CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council will meet 6 p.m. June 27 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Open Workshop

4. Public Opportunity on Council propositions

5. PAWS

6. Presentation of new Website

7. Out of City Utility Services

8. Comments from the Audience

9. Adjournment

Those not listed on the regular agenda who wish to address the council should fill out a yellow card.

The Card must be submitted to the City Clerk. Speaking time should be three minutes or less, large groups may designate a spokesperson.

All remarks should be addressed to the Council as a whole and not to individual members. All meeting procedures are outlined in the Meeting

Rules and Procedures brochure available outside the Chambers.

If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

The City Council of the City of Crestview, Florida does not discriminate upon the basis of any individual’s disability status.

Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the American With Disabilities Act to insure access to and participation in the meeting should contact the Office of the City Clerk at (850)682-1560 prior to the meeting to make appropriate arrangements.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council agenda: June 27 workshop

PANAMA CITY — Bay County Commissioner and Panama City businessman George Gainer has been elected to the Florida Senate, representing District 2.

In a testament to his broad support, Commissioner Gainer was the only candidate to file for the Northwest Florida Senate seat when state qualifying ended at noon Eastern Friday.

“I am humbled and honored to have been elected without drawing another candidate to run against me,” Gainer said. “From the first day I announced my candidacy, I have worked to visit with as many voters as possible throughout the district. They have my pledge that my door is always open to them and I will do my absolute best to serve them with honor in Tallahassee.”

Commissioner Gainer will be sworn into office in November. He will continue to serve on the Bay County Commission until Nov. 8.

Gainer is a lifelong resident of Northwest Florida. He was born in Jackson County, lived as a youth in Washington and Bay counties and raised his family and started his business in Panama City. George and his wife Jan have six children and 12 grandchildren.

The District 2 seat is currently held by Senator Don Gaetz, who is leaving because of term limits.

“I look forward to working with Senator Gaetz to provide a smooth transition for the residents of Northwest Florida,” Gainer said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: George Gainer elected to Florida Senate

SHALIMAR — Area residents may register for a new weather alert program that is replacing the current Code Red Weather Warnings System July 1.

The new system, Alert Okaloosa, uses a program called Everbridge and will be enacted July 1. Current Code Red users will have to reregister for it at https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736724689#/signup.

All residents who wish to be notified for tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings may add their contact information. They may also set notification times.

Alert Okaloosa will only alert the areas impacted by an emergency or weather warning and works on TDD/TTY phones for the hearing impaired.

Residents who don't have Internet access may contact Okaloosa County Public Safety at 651-7150 for assistance.

For more information, go to http://www.okaloosafl.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Alert Okaloosa weather program replaces Code Red system

CRESTVIEW — These candidates qualified for 2016 general and special elections, according to the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections office.

Here are the special district candidates for North Okaloosa County:

●Almarante Fire District Group 2: Paul Dodds, Laurel Hill

●Almarante FD Group 4: Dorothy Roberts, Laurel Hill.

●Almarante Fire District Group 5: Mike Hanula, Laurel Hill

●Dorcas Fire District Group 2: Deborah Wimer-Zills, Crestview.

●Dorcas Fire District Group 3: Gary Cannon, Crestview.

●Dorcas Fire District Group 4: Edward Alford, Crestview.

●Holt Fire District Group 2: Chris Palm, Holt.

●Holt Fire District Group 3: Roger Myers, Holt.

●North Okaloosa Fire District Group 1: Todd McGirr, Crestview.

●North Okaloosa Fire District Group 3: W.G. Terrell, Crestview.

●North Okaloosa Fire District Group 5: Rollin Rathbun and Gene Wright, both of Crestview.

●Yellow River Soil & Water Group 3: David Clark, Crestview.

Here are the 2016 primary candidates for North Okaloosa County voters:

●Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller: J.D. Peacock, Republican, Shalimar.

