Commission awards countywide managed beach vending contract to Coastal Paracel; public raises enforcement, ambassador staffing concerns

Walton County commissioners on Jan. 28 authorized the chair to sign a managed‑vendor contract with Coastal Paracel (Coastal Paracel, Inc.) to provide single-provider, countywide vending services for chairs, umbrellas and small tables at designated beach accesses. Tony Korman, deputy director of code compliance, described procurement and contract changes from prior seasons: the RFP attracted multiple proposers, a three-person review panel ranked Coastal Paracel highest and the board previously directed staff to award the contract to the top-ranked firm. Korman said the contract updates include a definition of “ghost set,” a requirement that vendors display rules (including a 30‑minute vacancy rule), the ability for county staff to modify a vendor’s allowed chairs at an access if complaints rise, and a shift from renting “sets” to tracking chairs (a single chair or umbrella counts toward the vendor maximum). Korman said two code officers will be assigned to the managed-vendor program seven days a week for enforcement; commissioners and many members of the public urged expanded seasonal staffing (beach ambassadors) for education and daily presence. Public commenters asked for stationing ambassadors at every regional and neighborhood access; some asked that vending be restricted on narrow beaches like Blue Mountain Beach. The board discussed creating a separate “South Walton infrastructure” fund for revenue from vendor fees and fines and directed staff to return with budget/account language and a potential position plan for seasonal ambassadors. Several residents requested limits on what vendors may manage; Tony Korman and legal staff clarified the contract (and the existing beach-activities ordinance) cover chairs, umbrellas and small tables only; other commercial gear (paddleboards, parasails) is not part of this award and remains restricted by ordinance. The contract authorizes the county to terminate for breach and includes indemnity and insurance requirements. The board approved the contract after public comment; staff will work with the county finance office on deposit and ledger setup for vendor receipts and to draft a budget amendment establishing a designated fund for vendor revenues and fines. Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with operational answers (how revenue will be handled, whether more seasonal ambassadors are feasible, and language for a fine-and-fee resolution) before peak season.