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.