4/11/25 @ 9:00 a.m. 

At the Monday, March 24, 2025 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, Ron Whitesides, Auditor for Purvis Gray, presented the audit for Fiscal Year 23/24 which ended on September 30, 2024. 

Each year, a team of outside auditors spent nearly 2,000 hours studying the County's controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate and functioning properly. Using an outside auditor ensures financial transparency, accountability, and the efficient use of public resources. 

Mr. Whitesides stated, "We have issued an unmodified opinion. That's what you want from your auditors. It's the highest form of assurance an audit firm can give. It means that the financial statements are fairly presented and with the appropriate policies for local governments. In this report are various letters that we issue in accordance with government auditing standards, as well as what is called the single audit. The single audit is a deep-dive. We looked at six of your larger grant agreements with the Federal and State Government. It's a lot of compliance analysis. In addition to that, we do a lot of internal control analysis. You can be assured the financial information you are getting from your management teams is accurate and complete. Citizens can be assured of that information being complete and accurate. The audit went very well. I commend your group. They are doing a fantastic job. We have worked for you a number of years on this audit and I can confidently say they have gotten better every year. You have a very effective management team and there has been an enormous amount of progress made over the years. The citizens should be proud of the work that's done." 

To view the presentation, please visit www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/16/25 @ 9:00 a.m.

The Florida Government Finance Officers Association is a professional association founded in 1937 and serves more than 3,300 professionals from state, county and city governments, school districts, colleges and universities, special districts and private firms. The FGFOA established Government Finance Professionals Week to recognize government finance professionals and the vital services that they provide to our state, local and federal government, as well as to our communities. 

​The County’s professionals serving in the Office of Management & Budget and the Clerk of Courts Finance Division work hard everyday to ensure that financial policies are being followed and that the processes in place are sufficient. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized both at the Monday, March 10, 2025 meeting and approved a Proclamation declaring the week of March 17 - March 21, 2025, as Government Finance Officers Week in Nassau County, Florida. 

The BOCC hereby expresses their appreciation and commends the finance professionals from the Office of Management & Budget and the Clerk of Courts Finance Division for all their hard work and dedication. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer
​

2/12/25 @ 2:30 p.m. 

The Board of County Commissioners has begun the budgeting process for Fiscal Year 2025/2026.
 
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 non-profit organizations serving residents of Nassau County to apply to be considered for funding. To be considered, you must complete a Nonprofit Funding Request Application. This form can be found on the County’s official website at www.nassaucountyfl.com, under the Office of Management and Budget, or at this direct link: https://nassaufl.co/25-26FundingApplication.
 
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 5, 2025.
 
On Friday, May 23, 2025, 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, Sharon Johns, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].
 
-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer 

1/23/25 at 9:00 a.m. 
 
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) strives to provide a transparent budget process. In the coming weeks, the BOCC will begin working on the budget for Fiscal Year 25/26. This includes a variety of presentations and workshops in which County Officials will explain the budget process in detail and share information on departmental requests, State mandates, not-for-profit funding, and other budgetary items prior to presenting an tentative balanced budget in July 2025.

The first meeting is a Budget Kickoff scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL. Please note this is NOT a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners. During the Budget Kickoff Meeting, Office of Management & Budget staff will discuss the initial budget expectations and timelines with County staff. The discussion will continue to echo the directives under the current BOCC budget policies to strive to reduce the millage (tax) rate and focus on more efficient operations.


-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

9/24/24 @ 10:45 a.m. - 

On Monday, September 23, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners held its second public hearing for adoption of the Fiscal Year 24/25 Budget. This was the end of an 8-month budget process which included a public budget workshop and a first public hearing held on September 9, 2024.
 
This is the fourth consecutive year that the BOCC was able to reduce the millage rate (property tax rate) while continuing to fund the critical public safety needs through investments into the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Fire Rescue Department, along with critical investments through the Capital Improvement Plan, Pavement Management Plan, and Chip Seal Program.  Additionally, the budget provides funding for the staffing and operations of the new Fire Station No. 10 (Tributary) currently under construction.
 
Understanding the demands of the County residents and the future economic pressures, the adopted budget continues to focus on improving the quality of life for residents, while working within the limited and restricted revenues of the County. The budget is also structured to continue funding for investment into land conservation and management, 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 along with the growing demands of the current residents and has continued to focus on supporting public safety operations through the Sheriff, Fire Rescue, Emergency Operations, Roads and Animal Services.
 
