ORD Making Certain Findings, & Apv & Auth the Execution of an Amended & Restated Water Well Permitting Delegation Agrmt btwn the City & the St. Johns River Water Mgmt Dist; Prov for Oversight by the Office of Admin Svcs, Environmental Quality Div (Pollock) (Req of Mayor) 1/27/26 CO Introduced: NCSPHS, TEU 2/2/26 NCSPHS Read 2nd & Rerefer 2/3/26 TEU Read 2nd & Rerefer 2/10/26 CO PH Read 2nd & Rerefer 2/17/26 NCSPHS Approve 7-0 2/18/26 TEU Approve 6-0 2/24/26 CO Approve 17-0 Public Hearing Pursuant to Ch 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 2/10/26

This ordinance approves and authorizes an Amended and Restated Water Well Permitting Delegation Agreement between the City of Jacksonville and the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). This agreement updates the original delegation from 1978 and clarifies the division of responsibilities for regulating water wells within Duval County.

Key aspects of the agreement include:

• Delegated Authority: The City, through its Office of Administrative Services, Environmental Quality Division, will continue to permit and regulate water wells that are less than 6 inches in diameter, not earth-coupled geothermal systems, not located within specific delineated areas, not public water supply wells, and not gang wells with a total nominal casing of six inches or more.
• SJRWMD Responsibilities: The SJRWMD will retain permitting authority for larger diameter wells, geothermal systems, wells in delineated areas, public water supply wells, and gang wells exceeding the specified size.
• Oversight and Coordination: The City's Environmental Quality Division will oversee the agreement, and both parties will coordinate to ensure consistent implementation and avoid overlapping requirements.
• Permitting Process: The City will use SJRWMD-approved forms and encourage the use of the SJRWMD's e-Permitting system for applications and well completion reports.
• Enforcement: Both the City and SJRWMD retain independent enforcement authority, with provisions for reporting and action on unlicensed activities and violations.
• No Cost to City: The agreement does not incur any direct cost to the City. The legislation was approved by the City Council with a 17-0 vote after passing through multiple committees.