County Commission

Motion withdrawn. County Engineer presented request for structural assessment of building at corner of East Nelson Avenue and 6th Street in DeFuniak Springs. Discussion covered potential use by Supervisor of Elections, preservation of impervious surface if demolition needed, and comprehensive county space needs assessment scheduled for July 10, 2025.

• $10,000.00 · Not to exceed amount for Task Order 25-09 with Barge Design Solutions for structural assessment

Where: East Nelson Avenue and 6th Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL

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.

Motion passed. Board authorized scheduling and advertising of public hearing for July 22, 2025 regarding abandonment of twenty-foot-wide platted alley between lots 526 and 535 in D.E. Murphy's Addition to Town Plat of Glendale.

Where: D.E. Murphy's Addition to the Town Plat of Glendale, Plat Book 2, Page 66A, Walton County, Florida

Item removed from agenda. Project PLA24-000057 (33 single-family lots and infrastructure on 4.22 acres at 305 Thompson Road in District 4) to be reviewed by Bob Baronti. County Attorney stated plat approvals handled by prior Board action with Interim County Administrator having execution authority.

Where: 305 Thompson Road, District 4, Walton County, Florida; parcel numbers 34-2S-20-33270-060-0001, 0002

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. Board allocated $100,000 from Choctawhatchee Bay Initiative Funds to match Walton County and Army Corps of Engineer Choctawhatchee Bay and River Basin Study project.

• $100,000.00 · Allocation from Choctawhatchee Bay Initiative Funds for matching study project

Approved on motion. Board allocated $30,000 from Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program funds for water quality program including sonde and sensor buoys in Choctawhatchee Bay.

• $30,000.00 · Allocation from Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program funds for water quality program with buoys

Approved on motion. Board authorized submission of two new projects to the Gulf Consortium for consideration of RESTORE Pot 3 Funds: Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and Water Quality Improvements Program. First initiative estimated cost around $1.5 million for watershed studies.

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 the consent agenda for purchase of duress alarms for DeFuniak Springs Courthouse and South Walton Annex.

• $15,700.00 · Not to exceed amount for duress alarms at two courthouse locations

Where: 571 US Highway 90 East, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

Motion passed to approve the recommendation to have the insurance provider manage the permitting and construction of restroom facilities at Grady Brown Park. Temporary restroom facilities with handicap accessibility are in place.

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

Vice-Chair Curry presented financial update. First six months of 2025 showed revenue increase in course operations and memberships with reduction in expenditures compared to same period in 2024. Parks and Recreation Director and Food and Beverage Manager discussed enhancements contributing to improved financial performance.

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.