7/30/18 @ 3:50 p.m. - The Florida Association of Counties' Annual Calendar Contest has opened! And to celebrate their 90th Anniversary, FAC has designated the 2019 calendar theme as "Old Florida" which will  highlight Florida's rich and diverse history and feature historical landmarks and sites.

Now in its sixth year of publication, the FAC Calendar photo contest has been a huge success with over 700 entries last year alone. Nassau County has been fortunate enough to be featured twice: once in 2014 for a photo of the Florida House Inn submitted by former County employee, Shanea Jones; and again in 2018 for a photo of Egans Creek submitted by resident Mark Delfs.

If you would like to enter this year's contest, please visit FAC's website. Please note that there is no limit on the number of photos you can submit however to be considered for publication, your photo must be at least 3000 pixels / 300 DPI. The deadline to submit photos is Friday, September 7th. The winners will be announced in November during FAC's Legislative Conference. If a photo from Nassau County is selected, we will share that information here as well.

Good luck!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/30/18 @ 9:10 a.m. - The Precautionary Boil Water Notice issued on July 26th for Club Villas, Units 3001-3014, has been rescinded following the satisfactory completion of bacteriological analysis showing the water is safe for consumption. You may resume normal usage at this time. We appreciate everyone's patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

If you have any questions, please contact Nassau Amelia Utilities at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/27/18 @ 2:40 p.m. - Below is lane closure information for the week of July 28 through August 3, 2018. NOTE: THIS INCLUDES DAYTIME LANE CLOSURES FOR SATURDAY, JULY 28TH.

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 WB Left Lane from just east of Duval Rd to Chester Rd; Saturday, 07/28/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• SR 200 EB Left Lane from Chester Rd to just east of Duval Rd; Saturday, 07/28/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• SR 200 EB Right Turn Lane onto Miner Rd; Tuesday, 07/31/18 – Friday, 08/03/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• SR 200 EB Business Right Turn Lane from SE Corner of Miner Rd east for 250’; Tuesday, 07/31/18 – Friday, 08/03/18; 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

 
Nighttime:   None at this time.
 
REASON FOR THE CLOSURE (Type of Construction/Maintenance Activity):
Barrier Wall Repair
Fire Hydrant Removal
 
PROJECT ENGINEER OR CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
ETM                                        
Kent Ponder
Cell: (904) 497-8891
Office: (904) 265-3215    

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office     
          

7/30/18 @ 10:00 a.m. - The following two recycling events have been scheduled for Saturday, September 8th. NOTE: THESE EVENTS ARE ON THE SAME DATE BUT ARE BEING HELD AT TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS. SEE EVENT INFO FOR EACH BELOW.

Waste Tire Amnesty Day
When: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., OR UNTIL THE TRAILER IS FULL (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST)
Where: Nassau County Convenience Center, 46026 Landfill Rd., Callahan, FL 32011
Description of Event: Residents may bring up to 10 (ten) tires for FREE disposal (car and light truck tires only). Tires must be off the rim and free of debris. No commercial loads will be accepted. Must provide proof of Nassau County residency.


Household Hazardous Waste Event
When: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: Northeast Florida Fairgrounds, 543378 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011
Description of Event: Drop off your household hazardous waste and help keep our County green. Example of items collected include:

• Pesticides and insecticides
• Paint and paint thinners
• Radiator fluids, used oil/lubricants, oil filters, gasoline, propane tanks
• Used cooking oil
• Fluorescent bulbs
• Electronics (computers, TVs, printers, phones, calculators, etc)
• Medications
• Aerosol cans
• All batteries
• Corrosives

This is event is free, however you are asked to bring a non-perishable canned good to donate to the Barnabas Food Pantry.
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For additional info regarding either event, please contact Nassau County Solid Waste at (904) 530-6700.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/27/18 @ 11:50 a.m.

Sue Ann Alleger, a Planner in the Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity has successfully passed the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM) certification examination to become the fourth county employee to attain national certification.
 
The ASFPM grants this certification only to professionals who meet the requirements and complete the comprehensive examination on the programs and standard to reduce flood losses in the nation. All county CFM’s are required to maintain their certification by completing sixteen (16) Continuing Education credits in the field of Floodplain Management which will promote continual growth and awareness of the principles and practices crucial to protection of people, property and natural features within the county.
The role of the nation's floodplain managers is expanding due to increases in disaster losses, the emphasis on mitigation to alleviate the cycle of damage-rebuild-damage, and a recognized need for professionals to adequately address these issues. Nassau County is ensuring that highly qualified individuals are available to meet the challenge of breaking the damage cycle and stopping its negative drain on the County’s human, financial and natural resources.
Further information about the role, duties and knowledge held by a Certified Floodplain Manager can be found at the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. website:
https://www.floods.org
 
Contact:
For more information contact Sue Ann Alleger, MLA/CFM, Planner II and CRS Coordinator for the Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity at (904)530-6300 or via email at salleger@nassaucountyfl.com

7/26/18 @ 2:35 p.m. - Per Nassau Amelia Utilities: A precautionary Boil Water Advisory is in effect for Club Villas, Units 3001-3014 until further notice.

