PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Culpepper & Terpening www.ct-eng.com Culpepper & Terpening is a Florida-based civil engineering, surveying, and subsurface utility engineering (SUE) firm specializing in transportation, stormwater, and land development. Focused on client collaboration and community engagement, we deliver innovative, high-quality solutions that enhance infrastructure and sustainability. Our expertise, responsiveness, and local knowledge set us apart. n Comcast www.xfinity.com Comcast is a global media and technology company. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity and Comcast Business; produce, distribute, and stream leading content through NBC, Telemundo, Universal, and Peacock; and bring incredible attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.florida.comcast.com for more information. “One of the very top priorities that are going to hopefully come about real soon is the revitalization and hardening of city hall,” Ritter says with enthusiasm.“We are getting ready to harden and put new windows and give a new facelift to the outside of City Hall along with a new roof. This building has not had that kind of attention, I would say in decades. Part of the building in 2026 will be a hundred years old.” Road improvements remain high on his agenda. “Roads have been neglected here in our community. We’ve got 65 miles of them, and I would like to make a big chunk or a big dent in that and get a lot of those roads resurfaced.” Economic development continues to be a focus. “I would like to see our commerce center completely full, and all the roads resurfaced in our commerce center because that has become a real hub for our industrial area. It brings in a lot of revenue to our city.” Housing too remains a priority. “I would like to see a few more apartment complexes being put in,” says Ritter. He also emphasizes the importance of updating the city’s planning documents: “We need to review our future land use and zoning maps for consistency. They have not been revisited in quite some time and times are changing. We need to make sure as we finish developing the city and we’re doing it in a way that makes sense.” For Okeechobee, these priorities signify a balanced approach to growth—preserving the city’s smalltown character while building the infrastructure and amenities needed for a thriving future. 98 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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