County Commission

Board directed Attorney Adkinson and Administrator Kellenberger to negotiate a reduced purchase price closer to the appraised value of $8.3 million (appraisals midpoint), amend closing documents, and bring request back at a future meeting. The contract price was $12 million.

• $12,000,000.00 · Original contract purchase price
• $8,300,000.00 · Appraised value midpoint (two appraisals)

Approved. Purchase of 4 lots (parcels 2, 4, 6, and 8) for recreational purposes.

• $40,000.00 · Purchase price for 4 lots

Approved. Purchase of 4 lots (parcels 1, 3, 5, and 7) from Woods (Weeks 1/2 Interest) for recreational purposes.

• $40,000.00 · Purchase price for 4 lots

Motion to purchase failed due to lack of a second. Commissioner Johns proposed purchasing the 92-acre property for $20,250,000 to create recreational space and activities in South Walton County (District 4). The motion failed and the contract was cancelled per County Code Chapter 2, Article 3, Division 3, Section 8-2.

• $20,250,000.00 · Proposed purchase price for 92-acre property

Approved on consent agenda. Total expenditures across all funds: $100,309,910.39.

• $50,667,965.05 · General Fund
• $854,796.72 · Public Works
• $1,827.09 · Building Department
• $749.84 · N.W. Mosquito Control
• $41,889,756.61 · Fine & Forfeiture
• $217.16 · Section 8 Housing/HUD
• $1,767,865.04 · Tourist Dev. Council
• $4,718,221.76 · Solid Waste Enterprise
• $5,895.36 · Recreation Plat Fee
• $20,373.56 · Capital Projects Fund
• $382,242.20 · Self-Insured Health Ins
• $100,309,910.39 · Total

Approved on consent agenda. Purchase from Point Security, Inc. for DeFuniak Springs Courthouse and South Walton Annex.

• $79,150.00 · Metal detectors and walk-through inspection systems

Approved on consent agenda. Decreased contract amount.

• $93,788.75 · Revised contract amount (decrease)

Approved on consent agenda as an addition to the agenda.

Approved. Funding awarded based on recommendations from the Walton County Overdose Prevention Task Force review committee.

• $467,840.00 · CORE Program funding for FY 2026

Motion to continue for one month with direction to readvertise positions to additional outlets and extend current volunteer terms expiring December 31, 2025, until the second meeting in January 2026.

Commissioner Curry requested in-person legislative updates at Board meetings from the Director of Governmental Coordination. Scott Brannon discussed a new contract with Heffley and Associates providing weekly legislative updates during legislative sessions with bill tracking, hearing schedules, and key developments. Monthly reports during off-session and comprehensive post-session reports will be provided. Commissioner Curry requested updates be provided 4-5 times per year at Regular Meetings.

Commissioner Curry inquired about policy and procedures for workshops. Administrator Kellenberger noted the Board does not currently have a workshop policy but staff could prepare a draft for consideration. Chair Drake discussed his intentions for conducting future meetings in a professional and fair manner.