1/20/23 @ 8:45 a.m. - At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, the Board discussed its top Legislative Priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session. 

County Manager Taco Pope stated, "Each year, we submit to the Nassau Legislative Delegation and the State Legislature requests for local funding initiatives. You have local projects and the State makes local appropriations. A lot of your local projects are of State concern and interest. This year, working with your staff and individually with each of you, we did our best to aggregate a list of 9 projects with a total request just over $9 million. What we will be seeking today from the Board is two-fold: 1) that this is the list of projects that you would like us to submit for funding; and 2) that you prioritize them". He also added, "Some of the driving factors for naming these projects was the ability to match local dollars with State dollars". So while the County has already allocated funding for these projects, funding from the State would allow the County to maximize their contribution and do more to move the project forward. 

Below are the projects as they were approved and ranked: 

1) Spring Lake Estates drainage project- $625,000
2) Sundberg Road paving - $750,000
3) Thomas Creek Restoration Project - $1 million
4) Piney Island/America River (ICW) resiliency and development mitigation
5) Nassau County Animal Resources Center and Campus - $1.7 million
6) Sheriff's Work Ethics and Training (SWEAT) Project - $110,000
7) County Road 108 Extension - $3.46 million
8) Amelia Island Trail Phase 5 - $225,000
9) Tourism expansion via ecotourism/water access improvements, Nassau River - $600,000

Now that the projects have been identified, the County will complete all the necessary State forms. Our Lobbyist and our State Legislatures will then advocate in Tallahassee on our behalf during the upcoming Legislative Session. 

The Board's discussion regarding the Legislative Priorities can be heard by viewing the video from the January 18th meeting at www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings. Legislative Priorities are listed on the agenda under "Tab I". 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

1/11/23 @ 4:45 p.m. - The Nassau County Legislative Delegation held a meeting today to select the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Legislative Delegation, and to receive input ahead of the upcoming Legislative Session in Tallahassee. Senator Clay Yarborough and State Representative Dean Black listened as representatives from the County, City of Fernandina beach, Towns of Hilliard and Callahan, School Board and several non-profit organizations explained their funding needs ahead of the upcoming Legislative Session. Several individuals also spoke about Legislation they wish to see amended and/or introduced in support of various causes and issues important to them.

Attached is a copy of the agenda. Anyone requesting additional information about topics discussed should reach out to Senator Yarborough's Office at (850) 487-5004 or via email at Podvia.David@flsenate.gov. 

We appreciate the Legislative Delegation for visiting Nassau County and for giving our community the opportunity to share needs and ideas ahead of the Legislative Session. We also appreciate our State Officials for all they do to secure Legislative funding on behalf of the County and their commitment to helping us improve the quality of life for our residents. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

12/8/22 @ 10:15 a.m. - Senator Clay Yarborough issued a Press Release yesterday announcing that the Nassau County Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the County's Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

The purpose of the Legislative Delegation Meeting is to elect the 2023 Delegation Chair and Vice Chair and to hold a general legislative hearing. Anyone wishing to speak must complete the attached Speaker's Request Form and return it to David Podvia at Senator Yarborough's Office BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2023, to be placed on the agenda. You must also provide all materials/handouts prior to this cut-off date as well. Documents can be emailed to Podvia.David@flsenate.gov or mailed to The Office of Senator Clay Yarborough at 1615 Huffingham Road, Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32216.

If submitting materials/handouts via U.S. mail, individuals are asked to provide three (3) sets of three-hold punched 8 1/2 x 11 copies and use the Speaker's Request Form as a cover sheet to be included in the member's meeting packets. 
 
All Legislative Delegation meetings are open to the public. In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meetings, including agendas, interpreters, or assisted listening devices, should contact David Podvia at 850-487-5004 or by email at Podvia.David@flsenate.gov by the close of business on Friday, January 6, 2023. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

5/26/22 @ 8:30 a.m. - During Florida’s 2022 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday May 28 through June 10, stock up on qualifying disaster preparedness supplies exempt from tax. For more information and a list of qualifying items, visit floridarevenue.com/disasterprep.

Note: The sales tax holiday does not apply to the rental or repair of any of the qualifying items. Additionally, the sales tax holiday does not apply to sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment or airport. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

Congratulations to State Representative Cord Byrd on being appointed as Secretary of State! The announcement was made on Friday, May 13th in a Press Release issued by Governor Ron DeSantis. (see link below)

Representative Byrd has been instrumental in helping Nassau County secure funding from the State Legislature for numerous projects and initiatives including the Crawford Road and County Road 121 improvements project, the William Burgess Extension, the American Beach Water & Sewer Conversion Project, and construction of a Public Safety Training Facility.... just to name a few!

