Sopchoppy council approves theater management contract, $10,000 lease with community theater, sponsorships and extra monthly meeting

The Sopchoppy City Council on March 9 approved a series of local actions, including a 12-month management contract to operate the Sopchoppy Theater and Conference Center and a $10,000-per-year lease with the Wakulla Community Theater, Mayor Leonard Tartt said at the meeting.

Rick Ott presented the 12-month proposal to manage the SHS auditorium and market the facility as a conference center, proposing use of the Sopchoppy Opry title and coordination with the Wakulla Community Theater. The council voted 5-0 to enter the contract (motion by Vice Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councilmember McClendon). Ott requested reduced rental rates for the first several scheduled shows while he establishes operations; logistics will be coordinated with staff and Councilwoman Westmark.

Attorney Dan Cox presented a separate lease agreement between the City and Wakulla Community Theater for use of the SHS facility for productions at $10,000 per year. The council approved the lease by a 5-0 vote (motion by Vice Mayor Edwards, seconded by McClendon).

The council also approved several smaller appropriations and requests: a $500 sponsorship for the Wakulla Girls Softball Association after a presentation by Steve Sullivan (motion by Vice Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councilwoman Westmark, 5-0), and a request from Wakulla Giving Hands to waive rental fees for three 2026 events at the historic gym (motion by Councilwoman Westmark, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, 5-0).

Councilmember Lewis moved to donate $600 to support Teacher Appreciation Week, to be divided equally among Wakulla High School, Wakulla Middle School and Medart Elementary School; the motion passed 4-1 with Councilmember McClendon voting against (motion by Lewis, seconded by Vice Mayor Edwards).

On water and infrastructure, Public Works Director Seth Green reported that two maintenance employees were at the Treeo Center in Gainesville obtaining backflow certification and that well 7 is actively being drilled; Talquin is scheduled to connect power on March 23 and a progress meeting with BDI is set for March 10. Alan Hart and Jeremiah Wendt of SEH presented a task order to begin work on State Revolving Fund (SRF) projects; the council approved the task order and noted SRF funds will not be available until June 2026 and SEH will not invoice until reimbursements are approved (motion by Councilmember Lewis, seconded by Councilmember McClendon, 5-0).

The council directed staff to place a water-conservation notice on customer bills that references a recent Northwest Florida Water Management District notice.

Regarding the SHS site library building, Craig Steinle presented an inspection report and Attorney Cox advised the next step is an appraisal; if the appraisal exceeds Steinle’s estimate the building would be put out to bid. The council voted to proceed with an appraisal; the motion passed 4-0 (Councilwoman Westmark, seconded by Councilmember Lewis); Vice Mayor Edwards was not present for that vote.

City Clerk Ashley Schilling presented a draft letter for the mayor’s signature supporting a potential Opportunity Zone nomination for a Wakulla County census tract that largely encompasses Sopchoppy; the council authorized signing the letter (motion by Vice Mayor Edwards, seconded by Councilwoman Westmark, 5-0). The council also approved adding a regular meeting on the 4th Monday at 3:00 p.m., in addition to the regular 2nd Monday 6:30 p.m. meeting, beginning in April 2026 (motion by Councilwoman Westmark, seconded by Councilmember Lewis, 5-0).

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. after routine financial approvals and with no further action.

Votes at a glance: approve Feb. 9 minutes — mover Vice Mayor Edwards, second Westmark, 5-0; WGSA sponsorship $500 — mover Vice Mayor Edwards, second Westmark, 5-0; 12-month contract with Rick Ott — mover Vice Mayor Edwards, second McClendon, 5-0; WCT lease $10,000/year — mover Vice Mayor Edwards, second McClendon, 5-0; WGH rental fee waiver (three events) — mover Westmark, second Lewis, 5-0; Opportunity Zone letter — mover Vice Mayor Edwards, second Westmark, 5-0; SEH SRF task order — mover Lewis, second McClendon, 5-0; Teacher Appreciation donation $600 (split) — mover Lewis, second Vice Mayor Edwards, 4-1 (McClendon opposed); Library appraisal — mover Westmark, second Lewis, 4-0 (Edwards absent); Additional monthly meeting schedule change — mover Westmark, second Lewis, 5-0; Adjournment — mover Lewis, second Westmark, 5-0.