Okaloosa authorizes pre‑proposal to DoD for $10M Shoal River wastewater plant

The county’s Water and Sewer department requested and received board authorization to submit a pre‑proposal to the Department of Defense’s Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot (DCIP) program for a proposed $10,000,000 wastewater plant at Shoal River Range. Water & Sewer staff said the program would fund infrastructure important to defense communities; the pre‑proposal requires a local match of at least 30% and staff requested authority to submit documents and to designate an authorizing official (Mr. Halstead referenced in staff materials) to carry forward necessary signatures.

Commissioners moved and seconded approval; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said authorizing the pre‑proposal allows the county to pursue federal construction funding opportunities while committing to pursue the required match and subsequent approvals if the pre‑proposal advances to a full application.

The board recorded no final award or match allocation at the meeting; staff will return with any grant award terms and required budget actions if the project advances.