UPDATED: Why Is Fernandina Beach Hoarding Land?

Please note we have updated this article in bold on the first line below. Previously it appeared as if the city owned 50% of the landmass. We have corrected it as noted in line one.

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Did you know the state, the school board, the county, and the city government owns more than 50% of the landmass within the city limits of Fernandina Beach?

That’s right. While residents and businesses pay taxes on every square foot they own… the city sits on a massive chunk of land that produces no tax revenue.

So we have some questions:

  • Why does the city need so much land?
  • How much of that land is sitting idle?
  • How much are we spending each year to maintain it?
  • Why isn’t more of it returned to the private sector, where it could generate tax revenue and economic activity?

And more importantly…

  • Who’s tracking the true cost of holding all this land?
  • Should city government be in the land banking business?
  • Why are we paying rising property taxes while the city holds non-producing assets?
  • Has anyone calculated the lost opportunity of having over half our land off the tax rolls?

When you combine land the city owns outright with conservation easements, parks, buffer zones, and surplus property — taxpayers are left holding the bag on maintenance, liability, and missed revenue.

Meanwhile…

  • What’s the city’s plan for this land?
  • Is it being used for public benefit or political agenda?
  • Why keep buying more when we can’t take care of what we already own?

And finally…

  • If residents are expected to “tighten their belts,” why can’t the city offload unused land and lower our tax burden?

Fernandina Beach needs to answer these questions — before it buys another acre with your money.

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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}

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