Tidbits for December 2006

Town of Shalimar

Tidbits -- December 2006

Notes from the Mayor

Our new Starbucks (corner of Eglin and Plew) should be open early next year and the old PK’s building will house a family restaurant in 2007. Our storm water analysis report was reviewed during the November commission meeting; check out our Website for more details. In that regard, we have forwarded a letter to Okaloosa County requesting that they address the annex area pond issues. Sometime early next year some of you may receive letters requesting you to restore/improve/construct drainage swells on your property. Of course, the town will assist if our help is needed.

I hope you realize that the Town Commission often thinks long range and “out of the box”. So, you ask, “What’s the Mayor up to now?” I truly believe in local government, as it offers services that most of us want and need, and yes, the services do cost money. If a government could procure a service that has future potential income enough to fund the entire government – is it crazy to consider it? If you have been in the area for awhile, you probably know that we lost two public full service Marinas in 2006 – Lighthouse Key and Deckhands Marina. The Boat and Shalimar Yacht Basin are the only local marinas that remain open to the general public. You all know that Shalimar Yacht Basin has been rezoned and could be developed into a mixed use Commercial Marina/Housing development. We had quite a few “neighborhood compatibility” issues with the proposed project and, statewide, public access to waterfront is vanishing. Could the town borrow the funds to purchase a “municipal” Marina? Could future Marina operations fund the loan? Would the current owners sell the Marina to the town? For the past three months, these are questions that your Town Manager, Tom Burns, and I have been researching. The bottom line is that both Tom and I believe it possible, but we’ll need an official majority vote of confidence before any lending source will give us the funds. Expect more details in early 2007! Don’t hesitate to call us if you need more information on any topic or you think we can help you with whatever project you’re pursuing.

In closing, I hope you enjoyed the neighborhood Holiday Parade. Next year we will try to start later in the day so more of you will be home from work or school. Please be careful this Holiday Season…Happy New Year to everyone.

Gary Combs, Mayor

Notes from the Town Manager

If you would be interested in storing an RV, boat, or other vehicle (up to 30 ft. ?) in a secure storage lot operated by the town for a minimal monthly/annual fee – please email me or call with a short vehicle description and your input on what you would consider a fair fee – tb@shalimarflorida.org or 651-5723

Notes from the Town Hall

PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION INFORMATION

Your $25,000 Homestead Exemption Application must be filed no later than March 1^st for the tax year applied for. You will need to bring: 1) Recorded Warranty Deed or last tax bill, 2) Florida Driver’s License reflecting current residential address for ALL joint owners, 3) Florida Vehicle Registrations reflecting the current residential address, 4) Social Security Numbers for all owners listed on the deed, and 5) Declaration of Domicile or Florida Voter Registration Card reflecting current residential address for those owners that don’t have a vehicle registered in their name.

Your additional $25,000 Senior Exemption may be applied for if you: 1) Have qualified for the $25,000 Homestead Exemption, 2) Are at least 65 years of age as of January 1^st of the year you want to file, and 3) Have a total household adjusted gross income that does not exceed the limit announced by the State of Florida each January (The 2006 limit is $23,463). If you meet the above criteria, you must apply for this exemption in person. Also, bring with you proof of your age and copies of any federal income tax returns, and any wage and earning documents for each member of the household.

There is an additional $500 Widow/Widower Exemption. Any widow/widower who is a permanent Florida resident may claim this exemption. If the widow/widower remarries, they are no longer eligible. You will be required to produce a death certificate when filing the first time and you must file in person.

Finally, there is a $5,000 Veterans Disability Exemption. Any honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability, less than total and permanent, is entitled to this exemption. You will be required to present a certificate from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. This certificate must prove your disability compensation of 10%-90% related to wartime or service-connected disability.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Property Appraiser’s Office at 651-7240.

All Contractors doing business in the town of Shalimar are required to have a License. Please help us protect you from unscrupulous contractors - a list of currently licensed contractors is available on our web site (www.shalimarflorida.org) or you can contact town hall at 651-5723.

Notes from the Police Department

The Police Department is now providing a new service for all Shalimar residents. Each household will receive a business card with the phone number of the on-duty officer. You may call this number for assistance with any type of non-emergency situation you may encounter within 25 miles of the town. We especially encourage anyone who might have partied a little too hard during the holidays to let us take you home!

Be extra cautious about locking your vehicle and homes, even for a short period. Report any suspicious activity to the police department. If leaving town, be sure to complete a house watch form for extra patrol while you’re away. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Holiday Season.

Chief John Cash

The Shalimar Town Hall Conference Room and attached kitchen is available for meetings and gatherings at no charge to residents. Call us if you are interested.

Notes from the Special Services Commissioner

YARD OF THE QUARTER

Shalimar looks beautiful - and the first place for beautifying the Town should really go to the Shalimar maintenance department and their men for their splendid display on Eglin Parkway. They just have to get a pat on the back!

The best Christmas display this year was a tough one to choose. We decided on 900 Sara Drive for first place honors. It is colorful and spectacular - in fact all residents on Sara Drive have done a wonderful job this year. It is a pleasure to walk this road. Our second choice is 2551 Palm Shores - a children's paradise!

Other residences to mention are 2567 Palm Shores, 2554 Erwin Fleet, and 30 Shalimar Drive and 241 Shalimar Drive. Have a Great New Year.

Ursel Behnken, Special Services Commissioner

Upcoming Events

January 9, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. - Town Commission Meeting

January 15, 2006 - Town Hall Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 31, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. - Planning and Zoning Meeting

PLEASE REMEMBER that parking on Shalimar streets (or on the right-of-way) is against town ordinances. This practice not only reduces a driver’s ability to monitor the road for darting children, but can also restrict a neighbor’s ability to safely enter and exit their driveways. We will enforce the rules against parking on the street. If you have a temporary need for overflow parking for a special event, please coordinate this requirement with the police department or town hall staff.

Stormwater

Reminder: Shalimar Ordinances state that no person shall throw or place any debris in any drainage ditches, drainage easements, catch basins or any part of the storm water management system. It is also illegal to dispose of any pollutants that may end up in any of these areas. These include yard trash, earthen fill and all trash/litter. Please notify Town Hall if you observe any illegal dumping in our storm water drainage systems – let’s stay high and dry and help keep coastal waters clean!