904-530-6010
The County Insider
  • Home
  • About
  • Sign Up for Emails
  • Contact Us

Nassau County, Florida

Welcome to beautiful Nassau County, located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. We are proud to serve as the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. From our historic island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses to our scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, we truly offer something for everyone.

News-Leader Story Featuring Nassau County Animal Care & Control

2/28/2018

1 Comment

 
3/2/18 @ 2:15 p. m. - The Wednesday, February 28, 2018 edition of the News-Leader featured a story written by Cindy Jackson regarding Nassau County Animal Care & Control which included information about the department's roles and responsibilities including sheltering, adoption programs, and responding to a variety of citizen calls regarding strays and animal welfare. Please click here to read the story in its entirety.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Note: Photos by Cindy Jackson - Fernandina Beach News-Leader
1 Comment

Update on Today's Senate Appropriation Committee Meeting Regarding Senate Bill 324

2/27/2018

1 Comment

 
2/27/18 @ 1:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and staff attended the Senate Appropriation Committee Meeting today, February 27, 2018, in Tallahassee to support Senator Bean’s amendment to remove language added to Senate Bill 324 by Raydient (through Associated Industries of Florida). We are pleased to announce that Senator Bean’s amendment, submitted in conjunction with Nassau County, passed favorably.

We would like to thank all the State Senators that took the time to meet with us and hear our concerns. A special thank you Senator Bean and his staff for the countless hours put in to ensure that the best interest of Nassau County residents is protected. 

House companion Bill 697, will be heard on the House Floor tomorrow. Representative Byrd has filed the exact same amendment as Senator Bean and the County is hopeful and optimistic that the outcome of the House amendment will be the same as the Senate amendment.

The Board and staff will continue to monitor these bills, and any other potential bills that may place a burden on Nassau County residents.
 
Justin Stankiewicz
Assistant County Manager & OMB Director

1 Comment

County Manager Annual Report

2/27/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
2/27/18 @ 9:50 a.m. - The County Manager's contract states that she will provide an annual report to the Board of County Commissioners which shall include accomplishments for the previous year. Attached is the County Manager's Annual Report for 2017. Please note that this report highlights some of the major achievements completed by each department, however it does not contain a complete listing due to space constraints. For a full list of accomplishments, please go to our website and visit each individual department page.

If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

0 Comments

Official Statement from the Board of County Commissioners Regarding the Dispute with Raydient

2/23/2018

2 Comments

 
2/23/18 @ 5:00 p.m. -

Official Statement from the Board of County Commissioners

For almost a decade, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has worked with Raydient Places + Properties (the current name for Rayonier Inc.’s development subsidiary) in a public-private partnership to create an approximate 24,000 acre sector plan (commonly known as the ENCPA) centrally located in Nassau County. This support has included, but not limited to, adopting a master land use plan, obtaining state approval of the sector plan, working on solutions for public roads, such as Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and mobility fees, and supporting the creation of the East Nassau Stewardship District through local legislation (HB 1075 approved last year). Unfortunately, the county was recently alerted that Raydient (through a large business agency named Associated Industries of Florida headquartered in Tallahassee), unilaterally filed an amendment to Senate Bill 324 and House Bill 697 on January 26th, 2018 that provides Raydient a way out of their commitments to fund public facilities as was agreed upon in HB 1075.


During many public meetings to establish the East Nassau Stewardship District, Raydient provided documents and ensured the Board (as well as the public) that the growth would not burden taxpayers outside of the development because the Stewardship District would be the funding mechanism to deliver public infrastructure and facilities inside the ENCPA as jointly determined between both members of the public-private partnership, Nassau County and Raydient. The Board of County Commissioners as well as Senator Aaron Bean and Representative Cord Byrd supported the local bill (HB 1075) and it was approved as agreed upon by the County and Raydient.


