FORT WALTON BEACH — The next meeting of the Florida Panhandle Patriots Tea Party will feature Merle Temple, a former narcotics agent during the early Nixon drug wars.

Temple worked under President Ronald Reagan and will share his stories of the "Good, Bad, and Ugly Truth about Politics." He has also authored several books based on his undercover work, being held hostage and political connections.

His books will be available for purchase at the meeting, which is 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Elks Lodge on Okaloosa Island, 1335 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

Actions alerts about upcoming bills of concern to citizens will also be discussed.

Final raffle tickets will be available for the Ruger AR556 Home Defense Rifle and many other prizes to fund the free American Patriot Newspaper. A drawing for the winner will take place at the meeting.

Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information call 582-2629.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Panhandle Patriots meeting to feature former Nixon narcotics agent

Crestview's water rates have not been increased since 1998.

It's amazing how those in government say these things as if it's a justification for doing what it is they are considering doing.

It doesn't matter whether or not rates have increased since 1998. What really matters is whether or not an increase is justified, and will the people of Crestview be better off because of it?

I believe that a story like this should read "Crestview residents get a lot of (amazing) stuff that makes their lives more awesome with a $2 increase in their water rate".

Then the article would list all the (amazing) stuff that residents get from it.

I'm not familiar with the history of this discussion. It could be very well justified, but based on this article, I'm not sure of the bang for the buck.

If it's not a definitive answer, then it doesn't need to happen.

City officials need to know that they are public servants, and they owe the community an answer.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Would Crestview residents benefit from water rate increase?

CRESTVIEW — After an in-depth analysis on behalf of the city in 2011, Tetra Tech consultants recommended Crestview increase its water rates to fund future water system expansion needs.

While various council members have since periodically brought up the water and environment engineering consultants’ recommendation, no action had been taken.

Until now.

At a Jan. 25 workshop, at the council’s request, City Clerk Betsy Roy introduced the projected impact of a 2 percent water rates increase with a $1 per monthly residential and $5 commercial stormwater fee.

After considering Roy’s estimated impact — residential rates would increase an average of $2.04 monthly; average commercial rates would go up $8.72 — the council’s consensus was to have city staff continue its research and produce a suggested ordinance.

Part of the work is already done.

“I have the storm water ordinance ready,” Public Works Director Wayne Steele said. “I've had it for two years.”

Steele said any rate increase must be based on a projected need, as city-assessed fees must only cover actual expenses.

He listed several projects the growing city needs. These include an elevated water tank near the Fox Valley subdivision off Antioch Road and enlarged distribution lines along south State Road 85.

Crestview's water rates have not been increased since 1998, Roy said, and remain the lowest of any county municipality.

The Crestview City Council is examining a 2 percent increase in water rates with an added $1 per monthly residential and $5 commercial stormwater fee.

●Current average monthly residential water bill: $18.50

●Total current average bill with sewer and garbage: $69.40

●Total average bill with 2 percent increase: $70.44

●Total bill with $1 stormwater fee: $71.44

●Monthly increase: $2.04

●Annual difference: $24.28

Source: Crestview City Clerk’s office

WHAT'S THE AVERAGE IMPACT?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview considers water rate increase

CRESTVIEW — The City Council will meet 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation Rev. Mark Dillman, Airport Road Church of Christ, and Pledge of  Allegiance

3. Open policy making and legislative session

4. Special presentations

a. State of the City – Mayor David Cadle

b. Employee recognition

●Public Services – Anna Brown – 10 years

●Fire Department – Rodney Lancaster – 20years

●Public Services – Paula Pigott – 10 years

●City Clerk/Finance – Tammie Johnson-Goettl – 10 years

●City Clerk/Utility Billing- Loretta Scardina – 10 years

5. Approval of minutes

6. Public Hearings:

a. Ordinance 1598—Amending Chapter 2, Division 4, Sections 2-102 and 2-107 — Growth Management

7. Public Opportunity on Council propositions

8. Consent agenda

●Approval of solicitation of bids for fire engine lease

9. Resolutions

10. Committee reports

11. Scheduled presentations from the public

●Relay for Life – Melanie Fullerton

12. Project reports and comments from mayor and council

13. Staff reports and recommendations

a. Discussion of library director applications and interviews

b. Approval of interlocal agreement with CRA

c. Board vacancies – administrative assistant

d. Old business:

1) Explanation of Rules and procedures

2) Interlocal agreement for PJ Adams Parkway

14. Comments from the audience

15. Adjournment

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview City Council will meet about Jan. 25

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Redevelopment Agency will have a workshop 5:45 p.m. Jan. 25 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting agenda.

