Holmes County - Board of Commissioners

The meeting commenced with a call to order, invocation, and pledge, followed by the adoption of the agenda and a proclamation. Key agenda items included discussions and potential actions regarding the OAWP Lease Agreement Renewal, No-Trill Drill Income, Griffin Traffic Signals Contract Agreement Renewal, and the Memorial Sign on CR 179. The Board also addressed the 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Amnesty Day logistics and considered moving the early March meeting date. Further discussions involved a Resolution to Apply for FDOT Programs, an iWorq Upgrade for the Road Department, the Jail Expansion project, and the Crime Stopper Trust Fund Grant Letter of Agreement. Other topics included the Modern Tech Squad Audio Upgrade, a request for a Family Secondary Residence Exemption handled by the Building Official/Planning department, a discussion on Grant Opportunity Availability with Liberty Partners, and updates from the County Engineer regarding Dewberry Engineering, Melvin Engineering, Alday--Howell Engineering, and Hanson Professional Services. Commissioner items were also noted.

The meeting commenced with a call to order and invocation, followed by the adoption of the agenda. Key agenda items for discussion included the awarding of a contract for Emergency Management and Disaster Response Services, deadlines for SCRAP/SCOP/BSCOP/CIGP applications, and the appointment of Liaisons for 2026. Other discussions involved the donation of proceeds from the sale of a parcel to Dubin Acquisitions, LLC, the Safe Haven Baby Box initiative, and a discussion regarding Bodie Lane. Further agenda items covered exceptions for second residences sought by the Fenlon and Bailey families, discussions with engineering firms (Dewberry, Melvin, Alday-Howell, Hanson) concerning county engineering matters, and the Turberville Road Bridge Replacement project. Commissioner Wilmer Stafford presented items related to easements on Smith Chapel Road, Grover Lewis Road, and a proposed easement through a specific parcel, as well as clearing efforts at the Ponce de Leon Fire Department.

The meeting commenced with a Call to Order and Invocation/Pledge, followed by the adoption of the agenda and confirmation of no non-agenda audience speakers. Key agenda items included the awarding of an agreement and Resolution 26-02 concerning the Jack Johnson Lane over Blue Creek Bridge, a discussion regarding the donation of Parcel# 0908.04-004-000-009.000, and appointments to the HCDC. Other items involved legislative day preparations, awarding services for Emergency Management and Disaster Response, and repairs for the Pittman VFD Brush Truck. Discussions under various departments covered engineering project bids, a TA Application for CR 181 Sidewalk, and Project Gateway bids. The County Attorney addressed a Stipend Pay Policy and a Dogwood Lakes Abstention from Voting matter. Commissioner items included discussions on burying animal carcasses on weekends, comp time/overtime for admin staff, purchasing and surplus of brush cutters, surplus of old equipment for District 2, allocation of county dirt to residents, center line striping for CR 179, and authorizing the County Coordinator to hire LEOs for Lake Cassidy during holidays.

The Holmes County Board of Commissioners held budget hearings to discuss the 2025-2026 budget. Key revenue sources include ad valorem taxes, local option tourist development funds, building permits, and various state revenue sharing programs. Expenditure discussions covered a wide range of departments, including the Board, Clerk to Board, Clerk of Circuit Court, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Circuit Judge, County Judge, Sheriff, Law Enforcement Misc, County Attorneys, Judicial, State Attorney, Public Defender, Medical Examiner, Rec Center, Supervisor of Elections, Elections, Animal Control, Building Inspector, Emg Preparedness-EMPA, Emg Management-EMPG, Emg Mgmt-Local Match, Ambulance, Extension Service, Veterans Service Officer, Holmes Creek Soil & Water, Agri-Center, Fire Control, Farmer's Market, Solid Waste Grant, County Recycling, Small Grants, Planning & Zoning, Development Commission, Library, Parks, Health, Tourist Develop Council, Capital Improvements, Miscellaneous, American Rescue Plan, Gov't Efficiency Center and Project Gateway.

The Holmes County Board of Commissioners held a hearing to discuss the proposed budget for 2025-2026. The budget includes revenues and expenditures across various funds such as the General Fund, Transportation Trust Fund, Special Transportation Trust, Commissioners' Trust, Arthropod Local, Arthropod State I, SHIP Grant Fund, and Work Camp Construction. Key areas of expenditure include public safety (law enforcement, fire control, ambulance services), public works (roads and bridges), health and social services, and general government administration.