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Walton County approves $500,000 funding cap and staffing to restore beach ambassador program under Code Compliance
Summary
Board authorized Code Compliance to hire two full-time and up to 30 part-time seasonal beach ambassadors and allowed staff to identify funding (up to $500,000) from vacancies or managed vendor revenues; the vote followed debate over TDC/TDT reimbursements and the sheriff's beach patrol role.
Walton County commissioners authorized Code Compliance to begin hiring to restore a county-managed beach ambassador program, approving up to $500,000 in staffing support and giving staff discretion to identify funding sources. The board's motion allows Code to hire two full-time employees and up to 30 part-time seasonal ambassadors (seasonal staff expected to work up to 30 hours per week, six months per year, with no county benefits) to provide on-site education and public service at major beach access points.
Tony Corman of Code Compliance and Deputy Director Michael Gainey presented data to the board showing lower complaint counts in 2023—the year Code managed a full-season beach ambassador program—than in 2024, when the program was managed by the sheriff's office. Code reported 18,994 code-related complaints in 2022 (partial season), 10,776 in 2023 (full season under Code), and 14,104 in 2024 after the program moved. Corman said complaints related to tents, chairs and beach equipment decreased 31% in the year Code ran the program and rose again when the program moved to the sheriff's office.
Commissioners and public speakers debated whether the program should be run under the Tourist Development Council (TDC), Code Compliance, or the Sheriff’s Office. Staff and speakers clarified there are two distinct pools of funding annually discussed in the transcript: a TDC-funded "beach ambassador" budget (approximately $1,000,000 as budgeted) and a separate $1.8 million reimbursement-based public-safety/beach-patrol funding. County staff and the board said much of the sheriff's beach safety funding is reimbursable and that the sheriff must invoice the county for hours worked before being paid. The board directed staff to first cover the Code-managed beach ambassador hires from salary vacancies and, if needed, managed vendor revenues; Ms. Thomason (finance staff) indicated vacancies were likely sufficient but asked for a caveat so budgets are not adjusted mid-cycle.
The approved motion gives Code flexibility to hire up to 30 seasonal ambassadors (the motion said “up to 30” to allow scheduling flexibility) and two full-time staff, with a cap of $500,000. Commissioners emphasized the county employees should control beach messaging and educational outreach and that the beach ambassadors would not have law-enforcement powers; sheriff patrol and customary-use enforcement remain separate responsibilities.
Formal action: The board approved the motion authorizing Code Compliance to begin hires with funding identified by staff up to $500,000. The motion passed by board voice vote with no recorded dissents.
What to watch: Code Compliance will begin recruitment and present funding-source specifics to the board. Staff also said they will coordinate with the sheriff's office to avoid overlapping duties and will report back on the funding and staffing plan; Mr. Corman will determine operational naming and assignments for the seasonal staff.
