County Commission

Motion carried to adopt the emergency ordinance excluding Section 4.10.02 and direct staff to return the ordinance at a July 2026 meeting with refinements to ensure compliance with Chapter 2026-65, Laws of Florida, effective July 1, 2026.

Motion carried to adopt the ordinance amending Ordinance 2019-01 and the Walton County Land Development Code, Appendix NP-7, to clarify and correct inclusion of certain properties North of U.S. Highway 98 and land use districts for limited lodging.

Approved on the consent agenda. Total expenditures across all funds: $6,117,164.74.

• $1,838,035.09 · General Fund
• $1,134,597.10 · Public Works
• $621.56 · Building Department
• $48.26 · N.W. Mosquito Control
• $33,000.00 · Mosquito Control State
• $217,585.55 · Section 8 Housing
• $1,027,284.32 · Tourist Development Council
• $947,332.96 · Solid Waste Enterprise
• $11,002.75 · Recreation Plat Fee
• $907,657.15 · Capital Projects Fund

Approved on the consent agenda.

• $5,400.00 · Quote for Payroll with Employee Access Migration

Motion carried to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the contract.

Item not approved. Commissioner Curry requested modifications regarding full-time employees earning more than $100,000 annually. Attorney Adkinson recommended meeting with commissioners to discuss policy definitions. Item withdrawn and requested to return to next regular meeting.

Motion carried to award ITB No. 26-17 to Retif Oil & Fuel, LLC and approve Contract No. 26-17.

Motion carried to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Contract No. 26-15 with Liquidity Services Operations, LLC d.b.a. GovDeals.

Motion carried to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for unanticipated revenues.

• $344,882.71 · Unanticipated revenues in the Fine and Forfeiture Fund

Motion carried to approve three FY 2026 quarterly payments totaling $203,881 and accept quarterly reports and proposed FY 2027 budget.

• $203,881 · Three FY 2026 quarterly payments to WCEDA
• $1.6 million · Remaining loan balance owed to county for Woodlawn Industrial Park

Motion carried to adopt the resolution prohibiting county-funded entities from supporting or recruiting data centers and providing for suspension, termination, or revocation of county funding to violating entities.

County Attorney recommended establishing funding within Emergency Management budget for emergency response-related expenses. Chief Financial Officer directed to prepare budget amendment.

Motion by Commissioner Curry to place hiring freeze on all positions effective immediately failed for lack of second. Commissioner Johns noted Beach Operations is in busy season with vacant critical positions, and Commissioner Glidewell stated staffing decisions should be addressed through budget process.

Approved on the consent agenda.

• $214,630.50 · Professional Services for Varnum Road Bridge Replacement project

Approved on the consent agenda. Change order extends the contract with Elite Building Group, LLC by 243 days.

Environmental Manager provided update on the HSDR project including ongoing coordination with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, recent survey and sampling efforts, anticipated project milestones, and potential impacts of Senate Bill 1622 and Senate Bill 302.

Approved for Environmental Services. Site Access Agreement with Florida Department of Environmental Protection for environmental assessment activities at county-owned property.

Where: 08-1S-19-23000-003-0014

Motion carried to approve funding for solid waste collection services at 5 volunteer fire department locations and up to 6 community center locations, limited to a maximum of two carts per site and no dumpsters. Staff directed to contact Waste Management regarding potential rate reductions.

Commissioner Glidewell stated project is ready to move forward. County Administrator Kellenberger and City of Paxton Mayor are to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding. Board directed staff to bring proposed MOU back for consideration.

Approved to add 5 new locations: Mossy Head Park, Valley View Community Center, Four Mile Creek Landing, Pilcher Park Boat Ramp, and Helen McCall Park. County funding not required.

Motion carried to accept the recommendations of the Overdose Prevention Task Force application review committee and move forward with funding awards for the Fiscal Year 2027 program.

Beach Operations Director provided update on rescue tubes being installed at 10 neighborhood beach access locations where no lifeguard towers exist, anticipated delivery and installation before July 4, 2026, with team evaluating additional 10 tubes. Florida Department of Environmental Protection determined installations as exempt activity not requiring field permit.

Town hall meeting scheduled for July 13, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. at South Walton Annex Coastal Branch Library to discuss suicide prevention with representatives from Sheriff's Office, United Way Emerald Coast, and other organizations.

Motion carried to allocate up to $5,000 from District 2 discretionary funds for purchase of PA systems for Glendale and Darlington Community Centers.

• $5,000 · District 2 discretionary funds for PA systems for Glendale and Darlington Community Centers

Motion carried to adopt the resolution.

Motion carried to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the letter of support.

Board directed the Tourism Development Council to review information regarding U.S. Highway 98 and U.S. Highway 331 corridor entrance signs and provide recommendations, with funding to be determined after the Board's consideration of the TDC's recommendations.

Commissioner Curry requested that directives tracker include Board directives, date of last Board action, and current status. Tracker to be posted to county website for public access.

Board provided general direction to Code Compliance Director to obtain general pricing for 4 handheld GPS units for Code Compliance Department. County Attorney advised any proposed expenditure requires Board approval.

Commissioner Glidewell requested staff draft ordinance establishing guidance, standards, and commitments regarding Board's interactions with and treatment of Walton County employees. County Attorney stated he would draft proposed ordinance and schedule meeting with Board members, HR Director, and County Administrator to obtain feedback.