6/30/22 @ 12:00 p.m. - At the June 13, 2022 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-125 temporarily reducing the speed limit on County Road 121 from the Duval County line to County Road 2 to 45 mph. This is being done at the recommendation of Engineering Services and the Florida Department of Transportation in an effort to improve motorist safety due to current road conditions and higher than average truck traffic. New speed limit signs were put in place yesterday. 

As previously announced, the State awarded the County $9 million in Legislative funding during the 2021 Legislative Session for repair and resurfacing of the southern most portion of County Road 121. Project design is anticipated to begin in late summer/early fall 2022. Construction is anticipated to begin early 2023 and will take six to nine months to complete.

Given the approximate two-year process to complete repairing of the southern half of the CR121 corridor, the Nassau County Road Department has been working diligently to make temporary asphalt repairs to the road by removing loose asphalt and debris; recompacting the base; filling the holes with tackifier, a compound that increases stickiness; filling the holes with a new asphalt mix; and then tamping it into place, and packing it tightly before leveling it to the surrounding road. The Road Department has also to worked to remove the accumulation of soil along portions of the roadway’s shoulders to allow rain water to drain away more quickly from the paved surface.

Following completion of the repair and resurfacing project, the roadway will be re-evaluated to reimplement the 55 mph speed limit. 

If you have any questions, please contact Deputy County Manager/County Engineer, Robert Companion at (904) 530-6225 or via e-mail at rcompanion@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/30/22 @ 10:40 a.m. - At the Monday, June 27, 2022 meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2022-130 proclaiming the week of July 1 - July 7, 2022, as Clean Beaches Week in Nassau County, Florida. Clean Beaches Week is recognized annually across the nation to spread awareness regarding the effects of pollution on marine life, oceans and coastal landscape. Public Works Director, Doug Podiak, and Convention & Visitor's Bureau Executive Director, Gil Langley, were in attendance to accept the Resolution.

Nassau County beaches have long been a source of beauty and enjoyment, drawing thousands of visitors per year. The Board strives to ensure that Nassau County beaches remain pristine. By collection of the Tourist Development Tax by lodging establishments on Amelia Island, the County is able to fund 100% of beach cleaning efforts. These efforts including removal of trash and debris from both City and County beaches, emptying of all trashcans along the beach, removal of trash and debris from all beach front parks, and cleaning of all beach front park restrooms. In 2021, the beach contractor removed approximately 100 tons of trash and debris from City and County beaches, beach access areas, and parking lots.

The Amelia Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau works tirelessly to ensure that visitors understand the importance of keeping our beaches clean by providing printed materials for lodging establishments and supplying signage in beach front parks encouraging residents and visitors to "leave no trace".

By caring for the beach and keeping it clean, the Board of County Commissioners is investing in preservation of the environment and wildlife by ensuring that harmful materials do not end up in the ocean or destroy beach habitats. This week, residents and visitors are encouraged to make a positive impact by cleaning up trash and debris that have been left behind and encouraging others to do the same.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

6/30/22 @ 9:45 a.m.- Please be advised that the Fernandina Beach Library Branch will be closed for renovations on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.

All other branches will maintain regular hours. As always, the digital library, book drops and book lockers are available to you 24/7.

If you have any questions, please contact the Library System at (904) 530-6500.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

6/27/22 @ 5:20 p.m.

Nassau County Fire-Rescue 3101 and the Fernandina Beach Fire Department responded to a ship fire at the port late last night. 35 firefighters battled the fire for approximately four hours until is was determined to be under control. Approximately two hours later, it was finally out.

The reason for the fire is currently unknown but is under investigation by the US Coastguard’s Investigations Division. No civilians were injured however one NCFR firefighter was transported to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Through interlocal agreements, the City and County are able to jointly respond to incidents requiring greater resources. We appreciate this partnership and the ability to better serve the residents of Nassau County.

6/27/22 @ 11:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week.

