The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved municipal expenditure plans for tourist development tax funding for fiscal year 2026 on Tuesday, August 5.
- The approved plans include projects for the City of Destin and the City of Fort Walton Beach, according to documents presented at the meeting.
“Today I am requesting that you approve the city of Destin’s and the city of Fort Walton’s funding projects for 2026,” Tourism Director Jennifer Adams told commissioners.
Destin will repay $750,000 to the county as an advance funding agreement payment, representing year four of a 10-year repayment commitment for the Tarpon project.
- The city will receive $665,000 for beach and boardwalk operations, covering maintenance and operations of tourist facilities including June White Decker Park, Shores at Crystal Beach Park and the harbor boardwalk.
Fort Walton Beach was approved for $575,000 to renovate greens at the Pines Golf Course and $75,000 for tournament maintenance at the Preston Hood Athletic Complex.
The golf course renovation is currently underway and involves stripping down 18 holes, fumigating old green areas and installing new greens, with the project scheduled to wrap up at the end August 2025. The renovation will provide uniform playing surfaces when completed.
The 12.5% municipal allocation comes from tourist development tax revenues and is divided among participating municipalities. Three cities originally requested funds, but Valparaiso withdrew its application for revisions and may resubmit later.
- Adams noted that three municipalities — Shalimar, Cinco Bayou and Mary Esther — are using their allocations in conjunction with county projects rather than submitting individual requests.
Chairman Paul Mixon mentioned that Crestview is working on a project for future consideration. Municipalities that don’t use their allocations can bank the funds for up to five years for future tourism-related projects.
