Council approves month‑to‑month extension with Okaloosa County for Dorcas Fire coverage on I‑10 corridor

The City Council on June 9 approved the second amendment to an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County to provide fire response in the Dorcas area and the Interstate‑10 corridor on a month‑to‑month basis.

Crestview Fire Department staff explained the extension reimburses the city for personnel costs when responding to incidents in the portion of the interstate and Dorcas district that Dorcas Fire could not cover after that district dissolved. Staff said the city has been the primary responder on that stretch of I‑10 for years and that call volume from Dorcas’ former district is low — typically fewer than five calls some months and generally under ten — and reimbursements were provided under the interlocal agreement.

Staff said the county had issued an RFP to reestablish Dorcas Fire District coverage, the county’s selection committee had met and the next commission action could occur within 30 days, but there was no guaranteed timeline. Councilmembers said they were willing to continue month‑to‑month extensions if an end game was near, and staff noted the agreement can be terminated with 30 days’ notice.

Council action: Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Capps, second by Councilman Hayes to approve the Dorcas Fire Department Interlocal Agreement Second Amendment (month‑to‑month extension). Vote: 4–0 (one absent).

Why it matters: The agreement preserves fire-response coverage and reimburses the city for personnel when responding in the interstate corridor and Dorcas’ former area while the county finalizes a permanent provider.

What’s next: Staff said they expect more clarity from the county’s process within 30 days and that the council can terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice if necessary.