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