Three Important Meetings To Kickoff 2026
Each Meeting Will Deal With A Contentious Topic
Happy New Year from Clay News & Views! 2026 is a big year nationally as the U.S.A. turns 250, and it’ll be a big year locally as well. Three government meetings within the first few weeks of the year will set the tone for this year’s political landscape.
Orange Park Town Council
First up on January 6th is the Orange Park Town Council. In December, Orange Park considered a proposal to enter into a contract with Flock Safety for six surveillance cameras to be installed around the town.
Pushback online and in public comments at the meeting prompted the Town Council to defer the issue to their January meeting.
Clay News & Views contacted each Town Council member and Orange Park Police Chief Randy Case to request clarification and provide details on issues discovered with Flock Cameras.
Orange Park Mayor Randy Anderson replied, stating:
“Prior to the December council meeting, I had no info or conversation about these flock cameras. I have been provided very little information about the camera capabilities. This is one reason we moved this agenda item to the January meeting, so we can research and be able to make the right decision for our community. I was not aware of any pushback Nationwide until this item made our agenda. There’s a lot of homework that needs to happen here for the council to make the right decision.”
Councilman Glenn Taylor was the only other council member to reply, emphasising his opposition to the cameras:
“As I expressed during the Council Meeting I oppose these cameras and it is my intention to vote no on instituting these cameras in Orange Park.”
Clay News & Views asked Chief Case about why the cameras were needed, given that the Sheriff’s Office has over 90 already installed throughout the county. Case stated,
“We looked at areas within the Town that will help us with avenues of approach and departure. I would not consider them redundant.”
The Orange Park Town Council’s meeting will start at 7 pm on January 6th and will be held at Orange Park Town Hall.
Clay County School Board
On January 8th, the Clay County School Board will hold its first meeting of 2026. What was set to be an uneventful meeting has been turned on its head by recent comments from Board Member Robert Alvero.
Board Chairwoman Erin Skipper issued a statement advising that action would be taken at the next board meeting. Skipper also said she hoped Alvero would “do the right thing and resign.”
Alvero has hired the law firm of Anthony Sabatini, who stated that any retaliation for Alvero’s “free speech” would result in legal action. Sabatini also told local news organizations that Alvero would not appear before the state Board of Education because it lacked the legal authority to compel his appearance.
The Clay County School Board will meet at 6 pm on Thursday, January 8th, at Fleming Island High School.
Charter Review Commission
On January 12th, the Charter Review Commission will re-convene to continue discussions on possible changes to the county charter. The main change being considered is a pay raise for our County Commissioners.
At their December 15th meeting, the Commission made a motion to “align the pay of the county commissioners with state law,” which would give the County Commissioners a $ 60,000-per-year pay raise, almost tripling their pay.
Reaction to our story about the proposed raise was immediate and vociferous, with people overwhelmingly disapproving of such a significant pay increase.
Concerns were also expressed over the proposed language of the proposal, which, per some on the commission, should be designed hide the dollar amount of the raises from voters.
Only local teacher Matthew Mitchell and Glenn Taylor expressed opposition to the raise and the ballot language.
The Charter Review Commission will meet at 5 pm on January 12th in the Board of County Commissioners' boardroom.