CRESTVIEW — City officials have good Labor Day news for municipal employees.

Under the 2016-17 budget, most workers will receive a 3 percent raise starting Oct. 1.

Police officers and firefighters will receive 5 percent salary increases. Full-time city workers who earn less than $25,000 a year will see a 6 percent raise.

Officials said the raises are necessary to attract and retain qualified workers, and were done without increasing ad valorem taxes.

“You try to keep the people you have rather than hire new ones,” City Clerk Betsy Roy said. “It’s a lot less expensive to keep the people you have than train new ones.”

Roy said during the budgeting process, her office presents the city council with various scenarios, including several raise options “or a no-raise scenario,” she said.

“It’s all part of the budget process,” Roy said.

This year, when city councilmen reviewed the budget in depth, they chose to reward city workers with raises, Roy said.

“When we got down to the bottom line in the budget, the money was available,” she said. “It’s their way of rewarding employees. There were a couple years when we couldn’t offer raises.”

“We realize that we have to take care of our employees,” Councilman Shannon Hayes said. “If we have the resources, we want to look after them. They deserve it. And we did it without additional cost to our citizens.”

In the $35 million budget that the City Council approved, $9.5 million will go toward employee salaries, up from nearly $9 million in the 2014-15 budget year.

“We try to look after our employees as well as our citizens,” Hayes said.

The budget will undergo two public hearings, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and 22 at city hall, before going into effect Oct. 1.

Here’s how much of Crestview’s budget was devoted to employee salaries over the past several years:

●2014-15: $8,591,446

●2015-16: $8,988,784*

●2016-17: $9,511,038**

*Includes 5 percent police salary increase; 4 percent for other employees

**Includes 5 percent police and firefighter salary increase; 3 percent for most other employees; 6 percent for full-time employees whose salaries are under $25,000.

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview workers to receive raises in new budget year

LAUREL HILL — The City Council is considering increasing city water rates. It would be the first water rate increase in more than 10 years.

Mayor Robby Adams said that several audits, the most recent being last year, have recommended a modest increase in water rates.

During an Aug. 18 budget workshop, Councilman Travis Dewrell cautioned that the city should remain attractive to new development.

At Thursday night's council meeting, Councilman Scott Moneypenny said it would be beneficial to receive more information before proceeding.

"I like the direction we're going but I believe we need more guidance," he said. "I believe we should actually call in Florida Rural Water, who will come in and do a free assessment of our system and make sure we're on the right track."

Adams said the city’s rates haven’t increased since around 2004 or 2005, but, agreeing with Dewrell, said, “We don’t want to hurt people.”

However, he said, as infrastructure ages, the city’s system will become more expensive to maintain, plus costs have increased.

“It’s getting to the point in our budget where we needed a little extra money on the water side,” Adams said. “Every year insurance goes up and employees would like a raise.

“Things get more expensive year after year, and we have infrastructure that needs to be replaced. It’s been in the ground since the ‘80s.”

Adams's wife, Councilwoman Debra Adams, thought a provision in the ordinance allowing forgiveness of a customer's bill once every 12 months in the case of water line breaks might be excessive.

"I feel real uncomfortable having a readjustment every 12 months," she said. "I think that's too frequent. Somebody's going to have to pay for it."

The council will discuss the proposed ordinance in depth at a as-yet unscheduled workshop, during which the measure might be reworked. First City Clerk Nita Miller will distribute the most recent water evaluation to the council.

BY THE NUMBERS

Following unanimous approval by the Laurel Hill City Council, the city’s water fees will increase effective :

●CURRENT CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $13.50 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $3.75 per thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $18 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $4.25 per thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50

Connection charge*: $500 in city/$600 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $500/ $700 outside

Commercial in city: $1,000/$1,500 outside

●NEW CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $14.50 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $3.75/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.20/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $4.65/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.12/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $5.55/thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $19 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $4.25/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.70/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $5.15/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.60/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $6.05/thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50 homeowner/ $75 renter

Connection charge*: $800 in city/$1,000 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $800/ $1,000 outside

Commercial in city: $1,500/ $2,000 outside

Following unanimous approval by the Laurel Hill City Council, the city’s water fees will increase effective :

●CURRENT CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $13.50 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $3.75 per thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $18 (minimum bill)

Over 2,000 gals: $4.25 per thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50

Connection charge*: $500 in city/$600 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $500/ $700 outside

Commercial in city: $1,000/$1,500 outside

●NEW CHARGES

Inside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $14.50 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $3.75/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.20/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $4.65/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.12/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $5.55/thousand gals.

