Blog Archives - The County Insider

The County Insider

Nassau County Places 2nd in Walking Competition

2/27/2014

Nassau County Government has put a great emphasis on employee health over the last few years in an effort to encourage employees to become more active. In September, the Florida Association of Counties announced their Florida Walks Competition and Nassau County saw this as a great way to challenge its employees to get moving. A total of nineteen employees eagerly signed up and made a vow to become more active and to track their daily accomplishments.

The competition began on October 1, 2013 with a virtual 2,000 mile trek from Pensacola to Key West. Participating individuals were asked to log their physical activities such as walking, jogging, and cycling in order for their steps to be tracked and credited to Nassau County. The competition is scheduled to end on May 31, 2014, however our employees have gone above and beyond and can often be seen walking around County facilities on their lunch breaks in an effort to obtain those "extra" steps. Because of their determination, we were able to complete the race quickly and are happy to announce that Nassau County was the 2nd County to cross the finish line. The county with the most overall steps when the competition ends on May 31st will be announced at the Florida Association of Counties Conference in June.

The nineteen individuals that participated will be recognized at the March 19, 2014 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Good job everyone! You are a wonderful example to all of us and reflect great credit upon Nassau County as a whole.

Parking Concerns at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library

2/26/2014

A lot of citizens have expressed concern regarding the fence that was placed around approximately 40 parking spaces at the Fernandina Beach Library. Please be advised that the fenced area is currently being used as a staging area to hold construction material needed for the upcoming renovation project. Construction will take place 6-7 days a week over the next year and as the work progresses, more parking spaces will become available. The first phase of the project consists of a new 7,500 square foot addition on the north side of the building that will eventually cause a loss of only four parking spaces. The addition will not take up the entire area within the fence. The second phase of the project consists of renovations to the existing library facility.

We are all very excited that the construction activity will begin soon and we apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to Library patrons. We are certain that everyone will be pleased with the final project and that these minor inconveniences will be quickly forgotten.

Please don't forget to join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony being held tomorrow, February 27, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Nassau County Animal Services Named Florida's Outstanding Animal Control Agency of the Year

2/24/2014

At the annual Florida Animal Control Association Conference held last weekend in Cocoa Beach, Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) was awarded the Outstanding Animal Control Agency of the Year Award for 2014 due to their exceptional animal programs and services. There are more than 130 agencies in the State of Florida, however Nassau County Animal Services stood out this year because of implementation of new programs and practices. During presentation of the award, NCAS was also recognized for the remarkable results they have achieved, despite a declining budget and reduced staffing levels.

One of the contributing factors making Nassau County a great candidate for this award was the major decrease in euthanasia rates. In Fiscal Year 2012/2013, Nassau County Animal Services’ intake was 2,513 animals. Out of those, 1,740 left the shelter either by adoption, return to owner, transferred to another facility, or the community cat program. This also resulted in a considerable increase in live-release rates, jumping from 42% in Fiscal year 2010/2011 to 69% in Fiscal Year 2012/2013. The live-release rate is continuing to increase drastically, as we are only five months into the current Fiscal Year and the live-release rate is already at 84%.

Additionally, NCAS was recognized for developing partnerships with other agencies such as the First Coast No More Homeless Pets, PetSmart Charities, Nassau Humane Society, Jacksonville Humane Society, RAIN Humane Society, Cats Angels, Lucky Cat Adoptions, and the Nassau County Animal Welfare coalition, just to name a few.

If you have not been by Nassau County Animal Services, we invite you to do so. We are sure that you will be impressed by the cleanliness of the animals and the facility, as well as by the professionalism and dedication shown by the employees. Be sure to congratulate them on a job well done!
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For additional information, please contact our Animal Services Director, Joe Novello, by phone at (904) 491-7440 or via e-mail at jnovello@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Friends of the Library Donate $25,000 to the County

2/20/2014

At the Wednesday, February 19, 2014 Board of County Commissioner's meeting, Friends of the Library President, Bill Flynn, presented the County with a check for $25,000. The Friends provide annual donations to the County to benefit the Library system and to help offset costs related to purchase of print media such as books,newspapers, and business journals, in addition to electronic media such as audio books and e-books. The funds are also used to assist with costs related to wireless internet services and to support numerous library programs held throughout the year including the annual summer library programs, holiday programs, and activities held in celebration of Black History Month.

The Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization whose goal is to raise funds for the local libraries while inspiring a love of reading in people of all ages. Their work benefits Nassau County and its residents greatly. Thank you Friends for all you do!

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Department's Monthly Reports for January 2014

2/18/2014

Below are the monthly status reports for January 2014:

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Fire Rescue Assists with Yulee Middle School Science Experiment

2/14/2014

On Friday, January 31, 2014, Nassau County Fire Rescue Station 30 and Tower Ladder 20 assisted three Yulee Middle School science classes in their annual egg drop experiment. Students were challenged to build a vehicle that would protect their egg during its descent from the 95' tower. Congratulations to Trevor Wilson for building the winner and to all of the participants for using their imagination in designing their vehicles.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Totally Toxic and Electronics Recycling Event

2/10/2014

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Nassau Beautiful are sponsoring the annual Totally Toxic and Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, April 26, 2014 in the Home Depot parking lot located at the corner of A1A and Chester Road. The purpose of this event is to collect, recycle, treat and properly dispose of hazardous waste and electronic items such as paint thinners, propane tanks, oil filters, batteries, televisions, and much, much more.

Please see the attached flyer for a detailed list of items being collected, as well as special instructions on how to pack your items. The event is from 8am-2pm, or until the truck is full. For additional information, you may contact Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165.

Charity Motorcycle Ride

2/7/2014

Nassau County Sheriff's Office Charities (NCSO Charities, Inc.) is hosting a Charity Motorcycle Ride on Saturday, April 5, 2014, to benefit Ark of Nassau. The escorted ride will begin and finish at the Ark of Nassau, located at US Highway 17 & Hamilton Street in Yulee. Check-ins begin at 8:30 a.m. and kickstands go up at 10:30 a.m.

Register now through March 20 for $30 donation per driver and $10 doantion per passenger. After March 20, a donation of $35 per driver and $15 per passenger is required. Lunch is included for the above, however those not riding and just participating in lunch will be required to make a $10 donation.

For more information, please contact Candy Holloway at (904) 225-9355 or via e-mail at cholloway@arkofnassau.org.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Support Nassau County Animal Services Every Time You Walk Your Dog

2/7/2014

Support Nassau County Animal Services simply by walking your dog. Download the app " Walk for a Dog" and select Nassau County Animal Services as the participating shelter. For every mile walked, Nassau County Animal Services will receive a donation from WoofTrax, the program developer.
Simply press "start" on your app to beginning tracking your mileage. Keep in mind the app will also track other activities including walking on a treadmill and riding your bike. Currently the app is only available on the iPhone however there is an Android app in the works. Begin walking today so you and your pet can stay healthy while supporting your local Animal Services.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Passports Offered at Fernandina Beach Library

2/6/2014

Planning to travel internationally? Don't forget about your passport. Luckily you won't need to travel far to have a passport issued or renewed because the Fernandina Beach Branch Library began accepting passport applications on behalf of the US Department of State in August 2011. Simply visit the Library's webpage to view information on the type of documents you will need to apply, as well as all associated fees. Applications are processed during regular business hours however special accommodations can be made for after 5pm or on Saturday by calling to schedule an appointment at (904) 277-7365. Processing time generally takes about 4-6 weeks.