●Sheriff: Larry Ashley, Republican, Shalimar; and Brian Cokonougher, Republican, Fort Walton Beach.

●Property Appraiser:  John Holguin, Republican, Fort Walton Beach; Mack Busbee, Republican, Fort Walton Beach; and Janet Fugate, Republican, Baker.

●Tax Collector: Ben Anderson, Republican, Shalimar.

●Superintendent of Schools: Mary Beth Jackson, Republican, Baker; and Marline Van Dyke, Republican, Niceville.

●Supervisor of Elections: Paul Lux, Republican, Crestview.

●Board of County Commission, District 1: Thomas Cannon, Republican; Graham Fountain, Republican; James Walker, Republican; and Charles Baugh, write-in, all of Crestview.

●Board of County Commission, District 3: Nathan Boyles, Republican, Holt.

●Board of County Commission, District 5: Kelly Windes, Republican, Destin.

●County Court Judge Group 1: Jim Ward, Crestview, unopposed.

●County Court Judge Group 2: Patt Maney, Shalimar, unopposed.

●School Board, District 2: Mark Williams and Dewey E. Destin, both of Destin.

●School Board, District 4: Charles Cawthon and Tim Bryant, both Crestview.

—

Click here for lists of qualified candidates in all Okaloosa elections>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa elections office compiling list of qualifying candidates

SHALIMAR — The June 1 online tax certificate sale has produced millions of dollars for the Okaloosa County taxing authorities.

The 2015 tax roll was set at $216 million; collection began in November and recently concluded with the sale.

This year’s tax certificate sale produced $5,042,583.77 in revenue from the sale of 3,166 tax certificates. According to Tax Administrator Justin Gordon, nearly $209 million in 2015 real estate and tangible personal property taxes have been collected and distributed to date.

Gordon said, “Tax payers also saved $7,449,108.42 by taking advantage of early payment discounts.”

Anderson credits the success of the sale to workshops held throughout the county in May. “The workshops educated both property owners and investment bidders, and as a result, 680 certificates were awarded to local bidders at an average rate of 6.37 percent.

“The success of the online tax certificate sale platform is a testament to our efforts to more efficiently collect taxes on behalf of our citizens."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Tax Collector's office releases certificate sales results

FORT WALTON BEACH  — The Okaloosa Republican Party will have a grand opening of its election headquarters, and a debate for Republican candidates to the House of Representatives.

The opening is 4-5:30 p.m. June 30 at 38 Miracle Strip Parkway SW. Email ocrec.chair@cox.net or call 609-4401 to RSVP your attendance.

Campaign materials for local and state Republican candidates will be available.

Election headquarters hours starting July 5 are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, and 3-6 p.m. Thursdays. The phone number is 609-4401.

The party is presenting a series of debates across District One to find a replacement for Congressman Jeff Miller, who is retiring.

The Okaloosa debate is 6:30 p.m. June 30 in Building 400 of Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. It is free and open to the public.

Robert Blake, Rebeka Johansen Bydlak, Chris Dosev, Greg Evers,  Gary Fairchild, Brian Frazier, Matt Gaetz, John Mills, Mark Wishern and James Zumwalt  are seeking the Representative seat, and attendees may meet and talk with candidates at the event. 

For information, contact Martin Simmons, 572-0260 or martin@apprisevideo.com; or Gaye Ellis, Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee chair, 609-4401 or ocrec.chair@cox.net.

An earlier version of this article stated that nine candidates will participate in the debate. We've updated the article to include the 10th candidate, Brian Frazier.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Republicans schedule grand opening, Representative debate

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency will meet 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 at city hall, 198 Wilson St. N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to Order – quick updates.

2. Matt Petro — retail strategies presentation

●Board consideration for near future services — no board action required.

3. Lunch

4. April Meier — dog park presentation.

●Board consensus needed to proceed with fund raising and plans — board action required.

5. Administrative/management contract.

●Board approval and signature — board action required.

