DESTIN

Destin Harbor pump back in business

The City of Destin recently had its Harbor Pump completely rebuilt, a process that has taken over six months. Parts original to the former pump configuration include the pump housing and one drive short shaft with the remainder being brand new.

The pump’s re-installation began November 18^th with the arrival of a crane and support staff from Gilbert Pump (Fort Walton Beach). With the subsequent reinstallation of the primary components and restoration of power, the pump is back in full operation.

The city is also awaiting the arrival and installation of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) for the system. In its former configuration, the Harbor Pump was either off or on. The VFD will allow staff to tune the motor’s rotations per minute to optimize output whilst minimizing the effects of cavitation and/or air entrainment which can damage any pump over time, according to the city.

Once online, the city will operate the pump using the regular summer schedule for a few weeks and will then begin operations on a reduced off-season schedule.

• Additionally, city staff recently performed a dive to inspect and clean the Harbor Pump’s intake structure located in the Gulf of Mexico. Staff removed biological growth (primarily plant) from the intake grates.

What is the Purpose of the Harbor Pump?

The Destin Harbor is a functionally closed 240-acre waterbody with water-quality issues that include nitrogen and phosphorous loading.

• Nutrients like these, commonly found in fertilizers along with warmer water temperatures, can lead to algal blooms, reduced dissolved oxygen levels, fish kills, cloudy water and odor complaints if allowed to accumulate over time.

To combat the effects of urbanization and the water quality issues it can create, the pump system, in operation since 1992, brings low-nutrient water into the Harbor to flush out pollutants and raise the dissolved oxygen levels for fish and other aquatic life.

OKALOOSA

Okaloosa County property owners saved over $9 million thanks to early tax payments

Over $9.1 million was saved by Okaloosa County Property owners who took advantage of the 4% early payment discount last month, according to the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office. 

“Our office collected $228.5 million during November, with over 66% of that total collected using our convenient and secure online services,” shared Tax Collector Ben Anderson. “The best part is that the millions of dollars saved by property  owners stayed in the hands of citizens, rather than in the hands of government!” 

The Tax Collector reported an all-time high for property taxes collected in November, reaching 83.5% of the 2021 tax roll, beating out last year’s record of 82%. 

“We are extremely pleased by the  record collection numbers accomplished in only 24 working days from the opening of the tax roll,” said Justin Gordon, Director of Tax Services. “We owe this success to both our team and to the  over 12,000 property owners who took advantage of our secure online payment option.”

• According to Gordon, the Tax Collector’s Office recorded a 27% increase in property taxes paid online this year versus last year.

Several payment options are available to property owners needing to pay property taxes including using your Bank Account at OkaloosaTax.com. 

Keri Holguin, Chief of Financial Operations says that “paying online with your Bank Account (E-check) is as if you were writing a check to their office.” 

• Those who paid online with saved over $1.1 million in convenience fees this November.

INVESTIGATION

Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office investigating attempted teen abduction

A 16-year old Fort Walton Beach girl says a man tried to force her into his car near the Colonial Plaza Center off Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach over the weekend.

The girl told deputies she was riding her bike in the area of Choctawhatchee High School around 9:30pm when a grey vehicle passed her and then made a U-turn at the next intersection.

The vehicle stopped next to her and the man attempted to engage in conversation with the teen. The girl attempted to ignore the man and she said he exited the car, grabbed her arm and tried to pull her toward the vehicle. The girl was able to push the man away and flee on her bicycle.

According to the OCSO the suspect is described as a white male over six feet tall, around 30 years old and weighing approximately 180 pounds. He was wearing a blue short sleeve t-shirt and blue jeans.

• The victim said the male had no tattoos, scars, marks, or facial hair.
• The vehicle was described as a two-door, light grey Dodge Challenger.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 850-651-7400 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS, EmeraldCoastCrimeStoppers.com or via the P3 Tips Mobile App.

CRESTVIEW

Crestview city officials spend the day with SGA students

On December 9th, Mayor Whitten, Councilman Doug Capps, and City Manager Tim Bolduc participated in the Crestview High School Student Government (SGA) Leadership Convention. The convention took place at the Robert L. F. Sikes Public Library and featured local business owners and city officials. 

Mayor Whitten engaged students with stories of governmental ethics and the importance of the Home Rule. Councilman Capps and Mr. Bolduc discussed city planning and the value of developing and supporting our local economy. 

“As someone who was fascinated by local government when I was a student at CHS, it was inspiring to see that same passion today,” said Councilman Capps.

SGA has been a valuable asset for students at Crestview High School. Brittany Young, the teacher responsible for leading this year’s SGA program, is very passionate about providing her students with the tools they will need to succeed in life. 

“I want my students to understand the value of investing in their local community and how that investment benefits not just them but others in the community as well,” Ms. Young said. 

“Being in SGA started as just another way for me to get involved but has turned into something that has boosted my self-confidence, leadership skills, problem-solving, and ability to create relationships with others,” said SGA member Lily Rath.

Going deeper: While the students participating in the event were excited to have an opportunity to engage city leadership directly, they didn’t hold back when it came time for Q&A.

• The students asked questions ranging from how the city addresses homelessness to the impact of the recent Tourist Development District expansion.

“These kids are impressive,” said Tim Bolduc. “I look forward to seeing what they do for our community in the coming years. I may even put some of them to work.”

SCHOOLS

Okaloosa School District to begin $130 million in major district-wide construction projects

It’s been 16 months since the half-cent sales tax was approved by Okaloosa voters. But for Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers, it represents a landmark decision for Okaloosa County schools, who have not seen significant construction in almost 20 years.

Thanks to record sales-tax collections in 2021, projects like single point-of-entry, perimeter fencing, and some roofing projects are years ahead of schedule.

Now, the Okaloosa County School District is ready to move onto much bigger projects by way of Certificates of Participation (COP). On Monday night, the Okaloosa County School Board approved the issuance of Certificates of Participation not to exceed $130 million.

“We have three years* to get a lot done in Okaloosa County and we’re talking classroom additions, cafetoriums, multipurpose buildings and being able to look at 19 construction projects across 15 schools,” said Chambers. “That’s pretty significant.”

According to Chambers, a Certificate of Participation is a process that school districts across the state of Florida, and across the nation, utilize in order to get funding to get projects going. 

• By using a COP, school districts get money up front and then pay it back with available resources, such as the half-cent sales tax. 

This financing tool allows a school district to utilize a lease structure and borrow money for capital projects. A school district will utilize the Certificate of Participation when there is a specific revenue stream that can be tied to the capital project. In this case, the half-cent sales tax and other school sources.

Fun fact: The OCSD currently has no outstanding debt.

What the $130 million will fund 💰

• Classroom additions for Crestview High School, Laurel Hill, Elliott Point Elementary School, Silver Sands; and
• New Cafetoriums for Plew Elementary School, Ruckel Middle School, Bob Sikes Elementary School, Edwins Elementary School, Shalimar Elementary School, and Wright Elementary School; and
• Renovation and expansion of dining areas for Pryor Middle School, Baker School, and Crestview High School; and
• New multipurpose athletic buildings for Niceville High School, Crestview High School, Baker School, Choctawhatchee High School, and Ft. Walton Beach High School; and
• Multipurpose room renovation at Laurel Hill School.

Florida for the win 😎

“We looked at the half-cent sales tax revenue for the past 9 months of the program, since January of this year, and our sales-tax revenue is 39% higher than the projections that we used originally,” said Assistant Superintendent Steve Horton.

According to Horton, as it relates to Certificates of Participation and borrowing funds, interest rates are still low.

“We don’t have a situation here in December where interest rates are at a historic low, but they are low, relatively speaking,” said Horton. “So if there was a time in which a school board or an entity would go out and make use of Certificates of Participation, now’s a good time to do that.”

As we’ve seen with residential construction prices, the same can be said on the commercial side too. It’s higher now than it has been in the past. 

However, thanks to the “Guaranteed Maximum Price” agreement between the Okaloosa County School District and Jacob’s Titan, the project management company, the school district will not have to cover any increase in final construction costs. That will be on Jacob’s Titan to cover the difference.

• “We are very pleased with the work that Jacob’s Titan has done in the past with staying within a Guaranteed Maximum Price they provide us,” continued Horton. “In essence, anything that comes beyond that, they would absorb that as their own risk. So we’re pleased with the GMP that’s coming before us today.”

In a normal GMP situation, there would be a shared-savings split between the OCSD and Jacob’s Titan. However, because of the uncertainty of construction costs at the moment, Jacob’s Titan has forgone the first $10 million in savings.

19 in 3…*

As Superintendent Chambers addressed the School Board, he mentioned getting “a lot done in 3 years.” 

According to Steve Horton, there is a reasonable expectation that these types of projects can be completed within 3 years. If the district cannot get these projects completed, they will be subject to repaying a portion of the interest on the remaining funds. 

As for when dirt will get moving, Horton told Get The Coast on Monday that they plan on starting with the high school multipurpose buildings first, with bidding starting in late January/February timeframe. 

“This is exciting for the students of Okaloosa County, for the families and the employees of the school district, to be able to really do the things that we need to do,” said Chambers.

Go deeper: Click here to take a closer look at the projects