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Residents press Wakulla County for faster action on solar bus‑stop lighting and traffic safety in 'the Hammocks'
Summary
Residents asked the county to accelerate installation of three solar lights at high‑school bus stops on Songbird in 'the Hammocks' and raised broader neighborhood safety and speeding concerns; staff said an HOA memorandum of agreement and legal review are required before the board can vote.
WAKULLA COUNTY — Residents asked the Wakulla County Board on Tuesday to move more quickly to install solar lighting at three high‑school bus stops in the Hammocks subdivision and to address speeding and heavy-vehicle cut‑throughs on Songbird.
Mary Tuohy, who addressed the board during citizens to be heard, said the homeowners' association has purchased materials and volunteered the labor to install three solar lights at bus stops so students are not left waiting in darkness. "We wanna put three solar lights up at these school bus stops so they're not sitting out in the dark," Tuohy said. She asked why the effort has not yet been finalized after two months of work.
County staff explained the process requires a memorandum of agreement with the HOA and legal review; the county attorney's office was drafting the MOA and planned to send it to the HOA for approval before bringing it back to the commissioners for a formal vote. Staff told the resident the MOA had been provided to the attorney's office earlier in the day.
Speakers also raised concerns about developer responsibility for lighting, inconsistent street‑light placement in newer subdivision phases, and speeding by passing traffic and heavy trucks. A resident said an electronic speed sign had been deployed with assistance from Lieutenant Mallon of the sheriff's office, but noted deputies have limited patrol capacity for continuous enforcement.
Commissioners said they are pursuing multiple approaches, including DOT coordination to add street lighting on Highway 319, targeted lighting installations in neighborhoods undergoing redevelopment (Magnolia Gardens and others), and reviewing permanent fixes. Several commissioners acknowledged government processes can be slow, but asked staff to return the MOA promptly so the board can act once legal and HOA approvals are in place.
No formal county expenditure or policy change was adopted at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue work on the MOA and associated options.
