News
Nassau County 2024-25 Budget Hits $207 Million; 15 Major Projects Costing $103 Million Completed Last Year; New Balanced Budget Pays For 504 Positions; Points to 2025 Recession
By Michael Hernandez, 7-22-24
YULEE, FLORIDA—The Nassau County Board of Commissioners reviewed a $207 million dollar 2024-25 tentative budget at its 3 p.m. July 22 Budget Workshop which includes a projected $75 million in Capital Reserves and near $31 million in State Appropriation with top expenditures of over $101 million for Transportation; near $27 million toward Parks; over $21 million for Facilities; and almost $20 million for Fire.
The budget includes salaries and benefits for 504 Nassau County employees with an increase of 19 employees (18 for Fire Rescue and 1 for Tourism) from last year. The three top Nassau County departments are: Fire Rescue (183 employees), Road & Bridge (63 employees), and Building (43 employees).
Nassau County Population growth fuels budget increases which have grown 4 percent from 2021 to 2022 which shows a Nassau County population of near 98,000 (an increase of over 40,000 from 2000) with population growth rates projected to increase over 44 percent from 2020 to 2035 with median age increasing from 41.6 to 46.9 from 2009 to 2021. The Nassau median household income as of 2021 is $77,504 (rising from a median of $54,116 in 2016). Some 22,000 workers are employed in Nassau County with near 35,000 workers living in Nassau County in over 45,000 housing units, which reflects an increase of 1,831 units over the past year. The median value of owner-occupied housing units is over $264,000.
15 Major Projects Started Or Completed In 2023/24
Nassau County has started or completed 15 major projects last year at a cost of $103 million with four of these projects costing near $10 million or more.
The top four projects included: $28.5 million for County Road 121 from Duval County to US 1 in Boulogne. Interim repairs were completed in May 2022 with a $9 million grant executed that month. Resurfacing began in April, 2023. Funding came from both State Appropriations and Nassau County.
The second major project was West Side Regional Park with Phase I design completed in November, 2023. This project currently is in the bidding process. Total Cost is $19.4 million with funding sources including General Revenue and Regional Park Impact Fees.
A third major project for $10 million was County Road 108 Safety Improvements from Middle Road to US 17 and Bay Road to Middle Road with both phases completed in November, 2023. The funding source was Federal Grant Funds.
The Pages Dairy & Chester Road Intersection Improvements for $9.7 million began in June, 2024 with Nassau County serving as the funding source.
Top Funding Sources, Funds & Taxes
Nassau County’s top funding sources come from Capital Reserves (36.1 percent); State Appropriations (14.86 percent); Impact Fees (8.44 percent); and Mobility Fees (6.22 percent).
The three main government funds come from General Fund, County Transportation Fund and Municipal Services Fund. However, by May 2025, it is projected that there is a probability of 51.82 percent that the United States will fall into another economic recession according to the Statistics Research Department.
The General Fund has a proposed 2024/25 budget of $99 million an increase of over $6 million from last year and over $37 million from 2019/20 with money coming from Ad Valorem Taxes.
In addition to Ad Valorem Taxes (a property tax rate based on one percent of the full assessed value), Florida law allows local governments to impose a wide range of local taxes which in most cases are collected locally, remitted to the state, and redistributed back to counties. The major revenues in this category are two local option fuel taxes (local governments can levy up to 12 cents on every net gallon of motor and diesel fuel sold within the county*), ninth cent fuel taxes (one cent on every net gallon of motor and diesel fuel sold within a county—these proceeds may be used to fund transportation expenditures), communications tax (fees on private broadcasting providers), and tourist development taxes as well as a half-cent sales tax program and a Small County Surtax (at the rate of .5 or 1 precent) based on a county population of 50,000 or less on April 1, 1992. Nassau County levied this tax in March, 1996. (*Note: The first fuel tax option of 6 cents will expire on Aug. 31, 2054 and the 2nd fuel tax option of 5 cents will expire on Dec. 31, 2069.)
Projected 2024/25 Budget Expenditures
Transportation is listed as Nassau County’s top 2024/25 expenditure with a budget of over $101 million; followed by near $27 million for Parks; and near $22 million for Facilities; and near $20 million for Fire. (Note: $2.8 million of new projects are added.)
Nassau County Receives National Procurement Award For Operations
Nassau County just received an email concerning National Procurement Award. Procurement Director Lanaee Gilmore said that in the last few years technology has been utilized to streamline processes (online requisition, contract management software, procurement processes). Nassau County met 16 of 18 criteria to win the award with a staff of three and procurement advisory group with representatives from each county department.
Nassau County Increases Support for Homeless Prevention Services
Homeless Prevention support is going to Barnabas, Salvation Army, and Feeding NE Florida with future funding allocations going to the Board of County Commissions.
Major Changes On Nassau County Budget For Dependent Insurance
Nassau County increased dependent insurance to 65 percent coverage. The employee cost is $500 per month and the employer cost increase is $580,000.
