7/31/24 @ 8:40 a.m. - The Nassau County Planning Department will hold its next American Beach Beach Community Planning Meeting on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 9am-10am at the American Beach Community Center. This event, "American Beach Crossroads", will focus on discussions around neighborhood planning at American Beach, specifically the "crossroads" area around Gregg and Lewis Streets.  Other topics include: 

• Update on Evans Rendezvous grant
• Summary of neighborhood vision for the Evans Rendezvous and crossroads area
• Next steps in neighborhood planning efforts

This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/30/24 @ 2:15 p.m. - The Nassau County Supervisor of Elections sent out a reminder that Thursday, August 8, 2024 is the last date you can request a Vote-by-Mail ballot. 

For additional information, please call (904) 491-7500 or visit https://www.votenassaufl.gov/vote-by-mail. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

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]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer​

7/29/24 @ 2:00 p.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agenda can be located on our website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

7/25/24 @ 4:15 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of July 19 - July 25, 2024. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/25/24 @ 1:45 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners is currently seeking a volunteer to fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Board, representing District 3 (Yulee area). 

The Planning & Zoning Board reviews all requests for rezoning of property, zoning amendments, Comprehensive Plan text amendments, Land Use Map amendments, and amendments to Ordinances that affect the use and development of land. The Board submits written recommendations on these matters and submits them to the Board of County Commissioners for a final determination. The Board also hears appeals where it is alleged that there is an error in a decision made by the Planning Director or staff, as it relates to Zoning Codes or the Comprehensive Plan. The Board also comments on preliminary site plans and serves as the Local Planning Agency for Nassau County.

The Board is made of up 7 members as follows:

• Five County Commission District representatives (one for each district)
• One At-Large Representative
• One School Board Representative

Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month beginning at 6:00 p.m. Members serve terms that run concurrent with the District Commissioner's term.  Board members are provided a stipend of $75 per meeting and are reimbursed for mileage at rates set by the Federal General Services Administration. ​Members are required to file a financial disclosure. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone wishing to learn more about the County's planning process. 

If you are interested in serving, please submit a resume to [email protected] by the close of business on Monday, August 26, 2024. Resumes will be provided to the Board of County Commissioners and will be considered at a Board meeting in September. If selected, you will be notified in writing and scheduled for an orientation soon thereafter.

If you have any questions about the Planning & Zoning Board, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320. Additional information can also be found on the Planning Department webpage. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/25/24 @ 11:00 a.m. - The Fernandina Beach Library is hosting its next Passport Day on Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 10am-5pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged but walk-ins will also be accepted. 

Make your appointment online at www.nassaureads.com or by calling (904) 530-6508. 

Event sponsored by the Friends of the Fernandina Beach Library. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/24/24 @ 2:15 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners would like to announce the available funding of $807,737 in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Funding for FY 22/23 and $985,689 for FY 23/24. Funding categories include construction of rental housing development; new construction of homes; emergency repairs; demolition/reconstruction; owner-occupied rehabilitation; and homebuyer assistance for first-time homebuyers. For detailed information about each category, please click here. 

SHIP applications will be available beginning on Monday, August 26, 2024, through Thursday, October 31, 2024, between the hours of 9am-4pm (EST), Monday through Friday, by contacting: 

Anser Advisory
Cameron Farris at (850) 328-2255 or by email at [email protected]
​
All applications will be evaluated in the order of receipt per criteria set forth in the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) with respect to priorities regarding funding strategy goals and limitations.  Funding priority for all categories will be persons with special needs, as defined in Florida Statutes, Section 420.0004.  Awards for all strategies are subject to the availability of funds. Questions regarding the SHIP Program and application process should be directed to Anser Advisory (information included above). 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/24/24 @ 11:30 a.m. - The next movie to be featured in our Summer Movie Series is "The Sandlot", a 1993 film that tells a story about a group of young baseball players during the  summer of 1962.  One boy becomes part of the gang, nine boys become a team, and their leader becomes legendary by confronting the terrifying mystery behind the right field wall. The movie is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hr. and 41 min. 