Outside city limits:

First 2,000 gals: $19 (minimum bill)

2,001-5,999 gals: $4.25/thousand gals.

6,000-8,999 gals: $4.70/thousand gals.

9,000-11,999 gals: $5.15/thousand gals

12,000-14,999 gals: $5.60/thousand gals.

15,000+ gals: $6.05/thousand gals.

Water meter deposit: $50 homeowner/ $75 renter

Connection charge*: $800 in city/$1,000 outside

Impact fees: Residential in city: $800/ $1,000 outside

Commercial in city: $1,500/ $2,000 outside

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill water rates could increase under proposal

CRESTVIEW — Despite a blizzard of campaign signs — especially near polling places — less than 30 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s primary elections.

In campaigns particularly pertinent to North Okaloosa County voters, Laurel Hill native Mary Beth Jackson retained her superintendent of schools position.

Crestview Publix manager Tim Bryant was elected to the school board, and Crestview native Graham Fountain won a four-way race Board of County Commissioners’ District 1 chair, but his run isn’t over yet.

LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE

Because Fountain, a former state law officer, faces a last-minute write-in candidate, he’ll return on the November ballot.

“Charles Baugh filed a write-in so we don’t take office ’til November,” Fountain said. “The good thing is the independents and the Democrats who didn’t get to vote for me will get to color the oval then.”

But winning a 47 percent majority over his opponents was an exciting victory, Fountain said.

“I’m tired!” he said. “I thought once you had a good win you’d sleep well, but I was so keyed up I don’t think I got more than an hour’s sleep.

“But I am really humbled that we did so well. I’m looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work and trying to make things better and serve our people.”

‘VERY HUMBLED’

Wednesday morning found Jackson pulling up campaign signs in the summertime heat.

“I am very humbled by the support we received from the voters,” she said. “I am so glad that we chose the path to be very positive in our campaigning.

“It takes a bit to soak in (that I won) while you’re still doing your day job. What was important was getting the message out about how good our district is. Pulling out signs, it’s kind of therapy. But it’s hot out!”

Bryant, too, was getting exercise Wednesday picking up campaign signs.

“It hasn’t all sunk in yet. I think it will shortly, once we start making meetings in the school system,” Bryant said. “I’m just excited that I can go in and hopefully be a positive influence on the school district and use my community ties to get people involved in what’s going on in education.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Bryant said while campaigning at a retirement village he realized that people don’t have to have children in the school system to contribute toward local education.

“They can still be a positive influence on our kids in the classes,” Bryant said. “You think something like being a crossing guard or reading to students is inconsequential, but they’re important. Those things make a big difference.”

While some contests in the recent election featured negative campaign ads, Bryant said he was grateful to his opponent, Dr. Charles Cawthon, for keeping things positive.

“I appreciate my opponent for putting up a well-fought race and I wish him and his family the best,” Bryant said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ELECTION: North Okaloosa candidates reflect on wins

CRESTVIEW — With construction underway on a Hampton Inn, an auto lube business, and a Dave’s Catfish House, Crestview’s Growth Management Department is fielding rumor inquiries — and questions — about new development.

To confirm two, deny one, and wonder about the fourth, here are the projects currently grinding in the rumor mill:

Publix: Store assistant manager Joe Rezepka said the grocery is going through the permitting process with the city before work can begin on its planned Ferdon Boulevard North location.

Crestview Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard said the project’s preliminary plans were approved at the Aug. 3 Technical Review Committee meeting.

“They’re working diligently on the rest of their paperwork,” Gaillard said. “A development that big, there’s a lot of hoops they have to jump through. They have to do their traffic study, and that will affect county roads, state roads and city roads.”

The nearly 7-acre site at Airport Road and Industrial Drive includes a prime corner lot that Gaillard said the supermarket might develop later.

“That kind of site is popular with banks, drug stores — anything that’s fast,” she said.

Waffle House: Gaillard said the waffle eatery’s planned third Crestview location will be situated just north of the Teachers Federal Credit Union on Ferdon Boulevard North.

The site is in county jurisdiction, but “They’re applying for out-of-city services,” Gaillard said.

She had no construction timetable, and an email to Waffle House’s communications department was not answered by press time.

Walmart Neighborhood Market: Rumor has it that the retail giant is considering opening a local branch of its food-only grocery store — what Gaillard called a “mini-Walmart” — across State Road 85 near Richbourg Lane.

But, she said, it’s just that: a rumor.

“That has never been brought before the city,” Gaillard said. “We’ve never seen plans for it, not even courtesy plans. All I know is the rumors that have come up.”

Okaloosa County officials, in whose jurisdiction the project would be built, agree.

“We haven’t received anything about that,” county planner Tim Durbin said.

Walmart’s public relations department did not return a phone call seeking comment on the matter.

Chick-Fil-A: Rumors of a Chick-Fil-A coming to Crestview have circulated for years. The latest gossip has the fast food eatery opening in September 2017 in the Ryan’s Family Steak House location.

Whether it’s true or not, Gaillard won’t say.

“I’m not at liberty to discuss anything that hasn’t come before the city,” she said.

The Crestview Ryan’s manager, Oriental Tyson, said the rumor surprised him and his management team.

“We know absolutely nothing,” Tyson said. “We tried to contact the landlord to see if that was happening but we haven’t heard anything.”

Chick-Fil-A corporate public relations senior consultant Mark Baldwin said it’s not unusual for the chain to take over an existing commercial property as they expand into a new market.

However, Baldwin couldn’t confirm whether the cows who encourage motorists passing Chick-Fil-A billboards to “eat mor chikin” have Crestview in their sights “at this time.”

“At this moment the rumor is unsubstantiated,” Tyson said. “I highly doubt a Chick-Fil-A would come into this spot. We are way too big.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fact check: 4 new Crestview businesses rumored (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — A Main Street lawyer initially denied a permit for a sign promoting one of his properties expressed his frustration in an letter.

Nathan Boyles, a downtown attorney and owner of Main Street Eats, a food court on Main Street’s 100 block, received a denial of his permit application for a sign identifying the business.

Quoting city code, Growth Management planning coordinator and code enforcement supervisor Senida Oglesby said the colorful, retro-style sign wasn’t permitted because it was located off the premises.

“You may resubmit your sign application showing the proposed accessory sign to be located on the premises of the business for which the sign is advertising,” Oglesby stated in her Aug. 24 letter to Boyles.

But, Boyles responded, the sign is on the property. It hangs on a wall he shares with an adjacent building.

“I find it unfortunate that this issue, specifically which property owner of a shared party wall has the right of application of signage thereto, would be an issue that the city would trouble to involve itself in,” Boyles wrote Aug. 29 in response to Oglesby’s letter.

“Indeed, the worst harm that could come from the city choosing not to wade off into such a matter better left to the relations of private parties would be that two entities would utilize the shared wall to advertise both of their onsite premises,” he said. “Apparently, the city views this as an outcome that must be avoided. I view it as an outcome that should be encouraged, especially in a compact business district struggling to survive.

“Perhaps it is for reasons like this, among many others, that the city has earned a reputation for being unfriendly to business.”

After reviewing a copy of Boyles’ agreement with his neighbor, Kathy Ellis, Oglesby permitted the sign.

“In the future, to assure an accurate review of your project, please provide all applicable documentation upon submitting your permit application,” Oglesby stated in a follow-up email.

“This distraction (hopefully) resolved, I will now return to my efforts to make our city, your city, a better and more vibrant place to live,” Boyles’ letter stated.

“I would respectfully suggest that you might find your day more productive if you did the same.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City 'unfriendly to business,' Crestview attorney says

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County is better prepared for disasters with the recent approval of its local hazard mitigation plan.

The plan is a long-term strategy to reduce the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters. It identifies hazards and potential hazards and creates a framework to help community officials make decisions that may ultimately protect lives and property.

Okaloosa County’s Mitigation Plan includes a comprehensive analysis of the county’s and municipalities’ floodplain areas and floodplain management strategies.

