9/25/17 @ 4:20 p.m. -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA - The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce that effective immediately, single stream recycling is now available at each of the recycle sites listed below. Single stream recycling allows citizens to place plastic, glass and aluminum in one bin. Separation of these recyclables is no longer necessary.
 
West Nassau Landfill
46026 Landfill Rd
Callahan, FL 32011

Bryceville
7282 Motes Rd
Bryceville, FL 32009

Goodbread Dr
86142 Goodbread Drive
Yulee, FL 32097 

Bailey Rd.
3163 Bailey Rd
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
 
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If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste Department at (904) 530-6700.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/16/17 @ 9:15 a.m. - Please see the below Press Release issued today by the Florida Department of Health. It includes tips on protecting your eyes during the solar eclipse, as well as a list of vendors selling approved eclipse glasses.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2017
Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Florida - On Monday, August 21, Florida will experience a partial solar eclipse, and the Florida Department of Health reminds all Floridians to enjoy this rare event safely by following simple precautions and using proper protection. Severe retinal damage can occur from looking directly at the sun.

"The solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event that I'm sure many of us will want to experience,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. "I look forward to viewing the eclipse safely using approved solar eclipse glasses, and I encourage all of Florida's residents and visitors to practice caution while driving or walking outdoors during the period of darkness.”

Because Florida will not experience a total solar eclipse, it will not be safe the view the eclipse without the use of special solar filters like eclipse glasses. Sunglasses are not eclipse glasses. Not all glasses that market themselves as "eclipse glasses” are safe. Approved glasses have filters that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for safety. A list of vendors for approved eclipse glasses can be viewed on the American Astronomical Society (AAS) website. During the eclipse, be sure to take breaks and avoid staring at the sun for long periods of time, even with eclipse glasses.

Take simple precautions to protect your vision before, during and after the solar eclipse:

• Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it. Read and follow any instructions printed on or packaged with the filter;
• Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device;
• Always supervise children using solar filters; and
• Stand still and cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses or solar viewer before looking up at the bright sun. After looking at the sun, turn away and remove your filter — do not remove it while looking at the sun.

You can read more about solar eclipse safety on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Eclipse 101 website.
If you experience eye damage during the solar eclipse, please contact your health care provider.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/27/17 @ 2:15 p.m. - Nassau County will be hosting three Initial Public Outreach Sessions to discuss the Telecommunications Master Plan.  The meetings will be held on August 15, 16 and 17, 2017.  The sessions will serve as the initial opportunity to provide information to the public and to solicit feedback about the project.  Anyone interested in this project is encouraged to attend the meeting to receive information, ask questions and provide comments.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Who:  Nassau County Staff, CityScape Consultants, Inc., & the Citizens of Nassau County
What: Telecommunications Master Plan Initial Outreach Session
When:
Central Nassau: August 15, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
East Nassau: August 16, 2017 at 6:00 p.m., American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia Street
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
West Nassau: August 17, 2017 at 6;00 p.m., Callahan Fairgrounds Multi-purpose Facility, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011

Project Description:
The Telecommunications Master Plan is a County-wide (including municipalities) Plan that identifies and assesses existing wireless communication facilities, determines gaps in existing coverage and provides recommendations for design and siting of future facilities.  The analysis will facilitate the development of a wireless telecommunications network that is efficient and will meet the future needs of Nassau County.  The purpose of the plan is to provide adequate network service while minimizing visual impacts of the telecommunications infrastructure and maintaining the aesthetics of the community.  The plan will also serve as a guide for developing planning policies for future wireless infrastructure.
 
Contact:
For more information contact Kristina Bowen with Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904)530-6300 or kbowen@nassaucountyfl.com.
 
Public participation is encouraged and sought without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or family status.  Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kristina Bowen or Taco Pope at (904)530-6300 at least 7 days before the meeting.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/26/17 @ 10:30 a.m. - On Monday, July 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., the Board of County Commissioners will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in celebration of the designation of Eric Oliver Way, a segment of road connecting State Road 200/A1A to Courtney Isles Way.
 
Deputy Eric Oliver was killed in the line of duty on November 22, 2016. The Board wanted to show their appreciation to Deputy Oliver and reached out to the property owner KIMCO Realty, inquiring about naming a portion of Courtney Isles Way in his honor. The property owner approved the Board’s request and on June 6, 2017, filed an application with the Property Appraiser’s Office to rename the road. Commissioner Justin Taylor stated, “We are privileged to take part in honoring the service of a dedicated officer who tragically died while protecting and serving the citizens of Nassau County”.
 
Nassau County Professional Fire Union, Local 3101, purchased the street signs and will be in attendance to honor Deputy Oliver.  “It is our honor to play a role in recognizing a fellow brother in public safety who deserves this great acclamation” stated Union Representative, Jamie Deonas.
 
