Walton County
Board of County Commissioners
AGENDA ITEM REPORT 26-1011
Meeting: Board of County Commissioners - May 26 2026
TITLE/REQUESTED ACTION:
Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the proposed resolution(s) on Public Beach
Use
WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA
Board of County Commissioners
Dan Curry, District 1 P.O. Box 1355
Danny Glidewell, District 2 DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Brad Drake, District 3- Chair Phone: (850) 892-8155
Donna Johns, District 4 Fax: (850) 892-8454
Tony Anderson, District 5- Vice Chair www.co.walton.fl.us
RESOLUTION 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC USE OF BEACHES.
WHEREAS, Walton County recognizes that the beaches are a pristine and invaluable
aspect of what makes the County special;
WHEREAS, the County’s economy, both as a taxbase and tourism driver, are primarily
a function of Walton County’s beaches;
WHEREAS, over more than a decade, changes have occurred through the actions of
visitors, private owners, commercial vendors, and the County’s responses thereto, including
the legal proceeding over Customary Use necessitated by the Florida Legislature;
WHEREAS, the changes have created hostility and acrimony amongst almost every
group involved;
WHEREAS, many private property owners of beachfront properties have graciously and
generously allowed members of the public to use their beaches in a respectful and shared
manner to avoid such hostility and acrimony;
WHEREAS, what has not changed is the County’s commitment to having the utmost
access and use to the beaches of this County for all those who wish to enjoy it in a respectful
manner.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Board of County Commissioners of
Walton County, Florida, that:
1. The Board of County Commissioners (the “Board”) affirms its support for the
public’s use of the beaches in Walton County.
2. The Board further affirms its support to allowing and creating access to the beach
to allow for such use.
3. The Board supports the rights and claims of any and all beachfront owner who
allows the public to use the beach.
4. The Board, in adopting this resolution specifically recognizes Dune Allen, Inc.
and its principals as an entity that has willingly and graciously shared use of the
beach with non-owners and other beachfront owners alike.
5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
RESOLVED AND PASSED this May 26, 2026.
Brad Drake, Chair
ATTEST: Walton County Board of County
Commissioners
Crystal Sconiers, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and Comptroller
Board of County Commissioners
AGENDA ITEM REPORT 26-1011
Meeting: Board of County Commissioners - May 26 2026
TITLE/REQUESTED ACTION:
Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the proposed resolution(s) on Public Beach
Use
WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA
Board of County Commissioners
Dan Curry, District 1 P.O. Box 1355
Danny Glidewell, District 2 DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Brad Drake, District 3- Chair Phone: (850) 892-8155
Donna Johns, District 4 Fax: (850) 892-8454
Tony Anderson, District 5- Vice Chair www.co.walton.fl.us
RESOLUTION 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC USE OF BEACHES.
WHEREAS, Walton County recognizes that the beaches are a pristine and invaluable
aspect of what makes the County special;
WHEREAS, the County’s economy, both as a taxbase and tourism driver, are primarily
a function of Walton County’s beaches;
WHEREAS, over more than a decade, changes have occurred through the actions of
visitors, private owners, commercial vendors, and the County’s responses thereto, including
the legal proceeding over Customary Use necessitated by the Florida Legislature;
WHEREAS, the changes have created hostility and acrimony amongst almost every
group involved;
WHEREAS, many private property owners of beachfront properties have graciously and
generously allowed members of the public to use their beaches in a respectful and shared
manner to avoid such hostility and acrimony;
WHEREAS, what has not changed is the County’s commitment to having the utmost
access and use to the beaches of this County for all those who wish to enjoy it in a respectful
manner.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Board of County Commissioners of
Walton County, Florida, that:
1. The Board of County Commissioners (the “Board”) affirms its support for the
public’s use of the beaches in Walton County.
2. The Board further affirms its support to allowing and creating access to the beach
to allow for such use.
3. The Board supports the rights and claims of any and all beachfront owner who
allows the public to use the beach.
4. The Board, in adopting this resolution specifically recognizes Dune Allen, Inc.
and its principals as an entity that has willingly and graciously shared use of the
beach with non-owners and other beachfront owners alike.
5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
RESOLVED AND PASSED this May 26, 2026.
Brad Drake, Chair
ATTEST: Walton County Board of County
Commissioners
Crystal Sconiers, Clerk of the
Circuit Court and Comptroller
