MILTON — Santa Rosa County Tax Collector Stan Nichols is one of a few of Florida’s 67 tax collectors to earn a designation for excellence in financial operations.

A judging panel named by the Florida Tax Collectors Association performed a detailed review of the tax collector’s financial records, practices and use of technology in considering Nichols for the honor.

“The Excellence in Financial Operations Award is one of the highest achievements the Florida Tax Collector’s Association can award a local tax collector,” a city spokesperson said. “The judging process was strenuous and included a detailed review of the financial functions of the Santa Rosa Tax Collector’s Office.”

To be considered for the award, Nichols’ office was required to demonstrate excellence in four areas: innovation and automation; a perfect annual audit report; customer focus; and budgeting.

“I’m very proud of our staff for winning this very prestigious award, and for also achieving a perfect audit every single year since taking office in 2009,” Nichols said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tax collector wins award for excellence

CRESTVIEW —  The Mae Reatha Coleman Citizen of the Year will be announced on Monday.

The award is named for its first recipient, a Crestview community activist who has encouraged residents to recognize hard-working, often unsung members of the community who volunteer to better the lives of their fellow citizens.

"This is for the people that get things done for our people," Coleman has said of the award.

Recipients have included the award's namesake, a longtime community activist; Malcolm Haynes; former Mayor George Whitehurst; and educator Dr. Naomi Barnes.

The winner of this year’s award will be named during the Sept. 12 City Council meeting, which is 5 p.m. at city hall, 198 Wilson St. N.

Here's the agenda.

1. Call to order

2. Citizen of the Year presentation

3. Comments from the audience

4. Adjournment

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Citizen of the Year to be named

LAUREL HILL — Construction projects within city limits may soon come with a new fee.

The City Council approved on a 4-1 vote the first reading of an ordinance establishing a fire public safety facilities fee to be levied on new construction.

Ordinance 325 allows the city to collect a 20-cent per square foot residential construction fee, and 30 cents on commercial construction.

It replaces Ordinance 311, which assesses a flat $100 fee for any new construction. The new fee is expected to collect between $500 and $600 more on a typical new residence.

“The purpose of this ordinance is to ensure that the Laurel Hill Volunteer Fire Department has adequate funding to provide fire protection and fire safety services to both the existing and projected facilities in the city of Laurel Hill,” the ordinance stated.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Mayor Robby Adams said the council took the step to prepare for growth and unexpected contingencies within the volunteer fire department.

“It’s getting us more in line with other agencies around us,” Adams said.

Councilman Travis Dewrell questioned the matter.

“I really don't like the concept of being in line with other people,” Dewrell said at the Sept. 1 council meeting. “If I was in business and we got in cahoots with other companies, we'd go to jail for racketeering. I don't like charging rates just because someone else is charging it. I'd prefer to have no fees.”

Dewrell, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said fees such as the proposed assessment, will stifle development, whereas collecting ad valorem taxes will be a continuous flow of income to the city coffers.

“What I'm saying is if we can get someone to move in and start paying taxes, we'll get that money every year,” Dewrell said. “You can shear a sheep many times but you can only skin it once.”

NEEDED REVENUE

James Field, a volunteer Laurel Hill firefighter, said a source of dedicated fire department revenue is needed as their equipment ages.

“If I go to a call and I push that button and it doesn't work, a lawyer's going to be calling and asking why,” he said. “It doesn't do any good to drive that truck to a fire but it can't pump water.”

A provision of the ordinance requires the council to review the fee annually during the budget review process and adjust the amount collected, if needed.

The ordinance, passed at Thursday’s council meeting, provides exceptions to the fee for:

●Expansion of an existing residential structure that doesn’t create a new dwelling unit

●Remodeling or restoration that doesn’t create a “substantial additional impact” on municipal services

●Any construction already in progress that has received a valid building permit before the ordinance’s effective date.

