4/21/25 @ 11:15 a.m.

Several thousand residents and visitors joined us last May for an Opening of the Beaches event where we celebrated Nassau County’s 200th birthday and engaged with the community about the Nassau Vision 2050 initiative. We had so much fun last year that we’ve decided to make this an annual event!

Join us on Saturday, May 17, 2025, for our Second Annual Opening of the Beaches. This FREE, family-friendly event will bring the community together for nature-themed activities, food and beverage, music and fun, and updates on Vision 2050. This year, we will be celebrating at two locations: Main Beach and Peters Point.

Taking place at Main Beach from 10am-7pm will be food trucks, live music, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market, kid’s activities, and a beer garden. Featured on stage will be a series of local favorites including Laid Back, Brian Ernst, the Sean McCarthy Band, Gilberto 77 and The Honey Badgers.

While there, be sure to stop by the Vision 2050 tent to review and provide comments on the draft Vision 2050 plan. The draft Vision 2050 plan is the result of an 18-month collaborative effort to gain feedback on Nassau County’s future and represents the overarching themes and ideas of the collective community. The final Vision 2050 Plan will be used to guide policies that will promote and manage growth while protecting and enhancing key areas of importance.

Also featured at Main Beach will be the 16th Annual Wild Amelia Nature Festival, brought to you by Keep Nassau Beautiful, which will include exhibits and live animals at the Wild Amelia Eco-Expo. This popular annual event introduces Nassau County’s diverse ecosystem and the wonderful creatures that inhabit them.

Looking for something slower paced? Head down to Peters Point Beachfront Park between 10am-3pm where you will find a vendor’s market, food trucks and a DJ playing all your favorite tunes.

Be sure to visit our news blog at www.thecountyinsider.com for future updates on this event. You can also find updates on our FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/nassaucountyfl. We look forward to celebrating with you at the Second Annual Opening of the Beaches.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/21/25 @ 10:30 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week. Agendas can be found at https://nassaufl.co/agendas.  

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/20/25 @ 7:30 p.m. 

Below are pictures from the week of April 11 - April 18, 2025. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communciations Officer

4/21/25 @ 5:00 p.m.

​At the Wednesday, April 16, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners recognized three County employees for outstanding years of service. 

Cindy Wood is celebrating 20 years of employment with Nassau County this month.  Hired by the Clerks of Courts in the accounts payable division, Cindy transferred to the OMB Office in March 2005 and served in various positions including Financial Management & Budget Coordinator and Senior Financial Management & Budget Coordinator. She was promoted to Assistant OMB Director in October 2022 where she plays a pivotal role in development of the annual budget, overseeing financial reporting for accuracy, monitoring of expenditures and operating expenses, and overseeing budget staff within the department. OMB Director Chris Lacambra stated, "Cindy has exceptional talent. To go from an accounts payable clerk to an assistant director.... she's a superstar. We call her the budget guru and budget master. I've enjoyed working with and appreciate her service."  County Manager Taco Pope added, "There was a period of time with turnover in the department. Cindy stepped up and if it wasn't for her, I'm not sure what the County would have done. I don't know if she's ever been publicly recognized for her efforts but it needs to be recognized because we wouldn't be here without her."

Grant Jones is celebrating 20 years with Nassau County Fire Rescue. Grant was hired in March 2005 as a Tactical Supply Officer. Throughout the years, he was promoted to Logistics Officer, Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer/Paramedic/Firefighter, and to his current position of Lieutenant/Firefighter/Paramedic. He is currently assigned to Engine 71 at Fire Station 71 on Chester Road. He serves on the Special Hazard Operations Team (SHOT) and responds to hazmat situations. Most recently he has begun training all the new recruits. Chief Brandy Rigdon stated, "Everytime we hire new people, Grant spends 6-8 weeks with them in their early careers, training and getting them ready to hit the streets. We greatly appreciate all his efforts. 20 years is a good accomplishment."

