5/22/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - Each year in May, Mental Health Awareness Month is recognized to support efforts at fighting the stigma associated with mental illness, providing support, educating and the public, and advocating for equal care. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), studies show that there are an estimated 57.8 million adults aged 18 and older in the United States which represents 1 out of every 5 adult Americans who experience mental illness each year, with 1 in 20 adults experiencing serious mental illness each year. However, due to limited or no knowledge of the need, barriers to care, or fear and shame, 60% of adults and 50% of youth do not receive the treatment necessary for their mental health needs and the average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years.

At the Wednesday, May 21, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners presented a Proclamation declaring May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Nassau County, Florida. Representatives from Starting Point Behavioral Health and NAMI were both in attendance to accept it. NAMI Executive Director Suzanne Mailloux stated, "We recently expanded our services to Nassau County and we're grateful to be here, grateful to serve the community and grateful to guide individuals through peer support, and help them find the treatment and services they need." Dr. Laureen Pagel thanked the Board of County Commissioners to for their continued support and expressed her excitement about having NAMI as a new community partner in Nassau County to help serve the residents.

Recognizing the impact of awareness and education, access to services, and acceptance of the importance of mental health to a person's overall success is important in the fight against the stigma associated with mental illness. The Board of County Commissioners joins the efforts of Starting Point Behavioral Health and NAMI in promoting mental health, wellness and community understanding of support and services with a focus on prevention and early intervention. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/16/25 @ 11:30 a.m. - At the Monday, May 12, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners issued a Proclamation declaring May 18 - May 24, 2025 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Nassau County, Florida.  

EMS services are a vital public service and members of EMS teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury. EMS services have grown to fill a gap by providing important out of hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine. 

This year's theme is "EMS: We Care. For Everyone". It is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical services providers. 

Nassau County Fire Rescue serves Nassau County with pride, integrity and compassion to anyone in need. During the last fiscal year, NCFR responded to 8,629 medical calls including car accidents, cardiac arrest, drug overdoses, and other emergency situations where they provided quick and efficient care, often saving the lives of residents and guests of Nassau County. We greatly appreciate their service and dedication.

We also extend a special thank you to the Fernandina Beach Fire Department (FBFD) for their service to City residents and providing support to NCFR when needed. We are grateful for the partnership and the ability to work together for the betterment of the community. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/13/25 @ 1:30 p.m. - May 15th was designated by Presidential Proclamation in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy as Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week on which it falls as National Police Week. This was designated to honor those officers, Federal, State and local, who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

National Police Week has become widely recognized throughout the United States of America as a new way for citizenry to pay tribute and express their gratitude to those who serve, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. At the Monday, May 12, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) issued a Proclamation proclaiming May 11 - May 17, 2025 as National Police Week and Wednesday, May 15, 2025 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Nassau County, Florida. 

There are currently over 800,000 law enforcement officers nationwide, including the dedicated members of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office and the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department. Since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently more than 24,000 law enforcement officers in the United States who made the ultimate sacrifice and have been killed in the line of duty, including thirteen Law Enforcement Officers from Nassau County: 8 from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, 1 from the City of Fernandina Beach Police Department, 1 Florida Highway Patrol Officer, 2 from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Law Enforcement, and 1 Hilliard Constable.

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper and various personnel from the Sheriff's Office were in attendance to accept the Proclamation, as well as Commander Jim Norman accepting on behalf of the FBPD. 

The BOCC acknowledges and commends all law enforcement personnel in Nassau County for their service and dedication to the residents. The BOCC also encourages citizens to know and understand the duties, responsibilities, and sacrifices our local law enforcement officers make for our community and to credit them for their efforts in safeguarding life and property and protecting us from violence and disorder. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

5/5/25 2:00 p.m. - At the Monday, April 26, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Proclamation declaring May 2025 as Lupus Awareness Month in Nassau County, Florida. 

Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that can cause severe damage to the tissue and organs of the body and in some cases, can also cause death. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least 5 million people worldwide, suffer the devastating effects of this cruel and mysterious disease. Each year, over a hundred thousand young men, women and children around the world are newly diagnosed. 

Medical research efforts into lupus and the discovery of safer, more effective treatments for lupus patients are underfunded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity. Additionally, many physicians worldwide are unaware of symptoms and health effects of lupus, causing people with lupus to suffer for many years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment. As such, there is an urgent need to increase awareness in communities worldwide of the debilitating impacts of lupus. 

Resident Sebrina Henry was in attendance to accept the Proclamation and stated, "Thank you for proclaiming May as Lupus Awareness Month. I stand as a representative from the Lupus Foundation, representing the southeast region, and for the millions of people, including myself, that have been diagnosed with lupus. The one thing I want to leave you with today is that someone you know and love may have lupus. Be an advocate for them. When they are tired, they're not lazy. Love them and be patient with them. Even though it's hard to diagnose, it's even more hard to live with. We call ourselves lupus warriors because we fight 24/7." 

The BOCC is pleased to declare May 2025 as Lupus Awareness Month in Nassau County and joins The Lupus Foundation of America in raising awareness of this significant public health issue. The BOCC also extends their gratitude to Ms. Henry for sharing her story with us and explaining how lupus impacts the day-to-day lives of those living with the disease. 

To learn more about lupus, please visit the Lupus Foundation of America website. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/17/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - April 2025 has been declared as Election Worker Month to recognize the hardworking men and women who make safe, accurate and secure elections. In Nassau County, 374 election workers served Nassau County voters during the 2024 Elections serving as clerks, assistant clerks, voting system specialists, assistant voting specialists, EViD operators, deputies, early voting couriers, survey specialist, line attendants, secure ballot intake station attendants, canvassing board teams, and election technicians. 

A group of election workers were present at the April 16, 2025 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting and accepted a Proclamation declaring April 2025 as Election Worker Appreciation Month in Nassau County, Florida. Supervisor of Elections Janet Adkins stated, "It's fitting that we recognize our election workers this month, after this historic voter turnout (85.51%) and the phenomenal job that they did. Florida Statute requires that if you work in an election, you must be a registered voter in that county. So these are our friends, these are our neighbors, and these are our family members. I'm immensely proud of the work they did in 2024 to serve the voters of Nassau County." 

The BOCC commends the many individuals who lend their time, skill and effort to make extraordinary contributions to the voters of Nassau County.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/16/25 @ 3:50 p.m. - The State of Florida, Water Management Districts and Nassau County are working together to increase awareness about the importance of water conservation. At the Monday, April 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Proclamation designating April 2025 as Water Conservation Month in Nassau County. 

Water is a basic and essential need of every living creature. Residents can help save Florida's precious resources through various strategies including fixing leaks, using water-efficient appliances and modifying behaviors like taking shorter showers or turning off the tap while brushing teeth. The BOCC hereby calls on each citizen and business to help protect our precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

4/15/25 @ 5:30 p.m. - At the Monday, April 14, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) presented a Proclamation declaring the week of April 13-April 19, 2025 as Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week. Animal Care & Control agencies across the country provide essential community functions including the enforcement of animal control laws, protecting the public from diseases such as rabies, and educating the public about the proper care for pets. 

Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) continues to qualify as a "no-kill" shelter due to their outstanding efforts in ensuring that animals entering the facility leave the facility through various avenues, including but not limited to, adoptions, fostering, return to owners, and transfers to animal rescue groups. During Fiscal Year 2023/2024, NCAS responded to 7,066 calls for service. Additional efforts included adoption of 1,698 pets, transferring 109 pets to rescue groups to increase their chances of adoption, and hosting and/or participating in 79 animal adoption events. 

Employees of NCAS work tirelessly to keep the community informed about animal control laws, how to properly care for their pets and raising awareness for each pet needing adoption. Most importantly, they keep the animal shelter clean while providing the animals with the love and care they deserve while waiting to find their forever homes. 

The BOCC extends their sincere appreciation to the employees of NCAS for all they do to keep the community clean and safe from infectious diseases and animals running at large. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/6/25 @ 9:00 a.m.

At the Monday, March 24, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Proclamation declaring the week of April 6 - April 12, 2025 as National Library Week in Nassau County, Florida.

Libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn to new possibilities. During National Library Week, residents are encouraged to visit a library, explore its resources, and celebrate the ways that the library draws us together. For library locations, please visit www.nassaureads.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/25/25 @ 8:30 a.m. - At the Monday, March 24, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approve a Proclamation declaring April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Nassau County, Florida. Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the prevalence of sexual violence and its widespread impacts while promoting responses that lead to positive cultural change. Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment is harmful to the community and affects individuals of every background. 

The theme of this year's Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign is "Together We Act, United We Change" and focuses on the power of working together to create safer, more respectful environments for all. The BOCC joins advocates and community members in raising awareness about sexual assault and working to build a future free from sexual violence. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer 

3/12/25 @ 6:00 a.m. - At the Monday, March 10, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a Proclamation declaring March as National Procurement Month in Nassau County. 

National Procurement Month was established by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) to celebrate procurement professionals for their contributions in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Nassau County's Procurement Department plays a significant role in ensuring that the County secures the best price possible for goods and services. They prepare and solicit bids, requests for proposals, and requests for qualifications, and ensure that all purchases are done in compliance with the BOCC's adopted Purchasing Policy.  The Procurement Team works daily to ensure the most effective use of taxpayer dollars, while maintaining the highest standard of service within a competitive, fair, open and transparent procurement process. 

The BOCC is happy to join the NIGP in recognizing public purchasing professionals and hereby applauds Procurement Director Lanaee Gilmore; Senior Procurement Specialist Evelyn Burton; Procurement Specialist Thomas "TJ" O'Brien; and Contracts Coordinator Colby Barcous for ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
 Communications Officer