# St. Johns County Special BCC Meeting / Budget Hearing Livestream

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners held a special budget hearing on September 15, 2026, focusing on the adoption of the fiscal year 2027 budget and millage rates. The meeting included detailed presentations on the budget, highlighting a total proposed budget of approximately $1.94 billion, with significant allocations for public safety, utilities, transportation, and capital improvement projects. The board approved a $125,000 allocation from the general fund to support capacity building for the Black History Museum foundation. A major topic of public and commissioner discussion was the funding and use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. Public speakers expressed strong concerns about privacy, data sharing, and constitutional rights related to the surveillance technology, urging the board to remove funding and discontinue use. The sheriff and law enforcement officials defended the technology as a critical crime-solving tool, citing cases where it aided in arrests and public safety. Commissioners debated the balance between public safety and privacy, with some supporting continued funding and others advocating for a moratorium or further review. The board did not take immediate action to halt funding but agreed to consider further discussions and transparency measures regarding the ALPR program.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Professional Services
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Policy
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Sources
- [St. Johns County Special BCC Meeting / Budget Hearing Livestream](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTWQpnFL1w) - St. Johns County