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Walton County meeting: administrator contract approved; county attorney contract rejected; planning audit, road contract and grants approved
Summary
At its Aug. 12 Walton County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board approved a permanent county administrator contract, voted down a proposed county attorney contract, authorized a planning fees audit, awarded a road construction contract and approved a slate of event grants and other routine items.
DeFuniak Springs — The Walton County Board of County Commissioners took several formal actions Aug. 12, approving an administrator employment contract, authorizing an operational audit of the planning department, awarding a resurfacing contract and approving the tourist development council's slate of event grants, while rejecting a proposed contract for the county attorney.
The board approved a multi-year contract for County Administrator Brian Kellenberger by a 5-0 vote. Commissioners said they wanted to provide the administrator stability for ongoing operational work including planning department reforms and capital project coordination.
In a separate, closely watched vote, the board declined to approve a proposed contract for County Attorney Clay Atkinson. After a lengthy public and commissioner debate about conflicts of interest, compensation, and contract terms, the motion to approve the Atkinson Law Firm agreement failed on a 3–2 tally.
The board also approved a professional services engagement for MGT to perform a recalculation and operational review of the county planning department's fees and internal processes. Commissioners directed staff to negotiate a price in the $85,000–$99,000 range; the board voted to move forward with the firm.
On capital work, the board authorized contract 2516 with Southeast Construction Co. LLC in an amount not to exceed $2,650,557.72 for Phase 1 of County Road 1883 (milling and resurfacing, ~4.97 miles). Commissioners said grant funds will pay for the project.
In tourism funding matters, the board accepted the Walton County Economic Development Alliance quarterly report and approved its payment tied to that update. Commissioners also approved the tourist development council's recommended slate of event grants for FY 2026, with three high-profile events referred back to the TDC for additional vetting.
Other formal actions included appointment of a citizen member to the Value Adjustment Board (Mark Walker) and a municipal franchise ordinance updating the service territory for Florida Community Services Corp. (doing business as Regional Utilities) in Inlet Beach.
The board recorded motions, seconds and roll-call outcomes for the items above; the meeting also included extended public comment on beach renourishment and S.B. 1622, planning operations, and economic development.
