Episode 92 - St. Johns County's $97 Million Debt: The Growth Trap and Developer Influence

The provided sources critically examine St. Johns County, Florida's 2024 approval of $97 million in debt for parks construction, highlighting a significant concern regarding the financing's heavy reliance on future impact fees. The analysis uncovers a pattern of substantial developer influence over county commissioners through campaign contributions, leading to decisions that may benefit private interests while creating fiscal risks for taxpayers. The reports emphasize potential ethical violations and a strategic design to foster continued development, thereby eroding public trust and raising questions about democratic accountability. They compare these issues to broader trends of fiscal vulnerability and regulatory capture in Florida, ultimately proposing reforms to address the identified problems.