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Board endorses legislative priorities to submit to Northeast Florida Regional Council
Summary
The commissioners approved a list of regional legislative priorities — including measures tied to home rule, flood mitigation funding, infrastructure for small/rural/transitional counties, and land acquisition — to submit to the Northeast Florida Regional Council for the 2026 legislative session.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners voted Sept. 17 to submit a packet of legislative priorities to the Northeast Florida Regional Council for consideration during the 2026 Florida legislative session.
County staff presented a memorandum with eight suggested regional priorities and asked commissioners whether to forward them to the regional council. Staff said the items were chosen for regional significance rather than one-off local projects and reflect recurring themes such as protecting local home rule, property tax reform (Senate Bill 180 was named as an example during discussion), the Live Local Act and affordable housing concerns, maintaining funding for regional councils, flood mitigation and resiliency funding, and small rural and transitional county infrastructure programs. The staff memo also cited land-acquisition tools to manage growth and preserve regional character.
Commissioners discussed the list and expressed support for continuing regional engagement on those themes. Commissioner Pope and others emphasized that many items relate to home-rule issues from Tallahassee and are appropriately advanced at the regional level. Commissioner Farmer suggested the board consider transportation supports for residents with disabilities (paratransit/employer commute options) as a possible addition; staff noted existing medical-transportation programs and offered to provide more information.
Commissioner Martin moved to approve Tab J and authorize submission of the priorities to the Northeast Florida Regional Council; Commissioner Farmer seconded. The motion passed with all present voting in favor; Commissioner McCullough was absent.
The staff packet contains eight prioritized items; the board approved sending them as drafted and asked staff to follow up with additional information on transportation options for residents with disabilities if requested.
Votes at a glance: - Tab J: Approve and submit the county’s legislative priorities to the Northeast Florida Regional Council for the 2026 legislative session. Motion: Commissioner Martin; Second: Commissioner Farmer. Outcome: approved (4–0; Commissioner McCullough absent).
