3/29/23 @ 9:00 a.m. - At the Monday, March 27th meeting, Ryan Tucker, Audit Partner with Purvis Gray, presented the annual audit for Fiscal Year 21/22 which ended on September 30, 2022. This outside firm spends about 4 weeks each year studying the Board's controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate and functioning properly. 

"There are five main objectives in this report that are required by Florida Statute. The most important objective is for us to issue an opinion on the County's financial statements". He then went on to say that "Nassau County has received an "Unmodified Opinion" which is the highest level of assurance that an audit firm can provide on a County's financial statements." He further explained that an unmodified opinion means that there are no modifications needed to the Board's controls and processes. 

Mr. Tucker also explained the 7 audit reports provided including reports on the Countywide statements, the Board of County Commissioners (stand alone) statements, and the statements on the five individual Constitutional Offices (Sheriff, Clerk of Courts, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections). 

Chairman Klynt Farmer stated, "This is a testament to the Clerk's Office and the Office of Management & Budget and a testament of who we are, working for the people we serve. It means a lot to the community". 

To view the presentation, please click here. The presentation was listed under "Tab B".

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/3/23 @ 11:15 a.m. 

The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.

Nassau County greatly values the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to nonprofit organizations serving residents of Nassau County to apply to be considered for funding. To be considered, you must complete a Nonprofit Funding Request Application. The application can be found here: https://bit.ly/NFPFundingRequest.   
 
Your funding request must be provided to the Office of Management & Budget located at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

On Friday, May 19, 2023, a Public Forum will be held for agencies to make a brief presentation regarding your organization and its request. Agencies submitting funding requests will be contacted by the Office of Management & Budget to schedule a time for your presentation.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Budget Coordinator, Megan Sawyer, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at msawyer@nassaucountyfl.com.  

1/20/23 @ 8:45 a.m. - At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Board discussed its top Legislative Priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session. 

County Manager Taco Pope stated, "Each year, we submit to the Nassau Legislative Delegation and the State Legislature requests for local funding initiatives. You have local projects and the State makes local appropriations. A lot of your local projects are of State concern and interest. This year, working with your staff and individually with each of you, we did our best to aggregate a list of 9 projects with a total request just over $9 million. What we will be seeking today from the Board is two-fold: 1) that this is the list of projects that you would like us to submit for funding; and 2) that you prioritize them". He also added, "Some of the driving factors for naming these projects was the ability to match local dollars with State dollars". So while the County has already allocated funding for these projects, funding from the State would allow the County to maximize their contribution and do more to move the project forward. 

Below are the projects as they were approved and ranked: 

1) Spring Lake Estates drainage project- $625,000
2) Sundberg Road paving - $750,000
3) Thomas Creek Restoration Project - $1 million
4) Piney Island/America River (ICW) resiliency and development mitigation
5) Nassau County Animal Resources Center and Campus - $1.7 million
6) Sheriff's Work Ethics and Training (SWEAT) Project - $110,000
7) County Road 108 Extension - $3.46 million
8) Amelia Island Trail Phase 5 - $225,000
9) Tourism expansion via ecotourism/water access improvements, Nassau River - $600,000

Now that the projects have been identified, the County will complete all the necessary State forms. Our Lobbyist and our State Legislatures will then advocate in Tallahassee on our behalf during the upcoming Legislative Session. 

The Board's discussion regarding the Legislative Priorities can be heard by viewing the video from the January 18th meeting at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings. Legislative Priorities are listed on the agenda under "Tab I". 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

12/14/22 @ 9:20 a.m. - At the Board of County Commissioner's Meeting held on Monday, December 12, 2022, several department heads presented updates on Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Projects. The CIP is a five-year plan which identifies capital projects and equipment purchases, provides a planning schedule and identifies funding for the projects. 

The presentations included details about recently completed projects, current projects and information on challenges that have affected timelines such as supply chain issues and inflation factors. 

Transportation Projects discussed included CR 108, CR 121, Amelia Island Parkway Trail, River Road, Citrona Pedestrian Safety Improvements; Henry Smith Road, Pages Dairy & Chester Road Intersection Improvements, William Burgess Boulevard Extension, Pratt Siding Road, Amelia Island Parkway/Buccaneer Trail Intersection Improvements, Hendricks Road Extension, Sundberg Road, roads approved for chip seal, and roads approved for level and overlay.

Drainage Projects discussed included: Spring Lakes Estates Drainage Improvements and Thomas Creek.

Facility Improvements/Maintenance Projects discussed included: Justice Center Parking Lot Repairs, Justice Center LED Light Conversion, Justice Center Front Plaza Rehab, Emergency Operations Center Brick Delamination, Sheriff's Vehicle Maintenance Garage, Detention Center Shut-off Valve and Re-piping, Justice Center Courtroom Expansion, Historic Courthouse Generator, Fire Stations 70 and 90 replacement, County Extension Office, HVAC repairs at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, roof replacements for several facilities/structures, new office at Solid Waste, Fire Rescue Storage Facility, and the Historic Courthouse Window Replacement.

Parks/Recreation Projects discussed included: Westside Regional Park, Tributary Park, Nassau Crossing Park, Sports Complex improvements, and Boat Ramp Improvements.

To view the presentation, please click here to be redirected to the Clerk of Courts website. Attached is a copy of the presentation file which you can use to follow along. 

