11/22/19 @ 11:10 a.m. -We were just notified that the State's Contractor, England Thims & Miller, is setting up an emergency closure of the westbound lane of State Road 200, just before Lofton Creek Bridge, to repair a large pothole that is developing within a pipe crossing area. The asphalt is on its way now and the repair itself will take about an hour to complete.

If you have any questions, please contact ETM at (904) 265-3170 or email Project Administrator, Carrie Smithheart at [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
County Road 115 Construction Beginning November 25, 2019
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 21, 2019 – On Monday, November 25, 2019, work will commence for the long-awaited County Road 115 Widening and Resurfacing Project, from Henry Smith Road to Bypass Road.
 
The project will consist of milling and resurfacing of the existing lanes, widening the road approximately 1’ on both sides, construction of new 5’ paved shoulders, and reconstruction of ditches with cross drains and side drains. A contract for construction was awarded to Anderson Columbia at the September 23, 2019 Board of County Commissioner’s meeting.
 
The overall budget for the project totals $9,631,351 and is being paid for through a combination of Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) and Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) Funding from the Florida Department of Transportation amounting to $8,999,026, in addition to $632,325 funding from the County.
 
The construction duration is 340 days but is subject to weather delays. It is anticipated that the project will be completed by November 2020.
 
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Should you have any questions, please contact County Engineer, Robert Companion, at (904) 530-6225 or via email at [email protected].

NOTE: THE FIRST FEW WEEKS WILL CONSIST OF PRELIMINARY SITE WORK SO IT WILL BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS. WE WILL SEND OUT NOTICES REGARDING POTENTIAL LANE CLOSURES IN ADVANCE SO RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF ANY IMPACTS IT WILL HAVE ON THEIR DAILY COMMUTES. 

11/20/19 @ 11:30 a.m. - The Board of County Commissioners currently has numerous job opportunities including:

• Administrative Specialist I for the Office of Management & Budget. Salary range $32,051-$48,770
• Building Inspector Trainee for the Building Department. Salary range $38,782-$59,012
• Financial Manager for the Office of Management & Budget. Salary range $68,706-$104,544
• Traffic Signal Specialist for the Engineering Department. Salary range $42,661-$64,913
  
• Senior Transportation Engineer for the Engineering Department. Salary range $68,706-$104,544
  
• Arborist for the Department of Planning & Economic Opportunity. Salary range $51,619-$78,545
  
• Public Information Officer for the County Manager's Office. Salary range $49,926-$71,405
  
• Fleet Manager for the Road Department. Salary range $51,619-$78,545
  
• Water/Waste Water Maintenance Tech II (2 positions) for Nassau Amelia Utilities. Salary range $38,279-$58,247
  
• Jetter/Vac Truck Operator for the Road Department. Salary range $38,279-$58,247
  
• Firefighter/Paramedic (3 positions) for Fire/Rescue. Salary range $34,660-$56,795
  
• Fire Inspector/Investigator for Fire/Rescue. Salary range $42,705-$69,977
  
• Firefighter/EMT for Fire/Rescue. Salary range $34,660-$56,795

Please click here for additional information including job description, reporting location, and minimum requirements, and to apply online. If you have any questions, please contact our Human Resources Department at (904) 530-6075.

Please note we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. Veterans Preference is applied in accordance with applicable laws.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/18/19 @ 10:00 a.m. -Below are public meetings scheduled for this week:

Board of County Commissioners
Monday, November 18, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. AND
Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 961352 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Development Review Committee
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Joint Meeting Between the Board of County Commissioners and Nassau County School Board
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Essential Housing Advisory Committee
Wednesday, November 19, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Conditional Use & Variance Board
Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/14/19 @ 3:40 p.m. - This Saturday, November 16, 2019, the Town of Callahan and Keep Nassau Beautiful will host a community clean-up event. They are currently seeking volunteers to assist with cleanup of litter and debris from roadways, parks and schools. Keep Nassau Beautiful will provide supplies for cleanup. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, water and gloves. To sign up, please visit Keep Nassau Beautiful's webpage.

Callahan residents can also dispose of residential garbage and residential yard debris during this event for free with proof of residency. No commercial loads will be accepted.

Residents can also pick up a voucher at the event for disposal of up to 8 tires at the Nassau County Convenience and Recycle Center between 9:00-11:45 a.m. Saturday, November 16th ONLY. All tires must be off the rim and free of debris.