The ordinance returns to the council at its Oct. 6 meeting for a second reading, at which time it could be voted into law.

________________________________

WHAT WE KNOW

An ordinance establishing a Laurel Hill Fire Public Improvement Trust Fund, benefiting the city’s volunteer fire department, passed on its first reading Sept. 1.

“The funds accumulated…shall be used only for the purpose of capital improvements, including but not limited to, the purchase of real property, buildings or structures, vehicles, fire and safety equipment, computers, software, telecommunications equipment, and other items necessary to provide adequate fire safety prevention and protection services,” the ordinance states. “The fire public safety facilities fee may also be used as matching funds for any grant or funding resources obtained for specific capital improvements for the fire department.”

An ordinance establishing a Laurel Hill Fire Public Improvement Trust Fund, benefiting the city’s volunteer fire department, passed on its first reading Sept. 1.

“The funds accumulated…shall be used only for the purpose of capital improvements, including but not limited to, the purchase of real property, buildings or structures, vehicles, fire and safety equipment, computers, software, telecommunications equipment, and other items necessary to provide adequate fire safety prevention and protection services,” the ordinance states. “The fire public safety facilities fee may also be used as matching funds for any grant or funding resources obtained for specific capital improvements for the fire department.”

FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES FEE

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fee would help fund Laurel Hill fire department

FORT WALTON BEACH, Florida — Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety and Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County are observing September as National Preparedness Month.

The event serves as a reminder to residents of easy ways to keep their families prepared and safe during emergencies.

The departments hope to spread the word about the importance of emergency preparedness.  

“Emergencies can happen at any time, so individuals and families should start planning and preparing now,” stated Alvin Henderson, Director of Public Safety for Okaloosa County. “Stay tuned in the following weeks for specific messages that will help prepare our communities for all types of emergencies.”

 “Preparing and planning for all types of emergencies is important to make sure everyone remains safe and healthy,” stated Katie McDeavitt, Public Health Preparedness section chief for DOH-Okaloosa. “There are simple steps that your family can take to prepare, and this month will be an opportunity to highlight those steps.”

 The overall theme of the month is "Don’t Wait, Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today."

County topics on preparedness for each week of September are:

●Week 1—Family Emergency Communications Plan

●Week 2—Emergency Supply Kit and Pet Plan

●Week 3—Emergency Preparedness and Information Apps

●Week 4—Special Needs Shelter Registry

For details, visit www.co.okaloosa.fl.us or www.healthyokaloosa.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa officials observe National Preparedness Month

CRESTVIEW — City officials have good Labor Day news for municipal employees.

Under the 2016-17 budget, most workers will receive a 3 percent raise starting Oct. 1.

Police officers and firefighters will receive 5 percent salary increases. Full-time city workers who earn less than $25,000 a year will see a 6 percent raise.

Officials said the raises are necessary to attract and retain qualified workers, and were done without increasing ad valorem taxes.

“You try to keep the people you have rather than hire new ones,” City Clerk Betsy Roy said. “It’s a lot less expensive to keep the people you have than train new ones.”

Roy said during the budgeting process, her office presents the city council with various scenarios, including several raise options “or a no-raise scenario,” she said.

“It’s all part of the budget process,” Roy said.

This year, when city councilmen reviewed the budget in depth, they chose to reward city workers with raises, Roy said.

“When we got down to the bottom line in the budget, the money was available,” she said. “It’s their way of rewarding employees. There were a couple years when we couldn’t offer raises.”

“We realize that we have to take care of our employees,” Councilman Shannon Hayes said. “If we have the resources, we want to look after them. They deserve it. And we did it without additional cost to our citizens.”

In the $35 million budget that the City Council approved, $9.5 million will go toward employee salaries, up from nearly $9 million in the 2014-15 budget year.

“We try to look after our employees as well as our citizens,” Hayes said.

The budget will undergo two public hearings, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and 22 at city hall, before going into effect Oct. 1.

