New Resident Guide · Bonifay, Florida
Holmes CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Holmes County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Bonifay, Ponce de Leon, Esto, and the rest of the county — power, water, gas, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Holmes County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Holmes County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services. New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Holmes County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Holmes District Schools
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Holmes County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Holmes County Building, Planning & Zoning
Permits for unincorporated Holmes County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Holmes County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Both FPL (the former Gulf Power) and the WFEC co-op serve the county — confirm by address. Gulf Coast Electric does NOT serve Holmes.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) — Northwest
Serves: Holmes County, including the Bonifay area.
West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC)
Serves: Holmes County (district office in Bonifay).
Water & Sewer
Only the incorporated towns have water systems; rural parcels are private well & septic.
City of Bonifay
Serves: Bonifay city limits (water, sewer, city garbage).
Natural Gas
Florida Public Utilities provides gas (only — not electric here); off the gas main it's propane.
Florida Public Utilities (FPU) — Natural Gas
Serves: Holmes County natural gas (FPU is the gas, not the electric, provider here).
Trash & Recycling
The county center is recycling/drop-off only; rural household trash means a private hauler or self-haul.
Holmes County Recycling Center
Serves: Recyclables, appliances, metal, oil, batteries, and HHW drop-off (not household trash).
City of Bonifay
Serves: In-city curbside garbage (on the city utility bill).
Internet & TV
Thins out fast outside Bonifay/US-90 — rural homes often need satellite.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Holmes County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Holmes County, FL?
Holmes is split between FPL (the former Gulf Power) and the West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) — confirm by exact address. Note Gulf Coast Electric does not serve Holmes, and Florida Public Utilities here is the gas provider, not electric.
How do I set up water service in Holmes County?
Only the incorporated towns — Bonifay ((850) 547-4238), Ponce de Leon, and Esto — have municipal water systems. Rural parcels (Westville and elsewhere) are on a private well and septic.
Is there natural gas in Holmes County?
Yes, in and near the towns — Florida Public Utilities (FPU) provides piped natural gas at (800) 427-7712. Off the gas main, homes use propane (LP) from private dealers.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Holmes County?
The Holmes County Tax Collector (holmestax.com, (850) 547-1115) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses at one office. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Holmes County?
Register or update your address through the Holmes County Supervisor of Elections at holmeselectionsfl.gov or (850) 547-1107. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Holmes County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Holmes County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.