Welcome to Okaloosa Citizens Alliance, Inc.
Okaloosa Citizens Alliance (OCA) will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, January 18th in the First City Bank Conference Room at 3:00 pm.
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OCA supports Airport Director’s request for In-house Police Department
As you aware, Okaloosa Citizens Alliance (OCA) has been monitoring all contract issues between Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and the local municipalities. We have also been watching the negotiations between OCSO and our airport, which is managed under an enterprise fund instead of ad valorem tax dollars.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 6:00 pm in the Water and Sewer Building (FWB), the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will be requested to approve the reestablishment of an airport specific law enforcement unit within the airport department that functions under the direction and leadership of the airport director. Under a public records request, I requested and received the attached agenda request that Greg Donovan, the Airport Director, will be presenting to the BCC.
In reviewing the initial feasibility review of reactivating a police department at Northwest Florida Regional Airport, it appears practical that the cost-benefit analysis warrants a favorable decision to approve the Airport Director’s request. Specifically, the feasibility review and cost estimate show a potential cost savings of over $407,000 annually for full in-house airport police operations compared to contracting with OCSO. I found the documents in the review relating to Airport Police vs. Outsourced Police Services a very good read; particularly the closing statement, “Absent outside political influence, airport managers must decide the model best suited for that particular airport.”
Mr. Donovan knows what is best for our airport and the feasibility review supports his rational business thinking. He has never given this County any reason not to trust his judgment—unquestionable character to date. In fact, Mr. Donovan’s credentials in managing and supervising airport operations are unmatched as evident by his recent award as “Florida Aviation Professional of the Year.”
"Sheriff’s Office CFO: Retiree health plan not Discriminatory" By TOM McLAUGHLIN
An Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office offer of full health care benefits to certified officers retiring after 20 years service was available to any eligible employee, according to Doug Gaylord, the agency’s chief financial officer. “We’re not paying for some individuals and discriminating against others,” Gaylord told the county commissioners at their meeting Tuesday. Click Here to continue reading.....
"Ashley unveils New Retirement Benefit Plan" By TOM McLAUGHLIN
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Paul Brown received a special recognition at his June 25 retirement celebration. He was the first deputy to receive what one critic later would call “AshleyCare.” At the ceremony, Sheriff Larry Ashley announced Brown, more years
service, would receive a retirement benefit established just three days earlier. Click Here to continue reading....
"Surplus properties are up for sale" by Kari Barlow NWFDailyNews
After scrutinizing Okaloosa County’s real estate holdings for more than a year, officials have placed 27 surplus properties up for sale. “This is the first time we’ve done this,” county Purchasing Director Richard Brannon said. “We’re actually advertising it like a formal bid. It will be in the Fort Walton paper four different weeks, one day each week.” Click Here to continue reading.....
"Okaloosa to place surplus land on the market; the 31 parcels are valued at $458,209" by Kari Barlow NWFDailyNews
Okaloosa County commissioners voted Tuesday to place 31 parcels of county
land up for sale. The properties have been deemed surplus as part of an ongoing effort to take stock of the county’s holdings and sell off the ones no longer needed. Commissioners also discussed the possibility of creating a full-time property manager. Click Here to continue reading...
"Okaloosa overdue for a county property manager" by Bob Ambrose
A year ago, a neighbor approached me about a parcel of county property he and another neighbor wished to acquire. This lot was donated to Okaloosa County when the developer could not sell it. They had been maintaining this land for years and wondered why they could not purchase it despite two attempts. Click Here to continue reading...
Group Proposes County Sell "Excess Land" by Paula Kelley Crestview News Bulletin
Members of the Okaloosa Citizens Alliance have said the sale of excess property owned by the county would increase revenue, decrease county maintenance costs, minimize abuse of “encroachment” onto viable county owned properties and lessen the county liability. Click Here to continue reading...
"Okaloosa County conducts first-ever inventory of all county property" by Kari Barlow NWFDailyNews
In the face of hard economic times, families cut corners. Some resort to yard sales to unload their possessions and generate income. Okaloosa County is no different. For the first time, the county is taking stock of all the property it owns. Click Here to continue reading...
The Okaloosa Citizens Alliance, Inc. is a diverse, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the education of citizens on issues relating to taxes and spending and committed to the promotion of maximum efficiency and effectiveness of government.