5. Adjournment. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency agenda: June 24

CRESTVIEW — Keyon Hudson, 7, wants to read a book about football. Crystal Dougherty, also 7, likes chapter books. And her sister, Lexi, 5, wants to look at books about dinosaurs.

School’s out and the library’s in as a number of students participate in its summer reading program.

Crestview Public Library Director Marie Heath said she and her staff expect even more than last year’s record 2,300 participants for this year’s reading challenge, called “On Your Mark, Get Set…Read!”

That will make many teachers—and parents—happy, she said, because the program, geared for ages 6-14, combats the “summer slide.”

SUMMER SLIDE

“Basically, kids are out of school for several months and they lose their reading skills because they're not keeping up with their reading,” Heath said. “A few months’ loss compounds over the years.”

Unchecked summer slide losses can be as high as two years of achievement throughout a child’s elementary and middle school years, she said.

The Crestview library’s program is structured to “not necessarily tell them what to read, but let them pick what interests them,” Heath said during a recent report to the City Council.

And with thousands of books for readers of all ages, Keyon, his brother Jeremiah, 6, Crystal and Lexi should have no trouble accumulating “funny money” for every day they read at least 20 minutes.

At the end of the challenge on July 26, young readers can buy rewards with their earnings at the library’s Funny Money Store.

TIGHT AND CROWDED

With more than 21,000 current card holders, including 602 added just in the first quarter of 2016, “it’s getting tight and crowded” at the library, Heath said.

Among those new members is Barbara McClintock, who recently moved to Crestview from Illinois.

“I love this library,” she said. “I’m a library person since way back when. They have a wonderful library here.”

“I know we can use another library,” City Councilman Shannon Hayes said, bringing up a topic of recent discussion about the need for a branch Crestview library, possibly in the south or central parts of town.

“We’re well known in the county (library) co-op for the job we do in Crestview,” Hayes said. “We’re going to have to start thinking about expanding our library to meet the needs of our customers — and there’s going to be more numbers.”

_______________________

BY THE NUMBERS

●32,510: Number of patrons visiting the Crestview Public Library

●21,000: current members

●602: new memberships

●61,051: physical media for check-out or on-site browsing

●4,403: e-books and e-audio books (the number will rise as the library added a new e-book lending service)

●41,291: physical media circulated

●1,700: e-books and e-audio books circulated

●1,517: new materials added to collection

●1,391: outdated materials withdrawn

●31: youth programs presented

●1,806: youth program attendees

●23: adult programs

●214: adult program attendees

●4,759: public computer use sessions

●2,300: Participants in last year’s summer youth reading program

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET…READ!

Readers between ages 6 and 14 can earn a dollar in “funny money” for each day through July 20 that they read 20 minutes or more during the Crestview Public Library’s summer reading challenge. Logs are at the library or cityofcrestview.org/library.php. Readers can buy items in the library’s Funny Money Store on July 26 at the Crestview Community Center. Call youth services librarian Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, for more information.

●32,510: Number of patrons visiting the Crestview Public Library

●21,000: current members

●602: new memberships

●61,051: physical media for check-out or on-site browsing

●4,403: e-books and e-audio books (the number will rise as the library added a new e-book lending service)

●41,291: physical media circulated

●1,700: e-books and e-audio books circulated

●1,517: new materials added to collection

●1,391: outdated materials withdrawn

●31: youth programs presented

●1,806: youth program attendees

●23: adult programs

●214: adult program attendees

●4,759: public computer use sessions

●2,300: Participants in last year’s summer youth reading program

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET…READ!

Readers between ages 6 and 14 can earn a dollar in “funny money” for each day through July 20 that they read 20 minutes or more during the Crestview Public Library’s summer reading challenge. Logs are at the library or cityofcrestview.org/library.php. Readers can buy items in the library’s Funny Money Store on July 26 at the Crestview Community Center. Call youth services librarian Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, for more information.

