Here is what you need to know.
Cottage food code change
City Council members will discuss directing staff to amend the city’s land development code, which would make cottage food establishments allowable home businesses.
Some of the additions to the code, if passed, will include rules pertaining to location, size of additional structures and signage, operating hours, parking, and entry and exit.
The move comes after cottage food stand talk has heated up around the area. In Fort Walton Beach, the council voted 5-1 on Aug. 11 on an ordinance to allow cottage food businesses to sell products from a cart or stand.
Animal control agreement
Following approval by the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 18, the city of Crestview will have a chance to approve the same agreement, allowing it to run animal control services in north Okaloosa.
The agreement provides a 50-50 cost share between the county and the city, with the county covering 65 percent of the cost associated with renovating a new building for animal control use.
The city will provide officers and vehicles.
The move follows county officials’ decision to start their own animal control operation this summer after the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society declined a new contract, ending a partnership that lasted for more than 20 years.
Sewer utility rate change
Crestview City Council will also discuss a planned 1.3 utility multiplier for sewer-only customers.
According to meeting documents, the city’s utility fund is operated as an enterprise fund and should have a rate structure that is fair, just and equitable to all users.
With the 1.3 multiplier, there is a projected increase to the utility fund of $171,000 in 2027, increasing each year to $320,000 in 2035. These additional revenues, according to meeting documents, will improve its ability to make improvements and maintain the utility infrastructure.