Board of County Commissioners
Monday, June 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32034

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

6/24/22 @ 1:15 p.m. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
 
NASSAU COUNTY RECEIVES 2022 SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FOR STATE ROAD 200 CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 24, 2022 – Nassau County has received its second award for the State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan. The first award was an Award of Excellence in Planning from the Northeast Florida Regional Council earned in January 2022. This most recent award is the 2022 Sustainability Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association (FPZA) which was earned for creating a plan that improves on and harmonizes with the natural environment.
This plan was the result of a two-year planning initiative which consisted of online citizen surveys, interviews and community meetings in which stakeholders were asked to share their thoughts about the State Road 200/A1A Corridor.
 
This process revealed that county residents, young and old, share a desire for a safe, comfortable, and attractive corridor that connects them to the places they are seeking access to. They also desire more trees, sidewalk/bicycle paths, and gathering spaces such as parks and public markets. At the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting held on December 13, 2021, the Board adopted a Resolution approving the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan which will serve as the blueprint for plan implementation through upcoming comprehensive plan policies and land development code standards.
 
Joseph Quinn, Senior Project Manager for the Southwest Florida Water Management District and President of the FPZA, stated, “The Nassau County State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan reflects the incredible long-range vision of staff, residents, businesses owners, and others to foster a sense of community and connectivity not traditionally seen in such car-centric corridors. The broad stakeholder engagement in the Master Plan development is a testament to the community’s desire to create a vibrant, connected, and sustainable corridor addressing enhanced livability for both current and future residents. Given the exceptional aspects of the State Road 200/A1A Master Plan, the Florida Planning and Zoning Association was extremely excited to present Nassau County with the 2022 Sustainability Award!”
 
Nassau County recognizes that the current pattern of development along the SR200/A1A Corridor is not fiscally sustainable, nor does it represent the interests of the community. With the recent widening of SR200 to six lanes, its wide vehicle travel ways, unshaded sidewalks, and unprotected bike lanes, automobile transportation is prioritized.
 
Nassau County’s goal is to establish nodes of compact, walkable areas along the corridor, linked by safe routes for bicycling and future transit, while creating a sense of place and historic identity. Five planning priorities identified include:  

• Nurture Nature: Maintain, enhance, and extend the natural environment by creating opportunities for residents to access and enjoy Florida's unique natural areas.
• Grow Sustainably: Help stage vibrant shopping center and neighborhood growth through development that creates places for people, supports local businesses, and generates additional jobs, encourage active lifestyles, and comprises a mix of housing options.
• Connect Communities: Improve linkages between neighborhoods, shopping centers, and amenities through a network of slow, safe and livable primary and secondary streets, trails, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure.
• Catalyze Culture: Build on heritage while establishing new cultural assets that celebrate community creativity and identity in the public realm.
• Future Proof: Prepare for a future by looking ahead to build a resilient community in the face of growing climate concern and technological advancement.

 
The State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan outlines Low Impact Design (LID) principles that work with nature to manage stormwater and preserving natural landscape features. It also includes guidelines for maintaining natural areas and protecting viewsheds along the corridor which would be accomplished by strategic acquisition of parcels along the State Road 200 corridor.   
 
County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “The State Road 200 Corridor Master Plan- The Timber to Tides Project charts a path towards a more resilient and people centric development program that prioritizes quality-of-life and generational sustainability. I am proud to have been part of the planning team that delivered this project to the citizens of Nassau County”.
 
The Master Plan can be located here.

If you have any questions about the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan, please contact the Nassau County Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 
 

6/24/22 @ 3:00 p.m. - Below are photos from the week of June 17 - June 24, 2022. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Attached is the May 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 information on:

- Newly adopted Interim Strategic Plan
- New Editions of "Nassau Now" Series
- County Road 121 Repairs
- Emergency Management Preparations for Storm Season
- Tributary Park Update
- Update on Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM)
- And much more!

