[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6585384,"mediaKeyId","5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b","parentId",5671963,"title","Board approves tourism contracts, infrastructure grant and multiple ordinances and land-use amendments","audioSeconds",810,"startMs",1203000,"endMs",2013000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b&start=1203&end=2013","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b/thumbnail_1203000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6585384/Nassau-County/Florida/Board-approves-tourism-contracts-infrastructure-grant-and-multiple-ordinances-and-land-use-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585384-0b419acdf2c05179383eea2958c9ab94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182129&Signature=YQNm-gUrhB3GZWVkIfhGqBa6tS7QzlgAjGXqoLASlrqjgWwGsrRhoDweCLEZCOCWx8Fv3lbawlb0FGOe5EQoKIFJZwodBGeG4iWneaPrO4H0lALK2KqHJhzG76yAE2NzrBsG3F3YSis3eEEyqnUFVRSLDdFes~3yAPzS6ABDkl6z38Lyg6QjrHafd7lKEq~MheSoqZVsxZRqChKYhTewo1Dr~9arDLCP2pEEwibybOpacBkdN9mXxtNF2qq8N6yJ-bA5BJXpTKuBbPvXFT1DDbEviihlmYRamyVuiG6p3UXQj6y~gJCI0OsoquouXEnM9x58GbaK9EQOUSs0Is6uwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nassau County","date","2025-08-25T16:58:00Z","article","Nassau County commissioners on Aug. 25 approved a set of consent and legislative items including tourism-marketing contracts, a request for rural infrastructure funding and multiple ordinances and comprehensive-plan amendments.

The items were taken in two ways: several contract approvals were handled on the consent agenda or pulled briefly for separate voice votes; several legislative items were debated in public hearings and decided by roll-call votes.

Among the actions the board approved were a contract with StarMark International Inc. for tourism marketing worth $5,081,280 and a $170,000 contract with Hayworth Creative Inc. for digital and online tourism services. The board also authorized staff to submit a $300,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund application to pay for a preliminary engineering and feasibility study (PD&E) for a proposed new Interstate 95 interchange; county staff said $300,000 is the maximum allowed in this grant category.

In the meeting\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000public hearings the board completed final actions tied to the American Beach Water and Sewer District: it approved the finance package closing out the American Beach project, adopted an ordinance to dissolve the American Beach Water and Sewer District and transfer its assets to Nassau County, and accepted a public-interest statement determining the sale of certain water, wastewater and reclaimed-water assets on Amelia Island is in the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000interest.

The board also adopted a land-development code revision (Article 25, Planned Unit Development) and approved three future-land-use map amendments (CPA 25-008, CPA 25-009 and CPA 25-012) that change small parcels from residential categories to commercial in Commission District 3. County staff said the three plan amendments are part of a Timber-to-Tides overlay mismatch-correction window.

Votes at a glance
- Tab D: Approve resolution and contract CM3244A4 with StarMark International Inc. for tourism marketing in the amount of $5,081,280. Motion recorded on the floor; approved by voice vote (motion mover: Commissioner McCullough; second: Commissioner Martin). (vote method: voice; tally: not specified in transcript)

- Tab E: Approve resolution and contract CM3272-84 with Hayworth Creative Inc. for $170,000 for online/digital tourism marketing. Motion on the floor (mover: Commissioner McCullough; second: Commissioner Martin). Approved by voice vote (tally: not specified in transcript).

- Tab M: Authorize submission of a Rural Infrastructure Fund application for $300,000 to fund a PD&E study for a new I-95 interchange (mover: Commissioner McCullough; second: Commissioner Farmer). Approved by voice vote (tally: not specified in transcript).

- Tab O (Finance package 2025-28): Approve finance package and associated resolutions to close out the American Beach Water and Sewer District project, including budget amendments to allow repayment of SRF loans (motion: Commissioner Martin; second: Commissioner Gray). Roll-call: 5-0 (McCullough, Gray, Farmer, Martin, Chair Heltman - all yes).

