State Sen. Don Gaetz said he will file legislation overhauling the Florida Department of Children and Families in the next legislative session, outlining 10 provisions at a news conference at the Santa Rosa County Courthouse on Sept. 4.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson directed the Sheriff’s Office to stop using Flock cameras after the Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits allowing local law enforcement agencies to place the cameras along state roads.

Two Santa Rosa County commissioners said they would not support removing license plate readers from county right of way, a day after commissioners in Walton County voted 5-0 for their removal.

Santa Rosa County commissioners approved 28 items on their consent agenda during their meeting Aug. 13.

Here is what you need to know.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Colten Wright said the county paid for his airfare and hotel during a July trade mission to the United Kingdom, defending the trip as economic development rather than a taxpayer-funded vacation critics have described online.

The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the county’s right-of-way rules July 23, giving the county the new ability to deny permits and requiring contractors to document their plans to reduce damage to public property.

The Santa Rosa County Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 7-1 on March 12 to recommend approval of a conditional use request that would allow John Melvin University to build a Christian university campus on approximately 58 acres in a rural residential agriculture district along the 6500 block of Chumuckla Highway.

Florida lawmakers are locked in one of the most divisive legislative sessions in recent memory, with disagreements among Republicans over property tax policy threatening local government budgets, according to State Sen. Don Gaetz.

Santa Rosa County officials say they are bracing for tough budget decisions as they update a long‑range strategic plan that will guide infrastructure, growth and county services over the next decade. Rising costs, slowing revenue growth and uncertainty from state legislation could strain future funding, leaders warned.