The Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce that Nassau County has earned an “Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award” from the National Procurement Institute. This prestigious award is earned by demonstrating excellence in innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes throughout its procurement processes. The award not only focuses on practical, documented work but also recognizes leadership and contributions that further advance the public procurement profession - recognizing innovative programs and solutions that exemplify outstanding achievements.
 
Every day, Nassau County’s procurement professionals work to facilitate the procurement of quality goods and services through a unified system that ensures integrity, fairness, and cost control to the citizens of Nassau County by maximizing competition, transparency, and the inclusion of industry best practices.
 
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman stated, “Through the support of the County Commissioners and the focused efforts of the Procurement Department, County Attorney’s Office and other County Departments, the County has enhanced its focus on procurement to ensure a more independent, streamlined, and competitive process, which ultimately provides tax savings to the community.”
 
We appreciate the dedicated employees in our Procurement Department and all others engaged in the process for their efforts in ensuring that Nassau County receives the maximum return on investment for goods and services. To learn more about Nassau County’s Procurement Department, or to register as a vendor, please visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/280/Procurement-Contracts-Management

8/6/24 @ 3:30 p.m. 

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation has recognized Nassau County for its excellence in historic preservation, earning the Board of County Commissioners a 2024 Florida Preservation Award for its publication Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County.

The Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County serves as a comprehensive resource for citizens interested in historic preservation. Created in partnership with the Community Planning Collaborative, the guide is designed to fill a gap in local historic preservation and resources. It offers user-friendly information on federal, state and local historic preservation on topics such as cemeteries, house history research, historic sites, and more.

Nassau County is one of Florida’s oldest counties with history dating back to indigenous communities and early European contact. The guide highlights the importance of preserving lesser-known historic towns and cemeteries, contributing to the broader understanding of Florida’s development. It also emphasizes the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, ensuring accurate representation of this community by engaging local Gullah/Geechee National representatives. The guide is available both online and in print and has already been distributed to community stakeholders to spur local advocacy and enhance Nassau County’s preservation efforts.

“This year’s Preservation Award winners are wonderful examples of the work being done around the state to protect and promote the stories that make up our shared history,” said Florida Trust Board President Mike Cosden. “On behalf of the Florida Trust, we thank these winners for the important work they are doing to protect our state’s extraordinary history – and for inspiring others to do the same in their own communities.”

To view the Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Public Places in Nassau County, please visit: https://nassaufl.co/CitizensGuidetoHistoricPlaces.

If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected].

8/1/24 @ 2:15 p.m.

​The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is pleased to announce that Nassau County has been selected for NACo’s Personnel Management, Employment and Training Award for its Nassau County Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program. Since 1970, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has recognized outstanding government programs and services. Each year, NACo seeks nominations on a variety of categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.
 
This Nassau County Operator Apprenticeship Program was created in 2021 in an effort to recruit and retain high caliber employees in a competitive job market. The program was designed to provide Road Department employees with a clear, defined career path upon beginning their employment, and to provide an avenue to increase their skillset through training. A three-year Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program was developed to train the employees on the safe and efficient operation of small equipment, heavy trucks and heavy equipment. Their first step in the program is obtaining a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License, followed by learning all aspects of the Road Department to become a highly valued Equipment Operator.
 
Since implementing the Program, the Road Department’s vacancy rate has decreased from nearly 36% to less than 10%. Additionally, the County has added 23 Class A CDL holders and increased the number of Equipment Operator 2 positions from four to eight, providing additional opportunities for advancement as employees complete the apprenticeship program. The Program has also improved overall morale within the department because employees are given an opportunity to learn new skills and have a clear understanding on how they can advance within the department. The Apprentices receive certifications on different equipment and begin using their new skills to provide crucial maintenance services, creating additional response teams to meet the needs of the County and its residents.
 
