Okaloosa County establishes process to offer surplus equipment to nonprofits

Okaloosa County commissioners on Oct. 21 approved a new process to notify eligible nonprofit organizations when county surplus tangible assets become available, and to permit the county administrator to execute asset-transfer agreements.

The process, presented by county staff, will add nonprofits to a notification list. When procurement prepares a listing of surplus items, those nonprofits will receive an email and have five days to submit a letter of interest specifying the items and how they would be used. Office of Management and Budget staff will note nonprofit requests on the routine agenda submitted to the board, so commissioners will know which items are proposed for donation and which will go to auction. The board approved the measure unanimously.

“Once the procurement staff prepares those listing of assets, those nonprofits who have indicated an interest in receiving notification of those will receive an email, and they will be given five days to reply with a letter of interest,” Miss Fitzgerald, who presented the item, told commissioners. She said OMB will administer the process, keep records of transfers, and will bring an amendment to the county’s tangible personal property manual back to the board for formal incorporation.

During discussion commissioners asked whether retiring county vehicles would be included. Miss Fitzgerald said vehicles that become available can be considered and that previous donations have gone to local organizations such as Bridgeway Center and Emerald Coast Life Center. She said such vehicle transfers would still come before the board with an asset agreement if the county administrator or staff deem them suitable.

The action grants the county administrator the authority to sign asset-transfer agreements for approved donations and directs staff to amend the tangible personal property manual to reflect the new notification and donation process. The board voted unanimously to approve the item.