🚚 Simpler rules for food trucks and event vendors
🚒 City approves $2.1M ladder truck lease for fire department
🏢 Nonprofits stay in place as city buys United Way building
CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council approved a series of measures during their meeting on Oct. 20 aimed at boosting business flexibility, improving public safety, and supporting community services — including updates to food truck and photography regulations, the purchase of a new $2.1 million fire truck, and the acquisition of a United Way building to preserve nonprofit operations.
Here is what you need to know.
Crestview officials are moving forward with amendments to Chapter 18 of the City’s Code of Ordinances to reduce confusion and ease regulatory burdens for food trucks and other vendors participating in special events.
The proposed changes are driven by Florida Statutes Chapter 509, which was modified in 2020 to prevent municipalities from requiring additional licenses, registrations, or permit fees for mobile food dispensing vehicles beyond what is mandated by the state. City staff noted that while the law does not explicitly bar the collection of business taxes, its intent clearly limits municipal authority in this area.
Planning Administrator Nicholas Schewndt explained that the changes are intended to reflect the “spirit and intent” of state law while simplifying operations for both vendors and City staff. “It’s becoming really cumbersome for vendors and for staff to keep up with every one of them having a business tax receipt,” Schewndt said.
He noted that the amendment would exempt businesses that participate only in special events, as well as mobile food dispensing vehicles, from the business tax requirement.
The proposed ordinance also clarifies and streamlines operational regulations. For special events, food trucks would receive exemptions from specific placement and utility connection rules that previously confused them. The City also plans to remove lighting nuisance provisions and clarify noise nuisance regulations to allow for operational sounds such as generators.
Additional updates include aligning operating hours for food trucks with alcohol sales hours, enabling trucks to operate alongside breweries and taprooms, and allowing signage within 10 feet of a vehicle, provided it does not create a safety hazard.
Schewndt said the changes were developed after discussions with local food truck owners and city officials, ensuring that the new rules balance accessibility and safety.
“We wanted to make sure the code made logical sense and reflected what was already happening in practice,” Schewnt said.
The ordinance, identified as Ordinance 2006, passed its first reading unanimously and will move forward for adoption at a future City Council meeting.
Crestview officials are considering an ordinance that would create a production permit system to regulate commercial still and motion photography on City property, including parks, community centers, and public streets.
The measure, presented as Ordinance 2013, establishes a structured framework for permitting and sets a 90-day duration for each approved permit.
Schewnt explained that the proposal was developed after reviewing how other jurisdictions handle similar activities.
“There was a discussion regarding the request for proposals for photography services,” Schewnt said. “Following that discussion, staff has been considering alternative methods for photography services that are offered on public property, specifically regarding youth sports. But these are regulations that can be applied generally.”
He added that the permit system would also cover potential film or television productions that wish to use city facilities or streets.
Under the proposal, the permit application process would include specific terms and conditions depending on the scope of the photography or production. For youth sports photography, each team would retain the freedom to select its own photographer, who would then apply for the permit to operate in designated areas for 90 days.
During the discussion, Councilmember Shannon Hayes sought clarification about how vendors applying for photography permits would be vetted.
City Manager Jessica Leavins responded that background checks would be handled through the application process, with costs covered by the applicants.
“Anyone who is having contact with the children … would be required to have the background check,” Leavins said. “If, for some reason, they did not pass that background check, their vendor fee would be refunded, minus the cost of the background check.”
Councilman Ryan Bullard raised concerns about potential overreach, warning against situations where casual photographers could be questioned for taking pictures on public property.
“I have a hard time legislating photography and film,” Bullard said. “I don’t want to see people just out in one of our parks taking pictures and being asked where their permit is.”
Leavins clarified that enforcement would focus on commercial intent, such as when photos are taken for sale or professional services, rather than personal use.
Mayor Pro Tem Doug Capps thanked staff for incorporating safeguards like background checks, while Mayor JB Whitten allowed a Crestview resident and professional photographer to address the council directly.
The resident argued that the proposed ordinance was “too broad and burdensome,” suggesting it could unintentionally impact local photographers, social media users, and small businesses.
Despite one dissenting vote from Bullard, the City Council approved Ordinance 2013 on first reading, advancing it to a second reading for possible adoption.
The Crestview City Council has formally approved a lease agreement with PNC Bank to finance the purchase of a new fire department ladder truck valued at $2.1 million.
Fire Chief Josh Vargason presented the proposal, explaining that the acquisition pertains to a Pierce Enforcer 100-foot Ascendant Aerial Tower, which will replace aging apparatus within the department.
“At the meeting on September 8, 2025, the Council approved proceeding with the commitment,” Vargason said. “This commitment requires a formal resolution read and with the names of the authorized signers.”
The total cost of the ladder truck is $2,359,870, but the City secured a discount of $254,193.89 if the order is finalized by November 2025—bringing the net cost to $2,105,676.11. The vehicle will be financed through a seven-year lease agreement with PNC at an interest rate of 4.44%, with annual payments of $357,853.29 beginning in October 2026.
Hayes asked how the new purchase compared in cost to previous trucks. Vargason explained that the City’s 2020 ladder truck cost approximately $1.9 million, noting a significant price increase over the past five years.
“It’s increased over two mil now,” Hayes observed during the meeting, to which Vargason confirmed that inflation and manufacturing delays have driven up costs.
Vargason also noted that the delivery timeline for the new aerial truck is lengthy.
“Order now, and the last update I heard was 39 months,” he said, indicating that the City could expect delivery in roughly three years.
The resolution was approved unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Director Brady Peters explained that the existing agreement with the Okaloosa County Disc Golf Club expired on September 30 and was due for renewal. The new deal grants a one-year term with the option for two additional one-year extensions.
“The club performs day-to-day maintenance for us at no less than 20 hours per month,” Peters said, noting that this includes trimming trees and notifying city staff about larger maintenance needs.
In return, the club is permitted to host tournaments at the City’s disc golf course throughout the year.
Whitten inquired about responsibility for trimming larger tree branches. Peters clarified that City staff would handle major tree work, while the club would focus on smaller maintenance tasks.
The agreement was approved unanimously.
Peters also presented a three-year contract with Turf Tank, a company specializing in automated field-painting robots. The City previously tested the system at Twin Hills Park in 2024 and found it significantly more efficient than manual labor.
The robot painted a full-size soccer field in just 26 minutes,” Peters said. “It only used two and a half gallons of paint, compared to the five or six cans of spray paint we normally use.”
The contract costs $11,000 per year, including a $1,700 implementation fee, and covers $2,000 worth of paint (about 200 gallons) annually.
Bullard praised the innovation but raised concerns about theft prevention. Peters assured him that the robot would be securely stored in the City’s maintenance facility and monitored by cameras.
Councilmember Hayes added that the investment was “a super bargain,” noting savings of more than 50% on paint and 90% on labor costs.
The contract was approved unanimously.
Leavins addressed the Council regarding a proposed service-area adjustment between the City of Crestview and the Auburn Water System, resolving boundary inefficiencies that date back to 1991.
“The current line actually cuts diagonally through the parcel where the new Neighborhood Market Walmart is located,” Leavins said. “It’s confusing for our staff, their staff, and developers.”
Under the new agreement, the City will regain service to the El Paso restaurant property, while Auburn Water System will assume service for two smaller out parcels near Walmart.
Leavins explained that the exchange benefits Crestview both in efficiency and revenue, as El Paso’s higher water consumption will generate greater utility income than the parcels being transferred out.
City Attorney Jonathan Holloway confirmed that the original boundary was established through a federal court settlement and that similar adjustments have occurred in other jurisdictions.
“This began earlier than 1991,” Holloway said. “A settlement agreement was reached that drew the lines between the two territories. These changes are minor and primarily for administrative efficiency.”
The Council approved authorizing Holloway to negotiate the final contract details with Auburn Water System, concluding the meeting with a unanimous vote of approval.
The Crestview City Council has voted unanimously to acquire a building located behind the Bush House that is currently owned by the United Way and occupied by several local nonprofit organizations. The move ensures that those community groups can continue operating without disruption, as the building sits on land already owned by the City.
Leavins presented the proposal, explaining that United Way is seeking to part ways with the property because it is no longer financially sustainable.
“This is not a decision that we are taking lightly,” Leavins said. “The building is on property the City owns. In order for them to sell it, it would have to be moved, and the nonprofits would then be displaced.”
She added that the City’s goal is to protect community services, not to make a profit.
“It’s really about the community and the benefits that are being brought to the community,” Leavins said.
The building houses several nonprofits, including Tri-County Community Council, which operates a food pantry, as well as Seniors Against Crime and Elder Services. Leavins noted that Tri-County currently pays rent under a formal lease, while others have legacy agreements dating back years.
Hayes voiced strong support for the purchase.
“When you have situations like that, go ahead and get the property while you can,” he said. “That way, you save yourself some legal things later on. People there are still providing a service to our citizens. $8,000 is some money, but I think the City can absorb that and provide much more than $8,000 worth of service per year to our citizens.”
Holloway clarified that part of the cost being reimbursed—about $8,000—was tied to a new commercial air-conditioning unit that United Way installed earlier this year as required under its 2024 lease with the City.
“In a way, that expenditure by them was something they didn’t have a choice to do because of the lease we put in,” Holloway said, noting that reimbursing the organization was reasonable under the circumstances.
Leavins acknowledged that the structure is “an older building,” but said it has been well-maintained and continues to serve its tenants effectively. She added that the City would evaluate future use of the space and consider opportunities to lease available offices to other nonprofit organizations once ownership is finalized.
Whitten called for a motion, and the Council voted 5–0 in favor of the acquisition, agreeing to reimburse United Way solely for the cost of the air-conditioning unit.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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