Florida budget delivers major win as all five Okaloosa County priorities are fully funded totaling $7 million

Okaloosa County, Florida – After Florida’s $115 billion budget was approved and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, Okaloosa County got more than $7 million in state funds. The money will help pay for a number of important public service and infrastructure projects in the county.

This year’s session saw the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners propose five key legislative priorities. All of them were included in the final state budget. The county will obtain a total of $7,035,000 to help pay for initiatives that improve infrastructure, stormwater systems, and mental health and substance abuse programs.

The Okaloosa-Walton Mental Health and Substance Abuse Pre-Trial Diversion Program is one of the initiatives that will get $325,000. The goal of this program is to help people in the criminal justice system who are dealing with mental health or drug addiction issues get the care they need and stay out of jail when possible.

Infrastructure improvements will also get a big boost. The Santa Rosa Boulevard Improvements Phase 1 project will get $1 million to make a major road safer and easier to get around on. The Coastal Stormwater Retrofit Program will also get $1.46 million to fix drainage and stop flooding along the county’s coasts.

Environmental planning is also on the list, with a Gap Creek Channel Inventory and Planning Study getting $250,000. This project will look at the existing situation and come up with plans for how to control floods and protect the environment in the future.

The “Connecting the Collectors” Environmental Impact Statement will get the most money—$4 million. This project will look at how building more transportation links between main roadways and local collectors will affect the environment.

“Okaloosa County is fortunate to have legislators like Senators Don Gaetz and Jay Trumbull and Representatives Patt Maney and Nathan Boyles who consistently advocate for the residents of Okaloosa County,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon in a release.

“These projects will provide the necessary funding for much-needed improvements and we are appreciative of Gov. DeSantis for recognizing Okaloosa County’s needs.

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County officials continue to attempt to enhance infrastructure in the long run while also helping citizens through public health and environmental programs. Okaloosa County can now go on with meeting existing demands and planning for future growth challenges because the financing has been granted.