Here’s how much of Crestview’s budget was devoted to employee salaries over the past several years:

●2014-15: $8,591,446

●2015-16: $8,988,784*

●2016-17: $9,511,038**

*Includes 5 percent police salary increase; 4 percent for other employees

**Includes 5 percent police and firefighter salary increase; 3 percent for most other employees; 6 percent for full-time employees whose salaries are under $25,000.

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview workers to receive raises in new budget year

LAUREL HILL — The City Council is considering increasing city water rates. It would be the first water rate increase in more than 10 years.

Mayor Robby Adams said that several audits, the most recent being last year, have recommended a modest increase in water rates.

During an Aug. 18 budget workshop, Councilman Travis Dewrell cautioned that the city should remain attractive to new development.

At Thursday night's council meeting, Councilman Scott Moneypenny said it would be beneficial to receive more information before proceeding.

"I like the direction we're going but I believe we need more guidance," he said. "I believe we should actually call in Florida Rural Water, who will come in and do a free assessment of our system and make sure we're on the right track."

Adams said the city’s rates haven’t increased since around 2004 or 2005, but, agreeing with Dewrell, said, “We don’t want to hurt people.”

However, he said, as infrastructure ages, the city’s system will become more expensive to maintain, plus costs have increased.

“It’s getting to the point in our budget where we needed a little extra money on the water side,” Adams said. “Every year insurance goes up and employees would like a raise.

“Things get more expensive year after year, and we have infrastructure that needs to be replaced. It’s been in the ground since the ‘80s.”

Adams's wife, Councilwoman Debra Adams, thought a provision in the ordinance allowing forgiveness of a customer's bill once every 12 months in the case of water line breaks might be excessive.

"I feel real uncomfortable having a readjustment every 12 months," she said. "I think that's too frequent. Somebody's going to have to pay for it."

The council will discuss the proposed ordinance in depth at a as-yet unscheduled workshop, during which the measure might be reworked. First City Clerk Nita Miller will distribute the most recent water evaluation to the council.

BY THE NUMBERS

Following unanimous approval by the Laurel Hill City Council, the city’s water fees will increase effective :

●CURRENT CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $13.50 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $3.75 per thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $18 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $4.25 per thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50

Connection charge*: $500 in city/$600 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $500/ $700 outside

Commercial in city: $1,000/$1,500 outside

●NEW CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $14.50 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $3.75/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.20/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $4.65/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.12/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $5.55/thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $19 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $4.25/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.70/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $5.15/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.60/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $6.05/thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50 homeowner/ $75 renter

Connection charge*: $800 in city/$1,000 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $800/ $1,000 outside

Commercial in city: $1,500/ $2,000 outside

Following unanimous approval by the Laurel Hill City Council, the city’s water fees will increase effective :

●CURRENT CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $13.50 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $3.75 per thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $18 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $4.25 per thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50

Connection charge*: $500 in city/$600 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $500/ $700 outside

Commercial in city: $1,000/$1,500 outside

●NEW CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $14.50 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $3.75/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.20/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $4.65/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.12/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $5.55/thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $19 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $4.25/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.70/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $5.15/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.60/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $6.05/thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50 homeowner/ $75 renter

Connection charge*: $800 in city/$1,000 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $800/ $1,000 outside

Commercial in city: $1,500/ $2,000 outside

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill water rates could increase under proposal

CRESTVIEW — Despite a blizzard of campaign signs — especially near polling places — less than 30 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary elections.

In campaigns particularly pertinent to North Okaloosa County voters, Laurel Hill native Mary Beth Jackson retained her superintendent of schools position.

Crestview Publix manager Tim Bryant was elected to the school board, and Crestview native Graham Fountain won a four-way race Board of County Commissioners’ District 1 chair, but his run isn’t over yet.

LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE

Because Fountain, a former state law officer, faces a last-minute write-in candidate, he’ll return on the November ballot.

