Okaloosa County property owners participating in the Installment Tax Payment Plan through the Tax Collector’s Office have until 5 p.m. June 30 to pay their first installment.

“Discounts for early payments are set forth in Florida Statutes; therefore, those on the Tax Installment Payment Plan realize significant savings — 3.375 percent — by meeting the quarterly payment deadlines," Tax Collector Ben Anderson said.

After the first payment is made, remaining payments are due Sept. 30, Dec. 30 and March 3.

The local Tax Collector's Office branch is 302 N. Wilson Street, Suite 101, Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Early property tax discount deadline approaches

Okaloosa County has unveiled its newest park and the latest addition to the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. A Monday reception and ribbon-cutting celebrated the completion of Bayview Plaza, a 30,000-square-foot outdoor exhibit area.

The large concrete pad, equipped with electricity and water, will provide additional space for regular events such as cheerleading and volleyball competitions.

The area can be tented in the case of rain.

In addition, county officials marks the opening of Veterans Park with a new sign at the entrance.

The 14-acre park is primarily a passive recreation area with a heron rookery, pond, a pine and oak hammock, wetlands and coastal dunes.

County crews are building a walkway around the pond.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County opens newest park, convention center addition

LAUREL HILL — Gulf Power may operate within city limits for at least 15 years under a new ordinance.

The City Council on June 5 unanimously approved altering a franchise agreement with the utility from its initial 30-year allowance to provide service in the area.

City leaders voted 3-1 to not increase the franchise fee from 3 percent to 6 percent. Councilman Johnny James was the lone dissenter.

James contended that increasing the fee would benefit the city’s financial status.

Still, “Gulf Power will not be paying the franchise fee; the citizens would pay the fee,” Hendren said. “My input is that the citizens are already taxed enough."

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power gets 15-year contract

LAUREL HILL —  The City Council has unanimously passed four resolutions to improve the city's chances of receiving a $600,000 grant for road improvements.

A grant official from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity — which administers The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant — recently visited the city, Councilman Larry Hendren said. During a site review the official suggested that some city documents be updated and approved to be compliant with the application process.

The council adopted a resolution announcing that the city has a community development plan.

In addition, city leaders approved wording changes for Laurel Hill's personnel policy.

The council also added resolutions that align with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development policy on handicapped accessibility compliance and that support minority employment and women-owned businesses.

The council is working with the engineering consultation firm Preble-Rish to apply for the CDBG, which would be earmarked toward road repairs — specifically, New Ebenezer Road, 2nd Avenue and 4th Street. 

City Clerk Nita Miller said the city should know whether it received the grant within the next 30 days.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Council OKs resolutions to advance community development grant application

Okaloosa County commissioners have voted to make beach cleaning a permanent in-house service.

Commissioners also authorized Public Works Director John Hofstad to purchase beach sifters and other equipment when the county’s current rentals expire in July.

Hofstad said he’s been pleased with his workers’ performance on the public beaches in Destin and on Okaloosa Island.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles, who had strongly opposed the county providing the service, said the transition has gone “smoothly by all accounts.”

The board’s decision follows a recent judge’s ruling that Okaloosa County does not have to award a long-term beach cleaning contract to Sandman LLC.

Ward, who held the beach cleaning contract for more than 10 years, sued the county in October, accusing it of showing favoritism toward a competing company during the bidding process.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Commission OKs permanent, in-house beach cleaning

Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton county schools received nearly $440 million in total Florida Education Finance Program dollars, with each county’s percentage increase being above the state average.

An additional $30 million was also added to the budget to advance career technical education.

While Gov. Rick Scott vetoed just over $247,000 for the Northwest Florida Ballet Academie in Fort Walton Beach, he approved $250,000 for the Okaloosa County STEMM Middle School in Niceville.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa schools benefit from budget

The Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee and the Northwest Florida Daily News will present a political forums series featuring Northwest Florida candidates.

The schedule is as follows:

•County Commissioner Forum: 6-8 p.m. June 16, Niceville City Hall, 208 N. Partin Drive, Niceville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

•Clerk of Circuit Court Forum: 6-8 p.m. June 18, Niceville City Hall, 208 N. Partin Drive, Niceville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

•School Board Forum: 6-8 p.m. June 25, Destin City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail, Destin. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Questions for the candidates may be submitted to elections@nwfdailynews.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Commissioner, circuit court clerk and school board forums scheduled

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, which last year took on sole responsibility of mental health crisis management in Okaloosa County, has received $1 million from the state to bolster its crisis stabilization unit.

The project is one of hundreds secured for Northwest Florida this year during the legislative session.

Almost $2 billion flowed west from Tallahassee this year to positively affect the region, outgoing state Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said.

Among projects that made the cut was $3.8 million to dredge the East Pass at Destin Harbor, $79,890 for the Northwest Florida Ballet and $60,174 for the Sinfonia symphony organization.

Gaetz said he helped secure $125,000 to construct the Bud and Doris Day Patriots Trail in Okaloosa County and $150,000 for the county’s Veterans Court initiative.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida projects get priority in budget