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Good morning!
Okaloosa County has proposed a $769 million budget for fiscal year 2027 with no millage rate increase, offering a look at the county’s spending plans ahead of adoption. Nightly lane closures begin Sunday on Highway 98 in Okaloosa County, and a $3.1 million renovation project will close the west side of Liza Jackson Park in August. Choctaw football is embracing high expectations as it builds on its historic Final Four run. And, four new builds for sale in Niceville under $550K, along with games and today’s weather…
PARKS+REC
$3.1 million renovation project to close west side of Liza Jackson Park in August
The west side of Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach, including its boat launch, is expected to close Aug. 3 to make way for a $3.1 million renovation project.
The work will include a new 832-square-foot restroom building, new parking for vehicles and boat trailers, a redesigned boat launch area, new sidewalks and stormwater improvements. The project is expected to take approximately six months to complete.
Funding for the project will come from the Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the Infrastructure Surtax fund and a $1 million contribution from Okaloosa County through its Tourist Development Tax fund.
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GAMES
WordroW: July 10, 2026
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
SPORTS
Choctaw football ready to build on historic Final Four run, embraces high expectations
Fresh off a breakthrough year that included the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2014 before falling to eventual state champion American Heritage, the Indians are here to stay and look poised for another deep November run.
“It was a big deal, but last year and every year are different,” Choctaw Head Coach Frank Beasley said. “We’ll keep trying to build our football team and build off the success of last year’s team.”
With that said, here are five storylines surrounding Choctaw heading into the season to include:
- Bull’s-eye on the back
- A quarterback battle
- The ground game
- Defense is here to stay
- A proving schedule
GAMES
Jigsaw – “On the bayou”
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Ready for this week’s Jigsaw puzzle?
Each week, we use local pictures from around Okaloosa County as part of our puzzles. They’ll include current dated photos to historical ones. This week…we head to one of our bayous.
REAL ESTATE
HOT LISTINGS: 4 new builds for sale in Niceville under $550k
New builds in Niceville don’t come along every day, and this week’s lineup showcases four fresh opportunities for buyers who want modern construction without waiting through the building process.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable entry into new construction or a larger home with upgraded finishes, these properties offer a variety of floor plans, price points, and builder incentives.
This week’s collection includes homes built in 2025 and 2026, ranging from move-in-ready properties to homes nearing completion.
PROMOTED BY THE BOARDWALK
The Boardwalk brings family fun to Okaloosa Island all summer
From sun up to sun down, The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island has everything your family needs to beach, eat, drink and play along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. With public beach access, a variety of restaurants and shops, and family-friendly events all summer long, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s what’s happening each week at Al’s Beach Club and Burger Bar:
- Sunday: Karaoke with KJ K, 7-11 p.m.
- Monday: Captain Davy & The Crossbones Pirate Show, 5:30-8 p.m.
- Tuesday: Movie on the Beach, 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: Karaoke with KJ K, 7-11 p.m. | Fireworks at 9 p.m.
- Thursday: Luau with face painting, balloon sculptures, beach games and fire dancers, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Live music nightly starting at 4 p.m., followed by a DJ until close. For the full lineup and more details, visit theboardwalkoi.com/play.
TRAFFIC
Nightly lane closures begin Sunday on Highway 98 in Okaloosa County
Nightly lane closures on U.S. 98 in Okaloosa County will begin Sunday as part of a $7.9 million resurfacing project.
The Florida Department of Transportation said motorists traveling U.S. 98 from the Santa Rosa County line to west of Josie Road should expect lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning July 12 through fall 2026 for milling and resurfacing operations.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled due to inclement weather. FDOT urged drivers to use caution when traveling through the work zone, especially at night, and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
The project also includes intersection improvements and median modifications along the corridor.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
TONIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
BUSINESS
Okaloosa County proposes $769 million budget for fiscal year 2027 with no millage increase
Okaloosa County’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget totals $769 million, an $82 million increase over the current adopted budget, County Administrator John Hofstad told commissioners Tuesday during the first of two budget workshops.
But Hofstad stressed that the bulk of that growth is tied to enterprise fund reserves and capital project planning rather than new general fund spending.
“A large portion of that is tied to your enterprise funds — whether that’s airports or TDD or water and sewer,” Hofstad said. “Yes, that’s growth, but that’s inside restricted dollars that have to be used within that department for capital needs.”
Of the $82 million increase, only $3 million comes from growth in ad valorem property tax revenue, according to the presentation.
The largest year-over-year increases by fund include:
- Water & Sewer: up $34.2 million to $128.4 million
- Airports: up $25.1 million to $98.2 million
- Capital Projects: up $9.3 million to $31.1 million
- General Fund: up $8.9 million to $191.1 million (25% of the overall budget)
- Solid Waste: up $4.9 million to $32.6 million
- Debt Service: up $3 million to $12 million
- Other major components of the overall budget include Tourism at 12%, the Infrastructure Surtax Fund at 9% and miscellaneous funds accounting for 6%.
The proposed budget holds the countywide millage rate at 3.8308 mills, a level the county has maintained for a decade. Hofstad noted that Okaloosa is one of roughly five counties out of 67 in Florida with an aggregate millage rate below four.
“We take great pride in the fact that we keep the tax burden low for the residents here in Okaloosa County,” Hofstad said.
Hofstad identified the potential homestead exemption legislation heading to voters in November as a major source of uncertainty hanging over the budget.
“I will tell you, if successful, in year two, this will impact our general fund revenues, our property tax revenues by 23%,” Hofstad said.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Friday! Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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Jared
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