Okaloosa County Launches Sweeping Transit Overhaul After ‘Colossal Failure’ Warning
Okaloosa County leaders voted to phase out fixed-route transit service and replace it with a paratransit-focused model by August 2026 amid concerns over rising costs and low ridership.
North End development advances over first hurdle in Okaloosa
Tuesday’s actions captured the county’s broader challenge: north Okaloosa is growing fast on land mostly entitled for housing since the 1990s or earlier, while roads, utilities and environmental standards struggle to keep up. For now, River Park will move forward under a phased review process, while Millwood Ranch waits for answers on whether its roads and septic‑based design can be squared with today’s expectations for safe, sustainable growth.
Controlled Burns Begin at Shoal River Preserve
Okaloosa County will begin prescribed burns at Shoal River Preserve later this week as part of an effort to improve habitat health, reduce wildfire risks, and prepare the preserve for its public opening.
Audit fallout and director’s resignation leave Okaloosa County Transit at a crossroads
With an audit exposing years of oversight failures and the transit director announcing his resignation, Okaloosa County leaders are racing to stabilize a system facing financial questions, leadership turnover and an uncertain future.
Okaloosa County Commissioners question license plate reader cameras
Are license plate readers a powerful crime-fighting tool, or a step too far into surveillance? Okaloosa County leaders just opened the debate.
Okaloosa County Corrections Earns Third State Accreditation
Okaloosa County’s Department of Corrections earned Florida Corrections Accreditation with 3rd Excelsior Status, marking continued excellence in correctional standards.
Business leaders urge Okaloosa County to renew half-cent infrastructure surtax
Okaloosa’s business community is pushing to renew the county’s half-cent surtax — a tax they say has fueled more than $136 million in improvements and unlocked nearly $300 million in grants. Commissioners say voters now have something they didn’t in 2018: results.
Okaloosa County approves concept plans for new youth sports complex in Baker
The Okaloosa County Commission approved a conceptual plan for a new multipurpose athletic complex in Baker, expanding recreational opportunities for youth sports.
Okaloosa County launches full opposition to Alabama CO₂ Injection Project citing aquifer threat
Okaloosa County is launching a full-scale fight against a proposed Alabama CO₂ storage project commissioners say threatens Florida’s drinking water and river systems.
Okaloosa County Commissioners freeze transit deal after scathing oversight audit
A scathing audit forced Okaloosa County to pause a new transit contract with MV Transportation as commissioners confront years of oversight failures and nearly $1 million in overpayments.
