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Walton County votes to stop charging $27.50 for scheduled planning informational meetings
Summary
Commissioners voted to end a $27.50 fee that some residents were being charged to schedule informational planning meetings with staff; staff clarified that pre-application meetings that require staff research remain fee-based.
The Walton County Board of Commissioners approved a motion directing that the $27.50 fee charged when citizens schedule certain informational planning appointments will no longer be collected, effective immediately. The motion was made by a commissioner who argued that residents—who pay county salaries and support county services—should not be charged "for the privilege of talking to us." The motion passed by voice vote.
Staff clarification: County planning staff explained that a distinction exists between a formal pre-application meeting (which triggers an application fee because staff performs research in advance) and a routine scheduled informational meeting. Staff said the application fee applies to pre-application filings but that scheduled informational appointments do not require the $27.50 payment; they asked the board to note that distinction as they implement the change.
What the record shows: The transcript records the fee amount as $27.50 and the motion language instructing that fees "not be charged anymore, period, effective immediately." The vote was taken by voice and recorded as passing; no roll-call tally or individual recorded 'no' or 'abstain' votes appear in the transcript.
Next steps: Staff indicated they understood the board's direction and requested clarity during the discussion; the board's motion was passed and staff will adjust procedures to stop charging the fee for the type of appointment described in the discussion.