Joint Public Safety Training Complex
The Sheriff shooting range will cost $1.6 million with annual maintenance at $160,000. The Sheriff Regional Training Academy building is costing $5.9 million (grant) and $2 million from impact fees. The annual maintenance is estimated at $790,000. A Sheriff K-9 training site is slated to cost $400,000 but has not yet been approved by the Board.
Future Fees and Rates
Many fees have not been updated since 2009. The Comprehensive Impact Fee Study was last reviewed in 2020. The Nassau Utility Rate currently increases by 5 percent per year.
Public Comment: Janice Ancrum (Nassau County Council on Aging)
“When I started 12 years ago, we never had a budget decease. We served 2,500 seniors. Now we serving 7,000 seniors. Yet, staff is thinking of cutting $60,000 in our budget this year. These are people in your districts that we serve. It is very embarrassing. We need to keep money in the budget to serve the vulnerable. Please consider our vulnerable population. I will not give up advocating for our seniors.”
Next 2024/25 Nassau County Budget Presentation: Sept. 9 (5 p.m.) First Public Hearing/Final Budget Hearing: Sept. 23
July 22 Budget Workshop Agenda
July 22 Draft Budget
file:///Users/michaelhernandez/Downloads/24=25_Budget_w_Introduction_Pgs._
Presented_7-22-24%20(1).pdf
Watch July 22 Budget Workshop (90 Minutes)
https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/event/2620?view_id=2&redirect=true
American Beach and Water Sewer District Approves $4 Million Loan
The American Beach and Water Sewer District established by the Nassau County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 24, 2020 to construct water and sewer systems in the unincorporated area of Nassau County approved a loan up to $4 million (Agenda Item F) from Nassau County.
Nassau County Approves $2.3 million Contract for Henry Smith Road Improvements
CGC, Inc was awarded a $2.3 million contract (Agenda Item D) by Nassau County.
Other Board Actions:
- Approved dividing 30 acres of McGirt Creek (Agenda Item B) into 49 single family lots.
- Approved an amendment (Agenda Item C) between Nassau County and the Three Rivers Community Development District. Zoning was approved in 2006 for a development of 3,200 residential dwelling units, 500,000 square feet of retail space; 250,000 square feet of industrial space, 50,000 square feet of office spaces; and 300 dry boat storage slips on 1,546 acres.
- Board (Agenda item G) reduced the millage rate on motion 1 and approved flat millage rates on motions 2-4 as well as motion 5 to complete 420 forms and motions 6 set the first public budget hearing on Sept. 9 at 5 p.m.
- $147,000 for right of way acquisition for Sandy Ridge.
- Reduction of property lien (Agenda Item K) of Kenneth Willis property from $254,000 to $2,000 (for removing a blighted property).
- Presentation (Agenda Item M) made by Brandy Carvalho, Director of Strategic Advancement and Economic Resources concerning Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) programs. CLAM program first developed in 2017. CLAM Committee appointed in 2021. Some 68 percent of voters voted in favor of $30 million bond referendum in November, 2023. Projects are included in Piney Island, Orange Bluff, Lofton Creek, and Carey State Forest. Willing sellers are active in Dudley Island, St. Mary’s River Ranch, and Amelia South.
An update was given on the Atlantic To Okefenokee (A20) Project (56,000 acres) which is now a Florida Forever Project. Some 15 projects (with 83 parcels) are included as future CLAM projects. “We conserve in Nassau County,” said Commissioner Alyson McCullough while Commissioner Klynt Farmer said: “The key to growth is conservation. We are all property rights people but this must be balanced. You are either pro-growth or anti-growth. Everybody I represent is pro-property rights.
Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing:
- Shadow Woods Lane (District 2) designated as a Canopy/Scenic Road (Agenda Item L) on Amelia Island that is unpaved and privately maintained. The majority of the public via email supported the designation. Nassau County shall not widen or increase the number of lanes and outdoor advertising signs shall be prohibited. There are six homes utilizing Shadow Woods Lane and the designation requires the area to be in a historic area as well as include canopy trees. The area is in a maritime forest that is preserved. Three witnesses (Tom Oliver, Lisa Giza and Laura Keller) supported the designation.
Public Comments: 10 (supporting designation and staff report recommending approval with one individual requesting an amendment to the designation; an another saying he was representative of 14 also in favor; and another representing the tree conservancy committee, with also testimony from a member representing Conserve Nassau).
Motion: Hupp Huppmann. Second: Klynt Farmer. Approved 5-0.
Nassau County Animal Services Shelter
Jackie Osborne of Nassau County Animal Services Shelter reported on 72 dogs available (three puppies) and 71 cats available (42 kittens including four litters).
Nassau County Board Of Commissioners:
- District 1 Commissioner John Martin (Fernandina Beach)
- District 2 Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann (South Amelia Island)
- District 3 Commissioner Jeff Gray (Yulee)
- District 4 Commissioner Alyson McCullough (Hilliard)
- District 5 Commissioner Klynt Farmer (Callahan)
July 22 Board of Commissioners Agenda
Watch July 22 General Meeting (155 minutes)
https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/event/2621?view_id=2&redirect=true
Michael Hernandez, from California is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown” and “Stories Speak Volumes.” He also writes a column called “Revive America.”
