St. Johns commission candidate Clay Murphy says he wants to save residents money

Clay Murphy says that the present St. Johns County Commission needs to better negotiate with developers and refrain from borrowing money and paying "millions" in interest with a county budget that is already "bloated."

A Floridian since 1971, Murphy worked as a deputy sheriff in Palatka and Jacksonville before joining the Florida Highway Patrol as a trooper in 1982. Murphy moved to St. Augustine in 1991. He and his wife, Pam, own Sonny’s BBQ. Murphy also co-owned and was lead instructor at Ancient City Traffic School and Ancient City Motorcycle Training.

The Murphys have three children and four grandchildren and have been members of Family Church since 1992, having served on the safety and media teams, as alter workers and in prison ministry.

The primary election for the Board of County Commissioners is Tuesday, Aug. 20, with Aug. 8 listed as the final day to request a mail ballot. Candidates for County Commission and the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on the primary ballot are all Republican. Registered Democrats, voters without party affiliations and minor party affiliates are unable to vote in the BOCC and sheriff elections in the Aug. 20 primary. Primary ballot winners move forward to the Nov. 5 elections to face write-in candidates. All party affiliations will be able to vote during the general election.

The race for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is the only race open to voters of all parties on Aug. 20 and will therefore be decided on Aug. 20.

Click here for complete election information.

The St. Augustine Record: Let’s discuss the hot button issue of growth in St. Johns County.

Murphy: I’m not anti-growth. I’m concerned with outgrowing the county’s infrastructure. The county’s borrowing money promising to pay the debt with future growth. I find that premise irresponsible and disingenuous, especially with a debt that’s doubled from $100 (million) to $200 million within the last year.

I understand that commissioners can’t reject a signed, compatible PUD, but safeguards are present.

The St. Augustine Record: What would you do?

Murphy: The present commission voted not to roll back the millage rate despite the county budget growing almost a billion dollars in six years. If elected, I would negotiate to tweak the millage rate, potentially raising a billion dollars in five years. It’s not simple, but we could compensate with increases in property values from new home sales, new industry sales or new commercial property by $200 million a year.

Are there compatible and necessary PUDs that should be developed? Yes. We can and should accommodate growth. Growth is essential, towns die because of lack of it. But we must logically and wisely budget and approve new projects. Fifty thousand homes, defined by the county as five years of growth, currently remain unbuilt. Let’s start there. I’m strongly opposed to a 2050 comprehensive plan for developing land that’s not needed today. We can grow responsibly with a 10-year comprehensive plan.

The county needs to tightens its belt, roll back the millage rate and prioritize infrastructure. Roads are now a safety issue. We must work harder to foster relationships with state representatives, senators and congressmen to increase federal funding to improve our roads. I believe I can better negotiate our DRIs [Developments of Regional Impact] with major concessions for schools and parks.

The St. Augustine Record: What resources would you tap into that you feel are presently underserving the county?

For the past 20 years, we’ve been a bedroom community for Jacksonville. We need to grow jobs here. The county has an airport, a federal highway and a commercial railroad. We need to utilize those resources for high-tech, clean-energy, high-paying jobs.

We have a booming tourism industry, but we’re challenged with balancing housing and affordability for teachers, first responder personnel and servers in the hospitality business – members of our workforce who are essential to our economy.

The county needs private partners to make living affordable for workforce residents in areas that makes sense. Commuting defeats the purpose.

The St. Augustine Record: Are you against federal funding for housing?

Murphy: I don’t want more government, I want less. I don’t want to lose autonomy by accepting federal money to be run by federal rules. We don't need another layer of federal bureaucracy. St. Johns County needs smart development and a board of commissioners that respond to its constituents, not bigger government.

The St. Augustine Record: There has been a lot of mudslinging during the campaign. How has this affected you?  

Murphy: I publicly addressed these comments at a BOCC meeting. Anger followed shock until I realized that I’m not running against anyone, I’m running to represent residents of St. Johns County.

The St. Augustine Record: How do you feel about the Black History Museum coming to West Augustine?

Murphy: The Black History Museum is a wonderful opportunity to spotlight the rich history of the county’s Black community. West Augustine has been overlooked and underappreciated. The Black History Museum will boost the area economically, and that’s a good thing.

The St. Augustine Record: Do you think the commissioners have been transparent?

Murphy: No, not always. But Joy Andrews, the county administrator, has raised the curtain. It’s not easy leaving yourself open to tough questions and criticisms, and she does so admirably.

The St. Augustine Record: What would you like residents to know about you?

Murphy: I’m a retired trooper, businessman and now a candidate. Residents call me daily asking for help, and if I can, I do. But if I can’t, I offer to share a cup of coffee in their kitchen to figure out what can be done. I will do the same when elected. People want to be heard. If there’s a problem, I’ll listen. I’ll answer the phone and return emails, no matter how long it takes. I'm a man of faith running as a candidate because I wholeheartedly believe that I have the experience and heart for people.

As a county commissioner, I will surround myself with the best and the brightest. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel. For those who want more of the same, I'm not your guy. For those looking for change and accountability, I’m it.

As a state trooper for almost 30 years, I’ve dealt with a vast amount of people and situations, not all of them good. As a businessman in the service industry, I’ve served the community. I’ve served and have been a servant. I truly want to be one of the best county commissioners St. Johns County has ever had.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Clay Murphy wants to negotiate better deals for St. Johns County