FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
County Secures GSG to Develop a Strategic Plan for CARES Act Funding
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 26, 2020 - On March 27, 2020, Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide assistance to American workers and families affected by COVID-19. The Act allowed for payments to eligible units of local government for expenses incurred due to the public health emergency. The Act also allowed for local governments to provide stimulus payments to individuals and small businesses affected by the pandemic.
 
CARES Act funding, passed by Congress, was made available to states, cities and counties with populations of 500,000 or more. The Board sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis on May 19, 2020, urging his office to disburse the remaining $1.275 billion in funding to counties that weren’t eligible for CARES Act funding initially due to the population restrictions.
 
Governor DeSantis recently announced that funding will now be released to the remaining counties, however only 25% will be provided up front. Current guidance from the State is that the other 75% will be provided to the counties on a reimbursement basis.
 
To obtain the funding, counties must first execute a CARES Act Funding Agreement with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM). Nassau County executed their agreement at the meeting held on June 17, 2020 and should be receiving the initial 25% disbursement totaling $3.8 million within the next few weeks.
 
Due to the complexity of the CARES Act Funding regulations and a desire to secure as much of the additional 75% as possible, the Board of County Commissioners voted yesterday to secure Government Services Group (GSG) to assist the County in development of a strategic plan to expend and leverage the CARES Act funding. Information related to the distribution/allocation of CARES Act funds will be included in the strategic plan being drafted by GSG.
 
It is anticipated that GSG will have the Plan completed by July 31, 2020. Additional information regarding the Plan and disbursement of funds will follow shortly thereafter.
 
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.
 
To review Frequently Asked Questions issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury related to CARES Funding, please visit https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/state-and-local-governments.
 
 
 

6/3/20 @ 5:00 p.m. - The Governor has announced that Phase Two of the Safe.Smart.Step-by-Step Plan to reopen Florida will begin on Friday, June 5th. Below are some of the changes that will take place:

• Bars, pubs, and nightclubs will be allowed to reopen and operate ...at 50% capacity.
  
• Restaurants and hair and nail salons will continue to operate at 50% capacity.
  
• Entertainment businesses, like movie theaters, can operate at 50% capacity.
  
• Gyms and retail can operate at full capacity with social distancing in place.
  
• Large sporting events and theme parks should limit spectators and occupancy to 50%.
  

For additional information, please click here.

5/27/20 @ 2:30 p.m. - The 2020 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is Friday, May 29th through Thursday, June 4th. During this period, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

For additional information and a list of qualifying items, please click here to be directed to the Florida Department of Revenue's website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

5/19/20 @ 11:45 a.m. - County Manager, Mike Mullin, and Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope, met with the Tourist Development Council this morning to review a draft plan to be submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations to reinstate short-term rentals in Nassau County.

The final plan was submitted at 11:04 this morning. A copy can be located here.

Once we receive approval from the State, an Emergency Order will be issued to codify the plan. We will also issue an official Press Release from the Office of the County Manager.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Vacation Rentals
 
Nassau County, Florida, May 17, 2020- During Friday's press conference, Governor DeSantis announced that counties wishing to reopen vacation rentals can submit their plans to the Department of Business and Professional Regulations for consideration on a case-by-case basis. 
 
The DBPR has yet to release their recommended guidelines for vacation rentals, however Senator Aaron Bean and State Representative Cord Byrd will be encouraging them to do so quickly. The County, in conjunction with the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, will be drafting a plan following those guidelines as quickly as possible.

As you know, tourism has a great impact on Nassau County's economic health and there are many property owners who are suffering from loss of income since vacation rentals were suspended. On March 24th, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-82 mandating that anyone arriving to Florida from the New York Tri State area quarantine for fourteen days. On March 27th, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-86 which includes the State of Louisiana. Both Executive Orders have been extended by the Governor. All lodging industries, including vacation rentals, will adhere to the Executive Orders and monitor visitors closely.
 
Should you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010.

5/14/20 @ 10:30 a.m. - Attached is a memorandum from Governor Ron DeSantis ordering all flags to be flown at half-staff beginning today through sunset on Friday, May 15th, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

3/27/20 @ 9:40 a.m. - If you have lost your job due to the COVID-19 health crisis, The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is available to assist you. Below is a quick video which discusses the application process.

Attached is a document containing Frequently Asked Questions (click here for Español).

Additional information can be located the DEO website, or you can call them directly at 800-204-2418.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

2/13/20 @ 3:15 p.m. - Attached is a Memorandum from Governor DeSantis indicating that flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, February 14, 2020, in remembrance of the lives lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting.

1/16/20 @ 12:45 p.m. - On Thursday, January 9th, Senator Bean held a special ceremony at Station 20 to share information on a recently passed bill, CS/CS/SB "Firefighters", which will help firefighters diagnosed with cancer receive disability benefits. He also announced a new bill for the 2020 Legislation Session, SB 1092 and HB 487, "Fire Presentation and Control", which if approved, will create a Firefighter Cancer Decontamination Equipment Grant Program. 

Guest speakers at the event included: Nassau County Fire Chief, Brady Rigdon; Senator Aaron Bean; State Representative Cord Byrd; Commissioner Justin Taylor; Fire Union Local 3101 President, Darron Ayscue; and event organizer, Ashley Harvey.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office