The water has been shut off for repair of a leak . The boil water advisory will remain in effect until bacteriological samples are collected and analyzed to reflect a negative result for coliforms. After completion of this process, a notice will be issued to rescind the boil water advisory.
 
Please continue to boil your water until you are notified to disregard the advisory.
 
We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this unfortunate incident. Should you have any questions, please contact customer service at (904) 530-6030.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/26/18 @ 2:10 p.m. - Florida's 2018 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will take place beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 3rd and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 5th. During this sales tax holiday period, Florida law directs that no sale or local option tax will be collected on purchases of:

• Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item
• Certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item

This sales tax does not apply to:

• Any item of clothing selling for more than $60
• Any school supply item selling for more than $15
• Books that are not otherwise tax exempt
• Rental or lease of eligible items
• Repairs or alterations of any eligible items
• Sale of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport.

Please click here for a complete list of tax exempt clothing, accessories, and supplies.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/26/18 @ 1:45 p.m. - The County Extension Office will be hosting a Hurricane Preparedness Workshop on Thursday, August 9, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Topics of discussion include:

• Hurricane meal plans and food safety
• Mold management
• Preparing your landscape
• Youth's role in difficult situations
• Preparing your boat, farm and livestock

The workshop will be held in the Emergency Operations Center located at 77150 Citizens Circle, Yulee, FL 32097. Tickets are $5 and include a mock hurricane dinner and refreshments. To sign up, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

7/24/18 @ 2:15 p.m. - The State Housing Initiatives (SHIP) Program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act and provides funding to local governments to produce and preserve affordable home ownership. In order to participate, counties must establish a local housing assistance program by Ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy. Funds are then allocated to local governments on a population-based formula. The funds are used to fund emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, and down payment and closing cost assistance for very-low, low and moderate income families who meet all the requirements listed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.907, Florida Administrative Code 67-37, and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan.

In Fiscal Year 2017/2018, 26 households were awarded SHIP funding for down payment and closing cost assistance for purchase of a new home or rehabilitation of an existing home. So far, 6 loans for down payment assistance have closed and 8 rehabilitation projects have been completed. Below are before and after photos of two homes that received assistance through the SHIP Program.

For additional information about the SHIP Program including income requirements and associated guidelines, please visit our website. You may also call the Grants Office at (904) 530-6020 or e-mail Carol Gilchrist at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

New roof, siding, windows, hand rails and gutters were added to the exterior of the home. The sub floor of front porch was secured and sagging foundation at rear of home was corrected. The bathroom was enlarged and sink, toilet, vanity and a new walk in shower was installed. New flooring was installed throughout. Electrical panel was brought up to code, smoke detectors replaced throughout, and insulation added to the attic.
 

Replaced roof, all siding and added gutters. Electrical panel was brought to code, GFI installed where needed and smoke detectors replaced throughout. Windows and HVAC was replaced. Installed walk in shower with handicapped bars, toilet, and vanity. Insulation added where needed.
 

7/23/18 @ 2:00 p.m. - Today's news release from the Florida Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents (FACERS) features Swallowfork Subdivision in their "Project Spotlight" segment following drainage and road stabilization projects by the Nassau County Road & Bridge Department.

The Florida Association of County Engineers and Road Superintendents is a member-based professional group that provides instructive programs of interest to its members and provides an organization in which public works programs may be coordinated among Florida's counties, Municipalities and other governmental agencies. Their periodic publications highlight individual member awards, as well as achievements by various counties around the State.

Last summer, Nassau County Road & Bridge developed a plan to alleviate drainage concerns and improve road conditions to the 100+ residents in Swallowfork Subdivision. The County added ponds and an underground drainage system, replaced culverts, and re-graded ditches to achieve proper water flow. The subdivision had also experienced an increase in traffic which was causing the roads to need maintenance more frequently. The County stabilized the roads and a Double Chip Seal Treatment was applied.

Double Chip Seal Surface Treatment consists of an application of heated asphalt liquid followed by a layer of crushed rock applied with a roller to create a smooth surface. Chip Seal is up to 50% cheaper than asphalt and typically lasts about 10 years. Chip Seal applications enhance road safety by providing good skid resistance, an anti-glare surface during wet weather, and an increased reflective surface for night driving.

The Swallowfork Subdivision project is now receiving State-wide recognition and will serve as an example to other counties who are looking to address similar concerns within their own jurisdictions. To view the FACERS article, please click here.

Congratulations to the Nassau County Road Department on a job well done!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office