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 

Board to Designate $4 Million in American Rescue Plan Act Funding to Town of Callahan to Expand Water & Sewer Services for Economic Development and Job Growth in Nassau County
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 23, 2022 – The Crawford Diamond Industrial Park is a McCallum Sweeney Certified Industrial Park consisting of 1,814 acres and approved for up to 10.5 million square feet of heavy industrial use. It’s proximity to three ports, two interstates, and two railroad lines makes it a prime location for Economic Development with the opportunity to brings thousands of jobs to Nassau County. However, attracting companies has been difficult due to the site’s lack of water and sewer services.

A coalition consisting of the Board of County Commissioners, the Nassau County Economic Development Board, JaxUSA, and the Town of Callahan have been collaborating efforts to expand the Town’s current water and sewer system to the Crawford Diamond.  
In an attempt to fund the expansion, the Town of Callahan applied for a 21/22 Florida Job Growth Public Infrastructure Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in the amount of $4 million. In order to qualify for the grant, the Town of Callahan needed support from the Board of County Commissioners. The County’s contribution will be the final financial piece to make this estimated $12 million project a reality.  The investments into these critical infrastructure projects will place the County in a very competitive position to bring significant economic development and job growth within the County. 

On January 4, 2022, County Manager, Taco Pope, sent a letter to the Economic Development Board tentatively committing $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding received from the U.S. Department of Treasury following the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding the project is consistent with guidelines set forth by the U.S. Treasury and the Nassau County Prosperity Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in May 2021.

In the January 4th memo, Mr. Pope stated, “The establishment of a public water system to serve the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park supports community goals by creating a more diversified, resilient, sustainable and prosperous local economic ecosystem; improves access to public water; creates high wage jobs; leverages state and federal dollars to build strategic infrastructure; and expands the local tax base”.

We are excited to announce that on Monday, June 20, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis visited Nassau County and presented the Town of Callahan with a check to assist in funding the project! This funding is in addition to $4 million awarded to the Town during the previous fiscal year.

Following the Governor’s check presentation to the Town of Callahan, County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “This is a big day for Nassau County! By working together to find solutions, the Coalition has finally found a way to bring water to the Crawford Diamond. The Board of Commissioners will continue to invest in infrastructure and to expanding our County’s workforce to strengthen our local economy”.

Construction of the water plant follows the $9 million Crawford Road improvements project completed by the Board of County Commissioners in November 2021. Later this year, the Board of County Commissioners will commence a $2 million intersection improvements project at US 301 and Crawford Road to allow heavy truck traffic to access the Crawford Diamond Industrial Park.
​
Sherri Mitchell, Executive Director for the Nassau County Economic Development Board, stated, “This is such an exciting time for Nassau County and I couldn’t be more thrilled! When we all work together to create planned developments that are diverse, we are truly paving the way for a stronger future. I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Callahan for their commitment to this specific infrastructure project for the Crawford Diamond. Infrastructure is crucially important to foster Nassau County’s economic development and prosperity. This is a game changer and will have a direct effect as it contributes to higher productivity and growth, facilitates connectivity, and promotes economic inclusion”.
 

6/23/22 @ 9:20 a.m. - At the Wednesday, June 15th meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-128, proclaiming the week of June 25-July 1, 2022, as "National Boys & Girls Club Week" in Nassau County, Florida. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Nassau County instill young people with the self-confidence to believe that they can succeed at anything they put their minds to and stand at the forefront of efforts in the areas of child safety, academics, fair play, healthy lifestyles, and character. They also help ensure that young people have a safe supportive place to spend time and will provide them with quality youth development programs. 

There are approximately 4,000 clubs and over 2 million children and teens attendees nationwide. Nassau County currently has three Boys & Girls Club locations that serve 700 young people annually. To learn more about Boys & Girls Club centers in Nassau County, please visit their website at ​https://bgcnassau.org/. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer