Walton County – 11/03/25 – The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) began their October 28 regular board meeting by recognizing Employee of the Quarter Kim Jones, Code Compliance Office Manager, and Exceptional Customer Service staff member Morgan Strickland, Outreach Librarian.
BCC Chair Donna Johns also recognized LaRae Smith, recently crowned Queen of the National Peanut Festival in Dothan, Alabama.
District 2 Commissioner Danny Glidewell requested approval for the BCC Chair to sign a resolution proclaiming November 6, 2025 “Election Worker Appreciation Day,” which was approved.
Leigh Moore, executive director of the US 98/US 331 Scenic Corridor Foundation, discussed ongoing issues with the Inlet Beach Pedestrian Underpass and Cyclist Traffic Safety Countermeasures. Ms. Moore told Commissioners that some pedestrians are still attempting to cross the U.S. 98 lanes of traffic rather than use the underpass. She recommended several changes at the intersection to discourage this dangerous practice. Commissioners directed staff to look into cost and feasibility of the suggested changes and report back to the Board.
Todd Jackson, CEO of HCA Twin Cities Hospital, discussed the transportation of patients from their freestanding Emergency Room facility under construction in DeFuniak Springs, to their hospital for ER patients requiring hospitalization. Jackson requested a five-year Non-Emergent Inter-Facility Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and approval to utilize Ameripro as a third party for backup. This was approved.
County Administrator Brian Kellenberger requested Commissioners approve the Fiscal Year 2026 – 2027 Legislative Funding Priorities and authorize him to sign the attestation forms. This was approved. The amount approved for Hurricane Damage was $10 million.
The Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan issue was continued till the November 24, 2025, BCC meeting. Section 2.2.7 of the Inlet Beach Neighborhood Plan contains a scrivener’s error, which makes it unclear how to adjudicate this section of the Neighborhood Plan. Staff received direction on creating an ordinance to correct this scrivener’s error and bring clarity to this section of the Neighborhood Plan.
Deputy Public Works Director Scott Caraway presented the Public Works Department Quarterly Report for July-September 2025, which was accepted and approved.
County Attorney Clay Adkinson requested the BCC Chair to sign a resolution approving a tax-exempt bond financing to be undertaken by the Indiana Finance Authority with respect to certain projects of Sacred Heart Health System, Inc., located in Walton County, Florida. This creates no financial liability or encumbrance for the county, and the request was approved.
Attorney Adkinson requested the Commission consider an ordinance repealing and replacing Walton County Code of Ordinances Chapter 20, regarding Traffic and Motor Vehicles. This was approved.
Adkinson requested the BCC approve a resolution designating fees and establishing fines for violations pursuant to Article II. regarding Stopping, Standing, and Parking and Article VI. regarding Low-Speed Vehicles of Chapter 20 of the Walton County Code of Ordinances. This was approved.
The attorney also requested the Commission to approve a resolution adopting fees and fines pursuant to Article III. regarding Non-Consensual Towing and Storage Charges of Chapter 20 – Traffic and Motor Vehicles of the Walton County Code of Ordinances. At the request of a local wrecker service owner, the resolution was approved with removal of the proposed $75 gate fee.
The Commission also considered an ordinance amending Walton County Code of Ordinances Chapter 22, regarding the “Walton County Waterways and Beach Activity Ordinance” and Chapter 24, regarding “Boating on Waterways within Walton County” and Providing for the Amendment of Chapter 22 to Strike
Sections; Providing for the Amendments of Chapter 24 to create new Sections and renumber existing Sections for conformity. The requests were approved.
Next, Adkinson requested the Commission approve a resolution designating fees, establishing fines for violations, and authorizing the adoption of a permit suspension or revocation process pursuant to Chapter 24, Walton County Code of Ordinances. The request was approved.
Adkinson requested the BCC consider an ordinance amending Walton County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 Waterways and Beach Activities; Providing for the change in designation from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America throughout. This also amends Sections 22-31, 22-54, 22-57, 22-59 and 22-60. The request was continued until the November 24, 2025, meeting.
