Regular Council Meeting

Council approved a revision to the Hammock Bay Planned Development Plan 5 allowing developers to add 1 additional dwelling unit, bringing total density from 162 to 163 units. All other recommendations remain the same as the original PDP, with surplus density available.

Part of project: Hammock Bay PDP 5

Council approved first reading and advertisement for second reading and adoption of the Grow With Us Rezoning Ordinance. Property in Hammock Bay currently zoned high density residential is being rezoned to residential commercial for a daycare development adjacent to Victory Boulevard and Infinity Apartments.

Where: Victory Boulevard; Infinity Apartments

Part of project: HBTC Grow With Us

Council approved the Audit Engagement Letter for the 2025-2027 audit period, which had been reviewed and approved for statutory compliance by City Attorney.

Council approved the consent agenda including bills, Regular Council Meeting Minutes from July 24, 2025, Budget Workshop Minutes from July 31, 2025, and Budget Workshop Minutes from August 4, 2025.

Council approved exchanging 24 ERC (environmental resource credits) for 1.8 acres of property on the Carr property to use for the lift station site. City had previously negotiated a loan to relocate utilities at a cost of $2.3 million; the "Freeport Bill" legislation later reduced the debt by half.

• $2.3 million · cost to move utilities out of right of way

Where: Carr property

Council approved issuing a notice to proceed to the contractor for Phase 1 of the Bay Area Sewer Expansion project, allowing the contractor to order equipment with a 6-month lead time.

• $5.4 million · contract amount for sewer expansion

Council discussed funding options for the Bulldog Road Wastewater Facility project. Design will be completed in the fall with construction taking about three years. The preferred funding approach is a State Revolving Fund (SRF) application, which must be submitted in September for the November session. City will develop rate structure and resolutions supporting the SRF application.

• $77 million · approximate total cost for Bulldog Road Wastewater Facility

Where: Bulldog Road

Council approved the quote from Phoenix Fabrication for a 200,000-gallon storage tank for the Wagon Wheel Well. Water Supervisor received three quotes and selected the lowest.

• $1,472,000.00 · cost of 200,000 gallon storage tank for Wagon Wheel Well from Phoenix Fabrication

Council approved waiving Little League fees for the upcoming fall season. Little League indicated the reserve funds would be used for equipment purchases; discounting fees would prevent them from affording umpires and concession workers.

Council approved the contract and deposit for the 2026 July 4th fireworks show. The fireworks company increased rates to $55,000 this year due to shapes.

• $55,000 · cost for 2026 fireworks show

Council approved proceeding with the Swimming Voucher Program for children under 4 years old and families with certain income requirements. Freeport is the only pool registered as swimming instructors in the area. The program is open for applications in August and seeks to find additional instructors and recipients.

Council approved converting the month-to-month agreement with Waste Management to a franchise consistent with Walton County terms. The 5-year interlink agreement aligns city termination rights with the county's. City Attorney noted that under an interlink agreement, termination rights are the same as the county's.

Motion to write a letter of support for Wonderful Walton Economic Development Alliance failed. Multiple council members expressed concerns about the county potentially taking over the EDA and whether the city should direct county funding priorities. Some council members felt a letter of support would overstep city authority over county decisions.

Council approved Beth Brendlinger as Councilwoman Haffner's appointee to the Planning Board. She replaces Lisa Robertson who stepped down and has served for many years on the Library Board.