County Commission

Approved on the consent agenda Resolution 2025-50 establishing highest and best use of 1.57 acres in Mossy Head Industrial Park.

Where: 1.57 acres in Mossy Head Industrial Park

Approved on the consent agenda to authorize Chair to sign real estate closing documents for sale of 1.57 acres in Mossy Head Industrial Park to Turas Technologies LLC.

Where: 1.57 acres in Mossy Head Industrial Park

Approved motion to continue the Land-Use Hearing (Echelon project) to the September 9, 2025 Board meeting with provisions to conduct a quasi-judicial hearing or transmit to magistrate with public comment accepted and transmitted to magistrate.

Approved and ratified Contract and Addendum to purchase five parcels totaling approximately 600 acres with amendment including sports complex feasibility study as presented at June 11, 2024 meeting.

• $12,000,000.00 · Bennett Property purchase contract amount

Where: 36-2N-19-18000-001-0000; 36-2N-19-18000-001-0010; 35-2N-19-18000-001-0080; 35-2N-19-18000-001-0020; 35-2N-19-18000-001-0070

Approved on the consent agenda. Total expenditures included General Fund $3,126,482.90, Public Works $398,090.69, Building Department $11,780.97, and multiple other funds totaling $14,546,228.19.

• $3,126,482.90 · General Fund expenditures
• $398,090.69 · Public Works expenditures
• $11,780.97 · Building Department expenditures
• $7,697.11 · N.W. Mosquito Control
• $8,789,929.38 · Fine & Forfeiture
• $248,104.00 · Public Safety - 911
• $2,454.52 · Section 8 Housing/HUD
• $432,877.97 · Tourist Development Council
• $655,305.27 · Solid Waste Enterprise
• $10,883.43 · Recreation Plat Fee
• $5,309.76 · Sidewalk Fund
• $857,362.19 · Capital Projects Fund
• $14,546,228.19 · Total expenditures

Approved on the consent agenda for Building Department software renewal.

• $4,335.97 · Q-Flow software renewal agreement

Approved on the consent agenda Resolution 2025-48 amending FY 2025 budget to allocate ad valorem tax revenues for South Walton Senior Center construction near South Walton Annex.

Approved on the consent agenda Resolution 2025-49 amending FY 2025 General Fund budget for unanticipated grant revenue from Florida Department of Health.

• $6,990.32 · Unanticipated grant revenue from Florida Department of Health for 2025 EMS County Grant

Approved proposed revisions to the nonprofit agency funding policy as directed by the Board at the July 8, 2025 meeting. Motion carried 3-1 with Chair Johns voting no.

Approved funding of all FY 2026 nonprofit organization requests using $190,000 budgeted amount, with remaining $285,820 to be funded from FY 2026 Managed Vendor Program revenue. Motion carried 3-1 with Chair Johns voting no.

• $190,000 · FY 2026 budgeted nonprofit funding amount
• $285,820 · Remaining FY 2026 nonprofit funding from Managed Vendor Program revenue
• $477,820 · Total FY 2026 nonprofit agency funding requests

Approved Resolution 2025-54 to reimpose and provide for collection of special assessments in Daughette Canal MSBU.

Approved Resolution 2025-55 to reimpose and provide for collection of Fire Rescue special assessments.

Vice-Chair Curry discussed code violations totaling over $4 million in outstanding property liens with approximately $622,000 in outstanding enforcement fines. Board directed staff to prepare an ordinance to improve the code violation fine collection process modeled after the City of DeFuniak Springs, with quarterly compliance reports required.

• $4,000,000 · Code enforcement fines totaling over
• $622,000 · Outstanding property enforcement fines remaining

Approved on the consent agenda to advertise for solicitations for construction and CEI services.

Where: Driftwood and Ellis Roadway

Approved on the consent agenda to authorize Chair to sign the exercise of second option to renew Contract 22-028 with Harper Landscaping LLC.

Where: US Highway 331

Vice-Chair Curry presented a citizen complaint regarding road sign obstructions and requested staff explore implementing a process to identify and address infrastructure maintenance issues not typically captured through normal reporting methods. No action was taken on the item.

Approved on the consent agenda for staff to apply and authorized Chair to sign delegation letter for Melinda Gates to administer the grant.

Approved on the consent agenda for staff to partner with the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary Program and authorized Chair to sign delegation letter for Melinda Gates.

Approved Resolution 2025-53 recognizing September 2025 as National Preparedness Month. Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg outlined upcoming National Preparedness Month activities including a Build-A-Bucket event on September 13, 2025 and Emergency Operations Center Activation Event on September 16, 2025.

Approved on the consent agenda to allocate additional recreational plat fees for the South Walton Senior Center.

