7/29/22 @ 1:00 p.m. - The Nassau County Extension 4-H is hosting a party to celebrate the end of the 2021/2022 4-H year. This year's theme is "Tacky Tourist Luau" and will include games and fun activities including a Best Dressed Tacky Tourist Competition and a tacky tourist tropical themed photo booth. All project/record book, youth and volunteer awards will also be announced during this event.

​The Extension Office will provide the main course but are seeking help with the sides. You will be given an option to sign up for a side at the RSVP link. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Irvine at (904) 530-6353.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

7/29/22 @ 2:00 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of July 22-July 29, 2022. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

7/28/22 @ 5:15 p.m. - The Nassau County Health Department has issued a Press Release regarding free back-to-school health exams taking place on Saturday, August 6th from 9am-1pm at the MLK Recreation Center. Please click here for details. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bothast of the Nassau County Health Department at (904) 832-2644 or via email at jenniferbothast@flhealth.gov. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

7/28/22 @ 9:30 a.m. 

At the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting held on Monday, July 11, 2022, the Board approved a Capital Improvement Plan valued at $133 million with $49 million in CIP Projects funded for Fiscal Year 2022/2023. We are pleased to announce that the Board was able to determine funding sources that will not require the use of FY 22/23 projected ad valorem revenues earned from property tax collection, but instead utilize a diverse mix of funding sources including grants, impact fees, mobility fees, tourist development tax funds and other restricted funds.

What are capital improvement projects you ask? Capital improvement projects refer to physical assets that include the design, purchase, construction, maintenance, or improvement of public resources such as land, buildings, parks, public infrastructure, equipment and public spaces.

The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a working blueprint for building and sustaining the community’s publicly funded infrastructure. It identifies capital improvement projects and funding sources; prioritizes improvements based on available funding; and provides an estimated timeline for completion of each improvements project.

Each year, the County compiles a list of identified projects for the CIP. The current CIP reflects the goals and objectives in the County’s first interim Strategic Plan, adopted earlier this year. The interim Strategic Plan sets a definable course, expectations and fearless targets to work towards a more resilient, equitable, sustainable, and prosperous County. The Interim Strategic Plan can be found at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1282/Strategic-Plan.

Projects identified in the updated CIP include a variety of ongoing and new projects focused on quality-of-life, public safety, economic development, job attraction, public facility needs, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities in infrastructure, and pavement management.
Sampling of Funded Projects for Fiscal Year 2022/2023 includes:

Transportation

• Extension of Amelia Island Trail from Simmons Road to Hickory Street
• Reconstruction of County Road 121
• US 301-Crawford Road Intersection Improvements
• Dove Road extension to William Burgess Blvd.

Parks, Recreation & Quality of Life

• Goffinsville Boat Ramp improvements
• New bleacher pads, new bleachers, and new shade structures at the Yulee, Hilliard, Callahan, and Bryceville Sports Complexes
• Nassau Crossing/William Burgess Community Park ‘Splash Pad’
• Callahan “Town Center/Farmers Market”
• Bryceville Community Park “Town Center/Social Space”
• Wilson Neck Boat Ramp [John Claxton Boat Ramp] Park Improvements

Public Safety

• Public Safety Training Complex – Phase Two. The County celebrated the completion of Phase One at a Ribbon Cutting on July 13, 2022.
• Security camera replacement for the Detention Center
• Equipment update at the Emergency Operations Center

Stormwater/Drainage

• Clements Road drainage improvements
• Thomas Creek mitigation project

Facilities

• Civic Center Campus conceptual design work and preliminary engineering
• New courtroom buildout
• Historic Courthouse window replacement

Again, this is just a sampling of capital improvement projects that have been approved for the next Fiscal Year. To see all projects in 5-Year CIP (fiscal years 2022/2023 through 2026/2027), including the current fiscal year (2021/2022), visit https://bit.ly/NassauCIP.
​
Please note that projects placed into the County’s 5-year CIP are considered to be funded, however the CIP is subject to the adoption of the annual budget which is considered at two public hearings each September.

8/2/22 @ 2:15 p.m. - Please be advised that CSX has modified the dates for the River Road (Brandies Avenue) crossing. The new anticipated dates are August 29th at 5am - September 3rd at 5pm. The detour remains the same: Old Dixie Highway to Bypass Road to River Road. 