We appreciate Representative Byrd for all he has done for Nassau County and wish him the best in this new endeavor.

Governor Press Release here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

3/31/22 @ 9:40 a.m.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites Florida residents and visitors to go freshwater fishing April 2 - April 3, 2022 during license-free freshwater fishing days.

License-free freshwater fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for individuals to try fishing without needing to purchase a license first. During these two days, the fishing license requirement is waived for recreational anglers, including residents and non-residents. All other rules related to seasons, bag and size limits still apply. Click here to learn more.

For additional information on fresh water fishing, visit the FWC Freshwater Fishing Webpage.

If you have any questions, contact Michelle Kerr of the FWC at (850) 510-4776 or via e-mail at Michelle.Kerr@MyFWC.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/4/22 @ 3:15 p.m. - Below is a Press Release issued by the Florida Department of Children & Families:

DCF Newsroom

For Immediate Release: February 3, 2022

Florida has an Additional $740.4 Million for Emergency Rental Assistance Available for Families
Florida Department of Children and Families Continues OUR Florida Program

TALLAHASSEE, Fla – The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced today that Florida has received an additional $740.4 million to continue to operate the emergency rental assistance program.

“DCF is on a mission to support families in their greatest time of need, and the OUR Florida program is another example of our efforts to assist Florida families on their road to economic self-sufficiency. OUR Florida has provided relief to more than 164,000 households, keeping families safe in their homes throughout 2021 and into 2022,” said DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris. “The extension of the emergency rental assistance program and the corresponding additional relief funds will accelerate Florida’s recovery and help those in need.”

The OUR Florida vendor has hired even more staff and now has a team of more than 700 processing applications, managing cases, answering calls and supporting the program.

Since OUR Florida was launched in May 2021, the program has distributed more than $858 million in funding to more than 164,000 households across Florida. The State of Florida has accepted a second round of Emergency Rental Assistance funded by the U.S. Treasury to help Florida tenants get on the road to recovery and economic self-sufficiency.

Floridians who rent the home, apartment, or other dwelling where they live can apply for relief through OUR Florida. To be eligible for benefits, renters must be low income or unemployed, experienced a loss of income or financial hardship during the last year, and behind on rent or utility payments, or at risk of falling behind.

To learn more, visit OURFlorida.com
Weekly updates on the program will be provided online at https://twitter.com/our_fl_relief.

12/6/21 @ 10:30 a.m. - Flags are being flown at half-staff through sunset today in remembrance of the 3 American soldiers that lost their lives in an act of terrorism during the attack on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola on December 6, 2019.

To view the Proclamation issued by Governor Ron DeSantis, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

11/30/21 @ 12:00 p.m. - State Representative, Cord Byrd, issued the attached Press Release today announcing that the Nassau County Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

The purpose of this delegation meeting is to introduce a City of Fernandina Beach local bill and to take public input. Interested citizens wishing to be placed on the agenda for the Monday, December 13th meeting are asked to contact Representative Byrd's Office by the close of business on Thursday, December 9th.

All materials or handouts for this meeting should be received by Representative Byrd's Office no later than Thursday, December 9th. Information can be mailed to 421 Third Street North, Jacksonville, FL 32250 or emailed to Katherine Woodby at katherine.woodby@myfloridahouse.gov.

In accordance with the ADA and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices, should contact Representative Byrd’s Office no later than December 9, 2021.

For additional information, contact Katherine Woodby, Legislative Aide for Representative Cord Byrd, at (904) 242-3495 or email Katherine.woodby@myfloridahouse.gov.

All Nassau County Legislative Delegation meetings are open to the public.

10/28/21 @ 8:45 a.m. - Senator Aaron Bean issued a Press Release yesterday announcing that the Nassau County Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers located at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.

The purpose of this delegation meeting is to elect the incoming 2021-2022 Delegation Chair and Vice Chair, introduce a local bill and to take public input. Interested citizens wishing to be placed on the agenda for the Wednesday, November 10th public meeting are asked to contact Senator Bean’s Office at 904-757-5039, prior to close of business Monday, November 8, 2021.

All materials or handouts for this meeting should be received by Senator Bean’s Office no later than Monday, November 8, 2021. Information can be mailed to 13453 North Main Street, Suite 301, Jacksonville, FL 32218 or emailed to Dee Alexander at ALEXANDER.DEE@flsenate.gov.

In accordance with the ADA and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices, should contact Representative Byrd’s Office no later than November 3, 2021.

For additional information, contact Dee Alexander, Chief Legislative Aide for Senator Aaron Bean at 904-757-5039 or email at ALEXANDER.DEE@flsenate.gov.

All Nassau County Legislative Delegation meetings are open to the public.