[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6351572,"mediaKeyId","2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e","parentId",2229856,"title","Okaloosa surtax fund balance $54M; commissioners approve trail, road-capping and shoreline repair projects","audioSeconds",2209,"startMs",3330000,"endMs",5539000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e&start=3330&end=5539","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e/thumbnail_3330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6351572/Okaloosa-County/Florida/Okaloosa-surtax-fund-balance-54M-commissioners-approve-trail-road-capping-and-shoreline-repair-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351572-88123ad7fbc7aaced884ac7e0c9a9801/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175240&Signature=Q~57mFNh8PklOuZCnDuJEmSRyCoA4zTAFP29OlcMYTYrQnoKw5xygoxRp-CVkFUJNKxot0-HrV1mkAaFqP~xmRYG4gSSxQU9WH4Mhgi~OdCE90ZZmZ7PDDZ3E0xwg~oHFIh9DV10SnKuldubrHbX0ZNRdss7Z6hfvQkbAf3zIw3WzPISRzBXezAfeOQl7t91UR0LeHWmWAIyaP~ol3jUu0nnY4aWSkYne3yFA8QFIX86Xu2RHzNvTxwternqS5G9KWrwQLkylKSjhCvfLp5-~O99xfG5UiVywkY8JTm7numchD3g3FbUK1qaVyqYhHVh-h8o1rSipRkw0iCrEyWZGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Okaloosa County, FL","date","2025-02-05T04:13:51Z","article","The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 4 accepted the Infrastructure Surtax Advisory Committee's annual report and approved multiple project allocations using surtax and matching funds.

Matt Turpin, chair of the surtax advisory committee, told the board the committee reviewed fiscal year 2024 activity for the voter-approved half-cent infrastructure surtax. Fiscal-year 2024 revenue exceeded $22 million; since the surtax started the county has collected about $114 million and spent roughly $63.7 million. Turpin reported a current fund balance of approximately $54 million and said the surtax has drawn nearly $4.2 million in interest earnings.

Following the report, commissioners approved three surtax-related actions brought by Public Works Director Jason Autry:

- $2.1 million allocation for construction and CEI (construction engineering and inspection) services for the College Boulevard at Forest Road multiuse path. Autry said the $2.1 million is a local match that leverages an estimated $5 million of total project value because of a state allocation; the project requires coordination with Eglin Air Force Base due to easement and federal-property rules.

- $4.0 million in surtax reserves to continue the county's \"55 program,\" a multi-year effort that first stabilized roughly 200 miles of dirt roads with lime rock base. Autry told the board the $4 million would be used this year to place an asphalt cap on additional roads; the total estimated cost to complete capping for the remaining roads is about $7 million.

- Approval of a contract with Empire Builder Group, Inc. for the Veterans Park shoreline restoration project. Autry said the project combines a $1.5 million National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant, roughly $1.5 million from a Gulf consortium/RESTORE Act contribution, and about $1.6 million in Tourist Development Council (TDC) funds.

Board members praised the surtax program's results and the use of matching grants to extend local dollars. Turpin said the surtax revenue has allowed the county to triple its paving output compared with original estimates and complete visible projects such as the Southwest Crestview Bypass (phase 5 expected to finish July 2025) and County Road 2 widening.

Votes at a glance: The surtax advisory report was accepted and the three project allocations (College Boulevard multiuse path match, $2.1M; $4M to 55 program asphalt capping; Veterans Park shoreline restoration contract) were approved by the board; all items passed by voice vote and the record shows unanimous approval.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCC Regular Meeting (north) 02.04.25","oneSentenceSummary","Okaloosa County commissioners accepted the annual infrastructure surtax report and approved matching and construction allocations Feb. 4, including a College Boulevard multiuse path match, $4 million for road capping and a shoreline restoration contract for Veterans Park.","taxTitle","Okaloosa County, Florida","taxId",12791,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351576,"Okaloosa County amends SHIP plan to restart down-payment aid, raises maximum to $65,000",1232,3753000,4985000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e&start=3753&end=4985","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","/articles/6351576/Okaloosa-County/Florida/Okaloosa-County-amends-SHIP-plan-to-restart-down-payment-aid-raises-maximum-to-65000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351576-e6c78017749c4051c48cb7c039acca60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175240&Signature=GiXi4A2M4lakHLHv9OZaPAIC9jZh4Myp0G7w7QbfUc4V8M~8de~r2vGSaKvnM1SxtGgcrYUZ0~iJ26xQq8JkI0~GL1vqHv146vn-GWVSyCBU09dY~x~19K5rD3inhWMOAMbLBG~Gio1Bf~sj-t7oKQ8OPs3KSHGCe-SG-tSomc3M3-vDGkUnLsysO~PgW7CGynE8kSeVE2Vsr9jITHq8L6KwcUkzHeA-hW9KF9oHIfCHoibwcPQnlWYGHiClN-n46pRiMcE3QGMArISq~Rb86iukLhSopYskT7bi0NK7d1rO277gH3ccK24TKcRSPI3OTuj4SNNfqyy6RvI3o-ui7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Okaloosa County commissioners on Feb. 4 approved amendments to the county's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to restart a state-funded down-payment assistance program and expand eligible uses of funds. The change increases the maximum award to $65,000, revises the loan forgiveness schedule, requires certified home inspections for rehab, and adds closing costs, mortgage buy-downs, principal reduction and energy-efficiency upgrades as eligible uses.

