Fort Walton Beach Council backs tentative tax hike and $65.2 million budget for upcoming fiscal year
The Fort Walton Beach City Council advanced a $65.2 million budget and tentative millage rate after a tense debate over taxes and spending priorities.
Fort Walton Beach Council approves water and sewer rate hikes to prevent utility deficits
The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 4–2 to raise water and wastewater rates over five years to prevent deficits and fund infrastructure upgrades, despite pushback from residents and two councilmembers.
Fort Walton Beach Charter Review Commission finalizes report, sends suggestions to City Council
The Fort Walton Beach Charter Review Committee has finalized and forwarded sweeping charter amendments to City Council for consideration at its Sept. 30 meeting.
Fort Walton Beach seeks Attorney General opinion on voter-approved budget cap
Fort Walton Beach is asking the Florida Attorney General to review whether its new charter amendment capping annual budget growth conflicts with state law, after the council approved the request in a 6–1 vote.
Fort Walton Beach considers voter referendum to move city elections to November
Fort Walton Beach leaders want residents to decide when local elections are held — would you support moving them to November alongside statewide races?
Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal
Jailhouse text messages, records shed new light on Fort Walton Beach property deal Collin Bestor September 2, 2025 2:00 pm Fort Walton Beach In Brief: 📱 Jailhouse texts show Councilmember Bryce Jeter negotiated a $65,000 property sale with inmate Walter Robinson Jr., linking the deal to Robinson’s bail. ⚖️ Critics allege coercion and conflict of […]
Fort Walton Beach Councilmember accused of coercing jailed man into property sale; Jeter denies allegations
A Fort Walton Beach councilmember is at the center of a storm after being accused of pressuring a jailed man into signing away his home — but he says the allegations are “100% false.”
Advanced Sacred Hope Academy Expands to New Fort Walton Beach Campus
Advanced Sacred Hope Academy in Fort Walton Beach is opening a larger campus this fall to serve 75 autistic and neurodiverse students and is seeking community sponsorships for classrooms and a sensory-friendly playground.
Beal Parkway pipe failure disrupts traffic, strains public safety in Okaloosa County
A drainage pipe failure along Beal Parkway has upended traffic and stretched public safety thin.
Fort Walton Beach eyes voluntary state “DOGE” audit amid $8M budget gap
Fort Walton Beach is requesting a voluntary state DOGE audit while navigating an $8 million budget shortfall and working within new voter-imposed spending caps ahead of finalizing its 2025-26 budget.
