Walton County Commission discusses county administrator authority, new district offices and receives legislative update

 

 

Walton County – 09/26/25 – The Walton County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 23, to conduct county business.

The meeting began with the recognition of Walton County Emergency Management (WCEM) and Walton County Fire Rescue (WCFR) staff having received Emergency Operations Center (EOC) credentialing through the Florida Division of Emergency Management. This included Walton County Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg, WCEM Deputy Director Donna Free, WCEM Operations Coordinator Catie Feeney, and WCFR Lt. Tom Palmer. Director Goldberg noted that currently, there are approximately 29 EOC credentialed personnel in the State and Walton County has four of them.

 

Commission Chair Donna Johns asked the Board authorize her to sign a commercial lease for a larger District 4 Commissioner’s Office in the same plaza where her current office is located. There was discussion concerning the cost of the move and the request was approved. District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell received approval to look for more suitable accommodations for his office, currently located on Triple G Road, near the Walton County Sheriff’s Office headquarters.

 

Commissioner John also requested authorization to travel to Miami, Florida to meet with members of the Miccosukee Indian Tribe and tour their reservation lands there. Tribal members had met with Commissioner John recently and expressed an interest in the Florida Panhandle. After Board discussion regarding the possible motives for the invitation, it was decided that Commissioner Johns would ask the Tribe to cover her travel expenses. The trip is planned for November 13-15.

 

County Attorney Clay Adkinson requested approval and ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Division of Administrative Hearings and Walton County, Florida, outlining the procedures and responsibilities for conducting quasi-judicial (QJ) hearings pursuant to the applicable Walton County Land Development Code for County land-use and zoning matters. The change involves allowing for public comment, similar to what occurred during the first QJ hearing. The request passed. 

 

Commissioners considered a request to approve the remaining Fiscal Year 2026 Event Grant Program funding applications for Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, and Destin Charity Wine Auction’s live auction event. Initially approved, later in the meeting when additional information was presented, the Commissioners took up the issue again and unanimously voted to deny funding for Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and return those grant funds to the Tourism Department reserves. Destin Charity Wine Auction will receive their approved funding.

 

County Engineering Director Chance Powell sought approval for Engineering and Public Works to apply for a Development Order for the Mossy Head Modular Clinic. It is to be located on Frank Maska Drive in Mossy Head and Public Works will do the site preparation for the Modular Clinic location. The request was approved.

 

Environmental Coordinator Melinda Gates asked the Commission to approve a resolution dedicating the week of September 20-27, 2025, as National Estuary Week. The request was approved.

 

Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason discussed the need to refund mobility fees collected prior to the passage of Senate Bill 180, which suspended numerous ordinances previously passed by Walton County and county governments throughout the state.

Clay Adkinson explained that SB 180 requires those fees to be refunded, and the county has no choice but to comply. The measure was approved unanimously. 

 

Adkinson also requested scheduling a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending parts of the Walton County Code of Ordinances Chapter 6, regarding Building Regulations, Technical Codes, Fees, Charges, and Expenses. The request was approved.

A similar request was made to schedule a public hearing to consider amending part of part Walton County Code of Ordinances Chapter 10 – Fire Prevention and Protection. This will amend Article I by deleting redundant sections and create new sections related to the administration of The Florida Fire Prevention Code. It will set Cost Recovery Fees by resolution and update the process for billing insurance companies. The request was approved.

 

There was discussion concerning a possible resolution to allow for BCC confirmation of department heads. Various options were discussed. County Administrator Brian Kellenberger said he is actively interviewing candidates for three important positions – deputy county administrator, planning director and beach operations director.

District 3 Commissioner Brad Drake reminded the Board that Commissioners get to choose their own office assistants who answer solely to each commissioner. “I want you (Kellenberger) to have that same flexibility … I want to get back to the policy decisions that we have to make on how best to implement a process and procedures to allow you to do your job,” said Drake. “I feel like the five of us should fight it out on who the County Administrator is, which we have done, and then once that decision is made, we need to empower you to do your job and make you a strong county administrator.”

District 5 Commissioner Tony Anderson agreed, saying, “That’s going to cut down on the bureaucracy in Walton County, which is a good thing … Brian is our county administrator. I think he is capable of doing a good job. I think he should be allowed to hire who he wants … We’re slowing down progress if we have to approve every director.”

When asked about his own preference, Kellenberger said, “I am comfortable, if y’all would like to trust me to make good decisions – obviously you have decided to do that. You voted to put me in this seat. Now let’s carry on with it and trust me to make good decisions.”

Following additional discussion and several alternative motions, the board agreed to take no action and leave it as is. This means that only the positions of County Attorney, Chief Financial Officer and County Administrator must be confirmed by the Board. All other positions will be hired on the authority of the County Administrator.

 

CFO Thomason discussed approval of an ordinance providing a levy against the hospital within Walton County providing indigent care that will increase funding and defray the uncompensated costs associated with these services. However, she said the new process does not require a public hearing at this time. No further action was taken.

Commission Vice Chair Dan Curry led discussion regarding external agency audits, internal Clerk audits and BCC departmental audits. It was generally agreed that it would be best and less costly to begin with internal audits, but no formal action was taken at this time.

 

Commissioner Glidewell requested approval and direction for Public Works to clear the Agriculture Center project site. There was discussion regarding the desire to avoid clear-cutting and instead be more strategic in removing underbrush and trees. After discussion, Administration was approved to move forward with issuing a Task Order to an engineering services firm for design and permitting services (conceptual design, property assessment and probable cost) in two phases. Public Works will begin clearing during second phase, once design is approved.

 

Commissioner Glidewell also requested approval to purchase a shade structure for the playground equipment at Ghenstville Park. This was approved.

 

Commissioner Drake requested placing an item on the October 14 agenda to seek approval for staff to shop for insurance rates for county-owned auto, property and liability.

 

At the behest of Commissioner Johns, Walton County Lobbyist Kelly Beth Horton gave a Legislative Update to the Commission and discussed various pending legislation being considered in Tallahassee. Ms. Horton introduced her lobbying associate Rich Heffley, who discussed the benefits of knowing in advance who will be serving as House Speaker and Senate President throughout the next decade. This can aid the county in planning and promoting its initiatives at the proper time.

“We’ve got a strong regional delegation, but this county has one actual state representative and one actual state senator and many counties have tons of them,” said Heffley. “So, through the Association of Counties, bang pots and pans everywhere you can.”

 

Commissioner Johns suggested that the county should use current building funds (approximately $8 million) to build an office at the South Walton Annex for the Building Department. If the money is not used, it will have to be returned to the state. Johns suggested they construct a new building adjacent to the planned senior center on the South Walton Courthouse Annex property.  

Brian Kellenberger, Melissa Thomason and Clay Adkinson will work with staff to bring back options for consideration. 

 

The next Commission meeting will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs.

 

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The following requests were approved as one item by general consent of the Board:

 

Clerk’s Items:

1.       Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List (EAL)

 

2.       Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the minutes of the July 22, 2025, Regular Meeting; August 12, 2025, Regular Meeting; August 26, 2025, Regular Meeting; September 8, 2025, Tentative Budget Hearing; and September 9, 2025, Special Meeting for Executive Session (Peace of Paradise 2021-CA-196)

 

3.       Request to approve the Records Disposition Requests as submitted by the Walton County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller

 

4.       Request approval to surplus equipment from the Walton County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller

 

Administration – Consent Items:

5.       Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Lease of Commercial Property for the District 4 Commissioner’s Office (Removed from Consent Agenda) Approved lease agreement. Approved to begin process of locating/constructing a permanent office for the District Two Commissioner’s Office

 

6.       Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Florida Department of Health Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Core Contract and Fee Schedule Resolution for the Walton County Health Department

 

7.       Request travel authorization for Commissioner Johns to travel to Miami, Florida, on November 13-15, 2025, for the Miccosukee Tribe Visit (Removed from Consent Agenda) – No Action Taken

 

Building Department – Consent Items:

8.       Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) 179D Building Tax Compliance Primary Designer Acknowledgement Form

 

Chief Financial Officer – Consent Items:

9.       Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the agreement between Walton County and Legal Services of North Florida, Inc., to provide civil legal services for low-income individuals and families

 

10.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Title VI Nondiscrimination Assurance for Subrecipients in the Florida Department of Transportation Local Agency Program

 

11.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Walton County Small County Consolidated Solid Waste Management Grant Agreement No.: CW031 in the amount of $93,750 and authorize progress reports to be signed as required by the Chair as grantee, Billy McKee as Grantee’s Grant Manager, and Melissa Thomason as Grantee’s Fiscal Agent

 

12.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution to amend the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the Fine and Forfeiture Fund for unanticipated revenues in the amount of $213,132

 

Code Compliance – Consent Items:

13.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Pricing Supplement Agreement with TransUnion Risk and Alternative Data Solutions, Inc. (TRADS) to allow Code Compliance to continue to utilize the previously approved software to access vehicle tag information in the amount of $6,300 annually

 

Emergency Management – Consent Items:

14.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution rescinding and replacing Resolution 21-92 and expanding the delegation authority for the County Administrator to sign grant applications and execute certain grant agreements, amendments and modifications including all State and Federal mitigation and resiliency grants and the Statewide Mutual Aid agreement

 

15.     Request approval to apply for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Drone Replacement Program and designate Jeff Goldberg, Director of Walton County Emergency Management (WCEM), authority to submit the Drone Funding Request Form on behalf of the County

 

Engineering – Consent Items:

16.     Request approval to utilize a Continuing Engineering Service firm for Design Services for the CR 395 and US 98 Intersection Improvements Project

 

17.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign Change Order No. 01 to Contract No. 24-46A with RBM Contracting Services, LLC for the CR 183 S Cross Drain Replacement (Spears Branch) project, increasing the contract time by ten (10) calendar days

 

18.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign Task Order No.: ENG 25-10 with DRMP, Inc. for Professional CEI Services for the State Road 20 and County Road 83A West (West Bay Loop) Intersection Signalization Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $115,269.50

 

Human Resources – Consent Items:

19.     Request to approve revised Policy 5.9 – Overtime Pay of the Walton County Human Resources Policy Manual to comply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) for disaster reimbursement 

 

20.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the renewal of the Absolute Quality Interpreting Services, LLC (AQI) Language Interpreting Services Agreement 

 

Library – Consent Items:

21.     Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the State Aid to Libraries grant agreement, Certification of Hours, the Annual Plan of Service, and the Long Range Plan of Service for Fiscal Year 2026

 

Planning & Development – Consent Items:

22.     Request approval and ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Division of Administrative Hearings and Walton County, Florida outlining the procedures and responsibilities for conducting quasi-judicial hearings pursuant to the applicable Walton County Land Development Code (“Code”), for County land-use and zoning matters (Removed from Consent Agenda) – Approved 

 

Tourism Department Administration – Consent Items:

23.     Request to approve the remaining Fiscal Year 2026 Event Grant Program applications for Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, and Destin Charity Wine Auction’s live auction event (Removed from Consent Agenda) – Approved to fund the Destin Charity Wine Auction’s live auction event – Did not fund the Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Events and approved for the associated funding to be placed in reserves.