- Tab P (Ordinance 2025-030): Adopt ordinance repealing the American Beach Water and Sewer District and transferring its assets, property and indebtedness to Nassau County (motion: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner McCullough). Roll-call: 5-0.

- Tab Q (Resolution 2025-111): Accept public-interest statement under Florida Statutes section 125.3401 and determine that sale of county-owned water/wastewater/reclaimed-water assets on Amelia Island is in the public interest (motion: Commissioner Martin; second: Commissioner Farmer). Roll-call: 5-0.

- Tab R (Ordinance 2025-018): Revise Land Development Code Article 25 (Planned Unit Development) and retain a 10-acre minimum site-area requirement; approved (motion: Commissioner McCullough; second: Commissioner Martin). Roll-call: 5-0.

- Tab S (CPA 25-008): Adopt comprehensive-plan amendment reclassifying a 1.32-acre parcel on the west side of Goodbread Road to commercial (motion: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner McCullough). Roll-call: 5-0.

- Tab T (CPA 25-009): Adopt comprehensive-plan amendment reclassifying 1.05 acres on Page\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000Dairy Road to commercial (motion: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner Farmer). Roll-call: 5-0.

- Tab U (CPA 25-012): Adopt comprehensive-plan amendment reclassifying 2.48 acres east of U.S. 17 south of State Road 200 to commercial (motion: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner McCullough). Roll-call: 5-0.

Several items were presented as staff recommended and passed without roll-call tallies noted in the transcript; those were recorded as voice votes on the floor and listed above with the motion makers and seconders where given.

Why it matters
The adopted measures move forward planned capital projects (the I-95 interchange study), direct county tourism marketing expenditures for the coming contract cycles and finalize the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000transition of the American Beach water and sewer systems from a special district into county ownership and the start of a planned sale process that county staff say is intended to fund immediate capital repairs and long-term operations.

Provenance: transcript excerpts referenced for each item are part of the public record of the Aug. 25, 2025 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Nassau County - Nassau County Board of County Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","Nassau County commissioners on Aug. 25 approved multiple tourism contracts, authorized a $300,000 rural infrastructure grant application for a proposed I-95 interchange study, and adopted ordinances and comprehensive-plan amendments including dissolution of the American Beach Water and Sewer District.","taxTitle","Nassau County, Florida","taxId",72832,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585373,"Volunteers and fosters urge Nassau County to investigate shelter conditions; commissioners and staff pledge to work on improvements",1469,2874000,4343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b&start=2874&end=4343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b/thumbnail_2874000.jpg","/articles/6585373/Nassau-County/Florida/Volunteers-and-fosters-urge-Nassau-County-to-investigate-shelter-conditions-commissioners-and-staff-pledge-to-work-on-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585373-42b3f42dc4fe4d703202c2d74a0a1c8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182129&Signature=F5OYL6a~~5ShH2~nlvZNY~ML1-6~quPjrI0PSf7WRCFcYUFbfUd56FJ5YsN4-u79rCUwUYou0eWKI8GkyYLLiIKvJmRaa4LoAFCpc6N4L6qPoUok5XsTkVpa7VPaPzvLHIippU8lumZ5DtEidKC2vSUvfInRiF23bZG7XVHdriGnmalZ4xBR5NW16wu~3vwXch4M7~mFw~NapY-NpArKXMBdlKyoXRgYn7bawMc2cafRUGHXLM-5DNYhUVgkvBX02Y55qsb3~kpnsBGGrDCmqjp-15uObaPkafA-HIbB-Z4pxeYunKi7jhBZPVsHP8CRZqyQ5ROkcun5Sx-3rTkFQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Nassau County residents, volunteers and animal fosters used the Aug. 25 public-comment period to press the Board of County Commissioners for action on conditions and management at Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS).

The speakers raised multiple allegations and requests: long-term understaffing and high turnover among kennel technicians; insufficient training and low wages for some shelter staff; animals left in kennels without regular exercise or enrichment; sanitation and pest issues; heat and ventilation concerns in the main kennel building; insufficient communication and rejected volunteer proposals for outreach and marketing; alleged retaliatory termination of a volunteer who raised concerns; and an allegation reported by a commenter that a shelter veterinary technician was arrested for coercing a minor (the commenter said this was reported on local television). Several speakers asked the board to investigate, reinstate a terminated volunteer and revive an oversight committee.

Why it matters
Public commenters said the problems affect animal welfare and volunteer retention; volunteers also warned of legal and worker-safety risks related to excessive heat conditions for animals and staff. Commissioners and county staff said they take concerns seriously, outlined limits of an older facility and said a new shelter is in planning, while urging cooperation between volunteers and staff to improve conditions in the interim.

What speakers said
- Kylie Ciampa (volunteer) described hands-on volunteer tasks and said volunteers often perform the work needed to keep animals healthy and promoted and said volunteers fear termination or retaliation if they speak publicly.

- Dana Ciampa (volunteer/resident) and Peggy Ciampa (volunteer) recounted routine volunteer duties, described kennel conditions they said they observed, and urged better management and more consistent leadership/communication.

- Mary Anne Levesque (volunteer) focused on extreme-heat risks in the main kennel building, citing the federal Animal Welfare Act as the standard she referenced for temperature limits and arguing that fans alone do not meet that requirement; she provided a handout with state workers\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000compensation research on heat-related workplace risks.

- Rebecca Ward (resident/foster) and Heather Lafont (foster) said they had documented alleged problems including understaffing, medical errors by underqualified staff, improper handling or disposal of deceased animals, and long-term pets not getting adequate rehabilitation and promotion. Ward asked the county to investigate and restore community trust.

- Lexus Harrison (volunteer) said she was terminated as a volunteer after reporting alleged neglect and said she had escalated concerns to the board with no response; she asked to be reinstated and for immediate implementation of oversight, staffing and whistleblower protections.

- Trinity Stotes (volunteer) said she had reported concerns about a staff member to shelter leadership and later said a shelter veterinary technician was arrested on allegations of coercing a minor; she said her report had not been acted on when she raised it earlier.

- Several volunteers described past volunteer marketing and outreach work that they said had been curtailed, including social-media and email lists that previously promoted long-term residents and showed high adoption and transfer numbers.

County response and commissioner remarks
County Manager Pope and Chair Heltman addressed the meeting: they said the facility is more than 35 years old and was not designed as a no-kill shelter; staff and commissioners said a new shelter is planned but will take years and substantial funding. The chair said two animals referenced earlier had autopsy findings (one had cancer, the other had a blood disease) and said there was no evidence in meeting remarks that heat caused those deaths. Commissioners emphasized differing perspectives among residents: Commissioner Gray highlighted that the county shelter received a Best Friends no-kill recognition and cited recent adoption/transfer statistics (the figure cited by the commissioner: 1,698 adoptions and 478 reunions in the referenced period). Several commissioners asked volunteers to continue to cooperate with staff and to help clear animals into foster and adoption homes.

Requests and next steps cited by commenters
Speakers requested the board to: reinstate volunteers who said they were terminated for reporting concerns; convene or revive an oversight committee to provide accountability and community input; hire or designate an adoption coordinator and boost outreach channels; improve pay and training for kennel staff; and conduct an independent investigation into the allegations raised.

