Walton Commissioners Hold First Meeting Since Hurricane Isaias

Walton Commissioners Hold First Meeting Since Hurricane Isaias

Walton County, FL, 10/15/26 – On Tuesday, October 13, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) held their first regular meeting since Hurricane Isaias made landfall here. Emergency Management Director Jeff Goldberg updated the BCC regarding ongoing recovery efforts. Director Goldberg described the activation of the Emergency Operations Center and said, “We are ahead of schedule on a lot of things. In less than 24 hours after landfall, we had Guard on the ground setting up the points of distribution (POD) and we opened them up in under 48 hours.”

He said FEMA, numerous state agencies, and multiple county teams have been gathering information for damage assessments, including self-reporting by citizens. Director Goldberg stated that preliminary estimates place the cost of storm debris removal at approximately $4.5 million, but he stressed that all disaster-related figures are subject to change as detailed assessments continue to come in.

Director Goldberg explained that all the documented information will go into reports to be sent to the state and then to FEMA for consideration of a disaster declaration, which is being supported by our federal and state legislative delegation. He also listed numerous local and area agencies that are assisting in the recovery, including The Matrix, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Walmart, AT&T, T-Mobile, Chelco, FP&L, DOH and others, as well as other Florida counties providing mutual aid.

Goldberg fielded questions from the Commissioners, then Walton County department directors spoke regarding their department’s actions to gather information, clear roadways, and assist in all facets of local recovery efforts.

Commissioners approved amending the DRC contract to include public beaches and remove storm debris from public and private neighborhoods.

They also approved extending the local state of emergency and authorized Board Chairman Brad Drake to sign the resolution.

To see the entire presentation, go to:

https://walton.civicweb.net/document/540815/?splitscreen=true&media=true

Walton County resident Shannon Ryland requested approval for an easement to access 20 acres of property near McKinnon Bridge Road, which had been deeded to her grandfather, the late Howard Storrs. The Board directed Public Works Director Buddy Wright to work with the Office of County Attorney to develop an agreement for the request, which will also require a survey.

Citizen Robert Rodgers withdrew his request for drainage installation and swells at Brandon Oaks subdivision for now.

William Kohnen, who requested funding for exterior rehabilitation of Herman Lodge 108 in Freeport, was not present at the meeting and no action was taken on his request.

County Administrator Brian Kellenberger requested the Board formally extend Walton County office closures through October 13, so that employees unable to report to work because of the hurricane could be granted administrative leave with pay. Additional employee exemptions could be sought through Friday October 16 through department directors on an individual basis, if needed.

Next, the Commissioners considered whether to proceed with plans to establish a recreational swimming pool in north Walton County after closing the pool at Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center due to age and disrepair. Following a brief discussion, the Board decided to delay any action until further Board direction is provided.

Environmental Services Manager Melinda Gates requested approval to appoint a representative to fill the ‘at-large’ position vacancy on the Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board for the remainder of a term. Out of four applicants, Shea Townsend was selected and approved.

Mrs. Gates also requested BCC Chairman Brad Drake sign a local resolution recognizing the week of November 2-6, 2026, as Coastal Dune Lake Week. This was approved.

Public Works Director Buddy Wright requested the Board approve awarding a bid for road striping, thermoplastic, and pavement marking services to the lowest, most responsive bidder, McShea Contracting, LLC d/b/a Emerald Coast Striping LLC, based on the unit prices submitted. This was approved.

County Attorney Clay Adkinson asked for approval to schedule and advertise an Executive Session regarding Osborne vs. Walton County, Case Nos. 25CA56 and 17CA607. This was approved.

Attorney Adkinson made the same request to establish a date for an Executive Session regarding Trosclair (formerly Weinshenker) vs. Walton County, Case No. 18CA57.

District 1 Commissioner Dan Curry requested approval for a Fiscal Year 2027 financial agreement for Coastal Seniors of South Walton in an amount not to exceed $35,000, adding $17,500 in District One Discretionary Funds to the $17,500 previously approved in the County’s Nonprofit Grant Program. This was approved.

Commissioner Curry discussed the use of electronic devices at the Board dais during meetings. No formal action was taken.

Commissioner Curry led discussion regarding a third-quarter update for Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center and Eagle Springs Restaurant with Eagle Springs Director Shane Supple, who said the golf course is doing extremely well. Director Supple noted that revenues continue to increase as more people are playing more rounds on the course. “I think we are definitely on the right track,” he said. “For the next year coming up, we’ve got some changes we want to make that will put us even further over the hump,” he added.

Director Supple said they recently changed the hours for the bar and restaurant and are scaling back that operation. “We’re heading in the right direction with that, I do believe, and we have some more ideas that would take that further down the road,” he said.

Commissioner Curry suggested a meeting with Director Supple and Administrative staff to discuss possible options going forward. Direction was given for Administration and Legal to work with Director Supple regarding credit card processing fees.

District 4 Commissioner Donna Johns requested approval for a funding agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, FL, Inc., in the amount of $20,000 to be paid out of District Four discretionary funds. Commissioner Johns praised Habitat CEO Teresa Jones and the work that Habitat does in Walton County. Commissioner Johns also emphasized that her request would not affect the discretionary fund balance for the new incoming commissioner. The request was approved.

Commissioner Johns made a similar request for a funding agreement with Alaqua Animal Refuge, Inc., for $5,000, utilizing District Four discretionary funds. This request was also approved.

Commissioner Vice-Chair Tony Anderson sought Board approval to utilize $5,000 in District Five discretionary funds to fulfill the Tivoli Historical Society’s original non-profit funding request of $10,000 – of which the Commissioners voted to fund in the amount of $5,000 as part of the annual budget. The request was approved.

Commission Chair Drake closed Board comments by thanking Director Goldberg and County staff for their work at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during the storm. He also thanked former commissioner Sara Comander, who volunteered to prepare meals for participants at the EOC.

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LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Land Development Code Text Amendments – Second Reading and Adoption Hearing of an Ordinance. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the proposed Ordinance amending the Land Development Code. Walton County Planning and Development Services Staff are proposing substantive text amendments to Chapters One, Two, Five, Six, Seven, and Nine of the Walton County Land Development Code. The proposed amendments relate to Code Compliance issues, recent statutory changes, and continuing staff efforts to maintain and improve interpretation and implementation of the Land Development Code. These changes will affect many current standards and components of the Code, including, but not limited to, access management, Conditional Use review, definitions, submittal requirements, Certificate of Land Use requirements, and others. There are no substantive changes to the Zoning Code, densities, intensities, or allowed uses. The request was approved.

G&K East Hewitt Small Scale Amendment (SSA) with Rezoning and Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) - Request to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the Ordinance and the LURA. Project number FLU26-000004 is being reviewed by Willie Brown. This is a future land use SSA with rezoning application and LURA submitted by Nautilus Civil Engineers on behalf of Groves & King, LLC requesting to change the current future land use designation from Conservation Residential to Residential, and zoning category from Conservation Residential 2:1 to Low Density Residential 4:1, on 10.05 +/- acres. The property is located in District 4, on the east side of East Hewitt Road, north of Steven Street, and south of Palm Garden Drive and is identified by parcel number(s) 29-2S-20-33000-058-0000. The request was approved.

North Beach Woods Small Scale Amendment (SSA) with Rezoning and Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) - Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Ordinance and LURA. Project number FLU26-000009 is being reviewed by Ayanna Reed. This is a Future Land Use SSA with Rezoning application and LURA submitted by Jenkins Engineering, Inc on behalf of North Beach Woods Properties, LLC., requesting to change the future land use from Residential to Mixed Use and to change the zoning district from Neighborhood Infill to Village Mixed Use on 5.2 +/- acres. The property is in District 5, located at 24453 South US Highway 331 and is identified by parcel number(s) 29-2S-19-24000-007-0010. The request was approved.

