County moves transit under airports department to centralize federal grant oversight

Okaloosa County commissioners voted Feb. 3 to realign the county’s transit division as a division under the airports department, aiming to centralize management of federal FTA and DOT grants and strengthen financial oversight.

County staff said transit is heavily grant-driven and that the airports department already manages substantial federal and state transportation grants. Mr. Hofstead (county staff) recommended placing transit under airports "for all the various reasons" including existing grant-management capacity and staff expertise. Several commissioners agreed the airport team had the right experience, while some urged caution about future organizational naming, staff roles and compensation as transit expands.

Commissioner Mixon suggested creating a broader "transportation department" label to preserve flexibility as the program grows; staff responded that transit would initially operate as a division under the airports department, and that organizational details could be revisited during upcoming budget work. Commissioner Kechel said the airport department was the right fit because of its federal-grant experience.

The board adopted the realignment by unanimous vote and directed the administrator and department leadership to return with implementation details, including any personnel or structural changes needed as transit responsibilities evolve.