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Freeport council approves consent agenda, contracts and local programs; tables some forms
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting the City of Freeport approved the consent agenda, issued a $5.4M notice to proceed for a reduced‑scope sewer expansion, approved an interlocal solid‑waste franchise, authorized a $1.472M water tank contract and approved a swim‑lesson voucher program and fireworks contract; staff will return with the community center rental form and a draft rate resolution relating to sewer financing.
The City of Freeport council on Aug. 12 handled a range of routine and project‑level items.
The council approved the consent agenda (bills and minutes) by voice vote. Staff presented community center pricing and the council asked that the actual rental form (with explicit prohibitions such as no alcohol and no smoking and a block for an adult responsible party) be returned for approval before finalizing the policy.
Engineering staff asked the council to reduce the scope of a sewer expansion project to fit available state grant funding and to issue a notice to proceed to the low bidder, LNK Contracting, for $5.4 million so the contractor can order long‑lead equipment. The council approved the notice to proceed.
Council also approved engaging auditors to start the fiscal‑year audit, and approved an interlocal franchise agreement to align the city’s solid‑waste contract with Walton County’s renewed vendor arrangement while retaining a 3% franchise fee; staff advised the interlocal would co‑terminate with the county’s contract and noted less flexibility to terminate independently.
Other approvals included waiving/maintaining low little‑league fees (with sponsorship and partial scholarship mechanisms retained), authorizing a $55,000 deposit for the 2026 fireworks contract, and proceeding with a state‑funded swim‑lesson voucher program (open enrollment began Aug. 1) to reach families at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Planning staff presented and council approved a first reading to rezone about 1.89 acres in Hammock Bay to residential‑commercial to allow a daycare adjacent to schools, and council awarded a contract to Phoenix Fabrications for a 200,000‑gallon water storage tank at $1,472,000.
Mayor and council concluded by approving a planning‑board appointment (Beth Griminger) and announcing a deputy memorial service scheduled for Aug. 20.
