CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency board has unanimously approved a residential façade-improvement grant program for the district.

The board approved implementing the program since the CRA district encompasses more than the Main Street and historic districts.

Board member Tom Gordon moved to approve spending up to $50,000 of CRA money in the 2014-15 fiscal year to provide approved applicants with $5,000 grants.

The residential grants, like their commercial counterparts, would require a 50 percent match. They would not apply to rental units, which are considered commercial properties, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

Since there had been no provisions for improving the CRA district’s residential areas, board member Robyn Helt said, “this policy was brought about to address that deficiency,”

“One thing this will do is see if there is any interest by the residents who live in the CRA,” Roy said. “It will show us if there is any interest to improve residential properties in the CRA district.”

The city awaits state approval to add residential zoning to the downtown historic district. It would allow the establishment of residential units over businesses and permit construction of new downtown residences.

Main Street Crestview Association member Cal Zethmayr lauded the façade improvement program, the benefits of which he has seen in other Florida communities’ CRA districts.

“This is a good project to take on that other CRAs in other areas have successfully done,” Zethmayr said.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residential façade improvement grants OK'd for CRA district

CRESTVIEW — Two candidates are challenging an incumbent for the District 4 Okaloosa County commissioner seat.

Now, they share their backgrounds and platforms with the News Bulletin.

DON AMUNDS (incumbent)

Personal: Wife, Joanna; two sons, Scott and Robbie. Worship at Navarre United Methodist Church; board member for Children in Crisis, Honorary Commander at the 33rd, Eglin Air Force Base; Air Force Enlisted Village, Horizons, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida, All Sports Association, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, American Heart Association, United Way, YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, Gum Creek Lodge in Baker.

Relevant experience: Certified county commissioner by the Florida Association of Counties including area of HR, budgeting, growth management and ethics. Worked in county law enforcement for 18 years, development and rental properties management.

Other education/experience: B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from Troy University; served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army; and Emergency Management Certification classes.  

Reason you seek this position:"I am service oriented and helping people is something I really enjoy. Being a commissioner allows me to help people in ways I could not otherwise do.

"I am fiscally conservative and I believe we need to have good quality of life and an affordable life. I have always voted no on new taxes and have worked to keep Okaloosa with one of the lowest millage rates and lowest debt ratios in the state.

"I am a problem solver and I want to be accessible. I believe in the common sense approach and working locally with the people of Okaloosa County.

Biggest issues: Infrastructure, storm water and job creation.

"We need to work on our major roadways, especially the P.J. Adams Parkway four lane, roads in the north end of the county that keep washing out during heavy rains and we need to work on ways to stabilize them from eroding and pave more roads.

"Storm water piping needs replacing under numerous subdivisions. We need to create jobs that diversify our area. We are very dependent on the military and tourism.

"I’ve worked to bring approximately 1,000 jobs into the area and we need to keep working to attract new industries to our area."

TREY GOODWIN

Personal: Wife, Krystle, a Shalimar Elementary School teacher. Two children, Alexia (4) and Robert (1). Shalimar United Methodist Church members.

Relevant experience: "I am an attorney focusing in the areas of real estate, construction, and probate law. Previously, I was a project manager for a large multi-state construction company.

"I also served as a city council member for Fort Walton Beach, and am a past member of the Okaloosa County (Economic Development Council)'s Business Leadership Council." 

Other education/experience: Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida; Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law. 

Reason you seek this position: "I want to be the next District 4 county commissioner to restore accountability to the District 4 seat, and the serve the people of Okaloosa County with integrity and fair dealing.

"I will be a common sense advocate for the taxpayers, making sure their hard earned tax dollars are wisely invested in our community." 

Biggest issues: "One of the primary issues facing Okaloosa County will be how the county uses BP dollars. My goal is to make sure those dollars are not squandered or wasted.

"Instead, I propose to use those funds to implement long term infrastructure solutions for roads, storm water drainage, and water quality.

