Walton County Commission Agenda Summary

April 22, 2025

 

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) met in regular session last Tuesday at the South Walton Courthouse Annex to consider a wide variety of issues.  

 

Among the items approved by general consent of the board:

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason’s request to approve the Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Grants was granted.

In a related item, the Commissioners approved and authorized Chair Donna Johns to sign a Memorandum of Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Department of Health, incorporating the approved Fiscal Year 2025 Opioid Implementation Plan funding.

 

The Commissioners approved a second resolution, this one amending the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the General Fund for unanticipated grant revenue in the amount of $564,725.30. This represents additional

funding for the Old Town Santa Rosa TMDL Water Quality Restoration

Project – Phase 1, and $1,599,756.41 for the Allen Loop Drainage

Improvement Project.

 

Commissioners approved and authorized Chair Johns to sign an agreement

transferring the sewer and water franchise of Inlet Beach Water System to Florida Community Services Corp. of Walton County, Inc. (“Regional Utilities”).

 

The Commissioners authorized the Seascape Beach license agreement renewal.

 

Chair Johns signed a task order for Professional Engineering Services for the design of a northbound right turn lane at the intersection of CR-393 and U.S. Hwy. 98 with Halff Associates, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $150,716.

 

Environmental Services Manager Melinda Gates requested approval to apply for a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant for the Choctawhatchee Bay Living Shoreline project. Chair Johns will sign a signature delegation letter providing Ms. Gates with the authority to apply for and administer the NFWF grant.

Ms. Johns will also sign the 2024-2029 Interlocal Agreement between Walton County and the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College for water quality sampling services on the Coastal Dune Lakes.

 

The Commissioners approved the acceptance of the RESTORE Direct Component Grant with the US Department of Treasury for the Allen Loop Drainage Improvement project.

 

Commissioners approved the contract renewal with CitizenServe for online permit platform software services; in the amount of $13,500 for services from May 2025 through April 2026.

 

Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the contract with Quantum Partners (SwiftGov) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) review support for Planning and Development Services.

 

The Commissioners approved a resolution recognizing the week of May 18-24, 2025, as National Public Works Week.

 

Tourism Department Administration presented their Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Media Plan, which was approved, as was a Request for Proposal (RFP) for public relations services.

 

Commissioners authorized the Chair to sign the Admission Fee Waiver/Reimbursement Agreement with Topsail Hill State Park to waive the customary day-use fees for visitors from May 24, 2025 through September 1, 2025.

Commissioners also approved the same agreement with Grayton Beach State Park to waive the customary day-use fees for visitors for the same time period.

 

Cultural Arts Alliance President and CEO Jennifer Steele requested Chair Johns to sign a resolution designating May as Art Month. The request was approved.

Kaylee Peters presented a plaque of recognition to the Walton County Commissioners for completing a five-year Cycle of Improvement for AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

Freeport resident Cris Kulesa discussed the adjoining property to a Marina for future access for additional parking and future fishing pier for community of Freeport. The BCC listened to the proposal but took no action.

 

Uriah Matthews, director of the Economic Development Alliance, gave his Quarterly Update to the Commissioners, detailing recent changes including an additional staff member.

 

Commissioners authorized Chair Johns to sign a change order with POLY, Inc. for additional Professional Engineering Services required for the Mossy Head Wastewater Treatment Facility Permit Renewal. The cost is not to exceed $13,645.

 

Waste Management officials provided information regarding an additional option for north Walton residents. Staff was asked to bring back cost figures for option three to the May 13 BCC meeting in DeFuniak Springs. Option three would create a timeframe to allow interested residents to request a second garbage cart at no additional cost.

 

Chair Johns was authorized to sign the Walton County Roadway Activities Application Road Closure Request form to allow a temporary road closure of County Road 280 and County Road 280A for the outdoor event, 4th Annual Sprint Triathlon.

 

The Walton County Public Works Department Quarterly Report for January-March 2025 was presented and approved by the BCC.

 

Commissioners approved signing a Change Order with Grand Bay Commercial Construction for the Cessna Landing Park Improvement Project, increasing the contract amount by $24,569.13 

 

The BCC also approved another Change Order with JM Phelps Construction, increasing the contract price in the amount by $80,385 for changes necessary for the completion of the Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility.

 

The BCC approved the purchase of a John Deere CP40G cold planer, used in asphalt mining, in an amount not to exceed $33,500.

 

The County awarded the bid for the Driftwood Road Municipal Parking Facility project to Elite Building Group and approved the contract in the amount of $2,210,719.12 

 

The Commissioners took up discussion regarding future BCC meeting procedures. They gave staff directions to bring back possible options for consideration at the June 10 meeting.

 

The BCC approved consideration of an Ordinance amending the Walton County Code of Ordinances and the Land Development Code therein to amend, in part, and repeal, in part, the prior ordinances and provisions of the code pertaining to quasi-judicial decision-making. This action will provide for the assignment of specified quasi-judicial proceedings to a special magistrate. It will provide for the process for specification and assignment and the authority to retain special magistrate services. It will also provide for conflicts, severability, and provide an effective date.

 

Vice-Chair Dan Curry requested the BCC approve his request to allocate his District 1 Recreational Plat Fees for improvements at Choctaw Beach Community Center and to utilize Vessel Registration funds for improvements at the Grady Brown Boat Ramp area. Both requests were approved.

Commissioner Curry also requested an update on the county’s various funding agreements and interlocal agreements, which staff will provide.

 

Commissioner Curry asked to BCC to purchase American and State of Florida flags, which will be placed indoors at all Walton County community centers utilizing Facilities Maintenance funds. This was approved.

 

Commissioner Curry also discussed the county’s Mail Delivery Policy and the BCC asked County Administrator Stan Sunday and Interim County Attorney Clay Adkinson to work together and bring back an updated policy.

 

District Two Commissioner Danny Glidewell asked the BCC to schedule and advertise a Public Hearing to consider updates and changes to the Scenic Corridor Standards. Attorney Adkinson agreed to bring back a draft ordinance and schedule and advertise a public hearing on the issue.

 

District Three Commissioner Brad Drake asked the BCC to approve updating Local Heroes Way sign at Wee Care Park, recognizing the sacrifice of Walton County Deputy Will May.

The county will also pave the parking lot at Mossy Hedd Community Center

 

District Five Commissioner Tony Anderson discussed erecting an Air Heart One Memorial at Pilcher Park. The Commissioners approved for South Walton Fire District (SWFD) to place a memorial at Pilcher Park and allocate up to $8,000 in BCC Capital Funding. Staff will work with SWFD on the details of the memorial and bring back a proposal to the Commission no later than October 20^th

 

Commissioner Anderson also asked the BCC to approve a site selection for community/senior center to be located at the South Walton Annex Complex. They approved the Concept A site plan, which is located behind the Annex, to the west, immediately adjacent to the existing Annex parking lot.

 

Commission Chair Donna Johns asked for an update on the county’s efforts to establish parking garages in south Walton County. Staff was tasked to provide the Board with possible parking options on the county-owned Mead Property.

 

Short Term Rental (STR) property exclusions and restrictions were also discussed. Administrator Stan Sunday agreed to speak with our state lobbyist about the issue.

 

Commissioner Johns brought up the possibility of adding GPS to all county vehicles and directed staff to bring back cost and equipment capabilities.

 

She officially allocated $345,000 in District 4 Recreational Plat Fees for the purchase of playground and irrigation equipment at Paradise Park and this was approved by the Commissioners.

 

The next meeting of the Walton County Commission will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 1 p.m., at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. The public is invited to attend.