Walton County – March 31, 2026 – The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) opened their March 24 regular meeting by recognizing several outstanding students and citizens. Walton County Emergency Management (WCEM) Director Jeff Goldberg asked the Board to approve a resolution proclaiming April 2026 as National Volunteer Month, which was approved. He then recognized two volunteers, Rick Royston and Christa Radka, for their exemplary volunteer service to WCEM. District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell introduced Eagle Scout Margo Palmer, who was granted approval to design and build an informational kiosk and locate it at Lakewood Park in north Walton County, which is Florida’s highest point. District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry led the Board in recognizing the Freeport High School Wrestling Coach Carey Nick and three team members, Chase and Jacob Justice and Maxwell Brogniez, who had recently competed at the Florida High School Wrestling Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida. Health Officer Holly Holt, Florida Department of Health in Walton County, requested approval for the County Commissioners to purchase a medical modular clinic and then be reimbursed by DOH - Walton/WCHC through grant funds awarded from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This was approved. Supervisor of Elections Ryan Messer requested the Commissioners approve a resolution for modifications to certain voting precinct boundaries as recommended by the Walton County Supervisor of Elections. This included adopting revised precinct maps, authorizing implementation and providing an effective date. This was approved. County Administrator Brian Kellenberger requested Board Chairman Brad Drake sign a resolution authorizing the director of Building Construction and Maintenance to obtain any applicable statutory exemptions for contractor license requirement for the department's employees and apply on behalf of Walton County for any applicable building permits on construction, remodeling, repair and other improvement projects at a cost of less than $100,000 located on county-owned property. In other words, to improve speed and efficiency, routine department documents relating to building permits on construction, remodeling and repair of county- owned buildings and property – on projects that cost less than $100,000 - can now be signed-off on by Building Construction and Maintenance Director Brad Alford, instead of waiting to be presented during Commission meetings. This was approved. Administrator Kellenberger also requested direction regarding enforcement of political signs within County rights-of-way along tourist corridors. Following discussion, Commissioners approved the placement of political signs no larger than 18” x 24” in the County right-of-way from the date of candidacy pre-qualification until 15 days after the conclusion of the election. Planning and Development Director Stephen Schoen gave an update and requested direction as it relates to proposed Land Development Code text amendments designed to ensure compatible development patterns within existing neighborhoods. Commissioners gave direction for Director Schoen and County Attorney Clay Adkinson to study Panama City and Bay County ordinances and meet with Commissioners individually to discuss and then incorporate Commissioner input into a proposed ordinance. This will then be brought back to the April 28 BCC meeting for consideration and adoption. Public Works Director Buddy Wright requested approval of Change Order No. 1 to the contract with 3 Rivers Construction Co., LLC for the County Highway 83A (Bay Loop) Timber Bridges Renovation increasing the contract amount $3,360. This was approved. Director Wright also requested approval to award Invitation to Bid (ITB) 26-06 to the lowest, most responsive, and responsible bidder, Construction Materials of Northwest Florida, Inc. This will be for on-site concrete crushing with multi-size aggregate output and contaminant removal, in the amount of the base bid of $5,612, with unit line-item pricing to apply for services identified in the bid schedule. This was approved. Beach Operations Director Josh Ervin sought direction regarding a spay/neuter program proposed by 30A Cats. While the agency usually focuses on feral cats, this program is designed for cat owners unable to afford the spay/neuter fees at veterinarian offices. Following discussion, Commissioners approved the proposal as presented and asked Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason to identify appropriate funding in the amount of $7,500 from county funds. County Attorney Clay Adkinson requested approval to schedule and advertise a special meeting for Executive Session regarding Peace of Paradise, LLC. vs Walton County, Walton County Circuit Court case number 2021CA196. This was approved. Attorney Adkinson also requested approval to schedule and advertise a special meeting for Executive Session regarding Samuel A. Osborne vs Walton County, First District Court of Appeal case number 1D2021-3898 (L.T. case number 2017CA607) and Walton County Circuit Court case number 2025CA56. This was also approved. The Commissioners held a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending Ordinances 2018-14 and 2018-24, thereby amending the Walton County Land Development Code, specifically Chapter 4, Resource Protection Standards, Section 4.02.03, Restrictions on development within the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone, to provide additional protection to the Eastern Lake Outfall, and to provide a supermajority vote to make further modifications of this section, providing for conflicts, severability, and an effective date. The ordinance was approved. A second motion was also approved, which imposes a moratorium on the development of these specific parcels until the Board has had an opportunity to identify non-profit partners to hold these parcels in a conservation easement. A second request was made to approve an ordinance amending Ordinance 2018-29, thereby amending the Walton County Land Development Code, specifically Chapter VIII, Neighborhood Plan Overlay Districts, Section 8.02.05, Amendment of an adopted neighborhood plan, to provide for the ability of the board to modify neighborhood plans under certain circumstances and the method and manner of such modifications, providing for conflicts, severability, and an effective date. Commissioners decided to continue this request until the May 26 meeting. A third request to approve an ordinance amending Ordinance 2019-01, thereby amending the Walton County Land Development Code, Appendix NP-7, Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan, to provide for clarification and