Press Release
By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
12/12/24
3rd Annual Tree Lighting a Success
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Approximately 1,500 residents joined us on Friday, December 6, 2024 for the 3rd Annual Tree Lighting. This family-friendly event included holiday vendors, holiday performances by the Nassau Community Band and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), train rides, Santa’s village photo ops, food trucks, a kid’s zone, roller skating, photos with Santa, and the lighting of the tree. This year’s event also included a 10-minute fireworks display as we wrapped up our year of Bicentennial Celebrations.
A big thank you to all of the vendors and performers for participating. We couldn’t have done it without you! And congratulations to Nassau County Parks & Recreation for another successful event. We appreciate all of your hard work and efforts to bring events to the community.
Last but not least, thank you to the hundreds of residents who stopped by our Vision Tent and participated in games and activities while providing input for Nassau County’s future. Residents can still provide feedback by participating in the Growth Scenarios Survey. This survey was built upon the community building blocks identified from previous community engagement and surveys. One final preferred growth scenario will be created and included in the 2050 Vision Plan. This preferred scenario will inform updates to the Future Land Use Map and the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
To view all photos, please click here.
Reorganizational Meeting of the BOCC
On Monday, December 8, 2024, the BOCC held their annual reorganization meeting ahead of the new calendar year. The meeting began with a Swearing-In Ceremony (oath) of Commissioners John Martin, Jeff Gray, and Klynt Farmer, all of which were elected for their second terms during the August 2024 Primary Election.
The BOCC also picked the new Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2025. Beginning in January 2025, John Martin will step down as Chairman of the Board and Vice-Chairman Hupp Huppmann will assume the role. Commissioner Gray will take the role of Vice-Chairman in January.
To watch the reorganizational meeting, please visit www.nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings.
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Left to Right: Commissioner Jeff Gray takes oath with wife Diana and daughter Brooke by his side. Reading of oath performed by Judge Fahlgren. Commissioner John Martin takes oath with wife Donna by his side. Oath read by Commissioner Hupp Huppmann. Commissioner Klynt Farmer takes oath with dad Kenny by his side. Oath read by Judge Fahlgren
BOCC Newsletter
 Attached is the October 2024 edition of the Board of County Commissioner’s Newsletter. This monthly publication features a variety of information related to projects and activities for the departments under the Board. It also includes information about road projects, special events, adopted policies and procedures, budget discussions, and more! |
County Hosts Leadership Nassau
The Board of County Commissioners was honored to host Leadership Nassau Class 24’s Government and Policy Day this week.
The class began their day with a Touch-a-Truck event where they learned all about the County’s Animal Services truck, ladder truck, rescue unit, fire engine, vacuum truck, road grader, and bucket truck. Later, they convened in the County’s Commission Chambers where they heard from Elected Officials at the local, state and federal levels, as well as representatives from the County, City of Fernandina Beach, and Towns of Callahan and Hilliard. The class ended their day by participating in a mock Commission meeting.
We look forward to participating in future Leadership Nassau events and learning more about our future County leaders!
To see photos from Government & Policy Day this week, please click here.
Library Wrap Up
The Nassau County Public Library System is wrapping up 2024 and has provided a list of the most popular items this year. It’s very interesting to see what everyone’s favorites were here in Nassau County.
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Week in Pictures
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The Week in Pictures for December 6 – December 13, 2024, please click here.
Dickens on Centre Returns for 10th year
The Amelia Island and Convention & Visitors Bureau will host the 10th Annual Dickens on Centre Event from December 12-15, 2024. This event transforms downtown Fernandina Beach into Victorian-ear London. It features live entertainment, vendors, holiday movies, giant snow globes, costumed characters, pictures with Santa, and more. The weekend begins with the Dickens Illuminated Procession on December 12th and is followed by three days of holiday fun. For a full schedule of events, please click here.
The AICVB would like to remind everyone about parking lot and road closures in downtown Fernandina Beach for this event, as well as a site map for the event. (see below)
Dickens on Centre generates a local economic impact of several million dollars each year and directly benefits the 30% of tourism-related jobs in Nassau County. Even better is that this event is funded 100% by Tourist Development Taxes paid for by our out-of-county guests. So Nassau County residents get to enjoy the event and get into the holiday spirit at no-cost to the local taxpayers.
To learn more about the AICVB, please visit their website.
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Road Closures for Yulee Holiday Parade & Festival
The Yulee Holiday Parade & Festival will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Please see the below notice the organizer has issued regarding temporary road closures associated with the parade.
PSA: ROADS WILL CLOSE AT 9:40am on Saturday 12/14 for the parade. Here is where they will close:
- US 17 Southbound will be closed at Hamilton St. All traffic will be detoured and directed to I95S to Exit 373 SR 200.
- US 17 Northbound will be closed at the SR200 intersection. All traffic will be detoured and directed to I95N to Exit 380 US 17.
- Pages Dairy Westbound will be closed at Palmetto St. All traffic will be directed down Palmetto St to Florida Ave and detoured to Pages Dairy to Felmore to SR200W.
- Pages Dairy Eastbound will be closed at US 17 and detoured, U turn near Fire Station 30 and directed back to SR200.
- Goodbread Rd (Dirt Road Side) will be closed at Hamilton St. All Traffic will be detoured, U-turn back on Goodbread Rd and US 17.
Vision 2050 and Bicentennial
| Vision 2050 Growth Scenario Survey The County launched Nassau Florida Vision 2050, a collaborative 18-month process involving local leaders, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the future of our community. This planning process and the resulting policies will be critical for the ability to promote and manage growth as well as, protect and enhance key areas of importance while accommodating future trends. This includes identifying what makes the community unique, establishing the vision of what Nassau County desires to become in the future, and providing the necessary baseline for an update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan. On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) hosted a Workshop for an update on the initiative from the County’s consultant Halff Associates. For the past year, Halff and County personnel have been busy studying the county’s history, culture and values, and obtaining feedback from the community through a series of interviews, community surveys, and pop-up events. In an effort to gain as much feedback as possible, they have also been present at numerous large, community events throughout the year such as the Independence Day Celebration in Callahan, the Opening of the Beaches Event in Fernandina Beach, the County’s Bicentennial Kick-off Event in Yulee, and more. The presentation on October 16th included results of the community engagement process which led to the establishment of community building blocks, a framework to achieve the community-identified goals. The presentation also included information on growth projections and a market analysis identifying needed jobs and housing to accommodate a growing County. The community’s feedback, community building blocks, and market analysis data were used to create three growth scenarios which were also displayed. At this time, residents are urged to review the growth framework presentation and provide input on the three scenarios. One final preferred growth scenario will be created and included in the 2050 Vision Plan. This preferred scenario will inform updates to the Future Land Use Map and the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan. You can provide input by completing the survey linked here. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Planning Department at (904) 530-6320 or via email at [email protected]. |
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Upcoming Events
4th Annual Breakfast With Santa
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Nassau County Parks & Recreation is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Breakfast With Santa. This event features a free pancake breakfast and pictures with Santa. Following breakfast, there will also be a gift exchange with presents handed out by Santa himself. To participate in the gift exchange, please bring one wrapped gift per child. (priced under $20)
WHAT: 4th Annual Breakfast With Santa
WHEN: Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Callahan Multi-Use Facility, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan
If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation Director Jay Robertson at (904) 530-6120 or via e-mail at [email protected].
Public Meetings
Below are public meetings scheduled for the week of December 16 – December 20, 2024.
Please note that meetings are subject to change. Please review our website calendar for up-to-date information.
Meeting agendas can be located here.
Nassau County BOCC | 96135 Nassau Place | Yulee, FL 32097 US