“Charles Baugh filed a write-in so we don’t take office ’til November,” Fountain said. “The good thing is the independents and the Democrats who didn’t get to vote for me will get to color the oval then.”

But winning a 47 percent majority over his opponents was an exciting victory, Fountain said.

“I’m tired!” he said. “I thought once you had a good win you’d sleep well, but I was so keyed up I don’t think I got more than an hour’s sleep.

“But I am really humbled that we did so well. I’m looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work and trying to make things better and serve our people.”

‘VERY HUMBLED’

Wednesday morning found Jackson pulling up campaign signs in the summertime heat.

“I am very humbled by the support we received from the voters,” she said. “I am so glad that we chose the path to be very positive in our campaigning.

“It takes a bit to soak in (that I won) while you’re still doing your day job. What was important was getting the message out about how good our district is. Pulling out signs, it’s kind of therapy. But it’s hot out!”

Bryant, too, was getting exercise Wednesday picking up campaign signs.

“It hasn’t all sunk in yet. I think it will shortly, once we start making meetings in the school system,” Bryant said. “I’m just excited that I can go in and hopefully be a positive influence on the school district and use my community ties to get people involved in what’s going on in education.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Bryant said while campaigning at a retirement village he realized that people don’t have to have children in the school system to contribute toward local education.

“They can still be a positive influence on our kids in the classes,” Bryant said. “You think something like being a crossing guard or reading to students is inconsequential, but they’re important. Those things make a big difference.”

While some contests in the recent election featured negative campaign ads, Bryant said he was grateful to his opponent, Dr. Charles Cawthon, for keeping things positive.

“I appreciate my opponent for putting up a well-fought race and I wish him and his family the best,” Bryant said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ELECTION: North Okaloosa candidates reflect on wins

CRESTVIEW — With construction underway on a Hampton Inn, an auto lube business, and a Dave’s Catfish House, Crestview’s Growth Management Department is fielding rumor inquiries — and questions — about new development.

To confirm two, deny one, and wonder about the fourth, here are the projects currently grinding in the rumor mill:

Publix: Store assistant manager Joe Rezepka said the grocery is going through the permitting process with the city before work can begin on its planned Ferdon Boulevard North location.

Crestview Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard said the project’s preliminary plans were approved at the Aug. 3 Technical Review Committee meeting.

“They’re working diligently on the rest of their paperwork,” Gaillard said. “A development that big, there’s a lot of hoops they have to jump through. They have to do their traffic study, and that will affect county roads, state roads and city roads.”

The nearly 7-acre site at Airport Road and Industrial Drive includes a prime corner lot that Gaillard said the supermarket might develop later.

“That kind of site is popular with banks, drug stores — anything that’s fast,” she said.

Waffle House: Gaillard said the waffle eatery’s planned third Crestview location will be situated just north of the Teachers Federal Credit Union on Ferdon Boulevard North.

The site is in county jurisdiction, but “They’re applying for out-of-city services,” Gaillard said.

She had no construction timetable, and an email to Waffle House’s communications department was not answered by press time.

Walmart Neighborhood Market: Rumor has it that the retail giant is considering opening a local branch of its food-only grocery store — what Gaillard called a “mini-Walmart” — across State Road 85 near Richbourg Lane.

But, she said, it’s just that: a rumor.

“That has never been brought before the city,” Gaillard said. “We’ve never seen plans for it, not even courtesy plans. All I know is the rumors that have come up.”

Okaloosa County officials, in whose jurisdiction the project would be built, agree.

“We haven’t received anything about that,” county planner Tim Durbin said.

Walmart’s public relations department did not return a phone call seeking comment on the matter.

Chick-Fil-A: Rumors of a Chick-Fil-A coming to Crestview have circulated for years. The latest gossip has the fast food eatery opening in September 2017 in the Ryan’s Family Steak House location.

