Citizen Questions & Answers
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Answer
RUOK (Are You Okay?) is a Fort Walton Beach Police Department program to check on the well being of elderly and homebound residents living in the Department's jurisdiction. Residents who enroll in the program will be called at a designated time each day.
For information or to sign up call the Fort Walton Beach Police Department at 833-9546.
What can I do to help protect the environment?
Answer
The Utilities Department is committed to protecting our natural resources. The Department has a quarterly publication entitled "The Pipeline" which highlights the recent accomplishments of our many divisions and offers educational information.
Where can I find information on the quality of my drinking water?
Answer
Each year the City's Water Operations Division is required to disclose analytical testing data related to that particular utility's potable water supply. This information is contained in a publication entitled "Consumer Confidence Report." This report is published on the City's web site for review by the general public. Should you have any questions regarding the information published in this report, you may contact the Water Operations Superintendent @ 833-9630.
Can I have a water bill without paying for garbage?
Answer
No, if water services are available to the resident, then all services must be billed.
What is the "County Tipping Fee" as it appears on my bill?
Answer
It is the land fill fee due to the county for handling the City's solid waste refuse.
Does the City reduce the charge or make adjustments for filling a new swimming pool?
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The City of Fort Walton Beach does not make reductions for water used to fill a swimming pool. Standard billing rates apply.
When opening a water account, what is required? How much is the deposit?
Answer
If you are a homeowner, a valid driver's license or State issued ID and a $50 deposit are required.
If you rent or lease, a valid driver's license or State issued ID, a $50 deposit, and a signed copy of a valid lease are required.
Can I pay my water bill over the phone?
Answer
Yes, we take Visa and MasterCard payments by phone.
Do you do bank drafts for water payments?
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Yes, we encourage our customers to set-up automatic bill payments. You need to fill out a simple form and turn it in with a voided check. It usually takes one to two billing cycles for it to take process. The form is available on the City's website under 'Forms', 'Finance', and 'Electronic Funds Transfer Forms Utility Bills'. Or you can set up bank drafting on line once you have set up an on-line account.
Also available is a recurring debit/card payment method. Funds will automatically be transferred from your account to pay the bill on the due date. Click on the Home tab, pay water bill, and once you have set up your on-line account, you can set up Autopay for the recurring payment or bank draft.
What are your business hours?
Answer
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. City Hall and the Water Customer Service Department are usually closed during Federal Holidays.
Why can't I pay for my final bill the day I close out my account?
Answer
When you ask to have your account closed, the final amount of your bill is unknown. The City has to read the meter and process your final bill. The meter has to be read for the final bill, and all water used from the last billing period must be included. Depending on the timing of your cycle billing, your final bill may include more than one-month's water usage.
How do I report a mosquito problem?
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Call the Okaloosa County Mosquito Control Office at (850) 651-7395.
Where can I purchase a map of the City?
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A "Street and City Limits Map" can be purchased from the Engineering Department at 105 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW or call 833-9647.
How can I determine the flood zone for my property?
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The City has two resources with the information. The "Flood Insurance Rate Map" is available for download on the City web site, on the City Maps page. Additionally, you may call the Engineering Division, at 833-9649, and request a flood zone determination.
How do I report a street light outage?
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Call the Engineering Department at 833-9647.
How do I report a missing or damaged traffic sign?
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Call Administration at 833-9607. If it is an urgent situation, call the Police Department at 833-9546.
How can I get construction and demolition debris (C&D) picked up?
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Contact a commercial waste company, since the City does not pick up C&D material.
Who can I call about trash collection and recycling questions?
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Call the Sanitation Division at 833-9655.
How do I report a pothole?
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Call the Streets Division at 833-9932. If it is an urgent situation, call the Police Department at 833-9546.
How often does the City sweep the streets?
Answer
The street sweeper cycles through the paved City streets monthly. Streets that are missed (due to equipment problems, for example) are deferred into the next month's cycle.
During hurricanes does the fire department issue sand bags?
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No; Sandbagging seldom works if you are in a flood zone. The fire department encourages those residents to evacuate to a safer refuge.
How do I talk to a firefighter at the fire station after hours?
Answer
Come down to the station and push the red button at any of the four entrances. If anyone is in the station they will answer the door within a minute.
Who can I call about property addressing questions?
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Call the Engineering Department at 833-9647.
How can I obtain a concealed weapons permit?
Answer
The Florida Department of Agriculture regulates concealed weapons permits. You can obtain the necessary information here!
Will the Police Department watch over my house while I am out of town?
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Yes. You can request that the Police Department watch your home for periods not exceeding thirty consecutive days.
When I call the Water Department or City Hall after 5:00 PM or on weekends, why does the Police Department answer?
Answer
After business hours, City Hall and the Water Department forward their phones to the Police Department for emergencies only.
When are the Christmas and Billy Bowlegs parades held?
Answer
The Christmas parade is held at 6:30PM on the first Monday of December and the Billy Bowlegs parade is held at 8:00PM on the first Monday of June.
Is it legal to park on the street in the City limits of Fort Walton Beach?
Answer
Yes, unless otherwise posted and as long as there is sufficient room for emergency vehicles to pass and all other parking laws are observed.
What time does the City parks close?
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Unless otherwise posted, all City parks and related facilities close at 11:00 P.M., except the boat ramp at Liza Jackson park which is open for use 24 hours a day.
Is it legal to have glass containers and/or alcoholic beverages in City parks?
Answer
No, glass containers and alcoholic beverages are prohibited by City ordinances in City parks unless properly permitted for special events.
Can I hire an off-duty officer to work at my private event?
Answer
Yes; Officers are allowed to perform law enforcement services at private events. Call 833-9544 for more information.
Can I have mine or my children's fingerprints taken?
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Yes; If you need to be fingerprinted for employment on another reason, you may come to the Police Station any time to have them taken. A $5.00 fee is charged.
How do I get a copy of a police report?
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Copies of police reports are obtained from the Police Department Records Section. You may come to the public lobby of the Police Department during business hours ( 8:00AM to 5:00PM ) Monday thru Friday. There you will locate the Records Section. A modest fee is required.
How do I apply for employment with the Police Department?
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Job applications can be located on the City of Fort Walton Beach website or at the Human Resources Department at City Hall.
How do I apply for the Police Academy?
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The local Police Standards academy is run by Okaloosa-Walton College. The Public Safety Department can be contacted at 729-5378.
Where is the Police Department? What is the mailing address?
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We are located on east Hollywood Blvd. just east of Beal Pkwy (Gary Smith Ford). The mailing address is:
7 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
What is the state law regarding child restraints?
Answer
Children from birth through three years must be restrained in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. Children ages four and five years must be restrained in a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or may be restrained by a seat belt. Failure to comply with child restraint requirements could result in a fine of $83.50. Also, it is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle in Florida unless each passenger under the age of 16 is restrained by a safety belt or by a child restraint device. All drivers of motor vehicles are required to wear a safety belt, plus it is unlawful for any person 16 years of age or older to be a passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless they are restrained by a safety belt when the vehicle is in motion. Failure to comply with any of these state laws could result in a fine of $48.50.
Where do I pay a traffic citation?
Answer
All such payments should be made to the Clerk of Courts, either by mail or in person at the Courthouse in Crestview or at the Annex in Shalimar. If you received the ticket in another county, the payment must go to the clerk in that county. The policy for accepting or not accepting personal checks may very from one county to another. If you have any questions about the amount, the form of payment, where to mail or deliver your payment, contact the Clerk's office. In Okaloosa County, the Clerk's Office can be reached at (850) 689-5800 in Crestview or (850) 651-7200 in Shalimar. In Florida, Sheriff's Offices and other law enforcement agencies do not accept payment for traffic fines. Please remember, payment is do in the Clerk's Office within 30 days of the date that the ticket was issued. It is not acceptable for the check to be postmarked by the 30 day deadline. If your payment has not been received by the deadline, the state will automatically suspend your license, and it will not be automatically re-instated when you make payment; you will need to pay an additional fee. If you need an extension beyond the 30 days, or if you wish to either take a driver improvement class or contest the citation in court, contact the Clerk's Office no later than 30 days after the citation was issued.
Do I need to register my gun? Do I need a permit to carry a gun?
Answer
Like most states, Florida does not register guns, or license owners. If you intend to carry a gun for protection off your property, you should obtain a Florida Concealed Weapons License. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office has the paperwork at our offices in Crestview, Shalimar, Destin, and Santa Rosa Mall. In order to obtain a license, you must be a US citizen (not necessarily a resident of Florida), at least 21 years of age, and be able to document some firearms training. For more information concerning the Florida Concealed Weapons License, visit the website of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html
Does the Library have Internet Access for public use?
Answer
Yes! If you have a library card, you can sit down at a open station and login using your library card information. If you do not have a library card, then you will need to check in at the front desk and they will give you the information needed to log into the computer. Users are allowed two 30 minute sessions per day.
What is the difference between the date of my water meter reading and the date of the bill?
Answer
The City reads meters approximately two weeks before the bill is prepared and mailed.