7/26/22 @ 4:50 p.m. - The Nassau County Road Department has been notified of upcoming Railroad Crossing repairs from CSX Construction, some of which will require closures and/or detours. Please see complete information below and reach out to Ericka Nickell at Southern Commercial Development (CSX's contractor) at (229) 262-4394 with questions or concerns. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Nassau County Road & Bridge Department
904 530-6175
e-mail: jkirkland@nassaucountyfl.com

Nassau County, Florida July 21, 2022 – On behalf of CSX, the Nassau County Road Department is issuing a Notice of Intent to Begin Construction on the following railroad crossing due to repairs needed. Crossing will be closed between 2 to 5 days, except one way in/out crossings, varying on repairs needed:

• Ratliff Road in Callahan, FL – August 2 at 8:00 am to August 6 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to US301 to Thomas Creek Road to Ratliff Road
• Private Crossing (Located at end of Artesian Blvd.) in Callahan, FL – August 4 at 8:00 am to August 5 at 8:00 am. One way in and Out
• Pickett Street in Callahan, FL – August 8 at 8:00 am to August 12 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to US301 to Pickett Street
• River Road (Brandies Ave) in Callahan, FL – August 10 at 8:00 am to August 14 at 5:00 pm- Proposed Detour: Old Dixie Hwy to Bypass Road to River Road
• Old Dixie Hwy in Callahan, FL – August 15 at 8:00 am to August 20 at 5:00 pm * Pending Re-Opening of River Road (Brandies Ave) Proposed Detour: Brandies Avenue to River Road to Bypass Road to Old Dixie Hwy
• Braddock Road in Callahan, FL - August 17 at 8:00 am to August 18 at 8:00 am. One way in and Out
• Dyal Road in Callahan, FL – August 18 at 8:00 am to August 22 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Henry Smith Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Dyal Road
• Pratt Siding Road in Callahan, FL – August 24 at 8:00 am to August 28 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Henry Smith Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Pratt Siding Road
• Henry Smith Road in Hilliard, FL – August 29 at 8:00 am to September 2 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Andrews Road to CR121 to Conner Nelson Road to Bay Road to CR108 to Henry Smith Road or US1 to Dyal Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Henry Smith Road
• Ingham Road in Hilliard, FL – August 30 at 8:00 am to September 3 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Andrews Road to CR121 to Conner Nelson Road to Bay Road to CR108 to Pine Street to Ingham Road or US1 to Dyal Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Henry Smith Road to Pine Street to Ingham Road
• CR108 in Hilliard, FL – August 31 at 8:00 am to September 4 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Andrews Road to CR121 to Conner Nelson Road to Bay Road to CR108 or US1 to Dyal Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Henry Smith Road to Pine Street to CR108
• 6th Street in Hilliard, FL – August 31 at 8:00 am to September 4 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Andrews Road to CR121 to Conner Nelson Road to Bay Road to CR108 to Oxford Street to 6th Street or US1 to Dyal Road to Old Dixie Hwy to Henry Smith Road to Pine Street to CR108 to Oxford Street to 6th Street
• Andrews Road in Hilliard, FL – September 6 at 8:00 am to September 11 at 5:00 pm -- US1 to CR121 to Andrews Road
• CR121 in Hilliard, FL – September 12 at 8:00 am to September 16 at 5:00 pm -- Proposed Detour: US1 to Andrews Road to CR121
• Tracy Road in Hilliard, FL – September 13 at 8:00 am to September 14 at 8:00 am -- One way in and Out

Please note that any/all dates are subject to change due to weather and/or other conditions.
​
For additional information, please contact Ericka Nickell at Southern Commercial Development 229.262.4394.

7/26/22 @ 4:30 p.m. - 

The Thomas Creek Watershed has been a drainage concern for a number of years. Previous efforts to mitigate the flooding with structural components, drainage system maintenance, and snag and clearing have been futile.

In November 2017, a meeting was held between representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, Senator Aaron Bean’s Office, State Representative Cord Byrd, and various County staff to discuss other possible solutions. It was discovered at that time that there are programs available under the Army Corps of Engineers’ Continuing Authority Program (CAP). Subsequently, the Board sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers requesting an investigation of the problems under the authority of Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948. The letter was signed at the December 11, 2017, Board of County Commissioner's meeting. 
 
