Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon was recently appointed to serve as a policy leader in Florida Association of Counties’ (FAC) Health, Safety & Justice and Agriculture & Rural Affairs policy committees. FAC’s policy committees are responsible for proposing, debating and adopting policy positions that focus on improving and preserving home rule of Florida’s counties.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Okaloosa County’s representative to help guide public policy at the state level,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon. “Public safety and rural living are significant topics for me personally and for Okaloosa residents. These committee appointments will allow Okaloosa County to have a statewide voice that shares our successes while also addressing our concerns.”
In his role as policy leader, Commissioner Mixon will hold these committee positions for one year. Throughout the term, he and other policy leaders will work closely with FAC’s executive committee to develop and recommend a statewide legislation platform for issues that will serve as a guide in shaping the association’s priorities for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session.
"The association's progress, along with that of Florida counties, is influenced by the work of our policy committees," says FAC President Terry Burroughs. "This year’s appointments were made with a great deal of consideration, focusing on diverse leaders who bring fresh and innovative ideas to address the evolving challenges facing our state."
The Health, Safety & Justice Committee deals with public policies that encompass the following: behavioral and mental health, healthcare and human services funding, healthcare and human services policy, emergency medical services, law enforcement, juvenile justice and corrections, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, emergency management, emergency communication and judiciary– Article V.
The Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee deals with public policies that encompass the following: agriculture, rural development programs, rural infrastructure, rural housing, fiscally-constrained counties and food access.