"I believe that responsible spending should avoid any need to discuss tax increases."

HENRY KELLEY

Personal: The son of an Air Force sergeant, he has 7 siblings and attended Edwins Elementary, Bruner Middle School and Fort Walton Beach High School before attending the University of Florida on an ROTC scholarship.

Upon graduation, he served as a field artillery officer including a tour in Desert Storm, where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

Relevant experience: "I have experience in each of our key economic drivers: military, tourism and medical.

"I have led and motivated worldwide teams comprising more than 400 employees and managed overall profit and loss for business divisions exceeding $30 million in revenue."

Other education/experience: MBA, Rollins College; BA University of Florida; adjunct professor, Florida Institute of Technology.

Reason you seek this position: "I am seeking this office to apply my experience to the county I grew up in and love. 

Biggest issues:"Stormwater: If we don't have clean water, efficient runoff and backed up sewage, we don't have a community; we have a slum.

"When I see sewage back up in our neighbors’ yards, it's time for good policy, not politics, to get involved and solve problems. I bring a problem-solving mindset and capability to the board, and look forward to using those skills for all residents and visitors to Okaloosa County.

"We need to work closely with our state delegation. Under Rick Scott, the budget has grown by $9 billion since 2010: I think we can find $50 million to address sewer, storm water and critical road needs."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 running for Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners

CRESTVIEW — With Okaloosa Clerk of Court Don Howard's retirement, three candidates are vying for the position.

They shared their backgrounds and platforms with the News Bulletin.

CHARLES BAUGH JR.

Personal:spouse, Roslyn; and children, Charles III, Nicholas and Candice. Member: Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Crestview, Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee, Okaloosa County Republican Club, North Okaloosa Republican Club, African American Community Leaders Alliance of Okaloosa County, Okaloosa Citizens Alliance and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Received the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Dr. W.J. "Doc" Burrows Citizen of the Year Award.

Relevant experience:"Possessing federal (military), municipal and private-sector management experiences makes me uniquely different from my opponents. My diversified work experience has exposed me to wide-ranging challenges in managing, leading and solving complex issues for over 33 years. I bring the best practices in managing and supervising personnel while simultaneously motivating individuals to provide exceptional job performance. Unlike my opponents, I have the benefit of working with multi-governmental and private sector records and financial management systems."

Other education/experience:Former Crestview councilman; director, Florida League of Cities; president, Northwest Florida and Okaloosa County League of Cities; and member, Okaloosa-Walton and Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Associates degrees: Community College of the Air Force; Information Systems Technology and Aircraft Avionics Systems, and attended the University of Florida with 96 semester hours in Nuclear Engineering Sciences. Completed numerous military leadership and private-sector management courses. Attended FSU's Florida Institute of Government's Elected Municipal Officials Course.

Reason you seek this position:Motivated to run for office to fully restore the public trust and confidence in the position by ensuring the county’s public records are fully transparent, properly safeguarded and maintained.

Secondly, to ensure the county’s financial records possess the necessary oversight to meet accepted accounting principles and to resolve the state auditor general findings concerning the Okaloosa County TDC.

"I have the right mix of leadership and management styles to oversee crucial judicial electronic filings, records keeping functions and serve as the comptroller and auditor for the Board of County Commissioners with a fiscal management responsibility that’s accountable to the people."

Biggest issues:"1. Resolving the state auditor general's Report No. 2013-085 findings following the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council scandal involving the use of tourist development taxes and funds received from British Petroleum.

"2. Correct state auditor general’s Report No. 2014-068 findings.

"3. Bringing the electronic filing capabilities of the clerk of the circuit court to efficient and effective levels.

"4. Providing consistently exemplary customer service across all areas of responsibility.

"I'll address these issues by obtaining an accurate assessment of the clerk's area of responsibility to achieve the service levels the citizens of Okaloosa County deserve."

J.D. PEACOCK

Personal: wife, Laura Helton Peacock; two grown children and three granddaughters.

Active Shalimar United Methodist Church member, board member of the Okaloosa/Walton Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Okaloosa Big Brothers Big Sisters, treasurer of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office’s Star Charities and an active member of All Sports Association.

Relevant experience: "I currently serve as the chief administrator of the Sheriff’s Office. In that capacity I oversee Professional Standards, Procedures and Professional Development. I am the budget director and I work daily with our finance department on agency expenditures ensuring that our financial resources are used the most efficiently and effectively for public safety in Okaloosa County. I also manage IT and Innovation as well as all court related operations of the sheriff’s office." 

Other education/experience: "I am a U.S. Army veteran. I have a bachelor’s degree in Management from Northwest Florida State College and a Public Management Certification from Florida State University. I have also completed many leadership courses during my career. I have served Okaloosa County for almost 25 years as a certified law enforcement officer working my way up from patrol deputy to major and chief administrator. I have served in every rank from line supervision to executive management." 

Reason you seek this position: "I am running because there is a great opportunity to bring new leadership, fresh administrative ideas, and increased transparency that is based on real-world experience to the clerk's office.

"My proven background and years of Okaloosa County government experience are an excellent fit for this challenging and complex position. I have firsthand knowledge about the many responsibilities of the clerk’s office, and I have working relationships with many of the good directors, supervisors and employees of the clerk’s office.

"I am prepared for this challenging assignment and I am the most qualified candidate to lead this agency into the future." 

Biggest issues: "I will continue to carry out the recommendations of the state Auditor General as outlined in their operational audit.

"While many of the recommendations have been instituted, the county audit plan still needs work. I have a plan to further strengthen the internal audit and oversight functions.

"Under my administration we will continue with the implementation of innovative records management programs in the court-related operations.

"My experience with the judicial staff and court operations will allow me and the great employees of the clerk’s office to bring innovative thinking and be a leader in process improvements and customer service."

DAN SPENCE

Personal:wife, Tiffany; four children, Daniel (13), Daylin (12), David (9) and Dillon (4). Also placed with a child in July for adoption through the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. Member of Lifepoint Church in Crestview and part of the adult leadership team in the Youth Group. Has coached youth sports (soccer and baseball) through the City of Crestview Recreation Department for 10 years.

Relevant experience:"I have over 13 years' experience working for two Fortune 500 companies (Georgia-Pacific, Tom Thumb – Kroger). I have worked for Tom Thumb for the past 10 years, and have served as the director of finance and controller for the past eight years.

"In addition, I have simultaneously managed the Risk Management, Information Technology, and Finance Departments for the past six years.

"I will bring private-sector experience and customer service focus to the clerk’s office.

Other education/experience:bachelor's degree in Accounting from Auburn University; attended numerous executive seminars/training sessions including the Financial Leadership Program at the Wharton College of Business (University of Pennsylvania), the Leadership Development Program at Eckerd College and Key Executive Coaching through KL Martzall.

Reason you seek this position: "With our current clerk's retirement, our county has a need that must be met by the right person. I entered this race because I am the right person.

"It’s imperative that our next clerk have the financial expertise, combined with dynamic management experience, to safeguard the financial well-being of Okaloosa County.

"My combination of education, experience and leadership make me uniquely qualified to be the next clerk of the Circuit Court and comptroller. I will bring my experience from the private sector and apply proven practices to our county government."

Biggest issues:"The biggest issue facing the clerk is continuing to address the two state Auditor General’s reports resulting from the TDC fraud. There are a number of open items remaining from the audits, including continued revision of the audit work plans.

"In addition, accounting processes need ongoing review to ensure proper separation of duties and adequate checks and balances. This must continue to be a focus in the future to ensure loopholes are closed safeguarding against fraudulent activity.

"As the only candidate with an accounting degree and direct financial management experience, I am uniquely qualified to meet these challenges.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Three candidates vie for clerk of court/comptroller

CRESTVIEW — Soon, the Community Redevelopment Agency and Main Street Crestview Association will share a director.

By splitting the new position between the CRA and Main Street, CRA board members — who are also sitting City Council members — will benefit from a full-time professional adviser, they said.

Meanwhile, the association can maintain its accreditation with the state Main Street program, which requires a full-time program manager.

Main Street President Ellis Conner hopes to have candidates vetted and a director in place by Oct. 1, which starts the new fiscal year.

CRA members voted 4-1 Monday to hire a leader for both entities. Board members Joe Blocker, Thomas Gordon, Shannon Hayes and Mickey Rytman voted in favor of the proposal. Robyn Helt cast the lone dissenting vote.

It's a triumph for Conner, a former city councilman who has tried for two years to get a full-time program manager for the association.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The CRA board — using Conner’s proposed job description as a starting point — will meet in a workshop to refine the position's responsibilities.

The workshop date has not yet been set, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

Rytman, a past Main Street president, said he wanted the position to report to the CRA to assure board oversight.

The previous Main Street director had a contract, “and they can come and go whenever they want to. If we're going to spend the money, I want some control,” Rytman said.

The board agreed to fund the position as a city employee, as the Main Street program coordinator had been prior to the contract position.

Helt opposed the measure because she felt the request for the $40,000 a year position was not properly phrased on the meeting agenda, and because she felt Ellis’ request did not represent the entire Main Street Crestview Association board's consensus.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Main Street, Community Redevelopment Agency to share a director

CRESTVIEW — Signs encouraging voters to “Vote yes for jobs” have joined those for political candidates along North Okaloosa roads.

The Economic Development Ad valorem Tax Exemption, known as EDATE, is up for renewal during the Aug. 26 primary election.

Okaloosa County voters first approved EDATE in 2003. It granted businesses $638,000 in county ad valorem tax exemptions before it expired in March.

In exchange, EDATE generated $34.5 million in business investment, including 402 jobs that pay, at minimum, 110 percent of the prevailing average local salary, according to Economic Development Council Director Nathan Sparks.

“Over the past 10 years, that tool has improved our competitive position,” Sparks said. “Businesses have a choice as to where they invest. They go to those counties that can partner with them in their economic growth.”

Crestview attorney Ashley Rogers, speaking Tuesday during the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce's Government Issues Committee meeting, said the county does not lose existing tax revenue when businesses qualify for EDATE.

A TOOL OTHERS USE, TOO

Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton counties, as well as neighboring Covington County, Ala., and other regional counties use similar incentives, Rogers said.  

“If we don't vote and pass EDATE, we know we're giving up a tool that other people have,” she said. “It's like going into battle without your weapons.”

Competition to lure high-paying jobs isn’t just nearby, Sparks said during Monday's Crestview City Council meeting.

“We’re competing with other communities, other counties, other states and even other countries,” he said.

North Okaloosa businesses that have capitalized on EDATE savings are Advance Sawmill Machinery Equipment in Holt, and L3 Crestview Aerospace and North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview.

Bit-Wizards, a Fort Walton Beach IT company, also qualified for EDATE advantages.

The exemption is available for new businesses and existing businesses that want to expand. Businesses are strictly vetted using criteria such as stability, number of jobs, and salaries.

The exemption doesn't apply to taxes paid to the Okaloosa County School District or special assessments such as fire and water districts, and municipal taxes.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at brianh@crestviewbulletin.com, follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Voters asked to renew county business ad valorem exemptions

CRESTVIEW — A proposed connector, or service, road mostly using existing infrastructure would alleviate some State Road 85 traffic in the vicinity of Crestview Corners shopping center and North Okaloosa Medical Center, city officials say.

The City Council approved Public Works’ request to pursue the project, which will be funded by the proportional fair share fund, which is specifically for alleviating S.R. 85 congestion.

“As anyone knows, it is a nightmare trying to make a southbound turn out of the Crestview Corners shopping area,” city planner Eric Davis said Monday.

Working with area businesses, Davis and other Public Works officials believe they have found a solution using a route savvy drivers have already partially been using.

Currently, drivers often turn behind Wal-Mart to Brookmeade Extension, onto Hospital Drive and cut through the Advance Auto Parts, Payless Shoes and Taco Bell parking lots to get to Crestview Corners businesses.

A BUSINESS APPROACH

The proposed service road would connect Hospital Drive from behind Advance Auto Parts with the existing Crestview Corners north-south driving lane.

It would then cut through to East Redstone Avenue using an existing lane serving Regions Bank and medical offices.

The city has tried several times to encourage neighboring businesses to cut connectors between their parking lots, most recently as the Krystal hamburger restaurant was under construction last year.

This time, businesses approached the city.

Public Works Director Wayne Steele said North Okaloosa Medical Center and Ashley Rogers, an attorney representing Krystal, contacted his office.

Steele said a productive brainstorming session with hospital CEO David Fuller, Rogers and representatives of other businesses along the proposed corridor led to the proposed connector route.

The road would be a two-lane, low-speed connector much like the current driving lane through the shopping center, striped as a road and with parking islands to help define its parameters and regulation “stop” signs at east-west parking lanes.

The city would be deeded an easement to use the properties the road would pass through, Steele said.

“It'll help with traffic congestion,” he said. “The hospital loves the idea. Krystal’s loves it. All the business owners love it.”

Officials said the cost, as yet undetermined, will be minimal because most of the route is already paved, Davis said. He estimated it will be a minimum of six to eight months before construction could begin.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Business owners love it': Proposed connector road would help SR85 traffic

CRESTVIEW — Concerns involving a Main Street restaurateur’s barbecue smoker have heated up as his attorney and city attorney Jerry Miller traded increasingly sharp legal opinions.

The city ordinance under which the Rev. Albert Wright was requested to move his smoker from a parking spot in front of his restaurant to the rear is vague, Attorney Dixie Dan Powell said.

"I really have read it about 100 times but it really doesn't make any sense why we need to be here," Powell said during Monday's City Council meeting.

He suggested amending the ordinance as a “pretty simple solution and request to solve this problem.”

When he opened The Wright Choice Soul Food, Wright said he received city permission to operate his smoker in front of the restaurant, where it became a landmark that attracted customers.

Powell hinted that unless a solution could be found, Wright had grounds to sue the city for a “very substantial loss-of-income claim.”

Miller’s objected to placing the smoker in a parking spot, using the city’s transportation infrastructure for an incompatible use.

“You have dedicated right-of-ways for transportation uses,” Miller said to the City Council. “The proposed use is not for transportation.”

THE 24-INCH RULE

Powell cited an exception to the ordinance that allows businesses to place articles related to the business on the sidewalk within 24 inches of the building.

He said this would allow Wright to move his smoker to the sidewalk.

“The way I interpret this ordinance, there’s nothing illegal about Mr. Wright placing his wares within 24 inches of his business,” Powell said.

“I don't see this as an exhibition of wares,” Miller said. “This is a hot cooking container that you can't walk up and touch.”

Councilwoman Robyn Helt asked Fire Chief Joe Traylor to offer his opinion.

“Can you cook on a grill? Yes,” Traylor said. “Can you cook on a grill on Main Street? Yes. We do it periodically at events that are sanctioned by the city. Is there a safety factor at risk when we do that? Of course.”

Traylor cited as an example the recent fire at Buddy’s View BBQ, which damaged the South Ferdon Boulevard business’s food trailer while it was parked in a parking lot before it could open to the public.

“I think what you have is a situation that calls for legislation to strengthen your ordinances,” Miller advised the council.

The council took no action on the matter, with Council President Shannon Hayes asking Miller and Powell to meet and try to find common ground to resolve the issue.

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GRILL ISSUE HEATS UP: Attorneys debate downtown smoker's legality