CRESTVIEW — When the City Council meets for its second May meeting, it will actually be meeting in a public workshop setting.

The council unanimously approved turning each second monthly meeting into a workshop. The change, made by resolution, is effective immediately.

City Clerk Betsy Roy said if a regular second business meeting becomes necessary, the workshop can be easily turned back into a regular meeting with 24 hours' advance notice.

"If the need arises we can call a special meeting at 5:30 and the workshop would begin at 6," she said.

Roy had previously introduced the proposal but the council took no action at that time. The need has since become greater, she said.

"It has come back because it's getting harder and harder to schedule workshops," Roy said, due to council members' sometimes conflicting schedules.

Currently the council meets in a business meeting format on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. But the need for more workshops has become evident, Roy said.

"It's the budget season and we're going to need a lot of workshops," she said. "Business can take place on the first meeting, we can have a workshop on the second meeting, and then we can discuss it again at the next meeting."

"I like the idea because it does give us a lot of time to discuss things in a workshop," Councilman J.B. Whitten said.

However, given Monday night's council meeting's 213-page support documentation, "If we go to one meeting a month we could conceivably have 500 pages to review," Whitten said.

"If we want to have a regular meeting, all we have to do is change it to a business meeting instead of a workshop and advertise it 24 hours in advance," Roy said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Second Crestview monthly meeting will become workshop

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council will meet 6 p.m. May 9 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation / Pledge of Allegiance

Pastor Dale Walters – Joy Fellowship

3. Open Policy making and legislative session

4. Special Presentations

5. Approval of Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the April 11, 2016 Council Meeting

6. Public Hearings:

a. Ordinance 1600 – Changes to Waste Pro Franchise

b. Ordinance 1601 – Changes to Water and Sewer Rates

c. Ordinance 1602 – Changes to Water Tap Fees.

7. Public Opportunity on Council propositions

8. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of invoice from Ben Holley for legal Services

b. Acceptance of Asphalt Overlay Bid – Public services

c. Approval of Manning Document position change – Public Services

d. Approval of Ard, Shirley and Rudolph invoice in the amount of $263.66

e. Approval of Site Construction Plans for Hub City Ford Expansion

9. Resolutions

a. Resolution 16-12 – Council Rules and Regulations

b. Resolution 16-11 – Out of City Services

10. Committee Reports

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council agenda: May 9

CRESTVIEW — Residents hoping for a Crestview bypass and a second Interstate 10 intersection might get their wishes, county officials said.

Though either road project, if approved at all, wouldn’t happen for many more years, state highway officials have taken notice of the city’s traffic dilemma and have asked the county for suggestions to take traffic off State Road 85.

In conjunction with an I-10 interchange at Antioch Road, the Florida Department of Transportation wants to know what the county’s plans are for the bypass system, Okaloosa County Public Works Director Jason Autrey said.

WEST BYPASS STUDY

The county plans to “look at alternative alignment on the west to complete the Crestview west bypass,” Autrey said during a recent briefing for the Crestview City Council.

The bypass comprises a loop from S.R. 85, south of Interstate 10, to U.S. Highway 90, and back to S.R. 85 north of downtown. The county agreed to fund a $750,000 match with $750,000 of state money to study the northwestern portion of the loop.

“For simplicity’s sake, we are looking at what Old Bethel Road does,” Autrey said. “Please do not take that to mean we are only looking at four-laning Old Bethel Road.”

Autrey said while following Old Bethel “will be an option,” issues such as right-of-way acquisition and residential development could move a bypass to another route.

County Engineer Scott Bitterman said the county is “confident funding is not going to fall through” for the study.

“That will complete the loop,” Autrey said. “That will help the DOT move forward with their installation of an interchange at I-10 and P.J. Adams Parkway.”

P.J. ADAMS-ANTIOCH

Meanwhile, the P.J. Adams/Antioch Road widening project is moving forward, with the first two phases — State Road 85 to Ashley Drive — fully funded, and phases 3 and 4 design work funded, Bitterman said.

The last two phases include widening the corridor to four lanes from S.R. 85 to Interstate 10.

Construction on the first two phases will begin in the summer of 2017, Bitterman said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview west bypass could enter serious study phase

LAUREL HILL — The City Council has voted 3-2 to continue gathering information on possibly dissolving the city.

“We’ll continue gathering the facts so they could present them to the citizens,” Mayor Robby Adams said. “(Okaloosa County Administrator) John Hofstad will come up and speak to us in a workshop in the near future.”

Councilmen Travis Dewrell and Scott Moneypenny cast the dissenting votes on Thursday. Dewrell has stated that he refuses to participate in “closing the city down” and wants to focus his efforts on improving Laurel Hill.

In other business, the council selected R.A. Rhodes Remodeling and Roofing of Crestview to put a new roof on city hall and the city’s maintenance shop for $28,960.

Bids ranging from $35,250 to $43,380 were received from several other Crestview contractors, Adams said.

