FORT WALTON BEACH  — The Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department’s customer service drive-thru window will close for construction Aug. 22-23, at its main office, 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. 

Okaloosa County Water and Sewer payments are welcome in person, by phone and at www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/wsweb/index.html.  

Call 850-651-7171 for the 24-hour phone and online payment service.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Water & Sewer announces Aug. 22-23 drive-thru closure

LAUREL HILL — The City Council has raised no concerns with the proposed 2014 fiscal year budget.

City leaders have reviewed the budget in two portions: the enterprise operating fund, or water department fund, and the general operating fund.  

The city expects to collect $217,400 from water department and garbage fees for the enterprise fund. It projects to spend $200,944, earning the city $16,456.

Download Laurel Hill’s proposed fiscal year budget >>

In the proposed general operating fund, the city would earn $227,374 from taxes, city fees and contracts. For expenses, the city is expected to pay $221,164, leaving $6,210.

Between the enterprise fund and the general operating fund, the city is expected to earn $22,666 for the next fiscal year.  

The proposal, produced by Mayor Robby Adams with council chairman Larry Hendren’s assistance, was presented to each council member present during Thursday’s budget workshop. Councilman Clifton Hall was absent. 

The next budget workshop is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at City Hall.

A public hearing on a Community Development Block Grant the city is trying to acquire will follow the workshop; the regular city council meeting will follow at 6 p.m., after which a fair housing workshop will take place.

The informational workshop, which is required for the CDBG application, will provide examples of housing discrimination.

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 could earn $22K after expenses under proposed budget

CRESTVIEW — City department heads have trimmed some $290,000 off the first round of preliminary budgets, but there is still $615,817.21 to go, City Clerk Betsy Roy said.

"The happy, happy, happy news is the utility fund is balanced," Roy said during an Aug. 7 Crestview City Council budget workshop.

However, the general fund’s deficit is based on the higher tentative millage established as a budgeting threshold. To maintain the current millage, even more cuts will be necessary.

Salaries, pensions and benefits for the city's 200-some employees comprise a major part of the budget — “and it's got us strapped,” Council President Robyn Helt said.

The city cut $137,000 off the earlier budget when the insurance broker negotiated employee health insurance at no increase with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Finance Director Patti Beebe said.

Helt suggested one way of lowering expenses is to ask city employees to pay more of the health insurance costs for their spouses and family members.

"I cannot ask 22,000 residents of the city of Crestview to provide 50 percent of employees' spouses and dependents' healthcare," Helt said. "If they can't do it for their own families, how can they be expected to do it for the city?"

None of the council members wanted to raise taxes, an action that Councilman Thomas Gordon called "hitting low-hanging fruit."

"When you're in the grocery line and you have a hundred dollars in your pocket and the bill comes to more than that, you start looking to put some things back," Gordon said. "It's time to put some things back."

Crestview Fire Department Capt. Jim Poirrier, president of the firefighters' union, said his members are eager to help Chief Joe Traylor find savings, including reducing pension costs.

"It is not the intent of the union to drive costs up for the city," Poirrier said. "The union is here to help, not to hurt."

Resident Edward Landrum said he, like many citizens, wouldn't mind paying a few extra cents for water and sewer rates to help maintain services at their current level.

Both are areas where consultants have encouraged the city to raise revenue. Gordon observed that rates for water and sewer haven't been increased "in years."

Saying his department is providing the same level of service at budgets lower than they have been in 10 years, Public Works Director Wayne Steele challenged other department heads to follow suit.

"If I can do it, every dadburn person in this room can do it," Steele said. "I have tried to be an example of how to do it but it's hard … I challenge everybody to look hard and do what you need to do."

Department heads are again revising their proposed 2013-14 fiscal year budgets. Steele added that work on the 2014-15 budget should begin the day after the next fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

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: $615K still needs to be trimmed from Crestview budget

CRESTVIEW — Having the county's lowest permit fees makes the city attractive to builders, but because the fees don't cover the cost of inspecting new buildings, taxpayers subsidize new construction.

That was the message the Crestview City Council took from city building inspector Jonathan Bilby following his Wednesday afternoon report.

Council members approved of Bilby's efforts to finalize revisions to Crestview's permit fee structure. Under his proposal, the charges should cover the city's costs for mandatory new building inspections and plan reviews.

Bilby, at Council President Robyn Helt’s direction, had looked into eliminating fees for small projects such as a resident's installation of a prefabricated backyard shed.

Though eliminating the fees would take some revenue from the department, the amount would be small, Bilby said.

Crestview's revised permit fee schedule, if adopted by the council, would be less than Fort Walton Beach's fees and "slightly ahead" of, but comparable to, Okaloosa County's.

This pleased Helt, who was concerned that inequities in permit fees could encourage a homebuilder to construct in neighboring county jurisdiction instead of within city limits.

