City Council to consider half-cent sales tax proposal

CRESTVIEW — The City Council will continue discussion on a half-cent sales tax proposal at its next meeting.

The Okaloosa County League of Cities’ executive board has proposed the sales tax for five years as a way to fund capital improvement projects in the county and its nine municipalities.

Each municipality has been asked to consider the resolution in May. If a majority of them supports it, the resolution would go before the Okaloosa County Commission to decide whether to eventually put a referendum before voters.

City leaders briefly discussed the matter Monday night but tabled it for further discussion.

If approved, Crestview initially could receive an estimated $1.5 million from the half-cent sales tax, according to City Clerk Elizabeth Roy.

In other council business, there was a discussion of forming a committee to review the city charter. Councilman Joe Blocker stated that residents should be asked first if they wanted a city charter change. A motion was proposed and seconded to form a committee. Four members agreed, but Blocker was against the proposal.

Councilman Shannon Hayes then proposed a committee be formed with the council members, Mayor David Cadle and Roy to decide how a charter review committee would be formed within 30 days. All members approved the second proposal.

In other council business:

•Senior Fire Captain Jody Smallwood was named Firefighter of the Year.

•Changes were approved to Council Meeting Rules and Regulations. Members agreed to have a set agenda at the start of each meeting and to have a 10-minute speaking time limit at council meetings.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City Council to consider half-cent sales tax proposal