Okaloosa: Commission gives away dozer amid criticism from “Facebook comments” Christopher Saul February 3, 2026 3:35 pm Okaloosa County, Politics and Elections An Okaloosa County Commissioner recused himself from a procedural vote that saw the county donate a piece of heavy machinery to a charity he helps lead. But Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon says his recusal, recommended by staff, was unnecessary. Commissioners would vote unanimously 4-0 to give the 2002 Caterpillar Dozer to Triple R Ministries. The Charity, for which Commissioner Mixon is listed as a director, says on its website that its mission is to “A faith-based non-profit organization, existing to provide at-risk, in-need, and abandoned children from ages 6-18, a structured and secure place of refuge.” Deputy County Administrator Jason Autrey told the commission that county employees jumped through all of the hoops to ensure this transfer was above board. “This dozer has a blown engine, it has no value to the county,” Autrey explained, “This is one of those things that we notify our nonprofit agencies that this is an available resource. They have reached out to the county. They were the only one to reach out to the county for this, and it did follow our process 100%.” Autrey continued that the donation would be similar if another agency like the Florida Sheriff’s Boy’s Ranch were to ask for a piece of equipment. “We’ve had this policy in place for a number of years,” added County Administrator John Hofstad, “It’s no different than...
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