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

6/25/19 @ 9:20 a.m. - In July 2018, we shared a story regarding Nassau County homes that were rehabilitated using State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) Funds. To view the story, please click here.

Now, two residents are sharing their stories about their personal experience with this program in order to spread awareness to other residents who may need home improvements but have no way to pay for the expenses to make the repairs themselves.

SHIP Success Story One
SHIP Success Story Two

The SHIP Program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act and provides funding to local governments to produce and preserve affordable home ownership. In order to participate, counties must establish a local housing assistance program by Ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy. Funds are then allocated to local governments on a population based-formula. The funds are used for emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, and down payment and closing cost assistance for very-low, low and moderate income families who meet all the requirements listed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.907, Florida Administrative Code 67-37, and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan.

For additional information about the SHIP Program including income requirements and associated guidelines, please visit our website. You may also contact the Grants Office at (904) 530-6020 or e-mail Carol Gilchrist at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/20/19 @ 2:45 p.m. - Pictured here are Nassau County employees recognized at the June 19th Board of County Commissioner's meeting for their years of service:

• Lt. Ken Bar: Fire Rescue, 29 years
  
• Engineer Jeff Lott: Fire Rescue, 21 years
• Curtis Wilder: Foreman, Road & Bridge, 26 years
• Dawn Bostwick: Library Director, 24 years
• Susan McKenney: Certified Library Support Staff, 20 years

Matt Waggoner of Fire Rescue also celebrated 20 years however he was unable to attend the meeting.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/20/19 @ 2:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health is reminding the public of the importance of preventing vector-borne diseases which are spread through bites from mosquitoes and ticks. Please click here to read the Press Release which contains information on protecting yourself and your pets.

If you have any questions, please contact Michael Godwin at (904) 875-6100 or via email at Michael.Godwin@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/19/19 @ 9:45 a.m. - At this morning's Board of County Commissioner's meeting, the Board approved a Resolution rescinding the Burn Ban. Therefore, the Burn Ban has officially been lifted.

We apologize for the delay in having it lifted. As we previously stated, several of the County Commissioners were away at a conference last week and could not hold a meeting to rescind the ban. At this morning's meeting, the Board granted the County Manager authority to implement and lift burn bans upon recommendation of the Fire Chief. This should help prevent delays in the future.

As a reminder, you are only allowed to burn yard waste. You are NEVER allowed to burn household garbage (including paper products and newspapers), construction materials, plastics, rubber materials, tires, pesticides, paint, or aerosol containers. Please click here to view the State's "Know the Law" brochure as it relates to burning, required setbacks, etc.

You are also welcome to reach out to Fire Rescue Headquarters at any time with questions. Their number is (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Roberston
 County Manager's Office

6/18/19 @ 9:15 a.m. - This is just a reminder that today's Ask the County Manager Session will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Callahan County Building on Mickler Street. The County Manager began holding these meetings last fall to make himself available to anyone wishing to ask County related questions and/or address County related issues. He has previously been hosting two meetings per month at the James Page Building in Yulee, however in April, he expanded the schedule to include additional meetings throughout the County.

Attached is the full schedule previously released on April 12, 2019. The County Manager will be adding evening sessions in the upcoming months. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

6/17/19 @ 9:15 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Budget Meetings/Presentations
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Monday, June 17, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.

• 5:30 p.m. - OMB re: Budget 101
• 5:50 p.m. - Fire Rescue
• 6:10 p.m. - Building Department
• 6:30 p.m. - Animal Services
• 6:50 p.m. - County Extension
• 7:10 p.m. - Library

Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

• 9:00 a.m. - OMB re: Budget 101
• 9:20 a.m. - Arc Nassau
• 9:40 a.m. - Boys & Girls Club
• 10:00 a.m. - Council on Aging
• 10:20 a.m. - Episcopal Children's Services
• 10:40 a.m. - Starting Point
• 11:00 a.m. - Economic Development Board
• 11:20 a.m. - NACDAC
• 11:40 a.m. - Island Flyers Club
• 12:00 p.m. - Break
• 1:05 p.m. - Salvation Army
• 1:25 p.m. - Office of Management & Budget
• 1:45 p.m. - Technical Services
• 2:05 p.m. - Human Resources

Development Review Committee Meeting
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Board of County Commissioners
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Beach Community Working Group
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at 1:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Recreation Commission Meeting
Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office