House Bill 1075 (152 pages) that created the East Nassau Stewardship District states (in part):


“The existence and use of such a special and limited special purpose local government for the East Nassau Stewardship District lands…provide for the adequate mitigation of impacts and development of infrastructure in an orderly and timely manner; prevent the overburdening of the local general purpose government and the taxpayers…”

[the special powers of the District include…] “To provide public parks and public facilities for indoor and outdoor recreational, cultural, and educational uses.”


Now, a year later, the general bill amendment introduced by Raydient directly contradicts the local bill and states:

“…a local government may not include or impose as a development order condition a requirement that a developer contribute or pay for land acquisition or construction or expansion of public facilities, or portions thereof, unless the local government has enacted a local ordinance that requires developers of other developments not within a sector planning area to contribute a proportionate share of the funds, land, or public facilities necessary to accommodate any impacts having a rational nexus to the proposed development.”


As noted above, Raydient’s ENCPA development is a Sector Plan (the only one in Nassau County), and as such, has inherent benefits greater than normal developments. This includes the establishment of a public-private partnership whereby parties work together and develop long-term plans to address regional issues. The amendment language above attempts to negate this notion and calls for uniformity among developments. However, there are stark differences in the needs and planning of a 24,000 acre development as compared to a typical subdivision. Raydient is willing to accept the benefits to the private side of the partnership (such as the establishment of the 12% tax increment and mobility fees mentioned in the first paragraph) but no longer wants to work with the board to provide the benefits to the public as previously agreed.
 
The Board has attempted to work through the differences but have been unsuccessful in getting all parties to the table. An email was sent to Raydient and Stewardship Officials on December 21, 2017, asking for dates and times a public workshop could be held. February 12, 2018 at 4:00pm was mutually agreed upon and the meeting was set. Not a single representative from Raydient or the East Nassau Stewardship District attended. A few days later, the County was made aware of Raydient’s amendment to the State bills which were filed on January 26th, 2018. The Board set a second meeting for February 16th and extended an invitation to Raydient and the East Nassau Stewardship to discuss the amendment and the issues at hand. Once again, neither Raydient nor Stewardship representatives attended the meeting.
 

Raydient’s amendment is a back-door attempt to renege on the commitments promised by Raydient to the Board and citizens as outlined in the approved Stewardship District bill. This dispute does not belong in Tallahassee or in a statewide general bill and should be settled here in Nassau County, by both parties coming to the table and working towards a solution. All County Commissioners, management and key staff have fought this week to prevent Raydient’s amendment from being adopted in the finalized bills. Senator Bean has filed an amendment to the Senate bill that strikes the language added by Raydient and restores the bill back to the original contents and intent. The Senate will be voting on this amendment on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. The Board of County Commissioners will continue its effort next week to support Senator Bean’s amendment. A special thank you to Senator Bean and Representative Byrd for their tremendous help and joint effort to protect the approximate 81,000 taxpayers of Nassau County.  

-Nassau County Board of County Commissioners




2 Comments

Lane Closures for the Week of February 24-March 2, 2018

2/23/2018

0 Comments

 
2/23/18 @ 4:40 p.m. - Below is lane closure information for the week of February 24-March 2, 2018. NOTE: THIS INCLUDES A DAYTIME LANE CLOSURE FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH FROM 7AM-5PM BETWEEN LOFTON SQUARE COURT TO OLD NASSAUVILLE ROAD.

