments of the community. "Building community trust is one of the priorities of our new strategic plan, and holding occasional evening meetings for the Board of County Commissioners is one way we can build that trust," Chair Krista Joseph, District 4, explained. Stakeholders interested but previously barred by daytime commitments will have the chance to more easily participate and voice their opinions. The meeting will also be broadcast live, ensuring even broader accessibility, according to a news release from St. Johns County.
The initiative reflects a concerted effort by the commissioners to hear more directly from constituents, inviting a dialogue that could potentially lead to more responsive policymaking. By making room within the daily grind for civic engagement, this shift represents an acknowledgment of the variety of schedules and responsibilities held by the county's residents.
In a bid to expand public engagement, the move to evening sessions will also cater to a demographic generally not seen in earlier meetings. "We hope to see more public participation and engagement in our meeting and attract a new type of citizen who normally cannot attend a daytime meeting," Chair Krista Joseph, District 4, told the community in the lead up to the meeting, as per the St. Johns County's news release.
