Okaloosa County, Florida
Upcoming
Board of County Commissioners - Budget Review Workshop
The Board of County Commissioners holds a budget review workshop for FY2026-2027, discussing a proposed $768,989,213 total budget with no property tax rate increase for the tenth consecutive year. The workshop covers department presentations including the Sheriff's Office ($66.6 million request), and addresses potential impacts of a proposed state homestead exemption increase that could reduce revenues by $14.8 million in FY2027-2028.
- Proposed millage rate remains at 3.8308 for tenth consecutive year
- Sheriff's Office budget request of $66,639,776, a 3.7% increase
- Potential state homestead exemption increase could cut county revenue by $14.8 million in FY2027-2028
- 16 new positions proposed, bringing total to 1,153, concentrated in Corrections and Facilities
- $300,000 set aside for Jail Facility needs; $250,000 for EMS station upgrades in Crestview, Niceville, Destin
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
Board of County Commissioners - Budget Review Workshop
Board of County Commissioners - Special Meeting
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
Board of County Commissioners - Budget Public Hearing
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
Board of County Commissioners - Budget Public Hearing
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
Recent meetings
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
The Board will hold a public hearing on an ordinance granting an ad valorem tax exemption for Project Normandy. The consent agenda includes airport lease renewals and design contracts, ad valorem tax exemptions for Project Hawk and XP Aerospace, a proposed 6.97% increase in fire special assessment fees in the Dorcas Fire District, and multiple road and infrastructure projects. Department business includes expanding the Community Paramedicine Program with opioid relief funds and approving expenditure plans for opioid settlement funds.
- Public hearing on adoption of an ordinance granting an ad valorem tax exemption for Project Normandy.
- Authorization to advertise a public hearing to increase Fire Special Assessment Fees by 6.97% in the Dorcas Fire District and eliminate assessments on agricultural lands.
- Contract award of $983,890.50 to Empire Builders Group, Inc. for the Veterans Park East Lobe Project.
- Approval to issue three notices to proceed totaling $1,206,879.36 for lift station rehabilitation at East Bay Oaks, Graham Drive, and Caribbean Way West.
- Authorization to advertise a public hearing for the County to self-perform Santa Rosa Blvd Water Main Upgrades, estimated at $1,800,000.
Tourist Development Council - Regular Meeting
The Tourist Development Council will consider approving the FY 2027 proposed budget, which includes funding for Destin beach operations, Fort Walton Beach athletic complex debt, and Laurel Hill road analysis. They will also vote on public safety reimbursements totaling over $686,000 for beach safety, sheriff, and Destin Fire for Feb–Apr 2026, as well as a contract renewal with Aramark, a UK travel proposal, and a vessel contract with Morgan Marine. Information items include financial updates, a film report, and quarterly performance metrics.
- Public safety reimbursements: Beach Safety $53,918 (Feb), $70,673 (Mar), $126,233 (Apr); Sheriff $43,591 (Feb), $71,129 (Mar), $90,169 (Apr); Destin Fire $61,905 (Feb), $78,908 (Mar), $89,538 (Apr)
- FY 2027 proposed budget with sub-items for Destin Beach & Boardwalk Operations, Tarpon Advance Repayment, Beach Access Improvements; Fort Walton Beach Athletic Complex Debt and Golf Course Trackman; Laurel Hill 2nd Avenue Analysis
- Aramark renewal contract
- UK travel proposal for marketing
- Morgan Marine contract for Tennessee vessels
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
The Board will hold public hearings on the Bluewater Bay MSBU annual assessment and vacation of a portion of Nottingham Way. Consent agenda items include approvals for employee awards, a proclamation for Temple Beth Shalom's 40th anniversary, various contracts and change orders, including a $769,337.56 deduct change order for the Tax Collector's Office. The Board will also consider a resolution supporting Florida Forever acquisition of land adjacent to Blackwater River State Forest and a transit division update.
- Public hearing to adopt Bluewater Bay MSBU annual rate resolution
- Public hearing to vacate portion of Nottingham Way, Woodland Shores
- Authorize scheduling public hearing for ad valorem tax exemption for Project Normandy
- Change Order #1 for Tax Collector’s Office net deduct $(769,337.56)
- Resolution supporting Florida Forever acquisition of land adjacent to Blackwater River State Forest
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
The board will consider approving a settlement agreement with six remnant defendants in the county's opioid litigation, along with public hearings on two subdivision conceptual master plans (River Park and Millwood Ranch). The consent agenda includes 26 items, such as airport apron grants, a roof replacement contract, and several proclamations. Department business covers an updated agreement for the SS United States artificial reef project and a donation for a 'Charters of Freedom' display.
- Settlement agreement with six remnant defendants in opioid litigation
- Conceptual master plan for River Park Subdivision (public hearing)
- Conceptual master plan for Millwood Ranch Subdivision (public hearing)
- FDOT grants for airport apron expansion at Destin-Fort Walton Beach and Destin Executive airports
- $398,790 roof replacement for Hwy 98 Event Center
Board of County Commissioners - Budget Policy Workshop
The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners will hold a workshop to review policy topics for the FY2027 budget, including millage rates, employee compensation, and the potential impact of state property tax reform legislation.
- Review of FY2027 budget policy topics
- Discussion on property tax reform impacts
- Analysis of historical revenue streams and fund balances
- Update on the 2026 Legislative Session
- Presentation on homestead exemption and revenue loss projections
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (South)
The Board will hold public hearings on two lift station replacement projects totaling $2.24 million and a right-of-way vacation. The consent agenda includes over two dozen items such as opioid settlement fund allocation, derelict vessel removal contracts, and a proclamation. Department business features a $3 million interlocal agreement with Shalimar for waterfront redevelopment and a property exchange with Fort Walton Beach. Commissioners will also receive the annual financial report and discuss a state park property update.
- Interlocal agreement with Town of Shalimar for waterfront redevelopment off Eglin Parkway, estimated total budget up to $3 million
- Public hearing to authorize self-perform construction of Pocahontas Lift Station ($1,000,000) and Eglin Parkway Lift Station ($1,240,000)
- Property exchange agreement with City of Fort Walton Beach per Florida Statutes
- Agreement regarding deployment of SS United States as an artificial reef offshore Destin-Fort Walton Beach
- Task Order 26 for design of I-10 Sewer Transmission Main project, not to exceed $390,901
Board of County Commissioners - Regular Meeting (North)
The board will hold a public hearing to consider revisions to Article VI of Chapter 12 of the County Code regulating towing and the associated fee schedule. They will also vote on consent agenda items including employee recognition, proclamations, contract awards, and budget resolutions. Department business includes a proposal to purchase three vacant lots in downtown Crestview for $105,000, an agreement for public rescue tubes at beach parks, and a $50,000 MOU for dive safety and artificial reef initiatives. Additionally, the board will discuss traffic enforcement cameras on county rights-of-way.
- Public hearing to consider revisions to towing regulations and fee schedule (Dist: All)
- Purchase of three vacant lots in downtown Crestview for $105,000 plus closing costs (Dist: 3)
- Approval of agreement for installation and maintenance of public rescue tubes at Okaloosa County Beach Parks (Dist: 2,4,5)
- Approval of $50,000 MOU with Divers Alert Network for dive safety and SS UNITED STATES artificial reef project (Dist: All)
- Discussion of traffic enforcement cameras on county rights-of-way (Dist: All)