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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
DATE: May 21, 2013
TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
FROM: John Hofstad
SUBJECT: State Road 85 - Highway Beautification
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
BCC DISTRICT: 2
Statement of Issue: Okaloosa County has received a Roadside Beautification Assistance
Program Grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for improvements to
State Road 85 in Shalimar. A Joint Participation Agreement (JPA) has been created between the
State of Florida Department of Transportation and Okaloosa County which requires execution by
the Board of County Commissioners.
Background and Analysis: On June 19, 2012, the Okaloosa County Commissioners approved
support for the construction of one "Emerald Coast Gateway Project". The project consists of
landscape design of State Road 85 from 690 ft. North of the median end at Loblolly Drive to 795
ft. South of the median end at Sunset Boulevard in Shalimar. The project will include a new
underground, automated, irrigation system (with a pump and well water source) and the
landscape plantings (Sabal Palms, Crepe Myrtles, Oleander, Dwarf Oleander, Bottle Brush,
Plumbago, Lantana and Muley Grass).
Under the Joint Participation Agreement, the County shall furnish services to undertake and
complete the project on or before May 31st, 2014. The Department of Transportation will
reimburse the County for direct project costs in the amount of $100,000. In addition, upon
completion Okaloosa County shall have sole responsibility for permanently maintaining the
subject landscaping in accordance with state standards. Continued maintenance includes;
mowing, fertilization, weeding, edging, pruning, irrigation repair and the replenishment of mulch
materials. In-house maintenance costs are estimated to be $26,000 per year; past discussion by
the Board of County Commissioners have indicated that these costs would be borne by the
Tourist Development Department.
This is the largest of several "Gateway" roadway enhancement projects identified by the Ft.
Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce in the visioning campaign to promote the Emerald Coast.
After receiving buy in from all municipalities the Chamber is now ready to move forward. As
their share of the project, the Ft. Walton Beach Chamber contracted with a Landscape Architect
for the project design and permitting. Approval of the JPA with the FDOT will secure the
$100,000 funding for this project.
Options: Approve/Disapprove execution of the Joint Participation Agreement for roadway
beautification.
Recommendation: Authorize the Chairman to execute the Joint Participation Agreement with
the Florida Department of Transportation and approve funding for continued permanent
maintenance from the Tourist Development Department.
RECOMMENDED BY:
APPROVED BY:
Ernie Padgett, County Administrator