Okaloosa Government

Okaloosa Government FAQ:

Most Okaloosa County residents have convenient local access to conduct business in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview offices. Some departments accept payments for services online. If you do not find your question below or are having difficulty finding answers online, from the home page, check out our online Community Directory which offers additional county-wide links and information.

1. Who handles animal control? Okaloosa County contracts with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society for animal control, 850-243-1525. For wildlife, contact Florida Fish and Wildlife.

2. Who do you call to reserve areas in public parks? Parks Division, 850-689-5770

Tax Questions:

3. What is the State sales tax in Okaloosa Co.? 7 percent. Sales tax collections go directly to the State of Florida, a half-cent is returned to the county for infrastructure surtax and a half-cent is returned to the school district for school capital outlay surtax.

4. What is the millage rate for Okaloosa County? 3.8308 (one mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value – these are ad valorem taxes.)

Ad Valorem Property Taxes combine with other funds to create the county budget and represent less than 20 percent of the entire budget. Other funds include: sales & use taxes, licenses & permit fees, fines & forfeitures, utility taxes, and charges for services and grants. These are sometimes referred to as Enterprise funds. Enterprise funds refer to departments in the county that generate funds/collect fees and are at least partially self-sustaining, such as Water & Sewer, Growth Management, Public Works, Airport, Inspections, Emergency Management Services and the Emerald Coast Conference Center.

5. What is an MSTU? MSTU is a Municipal Service Taxing Unit which can only be used to fund parks. The 2007-08 MSTU rate is .2990, and only applies to residents within the unincorporated areas of Okaloosa Co.

6. What is an MSBU? A Municipal Service Benefit Unit is utilized for specific benefits to/for residential neighborhoods and/or homeowners associations and only applies to those residents benefiting.

7. What are bed taxes & what is the current bed tax rate? Bed taxes, sometimes called the resort tax, are a surcharge added to all short term accommodations and paid by visitors to the area. The current bed tax rate for Okaloosa County is 5 cents. Residents do not pay bed taxes.

How these taxes are spent is governed by local county ordinances and the State of Florida. Funds are mostly used for promotional advertising of the area to tourists, beach safety promotion, and beach improvement.

8. What is Okaloosa County Gas Taxes? Nine cents is split between the county and nine municipalities. Okaloosa County receives 1 cent entirely, which can be used for transportation funds only.

9. Where do I go for / to a birth certificate? Okaloosa County Health Dept., 850-833-9233

Marriage license, passports, traffic citations, declare residency and more?

Clerk of Court:

Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex Extension 1940 Lewis Turner Blvd. Fort Walton Beach, FL 32536 651-7200	Okaloosa County Courthouse 101 E James Lee Blvd Crestview, FL 32536 689-5000
File Homestead Exemptions?	Property Appraiser’s Office in 2 locations:
Brackin Building 302 North Wilson St., Suite 201 Crestview, FL 32536 689-5900	County Admin. Building 1250 Eglin Pkwy., Suite 201 Shalimar, FL 32579 651-7240
Register to vote?	Supervisor of Elections
Brackin Building 302 N. Wilson St., Suite 102 Crestview, FL 32536 689-5600	Okaloosa County Water & Sewer Building 1804 Lewis Turner Blvd., Suite 404 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 651-7272
Tax Collector Office Locations:	http://www.okaloosatax.com/