County Commission

Approved on the consent agenda. David Bush designated as the county's agent for obtaining the development order for the Mossy Head Health Department construction.

Where: Parcel 22-3N-21-37000-012-0010

Stephen Schoen provided an update on the Development Order application MIN25-000137 USU-FWB32 (Mack Bayou Tower/Muscogee Nation of Florida Tower). No Board action was requested as the Technical Review Committee has not completed their review.

Motion approved to deny the request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the DeFuniak Springs Airport Easement for a proposed roadway expansion. Concerns included impact on the golf course, citizen safety, and traffic flow through neighborhoods.

Where: DeFuniak Springs Airport

Approved on the consent agenda. The Expenditure Approval List totaled $5,143,445.93 across multiple funds.

• $1,614,267.71 · General Fund expenditures
• $545,348.61 · Public Works expenditures
• $5,143,445.93 · Total expenditure approval list across all funds

Approved on the consent agenda. Resolution 2026-11 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget for unanticipated state appropriation revenue.

• $500,000.00 · Unanticipated state appropriation revenue from Florida Department of Health (FDOH) - 436/2025-26 Legislative Appropriation Bill

Approved on the consent agenda. Resolution 2026-12 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget for unanticipated grant revenue.

• $595,000.00 · Unanticipated grant revenue from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant for Choctaw Beach Living Shoreline Project

Where: Choctaw Beach

Approved on the consent agenda. The Walton County Board of County Commissioners Cash Handling Policy was adopted.

Motion approved accepting the proposed policy for commissioners' annual discretionary funding of $25,000, including allowances for office refreshments, cards, constituent meetings, and additional staff employment as authorized by Florida Statute.

• $25,000.00 · Annual discretionary budget per commissioner

Motion to disperse EDA funding for only project specific items with Board approval failed due to lack of a second.

Approved on the consent agenda. Contract No. 26-05 with Neel-Schaffer, Inc. for construction, engineering, and inspection services for the Old Town Santa Rosa Stormwater Management and Event Facility Phase 1-Nellie Drive Extension Project.

• $654,921.17 · Amount not to exceed for Construction, Engineering, and Inspection Services for Old Town Santa Rosa Stormwater Management and Event Facility Phase 1-Nellie Drive Extension Project

Where: Old Town Santa Rosa; Nellie Drive Extension

Approved on the consent agenda. Consent to Assignment of Agreement for Contract 24-1842 allowing Emerald Coast Striping, LLC to assign its rights and obligations to McShea Contracting, LLC for road striping and pavement marking services.

Approved on the consent agenda. Extended Maintenance Agreement with Syn-Tech Systems, Inc. to extend warranty coverage for FUELMASTER components.

• $18,550.00 · Amount not to exceed for FUELMASTER Fuel Management System Extended Maintenance Agreement with Syn-Tech Systems, Inc.

Motion approved to provide road striping assistance to Holmes County on County Road 179A and County Road 163 under the existing Interlocal Agreement.

Where: County Road 179A; County Road 163

Motion approved to allow county staff to collaborate with Yates Plumbing and provide a statement of probable cost for upgrading the water line on County Road 147 from 2-inch to 6-inch to provide fire protection services. County staff will assist with trenching work potentially reducing costs by approximately $200,000.

• $989,000 · Cost estimate from Yates Plumbing for water line upgrade
• $2.2 million · Cost estimate from Paxton's engineer for water line upgrade
• $200,000 · Potential savings from county staff trench assistance

Where: County Road 147; Paxton

Motion approved to adopt Resolution 2026-14 consistent with Florida Association of Counties and National Association of Counties resolutions, opposing the expansion of the Federal Department of Transportation pilot program allowing trucks greater than current standards, and authorizing the Chair to send a letter of opposition.

Approved on the consent agenda. Memorandum of Agreement with Florida Division of Emergency Management for installation of four water level sensors.

Approved on the consent agenda. First Option to Renew Contract No. 021-013 with Information Transport Systems for E-Rate eligible internet services for the libraries.

Approved on the consent agenda. Certificate of Financial Capability for Perpetual Operations and Maintenance Entities stating the county's financial capability to operate and maintain the stormwater system in perpetuity at Legion Park.

Where: Legion Park

Approved on the consent agenda. Authorized to advertise an Invitation to Bid for installation of pour in place rubber safety surfacing at Helen McCall Park.

Where: Helen McCall Park

Approved on the consent agenda. Lease agreement with KAIYA Club Holdings, LLC for placement of a beach safety flagpole.

Approved on the consent agenda. Staff authorized to schedule and advertise public workshops for the 2027-2032 Strategic Plan and CitySwitch authorized as the county's agent for Blue Mountain Beach Radio Tower permitting.

Where: Blue Mountain Beach Radio Tower site

Approved on the consent agenda. Funded three unfunded Full Time Employees for the Freeport Teen Library using unused project dollars.

Where: Freeport Teen Library

Approved by motion. Resolution 2026-13 adopted proclaiming March 2026 as 'Red Cross Month' in Walton County, FL.

Motion approved for administration and legal staff to move forward with the grant program and start the submission process for county and partner projects by the March 20, 2026 deadline.

Motion approved to reschedule the joint workshop from March 17, 2026 to May 5, 2026 due to TDC member unavailability.

Motion approved to purchase and replace the ice machine at the Redbay Community Center.

• $3,500.00 · Amount not to exceed for ice machine purchase and replacement at Redbay Community Center

Where: Redbay Community Center

Motion approved to commission local artist John Grice to produce a formal portrait of George Walton, founder of the county, to be placed in a prominent location in the Walton County Courthouse.

• $600.00 · Cost to commission local artist John Grice for formal portrait of George Walton

Where: Walton County Courthouse

Motion approved to designate the South Walton Courthouse Annex pavilion area as the Lajuana Rinker Pavilion and add a plaque in her honor at that location, recognizing her 24 years of service in the Supervisor of Elections office.

Where: South Walton Courthouse Annex

Motion approved to have a structural assessment performed on the Mossy Head Community Center with continued upgrades to the facility and a Memorandum of Understanding drafted for the facility's use for county purposes. Board directed staff to investigate funding sources.

• $33,000 · Amount authorized in August 26, 2025 meeting for Mossy Head Community Center repairs with county staff labor

Where: Mossy Head Community Center

Motion approved to prohibit agenda items from being editorialized, politicized, propagandized, or used for unfair advantage, requiring commissioners to explain their items to professional staff who will place them on the agenda in an appropriate and professional manner.