9/24/21 @ 6:15 p.m.

County employees wore gold today in memory of Jacob Berglund on his birthday. Jacob is a Nassau County resident who passed away last year after a two year battle with leukemia. Jacob was known for his positive outlook on life and his infectious smile. He was also known as “Buzz” because he was the Hornets Mascot for both the Yulee Middle and Yulee High School. He is greatly missed by this community.

His family made a post on FaceBook encouraging residents to make a donation in his honor to Fourth and Gold, a non profit organization that raised money for childhood cancer research. Here’s the link to Fourth and Gold’s webpage for anyone who is interested.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

9/24/21 @

Below are pictures for the week of September 17 through September 24, 2021.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/24/21 @ 9:40 a.m. - The Nassau County Department of Health issued the attached Press Release regarding a grant they've been awarded to which will allow them to further address cognitive health and dementia. Through the grant, the department will designate a part-time HBI Road Map Strategist, a public health official working in support and coordination with public health partners across the community. The new Road Map Strategist will conduct a public health needs assessment, train local health officials and key community partners, and lead implementation of public health action on dementia, consistent with the State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia.
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If you have any questions, please contact the DOH-Nassau at (904) 875-6100.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/23/21 @ 12:00 p.m. - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our employees, Bill Howard.

Bill had worked for Nassau County since 2003 and was serving as a Facilities Supervisor at the time of his passing. In his position, Bill worked at the Judicial Complex where he oversaw maintenance of the Robert M. Foster Justice Center, the jail, the Sheriff's Administration Building and the Emergency Operations Center. He was also responsible for ensuring that the County's HVAC systems were working properly in ALL county buildings. He supervised facilities staff that worked with the HVAC systems, serving as a mentor to those in the apprenticeship program earning HVAC certifications.

Most recently, Bill had been accepted to the Chamber's Leadership Nassau Program. He was excited to learn more about the County as a whole and networking with other future leaders in the community.

Bill was an outstanding employee to the County but even more than that, he was an outstanding role model and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

Bill leaves behind his wife Denise Howard, daughter Christina (Caleb) Hodges, sister Angie (Mark) Glisson, parents William Howard Sr., and Brenda Howard, granddaughter Delilah Hodges, and many nieces and nephews. Please keep all of them in your prayers during this difficult time. Bill's obituary can be found here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/23/21 @ 10:15 a.m. - On Saturday, September 11, 2021, Nassau County Solid Waste hosted the Waste Tire Amnesty Event which allowed Nassau County residents to dispose of up to 15 tires at no charge. We are pleased to report that nearly 600 tires were collected. A big thank you to the employees for all their hard work and to the residents for ensuring these tires were disposed of properly and are not a threat to the environment.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/21/21 @ 3:30 p.m. - Deputy Eric Oliver was killed in the line of duty on November 22, 2016. His daughter, Shelby, was only 6 at the time. Shelby is now in 5th grade and participates in her school's safety patrol. Safety Patrol is currently selling candy bars for their annual trip to Washington, D.C. Shelby is especially excited about going to Washington, D.C. because her Dad's name is on the Police Memorial Wall and she will get to see it in person!

On Friday, September 17th, Shelby made arrangements to visit the Sheriff's Office to sell candy bars to the department. What Shelby didn't know was that the Sheriff's Office had already begun collecting money in hopes to raise enough to pay for both hers and her mom's ticket. Upon arriving, Shelby was surprised to learn that not only had the $1,600 been raised for their tickets, an additional $3,600 had been donated by Sheriff and Fire/Rescue personnel. The additional funds have been donated to the Safety Patrol to assist with tickets for the remaining 29 students. Board of County Commissioner employees donated an additional $250 on Tuesday, September 21st, which will also be given to the Safety Patrol.

Thank you to the Sheriff's Office for coordinating this fundraiser for Shelby. And a big thank you to all the County personnel who donated money for this wonderful cause.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/21/21 @ 8:30 a.m. - At the Monday, September 13th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2021-174 proclaiming the month of September 2021 as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in Nassau County, FL.

Each year, about 30,000 people in the United States suffer a brain aneurysm rupture each year, at the rate of about 1 rupture every 18 minutes. Ruptured brain aneurysms are fatal in about 50% of cases and of those who survive, about 66% suffer some permanent neurological deficit.