The last employee recognized was John Horne who is celebrating 25 years of service this month. John was hired in April 2000 as a Landfill Spotter. John was promoted to a Landfill Operator I, then a Landfill Operator II before being promoted to his current position of Convenience/Recycle Center Closure Operator. In this position, John serves residents at the Convenience Recycle Center, hauls materials for recycling and empties and delivers new bins to the recycling sites. Solid Waste Division Manager Lynn Diden stated, "I've worked with John for 25 years. I can say that he's always been hard-working and dedicated. I rely on him heavily for training new employees. He's great with the employees, he's great with the residents and he goes great work."

Congratulations Cindy, Grant and John on your achievement! We are grateful to each of you for the outstanding service and dedication you have provided to Nassau County and its residents. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/17/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - April 2025 has been declared as Election Worker Month to recognize the hardworking men and women who make safe, accurate and secure elections. In Nassau County, 374 election workers served Nassau County voters during the 2024 Elections serving as clerks, assistant clerks, voting system specialists, assistant voting specialists, EViD operators, deputies, early voting couriers, survey specialist, line attendants, secure ballot intake station attendants, canvassing board teams, and election technicians. 

A group of election workers were present at the April 16, 2025 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting and accepted a Proclamation declaring April 2025 as Election Worker Appreciation Month in Nassau County, Florida. Supervisor of Elections Janet Adkins stated, "It's fitting that we recognize our election workers this month, after this historic voter turnout (85.51%) and the phenomenal job that they did. Florida Statute requires that if you work in an election, you must be a registered voter in that county. So these are our friends, these are our neighbors, and these are our family members. I'm immensely proud of the work they did in 2024 to serve the voters of Nassau County." 

The BOCC commends the many individuals who lend their time, skill and effort to make extraordinary contributions to the voters of Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/16/25 @ 3:50 p.m. - The State of Florida, Water Management Districts and Nassau County are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation. At the Monday, April 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Proclamation designating April 2025 as Water Conservation Month in Nassau County. 

Water is a basic and essential need of every living creature. Residents can help save Florida's precious resources through various strategies including fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances and modifying behaviors like taking shorter showers or turning off the tap while brushing teeth. The BOCC hereby calls on each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/15/25 @ 5:30 p.m. - At the Monday, April 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) presented a Proclamation declaring the week of April 13-April 19, 2025 as Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week. Animal Care & Control agencies across the country provide essential community functions including the enforcement of animal control laws, protecting the public from diseases such as rabies, and educating the public about the proper care for pets. 

Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) continues to qualify as a "no-kill" shelter due to their outstanding efforts in ensuring that animals entering the facility leave the facility through various avenues, including but not limited to, adoptions, fostering, return to owners, and transfers to animal rescue groups. During Fiscal Year 2023/2024, NCAS responded to 7,066 calls for service. Additional efforts included adoption of 1,698 pets, transferring 109 pets to rescue groups to increase their chances of adoption, and hosting and/or participating in 79 animal adoption events. 

Employees of NCAS work tirelessly to keep the community informed about animal control laws, how to properly care for their pets and raising awareness for each pet needing adoption. Most importantly, they keep the animal shelter clean while providing the animals with the love and care they deserve while waiting to find their forever homes. 

The BOCC extends their sincere appreciation to the employees of NCAS for all they do to keep the community clean and safe from infectious diseases and animals running at large. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/14/25 @ 5:00 p.m.

​The State of Florida, through its Attorney General, and certain Local Governments, through their elected representatives and counsel, engaged in litigation seeking to hold many of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Participants accountable for the damage caused to the State by their misfeasance, nonfeasance and malfeasance ("Opioid Lawsuits").

On July 26, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) took action to participate in the Opioid Lawsuits by Resolution 2021-156. Beginning in January 2022, the State of Florida Attorney General negotiated settlement agreements of the Opioid Lawsuits with multiple parties requiring settlement payments be made over an 18-year period. Proceeds from the settlement agreements with the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Participants must be used to “increase the amount of funding presently spent on opioid and substance abuse education, treatment, prevention and recovery services.”

