Walton County Commission Agenda Summary

Walton County – April 10, 2025 – The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) met in regular session on Tuesday, April 8 in the Walton County Courthouse and covered a full agenda of issues.

Uriah Matthews, director of the Economic Development Alliance asked the BCC for approval to offer a 1.67-acre parcel within the Northwest Florida Commerce Park in Mossy Head for sale via Sealed Bid. The BCC approved the request to advertise for sealed bids, and the County Attorney’s Office will handle the advertisement.

The Commission authorized BCC Chair Donna Johns to sign a Task Order with Dewberry Engineering in the amount of $24,000 to complete a Countywide Vulnerability Assessment Model to include in Walton County’s Vulnerability Assessment.

Chair Johns was also authorized to sign a contract with Yamaha Motor Finance Corporation, U.S.A. for the rental of 70 carts for the Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center.

The BCC approved the appointment of Stephanie Hofheinz, CFO, Walton County School District, to serve as their designee on the Auditor Selection Committee – per F.S. 218.391(2)(a)

BCC Vice Chair Dan Curry discussed the Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center 2024 to 2025 comparison thus far – which showed an increase in revenues.

Commissioner Curry suggested running a similar exercise with the Food & Beverage side of the operation to bring numbers closer to par or above. Staff will discuss various operational and advertising options.

Commissioner Curry initiated discussion regarding the Tourism Department and the Tourist Development Council, specifically regarding the reinstatement of an executive director position. He suggested that the position should answer to the board and recommended the TDC be the mechanism for vetting candidates and passing those candidates to the BCC for final approval. Following discussion, the item was continued to the May 27, 2025 meeting in the South Walton Courthouse Annex.

Commissioner Curry also opened discussion regarding the confirmation process as it relates to department heads, along with outlining the selection process of in-house, as well as external candidates or applicants. Following discussion, the BCC approved abandoning the prior practices of 2017 and ceased confirmation of department heads.

The BCC then directed the legal department to draft a new confirmation process and to schedule and advertise a public workshop prior to the next April 22, 2025 BCC meeting. The County Attorney’s Office will handle the advertisement.

District Two Commissioner Danny Glidewell initiated discussion regarding the new solid waste collection and disposal contract. After discussion, the BCC directed staff to request an amendment to the current contract to allow for either a second collection day or a second cart in Service Area B, north of the bay, and bring back cost estimates to the Board.

District Five Commissioner Tony Anderson brought forward the issue of site selection for a community/senior center to be located at the South Walton Courthouse Annex Complex on U.S. 331 South. There are two possible sites on county property.

Following the discussion, the BCC approved Commissioner Anderson’s request to direct staff to move forward with preliminary design and cost estimate for the center. Commissioner Anderson allocated $500,000 in District Five Recreational Plat Fees to aid in the cost. Staff will bring back information on both sites with a recommendation in time for the April 22, 2025 Board Meeting.

Board Chair Donna Johns requested information and direction on filling BCC approved job vacancies. Human Resources Director Tarey Franxman promised to

schedule regular meetings with Commissioners to provide updates on vacancies and positions needed.

Among the items approved by general consent, County Administrator Stan Sunday’s signature was needed on the Escrow Agreement for Code Enforcement Lien between RAK Construction, LLC, Dunlap & Shipman, P.A. and Walton County. Director Sunday’s signature was also needed on the associated Code Lien Release and Transfer Agreement, dated March 24, 2025, and the Partial Release of Code Enforcement Lien for case number 23-1794.

The Commissioners approved a request to purchase security cameras for the District One Road Department, in an amount not to exceed $27,481.15

BCC Chair Donna Johns was authorized to sign a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025 budget in the Road & Bridge Fund in the amount of $368,214.17 for unanticipated revenues from the Hwy. 98 Proportionate Fair Share fees.

The BCC authorized Chair Johns to sign the application for tax deeds for the tax certificates listed in Exhibit “A” and request approval for the County to pay the necessary funds to apply for those tax deeds

Chair Johns also signed the Satisfaction of SHIP Mortgages for Luetrishe C. Goode, Betty Ann Campbell Gershkoff, and Wilma G. Gainey.

The Commissioners approved the signing of a Task Order with HDR Inc., for CEI Services for the South Walton Multi-Use Trail project, part of the Mack Bayou Pedestrian Improvements – Phase One, in an amount not to exceed $224,679.

The BCC approved a Change Order with Premier Paving, LLC for the construction of Walton County North End Multi-Use Trail and Pedestrian Path Connections project (Phase One – 20th Street in DeFuniak Springs) decreasing the contract price by $17,761.38

The BCC also authorized the Chair to sign the Division of Emergency Management Bureau Grant Agreement Amendment No. H0876, Modification #3 for the Walton County Watershed Management Plan.

The Commissioners accepted the RESTORE Direct Component Grant Amendment No. 2 RDCGR250116-01-01 with the U.S. Department of Treasury for the U.S. 331 Water and Sewer Infrastructure – Phase One.

They also approved the acceptance of a second RESTORE Direct Component Grant Amendment with the U.S. Department of Treasury for the Old Town of

Santa Rosa Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Water Quality Restoration, Phase One.

The next meeting of the Walton County Commission will be Tuesday, April 22, at 1 p.m., at the South Walton Courthouse Annex. The public is invited to attend.