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Good morning!
Here’s what we’re covering today:
- Okaloosa residents get a new tool to navigate road repair responsibilities, while commissioners make big moves – approving $3.3M for the Destin Crosstown Connector, accepting plans for Eglin Orphan Land, and welcoming a new parks director. The board also honors J.D. Peacock’s service, while Eglin investigates an incident involving a dropped fuel tank near Niceville.
MILITARY
Eglin Air Force Base investigates dropped fuel tank in Niceville area
Eglin Air Force Base officials are investigating after a military aircraft reportedly dropped a fuel tank Tuesday near the intersection of Nathey Avenue and Monette Street in Niceville.
- There are no injuries reported and no known damage to property, according to base officials.
Edge Elementary School, located 650 yards east of the site, will resume classes as scheduled on Wednesday, January 8, following Christmas Break, according to the Okaloosa County School District.
No additional information about the circumstances of the incident has been released by Eglin Air Force Base at this time.
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TRAFFIC
Okaloosa County approves $3.3M for portion of Destin Crosstown Connector
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved $3.3 million in tourist development tax funding for the final segment of the Destin Crosstown Connector project.
- The approved interlocal agreement with the City of Destin covers construction of the Beach Drive to Benning Drive roadway leg, which will complete the connector route running from Commons Drive to Stahlman Avenue.
“It’s been a minute getting here but we’re here today,” said Jennifer Adams, Tourism Director. “We greatly need this extension for us trying to get home at night and traverse around in the busy months.”
The total project cost is estimated at $10 million, with the county’s contribution capped at $3.3 million, or 33% of the actual project costs. The City of Destin will be responsible for any cost overages.
City officials report they are finalizing the Environmental Impact Report and are close to issuing a development order. The city plans to coordinate with the Florida Department of Transportation for contractor procurement later this spring.
The 0.4-mile segment will include a median-divided roadway, bicycle lanes, sidewalks on both sides, street lighting, street furniture, and landscaping, as required by the Destin Multi-Modal Transportation District guidelines.
- The project has been designated as high priority by the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority and Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization. The Tourist Development Council recommended approval at its December 17, 2024 meeting.
The funding, first budgeted in fiscal year 2019, will be carried over into fiscal year 2025. The commissioners approved the agreement unanimously.
REAL ESTATE
Okaloosa commissioners accept conceptual plan for Eglin Orphan Land development
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to accept a conceptual Master Plan for developing Eglin Air Force Base’s orphan parcels toward housing and development needs.
- The plan, developed over six months by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., outlines potential uses for eight parcels of underutilized Eglin property, with a focus on attainable housing, commercial development, and recreational spaces.
“This is very much a high-level conceptual master plan,” said Sheila Fitzgerald, presenting the plan to commissioners. “Just because you are seeing a parcel laid out in the manner that it is laid out in the plan, or whether it’s showing a commercial development or residential development, that doesn’t mean that the parcel will ultimately have to be developed specifically like it is shown.”
Chairman Paul Mixon emphasized that Tuesday’s acceptance does not finalize any zoning changes or specific developments. “This is not a zoning meeting. We’re not looking to change any zoning. We’re not giving designations today of what will be where. We’re just stepping along in this process together,” Mixon said.
The plan will now be shared with Eglin officials as the county continues dialogue about potentially developing the properties. Commissioner Drew Palmer noted this represents the beginning of what could be a decades-long process.
- “Nobody should get too worked up about what each parcel says,” said Palmer. “These are concepts. These are things that we’re using for planning and we’re talking 20 years worth of potential development.”
Each future development proposal would require additional board approval if the county pursues involvement in specific projects.
Key Parcels in the Master Plan:
- Camp Pinchot (264 acres): 200-300 residential units, neighborhood commercial space (±18,000 sq ft), plus 145 acres for recreation and natural resource management
- East Garnier Creek (264 acres): Mix of multi-family (875-1,025 units) and townhomes (225-275 units), commercial space (±410,000 sq ft), with 80 acres reserved for open space and recreation
- Poquito Bayou (91 acres): Multi-family residential (350-450 units), townhomes (20-30 units), hotel and convention center (±200,000 sq ft), proposed museum and welcome center
- North Nine (282 acres): Mix of multi-family (225-325 units) and townhomes (90-130 units), office space (130,000-190,000 sq ft), with 150 acres of open space
- K-21 (401 acres): Active adult community (80-120 units), townhomes (250-350 units), community commercial space (±175,000 sq ft), 190 acres for potential Northwest Florida State College expansion
- L-34 (200 acres): Public works and fire station facilities (±60,000 sq ft), recreation complex, neighborhood commercial (±25,000 sq ft), and open space
- L-24 (78 acres): Designated for open space and conservation (±60 acres)
- Addie Lewis (21 acres): Potential residential development (30-50 units) and future school expansion (±5 acres)
PARKS+REC
Okaloosa commissioners approve Jeff Peters as new parks and facilities director
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Jeff Peters as the county’s new Facility and Parks Director during their meeting Tuesday morning.
- Peters, who recently resigned as Fort Walton Beach city manager, brings nearly two decades of recreation and facility management experience to his new role overseeing the county’s parks system.
“I’m excited that he’s coming on board,” Commissioner Trey Goodwin said, recalling his experience working with Peters over a decade ago while serving on the Fort Walton Beach City Council.
Goodwin shared how Peters first proposed the consolidation of city recreation facilities and what would become the Preston Hood Athletic Complex.
- “I was a little hesitant because it was spending money,” Goodwin said. “Jeff got his city truck, picked me up and we drove around for a day. We visited every facility, every park that the city of Fort Walton had. We walked through it, looked at all the good, the bad, the ugly, and talked through the situation and he sold me on it. Since then, it’s really proved to be a big benefit for the city.”
Peters began his career with Fort Walton Beach in 2006 as recreation director before becoming city manager in 2022. During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous projects including Sound Park, City Hall Athletic Complex, Ferry Park amenities, and the construction of 24 pickleball courts.
Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey highlighted Peters’ extensive experience managing complex operations, noting his oversight of 320 employees and seven departments as city manager.
- “He comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, grew up here, and so it’s exciting to welcome him to our team of qualified directors,” Coffey said.
Vice-Chair Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel praised Peters’ track record with recreation projects, particularly pointing to his work with pickleball facilities. “You’ve got 20 covered courts down there, and I hope we can replicate some of that in the county,” she said.
In his new role, Peters will oversee nearly 50 county parks and various county-owned facilities, including airports and other properties under the Board of County Commissioners.
“My passion has always been recreation,” Peters said in a recent interview about the move. “This opportunity with Okaloosa County is something that is right up my alley and something that I feel is an important move for me and my family.”
Peters requested to remain involved with The Landing Park renovations, the new Indian Temple Mound Museum, and Liza Jackson Park projects, which are partially funded with county dollars.
NEWS
Okaloosa commissioners honor retired clerk J.D. Peacock for decades of service
J.D. Peacock attended his first Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners meeting as a private citizen Tuesday, where commissioners honored his years of service and contributions to the county.
- During the recognition ceremony, Chairman Paul Mixon highlighted Peacock’s accomplishments, including his four years in the U.S. Army and 25-year career with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office before becoming clerk of courts in 2014.
“It’s been an honor to serve with you, both in your career in the sheriff’s office, and in your career here with the county as a clerk,” Mixon said during the presentation.
Peacock’s tenure included serving as chairman of the Clerk of Courts Operations Corporation from 2019 to 2022. He was named Clerk of the Year in 2020 by the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association and received the Northwest Florida State College Foundation Chairman’s Award in 2021.
- “We are the jewel of the emerald coast of the panhandle when you look at how governments work to the left of us and to the right of us,” Peacock said during his remarks, crediting his success to his team at the clerk’s office. “The team that I’ve had is who has made the clerk’s office and will continue on serving our community.”
Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel noted her collaboration with Peacock through community service, including their work with the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution on cemetery restoration projects.
Brad Embry, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, assumed the role of Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller on January 1, 2025. During his first report to commissioners Tuesday, Embry paid tribute to Peacock’s signature phrase, telling the board, “In the words of my predecessor, ‘I’m just happy to be here.’”
- He added that he looks forward to serving the county in his new role.
The commissioners presented Peacock with a plaque commemorating his service to the county.
NEWS
‘Who fixes this road?’: New app helps Okaloosa residents identify road jurisdictions
Okaloosa County unveiled a new Road Management Information app Tuesday that helps residents identify whether city, county or state agencies are responsible for maintaining specific roadways.
- The web-based tool, presented during the Board of County Commissioners meeting, uses a color-coded interactive map to show jurisdictional boundaries and provide contact information for reporting road issues like potholes, striping, and paving concerns.
“One of the things that we get the most concerns and complaints about are roads,” said Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel, who initially proposed the idea after discussions with Public Works Director Jason Autrey. “Hollywood Boulevard is a nightmare because it’s in the county at some points, it’s also in the city of Fort Walton Beach, and it’s also in the city of Mary Esther.”
Dan Sambenedetto, head of the county’s IT department, said the application combines existing Geographic Information System (GIS) data from Public Works and municipalities. Users can search by address or click directly on roads to determine jurisdiction and find relevant contact information.
- “It’s data that we’ve had internally for years, but we just didn’t have the idea to package it up and make it available to the public in an easy-to-use interface,” Sambenedetto said.
The tool aims to eliminate confusion about road maintenance responsibilities. For example, while residents often contact the county about State Road 85’s condition near the Shalimar Bridge, that section falls under Florida Department of Transportation jurisdiction. According to Ketchel, FDOT has assured that Shalimar Bridge and State Road 85 will be addressed by August 2025.
Eddie Quinlan, the county’s GIS manager, spent several months developing the application. The project began after Ketchel challenged the IT department to create a solution for residents confused about road jurisdiction.
- “We take pride in our roads,” Ketchel said. “The half-penny sales tax, voted on by the citizens of Okaloosa County, has allowed us to accomplish much needed roadwork, from repair of neighborhood streets to paving 400 miles of dirt roads in the north end.”
The application allows users to search within 250 feet of any location and includes layers that can be toggled on or off for different types of information. It is available at https://bit.ly/WhoManagesMyRoad and may eventually be accessible through physical kiosks.
Sambenedetto encouraged residents to report any errors through the help tab as part of ongoing quality control efforts. “Anytime we maintain this kind of GIS data, there’s always a scrubbing that we need to go through,” he said. “If anybody finds any errors, please let us know and we’ll fix them.”
Ketchel suggested the tool could be valuable beyond Okaloosa County’s borders. “I really think we should take this to the Florida Association of Counties because all 67 counties need this,” she said.
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