News
By Michael Hernandez, 2-10-25
YULEE, FLORIDA—The Nassau County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the use of tourist development tax revenues to sponsor the town of Hilliard for the “Vietnam Voices Traveling Memorial Monument” from April 17-21 for the amount of $5,000. A concert, food and beverage sales will be held in the town of Hilliard during that time at 15859 West County Road 108. “Vietnam Voices” is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial created because not everyone has the ability to travel to see the actual memorial in the District of Columbia.
The Board of County Commissioners established to Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC) as an advisory board to oversee the development and marketing of Amelia Island and the expenditure of the tourist development tax revenues.
Commissioners Promote Nassau County Newsletter
The Nassau Board of Commissioners promoted the Nassau County December newsletter during closing comments at their Feb. 10 meeting (this is published here in Citizens Journal Florida) . Highlights of the newsletter include:
- Recognition of outgoing (as of January, 2025) Nassau County Property Appraiser Mike Hickox and Clerk John Crawford. Hickox is a lifelong resident of Nassau County and served as Past President of the Florida Association of Property Appraiser’s, Past Director of the Nassau County Education Foundation, Past Director for the Nassau County Economic Development Board and Real Estate and Appraisal Instructor for the local Association of Realtors. Crawford was a Nassau County Commissioner from 1990-1998 and was elected as Nassau County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller in 2005.
- Nassau County’s new Property Appraiser is Kevin Lilly (served in the Property Appraiser office for 12 years) and the new Clerk is Mitch Keiter (who served in the Clerk’s Office for 19 years)
- Fire Battalion Chief Pete Gunnell retired in December after 31 years of service with Captain Ben Salter promoted to Battalion Chief on Dec. 14.
- Community feedback is sought for the Nassau County Library Strategic Plan. The “Take 15, Spark Change” survey is available online at: www.nassaureads.com. All completed surveys due by April 15th will be entered into a prize drawing. December saw 22,162 items circulated at Nassau County’s five library branches which recorded 11,739 library users with 901 computer uses logging in 570 computer hours.
- Rainfall total for December was 1.06 inches compared to 2.76 inches for the previous year.
- The Thomas Creek Implementation Plan was presented to Board Commissioners in March 2023 with an Open House held on June 20, 2024. Two of four properties have been purchased using Florida grant money with the other two properties to be purchased in February or March this year.
- Public Works cleaned 17,740 linear square feet of ditches in December as well as 3,360 linear square feet of storm drains with 152 work orders created.
- Nassau County currently has nine road projects, three bicycle and pedestrian projects, and four intersection improvements underway.
- Nassau County Health Improvement Coalition has released “No Wrong Doors” a community resource guide to help individuals find support they need. The resource guide can be found online at: https://nassaufl.co/NoWrongDoors.
Upcoming Events:
- Tuesday, Feb. 11: 6 p.m. Joint Meeting with the Nassau County School Board at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, Florida 32097.
- Saturday, Feb. 15: 5-8 p.m. Seniors Night Out, Callahan Multi-Use Facility, 543350 US Highway 1.
- Saturday, Feb. 22: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Macama Pet Adoption, Fernandina Beach;
- Saturday, Feb. 23: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pet Supplies plus, Yulee.
Public Comments:
- Patricia S. (Fernandina Beach): Raised concerns about her water usage. She has a new meter. Patricia made a recommendation for an annual fee for those who use well water.
- Jackie O: “Al is our featured dog…Currently, there are 45 dogs in the kennel and 80 dogs in foster care. There are 35 cats in the kennel and 9 cats in foster care.”
Commissioner Contacts:
- John F. Martin: District 1 (Fernandina Beach): 904-570-2594. Email: [email protected]
- Chair A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann: District 2 (South Amelia Island): 904-319-0686. Email: [email protected]
- Jeff Gray: District 3 (Yulee): 904-570-1946. Email: [email protected]
- Alyson R. McCullough: District 4 (Hilliard): 904-319-0689. Email: [email protected]
- Klynt A. Farmer: District 5 (Callahan): 904-570-1357. Email: [email protected]
Nassau County Feb. 10 Meeting Agenda (3 pages):
https://nassaucountyfl.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=485
Nassau County Feb. 10 Watch (25 minutes):
https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/clip/2039?redirect=true
Nassau County Feb. 6 Meeting Agenda (1 page): Joint with City of Fernandina Beach
https://nassaucountyfl.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=757
Nassau County Feb. 6 Watch (1 hour, 57 minutes): Joint with City of Fernandina Beach
https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/clip/2038?view_id=2&redirect=true
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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 “Stories Speak Volumes.”
