The Florida Legislature will begin its 2026 Session next week, advocating for new bills, modified bills and removing bills while also putting together the state’s more than $110 billion budget.   

The state representatives and senators will also approve funding for a host of Florida’s cities, counties, special districts and private organizations through the annual bill named Appropriations.   

State Rep. Chad Johnson filed requests for the Legislature to fund the following six projects for Gilchrist County, the Gilchrist County Public Schools and the city of Fanning Springs.  

Gilchrist County Fire Rescue, PT Apparatus — $975,000 

According to the appropriation documents, Gilchrist County Fire Rescue needs to replace two aging vehicles (this item has funding for one of the vehicles and the next item discusses the second).  

The nearly $1 million would purchase a 2,500-gallon E-1 Pumper and Tanker. The combination vehicle would allow high water carrying capacity with the versatility of a pumper, eliminating the need for two vehicles. 

“This will enable GCFR to manage fire emergencies more efficiently, maximize our inventory use, and reduce budget overruns,” the appropriation document said. 

The vehicle should be able to handle the majority of calls taken by the fire department. 

Gilchrist County Fire Rescue, MP Apparatus — $400,000 

These funds would purchase a Ford F-550 XLT 4×4. The vehicle could carry four firefighters/medical personnel to handle fires and medical emergencies. 

The truck would be equipped for Advanced Life Support, confined space rescues and vehicle extractions.  

Gilchrist County Rodeo Arena — $200,000 

“The funds will be used to install seven industrial fans at the Gilchrist County Rodeo Arena to improve air circulation, safety, and comfort for participants and spectators,” the appropriation document said. “This project enhances year-round use of the arena for community, youth, and agricultural events while ensuring the facility remains suitable for emergency response and public gatherings.” 

Gilchrist County – Gilchrist Elementary School — $39,940,803 

The Gilchrist County Public School District received a $40 million in special facilities funding in 2023, to be dispersed over three years, for a new elementary school.  

The new school would take pressure off the existing two elementary schools in the county and allow smaller class sizes.  

However, due to cost increases and the method used to calculate the school’s original price (a per-student formula), the project requires an additional $26.5 million. The $39.9 million request in 2026 includes this extra $26.5 million along with the third batch of funding approved in 2023. 

“This project has organizational support, support from the school board, which approved this project, and support from the Department of Education, which ranked the project as a critical need and supported the funding,” the appropriation document said. 

Fanning Springs Firehouse Design and Permitting — $400,000 

These funds will allow for the design and permitting of a new fire station. 

Fanning Springs Spray Field Land Acquisition — $600,000 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection awarded Fanning Springs a $15 million grant for an expanded regional wastewater utility plant and surrounding spray field. 

Of the grant, half a million was reserved for land acquisition for the expanded spray field, but the price tag of the only nearby land large enough to accommodate the project is more than that set aside. This $600,000 would allow the purchase of the land and move the whole project forward.