Board of Commissioners Meeting October 6th, 2026

At its October 6, 2026 meeting, the Walton County Board of Commissioners approved a fiscal-policy amendment to reserve the pension plan’s unfunded liability and increase the recommended operating reserve from two to three months. The chairman said the changes would place about $51 million of the county’s roughly $83 million in funds in reserve. Commissioners also approved a capital-funding request of roughly $2.99 million for one-time equipment and facility needs; the transcript states the total inconsistently as $2,990,063 and $2,990,633. Items discussed included EMS ambulance equipment and a supervisor vehicle, IT servers, road and parks equipment, HVAC replacements, and a skid steer for the recycling center. The board approved a contract with Leeds Online LLC for its Total Track Investigation System, budgeted at $15,000, and authorized Precision Planning to assess building feasibility and provide updated costs for an administration facility at Hammond Drive, with services capped at $8,000. The consent agenda, including donated equipment from Takeda and a donated 2027 Ford Expedition from Deputies Beyond the Badge for Fire Rescue, was approved. The board also approved a sheriff’s department budget amendment; no additional spending amount was stated for that item.

In land-use decisions, commissioners voted 4–1 to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny Mark Sanchez’s request to rezone about six acres on Laughlin Road for a five-lot subdivision. They approved, 5–0, a rezoning for a 6.15-acre farm on Mount Vernon Road to grow and sell fruits and vegetables. The county manager also reported ongoing paving work with county cities and a planned return by DOT within two weeks to continue the Youth Monroe Road traffic-signal installation.