Helt noted that in some neighborhoods, it's not unusual for one house to be within the city while its neighbor is in the county and thus not subject to city property tax.

Bilby consulted with the Building Industry Association while revising the fees and reported he received favorable feedback. Builders have accepted permit fees as part of construction costs, and often expressed surprise that Crestview's fees were so low, he said.

Councilmen Thomas Gordon and Mickey Rytman sought Bilby's assurance that revised fees would make the permitting department self-sustaining.

Currently, the department's expenses are subsidized by the taxpayer-funded general fund. Rytman wanted to make sure the revised fees would not be a "moneymaker."

Bilby said by state law, all fee money must be used to support building inspection. However, excess funds could be used as a reserve if a dip in the economy causes fee intake to decrease.

"My goal is to not take in more fees than we can operate with," Bilby said, adding he doesn't want to return before the council within a year because of a shortfall.

Bilby plans to present his final recommendation during an upcoming council meeting. His goal is to have council approval and the revised fee schedule in place by the start of the Oct. 1 fiscal year.

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 permit fee schedule revision almost ready

CRESTVIEW — The next meeting of the Crestview City Council is 6 p.m. Aug. 12, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

Agenda items are listed below.

1. Approval of Consent Agenda:

a. Approval of the minutes from the July 22 workshop and council meeting.

b. Approval of $4,440.56 invoice for professional services. Requested by Allen, Norton & Blue, P.A.

c. Approval of Site construction plans for Crestview Commons, a new commercial mobile food vendors center on a .057 acre parcel next to 113 N. Main Street, PIN No. 17-3N-23-2490-0009-052A. Requested by Kermit George, P.E., Engineer. LPA 152-16

d. Approval of site construction plans and elevations for a 17,600-square-foot new commercial building with 11,600 square feet in retail space and 6,000 square feet in restaurant space. Location is a 2.95±-acre parcel at the Ferdon Blvd. South, and Redstone Avenue West, PIN No. 29-3N-23-0000-0013-0000. Requested by Mark Siner, P.E., of Choctaw Engineering, Inc. LPA 13-19.

e. Approval of site construction plans for Gulf Power Company, Inc.'s proposed new 6,417-square-foot office building, a new 10,000-square-foot covered parking area, new storm water management system and relocation of the fueling station. Location of the project is a 1.4±acre portion of the 20±acres parcel at 1655 S. Ferdon Blvd.,PIN No. 20-3N-23-0000-0124-0000 and 20-3N-23-0000-0118-0000. Ashley Jansen, of the Gulf Power Company, Inc., is the agent for the property owner. LPA 13-20.

f. Approval of site construction plans and elevations for a change of occupancy for the Judge Ben Gordon Family Visitation Center, Inc. Location of the project is a 0.40±acre parcel at 618 Seventh Ave., PIN No. 08-3N-23-1370-0003-0050. The existing 1715-square-foot building will require some moderate remodeling, with the majority of the work being done on site. Randy Hilburn, PE, of Westerra Development, Inc., is the Agent for the property owner. LPA 13-21

g. Approval of site construction plans for The Crestview Manor, Inc. proposed new parking lot on their parcel located at 1849 E. 1st Ave., PIN No. 16-3N-23-0000-0004-0000. Mark Siner, P.E. of Choctaw Engineering, Inc. is the engineer. LPA 13-22.

2. Public hearing:

a. Ordinance 1496 – An ordinance annexing the 4.78 acre enclave parcel lying north of the current Gulf Power office, south of Aplin Road and east of Ferdon Blvd. Requested by Gulf Power Company, property owner, by Michael L. Burroughs, vice president. LPA 13-15.

3. Citizen business:

a. Crestview Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) – Mark Brown.

b. Tax Increment Financing district, or TIF – Mike Chesser.

4. New business:

a. Ordinance 1499 – General retirement plan first reading and Ordinance 1500 – Police and Fire Retirement first reading.

b. Ordinance 1497 – An ordinance annexing 1.38 acres located on E. James Lee Blvd., PIN 16-3N-23-0000-0039-0010. Requested by Teramore Development, LLC, property owner, by Josh Hufstetler, vice president; Represented by Jennifer Bell, project engineer, LPA 13-16. Together with request for scheduling workshop and public hearing for ordinance 1497 – Admin Services.

c. Review request letter from N. Ferdon Development LLC, property owner, by Reed Nelson, managing member, for the reduction of water and sewer rates from out-of-city rates to in-city rates in conjunction with the annexation of the future Taco Bell Site on N. Ferdon Blvd.

d. Approval of bid recommendation for solid waste removal – City Clerk.

e. Safer Grant II – Chief Traylor.

f. Redistribution of reimbursement funds – Chief Taylor

g. Realignment of Clerk/ Finance office – City Clerk

5. Mayoral report.

6. Business from the floor.

a. Yellow card submissions.

b. Impromptu yellow card discussions.

7. Adjournment.

*Note: "Citizen Business" is business that was submitted by a citizen or group of citizens no later than the Wednesday prior to the meeting to the Clerk's office for approval. Supporting documents must be submitted at this time to be on the regular agenda.

"New Business" is for staff and elected officials only, and must be submitted for approval no later than the Friday one week prior to the meeting.

Those not listed on the regular agenda who wish to address the council should fill out a yellow card, which must be submitted to the City Clerk.

Speaking time is five 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.

Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency agenda

The next CRA meeting is 5 p.m. Aug. 12 at 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

The agenda is listed below.

1. Approval of the July 8 CRA meeting minutes.

2. Discuss budget items – Main Street Crestview Association.

3. Request to pay invoices for portable toilets provided for downtown events.

4. Any other items as deemed necessary by the CRA Board.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council and Community Redevelopment Agency agendas

CRESTVIEW — As city department heads search for ways to trim their budgets, the Public Works department has found one area where expenses can be reduced: street lighting.

The city's street lighting bill ranges between $30,000 and $33,000 a month, Public Works Director Wayne Steele said.

He said his department is preparing a grant application that would retrofit the city's high-pressure sodium streetlights with cost- and energy-efficient LED lighting.

"It'll be additional income for next year that we'll need for balancing the budget," assistant director Carlos Jones said.

Working with Gulf Power, the city has installed four LED streetlights on Industrial Drive between U.S. Highway 90 and Stillwell Boulevard to test the technology.

But there might be even more savings to be found, Steele said. To complete the grant application, Steele's department did a survey of all of the city's streetlights, finding 1,738 "cobra head" lights.

But, he said, Gulf Power bills the city for 2,855 cobra heads — the type of common streetlight that, from below, resembles a cobra's flared neck.

In reviewing lighting bills, Steele also found other inconsistencies.

"They charge us different prices for the same light in different places in the city," Steele reported to the City Council.

Steele said Gulf Power is working closely with the city to address the discrepancies. The utility will compare the city's streetlight assessment map with its own lighting information.

"They've stepped in to partner with the city," Steele said. "We have a good relationship with Gulf Power. We found discrepancies that need to be addressed and they're working with us."

"We are working with the city of Crestview to determine not only ways to help the city save money, but also to work out these discrepancies," Gulf Power spokeswoman Natalie Smith said.

Steele also said Gulf Power moved to immediately stop charging the city its own franchise fee on monthly bills.

Though the utility reimburses the fee to the city, "I'd rather the city keep their money rather than give it to Gulf Power for a month and then get it back," Steele said.

Council President Robyn Helt praised Steele for his tenacity in investigating the inconsistencies, researching the grant and working with Gulf Power to rein in city expenses.

Want to go?

The next Crestview City Council 2013-14 budget workshop is 3:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at City Hall and is open to the public.

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 and Gulf Power fixing streetlight billing

LAUREL HILL — Okaloosa County commissioners are expected to vote soon on whether to use county resources to complete work on Sunnyside Avenue, city leaders say.

In March, the council allocated $75,000 to repair and repave the road leading to Laurel Hill School from State Road 85. The city, which seeks county officials’ assistance in providing labor and equipment, would cover the cost of materials needed.

 While awaiting response, city employees and Councilman Clifton Hall have worked on a couple of Saturdays to prepare Sunnyside for repaving and the addition of new stormwater drainage pipes.

Last month, Hall requested that the council seek a different contractor to continue the work. The agenda item was removed pending the commissioners’ vote on whether to finish the road’s repairs. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill council anticipates commissioners’ Sunnyside vote

LAUREL HILL — City Council members have voted 4-1 to delay renewing a mowing contract with Transfield Services after Councilman Clifton Hall questioned estimated expenses.

The city had contracted mowing services with the Florida Department of Transportation until last year, when the DOT contracted Transfield Services for mowing and trash pick-up, City Clerk Nita Miller said.

Under the proposed contract, the company would provide mowing and trash pick-up twice a month for eight months on both sides of State Road 85 within city limits.

Hall, who has experience working with heavy machinery including tractor equipment in his contracting business, said service cost estimates were lower than expected.

The approximate cost of Kubota tractor use,$15 an hour, and the company’s listed salary, $7,354.12, were too low, Hall said Thursday, adding the latter should be closer to $11,000.

"I don't want to support this and then have something come up later and prove that we were wrong," Hall said.

Council members Larry Hendren, Willie Mae Toles and Betty Williamson supported Hall's motion to delay contract renewal.

Councilman Johnny James, who opposed the delay, had no concern about the proposed contract’s terms.

A revised contract will be presented for approval at next month's council meeting, 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at city hall. It will be discussed during a budget workshop at 6 p.m. Thursday at city hall.

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 city leaders delay mowing contract renewal