Finally, Adkinson requested the Commission approve a resolution publishing fees for permits issued pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Walton County Code of Ordinances, publishing fees and fines for violations of Chapter 22, and updating the beach vendor permit and suspension and revocation process pursuant to ordinance changes. This issue was also continued to the November 24, 2025 meeting.
Vice Chair Dan Curry discussed creating a backup Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing required paperwork and fees from citizens in the event of internet or computer outages. The Commission agreed and Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason will bring the county’s Cash Handling Policy back to the board for updating and adopting.
Commissioner Curry also discussed rural Internet service in the Wildstar franchise area covering the Bunker community and possibilities for cell towers to improve signal strength in that area. County Administrator Brian Kellenberger was asked to contact Wildstar regarding county property in the Bunker area to expand service.
There was discussion on the Community Involvement and Volunteer Policy and several departments – Legal, Admin, and Human Resources (HR) – were tasked with creating a policy for county.
Commissioner Curry also led discussion regarding water quality and testing performed at the Alaqua Creek and Crawford creek areas that run through and around the area of the old Coyote Landfill, but no specific action was taken.
Commissioner Glidewell brought back the question of BCC confirmation of certain department directors. Commissioner Glidewell made a motion to require Board confirmation of any HR Director, Public Works Director, TDC Director, Planning Director or Deputy County Administrator as a prerequisite for employment. This led to significant discussion among commissioners and members of the public. County Administrator Kellenberger cautioned the board regarding possible unintended consequences of such a requirement. After more discussion, Commissioners voted on a substitute motion by District 3 Commissioner Brad Drake to have BCC confirmation of all directors, including Deputy County Administrator, County Engineer and the Building Official. That motion passed 3-2. Attorney Adkinson will craft a resolution to that effect and bring it back to the Commission for approval.
Commissioner Glidewell led discussion regarding the hiring of an Executive Director for the Tourism Department, but no consensus could be reached by the Board and no action was taken.
Commissioner Glidewell requested the Commission approve contracting with Latilda Hughes-Neel as a consultant to the Planning Division to assist in making the operation more efficient and to speed decisions. After discussion by the Board and citizens, Commissioners voted to approve the motion and to have the county Legal team enter into negotiations with Ms. Hughes-Neel.
Commissioner Glidewell requested approval of a resolution recognizing and proclaiming November 6 “Election Worker Appreciation Day.” This was approved.
Commission Chair Donna Johns requested to use current Building Department funds for the construction of a Building Department office adjacent to the South Walton Courthouse Annex. CFO Thomason indicated that there is $1.3 million dollars available for the project. Administrator Kellenberger agreed to look into how to make the best use of those funds in the construction the new building.
Commissioner Johns asked for an update on efforts to create paid parking lots to serve south Walton County. Administrator Kellenberger said they are finalizing the contract with the selected provider. “Our intent is to have paid parking in place by March 1, on the three parking lights we have identified,” he said. The paid parking will be at Van Ness Butler, Grayton Beach and the Hwy. 393 parking lots.
Commissioner Johns led discussion regarding a potential animal clinic operation devoted to low-cost spaying and neutering services for domestic and feral cats and dogs.
Nichole Thompson Fye, a volunteer with 30A Cats, shared the history of their program and how it functions. She noted that one un-spayed cat and her offspring can produce as many as 11,000 cats in just five years. 30A Cats offers a low-cost voucher program whereby they pick up the cat and transport it to a local veterinarian who spays the animal for about $75, as opposed to the usual $300-$400 fee per animal that many vets now charge. Following discussion, it was agreed that Administrator Kellenberger would meet with Ms. Fye and Walton County Animal Control officials to develop a similar voucher program for Walton County and bring back to BCC for approval.
Commissioner Donna Johns discussed allocating $100,000 in District 4 recreational plat fees for Helen McCall Park improvements, but no action was taken.
