Politics

Okaloosa’s 75.9% voter turnout powers decisive local election results

More than 114,000 Okaloosa County residents cast ballots Tuesday, deciding state and local races while backing economic development incentives and government reforms.

Jared Williams

Okaloosa County recorded 114,643 ballots cast in Tuesday’s election, representing 75.9% of the county’s 151,054 registered voters.

In the State Representative District 4 race, Patt Maney won with 73.50% (67,643 votes) over Samuel Chang’s 26.50% (24,383 votes).

The county’s Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption program won renewal with 70.28% support (76,092 votes). The program, first adopted in 1981, provides temporary property tax exemptions to businesses that invest in facilities and create jobs paying above 110% of the county’s average wage.

Fort Walton Beach voters approved three charter amendments. The first, ending elected official compensation, passed with 53.58% (5,162 votes). The second, requiring property owner approval for special assessments, received 67.62% support (6,437 votes). The third, limiting annual budget increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index change, passed with 60.82% (5,820 votes).

Destin voters selected five new city council members: Dewey Destin (22.98%), Kevin Schmidt (15.14%), Teresa Hebert (13.84%), Sandy Trammell (13.31%) and Rodney Braden (12.86%).

In Destin Fire Commission races, Travis Glaze won Group 2 with 53.35% (4,759 votes) over Rick Moore’s 46.65% (4,161 votes). Tommy Green secured Group 4 with 54.22% (4,763 votes) against John Bitler’s 45.78% (4,021 votes).

Crestview voters chose Shannon Hayes as their new city council member for Group 1. Hayes received 59.26% (5,773 votes) while Frederick Jackson Butts III received 40.74% (3,969 votes).

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Bill Denis commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“Like it or not but Fort Walton Beach is dying, it's becoming just like Navarre but with some big box stores and no growth. All the shopping is in Walton...”

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s commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“There's many examples of cities doing this and being later forced to later take them out. Essentially you have a constitutional right to face your accuser. Automated citations mean no...”

Steven Lathi commented on Destin approves $1.2M project to resurface 11 city streets

“Kell- Aire Dr. Could definitely use some new lines on the street. TY”

Walter Swann commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“11 mph is 50 percent of the typical school limit of 20 mph. Seems lax with most drivers cruising through school zones at 30 mph.”

C P commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“I hope P Johnson gets to visit here so I can tell him to his face to keep his mouth shut about my town”

Clayton Allison commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“So an unknown third party, will have access to very clear images of all our kids?”

Dennis Sather commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“That's a good solution!”

Stopthepolicebullcrap commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“Automated speeding cameras to issue tickets should be illegal. The only people who benefit are the people collecting the money. The citizens of Fort Walton Beach need to vote those...”

HWW commented on Fort Walton Beach approves all-day speed cameras in school zones

“Traffic enforcement in FWB is nonexistent and needs to become a priority. For example, almost every day I turn off highway 98 into the Veteran’s Park parking lot. My wife...”

Trish C. commented on Fort Walton Beach approves agreement with Okaloosa County for ‘Around the Mound’ design funding

“Elevating US98, like they did with US19 (N/S) is a much better idea than DESTROYING our historic downtown.”

Okaloosa’s 75.9% voter turnout powers decisive local election results

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