County Commission

Ordinance No. 2026-01 adopted via public hearing. Program established to acquire and manage conservation easements on agricultural properties through a competitive procurement process with a not-for-profit entity. Funding responsibilities to be determined through future budget processes. Supermajority vote required for future changes.

Approved on consent agenda. Total expenditures of $74,608,912.70 across multiple county funds including General Fund, Public Works, Building Department, utilities, housing, tourism, and others.

• $74,608,912.70 · Total EAL expenditures

Approved on consent agenda via Resolution 2026-02 to authorize expenditure of Tourist Development Tax revenues for property purchase.

Where: 115 Sandy Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (parcel #17-3S-19-25000-008-0000)

Approved on consent agenda for Group Medicare Plan(s) for Covered Retirees and Covered Dependents effective January 1, 2026.

Approved on consent agenda to continue service for employees on a 457(b) Plan.

Approved on consent agenda to award RFQ for construction engineering and inspection services for Old Town Santa Rosa Stormwater Management and Event Facility Phase 1 - Nellie Drive Extension and authorize staff to begin negotiations.

Approved on consent agenda via Resolution 2026-03 to authorize County Engineer to execute reports, forms, and documents with Florida Department of Transportation related to Exhibits A, B, C and Final Acceptance of Traffic Signal Installation(s) and Transfer of Maintenance agreement.

Awarded to 3 Rivers Construction Co., LLC, the lowest, most responsive, and responsible bidder. Contract No. 26-04 authorized to be signed.

• $118,288.00 · Contract amount not to exceed for timber pedestrian bridges renovation

Approved on consent agenda.

Approved on consent agenda providing reimbursement to the County for water and sewer relocations associated with Driftwood and Ellis Roadway Improvements Project.

• $192,910.35 · Reimbursement for water and sewer relocations

Resolution 2026-04 adopted to raise day rates at Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center with effective date of February 1, 2026. A $3.00 daily rate increase per round was approved. Commissioner Glidewell opposed the increase in the middle of the budget year; Commissioners Curry and Johns supported it.

Approved to encumber $18,000 in District Two Discretionary Funds towards parking improvements at Paxton Cemetery.

• $18,000.00 · District Two Discretionary Funds for parking improvements

Approved on consent agenda.

Approved on consent agenda to authorize Library Director to sign agreement for shipping of interlibrary loan materials.

Approved on consent agenda. Commissioner Johns authorized to sign resolution opposing inclusion of any new offshore oil and gas leasing off the coast of Florida and supporting preservation of Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range.

Approved as presented and endorsed by Tourist Development Council. Program includes amendments with maximum of $25,000 for signature events and $10,000 for experience events such as Bloody Mary and Gumbo festivals.

• $25,000 · Maximum for signature events
• $10,000 · Maximum for experience events

Approved as presented and endorsed by Tourist Development Council. New program for smaller community events with one-day events receiving up to $2,500 and multi-day events up to $5,000.

• $2,500 · Maximum for one-day community events
• $5,000 · Maximum for multi-day community events

Motion failed due to lack of a second. Commissioner Glidewell initially seconded but Commissioner Curry withdrew his second. Board noted the request did not meet program requirements due to timeliness.

• $5,000 · Requested funding for Summit on the Circle event

Motion approved to have staff conduct a workshop to discuss the Short-Term Rental (STR) process.