Candidate for Board of County Commission, District 4: Alyson McCullough
The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce recently asked each candidate running for the Board of County Commission to answer a candidate questionnaire that we could share with members and the community. Answers to each question have been copied and pasted exactly as they were submitted.Â
For additional information or questions, please contact the Chamber at (904) 261-3248
2026 Board of County Commission Candidate Forum
EXPERIENCE & LEADERSHIP
1. Why are you seeking election to the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners?
Four years ago, I ran because I believed Nassau County deserved leadership that was honest, transparent, and willing to make difficult decisions based on facts—not politics. The board didn’t represent ME. A young Christian, conservative working mom. That matters. We are a large part of the county yet we weren’t represented in leadership. I grew up here. My husband and I chose to raise our four children here because we believe this is one of the best places in Florida to call home. Like many families, we're balancing careers, school activities, aging infrastructure, and the rising cost of living. I don't just represent Nassau County—I live the same experiences as the people I serve.
During my first term, we lowered the millage rate for five consecutive years, strengthened public safety, invested millions in roads and infrastructure, expanded economic development, protected conservation lands through the CLAM Program, and launched Vision 2050 to ensure growth reflects the community's vision.
I'm seeking another term because our work isn't finished. Growth isn't slowing down, and Nassau County needs experienced leadership that understands how to manage it responsibly while protecting taxpayers, preserving our quality of life, and creating opportunities for future generations.
2. What experiences best prepare you to serve the residents and businesses of Nassau County?
My background has always been about service. Before serving as County Commissioner, I spent 15 years as a public educator, helping prepare students for careers and workforce success. I balanced both until taking last school year off to homeschool my last three still in school. That experience taught me how to listen, solve problems, manage budgets, and build partnerships. As a County Commissioner, I've overseen budgets exceeding $400 million, negotiated labor agreements, supported public safety investments, worked with state and federal partners to secure grants, helped recruit new employers, and balanced growth with infrastructure investments.
Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on how local government, businesses, education, and economic development all work together to strengthen communities.
3. What do you believe are the three most important issues facing Nassau County today?
I believe they are:
Public Safety - Nearly three-quarters of every County property tax dollar supports public safety. During my first term we've invested in firefighter pay, law enforcement, emergency management, and our new Public Safety Training Complex because keeping residents safe will always be the government's first responsibility.
Responsible Growth - Growth is coming whether we like it or not. The question is whether we plan for it or react to it. My focus is ensuring infrastructure, roads, schools, utilities, and commercial development keep pace with residential growth.
Economic Diversification - For too long many residents have had to leave Nassau County every morning to find higher-paying jobs. We've worked to diversify our economy by attracting manufacturing, logistics, aviation, and technology employers while expanding workforce training opportunities so people can build careers close to home.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS
4. How should Nassau County balance economic growth with preserving the character of its communities?
Growth isn't optional. Florida law provides property owners with vested rights, and many developments were approved years before I took office. The real responsibility of County government is managing that growth responsibly. That means requiring infrastructure to keep pace, protecting environmentally sensitive lands, preserving agriculture and rural communities where appropriate, expanding commercial tax base alongside residential development, and making decisions based on adopted plans—not political pressure. That's exactly why we launched Vision 2050—an 18-month community-driven planning effort that gives residents the opportunity to shape what Nassau County looks like for future generations. My goal is simple: preserve what makes Nassau County special while preparing responsibly for the people who will call it home tomorrow.
5. What policies would you support to strengthen small businesses, attract quality employers, and create high-paying jobs?
Economic development isn't simply about bringing more jobs to Nassau County—it's about bringing the right jobs that strengthen our economy, expand our tax base, and provide opportunities for residents to build careers without leaving the county. We partnered with the state for a 6.25 million dollar grant for Rural Economic Opportunity, partnered with developers for residential/ commercial balance, and grew our workforce by 6,000 employees.