The council also selected a Laurel Hill School student recipient for its annual scholarship. The recipient will be announced at the school’s May 31 awards day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A CITY NO MORE? Laurel Hill to continue dissolution discussion

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Office states in a media release that two people currently in office have qualified as Okaloosa judge candidates for the 2016 primary.

Jim Ward of Crestview qualified on May 5 as a Group 1 court judge candidate; and on May 3, Patt Maney of Shalimar qualified as a Group 2 court judge candidate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two Northwest Florida residents have qualified as Okaloosa judge candidates

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Public Works officials give an update on P.J. Adams Parkway expansion to the Crestview City Council recently and, more tantalizingly, a possible Interstate 10 interchange with Antioch Road.

Public Works Director Jason Autrey and county engineer Scott Bitterman addressed the council on April 25 at the request of City Clerk Betsy Roy.

Here’s video.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VIDEO: Okaloosa County Public Works officials give an update on P.J. Adams Parkway

When an Okaloosa Property owner becomes delinquent on his property taxes, the government doesn’t step in and seize the land. But a neighbor might.

CRESTVIEW — For some of the estimated 3,500 to 4,000 Okaloosa County property owners who still owe their real estate taxes, help may come in the form of a neighbor who essentially pays the bill by buying a tax certificate.

The catch is, unless the property owner pays his bill within two years, that helpful neighbor can apply for a tax deed on the property and could conceivably obtain the land, or at least profit from its sale.

But that scenario is unlikely, Okaloosa County tax administrator Justin Gordon said.

“It’s not a great way to obtain property,” Gordon said. “It’s more of an investment opportunity, like an interest return on an investment. The majority of time the person who buys a certificate does not obtain property.”

HELPING NEIGHBORS

“It’s neighbors paying their neighbors’ unpaid taxes at an extra rate that they want to receive,” Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson said.

Investors bid to buy tax certificates on unpaid property taxes, with the certificates going to the bidder who offers the lowest interest rate.

“It’s like a reserve auction that begins at 18 percent and can go all the way down to zero, but the average is 2.5 percent,” Anderson said.

“There’s a benefit in knowing the property owner in that it drives down the interest,” Gordon said. “The tax certificate gives the owner a little bit of time to get caught up on his taxes.”

But those helpful bidders aren’t always kindly neighbors giving a boost to the down-on-his-luck fellow next door. Florida has America’s most fertile tax certificate shopping grounds, Gordon said.

TAX CERTIFICATE HOTBED

“Florida is like the hotbed for tax certificate sales in the country,” he said. “The rules are some of the best around the country. Investment firms do it. That’s what people typically buy instead of a bond or a CD.”

But cash-squeezed local residents may be assured small tax amounts are not very attractive to big-time certificate investors, Gordon said. They’re after larger delinquencies for their portfolios, such as the $240,000 owed last year by an Okaloosa Island hotel owner.

“There’s a lot of competition on these certificates,” Gordon said, as opposed to small amounts. Last year some back taxes owed were as little as $30. The average is about $1,000, he said.

THE PAYOFF

For certificate tax holders, the payoff comes when the property owner, such as the guy who owned the hotel, pays off his tax debt, which can accumulate to include the taxes, interest due the county, interest due the certificate holder, penalties and expenses such as advertising the certificate sale on the property.

If the delinquent taxes aren’t forthcoming, after two years, the certificate holder can give the process a gentle nudge by applying for a tax deed, which the investor can use to force a sale of the property.

“The certificate owner uses the tax deed application method to try to get their investment back,” Gordon said. “That’s when the window of opportunity opens for that certificate owner to try to take that property to sell.”

But rarely does the property go on the market.

“Having that ability after two years during which their certificate has not been redeemed, that’s one way of trying to get their money out of it,” Gordon said. “Most of the time when that sale is pending, someone steps up and pays.”

But if they don’t, the deed can be sold at public auction, and the certificate holder can recoup some if not all of his investment.

If after seven years the certificate holder doesn’t apply for a tax deed, and the property owner still hasn’t paid delinquent taxes, the certificate expires and the investor is out his investment.

Okaloosa County, however, still receives its taxes due on the property.

FINANCING GOVERNMENT

The tax certificate program is mandated by the state Legislature, Anderson said, and is a means to assure local taxing authorities receive their budgeted funding.

“Property taxes are the local tax that helps the government operate,” he said. “It provides the services to the citizens of their tax jurisdiction. Our job is to collect the tax to provide the funds to the taxing authorities in order to provide the services expected by the taxpayers.”

In 2014, Anderson’s office issued tax bills for about $207 million and collected it all but $16,000. Tax certificate sales covered that balance.

“The good side of that is all the local governments continued to operate and provide services,” Anderson said. “For those who can’t pay in a timely manner, others step in and make sure we receive the funds for governments to operate.”

In 2013, Okaloosa County was the state’s only county to collect 100 percent of its taxes. This year, Gordon said, about 3,500 to 4,000 properties will wind up on the tax certificate sale list down from 4,300 last year.

“People can pay off their tax and be removed from that list between now and June 1,” Gordon said. “We’re looking at taking less this year, so that means people have been paying their taxes.”

Real estate taxes become delinquent if not paid before April 1. Beginning on or before June 1, the Okaloosa County Tax Collector is required by law to hold a tax certificate sale. The certificates represent liens on all unpaid real estate properties. The sale allows citizens to buy certificates by paying off the owed tax debt.

A tax certificate, when purchased, becomes an enforceable first lien against the real estate. The certificate holder is actually paying the taxes for a property owner in exchange for a return on his investment.

In order to remove the lien, the property owner must pay the tax collector all delinquent taxes plus accrued interest, penalties and advertising fees. The tax collector then notifies the certificate holder of any certificates redeemed and a refund check is issued to the certificate holder.

A tax certificate is valid for seven years. The holder may apply for a tax deed after two years. If the property owner fails to pay the tax debt, the property tax deed is sold at public auction.

Source: Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office

TAX CERTIFICATE WORKSHOPS, DEADLINES

Investors interested in buying tax certificates — or just helping a neighbor whose taxes are delinquent — can attend one of these public workshops to learn more about bidding on certificates.

●May 12, 6 p.m., 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar

●May 17, 6 p.m., 701 John Sims Parkway, Niceville

●May 19, 6 p.m., Crestview, Brackin Building, 302 North Wilson St., Suite 101

●May 24, 6 p.m., 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Suite 101, Shalimar

Tax Certificate Bidding

Online bidding is at www.bidokaloosa.com

Opens: May 11

Closes: 8 a.m. June 1: winners determined within seconds from online bids received.

WHAT ARE TAX CERTIFICATES?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa tax certificate sales help residents in a bind, make good investments

NICEVILLE — All registered Democrats living in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton or Holmes counties are encouraged to participate in a Democratic Party vote May 7.

The votes are to decide on delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to represent either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. Petitions will also be completed for two Democratic District 1 candidates for Congress.

 Show your support for the party's Democratic volunteers, and enjoy refreshments.

The voting session is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at the Niceville City Chamber, 208 N. Partin St.,  Niceville.

For more information, contact John Whitley, 240-7751.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida delegate voting set May 7 for Democratic National Convention

CRESTVIEW — Citing what Councilman Doug Faircloth called "our own Frankenstein," the City Council unanimously agreed to look into how out-of-city utility service requests are handled.

Public Works Director Wayne Steele said there are many county neighborhoods adjacent to Crestview that are served by the city's utilities.

Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard requested a workshop to address concerns surrounding the procedure.

Currently, county residents whose homes are in neighborhoods served by Crestview water and sewer service who desire to be hooked up to the utilities may petition for the service.

In addition to paying fees to tap into the line and paying a higher usage fee as a non-city resident, county customers must also agree to have their property annexed into the city if their land is contiguous to the city or becomes contiguous in the future.

However, the agreement is only between the resident requesting the service. If the resident sells his land, the buyer is not bound by the agreement with the previous owner, Gaillard said, which has caused problems when the city tries to annex property years after the original service was connected.

Faircloth was incredulous when Gaillard said the city's annexation fee is $5,000.

"Did you just tell us that we're going to ask these people for $5,000 just to collect ad valorem taxes?" he asked.

Gaillard explained annexation involves many expenses, including changing the city's comprehensive plan, consultant fees to change the plan and file a state report, application fees to rezone the land from county to city, and multiple $500 newspaper ads to publicly advertise the changes.

"Well, it looks to me like we have created our own Frankenstein," Faircloth said.

Steele suggested dropping the annexation requirement and just charging out-of-town fees to simplify the matter.

The council unanimously approved any legal fees needed to research the matter and agreed to hold a workshop at an as-yet unannounced date to review the recommendations.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview to consider changes to out-of-city service requirements

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Division of Emergency Management is developing a statewide emergency alert system called AlertFlorida. The initiative is to provide statewide emergency alert and notification services to all Florida residents, businesses and visitors.

AlertFlorida is "a standardized system to communicate critical emergency information to every resident, business and visitor in Florida,” FDEM Director Bryan Koon said.

Services are currently being implemented in several counties during an initial phase, with additional deployment phases continuing throughout 2016.

Each participating jurisdiction will be able to customize the categories of alerts available in their community through a local opt-in portal.  The system also provides automated notifications of flash floods, tornadoes, and other watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

Users will select their preferred language and methods for receiving alerts, including SMS text messaging, e-mail, voice calls, TDD/TTY messaging, and mobile device apps for AndroidTM, Apple, and Windows mobile devices. The system will also post alerts to social media channels and will interface directly with existing broadcast-based alerting systems.

Jaimie Ellertson, CEO of Everbridge, the company creating the system, said, “The state of Florida continues to demonstrate strong leadership in emergency management, and this statewide critical communications program will improve Florida’s overall preparedness and resiliency during severe weather disasters and manmade emergencies.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida emergency management division plans statewide emergency alert system