Regular Council Meeting

The council directed staff to re-advertise the Grow With Us rezoning ordinance with a corrected parcel ID and authorized staff to hold the first reading. The ordinance amends the zoning map to change approximately 1.89 acres from high density residential to residential commercial.

Where: 16-1S-19-23000-010-0031; 16-1S-19-23000-010-0032

Part of project: HBTC Grow With Us

The council held the first reading of an ordinance to update code enforcement provisions in the Land Development Code and authorized staff to advertise for second reading. The planning director stated she would develop a detailed code enforcement ordinance in conjunction with legal counsel.

The council approved a preliminary development plan for a residential project on Bay Loop West with 74 units (less than the 78 units allowed by density). The project includes three requested variances for lot size, impervious surface ratio, and lot width to maximize green space and minimize wetland impact. The project includes a 2-acre recreation area and a bridge walk to the dog park.

Part of project: Timber Bridge Subdivision

The council approved a formal policy requiring non-profit fee waiver requests to be submitted between June 1 and June 30 each year, with waivers discussed at a budget workshop and voted on at the next scheduled meeting. Requests submitted after the deadline will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The council approved insurance rates for the new fiscal year through FMIT (Florida Municipal Insurance Trust).

• $391,638 · FMIT insurance renewal amount for new fiscal year

The council recommended Four Mile Road to the county for paving in 2026 under the city's interlocal agreement allowing up to 2 miles of paving annually.

The council approved a resolution to accept a state-funded grant for a transportation project on Marquis Way.

The council awarded the project to North Florida Construction, the lowest bidder, and issued a notice to proceed.

• $1,179,975 · North Florida Construction bid for Public-Access Reuse Booster Pump Station project

The council approved an engineering proposal for construction, engineering, and inspection services for the Reuse Booster Pump Project.

The council awarded the project to North Florida Construction, the lowest bidder, contingent on financing and USDA approval. The project is expected to take approximately 22 months.

• $3,947,000 · North Florida Construction bid for Wastewater Treatment Plant 2.0 MGD Expansion

The council awarded the project to L&K Contracting for the full contract amount minus the equipment portion that the city will purchase separately for tax savings, and issued a notice to proceed. The city received an additional $3,650,000 in grants, bringing total grant funding to approximately $10,000,000.

• $6,316,871.00 · amount awarded to L&K Contracting for Bay Area Phase I construction
• $3,650,000 · additional grant awarded for Bay Area Phase I project
• $10,000,000 · total grant funding for Bay Area Phase I project

The council approved an engineering proposal from Dewberry for construction, engineering, and inspection services for the Bay Area Phase I project, covering approximately 12 months of full-time construction.

• $442,760 · Dewberry proposal for Bay Area Phase I construction, engineering, and inspection services

The council approved the purchase of equipment for tax savings purposes as part of the Bay Area Phase I project.

• $2,692,954.00 · cost of Air Vac equipment purchase for Bay Area Phase I project

The council approved a resolution for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) application for a new wastewater treatment facility on an 82-acre site designed to handle 1 MGD, expandable to 3 MGD. The council also approved a capital finance plan proposal. The project will require sewer rate increases of 14.77% above CPI in fiscal year 2026, and 3.81% above CPI for fiscal years 2027-2029. Based on 5,000 gallons per month usage, the first-year increase is approximately $10 per month. Construction is projected to begin in May 2026 and be completed in April 2028.

• $50 million · estimated loan amount for new wastewater treatment facility

The council adopted a resolution establishing water and wastewater rates through fiscal years 2029-2030, required for the SRF funding application.

The council waived all fees for the Gulf Coast Soccer Club, a non-profit, and credited back approximately $700 in fees already spent because the club operates at a loss and was unable to use the Walton Sports Complex due to wet field conditions. The waiver will also apply to future field use if needed.

• $700 · approximate reimbursement for fees already paid

The council approved the Special Events Permit for the Freeport High School homecoming parade, which will run from the old middle school to the new middle school.

The council approved a reduction in fall coed softball team fees from $555 to $430. The reduction allows teams to purchase their own softballs instead of the city providing them, which the city has had difficulty recovering.

• $555 · previous fall coed softball team fee
• $430 · new fall coed softball team fee

The council approved Anchor applying for a beautification grant on behalf of the city to fund landscaping along 331 North for a mile and a half, augmenting landscaping already completed by FDOT. The site plan will be brought before council for approval before grant submittal.

The council approved an Art in the Park event to be held at Barrier Free Park on September 20th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the mayor working with the parks director and parks administrative assistant on planning.

The council approved the consent agenda, which included bills, prior meeting minutes, recreation board items, revenue and expenditure reports through July 2025, and the 2026 holiday schedule.

The council voted to pause the city's initiative to establish its own building permit department and implement an annual review process. Staff presented additional information showing that establishing the department would require 10 employees plus vehicles and equipment, and would not generate net revenue since building permit fees are restricted to building department operations only. The county building department expressed willingness to continue serving the city. The city attorney also noted that new state legislation effective October 1 creates new development order requirements that should be evaluated before any transition.

The council approved the Capital Improvement Program list for annual review, with the understanding that staff can add projects as needed when grant opportunities arise. The document contains ballpark numbers, not actual costs.