7/31/23 @ 1:30 p.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Nassau County-Amelia Island Tree Commission
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/28/23 @ 9:30 p.m. 
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Below are pictures from the week of July 21 - July 28, 2023.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/26/23 @ 9:15 p.m.

Please join us in welcoming Elizabeth Backe as Nassau County’s new Planning Director. Elizabeth brings with her nearly 25 years of experience in public sector work which includes community planning, growth management, transportation planning, and sustainability.
 
As Planning Director for Nassau County, Elizabeth will provide professional planning support to County departments and will serve as the technical planning advisor for the County Manager and Board of County Commissioners. Other duties will include review and implementation of the County’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan; development of department goals and objectives; evaluation of planning-related legislation; reviewing all zoning applications, land-use amendments, plats and subdivisions for compliance; and providing guidance to Planning Department staff.
 
Deputy County Manager/County Engineer, Robert Companion, stated, “We are excited to welcome Elizabeth Backe to the team. With over two decades of local and regional planning experience, Elizabeth brings a wealth of knowledge to Nassau County.  I believe she will be an effective and efficient leader for the Planning Staff and serve the citizens of Nassau County well into the future.”
 
Elizabeth’s work history includes eleven years as a Senior Planner in Hillsborough County, Florida; seven years as an Environmental Planner and Sustainability Coordinator in Gaithersburg, Maryland; and most recently, five years as the Planning and Transportation Director for the Southern Georgia Regional Commission.
 
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Eckerd College and a Master of Science in Planning Degree from Florida State University. Elizabeth is also a member of the American Planning Association and American Institute of Certified Planners.
 
Elizabeth expressed her enthusiasm about coming to work for Nassau County. She stated, “I’m grateful for this opportunity and look forward to collaborating with the County Manager and other staff to advance the Board’s identified strategic priorities. I also look forward to engaging with Nassau County’s residents to foster a transparent and community-based approach to County governance.”
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/26/23 @ 4:15 p.m. 

Nassau County is currently experiencing issues with certain video detection and infrared detection cameras across our coordinated network of traffic signals along SR200. The signals are owned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and maintained by Nassau County. These signals are also timed and synchronized by a professional traffic engineer, either working for or hired by FDOT.

We are aware of the issues, and we are actively working with the manufacturer of coordinated traffic system and the traffic signal detection equipment to resolve the problems. This week, technicians from the manufacturers are on site to help us diagnose and fix the concerns. This includes the intersection of Blackrock / SR200 where we are experiencing intermittent detection issues with certain movements. 

We appreciate your patience as we work with the manufactures to resolve the issue. Should you have any questions, please contact the Development Services Division at (904) 530-6225 or email [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/26/23 @ 10:45 a.m. - At the Monday, July 24, 2023 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution No. 2023-134 proclaiming the week of July 29 - August 5, 2023, as "Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week". 

Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week was first recognized in 2012 to celebrate the living legacy of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage, and culture. The Gullah/Geechees have an extensive history in Nassau County that includes both the enslavement and self-determination of the Gullah/Geechee people through the history of Amelia Island, Old Town, Yulee, Nassauville, Franklintown, and American Beach. 

Representatives from the Gullah/Geechee Nation, including Chieftess Queen Quet, were in attendance to accept the Resolution. The City of Fernandina Beach also recently passed a Proclamation in recognition of Gullah/Geechee Appreciation Week. Mayor Bradley Bean attended the County meeting on behalf of the City to present their Proclamation to the group. 

The Board of County Commissioners extends their best wishes as they celebrate "Celebrating Gullah/Geechee Resiliency". 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]                       
 
 
BOARD PROPOSES THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF REDUCED MILLAGE RATES
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 24, 2023  – On Monday, July 24, 2023, the Board of County Commissioners held a workshop to review the tentative budget and maximum millage rate for Fiscal Year 2023/2024. Based on the budget presented, the Board is proposing a structurally balanced budget which includes the third consecutive year of millage reductions, while continuing to fund the critical capital improvement plan, pavement management plan, chip seal program, and improving public safety.  Additionally, the budget provides for the development of a comprehensive stormwater management program to deliver a proactive maintenance program.
 
Understanding the community demands for parks and improved fields, the tentative budget also reallocates staff for additional field maintenance and continues to focus on improving the quality of life through the Parks and Recreation Department. 
 
While still providing a reduced millage rate, the budget is structured to include additional funding for investment into land conservation and management programs, in line with the request from the community and pursuant to the voter approved referendum in November 2022.
 
As the County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in both the State and the Country, this population growth requires additional service capacity to meet these demands. The Board understands these growing demands and has continued to focus on supporting public safety operations through the Sheriff, Fire Rescue, Emergency Operations, and Animal Control. 
 
The Board’s engagement and efforts in the budget process through the annual winter strategic planning sessions; the development of the strategic plan, capital improvement plan, pavement management plan, chip seal plan, and forthcoming stormwater management plan; along with the annual review and updating of the guiding county policies, continues to result in smart financial planning. These actions also provide for a transparent and results driven budget process that focuses on reduction of the millage rates and improving services to county residents. 
 
The July 24, 2023 budget workshop can be viewed online at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
 
If you have any questions regarding the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, please contact Chris Lacambra, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].

7/25/23 @ 8:30 a.m. - It's turtle nesting season! From May 1st - October 31st each year, sea turtles visit Amelia Island beaches to nest, and it's up to all of us to make their visit as safe as possible! During this turtle nesting season, we are introducing "Turtle Talk Tuesday". Every Tuesday, we will provide you with facts about our local turtle population and what is being done to protect them. 

In previous weeks, we have discussed many steps that are being taken on land to protect sea turtles, however this week, we would to focus on how we can protect sea turtles in the open ocean. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), vessel strikes are one of the most common causes of sea turtle injury and death in the United States. In Florida alone, injuries consistent with vessel strikes are observed in 20-30 percent of stranded sea turtles. 

In the southeast, adult sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes during nesting season as they often congregate near nesting beaches.

​NOAA has offered the following tips for vessel operators to help avoid hitting sea turtles: 

• Always be alert
• Wear polarized sunglasses to better see marine animals
• Follow speed zones and other signage
• Travel at the safest minimum speed in areas that sea turtles are known to frequent

Should you encounter a dead, sick or injured sea turtle, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922 or email Dr. Allen Foley (State Coordinator) at [email protected]. 

Note: The below photos are credited to Sea Turtle Adventures from the City of Boyton Beach, Florida. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Public Information Officer

7/24/23 @ 4:25 p.m. - Florida Power & Light (FPL) has sent notification to the County of their plan to conduct tree and vegetation maintenance in the coming weeks in preparation of the storm season. The work will be performed by FPL's qualified line-clearing contractor, Asplundh Tree Expert.

Attached is a general boundary map provided by FPL. 

Please visit fpl.com/trees to learn more about power line safety, FPL's line-clearing program and other related information. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Bruce, North Florida Arborist for FPL, at (386) 262-8686 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

7/24/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Board of County Commissioners: Workshop to discuss FY 23/24 Budget
Monday, July 24, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Board of County Commissioners: Regular Meeting
Monday, July 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, July 27, 2023 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