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library use on the rise (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Crestview Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard, right, describes 20-year city employee Marsha Johns as, “an expert in getting us out of a jam.” Gaillard praised Johns, the department’s executive administrative assistant, for her can-do attitude.

“She’s always positive. She is always in good spirits,” Gaillard said. “She doesn’t really have a down day.”

Mayor David Cadle, left, in recognizing Johns’ 20 years of service to the city, said he often relies on her assistance. “She’s always ready to step in,” Cadle said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Hall's 'expert in getting out of a jam'

CRESTVIEW — The revolving county courthouse once more spun back to front Main Street following the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners reaffirmation of county staffers' recommended orientation.

The 3-2 vote followed nearly an hour and a half of often impassioned public comment during a special meeting of the board Monday night

The meeting was called to reopen discussion on the matter.

At a May meeting, the board originally voted to rotate the new courthouse clockwise off its present footprint to face Main Street's north leg.

As planned by Crestview’s early city planners, the courthouse currently has a southeasterly orientation, overlooking down Main Street toward the railroad tracks.

PUBLIC INPUT

Following outcry that the decision was made without adequate public input—concerns then shared by the Crestview City Council—the board revisited the issue.

At a special May 26 meeting of the city council, Okaloosa County Commissioner Nathan Boyles and county Public Works Director presented a detailed explanation of the process leading to the new courthouse orientation. Following the meeting, the City Council supported the decision.

On June 7, led by south Okaloosa County Commissioner Trey Goodwin, the board agreed in a 3-2 vote to reconsider its original decision. Both of North Okaloosa County's commissioners, Wayne Harris and Boyles, voted against the motion, expressing fears it would delay the project.

At Monday's meeting, County Public Works Director Jason Autrey again made a presentation in the council chamber on the reasons behind the recommended orientation.

Autrey said if the board adopted "plan A," which oriented the new courthouse in the same direction as the currently vacant courthouse, it could cost the county as much as $25,000 a week during a five- to six-week delay to revise site engineering plans.

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

Moving Monday evening to adopt "plan B" — the north Main Street jog-facing orientation — Harris noted, "We hire excellent people to give us a good advice.

"Our job is not aesthetics. Our fiduciary responsibility is the save the taxpayers of Okaloosa County money."

"No matter how we vote, some people are going to be upset," Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel said before she and Goodwin cast the nay votes.

"No matter which plan we choose, we will have a beautiful building in downtown Crestview," Ketchel said. "Either way I'm proud to be a part of this and I'm proud to support it."

_________________

FOR AND AGAINST

An overflow crowd attended Monday evening's special meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners, with residents outside the Crestview City Council chamber listening to proceedings on a speaker run out into the hallway.

Residents spoke passionately in favor of either of two plans. "Plan A" orients the courthouse as it currently is, with its entrance more or less facing down Main Street.

"Plan B," which county commissioners approved, rotates the new building clockwise to face the north Main Street jog.

Plan A Proponents

"Just because it can be reoriented positionally does not mean it should be, because we need the tradition and roots we can show our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We do not need to be able to say, 'We saved money by changing it.'" Dr. Eugene Strickland

"In my estimation, the county seat should be a showplace. For people to drive up Main Street and seeing the side of the building is giving the county seat a cold shoulder. The curb appeal to me is showing the facade of that building." The Rev. Mark Broadhead

"The county seat should be the showplace of Okaloosa County. Let's help our businesses. Keep it as close to the present as possible." James Broxson

"When we drive up Main Street and we look at that (Okaloosa County Veterans) memorial, the columns of the courthouse should be in the background. That piece of granite is not just a rock. It has meaning, just like the flag." Mickey Rytman

"We talked it being something of beauty as people come into down. If Plan A is used, then you have the visibility as you come all the way up Main Street. you can get the whole view and beauty." former Mayor Jerry Milligan