SUBJECT: LANE CLOSURE INFORMATION 
Job Description:  SR-200 Reconstruction (W of Rubin Rd. to E of CR 107 Scott Rd.)
Financial Project Number:  210712-4-52-01 & 210712-4-56-01
Federal Aid Project Number:  4881064P
Contract Number:  T2579
County - Section Number:  Nassau - 74060

 
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF THE CLOSURE:
 
Daytime: 
  • SR 200 EB/WB LT Lane from Lofton Square Court to Old Nassauville Rd; Saturday, 02/24/18, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 
Nighttime:
  • SB Right Lane Blackrock Rd at SR 200; Sunday, 02/25/18 - Tuesday, 02/27/18; 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM 
  • NB Right Lane Blackrock Rd at SR 200; Wednesday, 02/28/18 – Friday, 03/02/18; 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
 
REASON FOR THE CLOSURE (Type of Construction Maintenance Activity):
Barrier Wall Patching and Clean-up
Drainage Crossing Installations
 
PROJECT ENGINEER OR CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
ETM                                        
Carrie Smithheart, PA              
Office: (904) 265-3170          
Cell:  (904) 509-9007

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office           
 

0 Comments

Update on Proposed Senate Bill 324

2/22/2018

1 Comment

 
2/22/18 @ 8:10 p.m. - The Senate Appropriations Committee has temporarily postponed their vote on proposed SB 324. The matter has been continued to Tuesday, February 27th. County staff urges you to continue emailing the members of the Appropriations Committee and urge them not to approve this Bill unless changes are made that will protect Nassau County and require Raydient to uphold their agreement to provide recreational facilities to accommodate growth that will occur from their development, the East Nassau Community Planning Area (ENCPA). Below is contact info for the members:
  • Senator Bradley: Bradley.rob@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Flores: flores.anitere@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Baxley: baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Bean: bean.aaron@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Benacquisto: benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Book: book.lauren@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Bracy: bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Brandes: brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Braynon: braynon.oscar@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Gainer: gainer.george@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Galvano: galvano.bill@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Gibson: Gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Grimsley: grimsley@denise@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Montford: montford.bill@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Passidomo: passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Powell: powell.bobby@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Simmons: simmons.david@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Simpson: simpson.wilton@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Stargel: stargel.kelli@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Stewart; stewart.linda@flsenate.gov

The Board of County Commissioners is holding a special meeting tomorrow, Friday, February 23rd, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL, 32097. The public is welcome to attend. The meeting may also be viewed live by visiting our website and clicking the link for "live board meetings".

We will continue to share information as it is received.


-Sabrina Robertson
​ County Manager's Office
1 Comment

Attention Nassau County Residents - Please Contact the Senate Appropriation Committee Today Regarding a Proposed Amendment to Senate Bill 324

2/22/2018

5 Comments

 
Picture
2/22/18 @ 8:45 a.m.- Senator Aaron Bean has proposed an amendment to Senate Bill 324, which if approved, would require Raydient to comply with the local bill in which they, the State and the County previously agreed to last year.

The Commissioners urge everyone to email the Senate Appropriations Committee Members and ask them to support Senator Bean's Amendment to proposed Bill 324 BEFORE 2:00 P.M. TODAY, February 22, 2018! All contact information is included in the attached flyer and listed below:


  • Senator Bradley: Bradley.rob@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Flores: flores.anitere@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Baxley: baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Bean: bean.aaron@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Benacquisto: benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Book: book.lauren@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Bracy: bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Brandes: brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Braynon: braynon.oscar@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Gainer: gainer.george@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Galvano: galvano.bill@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Gibson: Gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Grimsley: grimsley@denise@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Montford: montford.bill@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Passidomo: passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov 
  • Senator Powell: powell.bobby@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Simmons: simmons.david@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Simpson: simpson.wilton@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Stargel: stargel.kelli@flsenate.gov
  • Senator Stewart; stewart.linda@flsenate.gov  

For information on how proposed Bill 324 would affect Nassau County, please see the story we shared yesterday.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
5 Comments

Urgent Notice Regarding Senate Bill 324!

2/21/2018

10 Comments

 
Picture
2/21/18 @ 9:00 a.m. - This week, all five County Commissioners and various County staff are in Tallahassee meeting with Legislators in an effort to ensure that the cost of growth does not fall on the backs of taxpayers. There is proposed legislation which if passed, could cost the County millions of dollars... dollars which developers should have to pay in order to mitigate impacts on local government and provide public facilities needed to support their developments. The County is urging all citizens to contact their senators immediately to OPPOSE SENATE BILL 324 unless amendments are made to protect Nassau County!

