Niceville council approves budget amendments to fund three fire apparatus, adopts state fire code and passes annexation and land‑use measures

The City of Niceville council on the evening approved several ordinances reallocating funds to pay for three new emergency vehicles and equipment, adopted the state fire prevention code locally and passed land‑use measures including a voluntary annexation and zoning map amendment for a 0.68‑acre parcel at 1315 23rd Street.

City Manager Deitch told the council the timing changed after the vendor moved up delivery of three vehicles into the current fiscal year. "We were not anticipating receiving any of those three vehicles until next fiscal year ... but last month we were told that we're gonna receive all of them this fiscal year," Deitch said, adding that paying this year secures a roughly $30,000 discount on an approximately $2.3 million package. He described the funding mix as ARPA dollars, a Valparaiso reimbursement, and surtax funds.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 26‑08‑01 (additional amended budget changes — two trucks and equipment): approved by voice vote. City Manager Deitch explained transfers from general‑fund reserves, a Valparaiso reimbursement and surtax lines to cover expenditures. - Ordinance 26‑07‑03 (additional budget amendment tied to the three fire trucks): approved; Deitch said $500,000 is ARPA and about $802,980 is Valparaiso reimbursement toward the purchases. - Ordinance 26‑08‑02 (adopt 8th edition Florida Fire Prevention Code / NFPA 1 & 100): approved after the fire chief explained that formal local adoption keeps the city's code aligned for ISO review. - Ordinance 26‑07‑01 (voluntary annexation — 1315 23rd Street, ~0.68 acres): approved on second reading; staff said there were no changes since first reading and no public comments. - Ordinance 26‑07‑02 (zoning map amendment to Planned Unit Development and Medium Density Residential for 1315 23rd Street): approved on second reading. - Ordinance 26‑07‑04 (comprehensive plan adoption phase): approved for transmittal back to the state for final review; staff said revisions respond to a state review memo and a concurrent 10‑year water facility plan. - Variance for 106 Redmond Court (setbacks for a pool enclosure): approved after staff said the planning commission recommended approval.

Council recorded the votes by roll call and the items passed with council members voting in favor. The ordinances reassign multiple funding sources: Deitch cited a $33,279 general‑fund carryforward for an IT generator, about $834,311 from Valparaiso receipts being moved into the surtax fund, and a surtax reduction figure cited in the ordinance language. Deitch summarized the overall funding shuffle for the three vehicles and equipment as using surtax, ARPA and Valparaiso funds.

Planner Chris Bercetti said the comprehensive plan amendment was the adoption phase after more than a year of work and state review. "If approved, my next step is to transmit back to the state for their final review," Bercetti told the council.

What happens next The budget amendments take effect per the ordinances as adopted. Staff will proceed with vehicle procurement and state transmittals for the comprehensive plan; the council scheduled millage‑rate setting on the 28th of the month.