[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6272659,"mediaKeyId","3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037","parentId",3027284,"title","Commissioners debate nonprofit funding criteria, veterans staffing and future of county law library","audioSeconds",1044,"startMs",6516000,"endMs",7560000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037&start=6516&end=7560","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037/thumbnail_6516000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272659/Okaloosa-County/Florida/Commissioners-debate-nonprofit-funding-criteria-veterans-staffing-and-future-of-county-law-library","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272659-ce48a3fa0bcf4ab81f0f3338ab21777d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200535&Signature=mfoRqHPJfN5ogNzzngPdd1E4ChvnNq0CXsG64ssJqXDEz0-~t6R1~MWy-L0aSO5kL1C99q2174lGwPQiIRnC6tkBtrKhzTSKMwP53jQbUiACGInk5Eu-7oNCg8Fr4~G-a36~jusJbO7cYKDJDnxyLwnb2c0vkl7e2FXTDpm2wOG7dXTllMNb2BsXib9iBZ61iEqTzq0WBG5qu9~iEhvgbFb1KrCoB7C0~zDr4khPm8dIE4aYbLn7e-~SyZuPzTJlMKmxx019E5XtHQccnFtMtkWMDnwdPH8PE4Nkayf8JJF4BWjECgcK8Fkq5KPlwrxVmf2KXVZq1ilHkx4VKrsnng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Okaloosa County, FL ","date","2025-04-16T09:07:28Z","article","At the budget policy workshop April 15, staff recommended holding the county's annual nonprofit allocation at $250,000 for the coming budget cycle. Staff reminded the board the application cycle is open with applications due May 2 and that awards and recommendations will be presented during July workshops.

Commissioner Ketchal proposed adding a criterion to the nonprofit policy that would bar county funding for organizations serving undocumented immigrants. Commissioners debated the idea. Commissioner Goodwin said he would consider parameters but warned implementation could be difficult; Commissioner Kjetil said he would not support a categorical exclusion for child- or poverty-focused services. No formal policy change was adopted; the chair asked staff to prepare a regular board agenda item for further discussion at a later meeting.

Sheila Fitzgerald also highlighted several community-service personnel requests: an additional veteran-services counselor for the Crestview office, one program technician for the county-extension office tied to the new south extension site, and one to two IT positions to support broadband expansion and succession planning. Fitzgerald said veteran-service staffing was below peer counties and that longer drive times and appointment waits supported adding staff if the budget allowed.

The board discussed the law library following a retirement of a long-term employee and persistent revenue shortfalls. Commissioner Autry suggested evaluating whether to keep the staffed law-library facility open, noting many functions could be provided via public-library kiosks and remote research tools. Commissioners asked staff to return with an agenda item on the law library's legal requirements and options; staff scheduled a future regular-board item in June to present recommendations before further hiring.

Ending: Staff will bring a nonprofit-policy agenda item and a law-library options report in upcoming meetings; veteran-services and other personnel requests will be vetted during departmental budget meetings and presented for board consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Policy Workshop 04.15.25","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 15 workshop commissioners discussed holding nonprofit funding at $250,000, debated whether to exclude organizations serving undocumented immigrants from county nonprofit grants, reviewed a request for additional veterans services staffing, and agreed to consider options for the county law library following a recent retirement.","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},6272664,"County staff updates major capital work: Shoal River treatment plant, Southwest Bypass and water-main replacements",182,7328000,7510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037&start=7328&end=7510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037/thumbnail_7328000.jpg","/articles/6272664/Okaloosa-County/Florida/County-staff-updates-major-capital-work-Shoal-River-treatment-plant-Southwest-Bypass-and-water-main-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272664-9768a32da037fb435d00dafe42994cd2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200535&Signature=oAUHq23Ng1a6VVSQQG41IBPjboWKwYVw-7v2WhEtgDuOUVUpe7D5-jmeYQmBgLACfUq9qlfag7jPFyNLcPabIsjRkr720H72G9KF8nYvcMAZUarWWIyGaE2yQ7znp0xbjaB87OesWm8rVQJWDz1skSZAGY7ve8g9NvPVXktX13gZP~AwvGpeIhb019NF1~aIuCR5h6fj0sT2q8E2mR6Nkh5f9NlfWjnkXNTd-muFSybp44sYywYuZr8bHgkFjep2nEE0MNecxNEPLycdPQbfgyYAsEeI4eZ3glUO6KgqlXUPliceL9cKNHz5Ab-wqEeQjoCvpgmqgQ8QrW3kgP02sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public-works and capital staff updated commissioners April 15 on several ongoing and planned capital projects, describing timelines, funding sources and expected service benefits.

Mike and project leads described the Shoal River Industrial Park wastewater treatment plant project as under construction and on schedule. The plant will have an initial capacity of about 1.25 million gallons per day with expansion potential; staff expect substantial completion by the end of the next calendar year to align with planned development at Project Opal.

Jason Autry and other staff reported progress on the Southwest Crestview Bypass, noting the northern segment and bridge were moving toward an end-of-calendar-year opening. He said the bypass construction is funded largely through Triumph and is approximately a $46 million construction effort; the interchange with I-10 will follow and is expected to lag by about 12 months.

Staff described a multi-year water-main replacement program on Okaloosa Island that will replace distribution loops and then have public-works crews repave and stripe the streets; leadership said the program improves fire protection and service reliability. Seminole well-replacement work and other water-service projects were also described.

Other items discussed included multiuse paths (Heroes Way, Bridge-to-Bridge, College Boulevard connections), dirt-road stabilization and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions on a West 98 collector route. Staff emphasized phased work, multiple funding sources (surtax, grants, local option fuel taxes) and continued coordination with state and federal partners.

Ending: Staff said they will return with project-specific funding requests and schedules during the budget workshops; commissioners asked for continued updates as major projects near construction milestones.","Public-works and capital staff gave the board a progress report on ongoing infrastructure projects, including a new wastewater plant at Shoal River Industrial Park, the near-term opening of portions of the Southwest Crestview Bypass, phased water-main replacements on Okaloosa Island and multiuse path projects.",{"_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},6272668,"County moves toward enterprise resource platform; staff say replacement is a necessity not a luxury",612,5438000,6050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037&start=5438&end=6050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037/thumbnail_5438000.jpg","/articles/6272668/Okaloosa-County/Florida/County-moves-toward-enterprise-resource-platform-staff-say-replacement-is-a-necessity-not-a-luxury","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272668-27d6b6560abff8663b70c575c0167a98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200536&Signature=G-FThOsZzvXJb5DMIQcpAx0yWRdPeEE-qHiyXY34cooHpS23gABOaVJVk1yweZ4UbM7GUwlseMYPz1I-90PkzrvGnLLP0-o8tZms87JkamRkeCviUI4EabHIpJGia5L9veOme~IoE3w3a43xfkUFNrKpVRs-thKgjqhwL8lfjZWbRP93ICH7OOB~xIEPOjMbhoxOxs9oF~mHhXooBuAsEbF20BMW5UJgbQxsc-QEIYmz3lu56-EegWKTC7kw5spn8-VbikoZU7p~Un8b5otKVgtJumxGxNMNM3VhbOJeGn4H2tkmc-5fkCSXJJEcjsdgMnrBMyE9gl4j4hcPiKoEFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and the clerk's office told commissioners April 15 that the county must replace its decades-old finance and administrative systems with a modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform to improve security, reporting and operational efficiency.

\"This is very much a need, not not a want,\" said Clerk Embree during the workshop as deputy administrator Sheila Fitzgerald and information-technology staff described the project. Staff said the current financial system is more than 20 years old, runs on a local server and requires multiple disconnected tools and outside dashboards for reporting.

Staff described a multi-phase, 12'18-month implementation window that would replace multiple legacy applications and bring finance, procurement, payroll, human resources and other modules under a single vendor platform. Staff said they have evaluated several vendors, convened an internal selection committee of county and clerk staff, and planned to finalize a vendor selection soon. The clerk's office will manage procurement and contract negotiations.

Commissioners asked about data ownership, implementation staffing and potential disruption; staff replied the county will retain its historical data, ownership will be contractually retained by the county, and implementation will require substantial data-migration work involving finance, clerk and department staff. The clerk's office said an open procurement path and an internal committee of about 19 members guided the vendor evaluation.

Staff said the system will expand internal reporting, offer permissioned public-facing dashboards for transparency, and provide employee-facing mobile access. Fiscal-year 2026 funds would likely cover year-one implementation and service fees; staff said the clerk and county will develop a phasing plan to avoid peak audit season.

Ending: Staff will return with a recommended vendor and cost details; commissioners stressed the need to ensure data ownership and to plan the phased rollout to minimize disruption.","County staff described plans to replace scattered legacy finance and HR systems with a single ERP platform, funded in part from reserves and expected to require a phased 12'18-month implementation; the clerk's office is leading vendor selection and staff emphasized data ownership and security.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272674,"County staff recommend 3% COLA and propose merit incentive option; health-insurance premiums could rise",1676,3264000,4940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037&start=3264&end=4940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037/thumbnail_3264000.jpg","/articles/6272674/Okaloosa-County/Florida/County-staff-recommend-3-COLA-and-propose-merit-incentive-option-health-insurance-premiums-could-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272674-549c7e58384ab22d591b2e706f2a55a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200536&Signature=Kg4861nCZcpXvFFMUhioBxlAhdJc2CBie~hYYucokcgdk0ss7q5i4vGw~yoXMOd1b95lOpVkiL9rbS~HhU6Lz6nLxYrk72-KmWCLR5U0jCZ~RMn0w3-kCYYbp1nMyFVhDidp2b8z3uX6mLZRsEbmrHK1uCDM1XIdnV39GLC9l533j3MXUfp~g6T3iWArAEUZqOI8-ccL4BaI1YScye7q24VwQV1Hp0g4~Uay8yRvc3phZLJUmHL0Uz02T9Ru0DrDb15XfxS3XcM4bVNAyySmnfKRiNPodklI5y6KfEEFGxgh8pSNqVj6P0KIupFWZgJvNEUXPnQdTPe6rte5w-GfRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 15 workshop, Sheila Fitzgerald, the deputy county administrator, said county staff recommends a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for employees next fiscal year and offered a possible additional 1% performance-based merit payment if revenue forecasts improve. \"At this time, a 3% [COLA], with the potential that we may come back and update you on, potentially that additional 1%,\" Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald described a shift in the county's approach to performance assessment: the county moved from a formal scored performance-evaluation system to an annual \"retention interview\" intended to surface supervisory objectives and employee goals. She said supervisors would use those retention interviews and notes to identify employees eligible for merit awards, and HR will follow up to ensure supervisors complete the interviews.

Board members asked for more objective criteria and guidance on how merit awards would be evaluated; several commissioners urged that merit awards take the form of annual bonuses rather than permanent base-salary increases. Commissioner Goodwin said he preferred a one-time merit-based bonus so outstanding performers are recognized without automatically rolling higher salary into future budgets.

On benefits, Fitzgerald told commissioners the county faces a possible health-insurance premium increase and that staff recommends budgeting for up to a 15% premium rise. \"Just for budgeting purposes right now, we're gonna plan on a 15% premium increase,\" she said, adding staff may refine that number with more claims data. Fitzgerald said the county has roughly $3 million in pro-share refunds and recommended using about half of that to offset the projected increase; the other half would be spread across fund levels.

Fitzgerald and the administrator discussed the county's recent compensation changes, including a move to a paid-time-off plan and prior COLA increases that helped reduce turnover from roughly 30% to about 18 percent. Hofstede said his preliminary guidance to staff is to plan budgets assuming the 3% COLA and hold the line on discretionary nonprofit allocations for now.

