Nassau Now

Press Release

By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

09-27-24

FY 24/25 Budget Approved With Fourth Consecutive Tax Rate Deduction

On Monday, September 23, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners held its second public hearing for adoption of the Fiscal Year 24/25 Budget. This was the end of an 8-month budget process which included a public budget workshop and a first public hearing held on September 9, 2024.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the BOCC was able to reduce the millage rate (property tax rate) while continuing to fund the critical public safety needs through investments into the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office and the Nassau County Fire Rescue Department, along with critical investments through the Capital Improvement Plan, Pavement Management Plan, and Chip Seal Program. Additionally, the budget provides funding for the staffing and operations of the new Fire Station No. 10 (Tributary) currently under construction.

Learn more

Officials Report Following Helene

On Friday, September 27, 2024 at approximately 3:00 p.m., County Officials provided an update on conditions in Nassau County following Helene.

Hurricane Helene Efforts

What a busy week we’ve had! Below are highlights of some of the activities that took place as the County prepared for the storm.

State of Emergency Declared

County Officials began monitoring efforts last weekend for what was then Tropical Storm 9 and by Monday, they were preparing for potential widespread winds and heavy rains. The BOCC approved Resolution No. 2024-152 declaring a local State of Emergency.

Florida Statutes, Section 252.38, states that “safeguarding the life and property of (the County’s) citizens are an innate responsibility of the governing body of each political subdivision of the State,” and further grants the County the power to provide a State of Emergency for the health and safety of persons and property.” The State of Emergency will apply to all territory within the legal boundaries of Nassau County, including both the incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Declaring a local State of Emergency allows your government officials quick access to resources to help manage a crisis until things return to normal. A State of Emergency also helps government officials take extra measures to protect the public, trigger anti-price gouging laws, and most importantly, seek State or Federal funding for disaster response and reimbursement of funds exhausted on things such as overtime costs and purchase of supplies and equipment needed to manage the emergency.

Preparing for the Storm

On Wednesday, Public Works and other essential personnel began preparing for what was then Tropical Storm Helene. County properties and facilities were secured, equipment was topped with fuel, culverts and ditches were checked, and equipment was staged for quick responses.

Public Works distributed thousands of sandbags (exact count to come) to Nassau County residents at three different sites. You can find a video of these efforts below.

Emergency Shelter

The County opened one emergency shelter that served general population, those with special needs/requirements and it was pet friendly. There were fourteen people that took advantage of the shelter.. See video below about pet sheltering below.

Emergency Operations Center

Many BOCC employees filled positions at the Emergency Operations Center providing assistance with answering phones, ordering supplies, tracking costs, documenting damages, and more.

Keeping Roads Safe

Public Works was dispatched several times Thursday evening/Friday morning for downed trees and limbs. Those efforts continued throughout the day on Friday. More information on that to follow.

Sandbag Distribution

Working at the EOC

Clearing tree from road

Press Release Re: Storm Debris

Preliminary damage and debris assessments by Nassau County’s emergency responders following Hurricane Helene are currently in process. While the crews will be actively clearing and repairing public roads and public infrastructure to ensure safe passage for residents, the County will not be collecting or disposing of debris that fell on private property or private roads.

Residents are advised to separate their household and yard debris and dispose of it through normal channels. Please contact your garbage service provider directly with questions. Excess yard waste should be cut and bagged according to waste-removal providers’ guidelines.

Learn more 

Adoption Day Contest

In July 2024, we announced that Nassau County Animal Services and the Nassau County Extension Office partnered to offer “The Dog Program”, a course designed to educate teens ages 15-18 on basic dog training and caring skills. For the last day of the program, the youth will host a 4-H Adoption Day Contest at Animal Services on November 9, 2024 from 11am-2pm. This free community event will feature tables with information from our community partners, a live contest for you in the program, and pets available for adoption. 

Questions? Call Extension Agent Spencer Hewitt at (904) 530-6343 or via email at [email protected]. 

