In letters dated three days apart last month, two regulatory agencies offered complementary responses to a proposed change to the Santa Rosa County Comprehensive Plan that would permit more open-pit mining near East Milton water wells.
The wells, which are supplied by a sand-and-gravel aquifer, provide water to tens of thousands of county residents and businesses.
Following resolutions approved Feb. 4, the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners now has rules in place to govern public comment at board meetings.
The matter, first brought up at the Jan. 7 board meeting, initially was strongly opposed by some commissioners and citizens, who argued that it violated First Amendment rights.
Santa Rosa County commissioners will not vote Feb. 25 on whether to repeal key wellfield protections as anticipated. Instead, county staff discussed the matter to the board at the Feb. 9 work session.
Shawn Ward, the county planning and zoning director, confirmed the agenda change Thursday.
The Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution Feb. 4 to support proposed legislation that would strengthen resolve for the Second Amendment in the state of Florida.
The resolution was unanimously approved after nearly two hours of debate, mostly over the wording of the resolution.
Community efforts to rename portions of the Navarre Beach Bridge or dedicate portions of the roadway continue.
During the public comment portion of Tuesday’s Board of County Commission work session, resident Tony Hughes updated commissioners on a local group’s efforts to do a memorial dedication for the Navarre Causeway in honor of Air Commandos in general, and specifically Medal of Honor recipient (posthumous) MSgt. John Chapman, USAF.