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CONSENT AGENDA

Clerk's Items:

1. Request to approve the Expenditure Approval List (EAL)

2. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the minutes of the August 25, 2026, Regular Meeting and September 14, 2026, Tentative Budget Hearing

3. Request approval to surplus a Microsoft Surface laptop (CC # 1608), IPAD Pro (CC #1501), Microsoft Surface laptop (CC #1543), HP Laptop (CC #1604), Cisco Catalyst 3750-E Network Switch (CC #1383) and Cisco Catalyst 3750-E Network Switch (CC #1380), as requested by the Clerk's Office

4. Request approval for the office of Central Purchasing to assist the Clerk's Office with drafting and advertising a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Tourist Development Tax (TDT) remittance software

Administration - Consent Items:

5. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Chief Executive Certification for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office’s submission to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Local Allocation Program

6. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (COPCN) with AmeriPro EMS of Florida, LLC for inter-facility medical transportation

Chief Financial Officer - Consent Items:

7. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2027 Solid Waste Fund budget in the amount of $93,750 for unanticipated grant revenue from the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) through the Small County Consolidated Solid Waste Management Grant

8. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Walton County Small Consolidated Solid Waste Management Grant Agreement: No. CW131 in the amount of $93,750 and authorize progress reports to be signed as required by the Chairman as grantee, Billy McKee as Grantee's Grant Manager, and Melissa Thomason as Grantee's Fiscal Agent

County Attorney - Consent Items:

9. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute court judgment satisfactions for probation fees

10. Request to ratify the Chairman's signature on a resolution of the Board related to Oyster Lake Outfall

Emergency Management - Consent Items:

11. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Service Agreement with Perimeter, Inc. for mapping software that allows the public to view, in real time, road closures, detours, special event information, as well as other emergency and disaster emergency public information in the amount of $16,538.

12. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for the official transfer and physical possession, custody, and operational staging of vehicle barrier trailers

Environmental Services - Consent Items:

13. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of support for the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) enrollment into the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Estuary Program (NEP)

14. Request approval to advertise a solicitation to procure consulting services to develop an Adaptation Plan for Walton County in accordance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard Grant Agreement No. 26PLN28

15. Request approval to advertise a solicitation to procure consulting services to design a living shoreline project in Choctawhatchee Bay (FL) associated with National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Grant Agreement No. 88368

16. Request approval to partner with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance Estuary Program to apply for a Coastal Partnership Initiative grant to promote stewardship and appreciation of fragile coastal resources and authorize the Chairman to sign a signature delegation letter authorizing Melinda Gates, Environmental Manager, the authority to apply for and administer the grant

Tourism Department Beach Operations- Consent Items:

17. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a service agreement with TK Elevated for the elevator at Bets ‘Beachmama’ Haynes Regional Beach Access

18. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Agent Affidavit, granting Josh Ervin, Director of Beach Operations, the authority to sign certain documents on behalf of the County, for the Driftwood Road Park and Ride Facility

19. Request approval to issue a Purchase Order in the amount of $218,287.34, utilizing OMNIA Partners Contract No. [192006], with Lowe's for lumber and associated construction materials for the Scenic Gulf Drive boardwalk maintenance project

20. Request to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Change Order No. 01 for Task Order No. 26-02 Professional Engineering Services for the Gulfview Heights Regional Beach Access Public Transit Stop Facility and CR 83 (Old Blue Mountain Beach Rd.) Right-of-Way Improvements project with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., in the amount of $4,870.

21. Request approval to move forward with design development using Concept 3 for the CR30A Right-of-Way Improvement project based on the community’s design preference, and authorize the Chairman to sign the Agent Affidavit, granting Josh Ervin, Director of Beach Operations, the authority to sign certain documents on behalf of the County relating to the project

22. Request to consider the surplus of the north portion of 115 Sandy Lane (Parcel number 17-3S-19-25000-008-0000, Lot Split Parcel “BB”)

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