Welcome to the City of the Four Freedoms
the City of Madison
Final 2023-2024 Budget
Notice of Proposed Tax Increase
The City of Madison, with a population of just over 3,000, was designated as one of the “Best Little Towns in Florida” by VISIT FLORIDA, and serves as the county seat for county government. For over 60 years, the city has served as home for North Florida Community College and as an out-campus for St. Leo University. Downtown Madison is filled with quaint gift shops, antique stores, outdoor shops and nice eateries. The downtown area is overflowing with classic 150 to nearly 200 year old homes and buildings.
In the heart of downtown Madison is Four Freedoms Park. The park is a beautifully landscaped city-block area containing a large gazebo and the Four Freedoms monument. This famous monument honors Colin P. Kelley, a former Madison County resident, recognized as the first U.S. hero of World War II and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery and valor in combat.
Madison is a Military Family and Community Covenant city. The Covenant is a public affirmation and pledge to support military personnel, military families, and veterans.
“The City of the Four Freedoms”
2024-2025 Final Budget
OFFICE CLOSURES & IMPORTANT NUMBERS
CITY HALL WILL CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2024, AT 3:00PM. TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES PREPERATION FOR THE UPCOMING HURRICANE
WE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 & FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
WE WILL OPEN FOR REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
IN CASE OF UTILITY EMERGENCIES
PLEASE CONTACT OUR AFTER-HOURS NUMBERS BELOW
WATER – (850)869-0235
GAS – (850)869-0617
SEWER – (850)869-0221
UPDATE ON THE CITY’S ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
The road construction projects currently underway in the city are actually moving a little ahead of schedule. The main project underway is Horry Avenue. The infrastructure upgrades on Horry Avenue are at its most critical juncture, as approximately 85 percent of the infrastructure upgrades are complete, which has been the most complicated part. The infrastructure portion deals with removing and replacing potable water force mains (water lines) waste water force mains, replacing manholes and securing natural gas lines. The contractors have done their very best to keep roadways open for access to citizen’s property. Weather permitting, the contractors will continue in this venue until all infrastructure upgrades are completed, before moving forward with part two of the project, which is the repaving of Horry Avenue. The City of Madison would like to thank the citizens for their patience as this project continues to move forward. As the project continues to move in a northern direction, there will still be some inconveniences with traffic, as normal parking schematics will be challenging. To complicate the road construction process, plans are on the table to re-pave Washington and Shelby Avenues. Unfortunately, we have to endure temporary hardships until the projects are finished. It is the hope that citizens will be appreciative for all of the upgrades, once they are completed. These projects have taken two to four years to come into fruition. Any questions or concerns may be directed to City Hall by calling (850) 973-5081.
Jerome Wyche, Manager
City of Madison
2024 Hurricane Season Information
Official 2024 Holiday Schedule
HURRICANE DEBBY STORM DEBRIS PICK-UP
The final plans have been approved for the DOT Contractor to begin picking up debris in the City of Madison, beginning on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. The contractor made an observation drive-by on Monday, August 26, 2018 and noticed that a number of vegetative debris piles are littered with broken fences, wire and other items that does not qualify as vegetative debris. Unless the vegetative debris is separated, your mixed debris piles will not be picked up. Citizens have been urged to put forth every effort to keep vegetative debris separated from other items. Not doing so will cause a delay in picking up your debris. Please move your vegetative debris to the edge of the right-of-way but do not place it in the roadway as it poses a danger to motorists and pedestrians. The City of Madison urges your cooperation in this matter to clean-up the debris.
Jerome Wyche, Manager
City of Madison
SANITATION SCHEDULES
In order to better serve citizens for the pick-up of sanitation on Horry, Washington and Shelby avenues, residents and businesses are requested to put their waste items on the curbs, the night before the scheduled pick-up. As construction of these three roadways will alter some of the daily norms in coping with travel routes and access to properties, sanitation pick up must be considered. Residents are kindly asked to put their waste in containers, as opposed to putting out waste in bags. Putting waste in containers will greatly reduce bags being torn apart by dogs and other animals. This process will continue for the duration of the construction projects. Your assistance in this endeavor will enhance services and eliminate delays in construction objectives. If further information is needed, please feel free to call City Hall at (850) 973- 5081.
CITY OF MADISON ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPGRADES
At the June 11, 2024, City Commissioners meeting, the Commissioners voted unanimously to award the repaving contract for Washington and Shelby Avenues, to the Scruggs Company, the lowest of two bidders. The combined bids for both repaving projects is approximately $783,000.00. A pre-construction meeting was held on June 27, 2024 with the representatives from the Scruggs Company, city staff and the City’s Engineer to put in place a plan to proceed with the re-paving projects. The Scruggs Company stated that their projection for a start date for the re-paving projects of Washington and Shelby Avenues is tentatively set for the second week of August 2024. This will involve posting of construction signage and other traffic directional signage prior to the actual construction beginning. Both Washington and Shelby Avenues will be repaved from Bunker Street to Highway 90. Citizens should be aware that this will add to the already congestion of traffic and primary travel routes as the Horry Avenue Project for infrastructure upgrade and re-paving will all happen simultaneously. Please be sensitive to the construction and infrastructure upgrades of these three major projects. This will definitely be a true test of patience and tolerance. As all three projects will be underway, citizens should be aware that the construction phases will take us well into the 2024 holiday season. As schools will be preparing to re-open for the 2024 – 2025 school year, citizens should be attentive to alternate routes for dropping off and picking up of your children. Doorknockers and other media releases are in effect to keep citizens aware of the construction upgrades. Updates will be continually submitted for citizen awareness. The City of Madison is grateful to the Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce for these construction projects that have been awarded at a cost of approximately 2 million dollars. A Construction Inspector will be on site daily to oversee the projects. The contractors will work diligently to eliminate any inconveniences to residents and businesses alike, as much as possible. Please exercise due care and caution as the projects will soon be underway. Finally, we are in the 2024 Hurricane Season, which may, or may not impact the projects. For further information, please feel free to contact City Hall for further information at (850) 973-5081.
Jerome Wyche, Manager
City of Madison