NewsLine staff
Q: Taxpayers frequently contact the commission regarding the school portion of their tax bill. Does the commission control this?
A: As a county commissioner, we have no jurisdictional authority over the school taxes levied. The Nassau County School District is its own taxing district and is not under the authority of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Q: Do you anticipate the county’s economic growth to continue?
A: Nassau County is the sixth-fastest growing county in Florida, with a population of 105,000. We anticipate nearly doubling our population by 2050. We have completed our Vision Plan, which sets the stage for growth over the next 25 years. The plan identifies where growth is anticipated to occur so we can ensure the necessary public facilities are there to serve it. It also contemplates more than 22,000 acres of employment center uses. This will help diversify our tax base and provide jobs for our citizens and their children.
Q: What are the primary duties of a Nassau County Commissioner?
A: A commissioner takes a sworn oath to provide for the health and safety of the county’s citizenry and to levy the appropriate taxes to accomplish this responsibility. Examples include adequately funding Nassau County Fire & Rescue and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
Q: How does the county determine when roads receive improvements or paving?
A: In 2021, the BOCC adopted its first Pavement Management Plan, which includes a system for ranking and prioritizing roads. Prior to its adoption, funding levels only allowed every paved road in Nassau County to be resurfaced once every 86 years. Now, with the plan and designated annual funding, the county is able to resurface an estimated 18 to 20 miles annually.
The plan includes funding for the Chip Seal Program—a cost-effective alternative to paving—and Level & Overlay projects to repair existing roads. Importantly, roads are ranked utilizing RoadBotics, an enterprise firm specializing in infrastructure assessments. They conduct unbiased surveys to provide feedback on current conditions. This data-driven evaluation removes human error and ensures the roads needing the most attention are prioritized.
Q: The board has lowered the ad valorem property tax millage rate for five consecutive years. How was this achieved?
A: We have worked hard each year to increase efficiencies and deliver savings back to the citizens. Also, new parks and transportation improvements have been funded with impact and mobility fees, ensuring that new growth pays its fair share for its impacts.
Jeff Gray represents District 3 on the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners. Questions or comments can be directed to him at jgray@nassaucountyfl.com or (904) 570-1946.
