The Gulf County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on July 21, 2025, to discuss various budgetary adjustments and departmental needs. The meeting began with a review of the agenda, focusing on employee compensation and departmental equipment requests.

Ms. Forehand, representing the tax department, presented a budget request that included proposed salary adjustments for her employees. She emphasized the need for a 5% pay raise across the board and highlighted a significant change from a 35-hour workweek to a 40-hour workweek for all employees. This adjustment aims to align the department's work hours with current standards, as noted by Ms. Forehand, who mentioned that the clerk's office was the first to implement this change.

In addition to salary adjustments, Ms. Forehand requested funding for new equipment and updates to modernize the office. She acknowledged the costs associated with these improvements but expressed optimism that the proposed changes would enhance efficiency and reduce long wait times for constituents.

Commissioners expressed their support for Ms. Forehand's initiatives, with one commissioner thanking her for her efforts to improve service delivery. The discussion also touched on insurance estimates, with a projected increase of 7% factored into the budget.

Following Ms. Forehand's presentation, the Supervisor of Elections, Rhonda, confirmed that her department had no additional requests. Mr. Burton also reported no new items from his department, noting that their budget is approximately $45,000 less than the previous year.

The meeting concluded with a focus on ensuring that all departments are adequately funded while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The board will continue to review the budget and make necessary adjustments in the coming weeks.