All real estate value is based on the concept of "highest and best use." Okaloosa County has a duty to its taxpayers to exercise this principle in relation to the Island Golf Center land in order to increase the county's tax base if the land is sold or to obtain maximum lease payments if it is leased.

A wrong-way decision could cost taxpayers millions or even billions of dollars in future real estate tax payments or lease payments.

Okaloosa County is not performing its governmental functions if it is not actively soliciting proposals to turn this non-performing asset into a revenue source for county taxpayers.

Okaloosa County probably has other non-performing assets that are not of such high value as the subject property, and which would better serve the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and the taxpayers with much less danger of a hurricane wiping them out. I doubt the Island Golf Center property would be a tourist attraction.

"Highest and best use" might be a swimming beach for Okaloosa County residents and tourists. At least this would give the taxpayers a good return on their asset and provide well-deserved recreation for a large number of citizens. The island conference center (another non-performing asset) parking lot could accommodate the "swimming beach" patrons.

- BOB REISENWITZ

While I can see where Bob was coming from to make his point of an unused asset that is just his view with giving less value to the natural resources than I might of and saving habitat was what I took from the story. I would say there are other assets in other locations of Okaloosa County that are not being used to the highest and best use that could result in more dollars in other areas. Take a look at Crestview Main Street for example.There were other points of view that raised other views too.

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