1. Call to order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Open policy making and legislative session

4. Public opportunity on board propositions

5. Presentation of the interlocal agreement between the CRA and the city of Crestview

6. Comments from the audience

7. Adjournment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's what the Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency will meet about Jan. 25

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County residents claimed more than $2 billion in homestead exemptions for 2014.

But that's just some of the exemptions property owners collectively could have claimed.

Many people are unaware of exemptions they qualify for, Property Appraiser Pete Smith said. That's why it's important for taxpayers this year to know their options — because March 1, a key deadline, is fast approaching.

An exemption removes part of a property's value from taxation, which lowers the tax.

People often learn about exemptions when they buy property — "usually the Realtor will tell them the first time around," Smith said.

But if residents don't hear the information then, they may never know their options. “There’s no reason to know unless somebody tells them," he said.

The Florida Legislature periodically adds exemptions to a list that includes provisions for senior citizens, disabled people, blind people, widows and widowers, deployed military members and disabled veterans.

Such exemptions help retirees, like Crestview Air Force veteran Bob Allen and his wife, Gigi, manage their household finances. “We use it, absolutely,” Allen said. “Let’s face it … every little penny counts.”

Pearl Gutary said after her husband, Charles, died, she applied for a widow exemption. She had already claimed the $25,000 senior exemption.

“My son told me about it,” she said. “$500’s not much but I take every cent I can. Everything’s so expensive, and I’m on a fixed income.”

Under a homestead exemption, a property value's first $25,000 is untaxed; this applies to all property taxes, including school district taxes. An additional $25,000 exemption applies to non-school taxes on a home’s assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000.

The exemption applies to a taxpayer’s permanent residence; seasonal residents, those who rent out their home, and people who already claim a property tax exemption in another state are ineligible.

For those who qualify, the exemption can save taxpayers $600 to $650 on their annual ad valorem taxes, according to Smith’s office — that's more than half of some residents' tax bill.

Amendment 10, the “Save Our Homes” cap on a property’s assessed value, kicks in the year after a homestead exemption is applied for, Smith’s website states.

“As long as the homestead remains in effect, any change from the prior year's value will not exceed 3 percent or the percentage change in the Florida Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower,” it states.

The state also has exemptions for active duty servicemen and veterans.

When a member of the military deploys or goes on temporary tour of duty orders, if family follows, and they rent out the home during the service member’s tour, they can keep the exemption, Smith said.

But if civilians get a temporary transfer out of town, they lose the exemption if they rent out their home, he said.

Over the years, the state legislature added more exemptions for military members deployed during the tax year, and for disabled veterans.

Property owners must apply for the homestead exemption, and any other exemptions and discounts, at property appraiser offices in Crestview or Shalimar.

Each exemption requires specific documentation; the appraiser office's website lists the requirements, Smith said.

Once an exemption is granted, residents needn't reapply, year to year, unless they sell their homes or move to a new permanent residence.

But just filing that first time is the biggest challenge, Smith said.

“March 1 is the statutory deadline,” he said. “A lot of people, when they hear March 1^st, they hear March 31^st.

"Then, it’s too late.”

In 2015, Okaloosa County residents collectively claimed these amounts of tax exemptions the previous year:                                            

●Widows/widowers: $1,930,894                                 

●Disability: $178,023,096                                           

●Homestead: $2,080,340,162                                     

●Low-income senior: $34,582,681                             

●Senior: $19,367,735                                                    

●Veteran percentage disability: $8,341,737           

●Veteran 100 percent disabled: $1,440,815           

●Deployed service member: $16,001,788

Non-residential exemptions claimed:

●Government exemptions: $1,712,708,079             

●Institutional: $250,205,858                                     

●Industrial: $2,612,455

—

FLORIDA HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS

The Florida Homestead Exemption provides up to $50,000 in tax exemptions for residents’ permanent homes.

The state also offers these exemptions:

●Senior exemption: $25,000

●Widow/widower: $500

●Total and permanent disability: exempt from all taxes

●Total and permanent veteran’s service-connected disability: exempt from all taxes  

●Disabled or blind (non-military or veteran): $500

●Disabled veteran: $5,000

●Disabled veteran, over 65, based on percentage of disability that is combat related, according to Veterans Affairs

●Low-income senior citizen discount on city or county taxes depending on residency, up to $50,000

●Deployed military discount, based on number of days deployed outside the United States during the prior calendar year

Source: Okaloosa County Property Appraiser

—

DID YOU KNOW?

●Applicants must be Florida residents as of Jan. 1 for the year in which they apply for the homestead exemption

●Homeowners must apply for the first homestead exemption in person at the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s office at 302 Wilson Street N., Crestview.

Source: Okaloosa County Property Appraiser

—

DEADLINES

March 1 is the deadline to file for the Florida Homestead Exemption. But state law requires filing these supporting documents by Jan. 1.

●Florida drivers license

●Florida vehicle registration(s), including military members

●Non-U.S.-citizen Florida Declaration of Domicile

●For U.S. citizen children of non-citizens, proof of registration in a Florida school

●For deployed military, military ID or Florida driver’s license showing Florida residence

Contact the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser’s Office, 689-5900, or see  www.okaloosapa.com for complete requirements

EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Several Okaloosa property tax exemptions are available, but unused

LAUREL HILL — With the city's first major paving project in almost 50 years complete, city leaders want it to last as long as possible.

City Councilman Daniel Lane has raised the possibility of implementing a weight limit on some city streets.

“I've seen a lot of our streets being deteriorated by heavy trucks…,” Lane said. “These log trucks are really loaded down, and … I'm sure they're over the weight limit allowed.”

The council last month voted in favor of allowing Lane to research the city’s options, including consulting with Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Larry Ward, who oversees Northern Okaloosa County operations.

Ward said he consulted with Crestview Public Works Director Wayne Steele, who recommended Laurel Hill follow state road weight restriction guidelines.

Lane learned the recommended maximum vehicle weight for municipal roads is 10,000 pounds. “Not that trucks are never allowed to go on the streets,” he said. “They can make a delivery and then get off the street. The law also says they need to find the quickest and easiest way to get on and off the streets.”

He suggested putting up signs advising of weight limits based on those guidelines to enforce restrictions.

“If we don't post the signs, there are no restrictions," Lane said."You could drive on here with a Sherman tank,” he said, jokingly referring to the 30-ton World War II tank.

Resident Kathleen Moneypenny, Councilman Scott Moneypenny’s wife, said weight restrictions inadvertently could affect some residents who drive heavy vehicles for a living. “How would that impact farmers that have to drive heavy equipment on streets or people who drive big rigs who have to get to their home?” she said.

Lane, under Council Chairman Larry Hendren's direction, is creating a list of proposed weight limit sign locations and verbiage.

“It's been close to 50 years since we've had roads paved, so it behooves us to take care of these roads as best we can,” Lane said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill considers vehicle weight restrictions

CRESTVIEW Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL-01) has increased his mobile office program, which helps him serve constituents who don't live close to the Congressman's Pensacola or Fort Walton office.

Expanding on the idea first used for "veteran's assistance days," Miller's staff members "man the office" by answering questions about problems with federal agencies or issues affecting the First Congressional District.

"This is just another way we can better serve our growing population in Northwest Florida," Miller said.  "We have had such great feedback that we decided to expand the concept and add more dates and locations to the program."

The Crestview mobile office date and time is 2-3:30 p.m.  Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Congressman Miller's mobile office days include Crestview stop