Latest News from Commissioner Meadows' Office

[Kurt]

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Latest News


Walton County Tourist Development Council welcomes Jim Bagby who began working as the Executive Director on June 10th. District 5 Commissioner Meadows and staff wish him a warm welcome and look forward to working with him on issues concerning tourists as well as residents.


Florida Association of Counties (FACs) conference is scheduled for June 25-28 in Tampa. Commissioner Meadows wil be attending and be out of the office, but staff will be available to answer questions and address issues


DOT mowing of Highway 98 has been a recent issue and according to DOT's Randal Skipper mowing from Hwy 331 to the Okaloosa County Line is regularly scheduled every 6 weeks or at least just before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day). Trash pick up along the median is scheduled for the same time as mowing crews.


Help needed: NeighborVision (the group that videos and webcasts many county meetings) will be taking a break in August. If anyone is interested in volunteering to learn/assist and be able to take the responsibility for videography for a six (6) month time period, please email us at macsusan@co.walton.fl.us or call 850-231-2978. (This is a volunteer position not related to county employment)


A Public Sports Complex will be reviewed further by Special Projects Coordinator Larry Jones and brought back to the BCC at a date to be announced. Thank you to all who have expressed their opinion on this issue.


Affordable Housing Advisory Committee has several openings for board members who oversee the State Housing Initiatives Partnerships (SHIP). The board meets four times a year at the Walton County Administration building to review program budgets, the Annual Housing Assistance Plan, the redistribution of funds returned to the program and other matters pertaining to the program. Volunteer categories include builders, realtors, affordable housing providers, financial providers, participating agency representatives, low income advocates. The next meeting is scheduled for July. Email us if your are interest.


Mossy Head Industrial Park public hearing is set for June 24, 2013 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. The discussion will include funding sources for infrastructure.


Help preserve Florida's Emerald Coast and Crystal Waters. Set an example: "Don't pass it up - Pick it up". Anyone interested in volunteering for local beach cleanup contact Michael Hatcher Michaelhatcher95@live.com. Michael will be a senior at South Walton High. He met with Commissioner Meadows and expressed concern about the Gulf's health. He is starting a beach clean-up program and needs your help.


Don't forget - Town Hall Meeting Thursday, June 20, 9:00-10:30 AM at Padgett Park Community Building on JD Miller Road.


Upcoming Meetings

TDC Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday August 13 @ 9:00 AM South Walton Courthouse Annex

Commission Meetings
Monday June 24 @ 9:00 AM, Walton County Courthouse, DFS
Tuesday July 9 @ 4:00 PM, South Walton Courthouse Annex
Town Hall Meeting


Thursday June 20 @ 9:00 AM, Padgett Park (on JD Miller Road),SRB
Local RESTORE Committee Meeting
Wednesday, July 10 @5:00 PM, Bayou Arts Center, Hogtown Bayou, SRB

 

[Andy A]

A great big "thank you" to both Kurt and Commissioner Meadows for keeping the citizens of Walton County aprised of coming events and what is presently going on. The good part of your county government at work.

 

[Kurt]

The Proposed Walton County Fishing Pier has been removed from the requested projects list for NRDA funds according to Lee Edmiston, Environmental Administrator, FDEP. A letter from Walton County Commissioners requesting the project to be removed was received by FDEP and the project will be removed from the list of projects on their website in the near future.


Panhandling activities in Walton County require a permit from the administrative office. We have had many requests to do something about the unauthorized panhandling over the past months. If you see this happening, you can call the Sheriff's office at 892-8111 to report these activities. At this time all new requests for permits have been suspended through Labor Day.


Security Measures for the south annex are complete - with the help of Cpt. Robert Butler and the I.T. team of Todd Bierbaum, Kim Jones, Rick Wilson, and Jed Sconiers video cameras will feed the Communication Center at the Sheriff's Office; a full launch of the new security measures began on July 1, 2013.


The FY 2013-14 Budget Workshop will hold the first meeting on July 11th at 9:00 AM in the Commission Boardroom at the Walton County Courthouse in DeFuniak Springs. The public is encouraged to attend. Anyone who wants a copy of the draft budget, please call our office.


State bill SB 1810 will add extra pension costs to Florida counties; according to Walton County Finance Director the estimate is a total cost $858,825 which does not include the Property Appraiser, Tax Collector or Supervisor of Elections offices.


A public meeting on the proposed sport complex is scheduled for 5:00 PM on July 22 at the South Walton Annex.




Recycling in Walton County is available through open public receptacles:
29 recycling trailers
5 used oil collection sites
2 tire and white goods collection sites
A map of these locations is available on the county website - www.co.walton.fl.us > Departments > Public Works > Solid Waste > Recycling.


Upcoming Meetings


TDC Advisory Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 13 @ 9:00 AM South Walton Annex, SRB


Commission Meetings
Tuesday, July 9 @ 4:00 PM South Walton Annex, SRB
Tuesday, July 23 @ 9:00 AM Walton County Courhouse, DFS


Special Meeting to discuss Fire Assessment in Unincorporated Walton County
Tuesday, July 16 @5:00 PM,Walton County Courthouse, DFS


Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, August 1 @ 9:00 AM, Rosemary Beach Town Hall. TOPIC: Where does your tax money go?



Local RESTORE Committee Meeting
Wednesday, August 21 @ 5:00 PM Bayou Arts Center, Santa Rosa Beach

 

[mputnal]

Thanks for the information however very sorry to hear about the fishing pier! What a great opportunity for such a beneficial project to our beach community but I do understand why. I must admit that I am concerned that our beach community leaders are more concerned in finding ways not to share these resources. I really hope I am wrong about this!?!