correction as to the inclusion of certain properties north of U.S. Highway 98 and to those land use districts where limited lodging is allowed and prohibited, providing for conflicts, severability, and an effective date. This request was also approved to continue until May 26. As part of a Planning and Development discussion, Planning Director Stephen Schoen was asked to begin providing quarterly progress reports with the first being presented to the BCC on April 14. There was discussion regarding a temporary density moratorium, but no action was taken. District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry led discussion regarding the County’s Tuition Reimbursement policy. Human Resources Director Tarey Franxman agreed to meet with Commissioners individually to review policy changes and bring back to the Board at a future meeting for consideration. Commissioner Curry also brought up the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial shortfall and how it affects Walton County. Local Housing Director Tom Baker explained the situation, noting that many other Florida counties are facing the same problems. Following discussion, Commissioners approved funding administrative fees up to $30,000 through the end of the fiscal year as needed to cover any shortfalls and asked staff to bring back potential solutions. LEGISLATIVE ITEMS Regarding the Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan, staff requested to continue the item to the May 26 meeting for a second and final reading to adopt it by ordinance. This is to correct a scrivener's error in the Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan. Planning and Development Services staff determined that Section 2.2.7 of the Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan contained a scrivener's error, which makes it unclear how to adjudicate this section of the Neighborhood Plan. The continuance to the May 26 meeting was approved. Carson Lane SSA with Rezoning Adoption Hearing was discussed with a request to approve by the adoption by ordinance. Project number FLU25-000029 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land use with rezoning application submitted by Regional Utilities on behalf of Florida Community Services Corporation of Walton County requesting to change the current future land use from Residential to Public Facilities and Institutional, or a lesser category, and to change the zoning district from Neighborhood Infill to Public Facilities, or a lesser district, on 0.552 +/- acres. The property is in District 5, north of Carson Lane, east of North Orange Street and south of Walton Palm Road, approximately 0.129 miles from US Highway 98 east and is identified by parcel number(s) 36-3S-18-16100-000-1005. This was approved. CONSENT AGENDA The following items were approved as one item by general consent of the Board. Clerk's Items - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the minutes of the March 10, 2026, Public Workshop Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List (EAL) Administration - Request to approve the Walton County Advisory Boards and Committees Appointment Policy and Procedures (Removed from Consent Agenda) – Approved to continue, advertise public hearing, resolution Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution adopting a new schedule of fees and fines for County paid parking areas Request approval for staff to schedule and advertise a Board Workshop for presentations from the top three ranked firms from (RFQ) 26-07 for Federal Lobbying services Chief Financial Officer - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Subaward Agreement with Judge Ben Gordon, Jr. Family Visitation Center dba/Safe Connections Family Visitation Center for Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG-C) grant agreement JG181 in the amount of $22,169 from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Engineering - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Change Order No. 3 to Contract No. 24-29 with Gage Golden Construction, LLC d/b/a BGN Contractors for the construction of the Glendale Fire Station, increasing the contract completion date by 60 days Request approval to award Request for Qualifications (RFQ 26-09) for Professional Services to the top ranked firm Gortemoller Engineering, Inc. for the design of Mossy Head Industrial Park Access Road and Intersection Improvement Project located at the Northwest Florida Commerce Park and to begin negotiations Library - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a License and Hold Harmless Agreement and Waiver of Claims with Watersound Town Center, LLC and the St. Joe Company for Bookmobile public stops for May 5, 2026-April 27, 2027 Request to approve the purchase of a 2026 Bronco Sport for the Library System in an amount not to exceed $31,981 Planning and Development - Echelon - Acceptance of ALJ Recommended Final Order and approval of Final Order. Project number MAJ25-000034 is being reviewed by Kelly Schultz. This is a major development application submitted by Jenkins Engineering, Inc. on behalf of H and S, LLC, requesting to develop a 246-unit condominium with associated amenities and infrastructure as part of the approved DRI on 5.62 +/- acres. The project site has a future land use of Mixed Use and a zoning category of Coastal Center. The property is in District 4, located at 100 Seascape Drive and is identified by parcel number(s) 29-2S-21-42500-000-0050. (Removed from Consent Agenda) - Approved Public Works - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution and the State of Florida Department of Transportation Off System Bridge Project Agreement (FPID #: 450864-1) authorizing FDOT to do all acts necessary to complete the Bridge Replacement, Rehabilitation, and Inspection Project for Hub Presley Road over Pond Creek (Bridge No. 604152), including construction of the replacement structure Request approval for the City of Freeport to install rope lighting at Four Mile pedestrian bridge and to stain the pedestrian bridge Tourism Department Administration - Request to accept the resignation of Bob Lacasse from Seat 9 on the Tourist Development Council and approve to advertise the vacancy Tourism Department Beach Operations- Consent Items: Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Application for Service and Customer Agreement with Regional Utilities for water/sewer services at 115 Sandy Lane Request to authorize the Chairman to sign the Right of Entry contract with Legacy Condominium, authorizing Walton County to enter the premises to plant trees along the shared property line. The next meeting of the Walton County Commission will be held on Tuesday, April 14, at the Walton County Courthouse at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