-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.

5/11/22 @ 9:00 a.m.- At the Monday, March 28, 2022 meeting, Ryan Tucker, Audit Partner with Purvis Gray, presented the annual audit for Fiscal Year 2020/2021 which ended on September 30, 2021. This outside firm spends about 4 weeks each year studying the Board's controls and processes to ensure that are appropriate and functioning properly.

Clerk of Courts, John Crawford, introduced Mr. Tucker to the Board and stated, "I want to express our thanks to your (Board of County Commissioners - Office of Management & Budget) staff. We have a tremendous working relationship. Government is a public trust and the only way we can verify that the trust is being filled is to have an external audit. I'm pleased to have Mr. Tucker come and present their findings. It's valuable to you and the citizens of Nassau County that we serve".

Mr. Tucker began by stating that the "results were very positive", adding that Nassau County has received an "Unmodified Opinion" which is the highest level of assurance that an audit firm can provide on a County's financial statements. Mr. Tucker went on to explain various areas of their focus including, but not limited to, review of the County's budget procedures, investment of public funds, internal controls, use of grant funds, and overall financial condition.

A copy of the FY 19/20 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ending September 30, 2021 can be found here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/3/22 @ 10:15 a.m. - Please join us in welcoming Chris Lacambra as our new Director for the Office of Management & Budget. Chris previously served as the Board's Financial Management & Budget Analyst from 2017 - 2019 before leaving to work as the Executive Director of Business Services for the Nassau County School Board for the last three years.

Chris has many years of experience working in the public sector. In addition to the roles mentioned above, Chris has also served as Financial Services Director for the Nassau County Clerk of Courts from May 2001 through June 2008, and as Accounting Manager for the St. Johns River Water Management District from June 2008 through September 2017.

In his job as OMB Director, Chris will be responsible for managing the budget for the Board of County Commissioners to ensure the effective and fiscally sound delivery of services to the citizens of Nassau County. In addition to the budget staff, Chris will also manage staff working in the grants, procurement and rescue billing divisions.

We are excited that Chris has returned to the Office of Management & Budget and look forward to working with him as we enter into our next budget season. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2022/2023. Non-profit organizations that were funded during the 2021/2022 Fiscal Year should have received a letter dated February 1, 2022, notifying you that it’s time to reapply.
 
We greatly value the benefits and contributions made by non-profit organizations to the community. As such, we would like to extend an invitation to all non-profits to apply to be considered for funding as well. To be considered, you must complete a Non-for-Profit Funding Request Application. This form can be found on the County’s official website.

Your funding request must be provided to the Office of Management & Budget located at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
 
On Friday, May 20, 2022, a Public Forum will be held for agencies to make a brief presentation regarding your organization and its request. Agencies submitting funding requests will be contacted by the Office of Management & Budget to schedule a time for your presentation.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Budget Coordinator, Megan Sawyer, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2 or via e-mail at msawyer@nassaucountyfl.com.

Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

11/23/21 @ 10:45 a.m. - We are pleased to share with you the Annual Report for Fiscal Year 20/21. This report highlights activities and achievements from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. It also includes goals each department has designated for FY 21/22.

If you have any questions, please contact Public Information Officer, Sabrina Robertson, at (904) 530-6010 or via e-mail at srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Fitch Increases County’s Issuer Default Rating to “AA”
 
Nassau County, Florida, October 5, 2021 - Nassau County recently received notification from Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch), that its rating has been increased for the first time since 2016 to an AA, up from its prior AA- rating.  Fitch provides an independent assessment of the creditworthiness of the county, akin to a consumer FICO or credit score.

The improved rating shows that despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the county has remained fiscally strong, disciplined and resilient based on the county’s solid financial management policies, conservative budgeting practices and swift measures taken to mitigate revenue losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In announcing its decision, Fitch analysts cited several key reasons for the increase, including:

• The county is well positioned to maintain a high level of fundamental financial flexibility through economic cycles.
• Expenditure flexibility is solid, underpinned by the county's manageable debt and solid control over employee headcount
• The county prudently built-up reserves during the latter half of the last decade, which affords it greater flexibility to address both future downturns and potential growth-related pressures

Board of County Commissioner’s Chairman, Thomas Ford, stated, “County Officials and staff have worked very hard to pay down debt, increase emergency reserves, all while maintaining strong fiscal controls. The County is being recognized for its hard work and we will continue efforts to ensure that we continue to be strong fiscal stewards of the county’s tax dollars”.  
 
As the County’s Clerk of Courts and Comptroller, Mr. John A. Crawford is governed by statutory authority as the County’s auditor, recorder, and custodian of all funds. The Clerk works directly with the Board to ensure the County has adequate financial controls and actively manages the investment of County funds.  Following Fitch’s credit rating increase, Mr. Crawford stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of our County! The Board’s discipline to avoid unnecessary debt while increasing its level of planning has strengthened the County’s financial position.  Efforts to establish adequate reserves, a capital improvement plan that meets the citizens' needs, and maintaining a manageable debt burden are paying off!  If a day arrives where budget flexibility and creativity are not enough to provide for an extensive capital project, rest assured, the efforts to improve our credit rating will greatly benefit the taxpayers of Nassau County.”
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Management & Budget at (904) 530-6010.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer