BCC Approve Forensic Audits and Move to
Establish a Parking Garage
Walton County, FL, 09/02/26 – At the Aug. 25 meeting of the Walton County
Board of County Commissioners (BCC), the Board recognized three exceptional
employees. This included Library Branch Manager Linda Thompson who is
retiring with 26+ years of service to Walton County.
Commissioners also recognized Employee of the Quarter (Q2) Kaleb Blankenship,
Beach Maintenance Technician and Exceptional Customer Service Award recipient
(Q2) Beach Maintenance Assistant Crew Leader Randy French.
Ryan Mims, Walton County Overdose Prevention Taskforce, requested approval of
a resolution designating August 31, 2026, as Overdose Awareness Day in Walton
County. This was approved.
Derek Breakfield, Nokuse Land Conservancy, requested approval of an ingress-
egress easement across County-owned property to provide access to a Nokuse
parcel. Following discussion, the Board directed County Administrator Brian
Kellenberger to meet with Breakfield to negotiate gopher tortoise relocation
services in exchange for an easement and bring back a proposal to the Board for
consideration.
Administrator Kellenberger requested approval to pay the utility expenses for the
Paxton Rural Health Clinic, including the past-due balance, for a period of up to
twelve months or until a resolution is reached, whichever occurs first. He also
authorized County staff to perform and cover the cost for any necessary
emergency repairs at the facility for the next three months. This will allow the
County to negotiate a new contract with the Department of Health for the operation
of the facility. This was approved.
Code Compliance Director Tony Cornman requested direction regarding the
renewal of the Managed Vendor Concession Service contract. “We are at the end of
the initial two-year contract and we have the option to renew the contract for one
year or put the services back out for an RFP (Request for Proposal),” he said.
When asked about the possible increased cost of a new company and new contract,
Director Cornman indicated that he felt the County would not get a better beach
equipment vending contract than what is currently in place.
The motion to approve the first one-year option with the current vendor was
approved. Staff will meet with the vendor to discuss limiting beach vending to only
the larger regional accesses and not small neighborhood accesses like Blue
Mountain. Additional workshops will likely be required.
Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg sought approval of a resolution
recognizing September 2026 as "National Preparedness Month" and this was
approved.
Engineering Department Director Chance Powell requested the County award the
bid for construction of the Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1 project to the
lowest, most responsive bidder, Empire Builders Group, Inc. in the amount of
$7,455,792.85 (Base bid $6,577,032.16, plus Bid Alternate 1 $657,651.39 and Bid
Alternate 4 $221,109.33) and to authorize the Chairman to sign Construction
Contract No. 26-01. The request was approved.
Director Powell also requested approval to utilize MUSCO Sports Lighting
through Sourcewell Contract No. 041123-MSL for materials and installation of the
Sports Lighting Structure System for the Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
Project in an amount not to exceed $970,000. This was also approved.
Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason asked for direction regarding
operational audit priorities for individual departments and the scope of
work to be performed. Following Board discussion, direction was given for CFO
Thomason to bring back a general scope of services and seek quotes on operational
audits for those proposed areas.
The Board also voted to advertise an RFP (Request for Proposal) for a forensic
audit across all departments covering the last five years. This would include
receipts and contracts, as well as revenues and expenditures. Ms. Thomason agreed
to bring back an RFP for Board approval at the upcoming September 8
Commission meeting.
CFO Thomason also inquired about the Board’s intentions regarding the Nonprofit
Agency Funding Program for Fiscal Year 2027. Ms. Thomason was directed to
move forward with funding the full amounts, which can be amended at the
tentative budget hearing. She also agreed to create a funding agreement that offers
flexibility in how the Board funds non-profits, subject to required budget language.
Ms. Thomason requested information regarding the District Discretionary Fund
policy for Commissioners. She was asked to work with the Walton County Clerk of
Courts office to develop a mutually approved policy to allow Commissioners the
utmost discretion and flexibility within what the law allows discretionary funds to
be spent on in each district.
Ms. Thomason then requested approval to advertise a public hearing on September
8, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Courthouse Boardroom in DeFuniak Springs to consider a
resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Self-Insurance Fund and
Tourism Development Fund. This was approved.
County Attorney Clay Adkinson asked Commissioners to approve a resolution to
reimpose Special Assessments and provide for collection of the Daughette Canal
Municipal Service Benefit Unit for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027. CFO Thomason
requested approval of a resolution to reimpose and provide for the collection of
Fire Rescue Special Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, with no change in the
rate. This was also approved.
District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry asked for a beach update, including current or
proposed property acquisitions, the status of previously acquired property and
potential sale of frontage. Commissioner Curry also requested an update on the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey, and any progress on beach renourishment
efforts.
Beach Operations Director Josh Ervin explained that the Beach Renourishment
project is still ongoing and the Corps is still working on the design. The County
will have to solicit an independent appraiser to assess the value of the affected real
estate properties to be acquired for the project.
Director Ervin also noted that the county is working on a lot-line shift that will
allow the County to sell a portion of a recently-purchased property and retain the
rest, including the beach front portion.
Commissioner Curry opened discussion regarding Flock cameras on County-
owned roads. He brought up potential privacy concerns, especially in light of
possible expansions to the Flock camera capabilities. Commission Chair Brad
Drake said he would prefer to eliminate any use of Flock cameras on any County
road or right-of-way. His motion was approved by the Board.
District 4 Commissioner Donna Johns led discussion regarding lack of progress in
building a parking garage on what is called the Meade property. Following
discussion, Administrator Kellenberger recommended they begin with a property
assessment, a conceptual design and a cost analysis for a four-story, 400-space
parking facility. Kellenberger said he would speak with officials in neighboring
counties to see how those communities were able to successfully establish their
municipal parking facilities. He said that since the property was bought with
Tourism funds for beach parking, Tourism funds could be used to help design and
build the proposed parking facility.
Commissioner Johns then opened discussion regarding right-of-way parking in
certain areas near the beach. Director Ervin said that, similar to a parking garage,
they could begin with a task order for property assessments and a conceptual plan.
Commissioner Johns praised Public Works for the creation of their “Report a
Problem” QR code, especially as it is displayed on free, business cards that can be
passed out to the general public to assist them in being able to report any roadway
issue quickly and easily.
Commissioner Johns asked for a status update on ‘gateway’ entry signs into Walton
County. Following discussion, the Board approved Director Ervin to seek pricing
and conceptual design on six locations (Hwy 98 east and west, Hwy 20 east and
west, Hwy 331 north and Hwy 83 north at the Alabama state line) and bring that
information back to the Commissioners for consideration at the September 8 BCC
meeting.
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Golf Club Drive Abandonment - Request to approve by resolution.
Project PA26-000001 is being reviewed by Jesus Navarro. This is 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 right-of-way known as Golf Club Drive measuring approximately
159 feet in length by 33 feet in width, totaling ±0.12 acres. This property has a
future land use of Residential and a zoning of Residential Preservation. The
property is located in District 4, directly North of 324 Golf Club Drive, parcel
number(s) 04-3S- 20-34080 000-0050. - Approved
Huffman SSA with Rezoning - Request to approve by ordinance and approve and
authorize the Chairman to sign the land use restriction agreement. Project number
FLU26-000001 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land use with
rezoning 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. The property is in
District 1, on the west side of US Highway 331 South, south of Waterside Lane,
north of Mallet Bayou Road and is identified by parcel number(s) 34-1S-19-23000-
001-0100. – Approved. Additionally approved to amend the Land Use Restriction
Agreement to restrict density to not exceed eight units per acre and allow wetlands
and floodplain areas to be used to meet the stormwater retention requirements
Shorey SSA with Rezoning - Request to continue to September 22, 2026. Project
number FLU 24-000002 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land
use with rezoning application and proposed Land Use Restriction Agreement
submitted by Solution Partners, LLC, on behalf of Blake Shorey and LTD, LLC,
requesting to change the current 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. The property is in District 5, located on the west side of North Church
Street, approximately 1.6 miles north of West Nursery Rd. and is identified by
parcel number(s) 10-2S-20-33000-008-0080, 15-2S- 20-33160-000-0330 and 15-
2S-20-33161-000-0110. – Approved to continue to September 22, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were approved as one item by general consent of the Board.
Clerk's Items:
1. Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List
2. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the minutes of the
July 14, 2026, Budget Workshop and the July 14, 2026, Regular Meeting
3. Request approval to surplus a Microsoft Surface laptop (CC # 1545) as
requested by the Clerk's Office
4. Request to approve the Records Disposition Request as submitted by the
Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Administration - Consent Items:
5. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
Second Option to Renew the Master Services Agreement for WAN and
Internet Access with Information Transport Solutions, Inc. a Uniti Company
6. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Quotation No.:
21745263 and the accompanying addendum with International Business
Machines (IBM) Corporation for a mobile device manager (MDM) for
county cell phones in the amount of $30,528.00 annually
County Attorney - Consent Items:
7. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Second Option
to Renew Contract No.: P2024-122 with Taylor Engineering, Inc. for expert
witness testimony
Human Resources - Consent Items:
8. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution
authorizing the adoption of the National Public Pension Fund Association
(NPPFA) benefits "Wise Choice for Public Employees" 457(b) Deferred
Compensation Plan as an employee benefit; authorizing the delegation of
plan fiduciary duties and third-party administration services to NPPFA
Benefits; approving the diversified investment lineup, PortfolioXpress
rebalancing service, and Transamerica guaranteed investment option;
authorizing pre-tax, Roth, and loan features; providing for the authorization
of county signatories; and providing an effective date
Planning & Development - Consent Items:
9. Request to accept the resignation of Design Review Board member,
Kandace Holland - General Citizen seat and approve to advertise the
vacancy
Public Works - Consent Items:
10. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the LED Lighting
Agreement with Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) for lighting
improvements at the Public Works Maintenance Yard
Tourism Department Administration - Consent Items:
11. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for Public Relations Services for the
Walton County Tourism Department, Contract No. 25-17, with Turner Public
Relations, LLC, effective October 15, 2026, through October 14, 2027
12. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for advertising services with Zehnder
Communications, Inc., effective September 25, 2026, through September
24, 2027
13. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for marketing research services with
Downs & St. Germain Research, Inc., effective October 1, 2026, through
September 30, 2027
Tourism Department Beach Operations- Consent Items:
14. Request approval to re-advertise (ITB) 26-20 Maintaining Multi-Use
Paths and Rights of Way
15. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Surge
Suppression Security/ Lease Agreement with CHELCO for surge protection
Establish a Parking Garage
Walton County, FL, 09/02/26 – At the Aug. 25 meeting of the Walton County
Board of County Commissioners (BCC), the Board recognized three exceptional
employees. This included Library Branch Manager Linda Thompson who is
retiring with 26+ years of service to Walton County.
Commissioners also recognized Employee of the Quarter (Q2) Kaleb Blankenship,
Beach Maintenance Technician and Exceptional Customer Service Award recipient
(Q2) Beach Maintenance Assistant Crew Leader Randy French.
Ryan Mims, Walton County Overdose Prevention Taskforce, requested approval of
a resolution designating August 31, 2026, as Overdose Awareness Day in Walton
County. This was approved.
Derek Breakfield, Nokuse Land Conservancy, requested approval of an ingress-
egress easement across County-owned property to provide access to a Nokuse
parcel. Following discussion, the Board directed County Administrator Brian
Kellenberger to meet with Breakfield to negotiate gopher tortoise relocation
services in exchange for an easement and bring back a proposal to the Board for
consideration.
Administrator Kellenberger requested approval to pay the utility expenses for the
Paxton Rural Health Clinic, including the past-due balance, for a period of up to
twelve months or until a resolution is reached, whichever occurs first. He also
authorized County staff to perform and cover the cost for any necessary
emergency repairs at the facility for the next three months. This will allow the
County to negotiate a new contract with the Department of Health for the operation
of the facility. This was approved.
Code Compliance Director Tony Cornman requested direction regarding the
renewal of the Managed Vendor Concession Service contract. “We are at the end of
the initial two-year contract and we have the option to renew the contract for one
year or put the services back out for an RFP (Request for Proposal),” he said.
When asked about the possible increased cost of a new company and new contract,
Director Cornman indicated that he felt the County would not get a better beach
equipment vending contract than what is currently in place.
The motion to approve the first one-year option with the current vendor was
approved. Staff will meet with the vendor to discuss limiting beach vending to only
the larger regional accesses and not small neighborhood accesses like Blue
Mountain. Additional workshops will likely be required.
Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg sought approval of a resolution
recognizing September 2026 as "National Preparedness Month" and this was
approved.
Engineering Department Director Chance Powell requested the County award the
bid for construction of the Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1 project to the
lowest, most responsive bidder, Empire Builders Group, Inc. in the amount of
$7,455,792.85 (Base bid $6,577,032.16, plus Bid Alternate 1 $657,651.39 and Bid
Alternate 4 $221,109.33) and to authorize the Chairman to sign Construction
Contract No. 26-01. The request was approved.
Director Powell also requested approval to utilize MUSCO Sports Lighting
through Sourcewell Contract No. 041123-MSL for materials and installation of the
Sports Lighting Structure System for the Helen McCall Park Expansion Phase 1
Project in an amount not to exceed $970,000. This was also approved.
Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason asked for direction regarding
operational audit priorities for individual departments and the scope of
work to be performed. Following Board discussion, direction was given for CFO
Thomason to bring back a general scope of services and seek quotes on operational
audits for those proposed areas.
The Board also voted to advertise an RFP (Request for Proposal) for a forensic
audit across all departments covering the last five years. This would include
receipts and contracts, as well as revenues and expenditures. Ms. Thomason agreed
to bring back an RFP for Board approval at the upcoming September 8
Commission meeting.
CFO Thomason also inquired about the Board’s intentions regarding the Nonprofit
Agency Funding Program for Fiscal Year 2027. Ms. Thomason was directed to
move forward with funding the full amounts, which can be amended at the
tentative budget hearing. She also agreed to create a funding agreement that offers
flexibility in how the Board funds non-profits, subject to required budget language.
Ms. Thomason requested information regarding the District Discretionary Fund
policy for Commissioners. She was asked to work with the Walton County Clerk of
Courts office to develop a mutually approved policy to allow Commissioners the
utmost discretion and flexibility within what the law allows discretionary funds to
be spent on in each district.
Ms. Thomason then requested approval to advertise a public hearing on September
8, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Courthouse Boardroom in DeFuniak Springs to consider a
resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Self-Insurance Fund and
Tourism Development Fund. This was approved.
County Attorney Clay Adkinson asked Commissioners to approve a resolution to
reimpose Special Assessments and provide for collection of the Daughette Canal
Municipal Service Benefit Unit for Fiscal Year 2026- 2027. CFO Thomason
requested approval of a resolution to reimpose and provide for the collection of
Fire Rescue Special Assessments for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, with no change in the
rate. This was also approved.
District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry asked for a beach update, including current or
proposed property acquisitions, the status of previously acquired property and
potential sale of frontage. Commissioner Curry also requested an update on the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey, and any progress on beach renourishment
efforts.
Beach Operations Director Josh Ervin explained that the Beach Renourishment
project is still ongoing and the Corps is still working on the design. The County
will have to solicit an independent appraiser to assess the value of the affected real
estate properties to be acquired for the project.
Director Ervin also noted that the county is working on a lot-line shift that will
allow the County to sell a portion of a recently-purchased property and retain the
rest, including the beach front portion.
Commissioner Curry opened discussion regarding Flock cameras on County-
owned roads. He brought up potential privacy concerns, especially in light of
possible expansions to the Flock camera capabilities. Commission Chair Brad
Drake said he would prefer to eliminate any use of Flock cameras on any County
road or right-of-way. His motion was approved by the Board.
District 4 Commissioner Donna Johns led discussion regarding lack of progress in
building a parking garage on what is called the Meade property. Following
discussion, Administrator Kellenberger recommended they begin with a property
assessment, a conceptual design and a cost analysis for a four-story, 400-space
parking facility. Kellenberger said he would speak with officials in neighboring
counties to see how those communities were able to successfully establish their
municipal parking facilities. He said that since the property was bought with
Tourism funds for beach parking, Tourism funds could be used to help design and
build the proposed parking facility.
Commissioner Johns then opened discussion regarding right-of-way parking in
certain areas near the beach. Director Ervin said that, similar to a parking garage,
they could begin with a task order for property assessments and a conceptual plan.
Commissioner Johns praised Public Works for the creation of their “Report a
Problem” QR code, especially as it is displayed on free, business cards that can be
passed out to the general public to assist them in being able to report any roadway
issue quickly and easily.
