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.

9/11/20 @ 8:45 a.m. - Governor DeSantis issued the attached Memorandum ordering all flags in the State to be flown at half-staff in honor of Patriot Day.

"On September 11, 2001, our country suffered a tragic loss when acts of terrorism were committed on American soil resulting in the deaths of 2,977 individuals. May we never forget the valiant efforts of our military, first responders and other emergency personnel who risked their lives to save others".


-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

9/4/20 @ 10:00 a.m. - Saturday, September 5, 2020 is license-free saltwater fishing day in Florida. According to the Fish & Wildlife Conservation webpage, license-free weekend provides an opportunity for those who don't yet have a fishing license to experience fishing without having to commit to purchasing a license right away.

The saltwater waiver applies to any recreational harvest requiring a saltwater fishing license (crabbing, lobstering, scalloping, etc.), as well as from fishing from a shore or boat. Snook and spiny lobster permits are also waived on these days.

All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits still apply. Click here to learn more.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

8/10/20 @ 10:10 a.m.  On July 27, 2020, we shared a Press Release from the Department of Agriculture regarding reports of individuals receiving unsolicited packets of seeds from China. Click here to read it again.

Below is an important update from the Nassau County Extension Office regarding this subject and what to do if you receive any:

From the County Extension Office
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are concerned these seeds are a form of agricultural smuggling and could be an invasive plant. An invasive is any plant or animal that can takeover an area, causing economic loss, ecological damage and even harming human health. Here in Nassau County, UF/IFAS Extension and the City of Fernandina Beach have been removing invasive plant species such as Russian thistle and Mother of Millions on Amelia island.

What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:

• Your local Extension office will accept ONLY opened packages.
• Bring seed/plant material packets and their original packaging materials to the Extension office, which should then be placed in a plastic zip bag.
• Fill out form
• OR you can contact your local FDACS-DPI office or contact the FDACS-DPI helpline at 1-888-397-1517 to arrange for pickup of the packages and leave a message.
• Additional instructions for the public are available here: http://www.fdacs.gov/seedbymail

When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
Other Resources

Here is a recent press release from FDACS on the suspicious seed packets.

Here is a news room post from the USDA.
Information on UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants.

by Justina Dacey

8/6/20 @ 2:45 p.m.- Florida's Tax Free Holiday Weekend begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 7th and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 9th.

During this time, most school supplies under $15 are exempt from sales tax, as well as clothing, footwear and accessories of $60 or less.

For a complete listing of tax free items, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

For Immediate Release: July 27, 2020
Contact: Office of Communications, (850) 617-7737
Twitter: @FDACS & @NikkiFriedFL                      
 
FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China
                                                                                  
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is warning Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Utah, and others.
 
As of July 27, FDACS has received at least 160 reports from Florida residents reporting having received suspicious seed packages. The content of the seed packages is unknown at this time.
 
The introduction of plant seeds into the United States is tightly regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, may be invasive, may introduce pathogens, toxins, or plant and animal diseases, may pose a risk of foodborne illness, and may pose a threat to plant, animal, and human health. FDACS is working closely to receive guidance from the USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the lead regulatory body on this issue, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
 
“Plant seeds from unknown sources may introduce dangerous pathogens, diseases, or invasive species into Florida, putting agriculture and our state’s plant, animal, and human health at risk,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Anyone receiving these suspicious seed packets should not open them, should not plant them, should limit contact with them, and should report them immediately to both our department and USDA officials.”
 
What To Do: Anyone receiving unsolicited seed packages from other countries should follow these directions:
 

• Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if possible
• Do not plant the seeds or discard them in trash that will be landfilled
• Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or collection is available from the USDA
• Report the seed package to the FDACS Division of Plant Industry at 1-888-397-1517 or DPIhelpline@FDACS.gov
• Report the seed package to the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov

 
When reporting the seed package to FDACS and USDA/APHIS, please be prepared to provide one’s name, physical address, phone number, and email address for contact purposes.
 

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