County Closures and Resources
Santa Rosa County
County departments will coordinate customer service and citizen interactions by appointment only, whenever possible.
Citizens are encouraged to continue to use these alternative options for business with the county as much as possible and are asked not to enter county offices if exhibiting symptoms of the virus. Facilities are disinfected daily and splash guards have been installed to minimize the risk of exposure for citizens and staff. The county will continue to follow the governor’s executive orders and the CDC guidelines of social distancing until further notice, however everyone has a role in the ensuring the county is as safe as possible to remain open.
- Animal services is open for appointment only visits. Make an appointment online or call (850) 983-4680. More information about lost and adoptable pets along with the many programs offered through the shelter can be found at www.santarosa.fl.gov/animals.
- Code enforcement is encouraging citizens to make appointments for office visits, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff is also limiting field contact with the public by working primarily from inside code enforcement vehicles if possible. Email codecomp@santarosa.fl.gov or call (850) 981-7090 or (850) 981-7034.
- Engineering and environmental departments are open by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plans or submittals may be dropped off outside in the receptacle.
- Facilities management is open Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. Citizens may call (850) 983-1940 for an appointment.
- The office of management and budget is working remotely. Staff can be contacted by email: BudgetDepartment@santarosa.fl.gov.
- Public works is open by appointment only Mon. - Thur., 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fri., 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Citizens are encouraged to submit work orders online.
- Veterans services is open by appointment only 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon. - Fri. at the Milton office and South Service Center. Call (850) 981-7155 for the Milton office and (850) 981-7110 for the South Service Center.
Development services - development services is asking all customers to coordinate interactions with staff by appointment only. The south end office is closed until further notice. Development services is working on an online appointment scheduler. Until it is live, call (850) 981-7000 to schedule an appointment. Appointments will only be taken at the Milton office. Small permit submissions can be emailed to srcpermits@santarosa.fl.gov.
- Submissions may continue to be dropped off at the drop boxes at the Milton office and staff will place items in the pick-up boxes if notified prior to arrival.
- Members of the public are encouraged (not required) to wear a mask when entering a county facility. Masks will be available at the entry point of both locations.
- Citizens exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing a fever and/or a cough are asked to not enter the offices.
Facilities management is working diligently to provide residents with access to county facilities in a safe and responsible manner. The ACITVE Net online reservation system is not active, contact facilities management at (850) 983-1940 for any reservations.
- Indoor facilities (community centers and county auditorium)
- Capacity has been reduced to accommodate social distancing. Each indoor facility has been mapped to reflect chair placement every six feet. See example here.
- Only one event per day can be scheduled to allow for the cleaning of the facility after the event or before the next day’s event
- Staff is working with renters to reschedule events if a facility has multiple reservations for the same day. Refunds are also being offered.
- Outdoor facilities (pavilions)
- Reservations for outdoor facilities will not be taken until further notice due to the inability to establish social distancing "seating." Additionally, there is no way to disinfect/clean the outdoor facilities.
- Outdoor facilities will remain open for public use as first come, first served.
- Refunds are being processed for existing reservations.
- Park restrooms and Navarre Park splash pad
- All restrooms in county parks and the splash pad are open and normal cleaning routines/maintenance procedures will resume.
- Water fountains in county-owned facilities
- All water fountains will be shut off for the safety of citizens and employees.
Extension Services
- Agents are accepting appointments for in-person consultations at the extension office. To schedule an appointment, call (850) 623-3868 or email santarosa@ifas.ufl.edu. All online programs, meetings, events and Facebook events are being held.
- All volunteers associated with the extension garden and greenhouse have limited times of volunteering at these sites. Contact the horticulture agent in charge of the master gardener program by phone or email for additional details and scheduling.
- Services such as, soil samples, plant samples or identification are still available through communicating by phone or online.
- Soil samples forms available for pick up at the front door along with the online services informational card.
- All libraries are open for curbside service and limited computer use on weekdays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Books/Periodicals
- Visit our website to browse and/or reserve books and periodicals as well as access free online resources, including eBooks, eAudiobooks and databases.
- Place holds for items online and get notified when they are ready for pick up. For instructions on how to place a hold, click here or call 981-READ.
- If your library account is blocked, contact your library for assistance.
- Curbside pickup of reserved items is available during open hours.
- All items must be returned in the outside book drops.
- Donations of books, etc. is currently not accepted. Do not leave them outside the libraries.
- All payments for overdue books must be made over the phone with a credit or debit card.
- Computers/Internet Access
- A limited number of patrons will be allowed inside libraries to use the computers.
- Computer sessions are limited to one hour with no extensions. Reservations are not required.
- Masks are strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizer and a limited number of masks are available.
- Patrons who do not have internet access at home may sit in the parking lot to access the WiFi.
- All library meeting rooms remain closed until further notice.
- Call 981-READ (7323) for questions.
Tourist Development Office (TDO)
- The office is meeting with the public by appointment only. Call 850-981-8900 to make an appointment with each staff member individually from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- The visitor center is open to the public for walk-in traffic from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
- Santa Rosa County Probation is closed until Aug. 17. Individuals who are supposed to report to probation during these two weeks will report next month and will not incur any violations because of not being able to report.
- Clerk of courts offices in the courthouse are open to the public. Persons attempting to enter the courthouse should expect to undergo a non-invasive temperature check. Screening questions regarding potential symptoms or prior exposure to COVID-19 will be asked upon entry. Refusal of the temperature screening or to answer screening questions will result in denial of access to the building. Signage will be posted regarding the maintenance of proper social distancing, and those entering the courthouse will be required to wear a mask at all times while entering and while within the building. Plastic bins have been removed from the security checkpoint, and each person will be given a clear bag to place personal belongings in for screening. Courthouse access remains limited to those persons who are required for court proceedings, or those individuals with other official business within the courthouse facilities.
- Clerk of courts services for marriage licenses, passports, recording are available in Milton and the south service center by appointment.
- Individuals wanting to pay their fines and fees can call the Clerks office at (850) 981-5554, use the website or mail in payments.
- The Milton office and Midway offices are open to the public by appointment only. Call (850) 983-1880 to schedule an appointment.
- Citizens are encouraged to continue using the online chat system to address and resolve many issues from outside locations.
- Property owners who have received homestead filing letters can still file their homestead exemption online.
- For the safety of office visitors and staff, kiosks are being used to check temperatures before entering the office. Wearing a mask is preferred until further clarification is received from health officials.
- The sheriff’s offices are open, wear a mask.
- Fingerprinting services are by appointment only.
- All volunteers are still restricted from entering the jail.
- Citizens can now submit an online report at eReports Online Reporting for:
- COVID issues
- Petit Theft
- Vandalism
- Scams and Frauds
- Harassing Phone Calls
- Lost Property
- Lost/Stolen Tags
- Gas Drive Off
- Credit Card Fraud
- There are three ways to vote in Florida: by mail, early or on Election Day. The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to the registered voter's address is Aug. 8. Early voting begins Aug. 3 in Santa Rosa County.
Information regarding COVID-19:- For in-person voting options including early voting and Election Day, voters are encouraged to follow the latest CDC guidelines and be mindful of others. Masks are also encouraged.
- Voters may bring a black or blue ball point pen to fill in the ballot.
- The number of occupants in the polling room may be limited. Polling rooms will be spaced for social distancing. Voters are encouraged to maintain social distancing.
- Due to increased safety measures, in-person voting may take longer than usual. Voters are encouraged to be prepared in order to minimize time spent in the polling place.
- Residential address should be correct, call the elections office to update if needed.
- Study and make decisions on voting preferences before arrival (bring a sample ballot).
- Have photo and signature identification ready.
- Register to vote by mail in upcoming elections. Visit www.votesantarosa.com or call 850-983-1900.
- Voter registration applications can be completed online, mailed or placed in the drop box at the Tax Collector’s Office in Milton. Inquiries about pre-filing for office, third party voter registration applications and candidate petition drop off’s may be done by appointment only.
- Now taking appointments for the Milton, Pace and Midway offices. All three locations are currently open by appointment only. There are a few guidelines that will be in place and customers will be expected to follow.
- If you had a previous appointment to Milton and would like to have it changed to Pace or Midway, contact the office at (850) 983-1800.
