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.
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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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Board Votes to Reduce Tax Rate
 
Nassau County, Florida, September 17, 2021- At the Monday, September 13, 2021 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to lower the property tax rate and invest in our quality of life by delivering big on road, park and public safety projects.
 
Chairman Thomas Ford stated, “I am very proud of this Board for its in-depth review of the budget. We have worked hard to fund programs and initiatives that improve the quality of life for our residents. We have been given an opportunity to take some burden off the taxpayers by lowering the millage rate, while still having the funds needed to accomplish our goals for the next budget year”.
 
The tentative budget includes a robust, Capital Improvement Plan with $33 million allocated for major projects/initiatives in Fiscal Year 2021/2022, including but not limited to:
 
1) $6.2 million allocation for parks and recreation projects

• Hilliard Ballpark improvements for new playground installation
• Improvements at Holly Point Boat Ramp which includes a parking lot expansion and relocation of communal areas
• Improvements at Melton Nelson Boat ramp which includes a new kayak launch
• Tributary Community Park Phase One development which includes amenities for ballfields, concession stand, walking trails, and playground
• Blackrock Cove Community Park Development for site furnishings such as soccer goals, trash receptacles and parking lot lighting
• Nassau Crossing Community Park Development which includes lighting and landscaping
• American Beach Historic Park (exact activities to be determined)

 
2) $900,000 allocation for the Double Chip Seal Program. Double chip seal is a paving alternative used to treat dirt roads. It is similar to asphalt but about 50% cheaper. Roads designated for Double Chip Seal include:

• DB Hicks
• Sheri Lane
• Ann Drive
• Parks Rd.
• Lance Rd.
• Roy Booth Rd.
• Marlee Rd.
• Midway Rd.
• Hagan Lane
• Plum Loop  
• Pirates Bluff Rd.
• Will Young Rd.
• Durden Rd.
• Winona Bayview Rd.

3) $3.9 million allocation for the Pavement Management Plan that will allow 27 of the worst roads in Nassau County to be repaved. The roads to be repaved, in full or part, next year are:

• Barnwell Rd.
• Bailey Rd.
• Benchmark Avenue
• Dove Rd.
• Roses Bluff Rd.
• Duane Rd.
• Harts Road South
• Harts Lane
• Bill Johnson Rd.
• County Road 121 (from Duval line to SR2)
• Musselwhite Rd.
• Charlotte Drive
• Thomas Rd.
• Will Hardee Rd.
• South 4th Street
• Susan Drive
• South 5th Street
• Magnolia Street
• Clinch Drive
• Ocean Forest Drive
• Bonnieview Rd.
• O’Neil Scott Rd.
• Greenberry Rd.
• Hendricks Rd.
• Ocean Forest Lane
• Cayman Circle
• Arbor Lane

4) $15.3 million allocation for transportation projects:

• Amelia Island Parkway and Buccaneer Trail roundabout design
• Amelia Island Trail design (from South Fletcher Ave. to State Road 200/8th Street)
• Citrona Drive pedestrian safety improvements  
• County Road 108 repaving from Bay Rd. to Middle Rd.
• County Road 108 repaving from Middle Rd. to US 17
• Hendricks Rd. Extension to County Road 107 design and permitting.
• Hendricks Rd. Extension to Amelia Concourse design and permitting.
• Pages Dairy/Chester Rd. Signalization
• Sunberg Rd. paving.
• William Burgess Blvd. Extension design, permitting and early construction from U.S. 17 to Miner Rd.
  

5) $3 million allocation to replace fire Station 90 in Hilliard

The final hearing on the budget will take place on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Management & Budget at (904) 530-6010, option 2.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer
 

4/20/21 @ 2:00 p.m. - At the Wednesday, March 17th meeting, Ron Whitesides, Independent Auditor for Purvis Gray, presented the annual audit for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 which ended September 30, 2020. This outside firm spends about 4 weeks each year studying the Board's controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate and functioning properly.

Mr. Whitesides reported 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 stated, "The County has to track quite a few metrics on managing its financing. Examples include tracking compliance on budget, compliance with the Board's adopted Purchasing Policy, Use of Restricted Funds, and compliance with State Statutes. I'm pleased to report that based on the testing, we have no significant issues that were uncovered during the audit".

Mr. Whitesides also stated that the firm also conducted Federal and State Single Audits this year to look closely at Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding to ensure the County complied with U.S. Treasury Regulations. "I am pleased to report that the County did those things (what was required by the Federal Government). The CARES Program was challenging because the funds became available before the rules were fully developed on how those funds could be used. The County team, along with your consultant, did a good job in guiding that process and getting those funds dispersed for their intended purposes in a timely manner".

To view Mr. Whitesides presentation, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Not-for-Profit Funding Requests
 
Nassau County, Florida, April 16, 2021 -  The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. In February, an announcement was made inviting all non-profits to apply to be considered for funding. The Board has opened the application period again with a deadline of May 5, 2021.
 
To be considered, you must provide the following:
 

1. A summary of the current FY2020-2021 budget for your operation.  At a minimum, it should be broken down to show the following: salaries, operating expenses, capital outlay.  It should also provide an accounting of all revenue sources, including the allocation/grant from Nassau County.
2. The same information, as outlined above, for the upcoming FY2021-2022 budget.
3. The legal citation (if any) mandating a contribution by the County; and
4. A copy of your most recent annual audit.
   

Please provide your request to Megan Diehl, OMB Director, at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097 by the close of business on Wednesday, May 5th. 

Any agency applying for funding will be scheduled to present their needs and funding request at a public forum on or around May 21, 2021. The Office of Management & Budget will contact each agency at a later time for scheduling.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sawyer or Cindy Wood at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, Office of Management & Budget.

2/4/21 @ 2:20 p.m.- Nassau County has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Non-profit organizations that were funded during the last fiscal year should have received a letter dated February 1, 2021, notifying you 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 as well (not just those that were funded in previous years).

To be considered, you must provide the following:

1. A summary of the current FY2020-2021 budget for your operation.  At a minimum, it should be broken down to show the following: salaries, operating expenses, capital outlay.  It should also provide an accounting of all revenue sources, including the allocation/grant from Nassau County.
2. The same information, as outlined above, for the upcoming FY2021-2022 budget.
3. The legal citation (if any) mandating a contribution by the County; and
4. A copy of your most recent annual audit.

Please provide your request to Megan Diehl, OMB Director, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, by the close of business on Monday, March 1, 2021.

Any agency applying for funding will be scheduled to present their needs and funding request at a public forum on Thursday, May 20th or Friday, May 21st. The Office of Management & Budget will contact you each agency at a later time for scheduling.

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Sawyer or Cindy Wood at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, Office of Management & Budget.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer