County staff briefed the Walton County Board of Commissioners on multiple departmental updates at the Oct. not specified meeting, including the transfer of inmates into the new Walton County Public Safety Complex, progress on Grove Park and other parks and roads projects, water system statistics and a planned fee‑based approach to restore stormwater detention ponds in subdivisions where homeowners associations are defunct.

County staff reported that inmates have already been moved into the new Public Safety Complex and that the project is ahead of schedule, under budget and currently in the punch‑list phase; decommissioning of the old jail is expected to be near completion by the end of the month. Staff said large contracts for inmate medical, maintenance and food services are operating smoothly so far.

Parks and Recreation updates included the opening of part of the Walnut Grove Park for softball while other portions remain under construction, youth participation at the splash pad, and expanded athletic program signups. Public Works reported recent shoulder rebuilding and resurfacing on several county roads including Center Hill Church Road, Giles Road and McGarity Road, and pavement preservation work in multiple subdivisions.

Walton County Water reported 18,242 active customers. Staff also noted in‑house installation of water lines at Grove Park saved county funds. The Hard Labor Creek water treatment plant is proceeding on schedule.

On stormwater, staff described a pilot approach for subdivisions with defunct homeowners associations. The county has sent letters to property owners in the first subdivision (Peyton Woods) outlining a time frame for collective homeowner action to complete required detention‑pond improvements. If homeowners do not organize to complete the work, the county will solicit bids, perform the work and then apply a fee‑based chargeback to property owners with an administrative fee; staff said they will return to the commission to request authorization before the county completes corrective action.

Staff also reported they have coordinated a meeting with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on Oct. 20 to discuss a potential alternative site for the county’s shotgun team. Other department highlights included volunteer emergency‑management training and a decline in property appeals handled by the tax assessor’s office.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about schedules and financing. No formal votes were required for the department report items.