County approves $138,400 task order for Overbrook stormwater design and environmental documentation

Okaloosa County commissioners approved a $138,400 task order with HDR to provide additional environmental documentation and design modifications for the Overbrook-area stormwater improvements project. Staff said the county previously received state appropriations to design a stormwater pond on U.S. Air Force property north of the Overbrook subdivision. The grant was amended to include construction funding, bringing total state contribution to $1 million. Because a maintenance road must be moved out of wetland areas, the Air Force requested additional environmental work, including a "finding of no practical alternative" analysis, before the road relocation and pond construction. Commissioner Goodwin, whose district includes Overbrook, described repeated flooding in the area and said the county first applied for the grant in 2018. Commissioners supported continuing the design and permitting work despite the additional costs and timeline implications. The board approved the HDR task order and recommended staff continue coordinating with Eglin Air Force Base and state partners. Staff said the design changes are necessary to meet federal environmental and Air Force requirements and that the amended grant and task order will enable final design and subsequent construction-phase activities.