Following the public hearing, Chairman John Martin stated, ”This is the fourth year we’ve lowered the millage rate to a modified millage rate. I think that’s something we can all be proud of.”
 
The adopted budget can be found on the County’s website at: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/165/Office-of-Management-Budget.
 
If you have any questions regarding the adopted budget, please contact Chris Lacambra, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, at (904) 530-6010, Option 2, or via e-mail at [email protected].
 
-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer 
 

9-10-24 @ 1:30 p.m. 

Nassau County recently received notification from Fitch Ratings, Inc. (Fitch) that its rating has been increased to “AAA”, up from its previous rating of “AA.” Fitch is one of the world’s top credit rating agencies who provides independent assessments of the creditworthiness of the County, akin to a consumer FICO or credit score.
​
The announcement from Fitch directly attributed the upgrade to the County’s financial resilience, and economic and demographic indicators that compare favorably relative to other agencies. Fitch analysts also cited several key reasons for the increase including:

• Population growth and maturation of the County
• Maintaining healthy reserve levels that help mitigate risks associated with potential tax base volatility
• Low levels of carrying costs to government expenditures, liabilities to personal income, and liabilities to governmental revenues

Board of County Commissioners Chairman John Martin stated, “I am pleased to see another positive rating from Fitch. County Officials have worked hard to lower debt and maintain a heavy level of emergency reserves. This new rating proves we are moving in the right direction here in Nassau County, Florida.”

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, “What an incredible accomplishment! The AAA rating is the highest rating available and is a testament to our county's strong fiscal management and commitment to fiscal sustainability. This upgrade reflects the confidence that investors and analysts have in our ability to maintain sound financial practices that help ensure a secure future for our community.”

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

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

8/30/24 @ 9:30 a.m. - The First Public Hearing for consideration of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget will take place during the BOCC's regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The second hearing will take place during the regular meeting scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 

Please note that the budget being considered for FY 24/25 budget includes a millage (tax) rate reduction for the 4th consecutive year. This was achieved 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. 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.  

Agendas can be located on our website on the Thursday prior to the meetings. Should you have any questions, please contact the County Manager's Office at (904) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
 
Nassau County Credit Rating Increased
 
Nassau County, Florida, August 5, 2024 -  Nassau County recently received its Aa1 credit rating by Moody’s Investors Services, a global risk assessment firm who analyzes the financial health of businesses, including local governments. This is an increase from its previous rating of Aa2 issued in 2021 and is considered a “high investment grade”. This means that Nassau County signifies a low-risk on investment with a high probability that we are able to meet financial commitments. 
 
Moody’s July 19, 2024 Issuer Comment stated, “Nassau County’s issuer rating reflects the County’s growing underlying economy and prudent budget management and fiscal policies that support maintenance of strong financial reserves.”  The report directly credits Nassau County’s strong financial position based on revenue growth and management's commitment to maintenance of unassigned fund balance at 16% to 20% of operating, in line with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommendation of having at least two months operating expenses in Reserves.
 
Over the years, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has implemented strategies to increase its credit rating and the County’s overall financial health. These efforts have been developed through the County’s strategic plan and implemented through programs including, but not limited to, the Pavement Management Plan, Chip Seal Program, Capital Improvement Plan, and the County’s budgeting process. 
 
BOCC Chairman John Martin stated, “Moody’s has once again recognized Nassau County’s strengthened policies and growing financial health. This further signifies the BOCC’s efforts to prioritize financial planning and its dedication to strengthening the County’s financial position. I am extremely proud of my fellow BOCC members and County staff for their hard work and dedication.”
 
*********************************************************************************************************
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Lacambra, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, at (904) 530-6010 or via email at [email protected].  
 
 
 
 
 

​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].

7/18/24 @ 5:15 p.m. 
 
The Board of County Commissioners has a Workshop scheduled for Monday, July 22, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. for a presentation and discussion of the tentative budget for the 24/25 Fiscal Year which begins on October 1, 2024. The meeting will take place in the County’s Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place,
Yulee, FL 32097.
 
The public is welcome to attend the meeting. Can’t attend in person? No problem! You can follow along from home at https://www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings/. Videos are also available following the conclusion of the meeting so you can watch anytime at your convenience.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer