HNFD to take on building inspections

Effects of the financial strife facing Santa Rosa County are trickling down to the Holley-Navarre Fire District.

Earlier last month, in an effort to cut erroneous expenditures from its budget, county officials relinquished its responsibility of inspecting buildings for fire safety.

Under Florida Statute Chapter 663, all counties, municipalities and special districts have the responsibility to enforce rules of the State Fire Marshal’s office as well as the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Being a special fire district and then all-volunteer staff, the Holley-Navarre Fire District entered into an inter-local agreement with the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners in 2001. In the agreement, the county would assume the responsibility of inspections since the district didn’t have a certified inspector available to provide that service.

For more on this story, see the Oct. 1 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.