ARC Nassau Celebrating 50 Years of Service

At the Wednesday, September 18, 2024 meeting, the Board approved Proclamation No. 2024-032 recognizing the ARC Nassau on 50 years of service to Nassau County residents. Since 1974, the ARC Nassau has provided support and services to adults with intellectual disabilities. They recently announced a merger with the Northeast Florida Advocates for Autism and Related Disabilities and will now also provide services to youth. The Board commends the ARC Nassau on 50 outstanding years of services to Nassau County residents and wishes them well on all their future endeavors. 

Opioid Settlement Project Submission Packets

Opioid Settlement Project Submission Packets

Turtle Talk Tuesday

For Turtle Talk Tuesday this week, we shared this update from the Sea Turtle Conservancy regarding a new nesting record in Florida for the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley. They are the most endangered of all the species. It is a small turtle with a circular to heart-shaped keeled carapace that in some adults is as wide, or wider, than it is long. Estimates of age at maturity range from 7 to 15 years.

Nassau County had its first Kemp’s ridley nest this summer after 38 years of the Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch tracking and documenting efforts.

Click here to watch the video. 

Bicentennial Corn Maze Revealed

The Board of County Commissioners is excited to partner with Conner’s A-maiz-ing Acres for a special Bicentennial themed corn maze. This beautiful farm has been operating since 1949 however they opened their doors to the public 22 years ago to bring wholesome family fun to the community through their annual corn maze, sunflower fields, hosting field trips, and more!

Conner’s will host their 2024 Corn Maze Grand Opening Event on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. To celebrate the County’s 200th birthday, the next 200 tickets sold will be discounted $2! Use Promo Code CELEBRATION200.

Watch this short video to learn more about Conner’s and to get a sneak peak at the corn maze design. 

For more information, visit Conner’s website at: https://connerscornmaze.com/. Please note discounts do not apply to tickets for the haunted corn maze.

Questions? Call (904) 879-5453.

Check the below video highlighting this family farm that’s been providing fun for the community for the past 22 years. 

Bicentennial Scavenger Hunt

As part of our year-long Bicentennial Celebration, we are hosting a Scavenger Hunt featuring photo challenges, quizzes and information about Nassau County’s history. The Scavenger Hunt is designed to take you all over the County, many places you may have never seen or even heard about.

The Scavenger Hunt will take place from October 1 – November 2, 2024 so participants have a whole month to complete the challenge at your own pace. Each participant completing the challenge will earn a special Bicentennial Challenge Coin and be entered into a drawing for a hotel stay, graciously donated by the Residence Inn by Marriott-Amelia Island.

In order to participate, you will need to do the following:

1. Download the Eventzee App, available in the iTunes and Google Play Stores.
2. After downloading the app, create an Eventzee Account by entering an email address, password, and username. 
3. Enter the event code: Winswag

Please note that you won’t be able to see any of the challenges until the event starts, on October 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 

Hidden History of Amelia Island

On October 17, 2024 at 6pm, the Hilliard Library will hold a presentation on Jeff Suwak’s book Hidden History of Amelia Island which the Florida Writers Association has recently named as a finalist for the 2024 Royal Palm Literary Award. 

This local Hilliard author will take you on a tour of the often overlooked and all-but-forgotten components of Amelia Island’s history. The author will be selling and signing books following the presentation. 

There is no cost to participate, however an RSVP is required. Visit www.nassaureads.com to register. 

Community Building Blocks Survey

YOUR VOICE SHAPES NASSAU COUNTY’S FUTURE! WE HEARD YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE VISION. NOW, SHARE YOUR IDEAS ON THE BUILDING BLOCKS! 

Nassau County is building a vision for the future, and we need YOUR input! Over thousands of voices shared their hopes for Nassau’s future. Take the quick second survey to share your ideas on the community’s DRAFT “Community Building Blocks” – these core values will guide recommendations and strategies for the Nassau Florida Vision 2050 plan. These draft Building Blocks were created by synthesizing: the community’s voice and a recognition of future needs following an analysis of existing conditions.

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. The Building Blocks were identified through community engagement, and a review of the County’s plans, studies, and existing conditions. Spread the word and share the survey with your friends and family!

To learn more about the project, future Bicentennial events, and ways to get involved, please visit www.nassaufl2050.com. 

Public Meetings

Below are public meetings scheduled for the week of September 30 – October 4, 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.