Ending: Staff will return with more concrete performance-evaluation guidance and refined health-insurance projections during the July budget workshops; commissioners asked staff to present objective criteria and cost estimates before final merit or bonus decisions are made.","County staff recommended a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and presented an option to add a performance-based 1% merit payment; staff also warned of a potential 15% health-insurance premium increase and proposed using pro-share reserves to offset roughly half that added cost.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272679,"Okaloosa County administrator recommends holding property-tax and MSTU rates as revenues slow",7211,1057000,8268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037&start=1057&end=8268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027284-999c3ae8d6c329fc45cfd8b17f847037/thumbnail_1057000.jpg","/articles/6272679/Okaloosa-County/Florida/Okaloosa-County-administrator-recommends-holding-property-tax-and-MSTU-rates-as-revenues-slow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272679-a432faddfa9a8b79d0146bd1e86c839e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200536&Signature=LL5GdqUc-K6ffzmE23K6cW5TDS2C3CjMLTYK~RfbPE2iSnp1uA9iO1ilUbBoyl84jgRQfOPnWPEw5DIztNEeDyYysepLXOZWYX6qGf30iF0I9yH-LmAYr1~3Gs-4SNDaBu16Hea6ejUB3uRSMV01J3RUppbdO6niCj6SMm7TdfLKt-cLaoJNtyq9ZCfCmMFtvZqnsZ7nByqFWR0Dlqg0PXNCNapFSLP7ajmABfPS9PLVLc16qQrRWlKHy8Dma8LVymP5LpTknAi30HlPvHuUBAlmzesrkEQ0RzPxbSPx~QrwiZvQx~anYnxw4iKJr18XLj7yYzk4Y6sb5q0knZMMew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mister Hofstede, the county administrator, told the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners at a budget policy workshop April 15 that his office will build the coming year's budget assuming the current property-tax millage of 3.8308 mills and the MSTU rate of 0.299 mills remain unchanged. \"My plan and my direction to our staff is hold the line on that property tax millage,\" he said.

Hofstede framed the recommendation around a mixed revenue outlook and the county's existing reserves. He said state sales-tax receipts and other state-shared revenues have shown a recent flattening, and noted several revenue streams that have levelled or declined, including local option fuel taxes and state revenue sharing. He also reminded the board that potential legislative changes in Tallahassee, such as expanded homestead exemptions, could reduce county revenue and require the county to identify offsetting revenue or cut services.

The county's current total budget for the year under discussion is roughly $648 million; the general fund portion is about $176 million. Hofstede said property-value growth this year is estimated at roughly 6.4 percent, which he said would generate roughly $7 million in additional revenue, but cautioned that projections could change. He reported the county's general-fund reserve has grown in recent cycles and now stands at roughly $36 million after a period of rebuilding following the 2007'2008 recession.

Hofstede outlined major predictable uses of available revenue next year, including a planned $48 million of general-fund supported capital projects and ongoing debt-service obligations. He also summarized existing local revenue sources that support infrastructure and public works: the county levies the full first local option gas tax (up to 6'cents) and part of the second LOGT (3'cents of the allowable 1'5'cents), and it participates in local sales-surtax collections tied to a county-level surtax passed by voters.

The administrator noted the county enacted a local surtax in 2018'2019 and that the revenue stream from that surtax has helped fund a backlog of stormwater, transportation and public-safety capital projects. He said staff will bring a proposed project list later this year and that any renewal of the surtax will require a referendum and a state audit process; \"we would be prepared for a November referendum,\" he said.

Hofstede asked the board for feedback and signaled staff will proceed to department-level budget meetings in the weeks ahead. The formal tentative millage-rate setting and budget hearings will follow the standard public-notice process this summer.

Ending: The administrator's recommendation to keep millage and the MSTU steady will guide department budget development; staff will return with more detailed revenue forecasts and project lists during July workshops and in the August'September hearing cycle.","County Administrator Mister Hofstede presented a budget policy workshop April 15 recommending the county hold its property-tax millage at 3.8308 and the unincorporated parks MSTU at 0.299 mills, while warning of leveling state revenues and possible legislative changes that could reduce local revenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners debate nonprofit funding criteria, veterans staffing and future of county law library

County staff updates major capital work: Shoal River treatment plant, Southwest Bypass and water-main replacements

County moves toward enterprise resource platform; staff say replacement is a necessity not a luxury

County staff recommend 3% COLA and propose merit incentive option; health-insurance premiums could rise

Okaloosa County administrator recommends holding property-tax and MSTU rates as revenues slow