News
By Michael Hernandez, 6-24-24
YULEE, FLORIDA—The Nassau County Board of Commissioners approved (Item I) at the June 24 meeting for the use of the five percent tourist development tax (on short-term accommodations on Amelia Island) for the Dickens on Centre Event and Holiday Street Lighting not to exceed $557,000 in total and $186,000 for the Holiday Street Lighting. According to staff: “The use of Tourist Development Tax Revenues for the Dickens on Centre Event and Holiday Lighting will enhance visitor experiences and promote tourism in Nassau County. “
The Nassau Board of County Commissioners levies and imposes a tourist development tax to promote through marketing and advertising Amelia Island and increase tourist-related business activities through the establishment of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (AITDC) which is an advisory board that oversees the development and marketing of Amelia Island in conjunction with the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau (AICVB) with the goal of marketing Amelia Island as a world-class tourism destination. Also approved (Item J) was an amount not to exceed $90,000 to Jason Woods Productions (Jacksonville) to provide services for the 2024 Dickens on Centre Event (Dec. 13-15, 2024). Board Commissioners decided to postpone a vote on the Tourist Development Tax (Item Q) until 2026.
Board Commissioner and Chair John F. Martin Wins Four More Years
District 1 Chair John F. Martin was awarded another four years on the Nassau County Board of Commissioners when his opponent Casey Jones failed to qualify for the Fernandina Beach seat (lives out of district).
Commissioner Martin’s term began in 2020 and was set to expire this year. Now he remains unopposed which means he has won another four years as a Board Commissioner.
The two other Board Commissioners whose terms end this fall are: District 3 Commissioner Jeff Gray (representing Yulee, Chester, Blackrock)- running against Lynn Newcomer and District 5 Commissioner Klynt A. Farmer (representing Callahan and West Yulee)- running against Heather Hagan and John Ladson .
$220,000 Probation Services for Nassau County Sheriff’s Work Ethics and Training Program
A contract between the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the Nassau County SWEAT (Sheriff’s Work Ethics and Training Program) program was amended from $110,000 to $220,000 with a rate of almost $3,000 for each SWEAT event with tutoring hours to be delivered at a rate of $32.50 per half-hour and mentoring hours to be delivered at a rate of $27.50 per half-hour.
The contract extends into June 30, 2025.
Traffic Control Products of Florida to Receive $174,000 for River Road Safety Improvements
Traffic Control Products of Florida (Tampa) was the lowest bidder for safety improvements costing $174,000 which consist of signage and pavement marking upgrades along River Road from CR121 to US1. The roadway construction reduces the costs to the Road Department’s repairs and maintenance budget. Future repairs and maintenance is part of the Pavement Management Plan with funding included in the approved Capital Improvement Plan.
Nassau County Issues Proclamation June 24-28 on Behalf of National Boys and Girls Clubs
Nassau County has proclaimed June 24-28 (Agenda Item A) as National Boys and Girls Clubs Week. There are four Boys and Girls Club locations in Nassau County that serve more than 600 young people annually with 5,000 clubs nationwide serving more than four million children and teens. Boys and Girls Clubs are known for such programs as: Money Matters, SMART Moves, and Career Exploration.
Local Housing Assistance Plan Revised for Home Repairs, Low Income Down Payment Help
The Nassau Board of Commissioners approved a revised Local Housing Assistance Plan which provides assistance to qualified residents for emergency repairs, down payment assistance, rehabilitation and demolition of existing homes. Without these funds, very low to low-income Nassau County residents would be unable to afford a home or to rehabilitate their existing home.
The New Construction Strategy will be used to assist with the construction of homes sold by developers to homebuyers. This strategy provides a loan to eligible sponsors to pay development costs which includes fees charged by government (impact fees, building permits, utility fees, wells, septic and site preparation). Any funds not used for the payment of development costs may be used to offset the cost of construction or rehabilitation of an acquired eligible housing unit.
The maximum award to a developer is $150,000 for a four-bedroom, $100,000 for a three- bedroom and $50,000 for a two-bedroom home. These are zero percent loans that will be transferred to the homebuyer for a term of 20 years with no repayment required. Applicants must successfully complete an eight-hour HUD Certified First Time Homebuyers Class. Client selection will be made by a non-for-profit agency after signing the Florida Housing Resident Income Certification for home ownership.
