FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Fire Rescue Station 71

On Friday, September 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the construction of Nassau County Fire Rescue Station 71. The ceremony will take place at the site’s location, 96262 Chester Road (just north of Heron Isles Parkway).
 
District Three County Commissioner, Pat Edwards, stated, “Public safety is one of the County’s top priorities. Adding an additional fire station will increase our ability to respond to emergencies and citizens in need”.
 
The property for the station was deeded to the County in 2002 as part of the Heron Isles Planned Unit Development. The facility will be constructed using a combination of impact fees, one-cent sales tax, and capital reserves.
 
Nassau County Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon, stated, “Nassau County Fire Rescue is excited to ​bring online the newest ​fire station to ​our department. Station 71 will provide improved response capability to the Chester Road/Heron Isles area in the form of a fire engine, rescue unit, and a tanker. This project has been a vision for many years, and it is rewarding to have a small part in seeing it come to fruition”.
 
The public is hereby invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony and to be part of this historic event.
 

9/17/20 @ 3:30 p.m. - Nassau County Fire Rescue has sent a rescue unit as a member of a five-unit ambulance strike team from northeast Florida to provide a medical assistance in the wake of Hurricane Sally.

Last night, two Nassau County Fire Rescue employees, Engineer Elvis Caballero and Firefighter Jeremy Staub, left Nassau County in a rescue unit, headed west to the panhandle to assist in recovery efforts. They arrived in Ft. Walton Beach about 2:30 this morning and after daylight were moved to Santa Rosa Fairgrounds in Milton where they are assisting in areas where the Category 2 Storm caused extensive damage and flooding.

Nassau County Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon, stated, “As part of the strike team, our members will use their extensive training to respond to medical emergencies in the hurricane damaged areas quickly and safely. This mutual aid effort is coordinated by the Florida Department of Emergency Management and is what we do to look out for our neighbors that need our help. It’s important that we respond to other counties when they need our assistance because one day, we may be the ones asking for help”.

Please join us in sending positive thoughts to all the brave individuals responding to this disaster, as well as to the residents who have been affected.
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If you have any questions regarding, please contact Nassau County Fire Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
State Issues Executive Order Allowing Bars to Operate at 50% Capacity Beginning Monday, September 14, 2020
 
Nassau County, Florida, September 12, 2020 - On Thursday, September 10, 2020, Halsey Beshears, Secretary for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, issued Executive Order No. 2020-10, to allow alcohol vendors to operate under guidelines outlined in Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
 
Phase 2 of the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Plan for Florida’s Recovery was established by Executive Order No. 20-139, issued by Governor DeSantis on June 3, 2020.  A copy of it can be found at: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/orders/2020/EO_20-139.pdf.
 
According to the DBPR website, bars and other alcoholic beverage vendors may resume sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 14, 2020, provided that that the operations comply with the parameters of the Phase 2 Plan. Vendors can operate at 50% of the facility’s indoor patrons, allow bar service to seated patrons, and permit outdoor seating and service with appropriate social distancing. For additional information, please visit:  http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/press-releases/.
 
DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears stated, “In meetings with hundreds of owners of bars and breweries across the State, I’ve heard their stories of struggle, and I’ve observed their serious commitment to making health and safety a continuing priority in their businesses. It’s time that we take this step, and it’s vital that we start moving forward with this sector of our hospitality industry who have endured one of the toughest paths for sustaining a business during this pandemic.
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.

On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach. A total of sixteen (16) meetings were held in 2019.  Hundreds of individuals appeared at meetings and hundreds more sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety issues, and littering. However, most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
After a year of meetings and thousands of testimonies, it became abundantly clear that the current Ordinances are not working and that changes need to be made to protect the citizens, environment and wildlife. The Beach Community Working Group presented their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners at a Workshop held on January 16, 2020.
 
Following the Workshop, the Commissioners held individual meetings with the County Manager, Mike Mullin; Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope; Public Works Director, Doug Podiak; and Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. During these meetings, the Commissioners further discussed the recommendations made by the Beach Community Working Group and provided input about language they would like included in the final Ordinance.  A public hearing was initially scheduled for March 23rd, however that was postponed due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s orders to suspend in-person quorums for local government meetings.
 
The Board of County Commissioners has worked hard to find ways to address concerns that have been brought forth. While they want to maintain the customary uses of the beach that make our County unique, they also want to ensure we are being good stewards to the environment and eliminating some of the unwelcomed behavior that is threatening the safety of our residents and wildlife and impacting the quality of life for those who live nearby.
 
A public hearing to consider a new Beach Ordinance will be held on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The public is welcome to attend. Additional measures have been established to allow for social distancing. This includes additional seating and video monitors outside the Commission Chambers.
 
You can also participate remotely using the following options:

• Watch the meeting from home at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings
• Submit comments for the record by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message.
• Participate live utilizing the following ZOOM Meeting link and/or dial-in information:

 
Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411146045?pwd=ZDk2L1RmZmMrOTRXcExpZGVmRS9DZz09
Password: 987321

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#  or +16465588656,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1       301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799
 
Webinar ID: 824 1114 6045
Password: 987321
 
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiOjshSY8
 
The meeting agenda containing the proposed Ordinance will be published on our official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com by the close of business today.  
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/28/20 @ 10:00 a.m.

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Thad Crowe accepted the position of Director of Planning & Economic Opportunity. Mr. Crowe was hired by Nassau County in May 2020 as a Senior Planner and was asked to serve as the Interim PEO Director in July 2020.

Mr. Crowe's education includes a Bachelors Degree in Geography from the University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from Georgia Tech. He holds certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Mr. Crowe's work experience includes 33 years of public and private sector planning positions throughout North Florida and South Georgia. He has extensive experience in the development of zoning codes and comprehensive plans, pedestrian and bicycle paths, development review, and historic preservation. He is the recipient of multiple awards including the George W. Simons, Jr. Memorial Award for lifetime achievement, received from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association in 2013.

County Manager, Mike Mullin, stated "We are happy that Thad has accepted this position. Even though Thad has only been with us a short time, he has become a valuable member of our team. His knowledge and experience made him a great candidate for the position and I am certain he has the skills needed to lead the Planning Department effectively.” 

Congratulations Thad! We wish you many years of success as Nassau County's Planning Director.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Office

8/26/20 UPDATE: The Boil Water Advisory has been lifted following test results confirming the water is safe for consumption.

8/24/20 @ 4:30 p.m. - As announced last week, Nassau Amelia Utilities conducted fire hydrant repairs today that resulted in water being shut off for the following addresses: 157, 159, 163 Sea Marsh Road; 3301 through 3329 Fairway Oaks Villas; 3201 through 3217 Fairway Oaks Villas; 2 through 18 Sea Marsh Cove; and the OMNI Golf Maintenance Facility on Sea Marsh Road.

As a safety precaution, a Boil Water Advisory has been issued for these addresses while they await bacteriological test results to ensure the water is again safe for consumption.

If you have any questions, please contact NAU Billing at (904) 530-6030 or email billing@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
Public Hearing Regarding Beach Ordinance Scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, 2020
 
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 20, 2020 – On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach. A total of sixteen (16) meetings were held in 2019.  Hundreds of individuals appeared at meetings and hundreds more sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety issues, and littering. However, most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
After a year of meetings and thousands of testimonies, it became abundantly clear that the current Ordinances are not working and that changes need to be made to protect the citizens, environment and wildlife. The Beach Community Working Group presented their recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners at a Workshop held on January 16, 2020.
 
Following the Workshop, the Commissioners held individual meetings with the County Manager, Mike Mullin; Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope; Public Works Director, Doug Podiak; and Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. During these meetings, the Commissioners further discussed the recommendations made by the Beach Community Working Group and provided input about language they would like included in the final Ordinance.  A public hearing was initially scheduled for March 23rd, however that was postponed due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s orders to suspend in-person quorums for local government meetings.
 
The Board of County Commissioners has worked hard to find ways to address concerns that have been brought forth. While they want to maintain the customary uses of the beach that make our County unique, they also want to ensure we are being good stewards to the environment and eliminating some of the unwelcomed behavior that is threatening the safety of our residents and wildlife and impacting the quality of life for those who live nearby.
 
A public hearing to consider a new Beach Ordinance (attached) will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. The public is welcome to attend. Additional measures have been established to allow for social distancing. This includes additional seating and video monitors outside the Commission Chambers.
 
You can also participate remotely using the following options:

• Watch the meeting from home at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings
• Submit comments for the record by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message.
• Request to be called during the meeting by emailing comments@nassaucountyfl.com or calling (904) 530-6009 and leaving a message. Include your name, address, phone number and the topic you wish to speak about and you will be called when that item comes up on the agenda.
• Participate live utilizing the following ZOOM Meeting link and/or dial-in information:

 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82411146045?pwd=ZDk2L1RmZmMrOTRXcExpZGVmRS9DZz 09
Password: 987321
 
iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#  or +16465588656,,82411146045#,,,,0#,,987321#
 
Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799
   
Webinar ID: 824 1114 6045
Password: 987321
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keiOjshSY8
 
The meeting agenda containing the proposed Ordinance will be published on our official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com by the close of business on Thursday, July 23rd.  
 
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
County Votes to Remove Referendum from 2020 Ballot
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 19, 2020-  In 2018, the Board of County Commissioners expressed a desire to establish a conservation land acquisition and management program. The Board subsequently entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Land to conduct a feasibility analysis to consider funding options for the program. The results of the feasibility study were presented to the Board in August 2019.
 
At a Workshop held on October 16, 2019, the Board approved a Resolution to place a referendum on the ballot of the 2020 Election for the Electors to grant the County the ability to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds to implement the program. Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on families and businesses and the challenges residents have faced, the Board approved a Resolution on Wednesday, June 18, 2020, to remove the referendum from the 2020 Ballot.
 
The Board will proceed with creation of the conservation land acquisition and management program, with the intent of adding the referendum to the 2022 Ballot.
 
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If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Commissioner Danny Leeper Elected to Serve on Florida Association of Counties Board of Directors
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 18, 2020-  Nassau County Commissioner, Danny Leeper, was elected to the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Board of Directors. Commissioner Leeper will serve in this role for two years.
 
“It’s an honor to be elected and to serve on the FAC Board of Directors. Through the Florida Association of Counties, we are better able to serve not only our local communities, but the entire state on a wide range of important local and state issues before the State Legislature, the Governor and Cabinet.”
 
The FAC Board of Directors is composed of one commissioner from each Florida Senate District, elected to office by commissioners of the counties within the respective Senate District. The FAC President also appoints six at-large directors to serve a one-year term. Together, the Board is responsible for guiding FAC in its mission to preserve and strengthen home rule as well as for setting the legislative policy for the Association and approving an annual budget.
 
“In addition to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors serve as leadership for the Association,” said FAC Executive Director, Ginger Delegal. “The Board plays a vital role in the strategic vision for the future of FAC, especially in regard to the determination of the Association’s legislative priorities and initiatives.”
 
For more than 85 years, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that government closest to the people governs best.
 
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If you have any questions regarding the FAC Board of Directors, please contact the Florida Association of Counties directly at (850) 922-4300.