The event will take place on Friday, August 9th at Peters Point Beachfront Park located at 4600 Peters Point Road, Fernandina Beach. The event will begin at 6pm with food trucks, music, and trivia. Showtime is at approximately 8:45 p.m. (sunset). 

Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the movie from our big screen or enjoy from your vehicle. If you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Parks & Recreation at (904) 530-6120 or email [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

​On Monday, July 22, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners held a workshop to review the tentative budget and maximum millage rate for Fiscal Year 2024/2025. Based on the budget presented, the BOCC is proposing a structurally balanced budget which includes the fourth consecutive year of millage rate [property tax rate] reductions, while continuing to fund the critical Capital Improvement Plan, Pavement Management Plan, Chip Seal Program, and improving public safety through investments into the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Fire Department.  Additionally, the budget provides funding for the staffing and operations of the new Fire Station No. 10 currently under construction.
 
Understanding the demands of the County residents and the future economic pressures, the tentative budget continues to focus on improving the quality of life while working within the restricted revenues of the County. 
 
While still providing a reduced millage rate, the budget is structured to continue 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 Nassau 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 BOCC 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 BOCC’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 Program, 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 22, 2024 budget workshop can be viewed online at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
 
If you have any questions regarding the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2024/2025, please contact Chris Lacambra, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].

7/22/24 @ 4:15 p.m.

The Florida Department of Revenue's Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, July 29th and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 11th. During this time, Florida law directs that sales tax or local option tax shall NOT be collected on:

• Purchase of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $100 or less per item; 
• Purchase of certain school supplies selling for $50 or less per item; 
• Learning devices and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less; 
• Personal computers and related accessories purchased for non-commercial home and personal use with a sales price of $1,500 or less.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to:

• Any item of clothing selling for more than $100;
• Any school supply item selling for more than $50;
• Learning devices and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of more than $30; 
• Computers and related accessories purchases for commercial use or any sale above $1,500
• Books that are not otherwise exempt;
• Rental or leases of any eligible items;
• Repairs or alterations of any eligible item;
• Sales of any eligible items in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishments, or airport

For a complete list of exempt clothing and accessories, please visit DOR's website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/22/24 @ 9:00 a.m. - Below are public meetings scheduled for this week: 

Board of Commissioners - Special Meeting re: Tentative Budget for FY 24/25
Monday, July 22, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting
Monday, July 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. 
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, July 25, 2024 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

7/19/24 @ 3:00 p.m. - Below are pictures from the week of July 12- July 19, 2024. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) recently recognized several outstanding Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Officers with the first “Animal Hero Awards,” recognizing their work in responding to a recent animal cruelty case.
 
As previously reported, NCAS and NCSO responded to a call on Sunday, July 7, 2024, reporting that a lady outside Target was threatening customers and mistreating a kitten. Upon arrival, NCSO reviewed the store's video surveillance footage and determined that the individual intentionally inflicted pain upon this innocent animal. NCSO arrested the individual and she has since been charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper stated, "We take cases of animal cruelty very seriously, and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in our community." The kitten, later named Bullseye, was taken by NCAS to the animal shelter where he was checked by a vet and determined to be in good health. He will remain with NCAS until the case goes to court and then will be eligible for adoption. 

The following NCSO Officers were awarded the Animal Hero Awards in appreciation of their efforts in rescuing Bullseye: Deputy Charles Chandler; NCSO Deputy Mitchell Spencer; NCSO Deputy Nathan Hilliard; and NCSO Deputy James Nosan.
 
Animal Services Director Tim Maguire stated, "During the last fiscal year, NCAS responded to 6,223 calls for service. This can be anything from animals running at large to bite cases and sometimes even animal cruelty cases. The animal cruelty calls are always the hardest to respond to but we are happy to have the support of NCSO and appreciate their efforts in ensuring animal abusers face proper punishment. It's also rewarding to watch as the animal regains its health and finds a home that will give them the best life possible."

Stay tuned for updates on Bullseye, and for future awards recognizing local Animal Heroes. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer