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Fort Walton Beach voters approve all three charter amendments

Residents backed significant changes to city governance Tuesday, including ending elected official pay, requiring property owner approval for special assessments, and limiting budget increases.

Fort Walton Beach voters approved three charter amendments in Tuesday’s election, with measures addressing elected official compensation, special assessments, and budget limitations all receiving majority support.

The first amendment, eliminating compensation for elected officials, passed with 53.58% approval (5,162 votes). While the measure ends salaries and financial benefits for elected officials, it maintains reimbursement for expenses incurred during official duties.

  • Prior to the change, elected officials received the option of accepting health insurance and around $400 in a monthly stipend.

Voters strongly supported the second amendment regarding special assessments, with 67.62% (6,437 votes) in favor. This measure requires the city to obtain approval from a majority of property owners before levying any special assessments on real property.

  • The amendment follows controversy over the 2019 Fire Assessment Fee and includes specific procedures for the City Manager to prepare and circulate petitions.

The third amendment, limiting annual budget increases, received 60.82% support (5,820 votes). This measure limits total annual budgeted expenditures, including capital expenditures and repayment of municipal debt, to an increase from the prior year’s expenditures by the lesser of 3% or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

  • It includes 12 exemptions for emergency expenses, grant-funded projects, tourist development tax funds, self-supporting enterprise funds, and more.

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Community Comments

“I agree with the idea of making it an event place. Whether for weddings or parties or businesses that want to hold lectures or meetings.Also a place for groups like...”
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“I second that thought, please quit trying to make Fort Walton another Destin. And anything to do with that that 10 million dollar ship they bought to sink is ridiculous!”
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“I like the idea of it being an event rental space, it would be beautiful for weddings and receptions, but another "charter boat hub", please quit trying to make Fort...”
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“Why not fix the dog parks adjacent to red lobster?”
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“They spend 3.75 MILLION dollars of tax payer money and don't know what they are going to do with the property? If your child came in your home and said...”
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“If Walton County was not so greedy and decided to “TAKE” what they wanted instead of “buying” it like other areas (Destin/Okaloosa County)have, this might have never been a problem....”
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“I remember both Kathy & Lee from their work with the church youth program. Despite being a Catholic "yankee" visiting each summer I have never found a more welcoming place...”
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“Hey Lee. I am so glad Danny sent this article to all the Szarowicz siblings! Congratulations on an amazing career!!! Wish I had been there to witness it. I remember...”
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“Congratulations, Lee, and the very best wishes to you and Cathy during your retirement years. A heartfelt thank you on behalf of my Bolton family for your attention and care....”
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“There is no public parking…note from article, “The beach bar is accessible only to Sandpiper Cove residents and guests, along with people walking up from the beach.” Walk in from...”
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