Board of County Commissioners · Tuesday, August 25, 2026 · 1:00 PM · South Walton Annex BCC Boardroom, 31 Coastal Centre Blvd. Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
County Commission
This meeting was held on Aug 25, 2026. Its minutes aren't posted yet, so the summary below was written from the agenda before the meeting: it says what was planned, not what was decided. Decisions and votes will appear once the minutes are.
Summary
The Walton County Board of Commissioners met on August 25, 2026, to conduct routine business including recognizing retiring staff, approving contracts and operational matters on the , and considering development applications. The board approved a major construction contract for Helen McCall Park expansion, voted to reimpose special assessments for drainage and fire rescue services, and received updates on beach operations, parking, and county signage. The board also considered zoning and land use changes for three properties and discussed operational audits and various infrastructure matters.
Why it matters
The board's approval of the nearly $7.5 million Helen McCall Park expansion contract and special assessments for drainage and fire services will impact residents through tax bills and improved recreational facilities. The zoning applications under consideration could significantly change land use patterns in different parts of the county, affecting future development and community character.
On the agenda
Development & zoning4 items
Nokuse Land Conservancy Ingress/Egress
Derek Breakfield requested approval of an ingress/egress across County-owned property to provide access to a Nokuse parcel.
Golf Club Drive Abandonment
The board considered an abandonment application submitted by Emerald Coast Associates Engineering, LLC on behalf of Steve and Carla Chambers requesting the County to abandon a portion of the known as Golf Club Drive measuring approximately 159 feet in length by 33 feet in width, totaling ±0.12 acres.
Where: 324 Golf Club Drive, parcel number 04-3S-20-34080-000-0050
Huffman with
The board considered a with application and proposed Land Use Restriction Agreement submitted by Dunlap and Shipman, PA on behalf of Mary Del Giudice Revocable Living Trust requesting to change the current future land use from Rural Residential to Mixed Use, or a lesser category, and to change the zoning district from Rural Village to Village Mixed Use, or a lesser district, on 20.24 +/- acres.
Where: West side of US Highway 331 South, south of Waterside Lane, north of Mallet Bayou Road, parcel number 34-1S-19-23000-001-0100
Shorey with Continuation
The board continued a with application and proposed Land Use Restriction Agreement submitted by Solution Partners, LLC, on behalf of Blake Shorey and LTD, LLC, requesting to change the future land use from Conservation Residential to General Agriculture, or a lesser category, and to change the zoning district from Conservation Residential 1:2.5 to General Agriculture, or a lesser district, on 36 +/- acres, to September 22, 2026.
Where: West side of North Church Street, approximately 1.6 miles north of West Nursery Road, parcel numbers 10-2S-20-33000-008-0080, 15-2S-20-33160-000-0330 and 15-2S-20-33161-000-0110
Budget & taxes9 items
IBM Mobile Device Manager Contract
The board approved Quotation No. 21745263 with IBM Corporation for mobile device manager services for county cell phones.
- $30,528.00 · IBM mobile device manager annually
Paxton Rural Health Clinic Utility Expenses
The board approved payment of utility expenses for the Paxton Rural Health Clinic, including past-due balances, for up to twelve months or until is reached, and authorized county staff to perform and pay for necessary emergency repairs for the next three months.
Operational Audit Priorities and Scope of Work
The board requested direction regarding operational audit priorities and scope of work from Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason.
Nonprofit Agency Funding Program for 2027
The board received an update and requested direction regarding the Nonprofit Agency Funding Program for 2027.
District Discretionary Fund Policy Updates
The board requested direction regarding updates to District Discretionary Fund policy.
2026
The board approved advertising and scheduling a for September 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the DeFuniak Springs Boardroom to consider a amending the 2026 budget for the Self-Insurance Fund and Tourism Development Fund.
Daughette Canal Special Assessments Reimposition
The board approved a to reimpose and provide for collection of Special Assessments in the Daughette Canal Municipal Service Benefit Unit for 2026-2027.
