County Commission

The board directed staff to conduct a full review of the site's permitting approvals, including the 2005 application and approval, open space requirements within the Sandestin DRI, and the 2025 temporary cell tower permit. Staff will brief the Board before proceeding with the current application.

Where: 1939 Mack Bayou Road

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 approximately 384 acres adjacent to DeFuniak Springs Little League Park, West DeFuniak Elementary School, and Eagle Springs Recreation Center for recreational purposes including proposed ballfields.

• $2,985,600.00 · Purchase price
• $3,000,000.00 · Appraised midpoint value

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

Approved. Purchase of property including single-family dwelling. Funded with Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. Single-family dwelling will be sold and removed in the future; proceeds will reimburse the TDT fund. Future Board meeting will present resolution with required TDT fund usage findings.

• $12,500,000.00 · Property purchase price

Where: 115 Sandy Lane

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. One-year lease extension for voting equipment storage.

• $600 per month · Lease cost for voting equipment storage

Where: 726 U.S. Highway 331 South, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

Approved on consent agenda. Decreased contract amount.

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

Approved on consent agenda. Contract awarded to C&A Landscape Maintenance, LLC for landscaping improvements.

• $515,000.00 · Landscaping improvements contract

Approved. Contract awarded to RBM Contracting Services, LLC for roadway improvements including base bid and alternate portions.

• $3,743,685.62 · Total contract not to exceed
• $3,550,775.27 · Base bid portion
• $192,910.35 · Bid alternate portion

Approved. Task order with Halff & Associates for professional construction engineering and inspection services.

• $447,541.05 · Task order not to exceed amount for CEI services

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.