Whether it’s true or not, Gaillard won’t say.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss anything that hasn’t come before the city,” she said.

The Crestview Ryan’s manager, Oriental Tyson, said the rumor surprised him and his management team.

“We know absolutely nothing,” Tyson said. “We tried to contact the landlord to see if that was happening but we haven’t heard anything.”

Chick-Fil-A corporate public relations senior consultant Mark Baldwin said it’s not unusual for the chain to take over an existing commercial property as they expand into a new market.

However, Baldwin couldn’t confirm whether the cows who encourage motorists passing Chick-Fil-A billboards to “eat mor chikin” have Crestview in their sights “at this time.”

“At this moment the rumor is unsubstantiated,” Tyson said. “I highly doubt a Chick-Fil-A would come into this spot. We are way too big.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fact check: 4 new Crestview businesses rumored (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — A Main Street lawyer initially denied a permit for a sign promoting one of his properties expressed his frustration in an letter.

Nathan Boyles, a downtown attorney and owner of Main Street Eats, a food court on Main Street’s 100 block, received a denial of his permit application for a sign identifying the business.

Quoting city code, Growth Management planning coordinator and code enforcement supervisor Senida Oglesby said the colorful, retro-style sign wasn’t permitted because it was located off the premises.

“You may resubmit your sign application showing the proposed accessory sign to be located on the premises of the business for which the sign is advertising,” Oglesby stated in her Aug. 24 letter to Boyles.

But, Boyles responded, the sign is on the property. It hangs on a wall he shares with an adjacent building.

“I find it unfortunate that this issue, specifically which property owner of a shared party wall has the right of application of signage thereto, would be an issue that the city would trouble to involve itself in,” Boyles wrote Aug. 29 in response to Oglesby’s letter.

“Indeed, the worst harm that could come from the city choosing not to wade off into such a matter better left to the relations of private parties would be that two entities would utilize the shared wall to advertise both of their onsite premises,” he said. “Apparently, the city views this as an outcome that must be avoided. I view it as an outcome that should be encouraged, especially in a compact business district struggling to survive.

“Perhaps it is for reasons like this, among many others, that the city has earned a reputation for being unfriendly to business.”

After reviewing a copy of Boyles’ agreement with his neighbor, Kathy Ellis, Oglesby permitted the sign.

“In the future, to assure an accurate review of your project, please provide all applicable documentation upon submitting your permit application,” Oglesby stated in a follow-up email.

“This distraction (hopefully) resolved, I will now return to my efforts to make our city, your city, a better and more vibrant place to live,” Boyles’ letter stated.

“I would respectfully suggest that you might find your day more productive if you did the same.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City 'unfriendly to business,' Crestview attorney says

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County is better prepared for disasters with the recent approval of its local hazard mitigation plan.

The plan is a long-term strategy to reduce the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters. It identifies hazards and potential hazards and creates a framework to help community officials make decisions that may ultimately protect lives and property.

Okaloosa County’s Mitigation Plan includes a comprehensive analysis of the county’s and municipalities’ floodplain areas and floodplain management strategies.

The OCMP is approved through the year 2021; however, annual reports are due each year. These annual reports are also used in conjunction with the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, which lowers insurance costs for citizens.

“I commend the effort it takes, especially for our Growth Management Department, as well as other departments and the cities, to proactively support and mitigate these programs,” Okaloosa Commissioner and Chairman Kelly Windes stated in a county media release.

“These two programs greatly complement each other and benefit all Okaloosa County citizens.”

History shows that the physical, financial and emotional losses caused by disasters can be reduced significantly through hazard mitigation planning. The planning process encourages communities to integrate mitigation with day-to-day decision making regarding land-use planning, floodplain management, site design and other activities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reviews and approves state, tribal and local hazard mitigation plans, which are required as a condition for states and communities to receive certain types of disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. State, local and tribal mitigation plans must be approved at least once every five years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa has mitigation plan for disaster preparedness