Walton County commissioners agree to use existing nonprofit budget and beach-vendor funds while planning workshop on long-term cap

After more than two hours of public testimony on Aug. 26, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners voted to fund the county’s nonprofit agency awards from the fiscal-2026 nonprofit allocation already included in the draft budget and to cover remaining requests for this year from managed beach‑vendor revenues. Commissioners also directed staff to schedule a January workshop to propose a fixed annual cap and written policy before the next funding cycle.

The board faced a contentious public hearing in which more than a dozen nonprofit leaders and residents described the services their organizations provide — including food and housing assistance, domestic‑violence support, childhood cancer programs, senior services and educational and animal‑welfare programs — and urged the commissioners to restore or increase grants. Speakers emphasized rising local need and described increased demand since 2020.

Commissioner Johns and other commissioners said they were reluctant to cut services that staff and a review committee ranked highly. Commissioner Curry proposed a compromise to use the $192,000 the county had budgeted for nonprofit grants this fiscal year and draw the remainder from the county’s managed beach‑vendor fee fund so awards could match the committee’s ranked list. The board approved that motion and asked staff to return in January with a recommended hard cap and a process so future awards fit a defined…