- Appointments are for Santa Rosa County residents only until further notice.
- Appointments will only be taken by phone at (850) 983-1800.
- Customers are encouraged to wear a face mask if possible.
- Please do not bring extra people/family members that are not pertinent to the transaction. They may be asked to wait outside if brought with you.
- Any transaction that can be done online/over the phone will not be done in the office. Customers will be directed to call and/or visit www.santarosatax.com to complete those transactions outside of the office. Any special circumstances or questions will be handled by calling (850) 983-1800 (i.e. tag renewals).
- Jay office is closed until further notice.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Student registration information is available online including the:
For information, see www.santarosa.k12.fl.us. Contact BackToSchool@santarosa.k12.fl.us with specific questions, but understand that as guidance from the state and the CDC changes, so too will this information.
MUNICIPALITIES
- Find the most current update here: https://cityofgulfbreeze.us/covid-19-updates/
- Subscribe to the city’s e-news at: https://tinyurl.com/rokhtpg.
- All items identified here will be re-evaluated upon moving into Step 2 of the Plan for Florida’s Recovery.
- The City of Milton Fire Department will assist all local businesses with meeting the occupancy limit as set by the governor.
- All city buildings as well as Milton City Hall lobby are closed to the public during phase 1. We will begin to reopen in phase 2.
- Milton Police Department lobby will remain open.
- All essential city functions will continue: public works, water/sewer/gas, sanitation, police, fire, finance, public information and administration.
- Online payment fees have been removed at www.miltonfl.org. The drive-thru window is open and walk-ups are welcome.
- City parks will remain open as long as people practice social distancing. Playground equipment, tables, etc. are not sanitized. All restrooms are closed.
- The city is encouraging electronic transactions, limiting social interactions, disinfecting public surfaces regularly and ensuring accuracy of all disseminated information.
- Milton Community Center and Milton Event Center are closed until further notice.
- The City of Milton is still accepting applications for its micro-grant. Please visit the website for details.
- Bray-Hendricks Park is open; the town is discouraging groups greater than ten people. The playground is closed.
- The Community Center is not available for public gatherings.
- Jay Town Hall is receiving calls at 675-4556, but the lobby is closed to customers. Payments can be sent via mail, night drop, or online at www.townofjayfl.com.
OTHER AGENCIES
- CareerSource Escarosa offices will open to the public beginning Mon., June 1. Please bring a face covering or mask. All visitors will be screened before entering the center.
- Residents are encouraged to use internet-based services such as www.employflorida.com, www.floridajobs.org, and to call the office for telephone assistance and work with one of the advisors. Those needing to initiate or manage a reemployment claim for benefits will find the link to the CONNECT system here.
- The FedEx office located at 1520 Airport Blvd in Pensacola is offering free copies of the Florida reemployment assistance applications and will mail them for free as well. Visit the office, pick up a blank application, complete it and FedEx will make a copy of it for you and mail it, for free. One per person.
- Information for job seekers here.
- Information for employers here.
- The Meals on Wheels program has expanded to cover all elderly adults 60 and over who qualify for the service, at no cost to the client. The additional meals will be prepared by Primal Nosh and Nancy’s Catering & Events, and will be delivered to the clients’ homes as part of an initiative to help seniors during Coronavirus. It is projected that this program will remain through at least the end of 2020, as social distancing especially for those 60 and up continues to be recommended by local and state health departments. Senior adults interested in signing up for the expanded Meals on Wheels program should call (850) 432-1475 to complete an assessment.
- COA is using the sites of Bagdad and Chumuckla, however the participants must reserve meals to pick up and take home.
- All seniors who received meals from the Milton Community Center can receive plated to-go meals at 6860 Pooley St., Bagdad.
- Call (850) 432-1475 by noon the previous day to receive a meal.
Emerald Coast Regional Council
- Find the most updated information for meetings at https://www.ecrc.org/programs/transportation_planning/agendas_and_reports.php.
- For more information, contact PublicInvolvement@ecrc.org or 850-332-7976.
Opening Doors Northwest Florida
- Opening Doors has created a COVID 19 resources page with information on shelters, food, services, transportation and financial assistance for individuals in need in both Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.