During my first term, we've made significant progress diversifying our economy by recruiting manufacturing, logistics, aviation, and commercial investment while ensuring new development includes commercial opportunities alongside residential growth. We also partnered with CareerSource Northeast Florida, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and our manufacturing partners to secure workforce grants that provide certifications, safety training, and career advancement opportunities at no cost to employees or employers.
I also believe small businesses deserve just as much attention as large employers. They are the backbone of Nassau County's economy. The county government should continue streamlining permitting, investing in infrastructure that supports commerce, maintaining competitive tax rates, and reducing unnecessary barriers to doing business. We partnered with small business development, and the Chamber for the RISE program to offset permitting fees for small business.
Looking ahead, my focus will remain on recruiting industries that complement Nassau County's strengths, create family-supporting wages, and broaden our commercial tax base so we can reduce the financial burden on homeowners over time.
6. How should the County prioritize investments in roads, utilities, broadband, and other infrastructure needed to support continued growth?
Infrastructure should never be an afterthought—it should lead growth, not chase it.
County government exists to ensure roads, utilities, drainage, emergency services, and public facilities are planned years in advance. That's why we've invested heavily in our Pavement Management Program, long-range capital planning, impact fee-funded improvements, and Vision 2050.
We also recognize that developers should contribute to the infrastructure needed to support the growth they create. Impact fees, mobility improvements, and development agreements are important tools to help ensure existing taxpayers aren't left paying the entire bill.
Prioritization should always be based on objective data, traffic studies, public safety needs, and long-term planning—not politics.
7. In 2022, nearly 68% of Nassau County voters approved up to $30 million in bonds for the Conservation Land Acquisition and Management (CLAM) Program. What role do you believe the CLAM Program should play in Nassau County's future, and how would you balance land conservation, private property rights, economic development, and the needs of the business community?
The CLAM Program strategically preserves environmentally sensitive lands, protects water resources, maintains wildlife corridors, and preserves the rural character that makes Nassau County unique. At the same time, conservation should never come at the expense of private property rights. Participation must remain voluntary, transparent, and based on willing sellers.
Protecting natural resources and supporting economic development are not mutually exclusive. Businesses consistently tell us that quality of life, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship are among the reasons they choose to invest in communities like ours.
The balance is achieved by respecting private property, protecting our most valuable natural assets, and directing growth toward areas where infrastructure already exists or is planned.
Ensuring we partnered on the Atlantic to Okefenokee as a Forever Florida project is one of my greatest conservation wins on behalf of Florida.
8. Nassau County recently adopted a temporary moratorium on data center development and established a fact-finding process to evaluate the potential community impacts of these facilities. What factors should guide the County’s final policy on data centers, and how would you balance potential investment and tax revenue with demands on utilities, neighboring properties, and the needs of existing businesses and residents?
The County’s decision to establish a temporary moratorium was about gathering facts and creating a responsible framework—not stopping economic development.
One of the challenges local governments face today is that the State of Florida has the ability to preempt or override local comprehensive plans and land development regulations in certain areas. That means it is more important than ever that counties understand emerging industries and have clear, data-driven policies in place.
Through this fact-finding process, Nassau County has taken the important first step of defining what constitutes a data center, understanding the potential impacts on utilities, infrastructure, neighboring properties, public services, and taxpayers, and identifying the standards needed to guide future decisions.
The goal should be a Land Development Code that protects taxpayers while allowing responsible economic opportunities. Any future policy should ensure that proposed developments provide a net benefit to the community, have appropriate locations, account for infrastructure demands, and do not shift unexpected costs onto existing residents and businesses.
HOUSING & WORKFORCE
9. Workforce housing continues to be one of Nassau County's greatest challenges. What role should County government play in expanding housing opportunities while maintaining responsible growth?
Workforce housing is one of the most complex challenges facing communities across Florida because rising construction costs, interest rates, and state housing laws all influence what local governments can and cannot do. The county government cannot solve the housing market alone, but it can create policies that encourage responsible development while protecting existing neighborhoods and taxpayers.
