Amy B. Cook

The Board discussed and authorized the appointment of an interim county attorney. Additionally, the Board moved to request a quote for legal assistance in gathering documentation for the Landing versus Franklin County Bert Harris Act lawsuit. The commissioners also addressed the scheduling of future executive sessions.

The board discussed several items including the approval of an executive session regarding a lawsuit, a memorandum of understanding with Walton County for emergency management, and the implementation of a hangar waiting list policy at the airport. Additionally, the board reviewed bid openings for the 8th Street East dune walkover and Island View Park improvements. They also addressed grant administration tasks, capital improvement schedule updates, the removal of trees for electrical infrastructure, and the renewal of an agreement with Big Bend Crime Solvers. Finally, the board engaged in a discussion regarding the Barnacle parking enforcement system.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, followed by the approval of minutes from previous hearings, meetings, and workshops spanning from October 2023 to January 2026, and the payment of the County Bill List. During Public Comments, a resident proposed a community communion event in Tate's Hell on Good Friday, April 3rd, requesting support and emphasizing the need for permits. Department Director reports indicated no action items for Roads and Bridges, Solid Waste, Emergency Management, Mosquito Control, Library, or EMS. The Interim Airport Manager requested permission to submit a Florida Commerce Job Growth Grant application for $2.5 million toward the hangar complex and terminal building, which was subsequently approved. The Board also approved a license agreement for Phil Shelley to lease the former Burgher hangar at the airport for fair market value, providing temporary office space for the Airport Manager. CareerSource Gulf Coast presented three items requiring approval related to workforce plans: subsequent designation, extension to provide direct services, and modification of the local workforce plan; all three were approved. Finally, Retail Strategies provided a presentation on their retail recruitment strategic plan, funded partially by a grant from Florida Commerce. Key discussion points involved leveraging cell phone data for market analysis, identifying retail leakage of $54 million, and setting a guarantee of a minimum of 30 retail prospects hearing about Franklin County within the first year. The Board also discussed the possibility of coordinating with the cities on this economic development initiative.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda with an addition regarding sheriff's paving funds. Key discussions focused on public safety communication network upgrade by Omnicom Consulting Group, detailing a proposed seven-site P25 Phase 2 trunking simulcast radio system, estimated to cost between $9 million and $11 million for implementation, which Triumph is expected to fund, excluding ongoing recurring maintenance. Site locations, coverage goals (97% outdoor portable coverage), and infrastructure costs were reviewed, along with the need to secure public land for new tower construction. Board actions included approving infrastructure change orders for the Fort Coombs Armory project and County Road 2025 paving, and approving the job description and advertisement for the EMS Director position with a proposed minimum salary of $88,337.60. Discussions also covered the 2026 Point In Time homeless count, infrastructure grant awards from Duke Energy, and updates on SGI path and stormwater projects.

The workshop served as a listening session regarding the implementation of mandatory garbage pickup and the utilization of over one million dollars secured from the state to purchase bear-resistant trash cans. Key discussions involved confirming that the state funds are strictly for purchasing bear-proof cans, not mandating service, and exploring implementation strategies such as whether residents would own the cans and methods for tracking them. Concerns were raised about the administrative feasibility of mandatory collection without the county having a utility arm to track service compliance, as well as the financial impact on residents on fixed incomes. Further discussion addressed the county's impending landfill closure (expected within five years), the transition to a transfer station, and the future sustainability of free services like Amnesty Days and roadside debris pickup, which incur significant annual costs and new tipping fees at a transfer station. Representatives from the can manufacturer and waste haulers provided input on distribution logistics and the effectiveness of different bear-resistant products.