School board to list district lot near Okaloosa Academy with REMAX after prior sealed bids failed

The school district presented a listing agreement with REMAX for a parcel on Hill Avenue and Lovejoy Road in Fort Walton Beach, near Okaloosa Academy. Dr. Bill Smith, facilities and planning, said the district previously put the parcel out under sealed bid and received no acceptable offers; the district later issued an RFP for broker services and selected REMAX to market the property.

Why it matters: The property is adjacent to Okaloosa Academy and the district concluded in prior discussions that it has no practical use for that site in its current location. Listing the parcel is intended to allow marketing with professional brokerage services and to consider appraisals when evaluating offers.

Details from the discussion: Board members asked whether the listing sets a fixed price; staff replied the listing agreement does not set a public asking price in the paperwork shown at the workshop and that appraisals will be used to establish a minimum acceptable figure. A board member reminded peers that listing a property does not obligate the district to accept any offer below the board’s acceptable threshold. The transcript recorded that the board had previously approved an RFP for broker services and a committee recommended REMAX.

Process next steps: Staff presented the listing agreement for board approval and said REMAX will proceed with marketing. The transcript does not show a recorded vote during the workshop; the item was on the consent agenda and was recommended by the superintendent.

Ending: Staff said appraisals and any offers will be returned to the board for consideration; no sale was reported in the workshop transcript.