On April 8, 2024, the BOCC approved Resolution 2024-040, establishing the Nassau County Opioid Settlement Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of individuals and stakeholders with knowledge, direct or indirect experience with Opioid substance abuse, and a vested interest in the reduction of Opioid misuse. The Task Force has been charged with recommending to the Board of County Commissioners the most efficient use of settlement funds in accordance with the Core Strategies and approved uses as dictated by the settlement agreements.

Organizations interested in applying for settlement funds can do so by completing the Nassau County Opioid Settlement Application which can be located on our website at: https://nassaucountyfl.com/1403/Opioid-Settlement-Task-Force.

Completed applications can be returned via email at [email protected] or by mail to the County Manager’s Office, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

Completed applications are due by 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Opioid Task Force presentations will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

We are sad to announce that Nassau County has been experiencing a lot of vandalism at its ballparks, playgrounds, beach front parks, boat ramps and other public facilities. These damages are not only costly to the taxpayers, they also disrupt the normal flow of operations as staff is pulled from their regular duties and/or scheduled projects to immediately make repairs to ensure continued safety of residents and guests. Sometimes the damages are so bad that they require facilities to be closed while repairs are made, leading to cancelled practices and games and preventing families from enjoying their time in our parks.

We've experienced profanity spray painted on walls, sinks and soap dispensers ripped off walls, donuts/tire tracks on multi-purpose fields, broken playground equipment, rails ripped off boardwalks, and many other costly damages that ruin the aesthetics of our parks and make them unsafe for users.
​
At this time, we would like to ask our residents to be vigilant and to notify us of any concerns related to potential vandalism. If you see suspicious behavior, please report it right away to Nassau County Parks & Recreation at (904) 530-6120 or by calling the non-emergency line at the Sheriff's Office at (904) 225-5174, particularly if it's after hours (after 5pm or on weekends). Residents are reminded to not approach suspected vandals directly for safety purposes but are encouraged to get a description of any suspicious person(s) or vehicles and report this information right away.

Thank you in advance for helping us keep Nassau County's parks and facilities safe and clean.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/14/25 @ 8:45 a.m. - Below are public meetings for this week. Agendas can be found on our website at https://nassaufl.co/agendas. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/11/25 @ 9:00 a.m. 

At the Monday, March 24, 2025 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, Ron Whitesides, Auditor for Purvis Gray, presented the audit for Fiscal Year 23/24 which ended on September 30, 2024. 

Each year, a team of outside auditors spent nearly 2,000 hours studying the County's controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate and functioning properly. Using an outside auditor ensures financial transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public resources. 

Mr. Whitesides stated, "We have issued an unmodified opinion. That's what you want from your auditors. It's the highest form of assurance an audit firm can give. It means that the financial statements are fairly presented and with the appropriate policies for local governments. In this report are various letters that we issue in accordance with government auditing standards, as well as what is called the single audit. The single audit is a deep-dive. We looked at six of your larger grant agreements with the Federal and State Government. It's a lot of compliance analysis. In addition to that, we do a lot of internal control analysis. You can be assured the financial information you are getting from your management teams is accurate and complete. Citizens can be assured of that information being complete and accurate. The audit went very well. I commend your group. They are doing a fantastic job. We have worked for you a number of years on this audit and I can confidently say they have gotten better every year. You have a very effective management team and there has been an enormous amount of progress made over the years. The citizens should be proud of the work that's done." 

To view the presentation, please visit www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/10/25 @ 5:00 p.m. - 

Vision 2050 is here—make your voice heard!
 
After two years of community input and collaboration, from surveys to pop-up events to Bicentennial Celebrations, the County is proud to unveil the Draft Vision 2050 Plan: a roadmap for guiding growth, policies, and programs over the next 25 years.
 
This plan reflects your priorities for a vibrant, high-quality future in Nassau County.
 
Explore the Vision 2050 components, including the Growth Plan, actions, and strategies, and then share your feedback!
 
Visit the project website to explore the interactive StoryMap before May 23, 2025. Or, join us in person at a workshop and share your input!

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer
 

Below are pictures from the week of April 14 - April 18, 2025. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer