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Okaloosa to acquire 297 acres

To: Daily Rundown Readers

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Good morning!

Let’s get to the news this morning…

MILITARY

Eglin AFB to conduct aircraft accident response exercise, requires closure of General Bond Boulevard

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The 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base will conduct a joint aircraft mass casualty accident response exercise on Sept. 25, closing General Bond Boulevard from 8 a.m. to noon.

  • The exercise aims to assess the wing’s ability to establish and maintain command, control, and coordination with multiple agencies on and off base. In partnership with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, the scenario will simulate a major airline crash.

Participating organizations include:

  • Eglin’s fire department
  • Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, encompassing emergency management and emergency medical services
  • Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
  • 96th Security Forces Squadron
  • 96th Medical Group
  • Air Methods
  • HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital
  • HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital
  • District One Medical Examiner’s Office

Motorists near the intersection of General Bond Boulevard and Highway 85, as well as the Destin Fort Walton Beach Airport’s cargo area, may observe smoke, individuals with simulated injuries, and emergency medical services from Eglin and Okaloosa County responding to the exercise.

People at the 96th MDG and local hospitals may also see individuals with simulated injuries being treated by medical staff.

This exercise serves a dual purpose, as it also fulfills Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport’s tri-annual review of its emergency action plan. For additional information, the 96th TW Public Affairs office can be contacted at (850) 882-3931.

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BUSINESS

Okaloosa County Board chairman appointed to FAC policy committees

Okaloosa County

Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon has been appointed to two Florida Association of Counties (FAC) policy committees, positioning him to influence statewide legislation on public safety and rural affairs.

  • Mixon will serve as a policy leader on the Health, Safety & Justice and Agriculture & Rural Affairs committees for a one-year term. These committees are responsible for proposing, debating and adopting policy positions that focus on preserving home rule for Florida’s counties.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Okaloosa County’s representative to help guide public policy at the state level,” Mixon said. “Public safety and rural living are significant topics for me personally and for Okaloosa residents. These committee appointments will allow Okaloosa County to have a statewide voice that shares our successes while also addressing our concerns.”

In his role, Mixon will work closely with FAC’s executive committee to develop and recommend a statewide legislation platform. This platform will guide the association’s priorities for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session.

FAC President Terry Burroughs emphasized the importance of these appointments, stating, “The association’s progress, along with that of Florida counties, is influenced by the work of our policy committees. This year’s appointments were made with a great deal of consideration, focusing on diverse leaders who bring fresh and innovative ideas to address the evolving challenges facing our state.”

The Health, Safety & Justice Committee addresses public policies related to behavioral and mental health, healthcare and human services funding and policy, emergency medical services, law enforcement, juvenile justice and corrections, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, emergency management, emergency communication and judiciary.

  • The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee focuses on policies concerning agriculture, rural development programs, rural infrastructure and housing, fiscally-constrained counties and food access.

Mixon’s appointment to these committees will allow Okaloosa County to have a voice in shaping policies that affect public safety and rural communities across Florida.

PARKS+REC

Developer Jay Odom donates $50,000 toward 4-mile multi-use path on Okaloosa Island

Photo courtesy of Okaloosa County

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $50,000 donation from developer Jay Odom on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to support the ongoing construction of the Bridge to Bridge Multi-use Path.

  • The path, spanning over 4 miles, will connect the Brooks Bridge to the Marler (Destin) Bridge along Okaloosa Island. It will provide a paved surface safely situated away from US 98, offering a protected route for cyclists and pedestrians.

Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel expressed her excitement about the in-motion project during the meeting. “I was headed to Destin the other day and I got tears in my eyes because this involves five years of work from our county commission and our staff as we negotiated with Eglin Air Force Base,” Ketchel said.

The project, which broke ground on July 8, 2024, features innovative photoluminescent technology. The path will incorporate glow-in-the-dark rocks that heat up during the day and emit a sky-blue color at night, enhancing visibility and safety for users.

Ketchel highlighted Odom’s contribution, describing him as a “community visionary and developer” who had promised the donation if the path was built. “I just think it’s remarkable that somebody cares this much about our community, that they’re willing to donate $50,000 for the bike path,” she added.

The multi-use path is primarily (and fully) funded through an allocation from the State of Florida and funds from the Tourist Development Department. Odom’s donation will be directly applied to the project’s construction expenses.

  • Commissioner Nathan Boyles suggested exploring ways to use the donation for additional amenities, such as bench seating, to further enhance the project.

The path’s construction is part of a larger effort to improve safety and recreation in the area. When completed, it is expected to significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries along the busy US 98 corridor.

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BUSINESS

LuLu’s restaurant group names Johnny Fisher as new President and COO

Lucy Buffett welcomes Johnny Fisher as LuLu’s new President and COO.

LuLu’s restaurant group, with locations in three Southern states, has appointed Johnny Fisher as its new President and Chief Operating Officer, the company announced Monday.

  • Lucy Buffett, founder and owner of LuLu’s, praised Fisher’s previous contributions to the company. “There is no question that he was responsible for putting our Gulf Shores LuLu’s on the map during his tenure as GM,” Buffett said.

Fisher, a Mobile, Alabama native, previously served as General Manager of LuLu’s Gulf Shores location from 2005 to 2012. During his time there, he grew events and culture that increased sales ten-fold, according to the company.

Buffett expressed confidence in Fisher’s ability to maintain and grow the restaurant group’s reputation. “Now, in his capacity as President and COO overseeing all my restaurants, there’s no question that he will maintain and grow our long-standing reputation and tradition as destination restaurants,” she said.

Fisher’s career in the restaurant industry includes roles such as Director of Restaurant Operations at the House of Blues in New Orleans and founder and co-owner of several restaurants in Orange Beach, Alabama. Most recently, he served as Director of Florida Operations for New Orleans-based Juan’s Flying Burrito.

  • “I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to work again with Lucy Buffett as the President and COO of her three remarkable LuLu’s waterfront restaurants and working with our talented managers and staff,” Fisher said.

LuLu’s currently operates restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama; Destin, Florida; and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

PARKS+REC

Okaloosa to acquire 297-acre property in Baker for tourism and recreation expansion

Unofficial map of the 297 acres in Baker, Florida

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to purchase a 297-acre property in Baker for $6.25 million, marking a significant step in the county’s efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and enhance recreational opportunities for residents.

  • The property, located on the east side of Highway 189, abuts the existing Baker Recreation Area and the closed county landfill. It includes several man-made lakes, a large cleared area of about 87 acres, and several fairly flat areas suitable for large outdoor events.

Craig Coffey, Deputy County Administrator, presented the proposal to the board, highlighting the property’s potential. “This is a legacy acquisition for a variety of uses on the north end that can grow and evolve over time,” Coffey said during the meeting.

The acquisition is part of a broader strategy to develop tourism infrastructure in the northern part of the county. Coffey explained that the county has been acquiring properties both on and off the water to diversify its tourism products. This project follows the establishment of the Crestview Welcome and Adventure Center and the recent purchase of 412 acres off Poverty Creek east of Crestview.

The property features an event barn that seats 200 people, currently used for weddings and other gatherings. There are also three cottages on the lakes and several smaller storage buildings. Last year, the venue hosted 50 weddings, demonstrating its existing appeal as an event space.

Commissioner Nathan Boyles, whose district includes the property, strongly supported the acquisition. 

  • “These types of acquisitions are smartly targeted towards properties that have a really complementary use to the county’s existing infrastructure. They also provide great recreational opportunities for local folks who live here. At the same time, they supercharge our tourism industry within the north end. This is absolutely the right type of acquisition,” Boyles said.

He also noted that the purchase would help address long-standing concerns about traffic in the area, particularly along Highway 189 and through Baker to Highway 90. Boyles emphasized that this acquisition would benefit local residents who have had to endure increased traffic without seeing direct benefits from tourism.

The county plans to engage various stakeholder groups to develop a conceptual master plan for the property. Potential uses could include equestrian events, livestock shows, festivals, cross-country races, and other outdoor recreation activities. The property might also host a northern County Fair and provide space for RV hookups and horse trailers.

Funding for the purchase will come from tourism dollars, specifically the 6th cent of the bed tax. The county is seeking either a bank loan or a short-term loan from the Florida Local Government Finance Corporation to finance the acquisition, with an expected interest rate under 5% for a term under five years.

Addressing concerns about competition with private businesses, Coffey clarified that the purchase agreements allow for the continuation of the existing wedding venue business on the property for up to five years. “We didn’t want to put that wedding vendor out of business; we didn’t want to be in the wedding business ourselves,” Coffey explained.

  • Commissioner Trey Goodwin sought assurance that the county would not compete with private businesses. Coffey confirmed that the intent is not to compete with private enterprises but to support and complement existing tourism efforts.

The purchase also serves as a form of land preservation. Coffey presented a sketch showing how the property could have potentially been developed into 205 residential lots under current zoning, highlighting the acquisition’s role in managing growth and preserving open space in the Baker area.

The county expects to close on the property by October 31, 2024. The Tourist Development Council will be briefed on the purchase at its September 24, 2024 meeting.

As the project moves forward, the county will work on addressing existing challenges at the Baker Recreation Area, including parking and drainage issues, to create a more functional venue capable of supporting various activities and events of quality and scale.

OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Thursday. 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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