Ending
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and described ongoing work toward a replacement shelter and staffing improvements; they urged volunteers and community groups to work constructively with staff while county officials said they would continue to address the issues raised.","More than a dozen volunteers, fosters and residents urged the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners to address staffing, heat, sanitation, medical care, volunteer dismissal and alleged retaliation at Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS). Speakers called for investigations, reinstatement of terminated volunteers and better oversight; county",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":46,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6585380,"Nassau County moves to dissolve American Beach utility district and start sale to utility authority",208,1805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b&start=1805&end=2013","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5671963-54b5f8bac46bb8a974f0da94f17c069b/thumbnail_1805000.jpg","/articles/6585380/Nassau-County/Florida/Nassau-County-moves-to-dissolve-American-Beach-utility-district-and-start-sale-to-utility-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6585380-ead852a10250137d886b9d18312afe58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182129&Signature=WCk-PHQiZ5xr2PtY~MrLlmyMSImIXPD7k4v5jFQLekUij6qIZYmuxHIpLC~u2CnFW2mD3j4m86L3KyS8waaXHP7wiG6gykeiEWQROuokNISN-OuZ4ZPmHmrPUpOI5RDNM0qS-VGlIzD3eRFxvuKH7RRuOMCy17YYaV23liOe75xcpn3DoaLkyQi2YP4ox0FBeyGT2uaOswMKD5~PCo0IKx2i9oodWlCE39-yjLfQE0kDG09K5ZZpZkraO-WetJTv9SZnm5G34ALKFrAuJNf~pS5i4WfqkOK5f58A94gKIYXjsKXLiZvDV1bSQ2fn2vXXO26H-kuK4CTXsnluvlQ7kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nassau County commissioners on Aug. 25 adopted an ordinance dissolving the American Beach Water and Sewer District, approved final finance transactions to close the project and voted to accept a public-interest finding that allows county-owned Amelia Island utility assets to be sold as part of a financing plan.

The board\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000voted 5-0 on each of the three legislative items: the finance package to wrap up the American Beach project, the ordinance to repeal the district, and the resolution finding a sale to be in the public interest.

Why it matters
County presentations said the system is older and needs substantial capital investment; staff and a utility finance consultant said selling the assets to the Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) would allow bond financing, draw on state revolving fund (SRF) loans and fund immediate repairs while preserving a county revenue share.

What was presented
Bill Sundstrom, who described himself as having represented the county on water and wastewater utility matters for several years, told the board the county acquired the Nassau-Amelia utility system by eminent domain in February 2003. He said the system serves about 3,500 water customers and 3,100 wastewater customers and, in his assessment, requires roughly $25 million in capital improvements over the next five years. Sundstrom said problems identified after a 2019 line break included antiquated pipe (vitrified clay), infiltration, and an aging wastewater-plant reject pond with a possibly compromised liner.

Sundstrom described a financing approach: the county would sell the system to FGUA; FGUA would issue bonds to retire county indebtedness and fund capital improvements, supplemented by SRF loans and renewal-and-replacement accounts. Under the presented documents, the system would pay the county a 5% revenue share during the period of FGUA ownership, and the county would have an option to repurchase the system after the capital work is completed or at a five-year milestone, according to the presentation.

Board action and public comments
The board approved finance package 2025-28, adopted ordinance 2025-030 dissolving the district, and passed resolution 2025-111 accepting a public-interest statement under Florida Statutes section 125.3401 (all by 5-0 roll-call votes).

Public speakers included members and officers of the American Beach community advisory board who thanked the board for earlier county funding that avoided a 20-year assessment for residents, and who asked for continued engagement and a permanent American Beach resident advisory group to help with remaining issues.

What remains
Staff said engineering and accounting reviews of the financing and construction plan recommended the approach presented; if the sale and finance plan proceed as described, the immediate capital program is planned to be paid using bonds, SRF loans and existing renewal/replacement funds. The board directed staff to proceed with the adopted resolutions and financing steps.

Ending
County staff will continue to pursue financing and the sale timeline; details on bond issuance, SRF loan applications and any repurchase terms will be brought forward in subsequent staff reports and agreements for future board consideration.","County staff and an outside utility representative described aging infrastructure and a financing plan that would transfer Amelia Island assets to the Florida Governmental Utility Authority, fund immediate capital work and provide a revenue share to Nassau County. Commissioners unanimously approved the dissolution and related finance steps.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves tourism contracts, infrastructure grant and multiple ordinances and land-use amendments

Volunteers and fosters urge Nassau County to investigate shelter conditions; commissioners and staff pledge to work on improvements

Nassau County moves to dissolve American Beach utility district and start sale to utility authority