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LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Tucker Bayou Conceptual PUD Overlay – This is the first reading of the PUD Overlay ordinance. Project number MAJ25-000046 is being reviewed by Rosanna Edwards. This is a major development application submitted by Innerlight Engineering, Corp. on behalf of Tucker Bayou Investments, LLC, requesting a conceptual PUD consisting of 47 single family lots, civic, recreational, and associated infrastructure on 21.33 +/- acres with a future land use of Residential and Mixed Use and zoning districts of Traditional Neighborhood Development, Neighborhood Infill, and Conservation Residential 1:2.5. The property is in District 5 and located north of Dog Hobble Lane, east of N. Co. Hwy 395, and adjacent to the Point Washington Neighborhood Planning Area and identified by parcel number(s) 35-2S-19-24000-001-0000 and 26-2S-19-24000-009-0010.
– Approved
Shorey SSA with Rezoning – Adoption Hearing. Request to approve by ordinance. Ayanna Reed is reviewing project number FLU24-000002. This is a future land use with rezoning application 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, 15-2S-20-33161-000-0110, 15-2S-20-33161-000-0120, 15-2S-20-33161-000-0130, 15-2S-20-33161-000-0150. – Motion to continue until the code violation is cleared up.
CR3280 SSA with Rezoning – Adoption Hearing. Request to approve by ordinance. Project number FLU25-000023 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a future land use with rezoning application submitted by Clifford Knauer on behalf of William and Deborah Carr, requesting to change the current future land use from Rural Residential to Industrial and Extractive Uses, or a lesser category, and to change the zoning district from Rural Village to Light Industrial, or a lesser district, on 5.93 +/- acres. The property is in District 1, located on the south side of County Highway 3280 and is identified by parcel number(s) 35-1S-19-23000-002-0031. – Approved
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The following items were approved as one item by general consent of the Board.
CONSENT AGENDA
Clerk’s Items
1. Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List (EAL)
2. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the minutes of the September 9, 2025, Regular Meeting, September 23, 2025, Regular Meeting, October 14, 2025, Special Meeting – Executive Session (Theresa L. Tolbert, et al., v Walton County, Florida, et al., Case Numbers 2022-CA-423 and 2022-CA-437)
3. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign Statement of Work Q-100466-1 with CivicPlus for agenda meetings and management services
Building Department
4. Request to approve the purchase of a Cannon 36″ Widetek scanner with stand in an amount not to exceed $7,244
Chief Financial Officer
5. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for unanticipated grant revenue in the amount of $194,606.
6. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Fiscal Year 2026 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Management
7. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a resolution adopting the 2025 Walton County Local Mitigation Strategy
Engineering – Consent Items:
8. Request to approve the conceptual plan and utilize a continuing engineering firm to generate a design build criteria package for the South Walton Senior Center
Facilities Maintenance – Consent Items:
9. Request to approve and authorize Chair to sign a Notice of Commencement to install a shade structure over playground equipment at Wee Care Park
Library – Consent Items:
10. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Annual License Agreement and Addendum No. 1 with Transparent Language, Inc. for Universal Class for Libraries subscription effective November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $1,056.00
Planning & Development
11. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Walton County Roadway Activities Application Road Closure Request form to allow a temporary road closure of a portion of County Rd 30A for the outdoor event, 2025 Seaside Holiday Parade
12. Tucker Bayou Conceptual PUD – Acceptance of the ALJ recommended order and approval of a final order. Project number MAJ25-000046 is being reviewed by Rosanna Edwards. This is a major development application submitted by Innerlight Engineering, Corp. on behalf of Tucker Bayou Investments, LLC, requesting a conceptual PUD consisting of 47 single family lots, civic, recreational, and associated infrastructure on 21.33 +/- acres with a future land use of Residential and Mixed Use and zoning districts of Traditional Neighborhood Development, Neighborhood Infill, and Conservation Residential 1:2.5. The property is in District 5 and located north of Dog Hobble Lane, east of N. Co. Hwy 395, and adjacent to the Point Washington Neighborhood Planning Area and identified by parcel number(s) 35-2S-19-24000-001-0000 and 26-2S-19-24000-009-0010.
Public Works
13. Request to approve the purchase of equipment for the Stabilization crew in an amount not to exceed $681,000.
14. Request approval to advertise solicitations for Pedestrian Bridge Improvements on County Highway 83A
Tourism Department Administration
15. Request to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Friends of South Walton Sea Turtles for the promotion of sea turtle conservation, awareness, and education.