Commissioner Johns asked for a status update on ‘gateway’ entry signs into Walton
County. Following discussion, the Board approved Director Ervin to seek pricing
and conceptual design on six locations (Hwy 98 east and west, Hwy 20 east and
west, Hwy 331 north and Hwy 83 north at the Alabama state line) and bring that
information back to the Commissioners for consideration at the September 8 BCC
meeting.
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Golf Club Drive Abandonment - Request to approve by resolution.
Project PA26-000001 is being reviewed by Jesus Navarro. This is 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 right-of-way known as Golf Club Drive measuring approximately
159 feet in length by 33 feet in width, totaling ±0.12 acres. This property has a
future land use of Residential and a zoning of Residential Preservation. The
property is located in District 4, directly North of 324 Golf Club Drive, parcel
number(s) 04-3S- 20-34080 000-0050. - Approved
Huffman SSA with Rezoning - Request to approve by ordinance and approve and
authorize the Chairman to sign the land use restriction agreement. Project number
FLU26-000001 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land use with
rezoning 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. The property is in
District 1, on the west side of US Highway 331 South, south of Waterside Lane,
north of Mallet Bayou Road and is identified by parcel number(s) 34-1S-19-23000-
001-0100. – Approved. Additionally approved to amend the Land Use Restriction
Agreement to restrict density to not exceed eight units per acre and allow wetlands
and floodplain areas to be used to meet the stormwater retention requirements
Shorey SSA with Rezoning - Request to continue to September 22, 2026. Project
number FLU 24-000002 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land
use with rezoning application and proposed Land Use Restriction Agreement
submitted by Solution Partners, LLC, on behalf of Blake Shorey and LTD, LLC,
requesting to change the current 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. The property is in District 5, located on the west side of North Church
Street, approximately 1.6 miles north of West Nursery Rd. and is identified by
parcel number(s) 10-2S-20-33000-008-0080, 15-2S- 20-33160-000-0330 and 15-
2S-20-33161-000-0110. – Approved to continue to September 22, 2026
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were approved as one item by general consent of the Board.
Clerk's Items:
1. Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List
2. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the minutes of the
July 14, 2026, Budget Workshop and the July 14, 2026, Regular Meeting
3. Request approval to surplus a Microsoft Surface laptop (CC # 1545) as
requested by the Clerk's Office
4. Request to approve the Records Disposition Request as submitted by the
Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Administration - Consent Items:
5. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
Second Option to Renew the Master Services Agreement for WAN and
Internet Access with Information Transport Solutions, Inc. a Uniti Company
6. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Quotation No.:
21745263 and the accompanying addendum with International Business
Machines (IBM) Corporation for a mobile device manager (MDM) for
county cell phones in the amount of $30,528.00 annually
County Attorney - Consent Items:
7. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Second Option
to Renew Contract No.: P2024-122 with Taylor Engineering, Inc. for expert
witness testimony
Human Resources - Consent Items:
8. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution
authorizing the adoption of the National Public Pension Fund Association
(NPPFA) benefits "Wise Choice for Public Employees" 457(b) Deferred
Compensation Plan as an employee benefit; authorizing the delegation of
plan fiduciary duties and third-party administration services to NPPFA
Benefits; approving the diversified investment lineup, PortfolioXpress
rebalancing service, and Transamerica guaranteed investment option;
authorizing pre-tax, Roth, and loan features; providing for the authorization
of county signatories; and providing an effective date
Planning & Development - Consent Items:
9. Request to accept the resignation of Design Review Board member,
Kandace Holland - General Citizen seat and approve to advertise the
vacancy
Public Works - Consent Items:
10. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the LED Lighting
Agreement with Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) for lighting
improvements at the Public Works Maintenance Yard
Tourism Department Administration - Consent Items:
11. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for Public Relations Services for the
Walton County Tourism Department, Contract No. 25-17, with Turner Public
Relations, LLC, effective October 15, 2026, through October 14, 2027
12. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for advertising services with Zehnder
Communications, Inc., effective September 25, 2026, through September
24, 2027
13. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Exercise of
First Option to Renew the Agreement for marketing research services with
Downs & St. Germain Research, Inc., effective October 1, 2026, through
September 30, 2027
Tourism Department Beach Operations- Consent Items:
14. Request approval to re-advertise (ITB) 26-20 Maintaining Multi-Use
Paths and Rights of Way
15. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Surge
Suppression Security/ Lease Agreement with CHELCO for surge protection