News
By Michael Hernandez, 7-8-24
YULEE, FLORIDA—The Nassau County Board of Commissioners awarded a $482,000 contract (Agenda E) at its July 8 meeting for Epoxy Services to Industrial Surfacing & Lining, LLC of 15331-1 Yellow Bluff Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32226 for providing solid coating for proper cleaning and preventive safety issues to the Jail and Detention Center, Animal Control and the Justice Center. The one bid received in April came after 35 vendors and 508 suppliers were notified. To read the 143-page contract see: file:///Users/michaelhernandez/Downloads/CM3700%20(1).pdf. Motion: A.M. “Hupp” Huppman. Second: Klynt A. Farmer. Passed: 5-0.
Approval Given For $207,000 Structural Analysis and Design For County Property
The Nassau Board of Commissioners approved a $207,000 (Agenda D) Structural Analysis and Design by Pond & Company Corporation for a County owned property located at 30 S. 4th St., Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034—the former Nassau County Health Clinic. The engineering firm will determine the usability and integrity of the overall structure and develop multiple concept renderings to determine the best space utilization as well as produce future bid documents. An estimate of $75,000 per year will be needed for annual repairs and maintenance cost.
Nassau County To Spend $109,00 For New Generator at Fire Station 10
Approved the Use of Fire Impact Fees (Agenda P) to purchase a generator for the newly constructed Tributary Fire Station (Station 10) in the amount of $109,000. This fire station was opened due to population growth in Nassau County. Previously, the County had purchased new generators for Fire Stations 70 & 90. Motion: Farmer Second: Huppman. Passed 5-0.
Approve $60,000 in Tourist Development Tax Funds For Fernandina Beach
The Nassau Board of Commissioners approved $60,000 (Agenda K) of Tourist Development Tax Funds to the Fernandina Beach Main Street Foundation based on the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council Resolution adopted May 22. The funds will enhance visitor experiences and promote tourism. Funds are generated by a 5 percent tax on short term accommodations on Amelia Island. Motion: Gray. Second: Farmer
Passes: 4-0 with one abstention due to conflict of interest.
Authorize $50,000 For Amelia Island Cookout 2024
The Nassau Board of Commissioners approved $50,000 (Agenda G) of tourist development tax funds for the Ritz Carleton Amelia Island 2024 Cookout from Oct. 17-20. The original approval was on July 10, 2023 which passed with options to renew for 2024 and 2025.
Affordable Housing
The Nassau Board of Commissioners watched a presentation (Agenda Q) on Property Tax Exemptions (the Shimberg 2023 Report) and then Elected to Not Exempt Property under Florida Statues commonly known as the “Live Local Act Property Tax Exemption.” The staff recommendation was to remove the 80-120 percent median adjusted gross income range (the current market rate) which would have provided a tax exemption of 75 percent of the assessed value of qualified property for 30 years and had been signed by the Governor on March 28, 2023. Two examples were given: The Loft at Wildlight (a one bedroom apartment starts at $1,579) and Mills Creek Preserve (a one bedroom apartment starts at $1,490). The staff recommendation was to use a 50-80 percent median adjusted gross income range. Motion: Huppman. Second: Farmer: Passes 5-0.
Other Actions:
- Approve $20,000 to Amelia Island Museum of History (Agenda H)
- Approve $10,000 to Nassau Sport Fishing Association for the Fernandina Beach Fishing Rodeo on July 26-27 at the Fernandina Beach Marina Harbor (Agenda J)
- Approve $6,000 to the North Florida Bicycle Club (Agenda I)
May County Newsletter
- 1,084 permits issued in May (8,749 total permits)
- 372 Building Permits in May (2,765 total permits)
- 786 Active Single Family Residence Projects
- 67 Active Unsafe Structural Cases
- $226,000 Total Revenue from Permits
- 2,982 Total Building Inspections
- Two largest commercial active projects
- 63,281 square feet Academy Sports & Outdoor
- 32,094 square feet Baptist Health @ Nassau Crossing
(Editor’s Note: To see the link go to: https://online.flipbuilder.com/sabsrob/fikn/.)