"The grandfathers and fathers and sons of Okaloosa County who paid the ultimate price for our freedom deserve the honor and respect of the courthouse in facing their memorial." Ann Spann

Plan B Proponents

"I don't care which way it faces. We've already crossed the finish line. Pat yourself on the back and please, please don't open this up any more. The building was perfect as it was planned." John Whitley

"I think we're on the right track and we just need to make a decision to move forward." David Colón

"A larger majority of people in Okaloosa County want plan B. If plan A goes into effect, I will actively work to get most of you out of office." John Marshall

"You have made a wonderful decision to build in Crestview. Welcome to the 21st century. It needs to happen and it needs to happen very quickly, the sooner the better." Sharon Adams

"You've gone to a tremendous cost to have professionals tell you what to do. The more time you spend on it is lost money." Mark Todd

"I think we have a great idea with plan B. Let's go forward and get a courthouse built. I came here because I saw potential, but potential is a fleeting thing." Alex Fortier

"The fact remains the contract has been signed and the decision has been made. If the vote is undone, it's going to cost the taxpayers more money." Sandra Adkinson

Neither plan

"Let's put it on the north end of Crestview by the post office where it's supposed to go. This will generate more parking area downtown that we need." Landrum Edwards

An overflow crowd attended Monday evening's special meeting of the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners, with residents outside the Crestview City Council chamber listening to proceedings on a speaker run out into the hallway.

Residents spoke passionately in favor of either of two plans. "Plan A" orients the courthouse as it currently is, with its entrance more or less facing down Main Street.

"Plan B," which county commissioners approved, rotates the new building clockwise to face the north Main Street jog.

Plan A Proponents

"Just because it can be reoriented positionally does not mean it should be, because we need the tradition and roots we can show our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We do not need to be able to say, 'We saved money by changing it.'" Dr. Eugene Strickland

"In my estimation, the county seat should be a showplace. For people to drive up Main Street and seeing the side of the building is giving the county seat a cold shoulder. The curb appeal to me is showing the facade of that building." The Rev. Mark Broadhead

"The county seat should be the showplace of Okaloosa County. Let's help our businesses. Keep it as close to the present as possible." James Broxson

"When we drive up Main Street and we look at that (Okaloosa County Veterans) memorial, the columns of the courthouse should be in the background. That piece of granite is not just a rock. It has meaning, just like the flag." Mickey Rytman

"We talked it being something of beauty as people come into down. If Plan A is used, then you have the visibility as you come all the way up Main Street. you can get the whole view and beauty." former Mayor Jerry Milligan

"The grandfathers and fathers and sons of Okaloosa County who paid the ultimate price for our freedom deserve the honor and respect of the courthouse in facing their memorial." Ann Spann

Plan B Proponents

"I don't care which way it faces. We've already crossed the finish line. Pat yourself on the back and please, please don't open this up any more. The building was perfect as it was planned." John Whitley

"I think we're on the right track and we just need to make a decision to move forward." David Colón

"A larger majority of people in Okaloosa County want plan B. If plan A goes into effect, I will actively work to get most of you out of office." John Marshall

"You have made a wonderful decision to build in Crestview. Welcome to the 21st century. It needs to happen and it needs to happen very quickly, the sooner the better." Sharon Adams

"You've gone to a tremendous cost to have professionals tell you what to do. The more time you spend on it is lost money." Mark Todd

"I think we have a great idea with plan B. Let's go forward and get a courthouse built. I came here because I saw potential, but potential is a fleeting thing." Alex Fortier

"The fact remains the contract has been signed and the decision has been made. If the vote is undone, it's going to cost the taxpayers more money." Sandra Adkinson

Neither plan

"Let's put it on the north end of Crestview by the post office where it's supposed to go. This will generate more parking area downtown that we need." Landrum Edwards

FOR AND AGAINST

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County commission OKs Crestview courthouse orientation