County Commission

Motion passed. Board suspended enforcement and application of applicable ordinances relating to Senate Bill 180 (preemption of regulatory changes affecting land development and emergency management) and directed return with repeal proposal at July 22, 2025 meeting. CFO Thomason confirmed $1,464,841 in collected mobility fees with no encumbrances or expenditures.

• $1,464,841.00 · Amount collected in mobility fee fund with no expenditures

Motion passed. Board suspended implementation of Code of Ordinances provision requiring Board approval of plats, to be handled by county administrative head or designee. Legal staff directed to provide comprehensive revision to existing ordinance.

Approved on the consent agenda. The EAL totaled $4,395,068.22 across all county funds.

• $4,395,068.22 · Total Expenditure Approval List

Approved on the consent agenda. Board authorized preliminary rate resolution 2025-39 and scheduled public hearing for August 26, 2025 to adopt the Annual Assessment Resolution.

Approved on the consent agenda. Resolution 2025-40 to amend Fiscal Year 2025 budget for unanticipated revenues.

• $161,555.18 · Unanticipated revenues in Fine and Forfeiture Fund

Interim County Administrator requested Board direction to review and revise the discretionary funding program with objective evaluation criteria and dual application periods. Board authorized collaboration with CFO Thomason to establish a committee to enhance the program for the next budget cycle.

Approved on the consent agenda to award RFQ 25-13 to the top-ranked firm for development of the Walton County Pedestrian Master Plan.

Approved on motion. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 24-33 Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Franchise Agreement with Waste Management Inc. of Florida authorized for signature.

Approved on consent agenda as Add #1. De-obligate $339,187 in District 5 Recreational Plat Fee funding for the Boys & Girls Club facilities.

• $339,187.00 · De-obligated District 5 Recreational Plat Fee funding for Boys & Girls Club facilities

Motion passed as amended. Board de-obligated $300,000 in USDA funding from DeFuniak Springs Farmer's Market project and reassigned it to Walton County Agriculture Center/Farmer's Market Project in Mossy Head. Board also approved transfer of $500,000 from beach vending services revenue to the Agriculture Center project.

• $300,000.00 · USDA funding de-obligated from DeFuniak Springs Farmer's Market and reassigned to Agriculture Center
• $500,000.00 · Transfer from beach vending services revenue to Walton County Agriculture Center project

Approved on the consent agenda to archive county cell phone text messages.

• $42,399.37 · Cost for archiving county cell phone text messages

Approved on the consent agenda for purchase of new digital signal processor.

• $14,139.99 · Not to exceed amount for new DSP at DeFuniak Springs Courthouse

Approved on the consent agenda. Chair authorized to sign State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard Grant Agreement No. 23PLN70 Amendment.

Approved on the consent agenda. Chair authorized to sign letter of support for Regional Rural Development Grant Application and Financial Partnership Commitment for July 2025-June 2026.

Approved on the consent agenda. Motion passed to purchase cast aluminum historical tribute sign honoring William D. "Bill" White for the Paxton community. County staff to coordinate placement with City of Paxton.

• $16,217.00 · Not to exceed amount for cast aluminum historical tribute sign including mounting and finish services

Darrell Miller appointed to the Contractor Competency Board for the Building Contractor seat, term expires December 31, 2027.

Item removed from consent agenda and discussed separately. TDC proposed $200,000 reduction to marketing budget due to 5 percent revenue deficiency. Board expressed concerns about impact on volunteer-supported community events and requested detailed list of potentially affected events. No action taken; staff directed to re-analyze event funding requests.

Motion passed. Board approved collaboration with Walton County Health Department and Overdose Prevention Task Force to oversee and manage the opioid settlement grant program, with WCHD administering oversight and coordinating implementation.

Motion passed. Board authorized scheduling and advertising of public hearing for ordinance amending Chapter 2 (Administration) of County Code to create new sections related to Chief Financial Officer and County Attorney positions.

Motion passed. Board authorized obtaining two independent appraisals for the Alderberry Property. County Attorney noted contract amount of $24,750,000 represents 90 percent of appraised value. Chair Johns discussed potential future uses including community center and marina. Discussion covered funding strategies and constraints.

• $24,750,000.00 · Contract price for Alderberry Property, 90 percent of appraised value; 90.21-acre site

Motion passed. Board instructed CFO Thomason and Interim County Administrator Kellenberger to negotiate a contract with Clay Adkinson to serve as permanent County Attorney with 4:1 super majority termination clause and bring contract back to Board. Attorney Adkinson expressed support for permanent arrangement and commitment to the position.

Motion passed as amended. Board hired Brian Kellenberger as permanent full-time County Administrator with option to return to Beach Operations Department if requested. Super majority termination clause to be discussed at future meeting. Kellenberger expressed appreciation for the opportunity.

Chair Johns opened discussion on Planning Department audit initiative. CFO Thomason stated RFQs being solicited, with Maximus unable to participate until Spring 2026. Audit to cover fees collected since October 1, 2023. RFQ submittal deadline July 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. Discussion included highest concentration in mobility fees with potential reimbursement to be discussed later.