Board of Commissioners
- District One: Fernandina Beach (John F. Martin)* Chair (904) 570-2594
- District Two: South Amelia Island (A.M. “Hupp” Huppman) Vice-Chair (904) 319-0686
- District Three: Yulee, Chester, Blackrock (Jeff Gray)* (904) 570-1946
- District Four: Hilliard, Bryceville, Boulougne, Kings Ferry, Nassau Oaks (Alyson R. McCullough) (904) 319-0689
- District Five: Callahan, West Yulee (Klynt A. Farmer)* (904) 570-1357 *Term Expires 2024
Commissioners Comments
Martin: “Several of us went to the Florida Association of Counties meeting. While down there, we watched Nassau County Manager Taco Pope do a presentation—an example of Nassau leading the way…Nassau County combined to give Callahan and Hilliard and Amelia Island money for fireworks…Congratulations to Commissioners Huppman and Farmer for earning level one commissioner certification status.”
Huppman: “Celebrate with us for our “Christmas in July” event (July 11) at 6:30 p.m. at The Green Turtle (14 S. 3rd Street) Fernandina Beach.” Participants are urged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or a set of twin sheets to receive a free drink. Raffle and virtual auction will also be held. Sponsored by Joy to the Children which assists children in need.
Gray: “Come to the first WaWa in Yulee on Thursday, July 11 (morning) and enjoy the hoagie fest and the hot dogs.”
McCullough: “Highly suggest the 9-11 Museum tour. We had a different sense of patriotism back then…It is hot outside. It is Florida. It is the Southeast. I have been hanging out in the library. Go to the library to hang out. I will keep sending them to the library…We had the best Fourth of July Celebration. We had a huge turnout under the pavilions—a great fellowship night.”
Farmer: “We are keeping our money in our county by having local food vendors at our events…Our prayers go to the Gulf Coast as they deal with implement weather. Hurricane season is upon us so get (your supplies) batteries, water, now.”
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman: “We won the Triple Crown Award for three awards related to our Nassau County budget reports. Last year we received two budget awards that made us eligible for the Triple Crown Award this year.”
Former Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger Speaks on Extreme Weather
Former Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger asked Nassau County Board Commissioners to join a coalition fighting extreme weather with the creation of more cooling centers. He encouraged Nassau County to prominently display the weather on their website.
Upcoming Events:
- July 11: 7:45 a.m. New Yulee WaWa Store (50 Daydream Ave., Yulee, FL 32097). T-shirt giveaway for the first 100 customers and free any size hot cofeer for all customers begins 8:30 a.m. Hoagies for Heroes Hoagie building competition and ribbon cutting. Also participating Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, Nassau County Fire Rescue and Wally Goose Mascot.
- July 20: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2024 BounceBack To School Event (Peck Center
Gymnasium: 510 S. 10th Street, Fernandina Beach). Vision screenings. Physicals for first time Florida students. Nikita Raysor backpacks and supplies. Essentials for students and families from 30 organizations including the City of Fernandina Beach and the Florida Department of Health Nassau County. Other services include nutritionists, mental wellness support services for youth and adults, hands on CPR, poison prevention education, food distribution programs and after school opportunities. For more information contact: Barbara Baptista: (904) 753-1258 at [email protected].
Agenda Nassau County Board of Commissioners Meeting (56 minutes)
Watch Nassau County Board of Commissioners Meeting
nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings/
Next Workshop and Board of Commissioners Meeting
Vision 2050 July 17 Special Meeting Cancelled; Budget Meeting Scheduled for 3 p.m. July 22
Followed by Nassau County Board of Commissioners 5 p.m. at the James S. Page Government Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097.
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.”
