By Gail Acosta on March 26, 2020
COVID-19, deadline extended, Department of Revenue, property taxes, Santa Rosa County Tax Collector
Local
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an order Monday, March 16, directing the Department of Revenue to provide flexibility on tax due dates to help those affected by COVID-19. Thursday, March 26, Jim Zingale, Department of Revenue executive director, issued an emergency order to extend the final due date for property tax payments for the 2019 […]
By Jamie Gentry on February 22, 2019
Exit Realty, Gary Turner, Gulf Boulevard, hurricane damage, lease fees, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association, Peter Birckhead, property taxes, Randy Paun, Roy Andrews, Santa Rosa County, Staci Turner, Terry Pierman, Vandals
Local
Boarded up windows overlook white sand beaches and garbage lays alongside a new for sale sign at a home that has riled neighbors for more than a decade. Legal proceedings to terminate the lease on the crumbling Gulf front home at 7315 Gulf Boulevard on Navarre Beach have stalled, and the owners have made yet […]
By Jamie Gentry on December 12, 2018
Commissioner Bob Cole, Commissioner Dave Piech, Congressman Matt Gaetz, escambia county, Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, Federal legislation, fee simple title, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach lease fees, Navarre Beach Marine Park, Navarre Beach residents, Preservation clause, property taxes, referendum, Rick Scott, Santa Rosa Island, Sen. Bill Nelson
Headlines
Voters in Escambia County may have barred Navarre Beach residents from receiving fee simple title following a referendum in the November election. More than 80 percent of the roughly 119,000 voters that cast a ballot on the issue called for a federal deed controlling the island’s ownership to remain in place. Read the full article […]
By Jamie Gentry on September 17, 2018
Amedments, animal cruelty, Atlantic Ocean, casinos, Constitution, Constitution Revision Commission, Dog racing, election, Florida, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Florida Greyhound Association, Florida Supreme Court, Florida Tax Watch, Florida voters, gambling, government, gulf of mexico, Homestead Property Tax Exemption, Marsy's Law for Florida, Offshore gas drilling, Offshore oil drilling, property taxes, State taxes, The League of Women Voters, Vote, Voting Restoration Amendment
Government, Local
When Florida voters go to the polls Nov. 6 they will be greeted by a dozen potential amendments to the state’s constitution. From dog racing to taxes to vaping at work, the amendments hit a variety of issues. Read the full article in the Sept. 13 issue of Navarre Press for brief guide on what […]
By Jamie Gentry on September 12, 2018
Board of County Commissioners, Bob Cole, BOCC, fire chief, increase, MSBU, Municipal service benefit unit, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Fire Rescue, property taxes, Santa Rosa County, Tax Increase, taxes
Headlines
Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved increases for several Municipal Service Benefit Units (MSBUs) for fire districts throughout the county, including Navarre Beach Fire Protection. The reevaluation of fire MSBU rates in the county began after Navarre Beach Fire approached the BOCC in February requesting to raise residential and commercial rates for […]
By Jamie Gentry on June 27, 2018
Amendment 2, Florida, Florida Association of Counties, Florida Constitution, Florida TaxWatch, Higher rent costs, Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association, Non-homestead properties, Peter Birckhead, property taxes, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser Greg Brown, Save Our Homes
Headlines
Non-homestead properties in Santa Rosa County could see their taxes automatically rise next year if a ballot initiative known as Amendment 2 fails in November. Voters will be presented with 13 proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Read the full article in the June 28 issue of Navarre Press. Visit www.navarrepress.com/subscribe to view subscription options. […]
By Jamie Gentry on June 14, 2018
$3 million, ad valorum, Bob Cole, budget, budget workshop, Don Salter, Homestead, Jail, jail expansion, Lane Lynchard, millage, MSTU, municipal service taxing unit, property taxes, raises, Rob Williamson, Sam Parker, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, school resource officers, Sheriff Bob Johnson, Sheriff's Office, tax, Tax Increase
