NEWS

A look at Okaloosa County’s proposed 2023-24 budget, no millage increase

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners held a budget workshop on Tuesday, where County Administrator John Hofstad presented the proposed $622,975,411 budget for FY 2023-2024. 

In a collaborative effort with key staff and county commissioners, the proposed budget aims to address economic growth, workforce housing, personnel benefits, and public safety concerns.

• John Hofstad expressed his enthusiasm for the proposed budget, stating, “I am pleased to present the proposed budget for FY 2023-2024. This budget represents a collaborative effort between key staff in our operating departments, the Office of Management and Budget, and you, the Board of County Commissioners.”

Economic Growth and Development

Notwithstanding certain financial pressures, Okaloosa County is experiencing substantial growth and development. Hofstad highlighted the County’s efforts to attract large-scale commercial and light industrial companies to the non-developed Shoal River Ranch area. “The County purchased land in Shoal River Ranch, and we’re actively expanding water and sewer lines in the area to support economic development,” he stated in his letter.

• The Florida Legislature’s recent award of $7 million towards the Shoal River water reclamation facility and the state’s Jobs Growth Infrastructure grant award of $3.2 million further underscore the state’s support for Okaloosa County’s economic development efforts.

Hofstad added, “The construction of the Southwest Crestview Bypass is exceeding expectations, and upon completion, it is expected to have positive impacts on our transportation system, with decreased travel times and congestion, increased travel capacity, and potential economic expansion with the availability of more land.”

Real Estate Boom and Workforce Housing Concerns

Okaloosa County is experiencing double-digit property value percent increases,and home purchases remain brisk, with over 50% of homes sold within 30 days. The County has approved the development of 2,800 new single-family homes and new apartment buildings, with another 661 homes nearing approval, which should increase housing availability.

However, with steady population growth, including military families, home affordability has become a consistent concern. To address this issue, the County is actively working on a comprehensive Attainable Workforce Housing Strategic Plan. 

• Hofstad emphasized the significance of this plan, stating, “We are committed to finding solutions to the housing affordability challenge. The Countywide Comprehensive Attainable Workforce Housing Strategic Plan will be completed by year-end and will include actions and strategies to develop, preserve, and increase access to housing for our workforce and families.”

Property Taxes

While facing inflation and energy cost fluctuations, Hofstad says that Okaloosa County remains committed to conservative budgeting practices. The recommended budget includes no ad valorem tax rate change from the current 3.8308 mills. The proposed budget for all funds totals $622,975,411, representing an 11.0% increase over the FY 2023 adopted budget.

• Hofstad assured, “We are managing staffing shortages and escalating capital equipment and construction costs through conservative budgeting practices. Our goal is to use our resources wisely while maintaining the quality of services our residents expect.”

The total recommended General Fund budget for FY 2023-2024 is $168,564,500, which represents a 7.9% increase from FY 2022-2023. Property tax revenue serves as the primary source of General Fund revenue, providing $93,900,087 or 56% of the total revenue.

The proposed budget reflects staff recommendations and incorporates feedback received at budget workshops. The formal adoption of the final budget will take place after two public hearings scheduled for September 5, 2023, in Crestview, and September 19, 2023, in Shalimar.

Click here to read the rest of the budget highlights

TRAFFIC

Motorcycle collision claims life of 23-year-old Crestview resident on North Ferdon Blvd.

The Crestview Police Department is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on North Ferdon Boulevard (State Highway 85 North) near the intersection of Commerce Drive.

On the morning of Wednesday, July 26, 2023, around 6:15 a.m., Officers were dispatched to a motorcycle versus a truck in the South Bound Traffic Lanes of North Ferdon Boulevard. According to the Crestview Police Department, a pair of motorcycles were traveling together in the south bound traffic lanes when one of them struck a vehicle.

According to the report, a motorcycle that was operated by 23-year-old Crestview resident Jay M. Pace struck the rear quarter panel of a vehicle that was crossing the roadway, to turn left onto North Ferdon Boulevard. 

• Pace was ejected from the motorcycle and died as a result of his injuries.
• The other motorcycle stopped and was not involved in the accident. There were no other injuries.

“Based on the statements of multiple witnesses and evidence on scene, Mr. Pace was traveling at a high rate of speed and was seen accelerating and bringing his motorcycle into an illegal wheelie (driving on just the rear tire) just moments before the impact with the other vehicle occurred,” wrote the Crestview Police Department in a press release.

The investigation remains active and ongoing at this time, report the Crestview PD. Alcohol and/or drugs are not considered as a factor in this accident.

A MESSAGE FROM PEADEN

Peaden shares tips on how to keep drain lines clean and avoid HVAC breakdowns in Summer heat

As temperatures soar in Florida during the summer months, homeowners often face common and avoidable breakdowns in their HVAC systems, with drain clogs topping the list. 

• To shed light on the issue, we spoke with Tony Hicks, the Assistant GM & HVAC Service Manager at Peaden, to understand the best ways to keep those drain lines flowing smoothly.

“With hot days here in Florida and into the night, your HVAC system is just running all day long with water constantly flowing through there,” said Tony Hicks. “The best way for upkeep is pouring white vinegar down the drain line once per month. That’s the standard.”

• He explained that the heat and humidity in Florida make it easy for algae and mold to thrive in the drain lines, leading to clogs and potential system breakdowns.

To keep the drain lines in good shape, Hicks advised homeowners to make it a habit to pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain line every time they change the filter. This simple routine maintenance can go a long way in preventing clogs and maintaining a smoothly operating HVAC system.

Additionally, keeping the filters clean is crucial. The dirtier the filter, the dirtier the evaporator coil becomes, and Hicks says this can contribute to clogging issues in the drain lines. He emphasized that households with more occupants or pets might need to change their filters more frequently to prevent excess debris from entering the drain.

For those who prefer leaving the maintenance to the professionals, Peaden offers a maintenance program that includes clearing the drain lines.

At Peaden, they utilize pressurized nitrogen to shoot out any obstructions in the drain lines during their maintenance visits. Hicks recommended having this deep cleaning done at least once or twice a year, coupled with the homeowner’s monthly white vinegar routine.

• In certain cases, where the HVAC unit is located in hard-to-reach places like the attic, Hicks suggested installing UV lights that shine on the coil continuously. These lights help to keep the coil clean and indirectly aid in maintaining a clear drain line.

For those homeowners facing persistent drain line issues, Hicks mentioned another effective solution: installing a condensate pump. 

• “The pump fills up and forces water out through a condensate tube, alleviating drain line problems,” he said. “Although regular maintenance is still necessary, this solution reduces the need for monthly worries about clogs.”

For more information on HVAC services from Peaden, and how their maintenance program can provide you with peace of mind, visit their website today. 

SCHOOL

Okaloosa County Schools host successful ‘Kindergarten Kickstart’ program with 350 incoming students

In an effort to ease the transition from pre-K to kindergarten, the Okaloosa County School District held its “Kindergarten Kickstart” program from Monday, July 24, 2023 through Thursday, July 27.

• The program took place in eleven Title 1 elementary schools, including Shalimar, Wright, Lewis, Northwood, Bob Sikes, Kenwood, Mary Esther, Edwins, Walker, Riverside, and Laurel Hill elementary schools. 

The program, organized by the Title 1 Department, was designed to help incoming kindergarten students familiarize themselves with their new campus and build resilient strategies before the official start of the school year. 

• According to Hilary DeMers, Digital Media and Communications Specialist for the Okaloosa County School District, they had initially expected 200 children to participate, but to their delight, the turnout was much higher, with a record 350 total participants showing up for the program.

“It is a transition activity to prepare our kids for kindergarten,” explained DeMers. “It allows the kids to familiarize themselves with the campus, learn resilient strategies, and establish routines. The program ran from 8am to noon each day, giving them a few hours to get used to this new environment.”

The “Kindergarten Kickstart” offers a nurturing environment where children can interact with their future teachers and engage in various activities to prepare for the upcoming school year. 

• “It was just the incoming students and the teachers that were participating,” added DeMers. “The teachers do art projects, they read and they do different things to get them used to what it’s going to be like when they actually start kindergarten.”

The program aligns with state requirements for transition activities from pre-K to second grade. Although the state does not mandate this specific program, there is an expectation that schools have transition activities in place. 

Each child and family that participated in the “Kindergarten Kickstart” received a backpack filled with educational materials to continue learning at home.

“Inside each backpack were Summer Express Learning Materials,” said DeMers. “They received Just Right Reader Decodable packs, along with a book called ‘Share and Take Turns.’ They’re all things that parents can do at home with their kids to continue what they were doing at the Kickstart event.”

The “Kindergarten Kickstart” initiative is an example of proactive measures taken by the Okaloosa County School District to ensure a smooth transition for young learners as they take their first steps into formal education. By providing these early interactions and resources, the district aims to set students up for success in their educational journey.

“This is a way to set our students up for success, allowing them to become familiar with people they will see on the first day and the environment they will learn in with extended time and fewer intimidating factors,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers stated. “I appreciate the teachers and administrators who ran the program at their school and our Title 1 Department for making this program successful.”

The first day of school in Okaloosa County is on August 10.

TRAFFIC

Mary Esther Cut Off’s $6.9 million resurfacing project set to begin in August

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin work in August on a $6.3 million project to mill and resurface Mary Esther Boulevard (State Road 393) from U.S. 98 to Beal Parkway in Okaloosa County.

This 6.9-mile project also includes minor widening of shoulders and opposing left turn lanes at multiple intersections, sidewalk repairs and upgrades at pedestrian crossings to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements, as well as drainage improvements, traffic signal loop replacements, new signage and pavement markings.  

During construction, drivers and bicyclists may encounter periodic detours, lane closures and minor traffic shifts. Access to businesses and other private properties will be maintained at all times. 

Lane closure restrictions on Mary Esther Boulevard have been divided into the following geographic locations:

• U.S. 98 to Hollywood Boulevard, Sunday through Thursday evenings between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
• Hollywood Boulevard to Beal Parkway, 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. daily.

The project is estimated for completion in spring 2024.

TRAFFIC

Eglin to close roads in Okaloosa for weapons testing today, July 28

The 96th Test Wing is scheduled to conduct weapons testing on the Eglin Test and Training Range (ETTR) on July 28, requiring the closure of Highway 85, 285, State Road 123 and Bob Sikes Road.

The roads will be closed between 9 a.m. and noon. The roads will not be closed for more than 90-minute periods within the time frame. In addition to the road closures, the mission will also require the evacuation of the ETTR, according to Eglin.

• Recreation on the range will not be permitted during this time.

All Eglin Range roads and access roads will be closed from Highway 87 to 331 for the duration of the mission. Please note that Highway 87 and 331 will not be closed.

A back-up mission is scheduled for August 18 between 9 a.m. and noon.