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Santa Rosa commissioners approve $222,140 for Navarre Beach event-space design
Summary
The county approved a $222,140 budget amendment from tourist tax reserves to fund an updated design for a Navarre Beach event space and boardwalk; the vote was 4-1. Staff said the money covers a design contract and does not build a convention center.
Santa Rosa County commissioners voted 4-1 on Oct. 23 to amend the tourist development fund budget by $222,140 to pay for an updated design of a Navarre Beach event space and boardwalk.
The approval funds a task order amendment for design work the board previously authorized. Commissioner Rau, who pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion, said she wanted the topic aired because of concerns raised in recent community letters. Terry Light, chair of the Navarre Chamber of Commerce government affairs committee, asked whether the funds had an expiration date and whether the design work would include civil engineering items such as parking and drainage. “I had heard that this project required a FEMA waiver…which would then leave the rebuilding on the taxpayers,” Light said, asking for clarification on FEMA coverage.
County staff member Sabrina responded that the amendment pays a design contract and that the county must have the contracted amount available in an account to pay the consultant’s bills. “Anytime the board approves a contract, we have to put money in an account to cover that cost,” she said. Sabrina also told the board the project is described as a Navarre Beach event space, not a convention center, and estimated the space would be comparable in size to a recently used meeting space, not a large convention facility.
Opponents and some community members had raised questions in letters to the board and on social media about project scope and long-term obligations. Commissioners and staff said the item covers design only; future construction would require further board action and permitting, including compliance with the land development code. Commissioners also noted that county-owned facilities generally qualify for FEMA public assistance if they meet FEMA’s program definitions and ownership requirements.
The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Rowland recorded in opposition. The design contract will proceed to execution and the county will return to the board for any additional approvals required for construction or permitting.
The board did not specify an expiration date for the allocated funds during the discussion; community members on record requested that staff place that information on the public record as the project moves forward.