An unruptured brain aneurysm usually has no symptoms, however they can become enlarged and press on the nerves in the brain resulting in blurred or double vision, a drooping eyelid, a dilated pupil, pain above or behind one eye, and weakness and/or numbness. A ruptured brain aneurysm can cause sudden symptoms including sudden, severe headache, nausea/vomiting, stiff neck, double or blurred vision, sensitivity to light, seizure, drooping eyelid, a dilated pupil, pain above or behind the eye, loss of consciousness, confusion, weakness and/or numbness.

Non-profit organizations such as the Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation raise awareness and funding to support neurological research, training, and treatment for brain aneurysms, strokes, and other cerebrovascular conditions. During Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month,residents are encouraged to become familiar with the warning signs and symptoms so you can ensure they are diagnosed and treated quickly.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

9/20/21 @ 10:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agenda can be located at our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office

9/17/21 @ 5:15 p.m. - Week in photos for September 10 - September 17, 2021.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Board Votes to Reduce Tax Rate
 
Nassau County, Florida, September 17, 2021- At the Monday, September 13, 2021 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to lower the property tax rate and invest in our quality of life by delivering big on road, park and public safety projects.
 
Chairman Thomas Ford stated, “I am very proud of this Board for its in-depth review of the budget. We have worked hard to fund programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life for our residents. We have been given an opportunity to take some burden off the taxpayers by lowering the millage rate, while still having the funds needed to accomplish our goals for the next budget year”.
 
The tentative budget includes a robust, Capital Improvement Plan with $33 million allocated for major projects/initiatives in Fiscal Year 2021/2022, including but not limited to:
 
1) $6.2 million allocation for parks and recreation projects

• Hilliard Ballpark improvements for new playground installation
• Improvements at Holly Point Boat Ramp which includes a parking lot expansion and relocation of communal areas
• Improvements at Melton Nelson Boat ramp which includes a new kayak launch
• Tributary Community Park Phase One development which includes amenities for ballfields, concession stand, walking trails, and playground
• Blackrock Cove Community Park Development for site furnishings such as soccer goals, trash receptacles and parking lot lighting
• Nassau Crossing Community Park Development which includes lighting and landscaping
• American Beach Historic Park (exact activities to be determined)

 
2) $900,000 allocation for the Double Chip Seal Program. Double chip seal is a paving alternative used to treat dirt roads. It is similar to asphalt but about 50% cheaper. Roads designated for Double Chip Seal include:

• DB Hicks
• Sheri Lane
• Ann Drive
• Parks Rd.
• Lance Rd.
• Roy Booth Rd.
• Marlee Rd.
• Midway Rd.
• Hagan Lane
• Plum Loop  
• Pirates Bluff Rd.
• Will Young Rd.
• Durden Rd.
• Winona Bayview Rd.

3) $3.9 million allocation for the Pavement Management Plan that will allow 27 of the worst roads in Nassau County to be repaved. The roads to be repaved, in full or part, next year are:

• Barnwell Rd.
• Bailey Rd.
• Benchmark Avenue
• Dove Rd.
• Roses Bluff Rd.
• Duane Rd.
• Harts Road South
• Harts Lane
• Bill Johnson Rd.
• County Road 121 (from Duval line to SR2)
• Musselwhite Rd.
• Charlotte Drive
• Thomas Rd.
• Will Hardee Rd.
• South 4th Street
• Susan Drive
• South 5th Street
• Magnolia Street
• Clinch Drive
• Ocean Forest Drive
• Bonnieview Rd.
• O’Neil Scott Rd.
• Greenberry Rd.
• Hendricks Rd.
• Ocean Forest Lane
• Cayman Circle
• Arbor Lane

4) $15.3 million allocation for transportation projects:

• Amelia Island Parkway and Buccaneer Trail roundabout design
• Amelia Island Trail design (from South Fletcher Ave. to State Road 200/8th Street)
• Citrona Drive pedestrian safety improvements  
• County Road 108 repaving from Bay Rd. to Middle Rd.
• County Road 108 repaving from Middle Rd. to US 17
• Hendricks Rd. Extension to County Road 107 design and permitting.
• Hendricks Rd. Extension to Amelia Concourse design and permitting.
• Pages Dairy/Chester Rd. Signalization
• Sunberg Rd. paving.
• William Burgess Blvd. Extension design, permitting and early construction from U.S. 17 to Miner Rd.
  

5) $3 million allocation to replace fire Station 90 in Hilliard

The final hearing on the budget will take place on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Management & Budget at (904) 530-6010, option 2.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer