The Florida Tax Collector Association has recognized the Okaloosa County Tax Collector Office with an Award of Excellence in Financial Operations.

The Tax Collector’s Office also received a Certificate of Merit for an audit clear of any findings. “Okaloosa is one of only four counties in the state to receive these two awards this year,” Michael C. Love, chairman of the awards program, said.

The Florida Tax Collector’s Inc., created the Excellence in Financial Operations Award in 2011 to recognize achievements and innovations in government finance. Since 2011, 20 of Florida’s Tax Collector Offices have earned the designation.

Judging criteria include these competency areas:

•Innovation and automation

•Annual audit report free of findings

•Customer focus; internal and external customers

•Budgeting expertise

Five finance officers established the criteria and serve on the judging panel.

“The award is an important achievement for a tax collector’s office,” Love said. “Ben Anderson and the staff of the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office have embraced technology as a way to enhance customer service and to promote financial accountability and transparency in government.”

The judging panel was especially impressed with the office’s program of “Doing Business Online, Not In Line,” which uses smartphone technology to allow customers to conduct transactions without needing to visit an office. The technology also assists customers “on the go” to find the nearest office and view potential wait times.

“The Okaloosa Tax Collector’s Office has earned the highest honor that the Florida Tax Collectors have to offer,” Love said. “And, their innovations will be shared with other Florida counties as an example of excellence.”

“Recognition on a state level is something of which we are very proud,” Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson said. “It is affirmation of the respect we have for the taxpayer’s dollar and commitment to provide the highest level of service.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa tax collector’s office recognized for financial excellence

CRESTVIEW — Because of Councilman Mickey Rytman’s absence due to illness, city leaders couldn’t make changes to water and sewer rates.

Councilmen Thomas Gordon and Shannon Hayes voted in favor of a one-year 5 percent increase, while council president Robyn Helt and council member Joe Blocker voted against the motion.

Gordon's motion, seconded by Hayes, would have included a $1 monthly fee for storm water assessments.   

"We haven't had a (water) rate increase in the past 14 years," Gordon said. "We are past due." 

Customers would have noticed a 59-cent increase in their water bills if the motion had passed, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

Helt agreed that a rate increase is necessary, but said such an increase should exceed the proposed amount.

Helt based her decision on information presented by Tetra Tech, an engineering and consulting firm that provided water-mapping services to the city.

"It was advised four years ago to have a 2 percent increase per year," Helt said. "By my estimation, we're 8 percent behind." 

 The council will discuss the issue during a future workshop, Roy said.   

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Council split on rate increase for city water service

LAUREL HILL — The City Council has unanimously approved a resolution that will allow limited public comments during the first 30 minutes of each meeting.

Copy of the file regarding procedures for comment at Laurel Hill public meetings: Resolution 2013-08>>

"It will be available to anyone in the public to speak with a limit of three minutes (per person)," Council member Larry Hendren said. "They will be asked to fill out a card with their address, name and the subject they would want to speak on."

The resolution, voted on during a special Tuesday meeting, needed to pass to comply with Florida Statute changes, city leaders said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council OKs public comment at meetings (DOCUMENT)

CRESTVIEW — The divide between residents who see the Confederate flag as a symbol of southern heritage and those reminded of segregated times is coming to the forefront, as one resident petitions the City Council to remove a memorial’s flag.

At issue is the Confederate flag flying at the William "Uncle Bill" Lundy memorial on the corner of East 1st Avenue and North Ferdon Boulevard. The Crestview Lions Club dedicated the memorial to Lundy, Florida's last living Confederate soldier. Lundy died at age 109 in 1957.

"This is still a city problem," Mae R. Coleman said during Monday’s city council meeting. "It's not the monument; it's the flag."

Coleman said she wants the flag to come down because it divides the community.

The issue is a sensitive topic, Mayor David Cadle said.

 "I am deeply concerned about the emotions that arise with this issue," he said. “It is a divisive issue, sadly, to this day."

In addition, the memorial’s placement has raised concern for traffic safety, Cadle said, adding he has often witnessed motorists traveling on East Hickory Avenue failing to use turn signals when approaching the memorial.

"It’s really poorly placed," he said.

 Cadle and council member Shannon Hayes said they have received little public input on the issue, but they want to hear from more residents.

Hayes shares Coleman’s concern, but he said he wants to find "a workable solution."

"I don't have mixed feelings about it, but I do have concern for our citizens," he said.  

Public Services Director Wayne Steele said the city maintains the memorial’s grounds, treating it as a right of way. Still, it is unclear who holds the property's land title. The council voted unanimously for Steele to conduct a title search.  

What is certain, he said, is that “the city of Crestview does not provide the Confederate flags for this memorial. The flags are donated by the family and friends of William ‘Bill’ Lundy."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Council seeks public input on Confederate flag

CRESTVIEW — Passage of state Senate Bill 50 was the impetus for an in-depth update of the City Council's meeting procedures.

City attorney Jerry Miller spearheaded the rules’ revision, which passed unanimously during Monday evening's council meeting.

The senate bill helps make public meetings more open to the public, which, Miller said, has not been a local problem.

"I can tell you it wasn't directed at Crestview," Miller said, adding that Destin is also known for its willingness to allow public participation in meetings.

One area of Crestview's code that will be changed when the new rules go into effect Oct. 1 is use of the consent agenda, which is currently used to "deal with non-controversial issues," Miller said.

Under SB 50, the consent agenda will be limited to administrative issues. Miller had said that he hoped the council would revise its policy of adding its approval to matters that city regulatory boards already had approved.

Miller's new Rules of Procedure, adopted as Resolution 13-12, also re-order City Council meeting agendas, allowing three opportunities for public input, including "yellow card" requests to address the council as well as "unscheduled presentations."

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Council approves new meeting procedures