Nassau County commissioners approve trail, road and park contracts, land purchase, multiple planning amendments and resolution opposing tourist tax bill

Nassau County commissioners on April 28 unanimously approved a package of contracts, land acquisition and planning actions, and adopted a resolution opposing proposed state changes to tourist development tax uses.

The board voted 5‑0 to: authorize a $1,342,980.66 design contract for Amelia Island Trail Phase 4; approve construction engineering inspection services for County Road 121 not to exceed $989,029.76; add $281,000 and 14 months to the Prosser/Prime AE construction services contract for Westside Regional Park; enter a continuing‑services master research agreement with Florida Atlantic University with a not‑to‑exceed cap of $1,500,000; ratify purchase of a viewshed parcel fronting State Road 200 for $975,000; transmit several comprehensive‑plan amendments to state review; approve a set of amendments and map changes for the Tributary (formerly "3 Rivers") DRI and PUD, and adopt a county ordinance updating the CLAM (conservation land acquisitions and management) program. The board also approved a resolution expressing opposition to House Bill 12‑21 regarding tourist development tax uses and directed the clerk to transmit copies to state leaders.

Why it matters: The actions advance multiple transportation and park projects, lock in research and watershed planning capacity, secure a key parcel identified in the State Road 200 master plan for viewshed protection, and move several land‑use and development approvals forward for a major mixed‑use project. The resolution signals county opposition to pending state legislation that would narrow allowable uses of tourism tax revenue.

Major contract and procurement approvals

- Amelia Island Trail Phase 4: The board approved contract CM3888 with STV Incorporated for professional design services in the amount of $1,342,980.66. Staff described the project as the design phase for the trail segment that will connect the Bailey Simmons Trail and the Amelia Island Parkway Trail, creating a continuous protected spine along the island. The motion to approve passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Martin; second: Commissioner Farmer).

- County Road 121 (CR‑121) Phase 2 CEI: Commissioners authorized contract CM3857 with WSB LLC for construction engineering inspection services for reconstruction and resurfacing of County Road 121 (from CR‑119 to U.S. 1), not to exceed $989,029.76. Staff said the corridor is long (described in the meeting as "about 28 miles") and that CEI involvement earlier in the process should improve constructability and reduce prior inspection problems. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Farmer; second: Commissioner McCullough).

- Westside Regional Park construction services amendment: The board approved Amendment 4 to contract CM3093 with Prosser Inc. (doing business as Prosser; Prime AE Group) to add construction services, increase the contract by $281,000 and extend it 14 months. Staff said Prosser will provide construction administration and verification services to support park construction near Millard and Callahan; commissioners discussed an expected 18‑month construction timeline and potential opening in summer 2026. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Farmer; second: Commissioner Gray).

Research, land and program decisions

- Florida Atlantic University master research agreement: The board approved contract CM3887, a continuing‑services master agreement with Florida Atlantic University, with a not‑to‑exceed authorization of $1,500,000. Staff said work authorizations under the master agreement would be issued separately and that the county is pursuing watershed master planning and related grant opportunities. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner McCullough).

- Strategic viewshed parcel purchase (State Road 200): The board approved and ratified contract CM3852 to purchase a parcel identified in the State Road 200 master plan for viewshed protection at the west side of the bridge, at a purchase price of $975,000. Staff said appraisals are complete and the property will be acquired to protect the approach to the bridge. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Pope; second: Commissioner Farmer).

Land use, planning and development approvals

- Comprehensive‑plan amendments: The board voted to transmit several County‑initiated comprehensive‑plan amendments to the state for review, including: • CPA‑25‑002 — updates to the public facilities and water supply facilities work plan (transmitted to state review; motion passed 5‑0). • CPA‑25‑003 — sanitary sewer element amendments to reflect state law changes and to encourage advanced on‑site treatment systems and feasibility analyses for sewer service to large subdivisions (transmitted 5‑0). • CPA‑25‑004 — future land‑use element amendments to list solar energy facilities as a permitted use in agricultural categories and to list resiliency facilities as permitted in commercial and industrial categories (transmitted 5‑0). • CPA‑23‑011 — updates to the Tributary (formerly 3 Rivers) future land‑use map series to reflect prior and current revisions (transmitted 5‑0).

- Tributary DRI and PUD updates: In companion quasi‑judicial hearings, the board approved a Notice of Proposed Change to the Tributary DRI development order (NOPC 23‑001) and modifications to the Tributary PUD (PUD 23‑004). The amendments revise map series and preliminary development plans, add detailed enlargements showing where the permitted commercial/light‑industrial/retail square footage could fit, and clarify the Riverside village center and boat‑launch area. Staff and the applicant said the updates address outstanding compliance issues and provide alternative plans if federal or state permitting delays affect the boat launch. The board approved the NOPC and the PUD modification, each by a recorded 5‑0 vote (mover on PUD motion: Commissioner Farmer; second: Commissioner Gray).

- CLAM program ordinance: The board adopted ordinance updates to the County’s Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) program, reflecting changes learned since the program’s 2017 adoption; staff said the updates add clarity on funding mechanisms and procedural improvements to allow the CLAM manual to evolve without repeated ordinance changes. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Gray; second: Commissioner McCullough).

Other procedural items

- The board set a Vision 2050 workshop for June 9, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. and approved canceling the May 26 regular meeting because of Memorial Day. Both motions passed unanimously.

Resolution opposing House Bill 12‑21

- The board adopted a resolution expressing strong opposition to House Bill 12‑21, which the resolution states would narrow allowable uses of tourist development tax (TDT) revenue and dissolve the county’s tourism development council. The resolution cites Nassau County TDT receipts of approximately $11.5 million (FY 2023‑24 and estimated FY 2024‑25) and includes an estimated millage impact calculation tied to requiring TDT revenue instead be used to reduce the ad valorem tax levy. The board passed the resolution 5‑0 and directed the clerk to transmit certified copies to the governor, the Senate president, the House speaker, the county’s legislative delegation and the bill sponsor. Motion passed 5‑0 (mover: Commissioner Martin; second: Commissioner Farmer).

Votes and procedure

Most formal motions were moved and seconded by members of the five‑member board and recorded as 5 ayes, 0 nays on the clerk’s roll calls documented in the meeting record. Where staff described project scope during presentations, board members asked for clarifications on mileage, phasing, and timing; a small number of items were moved from consent into new business for fuller discussion because of dollar value or public interest.

What’s next

Several items (notably the comprehensive‑plan transmittals and the Tributary changes) will return to the board after required state review or in the course of final development‑plan approvals. The FAU master agreement will require individual work authorizations before funds are expended. The county clerk was directed to transmit the adopted resolution opposing HB‑12‑21 to state officials immediately.

Ending note: The meeting also included public comment on tourism, river safety and animal‑shelter capacity; those comments were recorded and will be available in the official minutes and audiovisual record.