Below are some key points you should know: 
  • Raydient (Rayonier) is developing a 24,000 acre master-planned development known as the East Nassau Community Planning Area (ENCPA). 
  • The State, with support of the Board of County Commissioners, approved a Stewardship District for the ENCPA which would be the funding mechanism to build public facilities such as roads, parks, recreation, etc.
  • Raydient no longer wants to honor its promises to the County and has stopped communicating, including refusal to attend two (2) public Board of County Commissioner meetings held for the purpose of discussing the public private partnership and funding concerns
  • Instead, Raydient has been lobbying the State to approve Senate Bill 324 and companion bill, House Bill 697. If approved, funding for tens of millions of dollars to build public facilities could fall on the County tax payers rather than the agreement that growth would pay for growth inside the development and not burden citizens ouside of the ENCPA
  • The County Commissioners were made aware of the bill last week and all 5 Commissioners are in Tallahassee lobbying the amendments to protect the taxpayers
  • Senate Bill (SB 324) is being heard tomorrow in Senate Appropriations. Oppose Senate Bill 324 unless amendments are made to protect Nassau County!

Who to Contact:
Rob Bradley, Senate Appropriation Chair, at (850) 487-5005 or via email at Bradley.Rob@flsenate.gov AND
Dana Young, Senator and Bill Sponsor, at (850) 487-5018 or via email at Young.Dana@flsenate.gov

PLEASE CONTACT THEM IMMEDIATELY AND DEMAND THAT SENATE BILL 324 NOT BE APPROVED UNLESS AMENDMENTS ARE MADE TO PROTECT NASSAU COUNTY!!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office






10 Comments

Meetings This Week

2/20/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
2/20/18 @ 1:25 p.m. - Information regarding meetings for Feb. 20th-Feb. 23rd.

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, Feb. 20th at 6:00 p.m., James S. Page Governmental Complex, Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
 
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Wednesday, Feb. 21st at 4:00 p.m., James S. Page Governmental Complex, Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
 
Cancellation Notice(s):
The Regular and Special Meetings of the Board of County Commissioners scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21st at 9:00 a.m. HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.
 
The Western Nassau Heritage Preservation meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20th at 4:00 p.m. HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office




0 Comments

County Offices Closed Monday

2/16/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
2/16/18 @ 9:05 a.m. - County Offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018, in observance of President's Day. We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, February 20th. We hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them" - John F. Kennedy

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    2020 Census
    Affordable Housing
    American Beach
    American Rescue Plan
    Animal Control
    Around The County
    Beaches
    Bike Trails
    Board Vacancies
    Budget
    Building Department
    CARES
    Citizen Surveys
    Clerk Of Courts
    Code Enforcement
    Community Outreac
    Contracts Procurement
    Contracts-Procurement
    County Attorney
    County Awards
    County Extension/Agriculture Services
    County Manager
    County Oversight
    Economic Development
    Emergency Mgmt
    Employee Achievements
    Engineering Services
    Environment
    Facilities
    FDOT
    Financial
    Fire Rescue
    Flags
    Grant Info
    Growth Management
    Health Department
    Job Growth
    Job Opportunities
    Land Conservation
    Library
    Nassau Amelia Utilities
    Newsletters
    Not For Profits
    Planning
    Press Releases/Advisories
    Property Appraiser
    Public Works
    Railroad
    Recreation
    Recycling
    Resolutions
    School Board
    Senior Citizens
    Sheriff
    Solid Waste
    Special Events
    State Of Florida
    Supervisor Of Elections
    Technical Services
    Tourism
    Transit Needs
    Tree Ordinance
    Veterans
    Video Projects
    Volunteer Opportunities
    Weather
    Week In Photos
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly