By DOTTY NIST
In Walton County, vendors provide beach chairs, umbrellas, and other items for beachgoers within the terms of permits issued by the county. Vendors serve private beachfront condos and homes and also receive permits to provide and deliver set-ups to public beach access areas.
More than 60 vendors were in operation on the beaches during the 2014 season, possibly the largest number ever.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has scheduled a public workshop for discussion of possible changes to vending standards, which are found in the Walton County Waterways and Beach Activities Ordinance.
Among topics to be addressed will be conflicts surfacing this year between vendors and members of the general public wanting to set up their own chairs and umbrellas on the beach.
Among options to be considered for public property beaches will be continuing to allow vending on all public property beaches, prohibiting vending on all public property beaches, or allowing vending on Walton County beaches by means of a request for proposals (RFP) process. Additional operational standards for vending operations on all beaches are to be discussed as well.
Action on any changes would take place at a regular commission meeting to be scheduled after the conclusion of the workshop process.
The workshop is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. on Jan. 6 and take place at the South Walton Annex.
According to discussion at the Dec. 22 BCC meeting, the workshop is to be conducted in a question and answer format, with input from the public to be provided in written form on index cards. Input in advance on the issue, or separately from the workshop, may also be provided to the commissioners, whose contact information follows:
District 1 Commissioner Bill Chapman, (850) 835-4860, chabill@co.walton.fl.us; District 2 Commissioner Cecilia Jones, (850) 892-4020, joncecilia@co.walton.fl.us; BCC Chairman/District 3 Commissioner Bill Imfeld, (850) 892-8474, imfbill@co.walton.fl.us; BCC Vice Chair/District 4 Commissioner Sara Comander, (850) 835-4834; comsara@co.walton.fl.us; and District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows, (850) 231-2978; meacindy@co.walton.fl.us.
