It was standing room only again July 25 as the Board of County Commissioners took up contentious development proposals previously vetted by the Zoning Board. Among the issues on the docket for the commission’s Special Rezoning meeting were proposals to bring a low-cost spay and neuter clinic to northern Milton, allow a dirt borrow pit […]
Santa Rosa County Commission Chairman Sam Parker, District 1, was recently appointed to the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) board of directors. Commissioner Parker will serve in this role for two years. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the FAC board of directors,” Parker said. “This will allow me to work […]
Santa Rosa County has proposed replacing the current half-cent local sales tax, set to expire in 2021, with a one-cent sales tax for 10 years. Voters will have a chance to approve or deny the tax on a special ballot Oct. 8. Read the full article in the July 25 issue of Navarre Press. […]
Fed up with years of dilapidation across the street, beach residents called on county commissioners Monday during their meeting to amend the Land Development Code (LDC) to prevent future homes from sitting in disrepair for 15 years. Sailmaker Cove president Terry Pierman said the gulf front “Turner House” located at 7315 Gulf Boulevard is an […]
Santa Rosa County will be seeking public input on a revamp of the Land Development Code (LDC) during two public workshops next month. The LDC contains regulations that govern how land is developed in the unincorporated areas of the county and addresses everything from zoning, site development, the natural environment and stormwater management to parking, […]
A standing-room-only crowd led to a long evening meeting July 11 for the Santa Rosa County Zoning Board. Board denies A HOPE’s new home A HOPE for Santa Rosa County faced opposition from neighbors during the meeting as the pet rescue organization sought to create a permanent home for its low-cost spay and neuter operation. […]
While Santa Rosa County commissioners pursue a one-cent sales tax for an Oct. 8 ballot referendum, determinations still must be made for spending of the county’s existing half-cent sales tax for fiscal year 2020. The local option sales tax (LOST) that took effect in 2017 has paid for millions of dollars in completed projects across […]
Fourth of July visitors to Navarre Beach had an unpleasant surprise in the women’s public restrooms. The only ADA accessible stall of the bathroom was temporarily closed after a pile of human feces was found on the floor that afternoon. When the county was informed of the issue, it was stated that the problem would […]
Santa Rosa County’s elusive deal for moving treated effluent out of Santa Rosa Sound and onto Eglin Air Force Base property took a huge step forward Monday. County Engineer Roger Blaylock presented the Board of County Commissioners with Eglin’s proposed lease agreement for roughly 200 acres to build a Rapid Infiltration Basin System for treatment […]
Santa Rosa County commissioners have already divvied up most of the $165 million of sales tax revenue expected to come in between 2020 and 2030. But that hinges on voters allowing the tax. Read the full article in the July 4 issue of Navarre Press. Visit navarrepress.com/subscribe to view subscription options – or click […]
The long-sought after Navarre dog beach concept may be on the horizon after Monday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. County staff have put forward a draft ordinance change to allow, among other things, a section of Navarre Beach sound side to go to the dogs, at least between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 […]
Santa Rosa County’s planned expenditures for 2020 are about $9.08 million above the $91.7 million budget reality, according to data presented to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) June 11. That shortfall will be the topic of debate over the next several months as the county grapples to reach a balanced budget. Read the […]
Businesses across Santa Rosa County are set to get a facelift thanks to the first round of StRIVE grants set for approval this week. The StRIVE (Santa Rosa Improvement Vitalization Enterprise) program was proposed by Chairman Sam Parker in January. Read the full article in the June 27 issue of Navarre Press. Visit […]
County and state officials cut the ribbon Tuesday on new ADA-friendly pavilions, restroom facilities with showers, parking spaces and other much-anticipated enhancements in Navarre Beach Marine Park. The ribbon cutting marked the end of a multimillion-dollar project with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to bring updated amenities to the marine park. Read the full […]
Recycling services in Santa Rosa County are likely to end Thursday as Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) prepares to reject the county’s new rate proposal. The Board of County Commissioners weighed the options presented by County Engineer Roger Blaylock during their Monday meeting. Read the full article in the June 27 issue of Navarre […]
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) recognized Santa Rosa County Commissioner Sam Parker, District 1, as a presidential advocate for his work during the 2019 legislative session. Commissioner Parker received the designation during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County. Read the full article in the June 20 issue […]
Paradise Advertising has likely secured yet another three years of representing Santa Rosa County’s tourism image and the more than $750,000 annually that comes with it. The St. Petersburg-based destination advertising and marketing firm was put forward unanimously as the top pick by a selection committee of local tourism professionals after a competitive request for […]
When recycling services were interrupted in Santa Rosa County, it appeared the county would have service restored quickly. But recyclable material is still headed to the dump after Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA) failed to approve the processing agreement with the county May 28, leaving the service in limbo for yet another month. Read […]
When Ken Walters prepared to open the Grey Tap Room in Navarre, he went through the proper county processes. He said he wanted to be sure to do things the right way. Walters got approved site plans after months of back and forth with county staff, and planted the trees as required from his plan […]
Amid the arguments for and against impact fees earlier this month, school district Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick leveled a choice for county commissioners. He said the county should either impose impact fees to help pay for new schools or give him the authority to deny increasing the density of developments. Read the full article in the […]
The Board of County Commissioners went against the recommendation of the Zoning Board and the complaints of neighbors May 23 to grant a resident’s request to allow RV parking in his front yard because of a medical hardship. Doug Walborn applied for a special exception to the county code to allow his ailing mother to […]
Despite lengthy discussion by county commissioners about replacing 121 patches along the length of the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, the county has opted to stick with the plywood solution. County Engineer Roger Blaylock said the county expects to have new bids for replacing the entire pier deck by June 13. Read the full article […]
The State Attorney’s Office in Pensacola said its investigation didn’t find any wrongdoing in Milton Mayor Heather Lindsay’s emailing her fellow city council members about changing the name of the Guy Thompson Community Center. Lindsay had asked Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Marcille last week to look into concerns being expressed on social media that […]
High schools could be pulling double duty with one set of students in the first half of the day and a second school’s worth in the afternoon said district Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick during a joint meeting of the school board and county commission May 15. He said schools could also see more situations where two […]
Driving down U.S. Highway 98 in the Heart of Navarre a new popular site has begun to spring up: mobile businesses. Though a few have come and gone through the area, donut shops, hot dogs, phone repair and more have been becoming a regular sight. Read the full article in the May 16 issue […]
The Santa Rosa County Pre-trial Release Program resulted in an estimated net savings of $1,866,408 for the county in 2018, according to Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Donald Spencer. The program allows those charged with a crime to continue to work outside jail while their case is being processed. This estimate raises […]
The land above the aquifer that provides water to all of south Santa Rosa County could become the home of a construction debris landfill after the County Commission indicated Monday it would reject the owners’ offer to sell the property for $12 million. Blue Water Holdings SRC Inc. owns the property itself. Read the full […]
Effective April 30, ECUA will terminate their contract with Santa Rosa County for the transportation and processing of recyclables. The county is working with ECUA on a new contract for processing and seeking to replace the transportation services within the next few weeks. Recyclable material degrades if not sorted and stored properly, therefore recycling will […]
County Administrator Dan Schebler fielded tough questions about spending of tax dollars Monday during the first of two citizen budget workshops. The first was hosted at Woodbine Church. Read the full article in the April 18 issue of Navarre Press. Visit https://navarrepress.com/subscribe/ to view subscription options – or sign up to receive a digital subscription […]
County Attorney Roy Andrews made it clear the county was not accepting guilt by paying out a $15,000 settlement for flood damage during the April 11 Board of County Commissioners meeting. In other action, the County Commission voted to reject all bids for redecking of the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier after questions about the validity […]
