LAUREL HILL — The Laurel Hill City Council has approved an annual mowing contract of $11, 324 with Transfield Services.

The council unanimously approved the contract during a special meeting on Monday. Councilman Johnny James made the motion with Councilwoman Betty Williamson’s second.

The council earlier this month deferred the contract vote after Councilman Clifton Hall stated that proposed costs — $7,354 annually — were inadequate and estimated costs needed to be further researched.

Transfield is responsible for mowing and trash pick-up on both sides of State Road 85 within city limits.  

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council approves mowing contract

CRESTVIEW — The City Council will continue debating the merits of four companies bidding to run the city's garbage collection services.

After Rory Cassedy defended his company, Allied Waste Services’, proposal, the council agreed on Monday to defer any decision until all bidders could present proposals during the council’s Aug. 26 meeting.

Allied ranked third out of four companies scored by a review committee comprising Public Works Director Wayne Steele, City Clerk Betsy Roy and Finance Director Patti Beebe.

The committee scored the bidders in 15 areas under technical, managerial and financial categories. The top-scoring company was Waste Pro, the city's current waste contractor.

The contract period expires Oct. 1. Bidders were vying for a five-year contract to handle Crestview's solid waste and recycling programs.

Cassedy protested the committee's ranking, noting Delaware-based Allied, Gulf Breeze's waste contractor, submitted the lowest residential and commercial services bids of $15.49 and $19.59, respectively.

Florida-based Waste Pro's current monthly charges are $19 for residential customers and $24 for commercial.

Waste Pro's proposed charges are $17.25 and $23, a savings of $21.12 and $12 annually, respectively, if the company is selected again.

Also bidding were Inland Services Corporation, a Texas-based company, and Waste Management, which previously held the city's contract.

Waste Management proposed the highest monthly charges of $24.38 for residential service and $30 for commercial.

"I feel they have priced themselves out of bid consideration," Steele stated in an evaluation letter to the council. Cheapest isn't always best

Roy noted that though Allied offered the best prices, "this does not mean the lowest bidder is the best choice for the city of Crestview."

The committee had many factors to consider in making its recommendation to the council, Roy said, including customer service.

Councilman Tom Gordon, who often simplifies issues into household terms, concurred, observing that he can buy a hamburger for a dollar, but if he wants a tasty hamburger, he expects to pay more.

The city would also realize more than $10,000 in franchise fees under Waste Pro's proposal than it currently receives, for $150,670 total, Roy said.

The evaluation committee members unanimously praised Waste Pro's performance during the five years it has held the city's garbage contract.

"In the past five years with Waste Pro, I have only received 17 documented complaints from citizens about their trash service," Steele wrote. "Before, we were averaging five per day."

The ultimate decision rests with the council, which in the past has sometimes ignored the recommendation of advisory panels.

Comparing bids A three-person city committee ranked four bidders for Crestview's solid waste and recycling services contract. Bids are as follows:

Bidder    Res.    Comm.    Fee (annual)    Scores (out of 75)

Allied Waste    $15.49    $19.59    $141,588    55/65/66 = 62 average

Inland Waste     $17.68    $23.68    $163,221    60/64/60 = 61.33 average

Waste Mgmt.    $24.38    $30    $208,317    60/65/63 = 62.66 average

Waste Pro    $17.25    $23    $150,670    72/72/73 = 72.3 average

Want to go? The Crestview City Council will hear presentations from bidding solid waste removal and recycling companies at its 6 p.m. Aug. 26 meeting.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview council weighs garbage collectors' contract proposals

CRESTVIEW — The historic downtown district will follow the latest urban dining trend this fall when Crestview Commons opens on Main Street.

The City Council on Monday approved a proposal for an outdoor eatery featuring up to three mobile food services with permanent restrooms, landscaping and patio dining.

Crestview Commons will be on a currently vacant lot owned by Main Street attorney Nathan Boyles beside Foster Families of America thrift store. The project will allow innovative restaurateurs to introduce new cuisine ideas while offering patrons diverse dining choices, he said.

"Young gourmet chefs often can't afford $200,000 to start a brick-and-mortar restaurant," said Boyles, a Main Street Crestview Association member.

Some council members praised Boyles' project and his previous contributions to Main Street, including opening his office courtyard to a weekly farmers market.

"I've seen the projects you have done downtown and I have to commend you on how they look," Councilman Tom Gordon said.

"I think it would be a great benefit to the city," Councilman Shannon Hayes said.

Councilman Joe Blocker questioned the aesthetics of downtown food-preparation vehicles and cast the lone "nay" ballot in the 4-1 vote approving Crestview Commons.

"A trailer's a trailer, no matter how you sugarcoat it," Blocker said.

Crestview Commons passed all of the city's development stages, including approval by the fire department, the Technical Review Committee and the Local Planning Agency.

The process took more than a year, during which a similar project in Pensacola went from concept to opening in a matter of months, Boyles said.

