County commissioners were expected to consider future utility rates in the Sanderson area to be charged by a new utility under development at the Woodstock Park industrial property owned by Avery Roberts, much of which is eyed for a massive indoor produce production plant, on Tuesday. However, travel delays prompted the matter to be deferred for the moment, said Commissioner Tyler Mobley this afternoon shortly before 3 p.m. The board later deferred the matter to July 21.
The produce production plan from Plant AS, state prison properties and Florida Gateway College's Olustee training center for first responders could be among the first customers.
As proposed, the rates for the new system are about three times higher than those charged by the City of Macclenny.
The measure would establish customer rates, service availability charges and utility policies for Woodstock Utilities LLC, a private utility planned to serve the sprawling Woodstock Industrial Park area west of Sanderson.
According to application documents, Woodstock Utilities has been approved to serve roughly 15,400 acres in western Baker County, an area anchored by the Woodstock Industrial Park near Interstate 10 and U.S. 90.
The utility’s service area also includes land near the Baker Correctional Institution and Baker Re-Entry Center and is expected to become a major growth corridor as development expands westward from the Jacksonville metropolitan area.
The application notes the industrial park is entitled for up to 10 million square feet of industrial development and that centralized water and wastewater service will be necessary to support future commercial, industrial, and residential growth in the area.
Woodstock currently has no customers and is seeking approval of rates and charges before construction of its utility infrastructure begins. The company plans an initial wastewater treatment capacity of 100,000 gallons per day and water treatment capacity exceeding 1 million gallons per day, similar to the City of Macclenny’s wastewater treatment plant capacity at 1.3 million gallons per day.
Woodstock also has a bulk service agreement with the Florida Department of Corrections that allows up to 50,000 gallons per day of potable water and wastewater service, with the possibility of expanding to 100,000 gallons per day, subject to state approval.
Under the proposed rate structure, residential customers with standard 5/8-inch by 3/4-inch water meters would pay a monthly water base charge of $30.72, plus $1.53 per 1,000 gallons consumed.
Wastewater service would carry a monthly base charge of $82.16 plus $5.95 per 1,000 gallons. Proposed service availability charges are $2,525 per equivalent residential connection for water service and $10,275 for wastewater service.
If approved, Woodstock Utilities would charge residential customers rates that are significantly higher than those paid by City of Macclenny residents.
The biggest difference is wastewater service: Woodstock's proposed monthly sewer base charge alone ($82.16) exceeds the combined water-and-sewer base charges paid by a city resident ($33.33). A typical customer using 5,000 gallons monthly would pay about $150 under Woodstock's proposed rates compared with about $56 inside Macclenny city limits.
More standard trash collection site schedule
Among the matters on the county commission’s agenda for tomorrow, starting at 5 p.m. at 55 N. 3rd Street in Macclenny, is a proposal to greatly standardize hours across all county collection sites and eliminate the separate Monday schedule at the Cuyler site.
Currently, most of the eight sites are closed on Mondays, except for Cuyler, which is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The reverse happens on Tuesdays when Cuyler is closed while others are open those hours.
Wednesdays have four hours in the morning ending at 10 a.m. and four more in the evenings ending at 8 p.m..
On Fridays, sites are open 9-6, Saturdays 8-5 and Sundays 2-6.
But that’s a lot to remember if not posted on your fridge, of course.
The proposed hours to become effective starting August 3 for Cuyler and others:
• Monday: CLOSED
• Tuesday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Thursday: CLOSED
• Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday: 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
The Wednesday and Saturday times above would become effective later on October 1, however.
According to Public Works Director Chris Lee, the change is intended to improve operational consistency, reduce overtime costs associated with Monday holidays and improve safety by reducing equipment movement when other facilities are closed. The department also wants to discuss collection-site rules and safety concerns with commissioners.
Other business
Commissioners will also consider acceptance of a state Department of Management Services 911 grant, the purchase of a recreation department mower and financing for a Baker County Fire Rescue service truck.
Under prior business, county staff will provide updates on FEMA-funded projects, the county’s pending business report, special projects, and the fiscal year 2024-25 audit. County Manager Sara Little is also scheduled to brief commissioners on state appropriations and grant funding for the upcoming budget cycle.
The meeting will conclude with public hearings on three land-use ordinances, including amendments related to property rights elements and requests involving a large-scale land-use amendment and rezoning application from Kelvin and LouAnn Crews.