Walton BCC Meeting Yields Progress on Numerous Issues

 

 

Walton County – June 2, 2025 – The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) carried on a lengthy regular meeting on Tuesday, May 27, but made progress on a significant number of important initiatives.

 

Among the items passed by general consent, in accordance with the travel policy, the commissioners approved the travel authorization form for Vice Chair Dan Curry’s travel to Washington County, FL for the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Coalition meeting and to Tallahassee, FL for a DOGE meeting.

 The commissioners also authorized Commission Chair Donna Johns to sign an agreement with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Grant. The total project amount is $130,496.

 They also approved a collaboration with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office to apply for the Fiscal Year 2025 ‘Defense Community Infrastructure Program’ grant to secure funding for the construction of the new Mossy Head Fire Station. Chair Johns was authorized to sign the authority delegation letter.

 The commissioners also approved an amendment to the State of Florida Department of Management Services Grant Agreement for a no-cost time extension for the current grant period, as requested by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

 The BCC authorized the Chair to sign a Services Agreement with LiveOak Fiber LLC for Fiber Internet at the Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility in the amount of $169 per month and at the CR 393 Municipal Parking Facility for the same amount. The monthly total would be $338.

 The BCC approved signing a resolution of support for the re-designation of Rural Area of Opportunity in Northwest Florida.

 The commissioners approved a request to close the Lake Jackson boat ramp (on the Florida shore) for a Military Exercise on May 28, 2025, as requested by Florala Mayor Gayle Robbins.

 The commissioners authorized Chair Johns to sign a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $20,152,671. This originated with the Public Safety Communications Project from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc.

 They also approve a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the General Fund in the amount of $22,428 for the State Aid to Libraries Grant.

 Code Compliance requested approval for Code Director Tony Cornman, or his designee, to sign the Ride-Along Liability Waiver Agreement on behalf of Walton County, as part of training for new code applicants.

 Commissioners authorized Chair Johns to sign the Satisfaction of SHIP Mortgage letter for James Hamilton Jr. and two mortgage satisfaction letters for Isaac Haisley, Jr.

 The BCC approved a resolution establishing highest and best use of 1.57 acres in Mossy Head Industrial Park and approved a commercial contract for the sale of the property to Turas Technologies LLC.

 The board approved Change Order No.2 with Premier Paving, LLC for the construction of the Walton County North End Multi-Use Trail and the Pedestrian Path Connections project on 20th Street, decreasing the contract price by $28,378.

 The commissioners felt the need for less speed and approved a proposed speed zone reduction near Greenway Station in East Seagrove on CR 30-A, from 35 mph down to 25.

 Commissioners approved a Notice of Commencement for a Building Permit for the Outdoor Fitness Center at the Walton Sports Complex on US 98.

 County Environmental Services requested approval for a Memorandum of Understanding with Waste Management, Inc. to open the Walton Transfer Station for three hours on Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., from May 25 to August 31, to accept trash and refuse from Waste Management trucks.

 The commissioners approved the Tourism Department’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Media Plan.

 Ryan Mims, with the Walton County Health Department requested approval of a resolution recognizing June 6, 2025, as “Revive Awareness Day” in Walton County. This was approved. This affects emergency rescue and law enforcement personnel who may have to respond to a possible drug overdose call.

 The board authorized Chair Johns to sign amendment to a Contract regarding the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Franchise Agreement with Waste Management Inc. of Florida. They also approved a resolution establishing a county-approved allowance for residential container service at a rate of $17.49 per residential unit. 

 The board approved a change order with DRMP for the architectural and civil engineering services to implement the changes requested to the permitted plan for the Maintenance Facility at Eagle Springs Golf Course and the Live Oak Avenue Extension. This increases the total cost in an amount not to exceed $26,260.

 The question of the Casa Magnolia Recreational Plat Fee discussion and motion was brought up. The issue had to do with Impact Fees. After some discussion, it was recommended that Commissioner Curry sign-off on the plat. However, staff was instructed to not issue building permits until all fees are paid. It was also decided that officials from Planning, Legal, Admin and the applicant should meet for discussion and then bring back a resolution to the June 10, 2025 BCC meeting for consideration.

 Tourism and Livability Coordinator Joshua Allen gave the board a brief update on the Short-Term Rental Program. Allen said the program currently enjoys a 79% compliance rate, which is climbing daily, and they have added 650 vacation rental properties since January. Allen said they also coordinated with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office regarding contact information for property managers and are working on non-compliant properties. 

 The commissioners listened to a presentation from Charles Hamrick, Senior Director of Business Development, PGA Tour, on a possible sponsorship that would establish an annual fall PGA tournament in Walton County. There was significant discussion about the details and cost. Hamrick said that becoming a PGA partner would cost about $6 million per year for a suggested minimum term of five years, bringing the total investment to $30 million. 

Commissioners directed staff to meet with each commissioner individually for input; continue negotiations with the PGA and identify potential partnerships and BCC co-sponsors. Staff is expected to bring back a proposal to the commissioners at the June 23, 2025, BCC meeting.

 Next was a discussion about re-establishing the position of Executive Director for the Tourist Development Council. TDC board member Amy Wise-Coble strongly urged the commissioners to approve the request, noting that it has the support of the council.

Following discussion about the cost of funding the position and its functionality in relation to the BCC, the commission voted to address the issue during the upcoming budget process and seek information on the future of TDC funding in Florida from the State Legislature. Decisions on organizational structure and the hiring process will be made at that time.

 Interim County Attorney Clay Adkinson requested direction for updating BCC meeting procedures. The commissioners directed Adkinson to craft a working draft policy for commissioners, then gather individual commissioner comments and bring back an updated draft to the BCC for further consideration.

 Regarding changes to the county administrator ordinance and confirmation process, Adkinson agreed to provide a draft ordinance to Commissioners for review. If approved, the County Attorney’s office would schedule and advertise a Public Hearing for June 23, 2025, to consider adoption of the ordinance.

 The commissioners heard a presentation regarding a Rescue Tube System (aka Public Beach Rescue Tube Initiative). This is part of the Rotary Club Public Beach Rescue Tube Initiative. The tubes would be placed at multiple beach access points for use during a drowning emergency. The request was approved.

 Board Vice Chair Dan Curry asked for an update regarding the construction of a maintenance building at Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center. 

Assistant County Administrator Matt Trawick said some of the engineering features have to be updated but the project is ready to go out for bid from a procurement standpoint. There was discussion regarding more of the project being done in-house.

 Commissioner Curry led a discussion regarding county property at the corner of US 331 and Chat Holly Road. After the discussion and a response from property owner Lloyd Blue, the commissioners directed staff to bring back a right-of-way agreement for consideration by the BCC.

 Commissioner Curry asked the county GIS road mapping department to assist with creating a system that would allow county officials and the public to be able to easily identify ownership of streets and roadways as either private, municipal, county, state or federal and defining responsibility for maintenance.

GIS Director Harold Bigham explained that GIS gets a regularly updated list of county-maintained roads from the Public Works Department and has been keeping track of such changes since 2010. Bigham said the list had been updated recently and a color-coding system had been launched that also recognizes local agreements with municipalities. Bigham noted that the project was not yet complete. “It’s a work in progress,” he said. 

 Commissioner Curry also asked for an update on the status of Grady Brown Park, which was recently damaged by fire. County Administrator Stan Sunday said the restroom facility was extensively damaged, but it has been secured so that the public can access the rest of the park safely. Arson has been ruled out and insurance claims have been filed with the Florida Municipal Insurance Trust (FMIT). The adjustor and the State Fire Marshall’s Office have been on site.

Sunday said the fire appeared to have started with an overheated computer server within the structure. The servers are owned by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). 

As for replacing the damaged facility, Sunday suggested that it would be up to the BCC whether to perform the work in-house or turn it over the FMIT, which would handle the entire re-build process.

Sunday said similar servers at other parks have been examined and all seem to be functioning properly. Tracey Vause, Chief of Emergency Services, WCSO, said new fire suppression devices have been installed at three parks where servers are utilized and additional locations will be inspected for potential upgrades.

 Commissioner Tony Anderson asked the board to approve the purchase of sun shades for six spectator bleachers around the fields at the Walton Sports Complex. Commissioner Anderson offered to utilize District 5 Recreational Plat Fees in an amount not to exceed $124,000. The request was approved. 

 Board Chair Donna Johns led a discussion regarding the possible purchase of the 92-acre Alderberry Property and asked Administrator Stan Sunday to meet with the property owner. Sunday was asked to look into funding options and then bring back an update to the board. 

 Chair Johns also brought up home occupational permits. She detailed the various options associated with the permits. Direction was given for staff to update the county website with more detailed information on the subject.

 Chair Johns inquired about using the Meade property for parking. Administrator Sunday said there would likely be a need for improvements before the property could be used, but the board could designate the property for parking. Staff was given direction to look into temporary parking options, which would include ADA compliance, and bring back a recommendation to the BCC. 

 The next meeting of the Walton County Commission will be held Tuesday, June 10, at 1 p.m. in the boardroom of the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. The public is invited to attend.