By DOTTY NIST
Staff updates and action on commissioner board and committee assignments were on the agenda for the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Nov. 24 meeting at the Walton County Courthouse.
Following up on October directives from the BCC, Walton County Planning and Development Services Director Wayne Dyess, reported progress on a number of items.
Dyess noted that a peer review process previously put in place in the department was continuing, a procedures manual had been prepared for the department, and a request for proposals (RFP) for new software had been completed.
Also provided in the commissioners’ packet was a request for qualifications (RFQ) for transportation planning consultant services for updating of the Walton County Comprehensive Plan (CP) Transportation Element, to include a look at the proportionate fair share program versus the use of impact fees, transportation alternatives for CR-30A, and “other traffic congestion relief proposals.” Dyess said the consultant would also be asked to look at incorporating zoning and provide recommendations on that possibility.
He also indicated that space needs for the planning department were being analyzed, along with the possibility of consolidating the department in one location in the interest of efficiency and more prompt service.
District 1 Commissioner Bill Chapman spoke in favor of getting the planning department, which is currently divided between the courthouse and the South Walton Annex, “under one roof.” He asked about possible sites to accomplish this.
Walton County Administrator Larry Jones responded that a location in Freeport had been identified “that would serve our needs well.” This would be “new space,” previously undeveloped, he noted.
Jones indicated that he would bring more information to the BCC if the location was determined to be feasible.
Dyess also provided the commissioners with a draft RFP for a consultant to review the Walton County Land Development Code (LDC) and CP and make recommendations, to include modifications to correct internal inconsistencies, clarify language, and address related items.
No action was taken following the update, with Dyess directed to continue to update the commissioners on the issues discussed.
Jones provided updates on four parcels that are available for purchase by the county, including one adjacent to Wee Care Park, a beachfront parcel in Inlet Beach adjacent to county property on the east and west, a parcel adjoining Helen McCall Park, and one on the gulf at San Roy Road.
He received direction to move forward on the 45-acre parcel next to Wee Care Park, which has an appraised value of $125,000. A funding source has yet to be determined. The next step is to be negotiation with the property owner to determine final asking price.
There was a unanimous vote to continue with the acquisition process on the half-acre Inlet Beach parcel, which is envisioned for public recreational use, with acquisition funding from the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC). This was despite the asking price of $340,000 not being supported by the appraisals. As such, a supermajority vote was statutorily required, as was met by the unanimous vote to proceed.
Jones received direction to move forward with obtaining a second appraisal for the 9.8-acre parcel adjacent to Helen McCall Park, which has, according to discussion, 2.5 acres of wetlands but also potential use for ball fields and/or parking. The first appraisal for the property was $400,000, the asking price $1.7 million.
Jones did not make a recommendation regarding the two-acre San Roy parcel but pledged to continue discussions with the property owner in hopes that agreement on a lower price than was currently being asked could be agreed on. The asking price was not specified.
In other action, commissioner board and committee appointments were approved for the new fiscal year, with District 5 Commissioner Meadows opting to discontinue her service on the TDC in order to allow another commissioner an opportunity for what she described as “a very good experience in learning what happens with the TDC.” District 2 Commissioner Cecilia Jones agreed to take Meadows’ former seat on the TDC.
District 3 Commissioner Bill Imfeld agreed to take Jones’ Council on Aging seat and relinquish his seat on the Walton County Economic Development Alliance to new County Commission Chair Sara Comander.
As finalized, the board and committee assignments were the following, with some organizations or boards having multiple seats for BCC members: Chapman – Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization, Value Adjustment Board, First Circuit Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, Northwest Florida Transportation Planning Organization, Canvassing Board alternate. Jones – Tri-Community Council, West Florida Regional Planning Council, Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Value Adjustment Board, and TDC. Imfeld – Governor’s Committee on Oil Spill Response, Canvassing Board, Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board, Council on Aging, Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board, Value Adjustment Board alternate, Florida Association of Counties Trust, and Communities for a Lifetime. Comander – Okaloosa-Walton Transportation Planning Organization, Public Safety Coordinating Council, Regional Utility Authority, Small Counties Coalition, Transportation Disadvantaged Board, Walton County Economic Development Alliance, Communities for a Lifetime alternate, RESTORE Act (Gulf Consortium), Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Small County Coalition Executive Board, Gulf Consortium Executive Board, and Canvassing Board second alternate. Meadows – Small Counties Coalition, Regional Utility Authority, Florida Association of Counties, Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation & Parks, RESTORE Act alternate, and Northwest Florida Airport Board.
The commissioners also voted to schedule a 3 p.m. Dec. 8 special meeting for appointments of citizens to county volunteer boards and committees. The special meeting is to precede the regular meeting on that date at the South Walton Annex.