Lastly, there will also be a prescription take back being held in conjunction with this event.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Walter Boatright County Building, 45401 Mickler Street, Callahan, FL 32011

Please click here to review the event flyer.

Questions should be directed to Keep Nassau Beautiful at (904) 261-0165 or via e-mail to [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
Beach Community Working Group Drafts Recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 12, 2019 – On December 19, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners formed a Beach Community Working Group consisting of Mike Mullin, County Manager/County Attorney; Taco Pope, Assistant County Manager; Doug Podiak, Facilities Maintenance Director; Gil Langley, Executive Director of the Tourist Development Council; Butch Osborne, Director of Operations for the Sheriff’s Office; Mac Morriss, Ex-Officio Member; and Lowell Hall, Ex-Officio Member.
 
The group was directed to review current beach related Ordinances and use of the beach and to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners as to any updates or amendments that need to be made. A total of sixteen (16) meetings have been held to date. Hundreds of individuals have appeared at meetings and hundreds more have sent emails expressing concerns about a myriad of issues including but not limited to, items left on the beach, horseback riding, safety concerns, and littering, however most of the concerns related to beach driving and unregulated camping.
 
Having concluded their work, the Beach Committee Working Group will present their findings to the Board of County Commissioners on November 18, 2019 shortly after 6:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.
 
The County Commissioners will not vote on the recommendation at the meeting on the 18th however, they will direct County staff to review with the County Commission the Committee’s recommendations at future public workshops and discuss possible options with the County Commission and citizens. Ultimately, a county Ordinance will be drafted and public hearings will be held to address any proposed Ordinances.   
 
Again, no vote will be taken by the Board of County Commissioners at their November 18th meeting. Workshops will be advertised and posted on the County’s website once dates have been determined.
 
 
 

11/12/19 @ 4:15 p.m. - As previously announced, the Board of County Commissioners will host an Unveiling Ceremony this Friday, November 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. for the new customized "Welcome to Yulee - Home of 2015 Heisman Trophy Winner Derrick Henry" sign in Yulee. The event will take place at 76001 Bobby Moore Circle (formerly 50 Bobby Moore Circle-Old Jail Site). Please click here for the original announcement.

Below is a map showing the event location, as well as the access point for the public (see yellow arrow). The public is being directed to enter the site from the access road on the west side of the property, NOT the main entrance on Bobby Moore Circle. 

Please note that once the public parking area at the site has been filled, motorists will be directed to the Robert M. Foster Justice Center parking lot located at 76347 Veterans Way (Yulee Courthouse). This is on William Burgess Blvd, approximately one mile south of the event site. There will be a shuttle bus available to transport attendees from the overflow parking area, to the event site, and back. THE LAST SHUTTLE TO THE EVENT WILL BE AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. SO THAT ATTENDEES CAN BE ONSITE PRIOR TO THE EVENT'S START TIME OF 3:00 P.M. Anyone arriving to the overflow parking area after 2:45 p.m. will not be transported so please be early!

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

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/8/19 @ 5:00 p.m. - County Offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2019, in observance of Veterans Day. We hope you all have a safe weekend!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/8/19 @ 3:10 p.m. -

Three Road Department employees (Curtis Wilder, Sheard Stokes & Mitch Oliver) attended a Heavy Equipment Rodeo in Lake City on Thursday, November 7th.  The event was hosted by CAT (Ring Power), for Municipal Operators in Northeast and North Central Florida.  There were over 50 participants in four different operator skill challenges.  The skills were: Safe Tracks (Driving an obstacle course with a small front loader and lifting two objects with the fastest time),  Air B&B (On a small excavator; Use bucket and thumb attachment to pick up various balls and place in assigned bucket without dropping with the fastest time), Cherry On Top (Using a backhoe; Knock the softballs of the top of five cones into the bucket without dropping any with the fastest time), Put a Ring On It (Using a small excavator; Pick up rings off of three different cones and place onto three empty cones without dropping with the fastest time). 

Each of the skills were very challenging.  Nassau County was represented very well with scores placing in the top 5 of all the events.  Curtis Wilder, placed 1st in the Put a Ring On It Challenge. 

Congratulations to all three Road Department employees and a big thank you for representing Nassau County well at the event!

-David Hearn
 Assistance Road Director, Nassau County Road Dept.

11/8/19 @ 2:45 p.m.- We have been notified that Florida Power & Light will be changing power poles as part of their (weather/wind) hardening project and will have nightly closures to Nassauville Road between Central Road and State Road 200. The closures will be from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily beginning November 11th through December 2nd.