Operational and Forensic Audits Discussion
Commissioner Dan Curry requested discussion and direction on Operational and Forensic Audits.
Countywide Operational Audits Direction
Chair Brad Drake requested direction for Countywide Operational Audits to improve service delivery while optimizing the use of public resources and funding.
Roads & infrastructure4 items
Flock Cameras on County Roads
Commissioner Dan Curry requested discussion regarding Flock cameras on county roads.
Parking Garage on Meade Property
Commissioner Donna Johns requested discussion on parking garage on Meade property.
Parking Discussion
Commissioner Donna Johns requested discussion on parking.
Public Works Report a Problem QR Code
Commissioner Donna Johns requested discussion on Public Works Report a Problem QR code.
Public safety1 item
Fire Rescue Special Assessments Reimposition
The board approved a to reimpose and provide for collection of Fire Rescue Special Assessments for 2026-2027.
Parks3 items
Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1 Construction Contract
The board awarded Invitation to Bid No. 26-01 for construction of Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1 to Empire Builders Group, Inc. as the lowest, most responsive, responsible bidder and authorized the Chairman to sign the Construction Contract.
- $7,455,792.85 · Total base bid plus alternates for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
- $6,577,032.16 · Base bid for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
- $657,651.39 · Bid Alternate 1 for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
- $221,109.33 · Bid Alternate 4 for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
Helen McCall Park Sports Lighting Structure System
The board approved utilization of MUSCO Sports Lighting through Contract No. 041123-MSL for materials and installation of the Sports Lighting Structure System for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1.
- $970,000.00 · Not to exceed amount for MUSCO Sports Lighting materials and installation for Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
Beach Property Acquisitions and Renourishment Update
Commissioner Dan Curry requested a beach update, including current or proposed property acquisitions, status of previously acquired property and sale of frontage, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey, and progress on beach renourishment efforts.
Other8 items
Recognition of Linda Thompson, Library Branch Manager retirement
Linda Thompson was recognized for her retirement after 26+ years of service to Walton County.
Recognition of Employee of the Quarter and Exceptional Customer Service Award
Kaleb Blankenship, Beach Maintenance Technician, was recognized as Employee of the Quarter (Quarter 2), and Randy French, Beach Maintenance Assistant Crew Leader, received the Exceptional Customer Service Award (Quarter 2).
Items - Clerk, Administration, Attorney, HR, Planning, Public Works, and Tourism
The board approved the Expenditure Approval List, July 2026 meeting minutes, surplus of a Microsoft Surface laptop, records disposition request, renewal of WAN and Internet Access agreement with Information Transport Solutions, IBM mobile device manager contract, Taylor Engineering expert witness contract renewal, adoption of NPPFA 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, Design Review Board vacancy, FPL LED Lighting Agreement, and renewals of tourism contracts with Turner Public Relations, Zehnder Communications, and Downs & St. Germain Research. All items passed on the .
- $30,528.00 · IBM mobile device manager annual cost
Overdose Awareness Day
Ryan Mims requested approval to designate August 31, 2026 as Overdose Awareness Day in Walton County.
Beach Equipment Concession Services Agreement Renewal
The board requested direction regarding the renewal of the Concession Services Agreement for rental of beach equipment at Walton County Beach Accesses.
National Preparedness Month
The board approved a recognizing September 2026 as National Preparedness Month.
Beach Chair Vending Contract Options
Commissioner Dan Curry requested discussion and direction regarding future beach chair vending contract options, including current issues and concerns.
Status Update on Entry Sign into Walton County
Commissioner Donna Johns requested a status update on entry sign into Walton County, added as an agenda item.
Coming up
- to consider a amending the 2026 budget for the Self-Insurance Fund and Tourism Development Fund · September 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the DeFuniak Springs Boardroom
- Shorey with application continuation · September 22, 2026
Summaries are AI-generated; each meeting links its original documents · Independent, not an official Walton County site · Source · Updated Sep 20, 2026 · Privacy · Terms