BAKER — A Christian substance abuse rehabilitation ministry on Buck Ward Road wouldn't conform with Okaloosa County's comprehensive plan, officials said.

Exodos Ministries, a nonprofit organization that purchased 20 acres on agricultural-zoned property, may have to search for another location.

Okaloosa Growth Management Director Elliot Kampert sent his opinion — that the proposed use would be inconsistent with county zoning — to Thomas Crowson, Exodos' president, in a Dec. 26, 2014 email. Kampert explained the opinion during a public meeting Thursday at the Baker Community Center, which North Okaloosa residents packed to standing room only.

Exodos Ministries hasn't filed a formal application for building on Buck Ward Road, said County Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who facilitated the discussion. "All of the information that the county has reviewed and that the community has is, in some measure, speculative," he said. However, county officials were aware of tentative plans for a 16-bed residential facility serving men recovering from alcohol, drug or sex addictions. And, Kampert said, "As of right now, the uses would not be consistent with the comprehensive plan."

The Okaloosa County Land Development Code defines a facility like the one Exodos proposed as commercial use. But non-farm related commercial use is allowed on agricultural-zoned property only when a building fronts an arterial — that is, high-capacity, like Interstate 10 or State Road 85 — or numbered county road, according to Kampert.

A home would conform with agricultural zoning regulations, but a boarding house like the one Exodos proposed, would not, Kampert said.

More than 30 people expressed their views on the issue, with five opposing Exodos' proposed relocation and 19 supporting it. Others expressed support for Exodos' overall mission without opining on the facility's location. 

A couple of residents shared stories about Exodos clients leaving the Crestview location, walking down streets day or night and getting in strange cars; others questioned how anyone could know, for certain, the wandering men were Exodos clients.

Sandy Burgess, who said she's the mother of an alcoholic, expressed that the community should support those who need help.

She said Baker supported her son when "he ran and made touchdown after touchdown after touchdown, and yet they turned their back on him when he went to addiction."

Mildred Heaton, of Crestview, said a number of houses could be built on 20 acres and, unlike the 16 men who would receive help at Exodos — which doesn't accept men with a criminal history or those who aren't HIV- negative — "you can't control who lives there."

Peggy Price Pierce said she supports Exodos' mission but doesn't support the proposed location.

"If these people do get out, and they start walking the roads, I'm gonna be concerned about my children being outside playing," she said. "I know that I, and my family, are strongly opposed to the location but we do support (the) ministry."

One man, who moved from Charleston, S.C., to Baker five years ago, also said he supports the ministry and the impact it has had on men.

"The change that (God) has made in their lives as a result of this ministry has made all the difference in the world," he said. "As far as the value of my property, you know what? That means nothing to me if I can see a life changed."

After the meeting, Kyra Crowson, Exodos' admissions director and secretary of the board, said Kampert's opinion is still fresh, and the nonprofit hasn't decided what it will do next.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: County: Exodos' plans inconsistent with Buck Ward Road's zoning

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners will consider funding alternatives for widening the P.J. Adams-Antioch Road Corridor.

After more than an hour of discussion on Monday, commissioners’ consensus swung from supporting a tax increment financing district, or TIF.

Mike Chessher discusses TIF district advantages>>

Both northern district commissioners, BCC Chairman Nathan Boyles and Wayne Harris, voted no.

“Isn’t it ironic that the districts most affected by this voted no?” Harris asked after the 3-2 vote.

Harris said, in lieu of a TIF, he supports adding an extra half-cent or penny to the current 10 cents-per-gallon county gas tax rather than taking money from existing road projects. Boyles favors the original TIF proposal.

“I think that the TIF, while not the perfect solution, in our less than perfect world, it is the best solution currently on the table because it sets aside future revenues and controls how to spend it,” he said.

NOT A NEW TAX

Under a TIF, property taxes would not increase. The amount of tax revenue when a TIF is established forms a baseline. As revenue grows, the difference is applied to the TIF project. A TIF typically lasts for 20 years.

“Funds that would be collected would be deposited in an account solely for improvements to the P.J. Adams Corridor,” county Public Works Director Jason Autrey said.

The TIF is projected to raise about $20 million of the project’s estimated $100 million cost, he said. TIF money could be used to leverage federal and state funding.

The TIF district would be the entire county north of the Eglin Reservation, excluding the Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency district.

Area attorney Michael Chesser proposed the P.J. Adams Corridor TIF more than a year ago to finance what commissioners agree is the county’s foremost road improvement need.

“It was my thought that we could devise an ordinance that I can say, ‘If you do this, it will never cost you a dime,’” Chesser said.

Chesser, a real estate and government specialist, said analysis shows “the assessed value in the vicinity of the road you are about to improve will go up faster than you can imagine.”

As real estate values go up, so does the amount of money that goes toward the project.

ALTERNATIVES

Former county commissioner Dave Parisot spoke against the TIF, saying it would “rake off” county property tax revenue. He favored increasing gas taxes to fund the project.

Commissioner Trey Goodwin motioned for the board to direct county officials to prepare information on reallocating some gasoline tax revenue, or creating a “savings account” funded by existing revenue sources.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who, with Goodwin, campaigned on a “no tax increases” platform, also supported the savings account.

That, Boyles said, is essentially what a TIF does, but a TIF would not take money from other county departments’ budgets.

Following discussion, Boyles said there appeared to be five options:

•Do nothing

•Create a “savings account”

•Use existing gas taxes

•Raise gas taxes

•Implement the TIF

“The benefit of the TIF is that it doesn't eat into existing revenues,” Boyles said. “Citizens frequently complain about the creep of government and this is one way to get ahead of that.”

WANT TO GO?

Funding sources for widening the P.J. Adams Corridor will be discussed at the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners' next meeting, 9 a.m. Feb. 3 at the Crestview Courthouse.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Commissioners set meeting on PJ Adams funding options (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County officials have unveiled the county’s new centennial logo.

The logo places a yellow banner reading “100 years, 1915-2015” across the existing county logo to “stay true” to the familiar marketing graphic, according to county public information officer Kathy Newby.

The graphic will be used throughout 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the county’s formation, Newby said.

Municipalities and businesses countywide may use the logo on publications and materials during the year to highlight the centennial.

“It’s our hope when local cities and businesses have information going out, they would include not only their logo but the centennial logo, to say, ‘Hey, Okaloosa County is 100 years old. It’s a big deal,’” Newby said.

Newby suggested as clubs, communities and organizations have festivities and events, they consider branding advertising materials with the logo and including a centennial angle to their events.

“It’s about celebrating who we are and what we already have and celebrating those things in a new way,” she said.

WANT TO USE THE LOGO?

Municipalities, clubs and organizations may use the new Okaloosa County Centennial logo on promotional and informational materials during 2015. Contact county public information officer Kathy Newby, 651-7515 or knewby@co.okaloosa.fl.us, for the JPEG file.

DID YOU KNOW?

Okaloosa County formed on Sept. 7, 1915, from the eastern portion of Santa Rosa County and the western part of Walton County, after a vote by affected residents.

Voters chose Crestview as the permanent county seaton April 3, 1917.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County unveils centennial logo

CRESTVIEW — The two newest city councilmen have won their positions without a single vote.

No other candidates qualified for their at-large seats by the Friday afternoon deadline.

Bill Cox and JB Whitten, running unopposed, will take seats being vacated at the end of March by sitting Councilman Tom Gordon, who is running for mayor, and Councilwoman Robyn Helt, who is retiring from the dais to focus on her family.

The newest council members fill at-large seats: Whitten from Group 1, and Cox from Group 2.

Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux said he was surprised neither candidate faced opposition.

“It’s the first time that I can remember that that’s ever happened,” Lux said. “What makes it more unusual is that it’s the two at-large seats.These are usually the most hotly contested seats. You can live anywhere in Crestview and qualify for those seats, unlike precincts 1, 2 and 3 seats.”

Whitten and Cox also expressed surprise that they had no opponents.

“I really thought there was somebody else waiting to enter the race,” Whitten said. “There are people who have been involved with government who I thought would run.”

Cox said he is glad he won’t have to campaign.

“It was a stress reliever,” he said. “It’s all positive. I’m glad and happy, and looking forward to working for the citizens of Crestview.”

The men, who will officially become councilmen-elect after the March 10 elections, have begun preparing for office, meeting with City Clerk Betsy Roy and city attorney Jerry Miller.

Though they don't have to follow state Sunshine Laws until March 10, both are being careful to not communicate with their future council colleagues — Joe Blocker, Shannon Hayes and Mickey Rytman — about city business.

“I’m going to be safe anyway,” Whitten said. “I’m certainly not going to talk to any other councilman. You’re living in a glass house now and everybody watches what you do. You have to be careful.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Newest councilmen gain seats unopposed

LAUREL HILL — Six residents have qualified to run for three available City Council seats.

Councilwoman Willie Mae Toles, seeking a second term; retired engineer Daniel Lane, and former Laurel Hill mayor and councilwoman Joan Smith qualified for office Dec. 29.

Retired Marine and former military contractor Scott Moneypenny qualified Dec. 30. Residents Debra Adams and Randy Tickle qualifed Jan. 2.

In addition to Toles' seat, the candidates will vie for the seat that Clifton Hall vacated in November 2013 and a seat currently occupied by Betty Williamson, who will not seek reelection, according to city clerk Nita Miller.

Laurel Hill council members serve at large, Supervisor of Elections candidate and absentee coordinator Ray Bolden said.

Since Hall’s resignation, the five-seat council has been short a member, resulting in occasional 2-2 voting deadlocks. The March 10 election's three winners will join returning Councilmen Larry Hendren and Johnny James.

Residents Mary Bradberry, Lane and Moneypenny applied to fill Hall’s seat on an interim basis until the election. Bradberry withdrew from consideration in mid-December.

Until Moneypenny qualified, Toles, Lane and Smith would have automatically attained seats without appearing on the ballot, Supervisor of Elections voter education and public relations coordinator Bridget Richard Krebs said.

The three winning candidates will be sworn into office April 1.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Six vie for three Laurel Hill council seats

CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Clerk’s Office will no longer perform weddings.

The office will continue to issue marriage licenses, in accordance with Florida Statutes, at the Okaloosa County Courthouse, 101 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview; and the Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension, 1940 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach.

The decision to cease weddings at the clerk's office became effective Jan. 1. 

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop same-sex marriages in Florida; same-sex marriage licenses will be issued starting Jan. 6.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: No more weddings at Okaloosa clerk's office

LAUREL HILL — Saying she “would prefer not to be a party to dissension,” Mary Bradberry has withdrawn her name from consideration for a vacant seat on the Laurel Hill City Council.

Bradberry and Daniel Lane were nominated by sitting council members to fill the seat vacated in November 2013 by Clifton Hall. Since then the council has tied when voting for a fifth member.

Earlier this month, Bradberry’s name was temporarily removed from the list while city attorney Dan Campbell verified she lived within city limits. Around the same time, resident Scott Moneypenny submitted an application for the seat.

“I moved here to be a positive member in this community, not to divide this community,” Bradberry said. “This is more drama than anything I ever thought would happen in this little town and I’m not going to be a part of it.”

During the last two months, accusations of racism in the selection process were leveled. Council President Larry Hendren denied the accusations, saying only qualification to serve on the council was considered.

“I don’t see race. I see people,” Bradberry said. “I see a quiet community where I would love to be a part of it, not plastered all over the front page of a newspaper.”

Bradberry said she would remain an active part of the community and continue to offer input to city leaders.

“I will still attend the (city council) meetings because it’s the people that I love. I love the people I have met here,” Bradberry said. “I will always attend the meetings and I will always have my say, because it affects me and it affects my family.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bradberry withdraws from consideration for Laurel Hill council