Assistant Public Works Director David Hearn stated, “It has been rewarding being part of the team that planned and implemented this Apprenticeship Program.  Nassau County has taken great strides to improve employee development and retention, none bigger than the Apprenticeship Program.  The ability to be able to see a clear career path from Day 1 of employment is instrumental in reducing the staffing shortages, as well as an accelerated promotional program to ensure our folks are receiving a competitive living wage.  Providing a higher level of training to more employees has also increased the quality of work that we are able to provide, therefore providing an increased level of service to our citizens.  In my opinion, this Apprenticeship Program has given Nassau County and our citizens the best Return on Investment that I have seen in 25 years.” 
 
BOCC Chairman John Martin added, “An important thing that every organization must do is cross-train, and this program has done just that. Employees are getting qualified, cross-trained and skilled on multiple pieces of equipment, expanding their capabilities and improving service to the residents.”
 
If you’re interested in a career with the Road Department, please visit our Human Resources webpage go see current vacancies and to apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nassaucountyfl.
 
For questions about the Apprenticeship Program, please reach out to Assistant Public Works Director David Hearn at (904) 530-6175 or via email at [email protected].
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
[email protected]
 
NASSAU COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES MAINTAINS NO-KILL STATUS IN 2023
 
More than 90% of the Dogs and Cats That Entered the Shelter Last Year Were Saved, earing NCAS a recognition award from Best Friends Animal Society
 
Nassau County, Florida, July 9, 2024 -  Nassau County Animal Services maintained  no-kill status in 2023, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report. Shelters receiving the no-kill recognition award saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats in their care in calendar year 2023. 
 
Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters in 2025, recognizes this incredible achievement as one that can be replicated by other shelters in around the State.
 
“This award represents extraordinary leadership, both within your organization and the broader animal welfare movement,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, “I want to acknowledge and thank the organizations around the country who work tirelessly to save lives, helping move us closer to ending the killing of cats and dogs in shelters in 2025.”
 
NCAS Director Tim Maguire stated, “We are excited that our hard work is being recognized. I am very proud of all the NCAS employees who work tirelessly to find homes for animals entering the shelter. I am also grateful for the many volunteers who work everyday to help us in our mission to promote responsible pet ownership, compassion towards animals, and safe human-animal interactions.”
 
A variety of methods are used to maintain our no-kill status including hosting numerous adoption events each month, transferring of pets to rescue groups, and returning pets to owners, when possible. To learn more about NCAS, please visit: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/845/Animal-Services.
 
*A 90 percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered “no-kill,” factoring that approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters have medical or behavioral circumstances that warrant humane euthanasia rather than killing for lack of space.
 
** Qualifying criteria for receiving the award required the presence of a brick-and mortar shelter and availability of twelve months of 2023 data as of April 2024.
 
About Best Friends Animal Society
 
Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill in 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to 415,000 last year. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,700 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

7/3/24 @ 3:20 p.m.

We are pleased to announce that Nassau County has received its first Triple Crown Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 2023 budget year. This is the highest honor a local government can achieve in financial reporting and further demonstrates the County’s commitment and dedication to achieving the gold standard in transparency, financial responsibility, and public outreach. This award can only be achieved by earning all three (3) notable GFOA Awards in a budget year: The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award.

The Board of County Commissioners earned its second consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY 23/24. In order to be considered, the Board had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document; a financial plan; an operations guide; and a communications device. The County had to be rated proficient in all four categories, and in fourteen mandatory criteria within each of those categories to receive the award.

Additionally, the Nassau County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has won its 17th consecutive GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the GFOA’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for the 12th consecutive year.

Clerk of Court and Comptroller John A. Crawford stated, “We are so proud and honored! Winning this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Clerk's office, the Board of County Commissioners, and their team. It demonstrates our commitment to transparency, accountability, and upholding the highest standards in governmental finance.”

BOCC Chairman John Martin added, “This is the first time that Nassau County has been a recipient of the Triple Crown Award. We have worked hard to achieve the highest level of financial reporting and to provide a thorough, accurate and transparent budget process. I am extremely proud of everyone whose efforts contributed to this prestigious award.”

To learn more about the GFOA and the Distinguished Budget Award, visit https://www.gfoa.org/awards.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

COUNTY EARNS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR TINY HOME DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

At the Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Elected Officials Luncheon, Nassau County was presented with a Regional Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing from the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) for the creation of its new Tiny Home Development Program.

