Thumbs Up Taco

Recognizing Leadership That Listens — and the Work Still Ahead

At NassauFLDOGE (Defenders of Government Efficiency), we believe in working constructively with local leadership to ensure taxpayers get the most value for their dollars. That’s why we’re giving a sincere Thumbs Up to County Manager Taco Pope for recognizing a critical trend in Nassau County’s permitting system — and taking steps to acknowledge it; such as freezing ongoing hiring and studying the manpower needs of the department, etc

Despite a 40% drop in permit demand compared to last year, staffing levels have not yet adjusted accordingly. The fact that the County met the much higher demand of 2023–2024 with its existing team suggests there is room to reevaluate current personnel needs.

We’re encouraged that Mr. Pope appears to understand this shift — that’s Step One. Recognition alone isn’t the finish line. The next challenge is to ensure that staffing levels are responsibly aligned with current permit activity, rather than continuing to grow costs per permit issued.

We’re hopeful that future solutions will prioritize efficiency over rate increases, and focus on long-term structural improvements rather than short-term revenue fixes. Nassau taxpayers deserve a government that scales smartly — and we believe that collaboration between citizens and leadership is the path forward.

So thank you, Taco Pope, for leaning in. Nassau County is better for it.

—The DOGE Team

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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.


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