My focus has been on balancing residential growth with commercial development so more residents can live and work in Nassau County. We've also supported workforce initiatives that connect residents with higher-paying careers because increasing incomes is just as important as increasing housing supply. We have created a policy that rehabs mobile home parks for tiny house development communities.
Workforce housing is ultimately about preserving opportunity. Nassau County should remain a place where the people who educate our children, protect our neighborhoods, and power our local economy can also afford to call home. "As a working mother who has raised four children in Nassau County, I understand firsthand that housing isn't just about rooftops—it's about whether the next generation can afford to stay in the community they love. My goal is to ensure our children and grandchildren have that opportunity."
10. How can the County better support workforce development and strengthen partnerships with schools, colleges, and employers?
Workforce development is one of the best investments we can make because a strong workforce attracts employers, supports existing businesses, and creates opportunities for our residents to build careers close to home.
As a former Career and Technical Education teacher, this issue is deeply personal to me. I've spent my career helping students prepare for the workforce, and I understand the importance of aligning education with the needs of local employers.
During my first term, I worked alongside CareerSource Northeast Florida, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and our manufacturing partners to secure workforce grants that provide industry certifications, safety training, and career advancement opportunities at no cost to employees or employers. Those partnerships are helping businesses grow while creating a stronger pipeline of skilled workers.
Going forward, we should continue expanding apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, and industry-recognized certification programs while strengthening relationships between our school district, higher education institutions, and the private sector. The goal is simple: prepare today's students and current workforce for tomorrow's careers while ensuring Nassau County remains competitive for quality employers.
GOVERNMENT & LEADERSHIP
11. How will you ensure transparency and public trust in County government?
When I first ran for office, I promised to lead with truth and transparency, and I've worked to deliver on that promise every day. During my term, the Board adopted the Truth and Transparency Fiscal Report to help residents better understand how their tax dollars are spent. Today, every taxpayer can clearly see where County revenues come from and how they are invested.
Transparency also means making decisions based on facts, explaining those decisions openly, and being willing to have difficult conversations—even when they aren't politically popular. I've always believed that residents deserve honesty, not simply answers they want to hear.
I remain accessible to constituents, attend community meetings throughout the county, respond directly to questions, and encourage public participation in our decision-making process.
Whether someone agrees with my vote or not, they should never have to wonder why I made it. Public trust is built one decision at a time through consistency, accountability, and integrity.
12. Describe your leadership style and how you approach differing viewpoints when making decisions.
My leadership style is collaborative, fact-driven, and focused on long-term solutions.
The best decisions come from listening to a wide range of perspectives before casting a vote. That means hearing from residents, businesses, industry experts, County staff, and fellow commissioners—even when we disagree.
Disagreement is a healthy part of public service. It challenges assumptions, improves ideas, and often leads to better outcomes. I don't believe every decision has to be unanimous, but I do believe every voice deserves to be heard and respected.
Ultimately, my responsibility is to make decisions based on the law, the facts before us, and what is in the best long-term interest of Nassau County—not on political pressure or public opinion at the moment.
Leadership isn't about avoiding difficult decisions. It's about having the courage to make them, explaining why, and standing by them with integrity.
13. What role should regional partnerships play in addressing countywide challenges?
Nassau County doesn't operate in isolation. Transportation, economic development, workforce, environmental stewardship, emergency management, and tourism all cross jurisdictional boundaries. The strongest communities are built through collaboration.
Throughout my first term, I've worked closely with our municipal governments, neighboring counties, regional organizations, state agencies, and private-sector partners to address challenges that no single community can solve alone.
Whether we're promoting tourism, supporting workforce development, protecting natural resources, or recruiting new employers, success depends on building relationships and finding common ground. Regional partnerships allow us to leverage outside funding, attract investment, share resources, and strengthen our voice when advocating at the state and federal levels. By working together, we can achieve results that benefit not just Nassau County, but the entire region.
