“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do.
If you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you.”
By Carolyn Newcomer Ketchel
Eight years ago, the voters of Okaloosa County approved a 10-year, half-cent surtax on fuel purchases to fund infrastructure projects. Prior to that vote, the County published a list of projects that would be addressed with the funds generated by the surtax. I want to thank each and every one of you for that vote. We used the funds to address the needs listed below, and all of these projects are finished or nearing completion.
SOUTHWEST CRESTVIEW BYPASS
Public Safety
- Emergency Services Communication Equipment
• Fleet Improvements for Improved Response
• Headquarters Improvements
• School Resource Officer Equipment and Support
Transportation Capacity
- Bone Creek Road Improvements
• College Boulevard Improvements
• Commons Drive Improvements
• CR 393 Phase 3 Reconstruction
• Crestview Northwest Bypass
• Dowdy Road Roadway Improvements
• Ellis Road Improvements
• Highway 2 Bridge Replacement and Roadway Improvements
• John King Widening and Intersection Improvements
• Millside Road Roadway Improvements
• Old River Road Roadway Improvements
• U.S. 98 and Stahlman Drive Intersection Improvements
• West Dodson Road Improvements
Transportation Safety
- Carmel Drive and Beal Parkway Intersection Improvements
• Farmers Market Access Improvements
• Forest Road Improvements
• Hill Avenue and Lovejoy Road Intersection Improvements
• Hospital Road and Lewis Turner Boulevard Intersection Improvements
• Poquito Road and Lewis Turner Boulevard Intersection Improvements
• Prioritized Multimodal Improvements
• Redwood Avenue and John Sims Parkway Intersection Improvements
Stormwater
- 6th Avenue Area (Port Dixie) Stormwater Enhancements
• Bayshore Area Stormwater Improvements
• Beachview Drive Drainage Improvements
• Echo Circle Area Stormwater Improvements
• Griffith Mill Area Stormwater Improvements
• Indian Lakes Stormwater Improvements
• Lake Lorraine Area Stormwater Improvements
• Lancaster Drive Area Stormwater Improvements
• Lloyd Street/Mayflower Area Stormwater Improvements
• Mooney Road Stormwater Improvements
• Northridge Area Stormwater Improvements
• Overbrook Area Stormwater Improvements
• Santa Rosa Boulevard Stormwater and Roadway Improvements
• South Avenue Area Drainage Improvements
• Standish Court Stormwater Enhancements
• Union Avenue Stormwater Improvements
• West U.S. 98 Area Stormwater Improvements
• Willow Bend/Green Acres Area Stormwater Improvements
A half-cent may not seem like a lot of money, but a small amount has added up to big improvements. An estimated 30% of all surtax revenue comes from visitors to our area.
This surtax is set to expire in 2028. On November 3, 2026, the voters of Okaloosa County will have the opportunity to extend it for another 10 years. To show you what we are planning, I have included the 2026–2027 needs list below.
- College Boulevard intersection improvements
• Santa Rosa Boulevard improvements
• Mar Walt Drive improvements
• West U.S. 98 Collector
• Northwest Crestview Bypass
• Gap Creek area stormwater improvements
• Hollywood Boulevard improvements
• 3rd Avenue stormwater improvements
• Eglin Drive sidewalk
• Poquito Road and Sunset Lane intersection improvements
• Sunset Boulevard area stormwater improvements
• Rocky Bayou area stormwater quality
• Commons Drive improvements
• Edgewater Drive sidewalk
• Bluewater Boulevard pedestrian improvements from State Road 20 to Oakmont Drive
• Oakmont Drive pedestrian improvements
• Antioch Road improvements
• Log Lake Road improvements
• Rocky Bayou Drive multiuse path from Forest Road to Crossing Boulevard
• Rocky Bayou Drive and State Road 20 intersection improvements
• Redwood Avenue and State Road 20 intersection improvements
• John Givens Road and Adora Teal Way intersection improvements
• Dirt-to-pave improvements on antiquated platted roads—“The Last 8 Miles”
• Sidewalk improvements
• Pavement preservation and equipment
• Land acquisition for parks and conservation
• Multipurpose building at the OCSO Training Center
• 911 radio recorder
• Evidence Section fire-suppression upgrades at OCSO headquarters
• Larry Ashley Training Center elevator
• Multifunction crisis command and mobile E911 vehicle
• Facilities
• Debt service
Together, we can continue improving Okaloosa County in many ways. This surtax measure will be on the ballot on November 3. I want you to be informed about the many ways a half-penny has made a difference. It is an honor to serve as your Commissioner.
Carolyn Ketchel is the Okaloosa County Commissioner for District 2.
She can be reached at CKetchel@myokaloosa.com or 850-651-7105.
