🚧 Shutdown Impact: The ongoing federal government shutdown enters its third week, slowing local traffic and straining families in Niceville who depend on federal paychecks.
💧 City Response: Niceville City Manager David Deitch says the city won’t cut off or fine residents who miss water and sewer payments due to furloughs or missed paychecks.
🛠️ Available Help: Federal, military, and local organizations are offering financial counseling, emergency loans, and food assistance to affected workers and families.
It’s the little stuff you notice that tips you off about the shutdown.
How little traffic is on State Route 20 in Niceville on the morning commute? There are extra joggers on running trails in the middle of the day, and more cars in the City of Niceville’s library parking lot.
The Federal Government Shutdown will enter its third week on Monday, and people will start missing paychecks.
Tens of thousands of military personnel and federal employees will begin to need help paying for water bills, buying groceries, and making ends meet.
Niceville is no exception and hosts a disproportionate number of military personnel, with thousands more relying on a steady paycheck from jobs at Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, Camp Bull Simons, and the Naval EOD School to make ends meet.
Niceville City Manager David Deitch, a retired Air Force Colonel, is concerned about residents who may not have the funds to make ends meet in the short term, as Democrats and Republicans in Congress debate federal spending in Washington, D.C.
He says the city will do what it can to ease the pain for residents who miss payments on services like water and sewer bills in the short term. Deitch believes roughly half of the City’s water and sewer customers may miss a paycheck in the next seven days. “I’m not gonna shut them off,” Deitch said, “It will be on a case-by-case basis. We’re not going to cut them off or charge them late fees for non-payment. I can’t waive [the charge for service] but we will work with those impacted by the government shutdown,” he added.
He’s also prepared for a long-term shutdown, as he doesn’t believe the scrap between the nation’s leaders will end soon.
“I have young enlisted [members, young officers and their families] who are wondering how they [will be able to] pay their water and sewer bill, pay rent, and buy groceries. Those who are deployed are concerned about how their families will manage financially. That will affect mission readiness.”
Before the furlough began, Eglin Air Force Base personnel compiled information to help people who would need assistance paying bills and putting food on their tables during the shutdown.
Civilian employees can take advantage of the Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential consultations with financial counselors. You can reach them at
1-800-222-0364 (24-hour line)
The program can assist with budgeting and debt consolidation.
The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund allows Federal employees to apply for emergency financial assistance, though you’ll need to fill out an application. Go here to start an application. You can also call 303.933.7580.
The program offers no-interest loans of up to $1,500 for emergency purposes. Loans are repaid through payroll deductions.
Active-duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Personnel, dependents with a valid ID, those on the temporary disability retired list, and widows or widowers can receive assistance through the Air Force Aid Society. Go to this link to get help.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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