County Closures and Resources
Santa Rosa County
All county offices are open for business; appointments are encouraged. In some cases walk-in appointments may be available although lobby seating is limited and citizens may be required to wait outside or in their vehicle until called.
Citizens are encouraged to continue to use 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 open for office visits between 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. provided the visitor is not exhibiting symptoms related to cough or sinus. If the symptoms exist, complaints may be made by email or telephone at codecomp@santarosa.fl.gov or (850) 981-7090 or (850) 981-7034. Visitors are encouraged to stand behind the reception area plexiglass screen and/or wear a mask.
- 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.
- 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 encouraging citizens to make appointments for office visits; however, the lobby is open with limited capacity for walk-in customers. 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.
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.
- In compliance with orders from local and state officials and to maintain the safety of patrons and employees, the Santa Rosa Library System is implementing a phased approach to re-opening.
- Beginning Mon., Oct. 19
- Libraries are open to the public for computer use and “grab and go” browsing
- Mon. – Fri. from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sat. from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Patrons are encouraged to use the online catalog search prior to arriving at the library to see what items are available for checkout.
- To encourage social distancing, a limited number of patrons will be allowed inside at a time.
- Masks are encouraged. Free masks and hand sanitizing stations will be available.
- Curbside pickup will still be available Mon. – Fri.; patrons are encouraged to continue using this service. Holds may also be picked up inside the library on Saturday.
- All items must be returned in the outside book drops so they can be cleaned before being returned to library shelves.
- All library meeting rooms remain closed until further notice.
- Donations are NOT being accepted at this time. Do not leave items outside the library.
- All payments must be made over the phone with a credit or debit card.
- Call 981-READ (7323) for questions.
- Libraries are open to the public for computer use and “grab and go” browsing
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
- 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 fully open to the public and no longer require appointments.
- 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
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.
- Visit www.votesantarosa.com or call 850-983-1900.
- Visit www.santarosatax.com to see the latest update.
- Currently operating by appointment only.
- We are only taking appointments for SANTA ROSA COUNTY residents (Address Verification Required).
- Appointments are only available for the services listed. If you make an appointment for one service but attempt to complete a different transaction/service, your appointment time will not be honored.
- Any transactions 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 can be handled by calling 850-983-1800. (i.e. Tag Renewals/Tax Payments).
- Customers are encouraged to please wear a facemask if possible.
- Please do not bring extra people/family members that are not pertinent to the transaction. These people may be asked to wait outside if brought.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
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.
- Find the latest information on the City of Milton website: https://www.miltonfl.org/
- Find the latest information at https://www.townofjayfl.com/ or call 675-4556.
OTHER AGENCIES
- CareerSource Escarosa offices are open to the public. 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.
- Find the most up-to-date information at http://www.coawfla.org/.
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.