Headlines
While trying to reconcile the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office’s budget request to revenue realities, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed the possibility Thursday of implementing a Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) for law enforcement services during the first of their annual budget workshops. Sheriff Bob Johnson told commissioners that he needs nearly every penny […]
By Rob Johnson on February 23, 2018
ad valorem taxes, audit, City of Gulf Breeze, Government grants, Gulf Breeze, homestead exemption, Jim Doyle, property taxes, Samantha Abell, South Santa Rosa Utility, stormwater control, Stormwater fee, Terry Mead, tiger point golf club
Local
The squeeze could be on soon for City of Gulf Breeze homeowners to pay special assessments for stormwater control now that officials there have acknowledged that the prospect of more government grants is unlikely. That’s a sea change in a city where a blue ribbon Stormwater Task Force got off to a fast start after […]
By Rob Johnson on February 2, 2018
audit, BP oil spill, Children's park, debt, Gulf Breeze, Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Breeze Chamber, Gulf Breeze City Hall, Gulf Breeze Mayor Matt Dannheisser, Gulf Breeze Stormwater Utility Fee, Jim Doyle, Mike Gomez, property taxes, south santa rosa utility system, Splashpad, stormwater drainage, Stormwater projects, Sunset Park, Terry Mead, Tiger Point Golf Course, Town center
Local
As state auditors prepare to examine the books at the City of Gulf Breeze, officials there are outlining spending plans to showcase the municipality: from a new police station to a children’s park splashpad. Although funding isn’t yet available for all the myriad projects detailed in a new city report, officials say the money can […]
By Jamie Gentry on December 14, 2017
Board of County Commissioner Meeting, Commissioner Bob Cole, Commissioner Don Salter, Commissioner Rob Williamson, Commissoiner Lane Lynchard, Commissoner Sam Parker, Dan Schebler, half-cent sales tax, lease fees, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Leaseholders and Residents Association, Navarre Park Master Site Plan, Peter Birckhead, Preservation clause, property taxes, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County Judicial Center, Senate bill 1073, U.S. Rep Matt Gaetz
Beach, Local
Federal fee simple legislation for Navarre Beach is dead in the water, but the Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed possible alterations that could jump-start the bill’s chances in the Senate. Three of five commissioners indicated they would be willing to modify the language of Senate Bill 1073 if it meant securing fee […]
By Editorial on November 2, 2017
ad valorem tax, editorial, gas tax, Heart of Navarre, infrastructure, Navarre, opinion, property taxes, sales tax, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County School District, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, State Road 87, U.S.Highway 98
Navarre Press Editorial
Looking back over history in Navarre, since 2010 our population has grown by more than 69 percent. The rule of thumb around here has been to select a piece of vacant property, buy it, clear it, build on it and sell it. Wait…we forgot to mention the very important step of building up the dirt […]
By Rob Johnson on October 6, 2017
Bankruptcy, Economic health, economic recovery, Great Recession, Jayne Bell, property taxes, Rick Harper, Santa Rosa County, University of West Florida
Local
In yet another sign of the area’s economic recovery, the number of Santa Rosa property tax delinquencies continues to fall. County records show that the percentage of property taxes collected after the annual March 31 delinquency deadline—when the levy for 2016 was due–fell to 5 percent this year. Read the full article in the Oct. […]
By Jamie Gentry on July 5, 2017
Eglin Air Force Base, Escambia County Land Conveyance Act, Fee simple title bill, gulf of mexico, lease fees, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach residents, Navarre Pass, property taxes, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa Island, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Headlines
Never before has legislation to give Santa Rosa Island residents ownership of their property been so favorably positioned according to supporters. The fee simple title bill, entitled “Escambia County Land Conveyance Act,” has made it out of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Spearheading the bill is freshman U.S. congressman […]
