Walton County to hold hearing on $18 million IT&T bond plan
Walton County commissioners announce a public hearing at 11 a.m. Tuesday on IT&T Inc. proposal to issue $18 million of tax exempt industrial revenue bonds for Villa Bay Gardens. The site lies north of the Emerald Coast Parkway and east of Holiday Shores, with three five story buildings and 248 living units plus a 51 bed skilled nursing facility.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
Atlanta
Leslie Thompson
It&t, Inc
Villa Bay Gardens
Emerald Coast Parkway
Holiday Shores
Walton School Board Awards 1.36 Million Vocational School Contract
The Walton County School Board selected Pruett Sharpe Construction Co of Montgomery Alabama for a 24 000 square foot one story brick exterior vocational education school in DeFuniak Springs. The firm submitted the lowest bid by 176 000 against six rivals. Construction starts next month with a 14 month completion window funded by a state grant.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County School Board
Pruett- Sharpe Construction Co
Montgomery
DeFuniak Springs
Pruett-Sharpe
Probe Continues in Walton County Government Inquiry
A federal grand jury investigation into alleged Walton County government corruption remained confidential as jurors recessed until Oct. 14. U S Attorney Stephen Preisser and officials gave few details beyond confirming the inquiry and that at least four Walton County witnesses were subpoenaed to appear after meetings Tuesday and Wednesday.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
U.S
Stephen Preisser
Pensacola
Fatal Traffic Crash Near Freeport Kills Driver
A 67 year old Freeport man, George O. Stevens, died when his Oldsmobile crossed the center line on State Road 20 and hit a 1979 Dodge van driven by 42 year old George Lynn Cayce of Mary Esther. Stevens’ wife, 62, a front seat passenger, was injured but stable. Cayce had minor injuries. Both vehicles were destroyed. The crash remains under investigation with no charges filed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Freeport
Florida Highway Patrol
George O. Stevens
George Lynn Cayce
Mary Esther
Stevens
Guy Lee Stevens
Assessments In Line With Market by Bill Doughty
Walton County property owners face a 31 percent rise in assessed values and tax bills, yet state officials say this year's assessments are in order. Rich Dunmire of the state Department of Revenue reports no problems after studies. The county tax base grew from 753 million to 984 million dollars, while South Walton taxable value rose 549 million to 754 million. The state requires biennial studies, and Walton County’s turn was this year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
Rich Dunmire
State Department of Revenue
Bill Foun
South Walton
DOR
Developers Could Sell Any And All Of Walton Property
The Develop ment Group says its 21000 acres in South Walton may sell all or part of the land if offered a favorable price. DGI aims to unload 15000 acres, with Topsail Hill under consideration by the state Save Our Coast program at about 7.14 million dollars. Peak notes possible buyers include theme parks and Hyatt Regency, while Six Flags type projects and an airport are part of broader plans.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Walton
Ron Peek
Development Group, Inc
Emerald Coast Joint Venture
St. Joe Paper Co
Peek
DGI
Topsail Hill
Save Our Coast
Hyatt Regency Group
Florida Power and Light
ECJV
Jacksonville
Reynolds, Smith and Hill
Future Of U.S. 98 Outlined To Public
State transportation officials and engineers outlined widening plans for U S 98 through South Walton at a public hearing. About 80 residents attended at Sandestin Beach Resort to hear design options for adding lanes and re routing eastern portions of the 23 mile highway. Larry Kelley led a review of routes and study results used in planning with most of the project described as tentative.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. 98
South Walton
Sandestin Beach Resort
Larry Kelley
District 3
State Offers To Help Walton County Hire Planner
The state proposes a $30,000 one year grant from the Department of Community Affairs to Walton County to hire a professional planner for the county's comprehensive plan and growth management compliance. County officials say the county has never employed a planning manager. The offer follows a DCA recommendation to designate parts of South Walton and south Okaloosa as an area of critical state concern. Williams says the plan would be advertised for, and the county would hire the planner with DCA watching interviews. The planner would review development and related duties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Walton County
State Department of Community Affairs
Shirl Williams
DCA
South Walton
South
Okaloosa County
Williams
Ben Starrett
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sreefe
Bill Doughty
Bill Fountain
Walton County Property Appraiser
Tain
Dunmire
Walton Property
Surfside
Emerald Terrace
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