• $500,000 · Additional District 5 recreational plat fees for South Walton Senior Center

Approved on the consent agenda to purchase a sod cutter using FY 2025 Parks Department machinery and equipment funds.

• $6,000 · Sod cutter purchase not to exceed amount

Approved motion to extend the Morrison Spring entry program for seasonal staff until September 30, 2025, and approved the program for the 2026 summer season with a directive to initiate use of the new point-of-sale system beginning with 2026 summer season.

Awarded Invitation to Bid 25-19 to Emerald Coast Constructors. Commissioner Anderson recused himself due to voting conflict of interest. Motion carried 3-0-1 with Anderson abstaining.

• $1,469,728.30 · Contract with Emerald Coast Constructors for Eagle Springs Golf Course Phase One Maintenance Building construction

Approved allocation of $33,000 from FY 2025 capital funds to Mossy Head Community Center for repairs, with county staff providing labor. Teddy Stewart noted the center is the oldest school building in Walton County. Discussion covered pursuing historical grants for rehabilitation and staff support for general repairs.

• $33,000 · FY 2025 capital funds allocation for Mossy Head Community Center repairs

Approved allocation of remaining $30,000 from the Managed Vendor Program for construction of pickleball courts at Wee Care Park.

• $30,000 · Managed Vendor Program funds for pickleball courts at Wee Care Park

Approved allocation of $63,000 from District 4 recreational plat fees for Helen McCall park improvements to make the playground area ADA-compliant and enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Chair Johns directed staff to research feasibility of developing a Miracle Field concept for the location.

• $63,000 · District 4 recreational plat fees allocation for Helen McCall park accessibility improvements

Approved on the consent agenda to authorize Chair to sign lease agreements with West Coast Holdings, LLC for public Safety Communications System tower sites.

Approved on the consent agenda to advertise and hold a staff public workshop to discuss proposed changes to the ordinance.

Approved on the consent agenda to authorize Chair to sign satisfaction documents for SHIP mortgages for three individuals.

Approved on the consent agenda to sign letter of support for FY 2026 grant application.

Approved on the consent agenda for software and database subscriptions effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.

• $17,418.95 · Annual license agreement with The Library Corporation for software and database subscriptions

Approved Resolution 2025-51 recognizing August 31, 2025 as International Overdose Awareness Day. Laura Lee Sparks presented the request and invited the Board to the first annual Overdose Awareness Day event on August 31, 2025 at DeFuniak Springs Lakeyard.

Approved Resolution 2025-52 recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Haley Brown from Rally Gulf Coast Foundation presented the request.

Robert Raymond presented a request for a forensic audit of Dalton Drive Commercial development regarding proportionate fair share charges. County Attorney stated the request would be incorporated into the Planning Department's current audit review process with consideration for potential future forensic audit.

Where: Dalton Drive Commercial

County Administrator Kellenberger and Deputy Planning Director Stephen Schoen presented updates on implementation of the 2022 Departmental Assessment Report. Staff recommended a comprehensive revision to the department's policies and procedures manual with a 90-day implementation timeline. Board approved proceeding with revisions.

County Administrator Kellenberger discussed revision of Board meeting policy and procedure documents. No action was taken on the item.

Approved request to schedule and advertise a special meeting for executive session regarding case number 21CA-196.

Adopted Ordinance 2025-14 amending Chapter 2 of County Code to amend sections related to the position of County Administrator. Motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Glidewell absent during the vote.

Adopted Ordinance 2025-15 amending Chapter 2 of County Code to create new sections related to Chief Financial Officer and County Attorney positions. Motion carried 3-0 with Commissioner Glidewell absent during the vote.

Approved request to authorize Chair to sign letter of support for LECOM Dental School. Dr. Thomas Yoon presented the request.

Vice-Chair Curry requested update on Tourist Development Council Executive Director position. Administrator Kellenberger confirmed the position is included in FY 2026 budget with job description under review. Position will be advertised following adoption of FY 2026 budget.

Vice-Chair Curry inquired about status of planning applications and magistrate process. Attorney Adkinson explained that applicants who submitted prior to April 22, 2025 magistrate ordinance adoption have the option to have matters heard by the Board or magistrate, and applicants have elected to proceed with magistrate hearings. Board maintains discretion to accept or reject magistrate recommendations and legal authority to deny applications based on incompetence or noncompliance with Land Development Code or Comprehensive Plan. No action was taken on the item.

Added item 25-1091 requesting explanation of the hiring process for full-time county attorney was not discussed during the meeting.

Chair Johns discussed a ride share program available at no cost to individuals, offering three vehicle types. She outlined terms of a proposed one-year agreement with grant opportunity to cover 50% of costs. Chair Johns directed staff to issue a Request for Proposal to solicit bids from ride share service providers.