3/31/22 @ 10:15 a.m.

PRESS RELEASE

We are pleased to announce that County Manager, Taco Pope, and the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners have been jointly named as Partner of the Year by the North Florida Land Trust for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Plan adopted on January 25, 2021. The CLAM was created to provide guidance in the selection of lands to be acquired by the County and set aside for conservation.

Mr. Pope and the Board were recognized at the North Florida Land Trust’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. North Florida Land Trust President, Jim McCarthy, stated, “Nassau County is being recognized for leading the effort in adopting the strategic Conservation Land Acquisition and Management Plan for Nassau County and for preparing for a local land conservation referendum to the voters in November 2022. The process they are following is exemplary in that they are planning for conservation in a rapidly growing county utilizing a commitment to transparency, equity, fiduciary responsibility and scientific integrity. Due to Nassau County’s efforts, they are preserving as much land as possible for wildlife habitat, environmental sustainability, and community resilience”.

According to Mr. McCarthy, to be considered for the title of Partner of the Year, an agency must advance the North Florida Land Trust’s mission in preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida’s irreplaceable natural environment.
 
County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “Adopting the CLAM was a monumental step forward for Nassau County. We’ve had great partners to help us get to this point. With the support of the North Florida Land Trust Board of Directors and staff, we were able to successfully create a program that will guide the County in identifying properties for conservation, planning for acquisition of those properties, and ensuring that the properties are managed sustainably and with appropriate recreational opportunities for the public. We appreciate the guidance they provided us and are honored to have been selected as Partner of the Year”.

To view the adopted CLAM Program, please visit our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/31/22 @ 9:40 a.m.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go freshwater fishing April 2 - April 3, 2022 during license-free freshwater fishing days.

License-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for individuals to try fishing without needing to purchase a license first. During these two days, the fishing license requirement is waived for recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules related to seasons, bag and size limits still apply. Click here to learn more.

For additional information on fresh water fishing, visit the FWC Freshwater Fishing Webpage.

If you have any questions, contact Michelle Kerr of the FWC at (850) 510-4776 or via e-mail at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/31/22 @ 8:15 a.m. - This edition of our Nassau Now series features information about the Waste Tire Amnesty Day Event scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2022.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/30/22 @ 4:45 p.m. - At the Board of County Commissioners held on Monday, March 28, 2022, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-026 proclaiming the month of April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This month is observed nationally to call attention to the prevalence of sexual violence and its widespread impacts, while promoting responses that lead to positive culture change. Sexual violence affects hundreds of thousands of Americans year. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN),someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds in America. Sadly, only 25 of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison.

The theme of this year's Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign in Nassau County is "Healing: Past, Present and Future". This theme focuses on transgenerational trauma, recognizing that traumatic experiences, including those stemming from sexual violence, can have effects that get passed down through generations, and that sexual violence and its effect through generations is a public health issue.

Nassau County's Victim Advocate with the Women's Center of Jacksonville, Lori Armstrong, stated, "Sexual violence can have a lasting impact, not only for survivors but also for their families. It is natural to want to move past trauma but unless the survivor is able to manage the symptoms of trauma in a healthy manner, they can become stuck in a cycle of unhealthy coping habits and self blame which can be passed on to their loved ones. This cycle is known as generational trauma. For survivors seeking resources to break this cycle, the WCJ is here to help".

To learn more about the Women's Center of Jacksonville, please visit their website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/30/22 @ 2:25 p.m.

Are you a vendor who is interested in working with Nassau County? If so, we urge you to visit our website and sign up as a vendor to be notified of future bid opportunities.
 
The Board of County Commissioners utilizes PlanetBids, a procurement and electronic bidding system to promote competition, provide better service and convenience to vendors, and increase transparency in the procurement and bidding process. It also helps the County to quickly identify local vendors, as well as minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses.
 
To sign up, visit: https://pbsystem.planetbids.com/portal/49083/portal-home.
 
Follow these easy steps:

1. Click on New Vendor Registration and complete the 3 fields
2. Check your email and select verify to complete the vendor registration form

 
Below is a step-by-step graphic for your information.

You will automatically receive bid alert emails based on your category code selections.

If you need any assistance along the way, click the headset image on the top of the screen for FAQ’s and support.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Procurement Director, Lanaee Gilmore, at (904) 530-6040 or via e-mail at [email protected].
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/29/22 @ 9:15 a.m. - On Monday, March 28, 2022, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Westside Regional Park. This 107 acre property will serve as a regional destination delivering recreation, leisure, social interaction, and educational opportunities for the entire spectrum of the public. It's overall conceptual plan and features were derived from community input which revealed that residents want a variety of recreational facilities and programs that include more than youth athletics. The data collected was used to create a conceptual plan which was shared with the public at a community meeting in March 2021 and formally adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in May 2021.

Yesterday's event began with a welcome message by Vice-Chairman, Jeff Gray. He stated, "The County purchased this property with the dream of providing regional recreation opportunities for Nassau County residents. This park will be unlike anything Nassau County has ever seen and will serve the residents for many years to come".

District Four County Commissioner, Thomas Ford, also spoke, stating, "This park will feature basic amenities such as pavilions, picnic tables and playgrounds. However, it will also feature unique amenities such as walking trails, a managed forest, a recreational fishing pond, outdoor fitness and exercise opportunities, green/event space, multi-use and tournament fields, and the County's first ampitheatre". He further added, "No matter where you live in Nassau County, you will now be able to experience a first-class park with a short drive".

