Nassau commissioners adopt tentative budget with library closures, nonprofit cuts, as residents pack meeting to object

By Tracy McCormick-Dishman

Nassau County commissioners approved a tentative $452.8 million fiscal year 2026-27 budget and a sixth straight year of countywide millage rate reduction Sept. 14, but the plan closes the Bryceville library, cuts the Yulee library to 3 days a week and eliminates all county funding for nonprofits, drawing more than a half-dozen speakers who urged the board to restore funding before the final budget hearing Sept. 28.

County Manager Taco Pope told the board the proposed countywide millage rate of 6.5178, down from 6.7457, would mark the sixth consecutive year of reductions and the second consecutive year the general fund budget has shrunk, along with a second straight year of staffing reductions.

To balance the budget, the plan eliminates funding to all nonprofit organizations, reduces funding to the Economic Development Board, holds health department funding flat, closes the Bryceville branch library, reduces the Yulee library from five days to three days a week and trims Fernandina Beach library hours by the equivalent of a day. It also cuts roadside mowing nearly in half and reduces drainage maintenance by 50%. Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman said the cuts, particularly to ad valorem-funded services like libraries and nonprofits, may be revisited depending on the outcome of a statewide homestead exemption ballot measure in November that could reduce the county’s property tax revenue by as much as 33% within two years.

Commissioners approved the tentative budget, the proposed millage rates and the final public hearing date on voice votes with no dissent recorded, setting the final hearing for Sept. 28 at 5:01 p.m. Eight speakers, including representatives of the Friends of the Bryceville Branch Library, Friends of the Yulee Library, the Fernandina Beach Friends of the Library and the Nassau County Council on Aging, asked the board to restore funding before the final vote.

Angie Hall, president of the Friends of the Bryceville Branch Library, said Bryceville’s library circulation is up 90% over the past three years and visits are up 431%, telling commissioners a library “is more than just books. It is the living room, the classroom and the technological lifeline for our community.”

Nancy Bowyer, president of the Friends of the Yulee Library, said, “So far this fiscal year, Nassau County Libraries provided use for over 48,000 electronic items, including e-books and audiobooks. Print item circulation was more than three times the electronic format.” Bowyer asked the board “to use wise planning to restore the Yulee branch to a five-day week and to avoid any cuts to the county’s libraries in the 2026-27 budget.

Janice Ancrum, president and CEO of the Nassau County Council on Aging, said the organization uses county dollars “to feed, to bathe, and to help seniors, [and] provide support for the caregiver as well,” and asked the board to reconsider nonprofit funding if the November ballot measure fails.

Commissioner Farmer responded directly to the library and nonprofit speakers later in the meeting, saying, “We hear you. We understand… we hope that… we can try to come up with better plans,” adding that any changes depend on the outcome of the November ballot measure.

Commissioners also voted 5-0 to create the Northeast Florida Utility Authority, a new special dependent district modeled on the former American Beach Utility District. Utility Authority Executive Director Colin Groff said the authority will give the county a framework to coordinate utility development tied to growth, negotiate future utility contracts and manage funds restricted to utility uses in a more businesslike fashion. The board separately approved a special revenue fund to hold utility-sourced revenue ahead of the new authority’s operation.

In other action, the board renewed 6% electric franchise agreements with Florida Power & Light, Florida Public Utilities and Okefenokee Rural Electric Membership Corporation, continuing arrangements first established in 1987, and adopted a master plan to underground and harden power infrastructure along the State Road 200/A1A corridor in partnership with FPL.

Commissioners also approved a future land use map amendment for the southern planning area of the East Nassau Community Planning Area, shifting about 333 acres from employment center to suburban residential use while increasing conservation habitat land by 13 acres, with no change to the area’s overall entitlement of 24,000 dwelling units.

And during general public comment, members of a citizens group studying data center development asked the board to prohibit county staff from entering nondisclosure agreements with data center, cryptocurrency or data mining developers.

Chadd Charland, who helped draft the group’s recommendations, told commissioners that while he does not believe the board has struck secret deals with data center developers, “a large percentage of residents in Nassau County believe you all have done the same.”

Commissioner Martin responded later in the meeting, telling residents, “I don’t think I’ve ever signed a non-disclosure agreement for anything… I’m not keeping anything secret based on a non-disclosure act.”

Commissioner Farmer said he agreed, adding, “I wouldn’t sign it if it did come here… that’s just not who I am.”

County Attorney Denise May said neither the board nor staff currently enter into such agreements, though the county’s economic development agency has limited statutory confidentiality authority for economic development prospects.

Other items

• The board approved a proclamation honoring Nassau County’s Vietnam veterans, presented to members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1088.
• Commissioners approved a proclamation and letter of support for the Northeast Florida Fair Association’s state funding request for an agriculture education and promotion facility in Callahan.
• The board approved a $1.2 million continuing contract with TRP Construction Group for pavement marking services.
• Commissioners approved a $5,081,280 extension of the county’s tourism marketing services contract with Starmark International.
• The board approved a mobility donation and credit agreement with Liberty Cove Nassau LLC for construction of Liberty Cove phase two mobility improvements, valued at about $3.38 million in construction and $470,000 in donated property.
• Commissioners authorized up to $4.3 million in tourist development tax funds for the City of Fernandina Beach’s beachfront branding and Seaside Park improvement project.
• The board approved annual maintenance and capital assessment resolutions for the South Amelia Island Shore Stabilization beach renourishment area.
• Commissioners approved the annual Amelia Concourse assessment roll, unchanged at $45 per unit.
• Commissioner John Martin returned to in-person meetings after a summer health absence. Commissioner A.M. “Hupp” Huppmann welcomed his son, Capt. Eric Huppmann, home from a months-long military deployment.