Nassau County commissioners set labor executive session, approve workshop and seek 2025 legislative funding

Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 15 voted 5-0 to set an executive session for Jan. 27 to discuss the labor agreement with Fire Rescue Professionals Local 3101, to schedule a Timber to Tides design-overlay workshop on Feb. 19, and to authorize staff to submit 2025 legislative-appropriation requests for several county projects.

The county manager requested the executive-session time to continue negotiations with the firefighters’ union. "I'd like the board to consider setting an executive session ... on January 27th at 3 PM to discuss the labor agreement between Nassau County and Fire Rescue Professionals Local 3101," County Manager Pope said during the meeting. Commissioner Martin moved to set the executive session; Commissioner Gray seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously in favor.

Why it matters: the executive session formally protects discussion of collective-bargaining strategy under the cited statutory authority; the appropriation requests set county priorities for state-level funding consideration. The approved requests ask state lawmakers to consider, in order of priority, transportation and implementation projects and a sheriff's training program.

Most important facts - Executive session: The board approved a Jan. 27, 2025, 3 p.m. executive session to discuss the labor agreement with Fire Rescue Professionals Local 3101. Motion by Commissioner Martin; second by Commissioner Gray. Vote: 5-0. - Timber to Tides workshop: The board approved scheduling a workshop on the Timber to Tides design overlay for Feb. 19, 2025, immediately following the regular 9 a.m. meeting. Motion by Commissioner Mark; second by Commissioner Farmer. Vote: 5-0. - Legislative appropriations: The board authorized staff to submit forms requesting 2025 legislative appropriations in this order of priority: 1) County Road 107 transportation improvements; 2) County Road 108 extension transportation improvements; 3) Thomas Creek implementation plan; 4) sheriff’s Work Ethics and Training (SWEAT) program. Motion by Commissioner Farmer; second by Commissioner Martin. Vote: 5-0. - Consent agenda: The board approved the consent items as listed. Motion by Commissioner Grama; second by Commissioner McCullough. Vote: 5-0.

Supporting details and context The county manager described the expansion item as part of ongoing negotiations with Local 3101 and said the request was made "pursuant to statute." The board handled the items with short discussion and unanimous votes. Staff recommended the Timber to Tides workshop be held Feb. 19 immediately after the regular meeting; the board approved that schedule. The appropriation request lists the county's priority projects for the 2025 legislative cycle and directs staff to submit the appropriate forms.

What the board did not do The board did not take any public action to approve or reject contract language during the Jan. 15 meeting; the labor agreement itself was not considered in open session. No budget appropriations were made at the Jan. 15 meeting; the legislative-appropriation authorization only directs staff to submit requests to state lawmakers.

Votes at a glance - Executive session (Tab I): motion to set session Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. to discuss labor agreement with Fire Rescue Professionals Local 3101. Mover: Commissioner Martin. Second: Commissioner Gray. Outcome: approved 5-0. - Timber to Tides workshop (Tab F): motion to set workshop Feb. 19, 2025, after 9 a.m. meeting. Mover: Commissioner Mark. Second: Commissioner Farmer. Outcome: approved 5-0. - Legislative appropriations requests (Tab G): motion to submit forms for County Road 107; County Road 108 extension; Thomas Creek implementation plan; sheriff’s SWEAT program, in that order. Mover: Commissioner Farmer. Second: Commissioner Martin. Outcome: approved 5-0. - Consent agenda: motion to approve consent items as listed. Mover: Commissioner Grama. Second: Commissioner McCullough. Outcome: approved 5-0.

Looking ahead The executive session on Jan. 27 is scheduled to occur at 3 p.m. and is described by staff as a meeting to discuss the county's labor negotiations with Local 3101. The Timber to Tides workshop was set for Feb. 19 to allow staff and the board to present and discuss design-overlay materials.