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 Commissioner unanimously adopted the East Milton Master Plan on Feb. 26, paving the way for a long-term blueprint meant to guide officials on how to develop the growing community for years to come.

The Santa Rosa Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 on Feb. 26 to deny a $147,078 contract for renovations to its boardroom, citing economic uncertainty and public concern over spending amid debates about property tax and a “tough” upcoming budget process.

Santa Rosa County Commissioners have formally begun the process of negotiating with the U.S. Navy over a potential land leveraging agreement involving Outlying Field Santa Rosa, a move officials say could protect Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s training mission while expanding development opportunities in East Milton.

At the Sept. 8 Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners discussed raising fees across Santa Rosa County—including on boats, parks and facility rental fees. Consensus across these discussions made it clear, such fee costs in the county would be going up. During the Sept. 11 commissioner meeting, the new fees were approved.

At the Sept. 22 Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners meeting, engineering, surveying, planning and design firm Baskerville-Donovan Inc. presented findings regarding plans for a Santa Rosa County pool.

Another week, another couple of Board of County Commissioners meetings! The next meeting, On September 22, has a few notable highlights, including the board addressing next year’s capital improvement projects, a changed plan for the Navarre Beach Boardwalk, and the public hearing for the amendment of boat fees in the county.

The Santa Rosa Beekeepers’ Association has been in operation for over 10 years.

According to association president Melissa Kalis, who took over the position a little over eight months ago, the organization was born out of the need for less travel to access beekeeping clubs. Several families, she said, were traveling 40-mile roundtrips to attend the meetings of other bee clubs in different counties in Florida.

And thus, the Santa Rosa County Beekeeper’s Association was born.

At around 8:30 a.m. CST on September 12, Santa Rosa County put out a press release warning residents of a scam targeting residents in the Allentown Fire District. 

When clicking some items on the Santa Rosa County website, you’ll find that instead of just taking you to your requested page, a pop-up appears. It looks inconspicuous—a simple white box with black text, two options pictured at the bottom: DO NOT SHOW AGAIN or CLOSE.