CRESTVIEW — With local officials projecting northwest Crestview will be the city’s next area of growth, the City Council took steps toward preparing for the quadrant’s expansion by approving a new water system.

Meeting Monday evening in its first business meeting of the year, the council received a report from Michael Bomar, vice president of Tetra Tech municipal water system consultants. The city had directed the company to develop a master plan for Crestview’s water system. Improving service to the growing northwest quadrant enclosed by Old Bethel Road was one of Tetra Tech’s recommendations.

Bomar presented bids for the system’s two components, which he said came close to or below Tetra Tech engineers’ estimated cost.

Speegle Construction submitted the low bid, $2 million, for Part I, encompassing drilling the city’s new Well No. 9 and building a water tank for it.

However, Tetra Tech was able to strip from the bid “value engineering items … that we do not feel will decrease the level of service for this project,” Bomar stated in a letter to the city.

Removing items including a generator and its soundproofing enclosure, and providing a shingle roof instead of a metal roof on the well house, reduced the bid by $91,840.

Evans Contractors Inc., submitted the winning bid of $428,830 for Part II, the construction of a network of water mains. The council unanimously accepted both bids.

Council President Ben Iannucci III asked Bomar if the cost would’ve been less if only one contractor did the work.

“The reason we broke it out is to save the city money,” Bomar said, explaining contractors generally have a specialty, such as drilling, and would in turn substitute the project’s other components, charging the city for the project management and the actual work.

The work would likely start within 30 days of signing the contracts with Speegle and Evans, Bomar said.

In other matters, the city:

• Unanimously approved a social media policy for city employees that will govern use of such Internet sites as Twitter and Facebook.

• Unanimously approved a request by Catherine Dortch of the Concerned Citizens Group for city support of its annual parade honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King. City attorney Jerry Miller recommended the group be added as an additional insured entity on the city’s liability insurance.

• Unanimously approved Mayor David Cadle’s recommendation to appoint Warrant Officer Joann Durm to the Crestview Public Housing Authority board, replacing long-time member Sgt. George Stakely, who recently resigned.

• Unanimously approved a revised returned-check policy requested by City Clerk Betsy Roy. The new policy will protect utilities customers who passed a bad check from having their service turned off on a weekend or holiday when they can’t make a proper payment because city offices would be closed.

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: Council approves new water system for northwest Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Networking with other cities’ elected leaders and learning innovative ways to meet Crestview’s challenges are some benefits of attending out-of-town conferences, city council members said.

For long-distance travel, though, council members would like some of their expenses reimbursed.

Meeting in a Dec. 10 workshop to discuss travel expense reimbursement, council members said having Crestview represented at events like the regional and state League of Cities meetings has increased the city’s stature.

However, travel expense reimbursement money was excluded from the 2012-13 city budget, so city leaders must fund their own expenses. For trips no farther than Tallahassee, they willingly assume the expense, Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. said.

 “If we’re gonna grow (as a city), we gotta go (to league meetings),” Councilman Tom Gordon said.

Reimbursement discussion originated in October when Council President Ben Iannucci III requested reimbursement for nearly $600 in expenses, including $239.27 for a one-night stay at the Florida League of Cities conference hotel in Kissimmee. He learned there was no budget item for travel reimbursement.

“We have done a lot as council members to have representation on various boards,” Baugh said. “People don’t ask me ‘Where’s Crestview?’ anymore, but now they know that Crestview is one of the largest cities we have in Northwest Florida because of our representation on the board.”

Travel reimbursement could come from the city’s contingency fund or another line item if necessary, Finance Director Patti Beebe said.

The Florida League of Cities can also reimburse some travel expenses, Baugh said. He offered to set aside a quarter of his councilman’s compensation to help cover his travel expenses.

City Clerk Betsy Roy said her office would review past travel expenses, examine the mayor’s budget and other budgets and bring recommendations for reimbursement options before the council for consideration.

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 mulls travel expense reimbursement

CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power has a new, unwanted building that could become a recycling facility for the Hub City. The City Council on Monday unanimously approved accepting the electric utility’s gift.

There’s just one catch: The city must dismantle and move the building.

The structure — originally a warehouse on Cadle Drive in southwest Crestview — comes with no other conditions, Public Works Director Wayne Steele said.

The 3,552-square-foot building is 96 feet long, 37 feet wide, was never occupied, has metal trusses, a metal roof, plywood walls and HardiePlank composite siding.

The cost to dismantle the building would not affect the Public Works budget, Steele said. The Okaloosa Correctional Institute’s inmate labor would dismantle and store components at Public Works until the council decides where to place the building and determines its purpose.

“We have been proactive in our recycling initiative. It would serve well as a recycling facility,” Steele said. “My recommendation would be to move it to behind the hospital by the fire building” on Brookmeade Drive.

Councilman Tim Grandberry praised the donation and Steele’s suggestion, and moved to accept the donation upon approval of the city attorney. Council President Ben Iannucci III, a proponent of introducing more green initiatives to Crestview, pronounced the suggestion as “Great!”

