11/23/21 @ 10:45 a.m. - We are pleased to share with you the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 20/21. This report highlights activities and achievements from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. It also includes goals each department has designated for FY 21/22.

If you have any questions, please contact Public Information Officer, Sabrina Robertson, at (904) 530-6010 or via e-mail at srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Fitch Increases County’s Issuer Default Rating to “AA”
 
Nassau County, Florida, October 5, 2021 - Nassau County recently received notification from Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch), that its rating has been increased for the first time since 2016 to an AA, up from its prior AA- rating.  Fitch provides an independent assessment of the creditworthiness of the county, akin to a consumer FICO or credit score.

The improved rating shows that despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the county has remained fiscally strong, disciplined and resilient based on the county’s solid financial management policies, conservative budgeting practices and swift measures taken to mitigate revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In announcing its decision, Fitch analysts cited several key reasons for the increase, including:

• The county is well positioned to maintain a high level of fundamental financial flexibility through economic cycles.
• Expenditure flexibility is solid, underpinned by the county's manageable debt and solid control over employee headcount
• The county prudently built-up reserves during the latter half of the last decade, which affords it greater flexibility to address both future downturns and potential growth-related pressures

Board of County Commissioner’s Chairman, Thomas Ford, stated, “County Officials and staff have worked very hard to pay down debt, increase emergency reserves, all while maintaining strong fiscal controls. The County is being recognized for its hard work and we will continue efforts to ensure that we continue to be strong fiscal stewards of the county’s tax dollars”.  
 
As the County’s Clerk of Courts and Comptroller, Mr. John A. Crawford is governed by statutory authority as the County’s auditor, recorder, and custodian of all funds. The Clerk works directly with the Board to ensure the County has adequate financial controls and actively manages the investment of County funds.  Following Fitch’s credit rating increase, Mr. Crawford stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of our County! The Board’s discipline to avoid unnecessary debt while increasing its level of planning has strengthened the County’s financial position.  Efforts to establish adequate reserves, a capital improvement plan that meets the citizens' needs, and maintaining a manageable debt burden are paying off!  If a day arrives where budget flexibility and creativity are not enough to provide for an extensive capital project, rest assured, the efforts to improve our credit rating will greatly benefit the taxpayers of Nassau County.”
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Management & Budget at (904) 530-6010.
 
-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
 

4/20/21 @ 2:00 p.m. - At the Wednesday, March 17th meeting, Ron Whitesides, Independent Auditor for Purvis Gray, presented the annual audit for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 which ended September 30, 2020. This outside firm spends about 4 weeks each year studying the Board's controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate and functioning properly.

Mr. Whitesides reported that Nassau County has received an "Unmodified Opinion" which is the highest level of assurance that an audit firm can provide on a County's financial statements.

He stated, "The County has to track quite a few metrics on managing its financing. Examples include tracking compliance on budget, compliance with the Board's adopted Purchasing Policy, Use of Restricted Funds, and compliance with State Statutes. I'm pleased to report that based on the testing, we have no significant issues that were uncovered during the audit".

Mr. Whitesides also stated that the firm also conducted Federal and State Single Audits this year to look closely at Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding to ensure the County complied with U.S. Treasury Regulations. "I am pleased to report that the County did those things (what was required by the Federal Government). The CARES Program was challenging because the funds became available before the rules were fully developed on how those funds could be used. The County team, along with your consultant, did a good job in guiding that process and getting those funds dispersed for their intended purposes in a timely manner".

To view Mr. Whitesides presentation, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Not-for-Profit Funding Requests
 
Nassau County, Florida, April 16, 2021 -  The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. In February, an announcement was made inviting all non-profits to apply to be considered for funding. The Board has opened the application period again with a deadline of May 5, 2021.
 
To be considered, you must provide the following:
 

1. A summary of the current FY2020-2021 budget for your operation.  At a minimum, it should be broken down to show the following: salaries, operating expenses, capital outlay.  It should also provide an accounting of all revenue sources, including the allocation/grant from Nassau County.
2. The same information, as outlined above, for the upcoming FY2021-2022 budget.
3. The legal citation (if any) mandating a contribution by the County; and
4. A copy of your most recent annual audit.
   

Please provide your request to Megan Diehl, OMB Director, at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097 by the close of business on Wednesday, May 5th. 

Any agency applying for funding will be scheduled to present their needs and funding request at a public forum on or around May 21, 2021. The Office of Management & Budget will contact each agency at a later time for scheduling.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sawyer or Cindy Wood at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, Office of Management & Budget.

2/4/21 @ 2:20 p.m.- Nassau County has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Non-profit organizations that were funded during the last fiscal year should have received a letter dated February 1, 2021, notifying you it's time to reapply.

We greatly value the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to all non-profits to apply as well (not just those that were funded in previous years).

To be considered, you must provide the following:

1. A summary of the current FY2020-2021 budget for your operation.  At a minimum, it should be broken down to show the following: salaries, operating expenses, capital outlay.  It should also provide an accounting of all revenue sources, including the allocation/grant from Nassau County.
2. The same information, as outlined above, for the upcoming FY2021-2022 budget.
3. The legal citation (if any) mandating a contribution by the County; and
4. A copy of your most recent annual audit.

Please provide your request to Megan Diehl, OMB Director, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Any agency applying for funding will be scheduled to present their needs and funding request at a public forum on Thursday, May 20th or Friday, May 21st. The Office of Management & Budget will contact you each agency at a later time for scheduling.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sawyer or Cindy Wood at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, Office of Management & Budget.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/23/20 @ 2:45 p.m. - Attached is a document providing fact based information related to recent concerns raised about the County's financial health. We encourage residents to review this and contact the Office of Management & Budget with any questions related to the County's budget, credit ratings, annual audits, financial policies, etc. OMB can be reached directly at (904) 530-6010, option 2. Or you can email the Budget Director at mdiehl@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/10/20 @ 8:30 a.m. - The Budget Director has written the attached editorial in response to some recent articles containing misleading information about the the County. We urge all residents to be informed and to contact the Office of Management & Budget if you have questions about the County's financial position. They can be reached at (904) 530-6010, option 2.

7/2/20 @ 2:00 p.m. - Yesterday, various departments under the Board of County Commissioners presented their Fiscal Year 2020-2021 funding requests to County Manager, Mike Mullin, and Budget Director, Megan Diehl. Not all departments were able to present so the final two were continued to today at 4:30 p.m.

They are as follows:

4:30-4:45 p.m. - Engineering Services
4:50-5:10 p.m. - Road Department

The presentations can be watched remotely at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings. Residents are also welcome to attend in person at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

Ms. Diehl will also be doing a variance analysis presentation. That information can be found here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Budget Workshops for Department Funding Requests

On May 28, 2020 a Press Release was issued notifying the public that departments under the Board of County Commissioners would be making presentations to County Manager, Mike Mullin, and Budget Director, Megan Diehl regarding their Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget requests. Some departments made presentations on Tuesday, June 2nd, however the departments scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th were temporarily postponed.
 
Please be advised that the remaining departments will make their presentations on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The Workshop will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a short presentation by Ms. Diehl. The remaining departments will present as follows:
 
4:50 p.m.: Animal Services
5:10 p.m.: Human Resources
5:30 p.m.: Planning & Code Enforcement
5:50 p.m.: Engineering
6:10 p.m.: Nassau Amelia Utilities
6:30 p.m.: Road Department
6:50 p.m.: Information Technology (I.T.)
 
The presentations will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The room will be open to the public with limited seating, however individuals can view the meeting remotely at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
 
Individuals with disabilities needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010, or if hearing impaired, the Florida Relay Service, at 1-800-955-8700 (v) or 1-800-955-8771 (TDD).