County Commission

Board approved engagement with MGT for Planning Department Operations Audit, with estimated cost between $85,000 to $99,000. Board also directed staff to develop internal repository process for citizen planning concerns and approved two additional weeks for administrator and deputy director to finalize review of 2022 Assessment Report.

• $85,000 to $99,000 · Estimated cost for Planning Department Operations Audit engagement with MGT

Approved on the consent agenda. Total expenditures across 14 accounts amounted to $6,838,303.03.

• $6,838,303.03 · Total Expenditure Approval List across all accounts

Approved on the consent agenda to manage County cell phones.

• $21,600.00 · Annual contract amount for IBM Mobile Device Manager

Approved on the consent agenda. Resolution 2025-46 amends the FY 2025 Law Enforcement Trust Fund budget to recognize unanticipated Crime Prevention revenues.

• $45,000.00 · Budget amendment for Law Enforcement Trust Fund to recognize unanticipated Crime Prevention revenues

Approved on the consent agenda. Resolution 2025-47 amends the FY 2025 General Fund budget to recognize unanticipated revenues.

• $1,530,000 · FY 2025 General Fund budget amendment to recognize unanticipated revenues from Managed Vendor Program

Approved on the consent agenda. RFP No. 25-17 for Public Relations Services awarded to Turner Public Relations, Inc. with authorization to begin contract negotiations.

Approved with a 5-0 vote. Tourism Department presented proposed FY 2026 TDC Marketing Grant Program with certain events excluded from consideration for future separate review.

Approved with a 3-2 vote. Agreement approved after motion to call question was carried 5-0. Scope includes general legal services, litigation, real estate closings, and bond issuance services.

Approved with a 5-0 vote. Agreement includes $12,900 annual pay increase from previously agreed salary of $193,000.

• $12,900 · Annual pay increase for County Administrator Brian Kellenberger

Board set the millage rate at 3.5375 mills, splitting the difference between Commissioner Drake's proposed 3.5 mills and Commissioner Glidewell's proposed 3.575 mills.

• $2,766,523 · Revenue from millage rate of 3.5375
• $4,426,436 · Revenue from Commissioner Drake's proposed rate of 3.5
• $1,106,609 · Revenue from Commissioner Glidewell's proposed rate of 3.575

Administrator Kellenberger reported the program is in Request For Proposal (RFP) phase with negotiations ongoing; finalized contract expected within four weeks.

Approved on the consent agenda. Second Option to renew Contract No. 24-1842 for Thermoplastic and Pavement Marking Services for one additional year.

Administrator Kellenberger provided overview of Hurricane Storm Damage Reduction (HSDR) project with USACE. Engineering and design phase underway since 2014. Federal funding appropriated for 10-year period; discussions resumed in 2022. Board directed staff to coordinate meeting with USACE, state liaisons, and congressional staff to seek federal support and provide monthly or quarterly updates to citizens.

Approved with a 5-0 vote. Directed Facilities and Parks staff to develop allocation plan for $250,000 ADA budget and present recommendations at future meeting for playground equipment at county parks.

• $250,000 · ADA-related expenditure budget line item in FY 2026 budget for playground equipment

Motion to allocate approximately $4,000,000 for development of a Senior Center in South Walton was withdrawn; board directed CFO Thomason to explore funding sources and timeline.

• $4,000,000 · Proposed allocation for South Walton Senior Center development

Approved with a 5-0 vote. Mark Walker appointed to the Citizen Appointee seat on the Value Adjustment Board (VAB), receiving 4 of 5 votes cast by commissioners.

Chair Johns directed staff to prepare proposed ordinance addressing e-bike safety and regulation. Board discussed Senate Bill 462 which grants local authority to regulate micromobility devices.

Added to agenda. Environmental Manager Melinda Gates announced expo scheduled for August 23, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Walton County Fairgrounds in DeFuniak Springs, hosted by Florida Fish and Wildlife.

Approved with a 5-0 vote. Motion authorized magistrate to accept Zoom testimony under appropriate terms, conditions, and circumstances for special magistrate hearings on Planning items.

Motion by Vice-Chair Curry to defund EDA and explore alternative options failed for lack of second. Commissioner Drake's substitute motion to convene meeting with EDA stakeholders also failed. Commissioner Anderson moved to hold meeting with EDA stakeholders, including Superintendent of Schools and private investors, which was withdrawn. Staff directed to coordinate meeting between Curry and EDA Board to discuss future.

• $485,081 · Current EDA funding
• $421,841 · FY 2026 EDA budget request