The Ribbon Cutting commemorating the name change will be held on the vacant lot behind Maurice’s in the Target Shopping Center. The public is welcome to attend.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Assistant/Project Specialist
Nassau County Manager’s Office
 

Please see the attached Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance News Release for Florida due to Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 3-19, 2016. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in Florida that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private nonprofit organizations affected by Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 3 - 19, 2016.

“Businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the disaster and want to apply for low-interest loans from the SBA are urged to do so before the July 17 deadline,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East. 
Low-interest disaster loans are available in the following counties:   Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Putnam, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Seminole, and Volusia in Florida; Camden and Charlton in Georgia.

Working capital disaster loans up to $2 million are available at 4 percent interest for small businesses, and 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years.  The loans are intended to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.   

To be considered for this assistance, eligible entities need to apply by the deadline. 
Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .

Businesses may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.  
Completed applications should be mailed to: US SBA Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Rd, Fort Worth, TX  76155.
The deadline to submit applications is July 17, 2017.

-Martha L. Wagaman
 Nassau County Emergency Management

5/10/17 @ 4:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Health Department has issued the attached Press Release reminding everyone about the health effects of wildfire smoke including scratchy throat, coughing, headaches and irritated nose, as well as worsening of chronic lung and heart conditions. Please review the Press Release for information on ways to protect yourself and family.

If you have any questions, please contact Kim Geib with the Nassau County Health Department at (904) 875-6100 or via e-mail at kim.geib@flhealth.gov.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/2/17 @ 4:30 p.m. - We are pleased to announce that Nassau County has completed the necessary steps to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System. The CRS Program is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk. Property owners in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County who reside in a Special Flood Hazard Area can now enjoy a 10% reduction in flood insurance premiums for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas on or after May 1, 2017. To determine your Flood Hazard Designation, please click here for a link to the Property Appraiser's Interactive Mapping tool.

Attached is a Press Release issued by the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity containing additional information about this exciting news! To view documents related to the CRS Program including brochures and fact sheets, please visit our website.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Mason, Planner II for the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity at (904) 530-6300 or via e-mail at cbmason@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

4/12/17 @ 11:30 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners recognizes that every citizen should have access to safe and affordable housing and has scheduled a public hearing for Monday, May 8, 2017, to consider an Ordinance reestablishing the Affordable Housing Committee. The Board is currently seeking resumes from individuals who desire to serve on the Committee.
 
Florida Statutes, Section 420.9076, mandates that affordable housing committees have between 8 and 11 members, 6 of which represent specific criteria as outlined below:

• A citizen that is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing
• A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing
• A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing
• A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing
• A citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing
• A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing
• A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing
• A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to Florida Statutes, Chapter 163.317
• A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments
• A citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction
• A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan (teachers, educators, police & fire personnel, healthcare workers, or skilled building trades personnel)

While it’s not necessary that each member represent one of these categories, the Board would like interested persons to indicate whether they meet any of the mandated criteria.  
 
If you are interested in serving on the Affordable Housing Committee, please submit your resume to the County Manager’s Office by Monday, May 1, 2017. Resumes can be mailed to 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 1, Yulee, FL 32097, or e-mailed to the office at contact@nassaucountyfl.com. Please call the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010 if you have any questions.
 
 
 
 
 

4/10/17 @ 4:10 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 9:00 a.m., the Board will be recognizing all agencies, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals who provided assistance during the Bryceville Wildfires which began on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.
 
Not only did dozens of government agencies and emergency personnel respond quickly to assist in containing the fire, many individuals and businesses in the community showed support by providing food and water to the first responders, donating food for displaced animals, and providing emergency shelter to families and pets.
 
The way in which the community came together was truly remarkable and should be commemorated. Any person, business, not-for-profit organization, or government agency that provided assistance is encouraged to attend, as well as any person from the public that would like to express gratitude to the emergency personnel that worked during this event.
 
The meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. (James S. Page Governmental Complex)  We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Press Release

2/17/17 @ 2:05 p.m. - The Nassau County Building Department began utilizing software today that allows contractors to submit a permitting/inspection request online. Previously, the only way to request an inspection was to call the Building Department and make a request by telephone. By utilizing the website, contractors can now make requests quickly and conveniently. Inspection results are available the following day.

To locate the inspection page online, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com and select Building Department from the drop down menu under “Departments”. Once on the Building Department page, select “Permitting/Inspection Request” on the left side of the screen. Here you can also find step-by-step instructions for utilizing this feature.

All inspection requests made online prior to 4:00 p.m. will be scheduled for the next business day. Contractors can also still make a request to schedule an inspection for the next business day by phone if requested by 4:00 p.m. All re-inspection fees must be paid before scheduling an inspection unless a contractor has a signed re-inspection fees affidavit on file in the Building Department.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Nassau County Building Department at (904) 530-6250.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office