2/17/21 @ 6:45 p.m. - Beginning Monday, February 22, 2021, a daily road closure on Amelia Road at Simmons Road will take place from 9am-4pm for approximately one week. AJ Johns, Inc., will be making repairs to the rear entrance at the Lakeside at Amelia Island Assisted Living Facility. The work will include shoulder grading and grassing, concrete sidewalk and valley gutter removal and replacement, and milling/asphalt overlay on Amelia Rd.

The attached map shows the detour around the road closure. AJ Johns will ensure 24/7 access to homeowners within the road closure while the detour is in place. Residents of Lakeside will be required to use the main entrance from Amelia Island Parkway.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Todd Patric, Sr. Project Manager with AJ Johns, Inc., at (904) 591-2798 or via email at tpatrick@ajjohns.com

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/22/20 @ 11:30 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Streaming of Tourist Development Council Meetings
 
Nassau County, Florida, December 22, 2020 – We believe that citizens have the right to view and participate in County proceedings. As such, we are pleased to announce that meetings of the Tourist Development Council (TDC) are now being livestreamed so residents can watch them remotely. Following the conclusion of the meeting, the video file is also posted for future access.
 
In addition to TDC Meetings, the County also livestreams and records meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, Development Review Committee, Code Enforcement Board and Planning & Zoning Board. All of these meetings can be located at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
 
We trust that making meetings accessible on our website improves transparency and promotes citizen engagement. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010 or email contact@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

12/18/20 @ 9:00 a.m. - Nassau County has received two Awards for Excellence from the Northeast Florida Regional Council. The first award is in the Environmental Stewardship category for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program. The other is in the Planning & Growth Management Category for the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Heritage Book.

Please see Press Release from the NEFRC below:

Date: December 16, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate Haigh
Title: Communications Specialist
Phone: 904-279-0880
Email: khaigh@nefrc.org
 
Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Award Winners Announced
 
Jacksonville, FL – The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) announced the winners of the 2020 Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Awards this week. In light of the current pandemic, award winners will be recognized in their individual counties rather than at a central event. The NEFRC awards these honors each year to recognize the best projects and the brightest leaders in the Region.
 
The Regional Awards recognition program is anchored by the Regional Leadership Award, given to a leader who exemplifies service to community and commitment to regionalism. This year’s recipient of the Northeast Florida Regional Council Regional Leadership Award is recently retired Florida Times Union Editorial Page Editor Mike Clark. Mr. Clark has worked tirelessly to give unbiased views on the top issues affecting our region.
 
Other award winners include St. Johns County’s Workforce Housing Zoning Designation in the Affordable Housing category; Azalea City Brewing located in the City of Palatka in the Adaptive Reuse category; the Baker County Chamber of Commerce in the Economic Development category; the First Coast Disaster Council’s response to COVID-19 in the  Healthcare/Emergency Preparedness category, the Nassau County Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Program in the Environmental Stewardship category, the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book in the Planning and Growth Management category; the City of Jacksonville’s Project Save Lives in the Public Safety category, the Floodplain and Stormwater Management Program in Palm Coast in the Resilience category, and the TPO’s Path Forward 2045 in the Transportation category, the Long Term Recovery Organization in the Quality of Life category.     
 
“We look forward each year to honoring those in our region who standout in their efforts to improve the quality of life of citizens in Northeast Florida,” said Beth Payne, CEO of the Northeast Florida Regional Council. “This year’s winners are examples of the outstanding work that is ongoing in the Region. It is our honor to celebrate their accomplishments during such a challenging year.”  
 
The NEFRC is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective toward growth management, economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency, and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents. For more information about the Northeast Florida Regional Council, visit www.nefrc.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Thad Crowe       
Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
tcrowe@nassaucountyfl.com
 
APPLICATIONS AFFECTING 5456 FIRST COAST HWY. (SUMMER BEACH PARCEL D-1) ARE WITHDRAWN
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 23, 2020 - On November 23, 2020, the County's planning staff were informed by the applicants of Application Nos. NOPC20-002 and FD20-008 were withdrawing the items from consideration at the December 1, 2020 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting and the December 14 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
 
NOPC20-002 was a proposed resolution amending the Development Order for the Summer Beach DRI; providing for a maximum of 7,000 square feet of commercial and office space and 24 multifamily residential units on Parcel D-1 (5456 First Coast Hwy.).
(Note: at present, Resolution 2007-105 allows for up to 25,000 square feet of commercial and office space and 16 residential units on this site).
The amendment would also have adjusted minimum setbacks and included a statement that the buffer along the southern boundary line must meet current County standards for separation of incompatible uses and shown on the Final Development Plan.
 
FD20-008 was a proposed final development plan for Parcel D-1, allowing for 4,500 square feet of commercial and office space and 24 multifamily residential units at this location.
 
Both items were withdrawn from consideration by the applicants on Monday, November 23, 2020.
 
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.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Beware of Marketing Ploy Related to Water Testing
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 23, 2020 – The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from residents indicating that water testing kits have been left in or near their mailboxes. Some of these residents have expressed that they felt they were required to complete and return them.
 
Please be advised that Nassau County Government has not distributed these tests. This appears to be a marketing ploy from private water treatment suppliers who hope to sell water purifying kits to homeowners.  
 
It’s important to note that all water service providers are mandated by the Safe Water Drinking Act to publish a Drinking Water Quality Report annually on their websites. To review those reports, you would need to visit the website of the water utility that services your address or contact them by phone and request that they send you a copy.
 
Property owners who utilize a well can visit the Florida Department of Health’s website at www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/private-well-testing to learn more about well water quality. If you are concerned that you have an issue, you can also contact your local Nassau County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at (904) 875-6100.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Pages Dairy Road Widening & Resurfacing Project
 
Nassau County, Florida, October 30, 2020 – On Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the upcoming improvements to Pages Dairy Road between Chester Rd. and Felmor Rd.
 
The County secured grant funding totaling $1.25 from the Florida Department of Transportation to assist with construction costs. The State officially added the project to their 5-Year Work Program in March of 2015 for funding to become available to the County in 2020. The total project cost is $4.7 million, leaving the County’s portion of $3.4 million.
 
The roadway design is complete and a contract for Construction Engineering Inspection Services has been secured. In order to remain eligible for State funding, the County must move forward with construction in order to meet the State’s December 2021 deadline.
 
Concerns have been expressed about this project taking place while the State Road 200 project is still underway. Fortunately, the State recently notified the County that the work on State Road 200 will be completed before the end of 2020. The Pages Dairy work will begin in mid-late November, so there will only be a few weeks where the two projects will overlap. Also, please be advised that the contractor for the Pages Dairy Rd. Project will not permitted to have lane or road closures during peak hours. This type of work will be limited to the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
 
District Three County Commissioner, Pat Edwards, stated, “I am grateful to the State for providing grant funding to assist the County with much needed improvements to this segment of road. The County and residents have been anxious to have this work completed and I am happy to see it finally come to fruition”.
 
County Engineer, Robert Companion, added, “As the only east-west corridor to State Road 200, the improvements to Pages Dairy Road are necessary to ensure this major collector road serves citizens well in the future. The improvements include wider vehicle lanes, bike lanes, and right and left turn lanes onto Felmor Rd. from Pages Dairy”.  
 
The Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held in front of the Harbor Shores Apostolic Church located at 86674 Pages Dairy Rd. The public is welcome to attend. Reverend James Beale has graciously given permission for the public to utilize their lot for parking during the event. 
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If you have any questions regarding, please contact the Engineering Services at (904) 530-6225.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Crawford Road Paving Project
 
Nassau County, Florida, October 28, 2020 – On Monday, November 2, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a groundbreaking ceremony in celebration of the upcoming Crawford Road Project. This project consists of paving a new 6.5 mile-long, two lane road, connecting County Road 121 with the existing paved portion of Crawford Road, just west of US 301.
 
The Board entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation in March 2014 for Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) grant funding to assist with project costs. The project was added to the State’s Five-Year Work Program in 2014, however the agreement was later amended to provide additional State funding and extend the project timeline. The total cost of the project is $7.9 million, however $5.7 million is being provided by FDOT, leaving the County’s portion at $2.2 million.
 
It is anticipated that the project will be complete by the end of August 2021.
 
District Four County Commissioner, Thomas Ford, stated, “Paving this segment of Crawford Road will increase mobility on the west side of the County. I am very excited to see work begin on this project and look forward to its completion”.
 
County Engineer, Robert Companion, added, “The paving and improvements to Crawford Rd. will provide citizens with a connection from State Road 200 (US 301) to County Road 121, while also providing the infrastructure needed for the future of the Crawford Diamond area”.  
 
The Groundbreaking Ceremony will be held on the corner County Road 121 and Crawford Road. The public is invited to attend.
 
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If you have any questions regarding, please contact Engineering Services at (904) 530-6225.
 
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com

Commissioners Aaron Bell and Thomas Ford Earn Advanced County Commissioner Designation
 
The Institute for County Government (ICG) presented Nassau County Commissioners Aaron Bell and Thomas Ford with the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) designation following completion of a comprehensive study program developed by ICG.
 
Commissioner Bell stated, “I highly recommend the Advanced County Commissioner Program to any Commissioner wishing to expand their knowledge and maximize their leadership skills. I personally feel the information learned will make me a better advocate for the citizens I represent”.
 
Commissioner Ford added, “The ACC Program provided an opportunity for me to hear about issues other counties are facing and learn from their experiences. The complexity and the diverse subjects have given me invaluable knowledge”.  
 
Launched in 2006, the Advanced County Commissioner (ACC) education program is an advanced leadership program designed for graduates of the Certified County Commissioners (CCC) program.
 
The course content 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.
 
“Through this program, veteran commissioners from across Florida are able to work collaboratively on the state’s most pressing challenges,” said the Institute for County Government’s Executive Director, Eric Poole. “Those that choose to participate are further prepared to meet the unique demands of a public servant.”
 
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.
 
The University of Florida/IFAS Extension sponsors ICG’s educational programs. For more information about ICG or the ACC program and courses, visit ICG’s website at https://flicg.org/.
 
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. The Florida Association of Counties helps counties effectively serve and represent Floridians by strengthening and preserving county home rule through advocacy, education and collaboration.
 
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If you have any questions about the Advanced County Commissioner Program, please contact Jennifer Laxner with the Florida Association of Counties at (224) 216-3744.

Nassau County is excited to announce that the Solid Waste Department will begin accepting cardboard for recycling at the Bailey Rd and Goodbread Rd recycling locations, beginning on October 1, 2020. Previously, the only County owned recycling facility that accepted cardboard was the Convenience and Recycling Center located qt 46026 Landfill Rd. in Callahan.

For all cardboard recycling centers, please note that the cardboard must be broken down and free of any packing material or styrofoam. The cardboard should then be placed in the bin labeled for cardboard. Plastics, glass, aluminum, office paper and newspaper can also be recycled at those locations in the Single Stream Recycle Bins.

If you have any questions regarding recycling at one of these locations, please contact Becky Diden at  904-530-6700 or visit the Nassau County Solid Waste website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office