14. Florida voters will consider significant property-tax reform on the November ballot that could provide additional relief to homesteaded property owners while reducing revenue available to counties and municipalities. Do you support the proposed reform, how do you believe it would affect homeowners, businesses, renters, and local government services, and what steps should Nassau County take to prepare while continuing to fund public safety, infrastructure, conservation, and other essential services?
It isn’t whether I support or do not support it - it’s did I protect and prepare a pivot on the passing of reform. $0.74 of every Ad-Valorum dollar goes straight to public safety. Floridians deserve meaningful property tax relief, particularly as rising home values have increased the tax burden on many families. At the same time, local governments have a responsibility to ensure essential services remain strong.
As a County Commissioner, my responsibility is to prepare for both. During my first term, we've demonstrated that responsible fiscal management and tax relief can go hand in hand. The Board has reduced the County's millage rate for five consecutive years while continuing to invest in public safety, transportation, parks, libraries, conservation, and economic development.
If additional property tax relief is approved by voters, Nassau County should continue diversifying its commercial tax base, pursuing state and federal grant opportunities, prioritizing capital investments, and maintaining conservative financial practices. Expanding commercial and industrial investment helps reduce the tax burden on homeowners while generating the revenues needed to support essential public services.
Public safety will always remain our highest priority, and every budget decision should reflect that commitment. The goal is to protect taxpayers without compromising the services residents rely on every day. "Good government isn't measured by how much it spends—it's measured by how wisely it invests. My commitment is to continue protecting taxpayers while ensuring Nassau County remains financially strong for the next generation."
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE & PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
15. Have you ever received, or do you currently receive, compensation, advertising revenue, sponsorship income, monetization revenue, consulting fees, in-kind benefits, or any other thing of value connected to online content in which you discuss local government issues, public policy matters, elected officials, candidates, or campaigns? If yes, please describe the source and nature of the compensation, the issue or candidate involved, and whether the financial relationship was publicly disclosed.
No. Same old car. Same old house. Same loud advocacy (for free).
My public communications have always been focused on informing residents, sharing government updates, explaining policy decisions, and maintaining transparency about the work being done on behalf of Nassau County.
CLOSING
16. What specific accomplishment would you hope to achieve during your first term?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is positioning Nassau County for responsible growth while protecting the quality of life that makes this community special. Over the next term, I will continue maintaining responsible fiscal management, expanding our commercial tax base, investing in infrastructure, supporting public safety, and ensuring growth occurs with thoughtful planning. I want Nassau County to be recognized as a community that successfully balanced opportunity and preservation—a place where businesses want to invest, families want to raise their children, and future generations have the opportunity to stay.
One of the most important parts of that work will be implementing the vision created through Vision 2050 and ensuring our Land Development Code reflects the community's priorities while protecting taxpayers and property rights. The decisions we make today will shape Nassau County for decades. I will leave behind a stronger, more resilient county than the one I was elected to serve.
17. Is there anything else you would like Nassau County's business community to know?
I want the business community to know that I believe economic development and protecting our quality of life go hand in hand. Businesses need more than a place to locate—they need a community with strong infrastructure, a skilled workforce, reliable public safety, responsible leadership, and a quality of life that attracts employees and families. During my first term, we have worked to create that foundation. We've reduced the millage rate for five consecutive years, invested in public safety, improved infrastructure planning, expanded workforce partnerships, supported conservation efforts, and worked to diversify our economy. But the government cannot do this alone. The private sector, educators, community organizations, and residents all play a critical role in shaping our future. The strongest communities are built when leaders listen, partnerships are formed, and decisions are made with a long-term perspective.
I remain committed to being a commissioner who shows up, listens, studies the facts, and makes decisions based on what is best for Nassau County—not the loudest voice in the room.
My commitment has always been simple: protect what makes Nassau County special while preparing it for the opportunities ahead.