The Board of County Commissioners recognizes that affordable housing is a challenge. As such, they have been seeking options to create workforce housing which is defined as “housing affordable to households earning between 60 and 120 percent of area median income.” Workforce housing targets middle-income workers which includes professions such as police officers, teachers, firefighters, hospitality workers, health care workers, retail workers, and public sector employees. The income of many of the individuals in these professions exceeds the amount to be considered eligible to quality for government assisted affordable housing; however, their incomes are not high enough to purchase a home at today’s market rates.

In July 2023, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and a revision to the Land Development Code creating the Tiny Home Development Program which would allow existing mobile home parks, travel trailer parks, and RV parks to be redeveloped as affordable communities. The amendments will also create an incentive for developers to redevelop blighted areas while continuing to provide for long-term affordability which will help the County bridge the gap for those who need diversified housing.

The Tiny Home Development Program will provide for 800 square foot tiny homes on a permanent foundation constructed with long-lasting materials that maintain the distinct character and harmony of the surrounding community. The development will be designed in a cluster format with tiny homes centered around a shared/communal outdoor living area with public spaces such as lawns, gardens, patios, plazas, and areas for "free play". In addition to the shared/communal outdoor living areas, each tiny home community will have a centrally located principal shared/communal outdoor living area to serve the broader needs of the residents within the development. Each tiny home will have a minimum of one parking space and a covered outdoor living area in the form of a porch or patio.

NEFRC’s Chief Operations Officer/Chief Financial Officer Elizabeth Payne stated, “NEFRC is pleased to recognize Nassau County’s creative attempt, through the Tiny Home Development Program, to solve a challenging issue faced across Northeast Florida, the State, and the country. A cornerstone of the NEFRC is sharing and celebrating best practices that other local governments may replicate. We look forward to following the program’s success.”

For additional information about the County’s Tiny Home Development Program, please contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or email [email protected].

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/4/24 @ 4:45 P.M.

​The UF/IFAS Extension Northeast District which includes Nassau, Baker & Duval Counties, has earned an Award of Excellence in Environmental Stewardship from the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) for its “Follow the Water Program.” All three Districts were recognized during the NEFRC’s Annual Awards Luncheon.
 
The “Follow the Water Program” was created and launched by Extension Agents, including Nassau County’s Extension Director Dr. Taylor Clem, in the Northeast Extension District to educate residents on watersheds and protecting Florida’s water resources. The program includes a 4-day educational tour that “follows a drop of water from southern Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico”. Each step along the tour allows participants to explore nature, develop a deeper understanding of relationships to watersheds, and explore the efforts to enhance and protect Florida’s water resources.

Participants begin their tour in the headwaters of the Suwannee River – the Okefenokee Swamp. The Suwannee River basin is one of the least developed watersheds in Florida and is the largest undammed river in the Southeastern U.S. However, watersheds, including the Suwannee River watershed, and their water resources are threatened by increased urbanization and consumption. Participants learn about the swamp and its vital role in shaping and maintaining watershed health. The second day explores Florida’s unique karst geology and its influence on the Suwannee River. Additionally, participants meet with agricultural researchers and water management district representatives to learn about the strategies to protect the watershed. During the third day, participants step outside the Suwannee River watershed to explore an urban watershed – Sweetwater Branch. Participants explore innovative projects that help restore watershed health, including manufactured wetlands, brownfield site redevelopment, and low-impact design principles, which help mitigate nonpoint source pollutants associated with urbanization. On the final day, participants meet at the Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key, to learn about coastal ecosystems and the impacts upstream water quality has on our vital fisheries in the state.
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FTW has been offered six times since 2020 with 58 participants completing the training, including alumni events. The program provides approximately 32 hours of education per person valued at $92,000. Participant surveys showed a sustained increase in connectedness to water, and after one year, 13 of the 14 respondents reported changes in environmental-related behaviors, including one participant who began a career in water resource communication. Collectively, participants reported sharing FTW information with 2,209 individuals. The FTW team will host 2024 training and alumni events, but also plans on providing training programs to other extension agents and communities interested in adopting similar programs.
 