In April 2018, the County was notified that the project would exceed the limitation of the CAP Program and was recommended to seek a Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Study to help the County identify solutions to resolve the flooding issues. The study began in 2019. It entailed extensive modeling with multiple scenarios considered. The Board of County Commissioners approved the final report in June of 2022 with a directive to staff for an Implementation Plan to be presented in six months. Part of the Implementation Plan will be community involvement. Staff hopes to discuss the outcome of the study at the public meeting with the path forward given the report findings.
 
​Please be advised that a Thomas Creek Community Meeting has been scheduled to discuss the results of the Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Study conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers. The meeting will take place at the Callahan County Building located at 45401 Mickler Street on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. 

If you have any questions, please contact Senior Stormwater Engineer, Katie Peay, at (904) 530-6225 or via email at kpeay@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/26/22 @ 4:00 p.m. - On January 25, 2021, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Parks Recreation and Open Space Master Plan which outlines an updated level of service for all existing and future parks. In the report, recommendations were given to enhance park experiences, including upgrading or adding playgrounds at various locations throughout the County park system. 

During the planning of the initial Five-Year Capital Improvement Program in 2021, Hilliard Ballpark was identified as one of the locations that could benefit from the addition of playground space. During adoption of the Fiscal Year 2021/2022, the project was funded 100% utilizing Impact Fees (a one-time fee collected when building permits are issued to fund future construction and improvements). 

We are excited to announce that at the July 11, 2022 meeting, the Board approved the purchase and installation of the playground equipment. Below are renderings of the future playground which is anticipated to be installed by November 2022. 

If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director, Jay Robertson, at (904) 530-6120 or email jrobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.  

7/25/22 @ 5:20 p.m. The Nassau County Department if Health has issued a Press Release related to monitoring of the Monkeypox Virus.

Contact:
Jennifer Bothast 904-832-2644

​THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN NASSAU COUNTY IS MONITORING THE NATIONWIDE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK

Nassau County, Fla – The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County (DOH-Nassau) is monitoring the monkeypox outbreak. There are cases of monkeypox in at least 43 states and Washington DC. To date, there have been no monkeypox-related deaths outside of endemic countries. The risk of monkeypox to the general population remains low.

In the event of a monkeypox case, DOH-Nassau will conduct epidemiological investigations to notify possible exposures and offer potential post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH-Nassau will offer the monkeypox vaccine to high-risk groups as doses become available from the federal government.
Up to date information on monkeypox is available at FloridaHealth.gov. Case data for monkeypox, as well as other reportable diseases, can be found on FLHealthCharts.gov.

Prevention and Treatment
If health care providers suspect a possible case of monkeypox, immediately contact your local health department or the 24/7 disease reporting hotline at 850-245-4401. Local county health departments can help providers obtain monkeypox virus-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Human-to-human transmission generally requires prolonged, face-to-face contact, direct contact with lesion materials, or indirect contact with lesion materials through contaminated items, such as contaminated clothing. Therefore, the risk of exposure remains low. Health care providers should remain vigilant of information related to monkeypox:

• Monkeypox symptoms, especially among individuals with
relevant travel history.
• Transmission and incubation periods.
• Specimen collection.
• Infection control procedures in the home and hospital
settings.
• Clinical recognition, and the characteristic rash
associated with monkeypox.
• Prophylaxis and possible treatments for monkeypox.
• Monitoring of those exposed to monkeypox.

The public should also remain vigilant of the current meningococcal outbreak. Demographic impacts are similar among meningococcal and monkeypox cases. The meningococcal vaccines are available to high-risk populations at every county health department, free of charge. Floridians can find more information on meningococcal disease here.

About the Florida Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitters at @HealthyFla and Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov.

7/25/22 @ 9:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Board of County Commissioners

Workshop Session re: CPA21-010 (ENCPA amendment to Comp Plan and FLUM) 
Monday, July 25, 2022 at 3:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Workshop Session re: Presentation and discussion regarding the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget
Monday, July 25, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Regular Meeting
Monday, July 25, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Essential Housing Advisory Committee
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Code Enforcement Board
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/22/22 @ 5:25 p.m. - The Supervisor of Elections released this important reminder today: 

From the SOE
Monday, July 25, 2022, is the deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation before the August 23 Primary Election. To register to vote or change your party affiliation, visit www.VoteNassaufl.gov or download the new Vote Nassau FL mobile app.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer