County Commission

Approved Resolution 2025-42 on consent agenda adopting the Watershed Master Plan with effective date July 22, 2025.

Board authorized County Administration to abandon the structural assessment of the Thriftway building, proceed with demolition, engage an architectural firm to assess property and develop space programming needs, and initiate conceptual planning for a governmental center near DeFuniak Springs Courthouse. Also directed County Administrator to initiate alleyway abandonment process.

Where: DeFuniak Springs Courthouse vicinity

Adopted Resolution 2025-45 abandoning portion of alley recorded in Walton County Plat Book 2, Page 66A.

Where: Walton County Plat Book 2, Page 66A

Vice-Chair Curry requested direction on implementation and impact of Senate Bill 180. Attorney Adkinson provided briefing clarifying that effective August 1, 2024, counties are prohibited from adopting ordinances imposing more restrictive or burdensome land development processes. He addressed litigation challenges by other counties and recommended Walton County work with state lobbyist on potential amendments rather than participate in current litigation. Discussion followed regarding neighborhood plans adopted since August 1, 2024, and repeal process for affected ordinances.

Added to agenda by Chair Johns. Chair Johns presented request and discussed December 2022 Assessment Report prepared by Planning & Development Department and Building Division. Administrator Kellenberger requested authorization to collaborate with Deputy Planning Director Stephen Schoen to review the report and submit feedback to Board at August 26, 2025 Regular Meeting.

Approved on consent agenda. Total approvals across all funds: $16,672,227.81

• $4,740,306.24 · General Fund
• $458,663.47 · Public Works
• $62,145.07 · Building Department
• $1,956.74 · N.W. Mosquito Control
• $35,475.00 · Mosquito Control State
• $8,997,789.47 · Fine & Forfeiture
• $75,607.00 · Public Safety - 911
• $925.21 · Section 8 Housing
• $524,607.76 · Tourist Dev. Council
• $1,552,159.36 · Solid Waste Enterprise
• $159,369.34 · Recreation Plat Fee
• $63,223.15 · Capital Projects Fund
• $16,672,227.81 · Total

Approved Resolution 2025-41 on consent agenda for unanticipated Joint Participation Agreement grant funding.

• $670,000.00 · Joint Participation Agreement grant funding for Landscaping of U.S. Highway 331 from U.S. Highway 98 to North of Chat Holley Road Project

Where: U.S. Highway 331 from U.S. Highway 98 to North of Chat Holley Road

Approved and authorized Chair to sign on consent agenda, increasing contract time by 153 days for Contract No. 25-09.

County Engineer provided update on 90-degree bends along Mack Bayou Road. Discussion held on alternative safety measures, including white thermoplastic striping and reflective pavement markers, as part of the Mack Bayou Pedestrian Enhancement Project. Construction activities scheduled to proceed as planned.

Where: Mack Bayou Road

Approved award of invitation to bid to Southeast Construction Co., LLC. Construction contract to be brought back for BCC approval at a later date.

• $2,650,557.72 · CR 1883 Improvement Phase 1 Project construction, amount not to exceed

Where: C.R. 1883

Accepted quarterly report as presented.

Approved Resolution 2025-44 regarding acquisition of Inlet Water System Franchise. Approved amended and restated franchise agreement. Approved Management and Administration Operation Service Agreement updated to reflect expanded Inlet Beach water system franchise area. Authorized scheduling of amended ordinance consolidating all Regional Utilities ordinances incorporating Inlet Beach franchise area.

Where: Inlet Water System; Inlet Beach water system franchise area

Approved application to Volunteer Florida through FDEM and FEMA on consent agenda.

• $10,000.00 · CERT Grant from Volunteer Florida through FDEM and FEMA

Approved application to Volunteer Florida through FDEM and FEMA on consent agenda.

• $10,000.00 · Citizen Corps Grant from Volunteer Florida through FDEM and FEMA

Approved and authorized Chair to sign on consent agenda for services effective August 10, 2025 through August 9, 2026.

Approved and awarded purchase order on consent agenda for playground shade and rubber surface utilizing Omnia Partners Contract.

• $120,000.00 · Wee Care Park playground shade and rubber surface purchase order

Where: Wee Care Park

Approved and authorized Chair to sign notice on consent agenda for construction project at Beaver Dam Park, also known as Oakwood Lake Park.

Where: Oakwood Lake Park (also known as Beaver Dam Park)

Approved allocation of $500,000 from Managed Vendor Program funds for design-support, permitting, and construction of ADA-accessible fishing pier and kayak launch at the site of the former Choctaw Beach Fire Station. Board discussed alternative funding options.

• $500,000.00 · Managed Vendor Program funds for design-support, permitting and construction of ADA-accessible fishing pier and kayak launch

Where: Former Choctaw Beach Fire Station

Approved use of up to $30,000 from District One Recreational Plat Fees for safety guard rail installation at Choctaw Beach Park. Approved reallocation of remaining District One Recreational Plat Fees, approximately $54,000, for remodeling the former Choctaw Beach Fire Station.

• $30,000.00 · District One Recreational Plat Fees for safety guard rail at Choctaw Beach Park, amount not to exceed
• $54,000.00 · Remaining District One Recreational Plat Fees reallocated for remodeling former Choctaw Beach Fire Station

Where: Choctaw Beach Park; Former Choctaw Beach Fire Station

Approved request to add turf on existing concrete slab and install five picnic tables at South Walton Annex. Chair Johns noted estimated cost is $37,000 excluding shade cover, recommending total project funding not exceed $100,000.

• $37,000.00 · Estimated cost for turf and picnic tables, excluding shade cover
• $100,000.00 · Recommended maximum total project funding

Where: South Walton Annex

Approved and authorized Chair to sign Amendment No. 2 and Exercise of First Option to Renew on consent agenda for Expert Witness Testimony services.

Approved and authorized Chair to sign on consent agenda.

Approved extension of contract until August 29, 2025 on consent agenda.

Approved purchase on consent agenda.

• $50,000.00 · Vehicle for Custodial Department, amount not to exceed

Approved Resolution 2025-43 by motion from Commissioner Glidewell, second by Vice-Chair Curry.

Accepted quarterly report as presented.

Approved FY 2026 Event Grant Program after discussion and amendment. Board approved removal of Sinfonia events from the funding allocation list and directed staff to reallocate funds to support new Walton County-based events in early development stages. Discussion regarding appropriate use of grant funds and emphasis on support for long-standing large-scale Walton County events noted.

• $510,000.00 · Total FY 2026 Event Grant Program funding, revised from $500,000

Approved request to schedule and advertise public hearing to consider revisions to County Administrator Ordinance.

Approved request to schedule and advertise special meeting for executive session regarding litigation.

Commissioner Anderson requested identification of funding and move forward with the South Walton Senior Center. Administrator Kellenberger recommended CFO Thomason work collaboratively with Legal Department to identify potential funding sources.