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Stories by Ben Johnson

Stories by Ben Johnson

Commissioners use excess fees to fund ‘boots on the ground’ infrastructure projects

November 1, 2021

Many Santa Rosa residents and county officials have witnessed an increase in development over the past year as more people want to live in the county.

Due to the increase in development and associated cost when developers fill out paperwork, $1,746,009.73 will be refunded to the Board of County Commissioners by the clerk of court.

Battle over church fence ends with 4-1 vote, threat of ethics complaint

October 31, 2021

Midway Baptist Church appealed their previously denied variance to the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 28., asking to replace their hurricane-damaged privacy fence with a chain-link fence and landscape buffer.

The commissioners approved the church’s appeal by a 4-1 vote, District 4 Commissioner Dave Piech opposed.

Siler presents case for Navarre Incorporation; representative sets conditions

October 30, 2021
The battle between Navarre incorporating or not continued as Preserve Navarre founder Wes Siler asked the state delegation to explain any further requirements to put Navarre’s incorporation on the ballot.

ARPA fund may be used for ‘shovel-ready’ stormwater improvements

October 28, 2021
Stormwater flooding is an oft-voiced problem from citizens during county commission meetings.

Brief presentation explains how Santa Rosa’s mitigation taskforce operates

October 27, 2021
After District 3 Commissioner James Calkins provided ideas to improve the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) taskforce during the Oct. 12 commission meeting, an LMS presentation to the commissioners on Oct. 21 provided a brief recap of LMS’s purpose and its taskforce’s contribution to the county.

Citizens complain about variance approved last month

October 22, 2021
During the Oct. 12 Board of County Commissioners meeting, citizens of Westmont Road in Milton objected to an extension being added to the eastern side of the road, even though the variance they asked the commissioners to disallow was approved 20 days prior.

Zoning Board denies Midway church fence solution

October 20, 2021
After multiple complaints and a code violation for a downed privacy fence, Midway Baptist Church pleaded their case to the Zoning Board to allow a landscape buffer for its property rather than fix the damaged fence.

Commissioners look to provide stormwater improvements

October 14, 2021

Amid the constant rain Santa Rosa saw recently, and the flooding that comes with it, District 3 Commissioner James Calkins provided possible solutions to fix flooding, stormwater and drainage issues.

Calkins gave the commissioners and staff his ideas on how to improve in these stormwater areas. Possible changes include improving the current Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) taskforce, adding a volunteer group related to stormwater issues, identifying additional funding to improve stormwater issues, and reducing flood insurance costs.

Monuments approved to remember local boy, military heroes

October 13, 2021
Because a long-disappeared memorial plaque for Lenny James Tolbert is yet to be replaced since its uprooting during Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Board of County Commissioners voted to rename Holley Ball Park to Lenny James Tolbert Memorial Park.

Commissioner provides updates on road work, county events and waste hauling

October 12, 2021

In case you missed District 4 Commissioner Dave Piech’s monthly Zoom meeting, here are the highlights of his discussion:

  • Fish and Wildlife Conservation is investigating two abandoned, derelict vessels in the Santa Rosa Sound. A preliminary investigation shows that neither vessel is leaking any oil or fuel.
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