Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
If all goes according to plan, the City of Fernandina Beach will welcome Nassau Baptist Hospital and its 31.33 acre campus as part of the City of Fernandina Beach. According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, the large scale annexation will require state approval so finalizing the plans will take 3-6 months.
For years city officials have made overtures to encourage Nassau Baptist to enter the city limits, but objections included political issues, building projects, and whether or not an illegal enclave would be created. Before annexation is finalized Gerrity says, “We have to first make sure that we are not creating an enclave.” Gerrity also said he will seek commission approval to exceed the 45 foot height limit only for the Baptist hospital campus through “a text amendment.”
Baptist-Nassau is one of the top ten users of City water. Annexation will result in the elimination of a 25% surcharge on water rates currently charged to the hospital. The hospital pays no property tax, but some leaseholders do.
The City of Fernandina Beach Press Release follows:
CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH WELCOMES BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER NASSAU
The City of Fernandina Beach is pleased to announce that Baptist Medical Center Nassau will be seeking annexation into the corporate limits of the City. On December 11, 2013, the Baptist Nassau Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the annexation of the entire hospital campus. The decision to annex recognizes the City’s capability and commitment to provide needed municipal services to support the hospital as it continues to grow.
It is an exciting time for Baptist Nassau as it continues to expand its facilities and healthcare options. Construction is underway for an $8 million three-story medical office building adjacent to the hospital and the expansion of its emergency room is now underway, as are other improvements to the medical center. The City and Baptist Nassau are enthusiastic about the future and look forward to working together to serve the needs of the community. According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, “Both Baptist Nassau and the City provide essential services for city residents. This change will increase our ability to respond to community needs and further enhance our respective missions.”
December 16, 2013 9:53 p.m.