Press Release
By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
8/25/25
Ribbon Cutting Held for Station 70
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| On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners hosted a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the grand opening of the newly constructed Station 70 for Nassau County Fire Rescue (NCFR) located at 942456 Old Nassauville Road, Fernandina Beach. This state-of-the-art facility replaces the former station located on State Road 200 at Old Nassauville Road and represents a significant investment in public safety infrastructure. Station 70 was designed to meet modern national standards and to provide a safe, functional, and comfortable work environment for Nassau County’s dedicated first responders. The new facility supports 24/7 operations and includes 11 sleeping quarters, four and a half bathrooms, a full kitchen, a spacious living room, and an exercise room to promote physical fitness and overall wellness for the crew. The ceremony began with a welcome from BOCC Chairman and District Two Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann, an invocation by State Representative Dean Black, and a flag presentation by the NCFR Honor Guard. Nassau County Fire Chief Brady Rigdon also spoke about the history of the project and the benefit of the new station to the community. To see photos from the event, please click here You can also see a video from the event, please click below. |
| Employees Recognized for Years of Service |
| At the Wednesday, August 20, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) recognized two employees for extended years of service. The first to be recognized was Lt. Bill Harvey with Nassau County Fire Rescue who is celebrating 20 years of service. Bill currently works out of Station 70 and oversees a rescue unit. In additional to being a Lieutenant, Bill serves on a quality assurance committee and reviews reports to ensure protocols are being followed, and an apparatus committee to do inspection of rescue vehicles to ensure they are working properly. Nassau County Fire Rescue Brady Rigdon stated, “Lt. Harvey, thank you for 20 years. We appreciate all you’ve done for Nassau County and the service you provide.” Next, the BOCC recognized Megan Sawyer on 20 years of service. Megan began her employment with the Nassau County Clerk of Courts but transferred to the Board of County Commissioners in 2014 to the Office of Management & Budget. She currently serves as a Senior Financial Management & Budget Coordinator preparing the annual budget. OMB Director Chris Lacambra stated, “Megan is very dedicated, hardworking, and very talented. We really appreciate all she does.” Dan Weideman, another Lieutenant for NCFR, is also celebrating 20 years of service this month, however he was unable to attend the meeting. |
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| Fire Chief Brady Rigdon; Lt. Bill Harvey; County Manager Taco Pope | OMB Director Chris Lacambra; Senior Financial Management & Budget Coordinator Megan Sawyer; County Manager Taco Pope |
 NCAS Earns No-Kill Status Award for 2024 The Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that Best Friends Animal Society has recognized Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) as a no-kill shelter for 2024. Shelters receiving this recognition saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats in their care. NCAS has maintained its no-kill status for ten years and while it has received recognition from the Best Friends Animal Society at various times over the past decade, 2024 marks the second consecutive year NCAS has been recognized for the No-Kill Shelter Award. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, commended NCAS for achieving results that can inspire shelters across the state. Learn more |
Employees of the Quarter |
| Congratulations to Josh MacBeth, Keesha Deetlefs, and Noami Davis on being selected as the next Employees of the Quarter. Each has demonstrated exceptional dedication and teamwork, going above and beyond to serve Nassau County. All three were recognized at the Wednesday, August 20, 2025 BOCC meeting. Learn more |
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| Asst. Public Works Director David Hearn; Administrative Coordinator Noami Davis; Administrative Specialist II Keesha Deetlefs | Director of Strategic Advancement Brandy Carvalho; Senior Planner Josh MacBeth |
| DOH Nassau Provides Quarterly Update |
 At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Administrator/Health Officer Cara Gluck, provided a quarterly update on the Nassau County Department of Health activities. The presentation included information on the Department’s operating budget, community health programs, environmental health activities, clinical services and school health. The video can be seen on the Clerk of Courts website by clicking here. The presentation is listed under Tab D. About the Nassau County Department of HealthThe Nassau County Department of Health is a division of the State of Florida’s Department of Health. DOH-Nassau works to protect, promote and improve the health of all residents and is part of the statewide public health system providing a wide range of clinical, nutritional, and environmental services. |
| Boutique Adoption |
 At Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS), we’re rolling out the red carpet for our most unforgettable pups and kitties. The Boutique Adoption Program is curated for pets with big personalities, endearing quirks, and one-of-a-kind charm. These are not your average adoptable pets. They’re the kind of companions that turn heads — full of personality, heart, and a little extra spark. Whether they’ve been overlooked, need a bit more TLC, or simply march to their own beat, each one is a truly unforgettable and original. Adopting from the Boutique Adoption Program is like walking into a party knowing that no one else shares your style. It’s one-of-a-kind companionship — instant icon status. |
 This handsome boy is full of life and always ready for fun! Ramp is energetic, playful, and absolutely loves back scratches, toys, and treats—he’s a total goofball in the best way. Ramp prefers to be the only pet in the home so he can have all the love and attention to himself. While he hasn’t shown any signs of aggression toward children, a meet-and-greet is always recommended to make sure everyone gets along. If you’re looking for a fun-loving companion who will keep you smiling, Ramp might just be your perfect match! |  This handsome pup is full of energy, playful spirit, and sweet charm. Rocky loves to have fun and is always ready for an adventure. He’s still learning some leash manners—he occasionally chews on his leash and tends to pull—so younger children might find walking him a bit challenging. Rocky does well with other dogs, but he can be selective, so he may not get along with every pup he meets. Because of this, we always recommend a meet-and-greet with your current dogs to ensure everyone gets along before bringing Rocky home. If you’re looking for a lively, loving companion with a big personality, Rocky might just be your perfect match! |
 This sweet pup may be a little shy at first, but give him a bit of time and patience, and you’ll discover just what a good boy he truly is. Once Simba warms up, his gentle and loving personality shines through. He seems to do well with other dogs and is also good around children, making him a wonderful addition to many types of families. If you’re looking for a loyal companion who just needs a little time to trust, Simba might be the perfect fit for your home |  This old soul is full of sweetness and quiet curiosity. Sigrid enjoys exploring at his own pace and walks beautifully on a leash. He’s also a big fan of treats—always happy to earn a snack with those soulful eyes. Sigrid would thrive best in a calm, adult-only home where he can be the only pet and soak up all the love and attention. If you’re looking for a gentle, loyal companion to share peaceful moments with, Sigrid may be your perfect match |
| Turtle Talk Tuesday |
 For this week’s Turtle Talk Tuesday, Mary Duffy, Executive Director for the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch provided a midseason update. Topics include total nests laid and successful emergent of hatchlings. Learn more |
| Week in Pictures |
| To view the Week in Pictures for August 15- August 22, 2025, please click here. |
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Below are meetings for the week of August 25- August 29, 2025. Please note that meetings are subject to change. Please review our website calendar for up-to-date information. Meeting agendas can be located here. |
| BOARD/COMMITTEEDATE/TIMELOCATION Board of County Commissioners Monday, August 25, 2025 at 5:00 P.M. Commission Chambers 96135 Nassau Place,Yulee, FL 32097 Development Review Committee Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Commission Chambers 96135 Nassau Place Yulee, FL 32097 |
| Transparency |
| The Nassau County Strategic Plan, adopted on 5/18/22, identifies that the #1 Big Picture Goal of the Board of County Commissioners is to “Create a more effective, efficient, and transparent government.” As the #1 priority of the Nassau County BOCC, creating more transparent government guides policy-making, planning and decision- making. Prior to the creation of the Florida Office of the Governor Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the BOCC had already prioritized fiscal integrity, transparency, and is focused on creating a more efficient and effective local government over the past five years. Learn more. |
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