Okaloosa County BOCC — November 17, 2015 — 2016 Project List Priorities

Potential Project Funding Opportunities – 2016 Public Works 1. PJ Adams Parkway Widening: We have funds to design and acquire right-of-way from SR 85 to the Interstate, but only a small portion is funded for construction. We need to continue that support to complete the first leg of the project. Accompanying that is the continued development of the interchange between Antioch Road/PJ Adams Parkway with Interstate 10. 2. Crestview Courthouse: $5 Million legislative appropriation sought: Support funding for the restoration, rehabilitation and expansion of the historic Crestview Courthouse. Total project cost estimated at $22 million. 3. Continued State Regulatory Cooperation: Nearly all of our projects require some sort of state level permit; FDEP and FDOT permits are the most common and it is important that the recent cooperative work attitude be maintained. In the past agencies have been difficult to work with (they throw out roadblocks versus assists), of late they have by and large been more cooperative and understanding of the intent of the rules. I have seen a recent swing back to a more regulated, cut-and-dry approach and I think it would be good to encourage the cooperative nature we have experienced in recent years. Water & Sewer 1. Supplemental Reclaimed Water Project, $8M project, already received $3M; need $5M  Project consists of constructing infrastructure to transmit up to 4 million gallons per day of reclaimed water from Okaloosa County Water & Sewer’s wastewater plant in Ft. Walton Beach to the City of Niceville and Eglin Air Force Base to use for irrigation. Project will also increase the County’s effluent disposal capacity. Proposed infrastructure consists of approximately 10 miles of 20” pipe, 1 mile of 12” pipe, and equipment at the Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility. The Eglin Community Partnership Program ranks this as one of the top projects in NW Florida, as evidenced by a Memo of Understanding that was executed by Eglin AFB (General Harris), the County, and the City of Niceville. In addition, the state categorizes reclaimed water as Alternate Water Supply projects. This project meets both immediate and long-term needs by re- using an available resource to keep our potable water supply and environment sustainable. A $3M state appropriation was received from this past funding cycle. This funding will allow to get the project shovel ready (design, permitting, easement, and environmental), pay for construction of the necessary plant facilities, and pay for a portion of the pipeline. We hope to obtain appropriations/grants incrementally to complete the construction. 2. Land Application of Septage, $1M   A major dilemma is brewing with regards to Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64E-6.010. Land application of raw septage has been permitted for decades in northwest Florida, specifically in the northern portions of Okaloosa County. Contractors are currently allowed to pump out septic tanks and grease traps and dispose of it at Department of Health-approved land application sites. In recent legislative sessions, a bill was passed that prohibits land application of raw septage beginning 7/1/2016. This date is fast approaching and there are no apparent feasible solutions in mind. Our department doesn’t necessarily have a stance whether this past bill was good or bad; the problem is that it is an unfunded mandate, as we don’t have the facilities that can handle it. If this is going to happen, funding absolutely needs