Motorists will be re-routed to Duval Road and/or Pine Grove Road as depicted in the map above. Questions should be directed to Atlantic Traffic Solutions at (386) 624-3653.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Administrative Manager, County Manager’s Office
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
Taco Pope, AICP, Elected to Board of Directors for the Northeast Florida Regional Community Institute
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 8, 2019 –Assistant County Manager, Taco Pope, AICP, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Florida Regional Community Institute (RCI). The Northeast Florida RCI is a non-profit think-tank aimed at addressing policy issues and challenges faced by the Region. Examples include managing growth, preserving valuable eco-systems, improving economic viability, and maintaining the quality of life in Northeast Florida. The RCI was created to address these challenges as a non-profit policy organization under the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC).
 
Taco Pope stated, “Many of the challenges facing Nassau County are the same challenges facing our neighbors in the Region. Collaborating with solution-oriented people from across Northeast Florida has the potential to produce outcomes that improve the lives of Nassau County residents. I look forward to the opportunity and I am optimistic that through the shared pursuit of a common good, we can strengthen our communities and improve our quality of life”.

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For additional information regarding the Northeast Florida Board of Directors, please contact Margo Moehring at (904) 279-0880 ext. 161 or [email protected].

11/14/19 @ 1:05 p.m. - In honor of our Veterans, the Board of County Commissioners have created three "Veterans Only" parking spaces; one at the Historic Courthouse downtown, one at the Robert M. Foster Justice Center, and one at the James S. Page Governmental Complex.

"These parking spaces are just a small token of appreciation to the brave men and women who have served our Country", stated Chairman Justin Taylor.

All three parking spaces have opened, just in time for Veterans Day. The new parking spaces will be enforced through the "honor system".

We trust that the citizens of Nassau County will show their respect by reserving these parking spaces for the Veterans and not parking in their designated spaces.



-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

11/4/19 @ 9:30 a.m. - Below are public meetings taking place this week:

Ask the County Manager
Monday, November 4, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
American Beach Community Center, 1600 Julia Street, Amelia Island, FL 32034

Development Review Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Planning & Zoning Board
Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Beach Community Working Group
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

Agendas can be located on our website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Valerie Feinberg, AICP
Assistant Director, PEO Department
(904) 530-6300
[email protected]
 
WESTERN NASSAU TOWN HALL MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2019: VISION BOOK RELEASE
 
Nassau County, Florida, November 1, 2019 - Nassau County will host a Town Hall meeting on November 12th, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Nassau County Multi-Use Facility at the Fairgrounds to present the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Vision Book. On October 1, 2019, after a year and a half of community outreach and engagement, the draft Vision Book was presented to the County Planning and Zoning Board. The Vision Book was approved by the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee during the October 22nd regular meeting. 
 
We are pleased to invite the community to a family-friendly event to celebrate the work of the dedicated citizens of Western Nassau County.  Join us as we reveal the top goals, objective and strategies that emerged from our community planning process.
 
Please join the County on Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Nassau County Multi-Use Facility at the Fairgrounds located on 543350 US Hwy 1, Callahan, FL 32011. For more information, call (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected].
 
Our partners will be on hand to highlight programs and services available to the community.  Children can participate in a hands-on craft activity sponsored by Nassau County Extension staff.  Nassau Fire and Rescue will showcase a fire truck and rescue vehicle and distribute Safe Routes to School reflective armbands and other safety materials. Refreshments will be served following a brief welcome and project summary by Nassau County staff.
 
Residents will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from the Department of Health-Nassau Nassau Transit, Micah’s Place, Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council, Nassau County Emergency Management, North Florida Land Trust, and others.
 
Beginning in 2017, the Nassau County Department of Planning and Economic Opportunity (PEO) facilitated an extensive public outreach campaign to gather input from residents, property and business owners, local agencies to craft their vision for the future.  The resulting vision provides guidelines for policy makers as they set priorities and make decisions about the future of Western Nassau.  Information on the work of the Western Nassau Heritage Preservation Committee and the Vision Book can be found at www.nassaucountyfl.com/westernnassau.
 
The Nassau County Planning and Economic Opportunity Department is charged with leading long-range and current planning for the community, with a focus on technical planning, implementation and management of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and site plan review, and assistance to citizens, the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager and other staff, advisory boards, government agencies, and the private sector regarding growth and development in Nassau County. For more information on our Plan, Code, or current initiatives, visit www.nassaucountyfl.com/planning, call (904) 530-6300 or email [email protected].