7/17/19 @ 9:40 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners had a very special visitor at their Board Meeting today! Smokey Bear dropped by in celebration of his 75th Birthday which also marks the 75th anniversary of his wildfire prevention campaign, the longest running public service campaign in US history.

They presented Smokey and members of the Florida Forest Service with the following proclamation:

WHEREAS, on August 9, 2019, Smokey Bear will celebrate his 75th birthday, which also marks his wildfire prevention campaign as the longest running public service campaign in U.S. History; and

WHEREAS, Smokey’s message is as relevant today as it was in 1944 as more people are living closer to natural resources – so, no retirement for Smokey!; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Florida Forest Service is to protect Florida and its people from the dangers of wildfire and manage the forest resources through a stewardship ethic to assure they are available for future generations; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, Florida Forest Service Wildland Firefighters have responded to over 228 wildfires in Nassau County that burned 1,670 acres, and in many instances, threatened communities and adjoining infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Forest Service is actively engaged in promoting and conducting prescribed burns and other wildfire mitigation practices to reduce the size and intensity of a wildfire that may threaten communities and other infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, in the last five years, the Florida Forest Service has mechanically treated 384 acres of forest brush, installed 64 miles of fire lines, and provided 3,133 burn authorizations to local ranchers, tree farmers, and land managers in Nassau County to maintain and restore natural ecosystems and reduce the wildfire hazard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED this 17th day of July, 2019, by the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County, Florida, that:

1. The Board hereby congratulates Smokey Bear on his 75th birthday celebration.
2. The Board hereby commends Smokey Bear for his continuous efforts in reminding citizens to be careful when using fire in natural areas.
3. The Board hereby expresses their gratitude to the men and women of the Florida Forest Service for their partnership with Nassau County and Smokey Bear in wildfire prevention and mitigation.

-Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

Pictured: Chairman Justin Taylor, Forest Ranger Tim Steed, Smokey Bear, and Jacksonville District Manager of the Florida Forest Service, Jennifer Hart

7/15/19 @ 11:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners
Special Meeting re: Growth Trends and Tentative Fiscal Year 2019/2020 Budget Presentation
Monday, July 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Regular Meeting
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Executive Closed Session re: Labor Agreement with Fire Rescue Professionals, Local 3101
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as matter may be heard, following the regular meeting
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Beach Community Working Group
Monday, July 15, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Ask the County Manager
Tuesday, July 16,2019 at 2:30 p.m.
Bryceville Community Center, 7280 Motes Road, Bryceville, FL 32009

Planning & Zoning Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Essential Housing Advisory Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/12/19 @ 1:00 p.m. - The Northeast Florida Regional Council is conducting a Regional Resiliency Survey to allow residents and businesses an opportunity to provide input on sea level rise and emergency preparedness. The results will be used for future resilience planning as they develop tools that will allow communities to recover more quickly from hazardous events such as hurricanes, storms, and flooding.

We urge Nassau County residents to participate in this survey to ensure Nassau County's concerns and ideas are included in the results. To access the survey, please click here.

If you have any questions, please contact Margie Moehring of the NEFRC at (904) 279-0880 ext. 161.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Adrienne Burke
Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
aburke@nassaucountyfl.com
 
PEO DEPARTMENT RECEIVES TWO STATE GRANT AWARDS
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 12, 2019 -  The Nassau County Planning + Economic Opportunity (PEO) Department has recently been awarded grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Division of Historical Resources (DHR).
 
The $40,000 DEP grant is the second grant award that will assist in completing a  Vulnerability Assessment.  A previous grant awarded last year initiated the first phase of the assessment. A Vulnerability Assessment reviews potential exposure to existing developed areas and future areas of development, financial exposure, and risks to environmental and cultural resources as it relates to flooding and sea level rise.
 
The two areas to be studied in the second phase of the Vulnerability Assessment are: 1) Amelia Island and 2) west of I-95 and north of A1A/SR 200/301. The first phase grant studied east of I-95 excluding the island and west of I-95, south of A1A/SR 200/301. The County has a goal of holistically incorporating resiliency planning into all planning activities, instead of treating it as a siloed, separate planning exercise. For more information, visit: .
 
The $50,000 DHR grant will allow the County to have a historic resource survey completed. With the projected growth in Nassau County, it is a critical time to inventory and plan for historic and cultural resources. The proposed scope of work for the Nassau County Countywide Historic Resources Survey is comprised of three parts: 1) Updating existing Florida Master Site File forms, 2) Surveying areas for potential additions to the Florida Master Site File, and 3) Suggesting recommendations for preservation strategies. For more information on the County’s history, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/history.
 
Neither grant award required a match from the County. The Board of County Commissioners will be presented with the grant agreements for formal acceptance at forthcoming Board meetings, and the County will select consultants to assist in completing the grant projects. The DEP grant project is estimated to be completed in the first quarter of 2020, and the DHR grant project will be completed by June 2020. Community outreach and updates will be part of both grant projects.
 
The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County. For more information on our Plan, Code, or current initiatives, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/planning, call (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

  7/10/19 @ 11:55 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Jennifer Kirkland
Nassau County Road Department
(904) 530-6175
Email: jkirkland@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Nassau County Annual Road Overlay Program

Nassau County, Florida, July 10, 2019 - The Nassau County Road Department will begin the Annual Road Overlay Program on or around July 22, 2019.

All roads in the overlay program will consist of “clipping” grass and soil off of the road
edges, milling sections of the roadway (which may create dust), “tacking” the roadway
before paving, overlaying the roadway with a new layer of asphalt, temporary and
permanent traffic striping, and road shoulder repairs from the new construction.
 
The County’s Capital Improvement Plan adopted on September 18, 2018 included $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 18-19 funding for Pavement Management Programs to include Overlay Projects. The following roads were prioritized at a Workshop held on April 22, 2019 based on the following criteria: 

• Traffic Volume
  • Through traffic
  • Citizens served
• Existing Road Conditions
  • Rideability
  • Quantity of potholes
  • Condition of service (cracking, etc.)

 
Road Overlays are typically a fast- moving operation.  During construction, there will be periods of high noise levels.    

APPROVED ROADS

LESSIE ROAD (FROM CR108 TO COOPERS NECK RD) HILLIARD
SADLER ROAD (FROM 8TH ST TO 14TH ST) FERNANDINA
EDWARDS ROAD (FROM SR200 TO END) CALLAHAN                       
RADIO AVE (FROM US 17 TO END) YULEE
WOODROW DRIVE (FROM S 8TH ST TO S 14TH ST) FERNANDINA
AUTUMN TRACE (FROM BUCANEER TRL TO END) FERNANDINA
CALHOUN ROAD (FROM ONEIL SCOTT RD TO END) YULEE
HADDOCK ROAD (FROM HARTS RD TO BLACKMON RD) YULEE
ISLAND WALK WAY (FROM S 14TH ST TO END) FERNANDINA
KENNETH COURT (FROM AMELIA RD TO END) FERNANDINA
RAYON ROAD (FROM BONNEVIEW RD TO END) FERNANDINA                            
JANICE DRIVE (FROM LEM TURNER RD TO LISA DR) CALLAHAN
LISA DRIVE (FROM LEM TURNER RD TO JANICE DR) CALLAHAN
NOTTINGHAM DRIVE (FROM S 14TH ST TO SUSAN DR) FERNANDINA
PINERIDGE DRIVE (FROM HILLTOP LN TO END) CALLAHAN
RIVERWOOD DRIVE (FROM MEADOWFIELD BLUFF RD TO MEADOWWOOD DR) YULEE
S 6TH STREET (FROM LIME ST TO PINE TRAIL) FERNANDINA
DAVIDON PL ACE (FROM MURHEE RD TO END) HILLIARD
MEADOWFIELD BLUFFS ROAD (FROM SR200 TO END) YULEE
QUEENS WAY (FROM BAILEY RD TO END) FERNANDINA
MT OLIVE ROAD (FROM SR 200 TO END) CALLAHAN
COMMANCHEE ROAD (FROM PICKETT ST TO END) CALLAHAN
 
What You Can Expect

DRIVERS:  During Construction, roads will occasionally be reduced to one lane of traffic.  Expect some delays, crews will make every effort possible to limit the travel delays.
PEDESTRIANS:  Pedestrian or bicycle traffic are not permitted within the construction zones due to safety concerns.  Crews will ensure there is a safe path of travel for children at bus stops.
RESIDENTS:  There may be short periods of time that you may not be able to enter/exit your driveway due to the construction.  Crews will keep this minimal as possible and will be on site to advise when it is safe to travel through the construction area.

What you can do to help

DRIVE SLOWLY through the construction area as there are many workers present
AVOID parking or leaving items in the street if possible until after the project is completed
AVOID making excessively sharp turns and harsh acceleration/stopping
DO NOT DRIVE ON FRESHLY PLACED ASPHALT or STRIPING.  Crews on site will advise when products have cured enough for travel. 

Any questions or concerns, please call the Road Department office at (904) 530-6175 or email projectinfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 
THANK YOU
We realize this project can create some inconveniences for our citizens.  Nassau County thanks you for your cooperation and patience during this work.
 
YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
DISTRICT 1       VICE CHAIRMAN                  DANIEL B LEEPER
DISTRICT 2                                      AARON C BELL
DISTRICT 3                                      PAT EDWARDS
DISTRICT 4                                      THOMAS R FORD
DISTRICT 5       CHAIRMAN                       JUSTIN M TAYLOR

7/8/19 @ 1:55 p.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners
Monday, July 8, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Ask the County Manager
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Code Enforcement Board
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
UPCOMING MEETINGS OF BEACH COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 25, 2019 - On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group consisting of Mike Mullin, County Manager/County Attorney; Taco Pope, Assistant County Manager; Doug Podiak, Facilities Maintenance Director; Gil Langley, Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council; Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Sheriff’s Office; Mac Morriss, Ex-Officio Member; and Lowell Hall, Ex-Officio Member.
 
The group was directed to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach and to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners as to any updates or amendments that need to be made. A total of seven (7) meetings have been held to date.
 
At the June 19, 2019 meeting, the Committee adopted the following guiding principles and goals which will be used in preparing their recommendation to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at a future time.
 
Guiding Principles:

• Plan to include horizon, growth and tourist trends
• Strive for unified, island-wide beach management policies and joint planning
• Provide clean, safe and accessible beach access
• Be a good steward of environmental and natural resources
• Maintain diversity of users
• Prioritize County residents
  
• Acknowledge local heritage, culture and lifestyle
  

Goals:

• Prioritize public safety on the beach
• Ensure public access to beaches
• Preserve local heritage, culture and lifestyle
• Protect the environmental and natural assets of the beach
• Explore funding opportunities for beach management

 
Over the next couple months, the Committee will be deliberating associated strategies to achieve these goals.  
 
Upcoming meeting dates are as follows:

• Monday, July 15, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, August 1, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.

 
All meetings will take place in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097 (James Page Governmental Complex). The public is invited to attend and participate. Additional meetings may be added in the future.
 
Agendas and meeting minutes of the Beach Community Working Group can be located on our website at: http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/Index/959.
 
 
 

6/25/19 @ 10:00 a.m. - On Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a Dedication Ceremony for renaming the Callahan County Building to the Walter Boatright County Building. Mr. Boatright served as County Commissioner from 2008 through 2016 and was a known for his solution oriented approach, sense of humor and down to earth demeanor that allowed him to work with with others, even in the face of disagreement.

Mr. Boatright passed away in December 2018 and is greatly missed by County staff. (Here is the original announcement made by the County following his passing). The Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in June 2019 to rename the Callahan County Building in his honor.

The public is invite to attend this dedication event.

WHEN: Thursday, June 27th at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/24/19 @ 2:30 p.m.

PRESS RELEASE
Sabrina Robertson
County Manager's Office

The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented Nassau County Commissioners Aaron Bell and Thomas Ford with the Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation following completion of a comprehensive study program developed by the association. Both received their designations along with 14 other county commissioners during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County, Florida on June 13, 2019.
 
Commissioner Bell stated, “The Certified County Commissioner Program has taught me so much about important issues we are faced with as elected officials including managing growth and protecting the environment”.
 
Commissioner Thomas Ford echoed Commissioner Bell’s comments and added, “the Certified County Commissioner Program also provides elected officials with a greater understanding on Sunshine law, ethics, and ideas on how to provide our residents with the services they desire while keeping taxes low”.
 
CCC certification is not a requirement to serve as a county commissioner in Florida, however, county commissioners may voluntarily enroll in the program and complete a series of courses totaling 42 hours. The coursework is designed to provide information and enhance skills relevant to a commissioner’s duties and responsibilities as an elected official.
 
“The program provides an overview into the intricacies of county government where commissioners can learn a variety of valuable tools necessary to assist them in their public service every day,” said Florida Counties Foundation Executive Director, Eric Poole. “Those that choose to participate in the program display an exceptional commitment to serving Florida’s counties.”
 
During the annual conference, Commissioner Justin Taylor graduated from FAC’s voluntary Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) Program, a special leadership program designed for graduates of the Certified County Commissioner Program.
 
Launched in 2006, the ACC Program focuses on leadership with an emphasis on the future of Florida. Participants are tasked with preparing for the future by thinking and acting anew and asserting skillful leadership in times of daunting challenges and rapid change.
 
“Given that this is a voluntary program, those commissioners who chose to participate have shown an exemplary commitment to the betterment of the communities they serve,” said Florida Counties Foundation Executive Director, Eric Poole. “The program is structured in a way that allows veteran commissioners from across the state to work collaboratively on Florida’s most pressing challenges.”
Commissioner Taylor stated, “The ACC Program provided me with an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues from other counties and has helped to maximize my leadership skills. I feel certain that program has given me the knowledge needed to effectively represent my district, as well as Nassau County”.
 
The ACC program is organized as a series of three seminars, with 27 total hours of course work. Participating commissioners must commit to fully participate in all three seminars in order to graduate.
In addition to graduating from the ACC Program, Commissioner Taylor was recognized at the Annual Conference as a Presidential Advocate for his hard work during the 2019 Legislative Session. Commissioner Daniel Leeper also received this designation however he was unable to be in attendance.
*********************************************************************************************************
For more information on the CCC or ACC Program, please contact the Florida Association of Counties at (850) 294-9307 or visit their website at www.fl-counties.com.

6/24/19 at 11:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Workshop of the Board of County Commissioners to Discuss the Double Chip Seal Program
Monday, June 24, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Regular Board of County Commissioners Meeting
Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Budget Meetings/Presentations
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

5:30 p.m. - Micah's Place
5:50 p.m. - Public Works (Facilities Maintenance & Parks and Recreation)
6:10 p.m. - Public Works (Roads)
6:30 p.m. - Public Works (Solid Waste)
6:50 p.m. - Engineering Services
7:10 p.m. - Planning & Economic Opportunity and Code Enforcement

Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Callahan County Building, 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

Code Enforcement Board
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Walter Boatright Building Dedication Event
Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Callahan County Building, 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

Ask the County Manager
Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board Meeting
Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 6;00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office