In other matters, the council:

• Unanimously approved an ordinance waiving collection of traffic impact fees for a 24-month trial.

“It’s a very big step to move our business development forward,” Iannucci said.

• Unanimously approved renewing Crestview’s annual dues to Sister Cities International for 2013. The action followed a two-week visit last month by 36 Noirmoutier, France guests.

• Unanimously approved placing an ad in a Crestview city map the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce will publish.

• Unanimously approved a contract for officiating services at Crestview Recreation Department sports events. Hub City Sports Officials’ $56,300 winning bid is $8,700 less than the budgeted amount.

The services had not been previously submitted for competitive bidding, Steele said.

• Unanimously approved having consultant Jack Dorman study the city’s military compatibility update to the comprehensive plan.

A workshop on the issue is at 8 a.m. Feb. 9 at city hall.

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: Gulf Power donates building to city

CRESTVIEW — Public Works employees Floyd Spence and Randy Broxson, received HERO awards at the Dec. 4 Okaloosa County Commission meeting for their assistance following a May 11 two-car accident.

Spence and Broxson directed traffic around the accident site; helped move the uninjured driver of one car from danger; and simultaneously applied medical assistance to an injured mother and son. They provided moral support and first aid until the police and an ambulance arrived on the scene.

The Humanitarian Efforts Recognized by Okaloosa County award celebrates county employees who go beyond their job’s scope and do something humanitarian or heroic.

The HERO award can include acts occurring outside work hours and submissions by people outside Okaloosa County staff.

Above and Beyond forms are available online at www.okaloosafl.com, or you may call 311 for details or to recognize an Okaloosa County employee.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spence and Broxson presented with HERO awards at county meeting

FORT WALTON BEACH — Tax collections for November, when taxpayers receive the largest early-payment discount of 4 percent, resulted in millions of savings, the Okaloosa County Tax Office reported.

“Due to that discount, Okaloosa taxpayers realized just over $5.6 million dollars in combined savings,” Tax Collector Ben Anderson said. “Because we work for the citizens, it has been a priority to communicate all possible ways to save and conduct business with our office. As a result, the taxpayer gets to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket.”

Seventy-four percent of 2012’s total tax revenue was collected by Nov. 30.

Internet transactions reportedly increased by 193 percent from the same time last year and payments via free E-check increased almost 500 percent over November 2011.

Anderson said those who haven’t done so should sign up for BillExpress, which sends tax bills to your inbox and mailbox.

An installment payment plan is also available.

“The installment option allows you to spread out those tax payments over the course of the tax year, easing the burden of lump sum payments,” Anderson said.

ONLINE: Click on “Real Estate Taxes” on the left at www.okaloosatax.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Taxpayers save millions with early payment discounts

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CRESTVIEW — A current Bob Sikes Airport tenant next week is expected to announce a major expansion that would bring 300 jobs to the area.

“We have been working with the project for the last year and a half,” said Kay Rasmussen, the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council’s interim president, during Monday’s city council meeting. “We’re not released from the non-disclosure law. But there will be a public announcement next week. We have been working with the state of Florida on this.”

State confidentiality laws protect businesses’ identities during sensitive negotiations with municipalities. While Rasmussen couldn’t reveal the business’ name, the EDC’s efforts assured 80 existing jobs will be retained, and more will be added.

“Through this expansion, they are creating over 300 new jobs and they will hire over the next two years,” Rasmussen said, adding the average salary of the new positions is above average for the area. “As you can tell just by the job count alone, this is a high-wage company and a huge investment in the community.”

The official announcement will come from Gov. Rick Scott’s office, which has worked with the Okaloosa EDC on a package of incentives to retain the company and allow it to grow.

The unnamed tenant’s expansion follows a recent expansion announcement by another airport business. L3 Crestview Aerospace will begin construction of an administration building this month and will build an 80,000-square-foot hangar next year.

Rasmussen also distributed a list of 12 projects the EDC is working on in the Crestview area, including four within the city limits and most of the rest at the airport or its neighboring Industrial Air Park. Among them is a possible expansion of Qwest Air Parts, which would add approximately 100 jobs.

“There is a lot of activity taking place in Crestview and surrounding Crestview,” Rasmussen said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Airport business to add 300 jobs

CRESTVIEW — Peter Mayer Advertising of New Orleans will take over promoting Okaloosa County as a top tourist destination.

County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year contract with the company.

“This is a great day for Okaloosa County tourism,” said Dan O’Byrne, director of the tourism development department. “The (selection) process, although slow at some times, provided absolutely the right outcome.”

Read a copy of the contract.

The county began negotiating a contract with Peter Mayer in October.

The 45-year-old firm has 200 employees and offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Under the contract terms, the company will charge $115 an hour for new product development services and no more than $36,465 in base services each month.