Other speakers at the event included Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, and Shawn Bliss with Prosser, Inc., the engineering firm overseeing construction of the project. Both shared information about the wonderful recreational opportunities the park will bring to the area, as well as their excitement to be involved in the efforts to bring these amenities to our residents. District Five Commissioner, Klynt Farmer, also spoke briefly, stating that, "I'm excited to see that we're going to bring something to the west side of the County that will benefit many, many generations".

Following the presentations, the Commissioners participated in the ceremonial "breaking of the ground".

We appreciate everyone that came out yesterday to celebrate with us. For those that were unable to attend, the presentation was recorded and can be found on our YouTube Channel (see link below).

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Following the

3/28/22 @ 9:30 a.m.- Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners
Monday, March 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

As a reminder, the Board of County Commissioners is also hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Westside Regional Park on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. The event will take place at the site's entrance on U.S. 1, directly across from Mizell Tract Road. The public is invited to attend.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/25/22 @ 9:00 p.m. - Below are pictures for the week of March 18 - March 25, 2022.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/25/22 @ 3:00 p.m. - Attached is the February 2022 edition of the Board of County Commissioner's newsletter. This monthly publication features a variety of information related to projects and activities for departments under the Board of County Commissioners. It also includes information about road projects, special events, adopted policies and procedures, budget discussions, and more!

Topics in this edition includes:

• Members appointed to the Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Ordinance Commission
• Update on American Beach Water & Sewer efforts
• New Library Exhibit: The Art of Fishing
• Update on Nyro the German Shepherd
• Kitten Season and felines available for adoption
• Westside Regional Park Groundbreaking announcement
• Blackrock Community Park

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/24/22 @ 2:15 p.m. - Next week, Nassau County Engineering Services will host a community meeting regarding the William Burgess Boulevard extension. This project will extend the existing William Burgess Blvd. across U.S. 17, connecting to Theresa Road and Miner Road, and will include construction of a multi-use path to provide a safe route for pedestrians. This is being done in an effort to improve mobility in the area, reduce congestion at the middle and high school on Miner Road and allow for another east/west road parallel to State Road 200. 

The Community Meeting will provide residents with the opportunity to hear details from Engineering staff and the Engineering Design Team and to ask questions. Visual concepts of the extension project and anticipated timelines will also be shared at the meeting.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

If you have any questions, please contact Engineering Services at (904) 530-6225.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/24/22 2 8:40 a.m.

President Joe Biden has issued a Proclamation ordering all flags in the United States to be flown at half-staff through sunset on Sunday, March 27, 2022, in honor of Madeleine Korbel Albright. According to Proclamation, Ms. Albright made history as the first woman Secretary of State, appointed by President Clinton. She was a "scholar, teacher, best selling author, and accomplished business woman". She passed away on March 23, 2022 at the age of 84.

To view the Proclamation from President Biden, please click here.


-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/23/22 @ 10:40 a.m.- At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Wednesday, March 16th, the Board recognized employees who had reached significant milestones in their employment with the County.

Fire Engineers John Watson and Tracy Weaver are both celebrating 20 years with the County this month. In their positions, they have responsibilities above and beyond responding to scenes and treating patients. As Engineers, they are also responsible for safe operation of the apparatus (fire truck, ambulance, brush truck, etc.) and ensuring that it's in proper working order by conducting daily checks and maintenance.

Five additional Fire/Rescue employees also celebrated milestones this year but were unable to attend the meeting. Keven Ray (25 years); Jonathan Elledge (25 years); Robert Smith (20 years); Larry Royal (20 years); and Mark Adams (20 years).

We appreciate each of these employees and commend them for all they do to keep the residents of Nassau County safe.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/22/22 @ 5:15 p.m.- Please join us in welcoming Nassau County's new Procurement Director, Lanaee Gilmore.

Lanaee has many years of experience working in procurement, purchasing and contracts. Her most recent position was Procurement Officer for the City of Raleigh, NC. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Business Administration, both from Warner University.

In her position as Procurement Director, Lanaee will work with departments under the Board of County Commissioners to ensure that the County is securing goods and services at the best rate possible and that purchases comply with federal, state, and county procurement laws which govern expenditures of public funds. She will also ensure equal opportunity to qualified vendors, monitor vendor performance to ensure accountability, and provide procurement policies, standards and best practice guidance to the departments.

We are happy that Lanaee has joined our team and look forward to working with her.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/22/22 @ 11:15 a.m. - The County was informed yesterday that CSX Railroad is planning a closure to the railroad crossing on William Burgess Blvd for repairs. They have not given exact dates but have indicated that it could start as soon as tomorrow, Wednesday, March 23rd, or as late as Monday, March 28th. The work will take several days to complete. CSX's contractor, Southern Commercial Development, is in the process of placing message boards in the area.

Motorists will be asked to utilize William Burgess Blvd. from State Road 200 or Harts Road to access the area.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Erika Nickell of Southern Commercial Development at (229) 262-4394 or via email at [email protected].
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/22/22 @ 8:45 a.m. - Next week, the Board of County Commissioners will host a Groundbreaking Ceremony in celebration of the upcoming construction of Phase One of the Westside Regional Park.

The overall conceptual plan for the park was devised from community input collected from a series of citizen surveys and public outreach event which concluded that residents want a variety of recreational facilities and programs that include far more than youth athletics.  The conceptual plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on May 24, 2021.

Phase One of the park will feature a variety of amenities including pavilions throughout the park, outdoor event/green space, community playground with shade, restrooms, multi-use trails, a fishing pond and multi-purpose fields. This vibrant park will serve as a regional destination delivering recreation, leisure, social interaction, and educational opportunities for the entire spectrum of the public.

Please join us on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the site’s entrance which is located just off U.S. 1, across from Mizell Tract Road, Hilliard, FL. (click here for site map)

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, by phone at (904) 530-6127 or via email at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer