$4.5 million from bed tax will be used to fund projects across Okaloosa County

CRESTVIEW — On Tuesday, the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners approved local municipalities' plans to spend their shares of a portion of the county's tourist development tax revenue.

Effective Oct. 1, each municipality within the county can collect its share of $4.5 million for use in tourist development projects. That amount is 12.5% of overall tourist tax revenue.

"I am pleased to see this process working itself out," said Commissioner Nathan Boyles. "We are providing additional tourism infrastructure, but we are also getting those dollars out in our community, across the county, to ensure that is beneficial to the citizens."

Here is what we know:

What is the bed tax?

The Okaloosa County Tourist Development Tax is levied on all short-term rental income, which applies to anyone renting or leasing living areas within the county. The original bed tax district was formed in 1989 and was implemented in Destin, Cinco Bayou, half of Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, and Okaloosa Island.

On March 1 of last year, the county expanded the district to include Niceville, Valparaiso, Crestview, Shalimar, Laurel Hill, and the other halves of Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther. Including the new bed tax districts, the county brought in an additional $2.8 million in revenue from April 2022 to July 2023.

"Tourism impacts the whole county," said Commissioner Mel Ponder. Ponder went on to echo Commissioner Nathan Boyles' comments on how the projects benefit not only the tourists who will come to the area, but also the county's residents, who can enjoy the projects, as well.

What projects are getting funded?

Eleven projects are slated to receive funds. In Laurel Hill and Shalimar, there were either no requests or no project was deemed eligible.

Cinco Bayou

Expanding a boardwalk at Glenwood Park to increase the walkability of the park will receive an allocation of $55,000. The Sea Way Boat Launch will receive upgrades, adding more parking and restroom facilities, at a cost of $133,065.

Crestview

Improvements to Brookmeade Park will receive $656,365. The upgrades will include an RV park that will accommodate 10 spaces and an observation tower that will overlook the RC track.

Destin

Beach and Boardwalk operations will receive $700,000 and $750,000 of a 10-year funding agreement on Tarpon Beach. The county is in the second year of the agreement to acquire land on the beach for public use.

Fort Walton Beach

$20,000 will be used to collect information from concertgoers to see where they are coming from. The goal is to enhance the tourist experience in Fort Walton Beach.

For athletic tourists, Phase 2 of the Preston Hood Athletic Complex will begin with the hopes of adding four multipurpose fields, pickleball courts and an exercise trail. To limit field maintenance costs, $675,000 will be used to add synthetic turf at five infields on the Preston Hood grounds.

A $500,000 remainder is allocated from the county TDT for the Landing performance stage.

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Mary Esther

After damage sustained from Hurricane Sally, the Misty Water Pier and Boat Ramp will receive $146,088 to demolish the existing pier and construct a new one. It is currently the only boat ramp within the city limits. This project will help locals and tourists enjoy fishing, paddleboarding and outdoor recreation.

Niceville

$790,320 will be used to help fund the proposed Niceville Aquatic Center.

Valparaiso

$5,000 will be used to restore the Carmichael Buggy at the Northwest Florida Heritage Museum. The museum will raise funds to pay a portion of the cost, while the rest will come from funds that the TDC will provide.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Okaloosa clears way for municipalities to spend some bed tax dollars