9/17/24 @ 10:45 a.m. - Please be advised that the temporary road closure at Chester & Pages Dairy will be pushed back one additional day. The closure is now scheduled for Friday, September 20 - Tuesday, September 24, 2024 (previously September 19 - September 23). 

For those that missed the previous announcement, the Nassau County Engineering Department is reconstructing Chester Road and Pages Dairy Road including the railroad crossing on Chester Road. The railroad crossing section of reconstruction will be from Pages Dairy Road intersection at the Railroad crossing to the entrance of Fantastic Gymnastics.

Completion of the reconstruction is expected to take 5 days (through September 24th), potentially including night activities. Traffic will be maintained in accordance with FDOT design standards throughout the project. During the reconstruction there will be a detour via Pages Dairy Road to Felmor Road to SR 200 / A1A. During the reconstruction Chester Road will be closed to complete work, as shown in the graphic below. 

​Nassau County BOCC selected Reeves Construction Co. to complete this  project in late 2025, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. The public’s patience and understanding while we bring your community these needed improvements are appreciated. Questions or concerns may be directed to Project Administrator James Cuneo of CSI Geo at [email protected]

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

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].

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].

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
 
Contact: Kelly White, (904) 616-8754, [email protected] or
Sabrina Robertson, Nassau County PIO, (904) 530-6010, [email protected]
 
Nassau County’s Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor Approved as Florida Forever Project
Nassau County and the North Florida Land Trust worked together to get the conservation corridor accepted on the Florida Forever Priority List

The Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor, more than 55,000 acres of potential conservation land known as the A2O, has been granted a significant approval. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) has approved the A2O for inclusion on the Florida Forever Project List. Nassau County and North Florida Land Trust (NFLT), long-time partners in conservation, worked together on the proposal to ARC to consider adding the critical corridor to the priority list.
 
The A2O stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the west, with 55,864 acres that NFLT and Nassau County hope to preserve. The corridor incorporates the John M. Bethea State Forest, Osceola Wildlife Management Area, and the Osceola State Forest complex. The St. Marys River also unifies it at its northern boundary. The river is ecologically, recreationally, and historically significant and a critical habitat for the Atlantic sturgeon, a federally listed endangered species.
 
“This is a big deal for conservation, and one of the largest expansions of the Florida Forever list that we have seen,” said Allison DeFoor, President and CEO of NFLT. “Making it to this list brings us just a step closer to preserving property and saving some of real Florida for our grandchildren and generations beyond. We are grateful for the inclusion on the Florida Forever priority list and are hopeful the Governor and Cabinet will approve funding for acquisitions within this significant conservation corridor.”
 
“This is a huge accomplishment for Nassau County and our residents, who deeply value nature and conservation,” said Brandy Carvalho, Director of Strategic Advancement & Economic Resources for Nassau County. “Augmenting our already robust Conservation Land Acquisition and Management program, the A2O is another innovative approach the Nassau County BOCC has initiated to protect vulnerable and valuable land in Nassau County for generations to come.”
 
The A2O completes a 90,000-acre conservation corridor in the southern watershed along 80 miles of the St. Marys River, more than doubling the acres of existing conservation lands near its boundaries. The conservation corridor includes more than 1,200 acres that the State has already identified as necessary additions to Ralph E. Simmons State Forest and Ft. Clinch Preserve State Park.
 
The A2O includes many extremely important lands for Florida’s ecosystems, including underrepresented natural communities, natural floodplains, priority aquifer recharge lands, fragile coastal resources, and rare species priority areas. Nearly 12,000 acres in the A2O are listed as priorities for Nassau County’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Management program, also known as CLAM. NFLT worked with Nassau County to identify, rank, and assess conservation lands for acquisition and management. Nassau County is the 9th fastest growing Florida County and faces the threat of development on these ecologically significant lands.
 
In addition to its environmental significance, the A2O corridor also holds historical importance. The land once served as settlements for American Indian nations like the Timucuans, Uchees, and Muskogees, as well as the Gullah Geechee nation. The A2O and St. Marys were important residential, foraging, and fishing areas for the populations, and the northern boundary of the river was part of the St. Marys River Paddling Trail. The A2O also has sites used in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War.
 
The next step will be approval by the ARC Board of Trustees before the acquisition of properties or conservation easements within the A2O appears before the Governor and Cabinet for funding approval, most likely next year.
 
Nassau County and NFLT will continue to work together to implement the A2O project.
 
About North Florida Land Trust
North Florida Land Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the quality of life by protecting North Florida's irreplaceable natural environment. Founded in 1999, NFLT has preserved tens of thousands of acres of land through the donation or purchase of land as well as conservation easements.  NFLT is funded largely by private and corporate contributions and works closely with willing landowners and public agencies at all levels of government, not-for-profit partners, and foundations. For more information, visit nflt.org.
 

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

6/6/24 @ 9:40 a.m. 

Please join us on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for a Groundbreaking Ceremony in celebration of the construction of the new Nassau County Fire Rescue Station 10, located at 75822 Edwards Road in Yulee. 
 
This new modern facility will consist of 8,453 square feet and will feature three bays with an engine, rescue unit, and tanker. It will also contain 11 sleeping quarters, four and half bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and an exercise room.
 
The Station is being built through a public-private partnership with GreenePointe Holdings, the developer for Tributary.  It will be funded through impact fees (fees paid by developers to cover impact of new development). This is the third station to break ground since February 2024, including a new Station 70 on Nassauville Road and a new Station 90 on County Road 2 in Hilliard, both of which are under construction.
 
Board Chairman John Martin stated, “Proactive planning has allowed the County to further the capabilities of Nassau County Fire Rescue by constructing new stations and adding personnel and equipment in a phased manner to accommodate the demands of a growing community. We are passionate about public safety and want to ensure that the emergency personnel at Nassau County Fire Rescue have what they need to continue providing outstanding service to our residents. We look forward to celebrating again at a grand opening event next year.”
 
Should you have any questions, please contact Nassau County Fire Rescue at (904) 530-6600.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer