Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2026-20 Supporting Okaloosa County BOCC Initiative to Levy Half-Cent Surtax — reading text

RESOLUTION 2026- 20 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' INITIATIVE TO PROPOSE LEVYING A HALF-CENT LOCAL OPTION SURTAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS TO FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; SUBMITTING THE SUPPORT OF THE HALF-CENT LOCAL OPTION SURTAX PROPOSAL TO THE OKALOOSA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR CONSIDERATION OF PLACING THE REFERENDUM ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Fort Walton Beach has specific capital improvement projects which require funding; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Walton Beach would prefer finding these capital improvement projects from local option surtax revenues rather than other general fund revenues such as ad valorem taxes; and WHEREAS, a local option surtax is an equitable method for funding infrastructure improvements because it is paid by both residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Baard of County Commissioners can make the determination if the funding of such capital improvement projects is desirable and in the best interest of the public; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Baard of County Commissioners is authorized by Ordinance to submit such a proposition to a vote of the electors of Okaloosa County; and WHEREAS, the Okaloosa County Baard of County Commissioners has approved placing a half-cent surtax initiative on the November 2026 General Election Ballot; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Walton Beach is prepared to submit specific purpose or purposes and set a limited amount of time not to exceed ten ( 10) years to collect a limited amount of money to be funded by the half-cent surtax in preparation of the ballot proposition. NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, as follows: Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and incorporated herein. Section 2. Support of Half-Cent Sales Tax Initiative. The City Council of the City of Fort Walton Beach urges and supports the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners in placing the proposed half-cent surtax initiative which has a timeframe of ten ( 10) years on the November 2026 General Election Ballot. Section 3. Authorization.  RESOLUTION 2026- 20 The Mayor is hereby designated and authorized to execute any documents related to this Resolution. A copy of this Resolution will be forwarded to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval by the City Council and signature of the Mayor. Adopted: <, e19- 6 r l, Z.o2-cc is Allegretto, Mayor Attest: Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for the City of ort Walton Beach, only. Kt, Attorney Kim . Barnes, City Clerk Kimberly Rom.. . POO