Okaloosa County

OKALOOSA COUNTY IS HIRING Library Cooperative Coordinator If you love collaborating and mentoring, have a growth mentality and a problem-solving mindset, this could be the library administration position for you. Seeking a Coordinator to lead the Okaloosa County (FL) Public Library Cooperative in providing opportunities to explore, create and learn through six independently-operated member libraries. The Coordinator works closely with library directors and the Cooperative governing board to assist libraries in meeting their missions. The Coordinator serves as the Single Administrative Head for State funding and reporting, and as a County department head. This position supervises one support employee. MLIS and 2-years’ post-degree professional experience required. Projected start date is October 2025. https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/enfHek35

𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘅 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 👍 The voter-approved infrastructure surtax has exceeded funding expectations, allowing for substantial improvements to stormwater, road and public safety systems countywide. Collections began in 2019 following the decision by voters in November 2018 to create stronger infrastructure for our growing County. Details on all projects can be found at https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/euU2cv7d

🤝We were honored to give State Representative Patt Maney a site tour on Friday of the legislative appropriation projects he and our other legislators helped fund and bring home to Okaloosa County from Tallahassee. Pictured with Rep. Maney is Okaloosa County Interim Public Works Director Scott Bitterman and Rep. Maney's Aide Kate Doheny. Here are the projects that received funding from the state in recent years: ⬇️ 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 (𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝) • $2 million Appropriation in the 22-23 session • $4.5 million Construction Contract. • Nearing Completion • Connects Destin to Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa County added the glow stone amenity to make the Bridge to Bridge path the world’s longest photoluminescent path. The embedded stones absorb sunlight during the day and emit a soft glow at night, enhancing visibility and safety for users. • Connects to the 12’ multi-use Paths under construction on Brooks Bridge. • Connects to the 14’ multi-use Path for the Santa Rosa Boulevard Improvements. • The FDEP Office of Greenways and Trails identified the project area as a location that should have a multi-use trail to support the Florida Greenway Trail System. 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈 • $1 million Appropriation in the 24-25 session • $7.6 million Construction Contract (Cost Estimated) • The overall corridor improvement project will drive investment and redevelopment in the commercial area, enhancing safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists with a new multi-use path 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 • Monahan Drive area • $1.46 million Appropriation in the 24-25 session • $5 million in the Florida RESTORE Act State Expenditure Plan will be added to the project. • Funding will be used to retrofit existing stormwater treatment facilities and rehabilitate failing sections of the aging stormwater management system in Okaloosa County sub-basins that drain into Choctawhatchee Bay. 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐩 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 • $250,000 Appropriation in the 24-25 session. • $250,000 will be added to the project by Okaloosa County. • This project will assess critical habitat areas in the Gap Creek watershed.

👍 Our Public Works staff continues to excel and gain knowledge to better serve the residents of Okaloosa County. Deputy County Administrator of Development Services Jason Autrey, left, was on hand recently to celebrate the graduation of these four Public Works employees who graduated from the Florida Certified Public Manager program at FSU. ℹ️These Level 8 graduates have completed one of the nation’s most respected leadership development programs. Their achievement reflects dedication, innovation, and a deep commitment to public excellence. Why this designation matters: The FCPM Program empowers public managers with advanced leadership, ethical decision-making, strategic communication, and performance-driven management skills. Graduates are equipped to lead transformational change across state and local government and nonprofit organizations. This accomplishment places them in an elite group of professionals committed to elevating public service in Florida. 👉Graduates (from left to right): Rob VandenBroeck – Road Division Chief Zan Fedorak – Property & Finance Manager Matt Card – Supply Supervisor Michael Anderson, P.E. – Engineer III

Who wants to fly direct, nonstop to Miami? American Airlines has been a pillar legacy carrier at VPS for decades. We are very excited to further grow the partnership with a new intrastate route and expanding an existing popular destination year-round. Today, American announced it will be offering daily-direct service to Miami Florida. Nonstop flights will start operating to Miami International Airport (MIA) on December 19, 2025. Extended Year-Round Service to Chicago: In addition to the new Miami service, American Airlines will extend its successful service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) year-round at VPS. Flights to Chicago on American will now be offered daily through both the winter and summer seasons, providing consistent access to this key hub. Tickets will be available for purchase starting July 21 at aa.com or through American’s mobile app.

👉🏠Okaloosa County is currently accepting applications under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program: 🏘𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 | 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: Program Summary: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ewMUAGh4 If you’re interested in applying for assistance, your first step will be to get with one of our participating lenders (go to https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/exAUX6yX to see list of lenders) to get pre-approved on a first mortgage. These lenders have attended a face-to-face training session on how to submit homebuyer applications. You will not directly apply to us; your lender will submit your application to us on your behalf. More at OkaloosaHousing.com #UnlockHousing

PIER HISTORY >> Headed to Okaloosa Island Pier this weekend? In this episode of FLASHBACK, we explore the history of the pier. Do you know how many piers we have had on Okaloosa Island? Listen to find out >> https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ePUiyWAz

👉🏠Okaloosa County is currently accepting applications for two programs under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program: 🏘𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 | 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺: Program Summary: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/ewMUAGh4 If you’re interested in applying for assistance, your first step will be to get with one of our participating lenders (go to https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/exAUX6yX to see list of lenders) to get pre-approved on a first mortgage. These lenders have attended a face-to-face training session on how to submit homebuyer applications. You will not directly apply to us; your lender will submit your application to us on your behalf. 🏘𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿-𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 Program Summary: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/eErFGNnQ 👉Additional information can be found at https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/exAUX6yX Once all funds have been committed, the application period will close, and a waiting list will be created should there be more applicants than available funds. First priority will be given to eligible persons with special needs as defined in s. 420.0004, Florida Statutes. Next priority will be given to applicants who meet the very-low and low-income statutory set asides. Final priority will be given to essential service personnel as defined in the County’s LHAP. Funds are awarded on a first-qualified, first-assisted basis.

🎆🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day from Okaloosa County! 🇺🇸🎆 All Okaloosa County offices will be closed Friday, July 4, 2025, in observance of Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday as we celebrate the birth of our great nation! 🗽🎇 ✨ Celebrate safely! 👉 www.MyOkaloosa.com #IndependenceDay #OkaloosaCounty #FourthOfJuly #CelebrateSafely #USA 🎉🦅

🏠Let’s work together to make housing more accessible for our workforce in Okaloosa County. It starts with awareness🏠 OkaloosaHousing.com #UnlockHousing 👩🏫👩🔧🧑🏭👨🚒🧑✈️Many people in this County contribute to making this community better. They are our teachers, our police officers, firefighters, bank tellers, home health nurses, military service members and even an executive with a decent salary who help make this community thrive. But they still cannot afford to purchase a home in many of our communities. Okaloosa County, along with many community stakeholders, are working on finding solutions that will make housing accessible to everyone who works in Okaloosa County. More at OkaloosaHousing.com