Okaloosa County Approved for $7.9 Million in State Funding

Six legislative priorities, proposed by Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners, have gained support in the State budget. On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the roughly $112 billion State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget, confirming the funding for projects totaling nearly $8 Million to benefit Okaloosa County.

Approved projects include $750,000 for Overbrook Area Stormwater Improvements, $300,000 for Cinco Bayou Glenwood Park Water Quality Improvement, $2 million for US 98 Bridge-to-Bridge Multi-Use Path from West Okaloosa Island to Destin, $3 million for County Road 2 Road Safety and Upgrades to Big Horse Creek and Yellow River Bridges, $1.5 million for Niceville College Boulevard Multi-Use Pathway and $350,000 for the continued support of the Pretrial Mental Health Diversion Program.

 “We are fortunate to have the support that our community has and continues to receive from the State of Florida,” said Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mel Ponder. “The County is thankful for the hard work and advocacy of our Legislative Delegates including Senators Doug Broxson and George Gainer and Representatives Patt Maney and Jayer Williamson.” 

Two County projects were vetoed including $1.5 million for a Florosa Water Storage Tank and funding for US 90 at Jericho Road Improvements within the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite for $1 million. An alternate funding source for the Florosa tank will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in July, as part of the upcoming 5-year Capital Improvement Plan.  Though the US 90 and Jericho Road Improvements were not approved as part of the State’s annual budget process, Governor DeSantis awarded $3.2 million to Okaloosa County through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to expand infrastructure, including roads, at the Shoal River Ranch Gigasite. Click HERE to read the May 18, 2022, announcement.

The Governor vetoed a record $3.1 billion out of the state budget, approved by the Legislature in March, so Okaloosa County is very fortunate to have gained approval for these much-needed improvements for our community.