Santa Rosa County Commissioners on Thursday are expected to approve three town hall meetings to gather public input on how to spend revenues from the new infrastructure sales tax.
Last November voters approved a half cent sales tax to fund infrastructure improvements for roads, bike paths and flooding projects and first responders. The half-cent sales tax went into effect in January, and the board is soliciting public input on which projects to fund.
“The first hour of each meeting will begin with an open house format,” said Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Brandi Whitehurst. “Citizens are encouraged to review resource materials related to the current needs list and provide written comments.”
According to Whitehurst, the board will convene at 6 p.m. each night to provide time for further public discussion and comment.
The first meeting will take place from 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 3 at Tiger Point Community Center, located at 1370 Tiger Point Drive in Gulf Breeze.
Two other meetings will also take place from 5-8 p.m. on April 11 at the Chumuckla Community Center and April 18 at the County Administrative Complex.
Other items on this week’s commission agenda included:
-Seeking proposals for land donations for potential future courthouse site and a master plan for the Navarre Beach Fishing Pier area to include restrooms, facilities and signage
-Navarre Beach Independence Day fireworks display at a cost of $14,076
-May 6 grand reopening and Oct. 21-22 Monarch Madness Festival at Panhandle Butterfly House in Navarre Park
-Gulf Marine Construction $5,750 bid to remove a derelict vessel in Santa Rosa Sound on the west side of Navarre
-Revising the Tourist Development Office’s local grant funding process to encourage self-sustained events which target overnight visits
