Homeowner tells commissioners decades‑long Brandon Oaks drainage problems persist; staff to meet for discovery

Robert Rogers told Walton County commissioners his yard has repeatedly flooded, displaying photos he said show a foot of water in his yard and reporting that county‑funded drainage work was not completed as promised. Rogers said the county had accepted bond funds and that the developer later went bankrupt; he also said the county paid Dewberry for engineering design work that was not implemented and that he had spent personal funds and performed E. coli testing that confirmed contamination.

Rogers asked what remedies are available after repeated board promises to fix the problem. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the long history and recommended a discovery process: review original plans and permits, compare Dewberry’s design work with county engineer assessments, and identify a practical permanent solution that may include land purchase or targeted construction. Staff committed to schedule a meeting later in the week involving Rogers, the county administrator and engineering staff to advance discovery.

County officials noted the matter may involve coordination with the City of Freeport, which provides sewer in parts of the area, and that some corrective work could require permission from multiple private landowners in the original HOA area. Commissioners asked staff to provide cost estimates and to pursue an equitable remedy that balances feasibility and cost.

The board did not adopt an immediate construction authorization; instead, staff will return with findings and a recommended course of action.