The OCMP is approved through the year 2021; however, annual reports are due each year. These annual reports are also used in conjunction with the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, which lowers insurance costs for citizens.

“I commend the effort it takes, especially for our Growth Management Department, as well as other departments and the cities, to proactively support and mitigate these programs,” Okaloosa Commissioner and Chairman Kelly Windes stated in a county media release.

“These two programs greatly complement each other and benefit all Okaloosa County citizens.”

History shows that the physical, financial and emotional losses caused by disasters can be reduced significantly through hazard mitigation planning. The planning process encourages communities to integrate mitigation with day-to-day decision making regarding land-use planning, floodplain management, site design and other activities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reviews and approves state, tribal and local hazard mitigation plans, which are required as a condition for states and communities to receive certain types of disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. State, local and tribal mitigation plans must be approved at least once every five years.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa has mitigation plan for disaster preparedness

CRESTVIEW — Residents attending future events in Twin Hills Park may find more convenient parking. A former “Superfund” clean-up site could become a downtown parking lot.

Community Redevelopment Agency Director Brenda Smith told the CRA’s board of directors that Gulf Power has indicated a willingness to donate the site to the city.

“They said they would very much entertain that idea,” Smith said. “All they required is the City Council present a letter requesting the donation.”

Public Works Director Wayne Steele said that not only had the lot on the corner of Oakdale Avenue and Brett Street North been contaminated, so had the city’s water well and surrounding soil.

“It was contaminated with mercury that was leaking from the transformers,” Steele said. “They removed over 30,000 tons of dirt from the area.”

It was declared an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund clean-up site, and the contamination problem was solved, Steele said. It is no longer listed on the EPA’s list of Florida Superfund sites.

But if the city requests the donation from Gulf Power, Steele recommended the transfer be thoroughly vetted.

“Be careful of the terminology in the deed restrictions because we don't want to accept a liability,” he said.

Board members also expressed interest, but caution, in the opportunity.

“I just want to make sure the EPA, the DEP, the FBI, whoever, is good with this,” board member Doug Faircloth said, to chuckles. “I want to make sure this is researched to the hilt.”

Smith said because she only learned Aug. 19 that Gulf Power was willing to donate the property to the city, she had not included developing the lot in her proposed 2016-17 budget.

Because of its former contamination, the site’s uses are restricted, Smith said.

“The property, when it is donated to the city, can only be used for parking,” she said.

Providing additional downtown parking is included in the CRA’s plan for the district.

A site significant to Crestview’s early development may become a parking lot serving downtown and Twin Hills Park.

Historic Preservation Board member Cal Zethmayr told the Community Redevelopment Agency the lot — on the corner of Oakdale Avenue and Brett Street North — is the site of a water well and source for the city’s first municipal water system.

Former mayor and city leader Purl Adams Sr. credited a large pig named Calamity Jane with encouraging residents to approve a bond issue to start a city water system in the 1920s.

The pig had a penchant for knocking over outhouses. Adams encouraged her owner to release her at night during the days leading up to the vote.

When Calamity Jane tipped over several “shacks in the back,” owners saw the benefits of indoor plumbing and approved the bond issue.

A HISTORIC SITE

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Twin Hills Park, downtown may get additional parking lot (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — An expected revenue spike allows the city to implement a budget with a 20.65 percent increase in operating expenditures over last year, city officials said.

The City Council has unanimously approved the $35 million 2016-17 budget it has hashed out with department heads over the last several months.

Councilmen praised directors for working to control spending while meeting residents’ needs.

“I think they've done a great job on the budget,” Councilman Shannon Hayes said. “We haven't raised taxes on our citizens. And we've accomplished everything we need to do for the year. And we've taken care of our employees to make their salaries more competitive with other cities.”

Keep scrolling for the budget breakdown

Councilman JB Whitten said the resultant budget represents cooperation among city officials.

“What we have is not exactly what I sought when I suggested we tier the (city employee salary) increases,” Whitten said. “That caused some problems, but between the city clerk and the department heads, we wound up with what I'd call a very good compromise, which is something you have to do in government, and I commend them on that.”

Councilman Bill Cox on Monday moved to accept the budget, as prepared, and send it to the first of two September public hearings before it is implemented Oct. 1.

—

BY THE NUMBERS

The Crestview City Council approved this 2016-17 budget at Monday’s council meeting. (For comparison, figures from the 2015-16 budget are in parenthesis):

REVENUES

●Estimated revenues: $28.14 million ($24.9 million)

●Transfers in: $641,788 ($158,280)

●Cash carry forward/reserves: $6.3 million ($4.5 million)

●Total revenues: $35.08 million (29.6 million)

EXPENDITURES

●General services: $11.25 million ($10.76 million)

●Public safety: $9.12 million ($7.53 million)

●Physical environment: $8.7 million ($6.63 million)

●Transportation: $1.89 million ($1.36 million)

●Culture and recreation: $1.4 million ($1.2 million)

●Debt service: $2 million ($487,847)

●Total expenditures: $34.44 million ($29.43 million)

●Transfers out: $641,788 ($158,280)

●Total appropriated expenditures and reserves: $35.1 million ($29.6 million)

Source: Crestview City Clerk

—

BUDGET HEARINGS

Crestview’s budget will go through two public hearings before it’s implemented Oct. 1. Hearings are at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and 22 at City Hall.

The Crestview City Council approved this 2016-17 budget at Monday’s council meeting. (For comparison, figures from the 2015-16 budget are in parenthesis):

REVENUES

●Estimated revenues: $28.14 million ($24.9 million)

●Transfers in: $641,788 ($158,280)

●Cash carry forward/reserves: $6.3 million ($4.5 million)

●Total revenues: $35.08 million (29.6 million)

EXPENDITURES

●General services: $11.25 million ($10.76 million)

●Public safety: $9.12 million ($7.53 million)

●Physical environment: $8.7 million ($6.63 million)

●Transportation: $1.89 million ($1.36 million)

●Culture and recreation: $1.4 million ($1.2 million)

●Debt service: $2 million ($487,847)

●Total expenditures: $34.44 million ($29.43 million)

●Transfers out: $641,788 ($158,280)

●Total appropriated expenditures and reserves: $35.1 million ($29.6 million)

Source: Crestview City Clerk

BY THE NUMBERS

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Council eyes $35 million budget

CRESTVIEW, Florida — The Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association has endorsed Wayne Harris’s bid for the District 4 House of Representatives.

Harris is one of only a handful of non-Central Florida candidates the group is supporting.

“I am grateful to have the support of this important group,” Harris said. “Their concerns line up very well with the hospitality and tourism industry that makes up a large part of District 4’s economy, and I look forward to working with them."

One of Central Florida’s largest and most influential trade groups, the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association’s membership includes nearly 80 percent of the more than 118,000 hotel rooms in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Almost 500 related organizations that do business with the hospitality and tourism industries are also affiliated with the group.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tourism industry group endorses Wayne Harris

CRESTVIEW — The City Council unanimously passed without discussion a revision to its Rules of Procedure.

The revision limits clergy seeking to offer the invocation before council meetings to those of “religious congregations with an established presence within the jurisdictional limits of the city of Crestview and within five miles of the city limits.”

Councilman JB Whitten, who spearheaded the change, said he was motivated to do so after noticing in the News Bulletin’s church listings that there are almost 100 churches in the Crestview area.

“The way the ordinance was previously written was it was open to everyone in Okaloosa County,” Whitten said. “We thought, ‘We don’t want everyone in Okaloosa County.’ We have about 95 religious organizations within shouting distance of Crestview. If we just keep it local, it keeps the focus on Crestview.”

Whitten said the rules were previously revised about a year ago on the advice of then-city attorney Jerry Miller, who recommended the council abandon its practice of having a council member offer the opening invocation.

“I had concerns then because I thought we were fixing something that wasn’t broken,” Whitten said. “I voted against it because I didn’t see any need to make changes to begin with.”

Whitten said he suggested the current revisions in consultation with city attorney Ben Holley “to make sure everything we were doing was kosher.”

“We concentrated on making it so all the religious organizations in Crestview and nearby could be on the list,” Whitten said.

“We’re just tweaking it. It sailed through real smoothly.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Invocation revision limits clergy to Crestview area