Dr. Taylor Clem stated, “The Follow the Water Program unveils the role we all play within our watersheds. By improving connectedness Floridians have with water through this program, we know they’ll increase their likelihood of adopting water conservation practices and sharing that information with others. This is important because every decision, every action, no matter where we live, is linked directly to water; the driver of Florida’s social, economic, and environmental well-being”.
 
Registration for the next program is currently open with program dates of May 16, May 23, May 30, and June 6, 2024. To learn more visit: http://sites.google.com/ufl.edu/followthewater.
 
-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer 

5/8/23 @ 4:30 p.m.

We are excited to announce that Nassau County has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its adopted budget for FY 22/23. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest award in governmental budgeting and is given to counties with a governing body and staff dedicated to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.
 
In order to be considered, the Board had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well the budget serves as a policy document; a financial plan; an operations guide; and a communications device. The County had to be rated proficient in all four categories, and in fourteen mandatory criteria within each of those categories to receive the award.
 
GFOA’s Senior Program Manager, John Fishbein, stated, “To receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is an outstanding achievement. We have 25 criteria that government tries to fulfill on its way to receiving this award. So, congratulations to Nassau County”.
 
The Nassau County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office has recently won their 16th consecutive GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the GFOA’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for the 11th consecutive year.  Continuing to achieve these awards, combined with the Board’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, shall now make Nassau County eligible for the coveted Triple Crown Award. This is the highest honor a local government can achieve in financial reporting and further demonstrates the County’s commitment and dedication to achieving the gold standard in transparency, financial responsibility, and public outreach.
 
Clerk of Court and Comptroller, John A. Crawford, stated, “I am very proud of the Board and their staff for achieving this goal. Meeting the requirements and criteria of these awards helps ensure that we continually improve our skills and elevate the quality of work from our offices. The hard work involved in receiving these awards allows us to build a higher level of trust and confidence in what we deliver to the public.”
 
“This is the first time that Nassau County has been a recipient of the Distinguished Budget Award”, stated Board Chairman, Klynt Farmer. “Receiving this award is a testament to the care and attention we place on being transparent through the budget process. I appreciate the hard work of the County Manager’s office, the Office of Management & Budget and our Clerk of Courts Office for being good stewards of taxpayer dollars”.
 
To learn more about the GFOA and the Distinguished Budget Award, visit https://www.gfoa.org/awards.
 
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer 

1/25/23 @ 4:40 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has received an Award of Excellence for Culture and Historic Preservation for the American Beach Community Master Plan. Since 2018, the County has worked hard to design a plan to enhance the community while maintaining its unique history and culture. The scope of work included extensive community engagement including public meetings with property owners, public workshops, and interviews with stakeholders. The needs and priorities identified through the outreach efforts were then used to develop the final master plan which includes protection of the beach and dunes, as well as the history of the community. The plan also includes enhancements for the community such as water/sewer lines, street lighting, paved streets and sidewalks, and preservation of historic structures such as the Evans Rendezvous. 

Seeing all the efforts put forth, the Northeast Florida Regional Council selected the County for this prestigious award. The Board was then recognized at their Awards Luncheon held on January 5, 2023. The Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Beth Payne, stated, “The Northeast Florida Regional Council is happy to recognize Nassau County’s outstanding efforts to preserve a piece of Northeast Florida history. American Beach is one of our area’s hidden gems and it is the Council’s pleasure to recognize the work done by the County, it’s staff and volunteers to continually engage the residents of American Beach and work together to safeguard the cultural history, as well as the future of the American Beach community."

Interim Planning Director/Economic Resources Coordinator, Holly Coyle, stated, “The American Beach Master Plan captures the essence of American Beach by protecting the sense of place, honoring the rich cultural heritage of the community, and authentically telling the story of American Beach through the built and natural environment. Through an extensive public engagement process, the community identified its needs and priorities and created a list of recommendations to achieve their final vision. Among those recommendations were the installation of public water and sanitary sewer; the paving and resurfacing of roadways; re-evaluation of The Crossroads; and the expansion of the A. L. Lewis Museum.  We are honored to have been selected for this award and look forward to bringing this initiative to fruition.”