The county uses funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program to support affordable homeownership and rehabilitation. County staff said the state has resumed more substantial SHIP funding in recent years, making it feasible to relaunch the down-payment program after a decade-long pause.

\"The last several years, the state has been providing significant funds to SHIP, and so it is time to start reinitiating this program,\" County staff member Camper said, summarizing the recommended changes. Camper said the amendment raises the maximum award from $30,000 to $65,000 and changes forgiveness so there is no forgiveness in years 1'4; starting in year 5 there is a 50% reduction, then a 10% reduction each year until total forgiveness at year 10.

Brittany Orr of the county housing department told commissioners the LHAP changes also add a required certified home inspection when rehabilitation is needed and set a $5,000 minimum for rehab work drawn from these funds. County staff said those limits are intended to ensure SHIP funds are used for substantial repairs and to satisfy state set-aside requirements that favor construction and homeownership outcomes.

Commissioners debated program priorities and oversight. Commissioner [name in transcript: Goodwin] said he supports the changes but asked for follow-up reporting to the board so commissioners can monitor demand and ensure the program remains sustainable. Commissioner Cox and others emphasized the importance of serving owner-occupied rehabilitation cases as well as down-payment applicants.

The county noted a prior joint LHAP with the city of Fort Walton Beach; staff reported Fort Walton Beach approved the same amendments Dec. 17, 2024. Commissioners approved the LHAP amendment by voice vote; the record shows unanimous support.

The county said staff will return with periodic updates—staff suggested briefing the board when the program has encumbered roughly $250,000 to show eligibility patterns, usage and program outcomes.

Votes at a glance: The LHAP amendment to resume down-payment assistance and change program rules was moved for approval by Commissioner Ketchler (mover recorded in the meeting transcript); a second was recorded; the board approved the amendment unanimously (vote tally: unanimous, individual roll-call not recorded in transcript).","The Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the county's Local Housing Assistance Plan to resume down-payment assistance under the state SHIP program, increase the maximum award to $65,000, change the forgiveness schedule and add eligible uses and rehab safeguards.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6351567,"County outlines next steps for Dorcas Fire District oversight; residents press hands-free resolution and park plans",390,2480000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e&start=2480&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2229856-cf301a0c881855958de58c3d7a48d87e/thumbnail_2480000.jpg","/articles/6351567/Okaloosa-County/Florida/County-outlines-next-steps-for-Dorcas-Fire-District-oversight-residents-press-hands-free-resolution-and-park-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6351567-739d60ddb27b16aae05574c0e3261c93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175240&Signature=NQG6u7K-duDSnfi2zPS3HANyozIttSoq2KvRI92MZuEuoFeEgCBGTa0sig9Dn~XemBAbGVTdRk-DUosPRSh0~Gzmcf4jZrtcjTNVOA2rIUu1oq~YqEMPqbujvs5I0E1bytT2fg3lI66tuRlW1TJ-HbheFuiwGqkWvIUAW7ySIEGZFNgb9qXFaNS~8agumi152olzlGr1xO8aWygyqGwrcXDz9AUeuDFvjhISuM01yqHJZIy3eVC3c-sLhHWwcYJ7lpiVrgie-Z~0Wd~mlwagKUZQWQ4OOxuZ-VU~eBKlr~jXTSdFI1xKI5kzy5-g6h70odKrKBcH3Uhqk5DEGtTkJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Okaloosa County officials updated the Board of County Commissioners on the Dorcas Fire District after state action transferred oversight of the special district to the county. County Administrator Austin said the board has met once as the Dorcas board, audits for the facility are underway, and mutual-aid agreements are being finalized with neighboring districts; a quick-response vehicle (QRV) has been sited in the area and staff reported improved response times since the QRV was placed.

During the meeting's public-comment periods several residents raised separate issues. Demetrius Branca, representing the Hands Free Florida Coalition, asked the commission to adopt a resolution supporting a statewide hands-free driving law; Branca said he had emailed a draft resolution to the commissioners and asked the board to make the resolution part of Okaloosa County's legislative priorities. Branca said distracted-driving laws in other states have reduced traffic fatalities as much as 25% and described the issue in personal terms: his son Anthony was killed by a distracted driver.

Willie Harmon asked the board to consider development of a Sylvania Heights Community Park and said he had property and local support; Commissioner Goodwin said staff would meet with Harmon and county recreation staff (including new parks director Jeff Peters) and bring back a proposal.

A separate public commenter, Brian Howe, asked about the Dorcas Fire Board status and volunteer opportunities; Administrator Austin confirmed audits are underway and said mutual-aid coverage has been provided by North Okaloosa, Crestview and other neighboring departments while the county determines long-term options.

Another public commenter raised questions about ARP fund disbursements to the Baker Museum, alleging inconsistent process; commissioners did not take formal action on that comment during the meeting.

No board votes were taken on the Dorcas oversight questions at this meeting; staff said the board will decide next steps after audits and mutual-aid agreements are completed.","County staff reported audits and mutual-aid arrangements after state action transferred Dorcas Fire District oversight to the Board of County Commissioners. Public commenters urged the board to adopt a hands-free driving resolution and requested consideration of a Sylvania Heights community park.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Okaloosa surtax fund balance $54M; commissioners approve trail, road-capping and shoreline repair projects

Okaloosa County amends SHIP plan to restart down-payment aid, raises maximum to $65,000

County outlines next steps for Dorcas Fire District oversight; residents press hands-free resolution and park plans