Rental Housing Development Assistance will be given to at least six units designated for very low/low income equal to $83,333 per unit. These will be 45-year loans at zero percent interest with 10 percent of the loan forgiven annually from years 36-45.
Opioid Task Force Appointments
Nassau County made three appointments to the Opioid Task Force which is comprised by seven members (four employed by and representative of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Health, Nassau County Fire Rescue Department, and Nassau County Board of County Commissioners).
The three representatives appointed for one-year effective June 30, 2024 are as follows:
- Prevention: Deborah Babin (Yulee): Public Health Analyst for the Centers for Disease Control Foundation (CDCF) in collaboration with North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NFIDTA) in Jacksonville.
- Treatment: Dr. Laureen Pagel (Yulee): Worked with Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare for 27 years and is Chief Executive Officer. During that time, staff has grown from 30 to 130 and budget increased from $2 to $10 million.
- Recovery Support Services: Alissa Myatt (Fernandina Beach): Licensed Clinical Social Worker with Thriveworks (Jacksonville).
On July 26, 2021 the Board of County Commissioners took action to participate in the Opioid Lawsuits beginning in January 2022. Settlement payments will be made by multiple parties over an 18-year period. Settlement payments must be used to increase the amount of funding presently spent on opioid and substance abuse education, treatment, prevention and recovery services. Cities and counties receive 15 percent of all Opioid Funds with Regional Funds paid through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to the managing entity providing service for the County. Last year, Starting Point received $808,000.
Other actions taken by the Nassau County Board of Commissioners:
- Approval (Item C) of dividing 66.3 acres of land North of Nassau River between Edward Road and Police Lodge Road (122 residential lots) zoned PUD-Three Rivers with a future Multi-Use land use.
- Approval (Item D) for recording purposes only of the Wildlight PDP3 Pod 5 North Access within the East Nassau Community Planning Area on approximately 433 acres of land.
- Approval (Item E) of the JEA Easement for new Nassau County Fire Rescue Station 70 on Nassauville Road.
- Approval (Item F) of the Curiosity Avenue extension construction (right-of-way and all required repairs have been completed) with a 26-month maintenance bond at costs of $130,000 and $107,000.
- Approval (Item G) of the Solid Waste Haulers Permit Application for My Dumpster Guy, LLC of Jacksonville.
- Approval (Item K) of the Solid Waste Haulers Permit Application for Republic Services of Florida, LP of Jacksonville with Trail Ridge used as the Solid Waste Disposal Facility.
- Approval (Item N) of a Letter of Support for St. Mary’s Riverkeeper proposed project “Building a Watershed Resilience Plan for the St. Mary’s River and its Community” to the 2024 National Coastal Resilience Fund. The proposed project will address the threats posted by coastal hazards made worse by climate change and sea level rise. The St. Mary’s Riverkeeper has executed large-scale community clean-ups, monitored water quality, supported the County’s conservation and Acquisition and Management program and assisted with the County-led “Atlantic to Okefenokee” Florida Forever application which was recently approved.
Nassau County Residents Urged to Participate in Animal Adoption
Nassau County has a dog and cat explosion with 106 dogs and 106 cats needing adoption. Residents were urged to consider an animal adoption this week before a weekend pet adoption event in Jacksonville. Commissioner McCulloch urged Nassau County residents to volunteer monetarily as well as time to assist the county staff with animal adoption.
Nassau County Commissioner Comments
- District 4 Commissioner Alyson R. McCullough: Congratulated Commissioner Martin for securing another four years.
- District 3 Commissioner Gray: Recognized the Budget Award for 2023-24 received by Nassau County.
- District 5 Commissioner Farmer: Congratulated Commissioner Martin and then thanked the Florida Farm Bureau for utilization of their new barns for a community event.
- District 2 Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann mentioned the 6th Annual Floatilla that happened on Saturday featuring kayakers and outriggers.
- District 1 Commissioner Martin: “I was happy to be unopposed (for office). I will enjoy the summer and continue to serve residents of Nassau County.”
June 24 Agenda
June 24 Watch Meeting video (Time: 30 minutes)
Please insert https:www to: .nassauclerk.com/watch-meetings/
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,” “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown,” and “Revive America.”