Crestview's review process "stymies forward-looking projects," he said.

"We have outdated and outmoded codes that do not address the changing times," Boyles said. "Frankly, it's the young generation that's going to be the savior or sound the death-knell of the downtown district."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Proposed Crestview Commons follows mobile eateries trend

CRESTVIEW — A potential $1.3 million FEMA grant could ease some firefighters' job security fears and alleviate some budget pressure on the city, Fire Chief Joe Traylor says.

Traylor will pursue the grant, following the City Council’s unanimous vote Monday to grant permission. If he’s successful, the money would be awarded this fall, he said.

Under its Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant is available.

The grant is offered to cities with SAFER grants that have ended, but in which the firefighters hired under the program have been laid off or are threatened with layoffs.

Crestview would fall under the second category, Traylor said.

"People haven't been laid off but there is the threat of layoffs," he said.

The two-year grant requires no matching funds, as the city's first SAFER grant did, Traylor said. It would provide $1.3 million divided over two years to fund 12 existing firefighter positions.

"If we could get this, we could really end our budget discussion right now," Councilman Shannon Hayes said.

Traylor said he hopes that as the economy recovers, the city's growth increases its revenue to cover the 12 firefighters' salaries.

"If we keep our employees, there is a direct public safety benefit," Traylor said. "If we lay them off, our community is not as safe."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview fire chief: $1.3M grant could save firefighter jobs

Okaloosa County officials have increased the fall advertising allocation for area beaches from $100,000 to $300,000 due to low bed tax revenues. The funds will be added to the original $2.2 million marketing plan designed to advertise local beaches from March to September.

Peter Mayer Advertising of New Orleans, the county’s advertising firm, drafted the plan, which calls for marketing Okaloosa Island and Destin as top leisure destinations, selling the area to the meetings industry, revamping the county’s tourism websites and promoting the Emerald Coast as a Christmas destination.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County to boost fall tourism marketing

CRESTVIEW — The Main Street Crestview Association has received unanimous approval for three project requests, but funding for a full-time program manager has been deferred.

Association President Ellis Conner presented the non-profit organization's annual budget request to the CRA board, which City Council members comprise, Aug. 12.

Among its approved requests, Main Street asked the Community Redevelopment Agency to renew its $50,000 annual funding for the downtown Façade Improvement Grant program. Although it’s not a Main Street program, the association provides grant recommendations to the CRA. Business grant recipients receive up to half the cost of façade improvements, up to $10,000.

Conner also presented Main Street's request for $10,000 per year over the next three years to fund Crestview's 2016 Centennial Celebration events.

A further $15,000 was requested to maintain existing streetscape improvements. Some of the $3 million project components, notably some dying landscaping, need upkeep, Conner said.

No manager funding

The board agreed to consider the association's request for $38,000 to hire a full-time program manager after the city's budget process is complete.

The last program manager lost his job when funding for the position approved in November 2010 was abruptly denied in January 2011.

CRA board member Tom Gordon suggested hiring a contract program manager so the CRA would not have to fund an estimated $18,000 in city employee benefits.

Gordon also asked whether Main Street could match CRA funds toward the position. Noting its resources are limited, Conner said the program could possibly contribute up to $5,000.

The Main Street program must have a full-time manager to retain accreditation with the Main Street Florida program, which has recognized it with several awards.

The CRA is not funded with Crestview taxpayer money. It is supported through an Okaloosa County sales tax-increment process.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Some Main Street budget requests receive Crestview CRA approval

FORT WALTON BEACH  — The Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department’s customer service drive-thru window will close for construction Aug. 22-23, at its main office, 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. 

Okaloosa County Water and Sewer payments are welcome in person, by phone and at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/wsweb/index.html.  

Call 850-651-7171 for the 24-hour phone and online payment service.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Water & Sewer announces Aug. 22-23 drive-thru closure

LAUREL HILL — The City Council has raised no concerns with the proposed 2014 fiscal year budget.

City leaders have reviewed the budget in two portions: the enterprise operating fund, or water department fund, and the general operating fund.  

The city expects to collect $217,400 from water department and garbage fees for the enterprise fund. It projects to spend $200,944, earning the city $16,456.

Download Laurel Hill’s proposed fiscal year budget >>

In the proposed general operating fund, the city would earn $227,374 from taxes, city fees and contracts. For expenses, the city is expected to pay $221,164, leaving $6,210.

Between the enterprise fund and the general operating fund, the city is expected to earn $22,666 for the next fiscal year.  

The proposal, produced by Mayor Robby Adams with council chairman Larry Hendren’s assistance, was presented to each council member present during Thursday’s budget workshop. Councilman Clifton Hall was absent. 

The next budget workshop is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at City Hall.

A public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant the city is trying to acquire will follow the workshop; the regular city council meeting will follow at 6 p.m., after which a fair housing workshop will take place.

The informational workshop, which is required for the CDBG application, will provide examples of housing discrimination.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill could earn $22K after expenses under proposed budget