NewsLine staff
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners, BOCC, held a workshop and regular meeting Aug. 24, 2026, addressing the county’s capital projects program, the 2026-27 budget, several land use requests and a new funding source for ocean rescue services. Commissioner John Martin participated by phone. Chair Alyson McCullough was absent; Commissioner Jeff Gray presided in her place.
Nassau County Council on Aging, library advocates ask commissioners to restore funding
Two representatives of the Nassau County Council on Aging, NCCOA, asked commissioners during public comment to restore funding cut from the nonprofit’s budget. Brian LaVacca, representing the NCCOA board, said the funding supports personal care, home support and home-delivered meals for seniors countywide, and asked commissioners to reconsider the cut or discuss alternative funding scenarios.
Janice Ancrum, President and CEO at the NCCOA, asked commissioners to consider redirecting funds to the nonprofit if a proposed property tax constitutional amendment does not pass in November, or if state revenue estimates exceed projections. Ancrum separately renewed a request for $50,000 to hire a rehousing manager to assist residents of Peppertree Village. She said the organization has raised about $65,000 toward the effort but cannot hire a manager until it reaches roughly half of an unspecified target.
Gary Morgan, representing the Friends of the Yulee Library, told commissioners a 40% reduction in the library’s operating hours threatens its future. Morgan said Florida State College at Jacksonville, which operates the library under a longstanding agreement, began charging the county a fee after 25 years of no charge, a change he called a threat to youth literacy in Yulee.
Commissioners did not take action on any of the three requests during the workshop.
County shifts ocean rescue costs to tourism tax dollars
Commissioners voted unanimously to amend an interlocal agreement with the City of Fernandina Beach, shifting the $200,000 the county pays annually for ocean rescue services from its general fund to tourism development tax dollars, following a change in state law. The move frees the county’s $200,000 for its RISE economic development grant program and adds a new $300,000 tourism tax contribution to the city for ocean rescue. Commissioner Martin, who chairs the county’s Tourist Development Council, said the change frees up a combined $500,000 between the county and city.
Commissioners approve utility advisory contract, two watershed grants
Commissioners approved a three-year, $378,000 contract with U.S. Water Corporation Services for utility advisory services, and two $300,000 grant agreements with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to fund watershed master plans for the Nassau and St. Mary’s river basins. Robert Companion, deputy county manager and county engineer, said the county’s 25% match on the grants is largely covered by leveraging a separate grant, leaving about $30,000 to $32,000 in county funding to secure $600,000 in combined state support.
County moves to expand Yulee Sports Complex
Commissioners approved a $298,000 purchase of a parcel at 86079 Pages Dairy Road adjacent to the Yulee Sports Complex, the second of three parcels the county is pursuing to expand the complex’s footprint.
Land use changes advance for home-based businesses, SR 200 parcel
Commissioners gave second-reading approval to an ordinance bringing the county’s land development code into compliance with a new state law on home-based businesses, replacing the former “home occupation” category. Commissioners also approved a comprehensive plan amendment and companion rezoning for an 8.52-acre parcel on State Road 200 owned by Judith Turner, changing it from commercial to a transect-based zoning district allowing five to 10 dwelling units per acre. In a separate item, commissioners approved underground and overhead utility work by Florida Public Utility Company within a designated scenic canopy road right of way at Buccaneer Trail and Gerbing Road.
Board committees seek volunteers
County staff told commissioners the Planning and Zoning Board’s at-large seat, a Tourist Development Council seat and an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee seat remain open. Applications received so far will be reviewed Sept. 4.
Sheriff’s Office marks 200 years with proclamation
Commissioners approved a proclamation recognizing January 2027 as the 200th anniversary of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the seventh-oldest sheriff’s office in the state. Sheriff Bill Leeper, the 24th person to hold the office, said he will mark 50 years in law enforcement on Jan. 10, 2027.
Capital projects update: parks, roads move forward as costs climb
Robert Companion, deputy county manager and county engineer, reviewed the county’s five-year capital improvement plan, crediting Raymond Albury, director of capital projects management, for delivering projects amid rising construction costs; the National Highway Construction Cost Index has risen from 68% to 74% above 2020 levels. Projects completed this fiscal year include the Henry Smith Road resurfacing, Fire Stations 70 and 90, the William Burgess Boulevard extension and the Westside Regional Park, which Companion said came in more than $3 million under budget. Of 17 drainage projects identified after a 2024 storm county officials called a 500-year event, 15 are complete.
Under construction or set to begin this fall are the first phase of County Road 121’s reconstruction, estimated near $20 million, along with Fire Station 30’s replacement and a restroom and pavilion at the John Claxton Boat Ramp Park. Amelia Island Trail Phase IV, backed by a $5.1 million state grant, and a roughly $8.4 million industrial catalyst project near U.S. 90, backed by a $6.25 million Florida Job Growth Grant, are both moving toward construction. Companion said a long-discussed Interstate 95 interchange remains in an early feasibility phase and could take 10 to 15 years to complete, and that the planned Westside Government Annex will wait on a funding decision until after the November constitutional amendment vote on property taxes.
Budget update: sixth straight millage reduction proposed; hearings set for September
County budget staff told commissioners the proposed 2026-27 budget includes a sixth consecutive reduction in the county’s millage rate, a second consecutive reduction in the general fund budget and a second consecutive year of reduction in the county’s total employee count. The proposed budget represents an 8% reduction from the current year including reserves, and a 10% reduction over the past two years when reserve spending on capital projects is included.
Staff said updated state revenue estimates received in mid-August showed a net improvement of about $514,000 over earlier projections, driven largely by a revised sales tax estimate; the county is still awaiting final fuel tax figures before making further budget adjustments. The first public budget hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14, with a second hearing set for Sept. 28.
Commissioner Huppmann asked colleagues to consider maintaining full funding for the county’s economic development team if revenue projections hold through the final budget. Commissioner Martin said any additional funding decisions remain contingent on the outcome of the November constitutional amendment vote, which he said would result in significant cuts to county services, including funding for nonprofits such as the NCCOA, if approved.
Video of the Aug. 24 Nassau County Board of County Commissioners workshop is available at https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/clip/2410?view_id=2&redirect=true.
Video of the regular meeting is available at https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/clip/2411?view_id=2&redirect=true.