Peter Mayer will handle a variety of promotional needs for the county, including account management, public relations, website management and social media content.

“Tourism and hospitality is a very significant part of our business,” Mark Mayer, the company's president, told the commissioners.

Mayer said the firm has extensive experience working for cruise lines, various states, destinations, hotel chains and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He said he is excited about promoting Okaloosa County.

“We think there’s tremendous potential, particularly in your shoulder season, to improve occupancy and revenue,” Mayer said.

Commissioner Wayne Harris, who sat on the seven-member committee that evaluated the original pool of 17 companies, praised Peter Mayer for its presentation.

“If you do half of what you say you’re going to do … we’ll be in good shape,” he said during the meeting.

The county’s contract with Peter Mayer reflects the increased oversight of tourism spending the county put into place in the wake of the Mark Bellinger fraud scheme.

Bellinger, the former director of the Tourist Development Council, killed himself May 4 after it was revealed he had purchased a $710,000 yacht with county bed tax money.

Since then, the list of items he bought illegally or without county approval grew to include a $740,000 home in Destin, a $48,000 Porsche, RVs, customized motorcycles and a building lease.

Under Bellinger, the county’s two main advertising firms were given a high degree of freedom in how they spent money on behalf of the county and how they were reimbursed.

Under the current contract, Peter Mayer will not be allowed to spend county money without written authorization.

All purchases and expenses up to $25,000 must be approved by a department head and the purchasing director. All purchases and expenses between $25,000 and $50,000 must be approved by a department head, the county administrator and the purchasing director.

Purchases and expenses greater than $50,000 must be approved by the county commissioners.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa approves contract with new promotions firm (DOCUMENT)

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CRESTVIEW — The city council unanimously voted to take no action on placing a proposed city charter on the March 2013 ballot. Meeting Tuesday evening in a public workshop, the body surprised residents in the audience with its action.

Discussion at the Nov. 26 council meeting had indicated council members were determined to again place the matters before voters, and might even break it into three ballot measures to offer voters a “menu” of charter components.

The lack of action at the workshop, however, does not mean the council cannot still vote to approve an ordinance placing the charter on the spring ballot at its Dec. 10 meeting. The ordinance had its first public reading at the Nov. 26 council meeting.

A clerical error resulted in the Nov. 6 vote being nonbinding, although nearly 90 percent of Crestview voters who voted in the election also voted on the charter question. At the Nov. 26 council meeting, several residents advised the council members to consider the vote against the charter a straw poll indicative of the electorate’s opinion.

Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. opened Tuesday’s meeting with a recitation of the 23rd Psalm, saying afterwards that he had “spent the entire day fasting and praying to find the right words to say” at the meeting.

“We’ve had this pretty much bantered around for three years’ time,” Baugh said during the brief meeting. “I’d like to say during the general election, although it was a non-binding referendum, some see it as a straw poll for the will of the people.”

Baugh said the 8,114 people who voted on the charter question was the largest turnout to ever vote on a city initiative. He noted that more than 500 people voted against the new charter than had voted for it. The final results were 4,319 opposed to the proposed charter and 3,795 in favor of it.

While still he feels the proposed charter, particularly its provision for a full-time professional city administrator, would greatly benefit the city’s 21,000 residents, “at the same time I cannot ignore the voices that were cast… If the citizens say no, I think we need to listen to the citizens.”

Baugh and Councilwoman Robyn Helt had been two of the charters strongest proponents on the city council. Helt had served on the charter review committee prior to her election, and though she spoke strongly at the Nov. 26 meeting in favor of placing the proposal before voters in March, she did not comment Tuesday evening.

The council was originally planning to discuss putting the charter on the March ballot in three measures to allow citizens a selection of options, including voting on the concepts of a council-appointed city administrator, a council-appointed city clerk, and the balance of the charter. Some council members felt this might prove difficult.

“I personally think to break it up, you have a fractious charter,” Councilman Tim Grandberry said. “If they vote different things, some win, some don’t.”

Councilman Tom Gordon said, “I made no secret of my support for the charter,” but added, “I suggest we let this die and we move forward.”

Gordon put his suggestion in the form of a motion, which was seconded by Baugh. The motion was unanimously approved by the council without further discussion. The meeting adjourned less than 10 minutes after it began.

Among those observing the proceedings was former Crestview Mayor Jerry Milligan, who had chaired the charter review committee. He said after the meeting that he had been perturbed because some of the committee’s recommendations were omitted from the proposed charter, even though some council members said the document followed the committee’s suggestions.

“The charter that was proposed was not at all what the charter committee sent to the council,” Milligan said. “That’s where I differ with it.”

He praised the council for its decision to let the matter drop.

“Maybe, we can only hope, they did indeed listen to the voice of the people in the general election,” Milligan said.

Though it voted to adjourn the workshop without action on the charter, the city council at its Dec. 10 meeting could still approve the ordinance required to place the document on the March ballot.

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: Council may drop charter issue