By Jamie Gentry on June 29, 2017
Bill Emerson, Edgewood Drive, Elkhart Drive, Florida Department of Education, half-cent sales tax, Holley by the Sea, holley navarre intermediate, Holley Navarre Middle School, Holley Navarre Primary, Houston Circle, Joey Harrell, Navarre, property taxes, Santa Rosa County School District, South Santa Rosa
Education
It’s no secret that Navarre’s schools are bursting at the seams, but relief is one step closer. Plans to build a new kindergarten through eighth-grade school near Edgewood Drive have been incorporated into the Santa Rosa School Districts five-year survey at the urging of the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). The school board unanimously approved […]
By Jamie Gentry on June 7, 2017
double taxation, Escambia County Land Conveyance Act, fee simple title, Florida, Gary Buroker, Gulf Islands National Seashore, gulf of mexico, lease fees, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Pass, property taxes, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa Island, Santa Rosa Sound, Senate bill 1073, Senator Bill Nelson, Senator Marco Rubio, South Santa Rosa County, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz
Headlines
Legislation to give residents of Navarre Beach equal rights to their land has garnered a new supporter in Washington. Democratic U.S. senator for Florida Bill Nelson signed on as co-sponsor earlier this month for a bill that would allow fee simple title for Navarre Beach residents. Senate bill 1073 entitled “Escambia County Land Conveyance Act” […]
By Jamie Gentry on March 9, 2017
"Mafia house", Amy Brinkerhoff, Commissioner Rob Williamson, County Administrator Tony Gomillion, Gary Turner, Gulf Boulevard, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Hurrican Dennis, Hurricane Ivan, Larry Sims, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Beautification committee, Navarre Beach lease fees, Navarre Beach residents, Peter Birckhead, property taxes, Randy Jones, Santa Rosa County, Staci Turner, Vacant home, Wanda Pitts
Local
Just one lot short of Gulf Islands National Seashore there is a brick-and-concrete home at 7315 Gulf Boulevard. Across the street there are condominiums and brightly painted beachfront homes. Some are newly constructed. A blue-and-green “Navarre Beach” sign welcomes visitors a few feet away. Read the full article in the March 9 issue of Navarre […]
By Jamie Gentry on March 2, 2017
Christina Forrest, Commission Chairman Rob Williamson, Commissioner Don Salter, David Farrow, environmental protection agency, Escambia County Democratic Women's Club, Florida, Grover T's restaurant, Hurricane Betsy, Jeff Miller, Marilyn Farrow, Mexican border, Milton, Navarre, Navarre Beach Leaseholders Association, Navarre Pass, Obamacare, Pat Cook, politics, President Donald Trump, property taxes, Rodney King, Santa Rosa County, Simple title fees, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz, Veterans Affairs
Local
U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz spent most of his inaugural Open Gaetz Day Thursday touring Santa Rosa County and discussing his views and the views of his constituents on issues including Veterans Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, building a wall at the Mexican border and Obamacare. Read the full article in the March 2 issue of […]
By Jamie Gentry on February 16, 2017
Assitant Superintendent Joey Harrell, budget, Capital Outley Budget, Classroom growth, Commissioner Don Salter, Florida Department of Education, half cents sales tax, Holley-Navarre Intermediate School, Midway, Navarre, property taxes, Public Education Capital Outlay, sales tax, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County School District, State funds, students, Superindendent Tim Wyrosdick
Education
The school district is pushing for voters to renew the half cent sales tax in March, but just how much of their budget do they stand to lose if it were not renewed for another 10 years? According to current fiscal year data, 33 percent of the entire capital outlay budget is provided by this […]
By Rob Johnson on November 16, 2016
Ann Hering, don richards, Jerry McGuire, Jim Waite, Matthew Murphy, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Remax Real Estate, Navarre Beach residents, property taxes, protest, Randy Tatano, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Comissioners, Santa Rosa county Zoning Board, Santa Rosa Sound, South Santa Rosa, Steve Hering, Thane Creech, Topaz Beach, White Sands Boulevard
Headlines
Steve and Ann Hering get it: numerous neighbors of their would-be 60-house subdivision on Navarre Beach adamantly oppose the project, in part because the couple owes about $1.4 million in back property taxes. The Herings are all too aware that the building and zoning board has voted 6-1 against their request for variances that would […]
By Rob Johnson on October 13, 2016
Flooding, Island Community, Matthew Murphy, Navarre, Navarre Beach, Navarre Beach Park, New subdivision, Pam Wingate, property taxes, Public opposition, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Commissioners, Seaside neighborhood, Steve Hering, Summer Winds condominiums, Tony Attalla, Topaz Beach, Vacation residences, White Sands Boulevard, Zoning variance
Local
Developer Steve Hering is seeking a zoning variance on 8-and-half vacant acres of Navarre Beach to build a 70-house subdivision he calls “Topaz Beach-An Island Community.” Hering needs the county commission’s approval – not to mention financing – to break ground as he proposes in December or January. ”These will be beautiful houses: steel construction, […]
By Rob Johnson on September 8, 2016
Capital projects, Career Source Florida, Commissioner Sam Parker, Florida's Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Half-penny sales tax, infrastructure improvements, Jayne Bell, law enforcement, property taxes, Public Safety, Rod Lewis, sales tax annual revenue, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Budget, Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office, tax, Tourist Season, tourists, Zika Virus
Local, Santa Rosa County
Santa Rosa County will be $5.1 million richer in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, but not at the expense of property owners. That’s because of the half-penny sales tax to pay for various infrastructure improvements that was approved by county voters on Aug. 30. Although the new tax is expected to bring in about […]
By Rob Johnson on September 2, 2016
ad valorem taxes, Bob Cole, Don Salter, Local-Option Sales Tax, Milton, Milton Courthouse, Property Owners, property taxes, Sam Parker, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County Board of Commissioners, Santa Rosa County courthouse, Santa Rosa County residents, tax, Tax Increase
Headlines
Santa Rosa residents won’t have to pay higher ad valorem taxes because they rejected the referendum to fund a new county courthouse in downtown Milton with a temporary sales tax increase. Although some commissioners had indicated before the election that higher property taxes seemed the only alternative to building the $35 million courthouse, three of […]
By Gail Acosta on April 14, 2016
Board Chair Lane Lynchard, Board of County Comissioners, Commissioner Bob Cole, Commissioner Don Salter, Debbie Gunnoe, gas tax, HBTS, Holley by the Sea, Jerry Couey, law enforcment, Local-Option Sales Tax, LOST, Navarre, North Santa Rosa, property taxes, road repair, sales tax, Santa Rosa County, Santa Rosa County courthouse, Santa Rosa County residents, South Santa Rosa, Stormwater projects, tax, Tax dollars, Yvonne Harper
Headlines
The residents of Santa Rosa County delivered the message Monday night to the Board of County Commissioners during the Local Option Sales Tax workshop that they would not support writing a blank check to the commissioners to do with as they please. The board is asking the voters of Santa Rosa County to support a […]
By Editorial on February 25, 2016
Board of Education, county schools, education, federal grants, Florida TaxWatch, Florida's system of financing education, Gov. Rick Scott, Jeb Bush, legislature, local property owners, local school board, local taxpayers, Navarre Press Editorial, Orlando Sentinel, property taxes, public schools, Required Local Effort, sales-tax exemptions, sales-tax revenue, school funding, school spending, Sen. Don Gaetz, State Budget, state treasury, Tallahassee
Navarre Press Editorial
This editorial published in the Orlando Sentinel on Oct. 17, 2015 Tallahassee wants to provide “historic” school spending by continuing to play Tallahassee’s trick on taxpayers. You might think that Florida’s system of financing education is simple: Your property taxes pay for the schools in your county. It’s not that simple. Local taxes pay […]