To view the Northeast Florida Regional Council's Press Release regarding the 2023 Awards, please click here. 

If you have any questions related to the American Beach Community Master Plan, please visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/990/American-Beach-Neighborhood-Planning or contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Office

1/18/23 @ 10:00 a.m. 

During the most recent Florida Planning & Zoning Association’s Awards Banquet, the Board of County Commissioners won a total of 3 awards for several Nassau County projects and initiatives, further demonstrating the County’s commitment to building a resilient, sustainable, and people-centric future that prioritizes quality of life and quality of place.
 
The First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning & Zoning Association (FPZA) is a fourteen-member board of directors that annually nominates specific awards throughout the Northeast Florida region. Board member, Sarah King, stated, “Every year, an award chairman and a four-person committee are selected to review and verify that all the nominated projects meet the specific award criteria. With several projects being reviewed, the committee is responsible for selecting and nominating the award winners for each category to the full board of directors for final approval. This process is vetted to the entire board and not every submittal is guaranteed the award. FPZA is proud to present three outstanding Nassau County projects at our annual awards ceremony.”
 
The first award was an Outstanding Public Participation Award for the American Beach Cultural Heritage Experience Enhancement Initiative which was designed to capture the essence, protect the sense of plan, honor the rich cultural heritage of the community, and authentically tell the story of American Beach through the built and natural environment.
 
The project began with a survey of existing conditions of the street network, utilities, tree canopy, parks and beaches. This effort was followed by hundreds of hours of community engagement including telephone interviews, online surveys, public workshops, and meetings at American Beach for the purpose of obtaining input from the residents on future enhancement projects that reflect the community’s values. The result was the creation of a long-term visioning plan that provides for public infrastructure enhancements, installation of public water and sewer, paving of roadways, street lighting, installation of historical markers, expansion of the A.L. Lewis Museum, park improvements and resource protection.  
 
The second award was an Outstanding Public Impact Award for the Westside Regional Park. This park is located off US 1 between Callahan and Hilliard and will serve as a centrally accessible park amenity that retains the visceral beauty of the natural environment. The site’s varying ecosystems include pine flatwoods, a freshwater marsh, and hardwood hydric forests which function together as a diverse yet cohesive setting. Spreading over 110 acres, Westside Regional Park will feature a variety of recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy including, but not limited to, outdoor event/green space, community playground, restrooms, multi-use trails, outdoor fitness stations, a fishing pond and multi-purpose fields. The conceptual plan for this park was derived from community input collected through a series of citizen surveys and public outreach events. The Westside Regional Park is currently in the final stages of engineering for Phase One with construction anticipated to begin in the fall of 2023. Upon completion, the Westside Regional Park will be a world-class destination unlike anything Nassau County has ever seen.
 
The third and final award from the Florida Planning & Zoning Association was an Environmental/Natural Resources Award for the County’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on January 25, 2021. The purpose of the CLAM was to preserve and conserve the County’s natural, historic, and working lands resources by identifying, ranking and accessing conservation lands for acquisition and management. An essential tool of the CLAM Program is to create, analyze and manipulate geographic information, known as data layers. These data layers are maps of resources which can be displayed as they overlap and interact, and where different statistical and analytical processes can be applied to better understand a landscape filled with multiple interacting resources.  Nineteen different data layers were selected for consideration, representing different potential conservation resources.  The different data layers all relate to one of the four most common considerations for acquiring conservation land: Water Issues, Habitat and Species Protections, Working Lands, and Outdoor Recreation/Quality of Life.  This map is used to analyze properties being considered for acquisition. By having a CLAM Program in place, the County will increase its ability to further preserve our natural environment and enhance quality of life for our residents. 

County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “I am extremely proud of all the hard work and effort put into these initiatives and for being selected for these three prestigious awards. As Nassau County continues to grow, it is imperative that we have plans in place to accommodate current and future residents while protecting the County’s unique history, culture and natural environment. I feel fortunate to be a part of these initiatives which will benefit the community for many years to come.” 

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