Santa Rosa County Commission Preview: June 9
MSBU fire districts say they need more revenue for growth
Several fire districts in Santa Rosa County, namely in the north end of the county, run on a Municipal Services Benefit Units model to attain revenue and continue servicing their respective districts.
According to fire chiefs from Allentown, Berrydale, Jay, East Milton, Bagdad, Harold, Skyline and Munson Fire Districts, their districts are experiencing a “pressing need” for additional funding to keep up with growth in their communities.
While several of these districts are largely volunteer based, the districts argue they still face mounting costs related to personnel and equipment. The chiefs have said current resources are insufficient to ensure optimal response times and safety standards.
According to the BOCC agenda packet, the districts have proposed raising the residential rate by an average of $37.50 per residence and increase commercial rates by 1.5%
The agenda packet doesn’t specify if the board intends to take any action on the matter June 9.
Santa Rosa 4-H members head to nationals
Fletcher Hill and Kali Marsh have qualified to represent Florida at the prestigious National 4-H Archery Competition this summer. The event will take place in Grand Island, Nebraska, where Fletcher and Kali will compete in the compound bow division alongside two other youth from Florida.
Santa Rosa County Commission will recognize the duo ahead of their trip.
Graffiti ordinance considered
The County Commission will look to approve a public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance to curb the “detrimental effects that graffiti has upon the aesthetics and
general welfare of the County.”
According to the proposed ordinance, “It shall be unlawful for any person to deface or damage by any means the property of another without the consent of the owner of such property. Defacing or damaging property of another shall include, but not be limited to, any conduct or action that mars, defaces, damages or destroys by writing, painting or drawing graffiti.”
If adopted, the ordinance would find those who create graffiti on private property criminally liable.
Santa Rosa County maps out plan for opioid settlement funds
Santa Rosa County is anticipated to receive $8,006,187 in opioid settlement funding from the state of Florida over the next 18 years. In December 2023 the Board approved a spending plan for the estimated funding.
The year two (2) installment of funding was estimated to be $568,670 and is sub-granted through the Northwest Florida Health Network – in partnership with the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. The proposed agreement allows the county to access the year two (2) round of funding under this settlement.
The board will take action on whether to approve Northwest Florida Health Network’s accessing of this funding.
Commission looks at septic-to-sewer bid process
The Commission will look to approve Option B for RFQ (request for qualifications) scoring criteria for the Santa Rosa County Septic to Sewer Program/Project.
Option B entails a staff evaluation and shortlisting procedure for bids on septic-to-sewer projects in Santa Rosa County.
According to Commission agenda documents, Option B states “if there are more than five (5) valid submissions for the RFQ, staff will evaluate the submissions based on the identified criteria and shortlist the firms to 5 who will make formal presentations to the Board of County Commissioners.”
Santa Rosa County Septic to Sewer Conversion Program is a $21M grant-funded multi-jurisdictional project involving Pace Water System, Gulf Breeze Regional Water System, Holley Navarre Water System, Gulf Breeze Regional Water System, Holley Navarre Water System, the Town of Jay and the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary program. Included in the project plans is the selection of a contractor for Program/Project Management Services to support the Grants Manager with the overall coordination, technical assistance and monitoring of the project. An RFQ will be issued in the upcoming months.