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City Council · Tuesday, March 11, 2025 · 9:00 AM

Regular Council Meeting

Agenda (PDF)Minutes (PDF)

Summary

The Freeport City Council met on March 11, 2025, to conduct routine business including approving community events, moving forward on sewer infrastructure projects, and considering changes to county service agreements. New Councilwoman Heather Hurst was sworn in, and the council recognized several employees for their service and performance. Major approvals included a for the US 331 South Sewer Improvements, permission to advertise bids for the Bay Area Sewer Expansion septic-to-sewer project, and support for a swimming lesson voucher program through the Walton County Health Department. The council also approved several community events, an additional parks employee, and a fountain donation to the Community Center. Councilwoman Haffner raised concerns about the city's mosquito control costs and proposed a to review with the county.

Why it matters

The sewer expansion projects will improve infrastructure in growing areas and help address septic-to-sewer conversions with state grant funding. The council is also reviewing costly county service agreements like mosquito control—Freeport paid $541,000 last year—and considering whether the city can provide these services more cost-effectively on its own as the community expands.

What happened

Development & zoning1 item

  • Genoa Landing Phase 1 Final

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved signing the final for Genoa Landing Phase 1, a 68-unit townhome development. Planning and Engineering will hold signatures until final site improvements are verified as completed per approved plans.

    Where: Genoa Landing Ph 1

    Part of project: Genoa Landing Phase 1

Roads & infrastructure2 items

  • US 331 South Sewer Improvements – #1

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved for additional quantities of items needed for the US 331 South Sewer Improvements project, which is approximately 80% complete.

    • $54,213.00 · Change order to ECSC for additional items

    Where: US 331 South

  • Bay Area Sewer Expansion Phase 1 – Permission to Advertise for Construction Bids

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved advertising for construction bids on the Bay Area Sewer Expansion septic-to-sewer project for the McDaniel Fish Camp area, funded by an FDEP grant with a tight permitting deadline.

    Where: McDaniel Fish Camp area

Parks2 items

  • Art in the Wild at Barrier Free Park

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved new art expo event for local artists to be held at Barrier Free Park on June 7th.

    Where: Barrier Free Park

  • Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved participation in the Walton County Health Department voucher program to help low-income families receive swimming lessons for ages 1-4, using city swimming instructors and county-distributed vouchers.

Other8 items

  • – Bills and Minutes

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved on , including bills and February 27, 2025 meeting minutes.

  • Second Annual National Day of Prayer

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved to hold the Second Annual National Day of Prayer in partnership with Heritage Church on May 1st.

  • Second Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved to hold the Second Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall on May 26th.

  • Summer Reading Program – Council Chambers Use

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved Freeport library's request to use council chambers for summer reading programs.

  • Additional Parks Department Employee

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved hiring an additional employee for Parks on day shift; Finance Director confirmed budget availability.

  • Grit & Grace Annual Meeting – Blount House Use

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved use of Blount House (if available) or alternative location for Grit & Grace annual meeting on March 22nd, 2-4 p.m., to announce new show and start auditions.

    Where: Blount House

  • Fountain Donation to Community Center

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved Town Planters Society donation of a fountain to the Community Center as part of interior and exterior improvements.

  • on with Walton County

    Passed 4–0 · unanimous

    Approved holding a to discuss with Walton County. City Manager and Clerk authorized to coordinate scheduling. Councilwoman Haffner expressed concern that code enforcement interlocal may not be necessary, noting Planning Director called county only 3 times per month.

Coming up

  • Second Annual National Day of Prayer in partnership with Heritage Church · May 1st
  • Second Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall · May 26th
  • Art in the Wild at Barrier Free Park, local artist expo · June 7th
  • Grit & Grace annual meeting (Blount House or alternative venue) · March 22nd, 2-4 p.m.
  • to discuss with Walton County

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