A Thumbs Up—Yes, Really—for Fernandina Beach

Some people think all we do at NassauFLDOGE is give a thumbs down to city and county government.

We get why it might feel that way just because of the work we do to expose waste, fraud and abuse. 

But here’s the truth: when local government does something smart, restrained, or fiscally responsible—we notice. And we say so.

That’s why it’s worth giving the City of Fernandina Beach a very Thumbs Up this week.

On Tuesday night, by a unanimous vote, the City of Fernandina Beach opted out of the inter-local agreement with Nassau County to collect mobility fees.

Let that sink in.

This is a city that rarely turns down an opportunity to collect a fee—and yet even they said:


Enough

When Everyone Is Telling You the Same Thing…

Let’s recap:

  • The Attorney General of the State of Florida said Nassau County’s fees were out of line.
  • The Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida said Nassau County’s fees were out of line.
  • Now, the City of Fernandina Beach—hardly a fee-averse institution—has effectively said Nassau County’s fees are out of line.

At what point does the message start to land?

There’s an old saying:

If you think everybody else is wrong, it’s probably you that’s wrong.

So we’ll ask it again—because it bears repeating:

What is it going to take for Nassau County to wake up and realize its fees are out of control?

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Fernandina Beach didn’t posture.
They didn’t punt.
They didn’t hide behind process or “staff recommendations.”

They looked at the situation and said no.

For that, they earn a rare DOGE thumbs up.

Now the ball is squarely back in Nassau County’s court.

And the question remains:

Will Nassau County leaders keep insisting everyone else is wrong—or finally take a hard look in the mirror?

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Reconsideration of the Westside Regional Park Investment

Petition to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners

Subject: Reconsideration of the Westside Regional Park Investment

 

Dear Commissioners,

 

We, the undersigned residents of Nassau County, respectfully submit this petition regarding the allocation of public funds toward the development of the Westside Regional Park.

 

It would surprise many to learn that 82.7% of all Nassau County Ad Valorem taxes are paid by properties located east of Interstate 95. Yet, the County has programmed $22.86 million into the Westside Regional Park, located 20 miles west of Interstate 95 — a location largely inaccessible to the majority of residents who are funding it.

 

This project spans over 100 acres with an estimated construction cost of $21 million. Although the land was purchased in 2007 for $1.09 million, it has taken 17 years to bring forward a plan, raising additional concerns about the project's long-term viability and true priority.

 

Over 67% of Nassau County’s population lives in the easternmost zip codes of 32034 and 32097, areas where residents would have to travel up to 35 miles to access the park. Research shows that individuals living more than 10 miles away from a park are unlikely to use it regularly, if at all.

 

In short: the taxpayers bearing the largest burden for this project are the least likely to benefit from it.

 

Given these facts, we have serious concerns about whether the Westside Regional Park is the most responsible and equitable use of taxpayer dollars.

We respectfully request the following:

  • A full public reassessment of the Westside Regional Park's location, accessibility, and return on investment.
  • Consideration of alternative investments in parks and recreation facilities that are more geographically equitable and accessible to the majority of Nassau County taxpayers.
  • Greater transparency and opportunity for public input regarding major capital projects moving forward.

We urge you to pause further expenditures on this project until a thorough and transparent review is conducted.

 

It is time for Nassau County to ensure that public funds are invested fairly, wisely, and in ways that serve the entire community — not just a select portion of it.

 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

 

We look forward to your leadership and stewardship of our county’s future.

{Your name will be here}

Petition Disclaimer & Terms of Signing

By signing this petition, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

  1. Voluntary Participation
    Your signature is submitted voluntarily and represents your personal support for the petition.
  2. Eligibility
    You confirm that you are a resident, taxpayer, or stakeholder in Nassau County, Florida, and are signing in good faith based on your interest in government transparency and fiscal accountability.
  3. Privacy and Use of Information
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    • Verifying the integrity of the petition,
    • Communicating updates related to this petition or similar civic efforts,
    • Presenting to local government officials or relevant authorities in support of this request.

We will not sell, trade, or misuse your data. Your information may be shared with government officials only as part of the official submission of this petition.

  1. Non-Affiliation
    This petition is organized by Nassau FL DOGE, an informal group of concerned citizens. We are not affiliated with any political party, government agency, or official campaign.
  2. Non-Binding Nature
    This petition is intended to express collective community interest and support. Signing does not create any legal obligation for the signer or the governing body, nor does it imply formal membership or endorsement of any group or agenda.
  3. Accuracy
    By signing, you affirm that the information you provide is accurate to the best of your knowledge.

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