Wakulla County BOCC Meeting Preview Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – 6:00 PM

This week’s Wakulla County Commission meeting covers everything from annual employee awards to major decisions shaping our county’s future. Commissioners will review a $1.05 million state grant for a new aerial fire truck, consider a dual‑enrollment firefighter training program for Wakulla High students, and vote on several land‑use items that could influence growth, traffic, and environmental impacts for years to come. Key zoning and comprehensive plan amendments are up for public hearings - including a 30‑acre proposal on Jack Crum Road and a rezoning request in Hudson Heights. The board will also take up required updates to the Land Development Code to comply with new state law on Certified Recovery Residences. If you want to understand what’s changing in Wakulla - or make your voice heard - this meeting is worth your attention.

Awards & Presentations

• Employee of the Fourth Quarter (Q4 2025)

• Employee of the Year (2025)
  Presented by HR Director Jennifer Hoffman.

• 2025 Year in Review
  County Administrator David Edwards and Assistant County Administrator Somer Pell will present operational updates from the past year.

Consent Agenda

(Usually approved in one vote unless a commissioner pulls an item.)

Item 4 - Public Hearings for Land Development Code Amendment

• Defines “Self Service Vending Business” (including freestanding ice machines).

• Allows as a conditional use in the C‑2 zoning district (requires Planning Commission approval).

• Public hearings expected Feb-Mar 2026.

• Advertising cost: ~$150.

Key General Business

Item 5 - $1.05M State Grant for New Aerial Fire Truck

• Grant: $1,050,000 (Florida Department of Financial Services, #FM1225).

• Total cost: ~$1.216M.

• County share: ~$166,299 from the Fire Department MSBU Capital Equipment Fund.

• Replaces a 28‑year‑old used truck.

• Asserts improved fire response for large commercial and multi‑story structures in the Rural Area of Opportunity.

• Includes a resolution and budget amendment to establish the grant fund.

Item 6 - Firefighter I Dual Enrollment Program (MOU with TSC)

• Partnership with Tallahassee State College.

• Provides foundational firefighter training for Wakulla High School students.

• Wakulla County Fire Rescue: equipment support + certification program of record.

• TSC: instructors, administration, gear, and program management.

• Term through June 30, 2027, with renewal options.

• Strengthens workforce development and local career pathways.

📐 Planning & Zoning Items

Item 7 - Rezoning Request (R25‑09)

• Location: ~1.94 acres at 25 & 33 Sabal Palm Drive (Hudson Heights Unit 1).

• From: R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• To: CC (Crawfordville Cottage Commercial)

• Supports small artisan shops, cafés, and specialty retail compatible with nearby homes.

• Two existing single‑family homes on site; minimal flood risk; near parks and community uses.

• Planning Commission: unanimous approval.

• No public objections to date. If you want to support or oppose, this is the moment to speak.

Email your commissioners:
rthomas@mywakulla.com
fnichols@mywakulla.com
vrussell@mywakulla.com
qmessersmith@mywakulla.com
jmlawhon@mywakulla.com

Email all at once:
https://www.mywakulla.com/meet_your_commissioners/contact_all_commissioners.php

Item 8 - Large‑Scale Comp Plan Amendment (CPM25‑04)

• Location: ~30.42 acres on Jack Crum Road.

• From: Agriculture

• To: Rural 1

• Would allow up to ~6 homes (vs. ~1-2 under current designation).

• Intended for single‑family residential development.

• State review complete; minor wildlife comments addressed (bear‑proof trash cans, site cleanliness).

• Discussion points:

  • Traffic impacts

  • Elementary school capacity (may tighten; monitored later)

  • Nitrogen/septic load in the Wakulla Springs BMAP

  • Long‑term need for future sewer connections

• Tuesday's vote will set the groundwork for approval of the comp plan amendment - this is crucial.

• You can read additional information below on this item.

• If you want to support or oppose, this is the moment to speak.

Email your commissioners:
rthomas@mywakulla.com (District 1)
fnichols@mywakulla.com (District 2)
vrussell@mywakulla.com (District 3)
qmessersmith@mywakulla.com (District 4)
jmlawhon@mywakulla.com (District 5)

Email all at once:
https://www.mywakulla.com/meet_your_commissioners/contact_all_commissioners.php

Item 9 - Certified Recovery Residences (SB 954 Compliance)

• In 2025, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 954, which requires local governments to update their Land Development Codes to accommodate Certified Recovery Residences (sober living homes). So, the county MUST do this to remain in compliance.

• Second public hearing (final vote on Feb 2, 2026).

• Updates Land Development Code to comply with 2025 Senate Bill 954.

• Adds definitions and allows Certified Recovery Residences as a principal use in:

  • C‑2

  • C‑4

  • TC

  • HIC

• Establishes a reasonable accommodation process when regulations create barriers.

• Planning Commission: unanimous approval.

• Required by state law (deadline: Jan 1, 2026).

• Publishing cost: ~$175.

Additional Information: Jack Crum Road Density Increase

NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP

A proposal is moving forward to reclassify 30+ acres north of Jack Crum Road (Lot 3, Gray’s Estate Subdivision, ~0.85 miles east of US 98) from Agriculture to Rural 1.
This shift would allow up to ~6 single‑family homes instead of the 1 - 2 permitted today - a four-fold density increase in a highly sensitive area.

Why Act NOW — Key Facts

• This is the early intervention point.
  Comprehensive Plan map amendments set the maximum density before rezoning, platting, or permits. Denying it now keeps the land at low‑density Agriculture - the strongest tool citizens have to prevent incompatible development.

• Growth is not needed here.
  A 2017 county analysis (Kimley‑Horn) shows Wakulla’s existing density is sufficient through 2035. This request reflects market preference, not community need - and it comes at the expense of water quality and rural preservation.

• Surrounding neighbors lose out.
  Nearly all adjacent properties remain Agriculture (north, east, west, and south across Jack Crum Road). People bought here for rural character and privacy. Approving this amendment sets a precedent for scattered, leap - frog development.

• Low notification numbers prove the area’s rural nature.
  Only ~16 notices were mailed within 1,000 feet - including the School Board and the applicant - meaning just ~14 actual nearby property owners. That’s how sparsely populated this area is. It is not suited for intensified residential use.

• Other impacts remain unresolved.
  Elementary school capacity is already tight. Wildlife conflicts (including black bears) remain a concern. Traffic impacts will require future study. No compelling justification outweighs the environmental and community risks.

• Staff is signaling caution.
  The County Administrator and Planning staff recommend Option #3 (Board Direction) - not outright adoption - indicating hesitation and the need for further scrutiny.

• Stopping it now prevents future escalation.
  Rural 1 caps density at 1 unit per 5 acres, but once the map is changed, rezoning and platting at that level become much easier - and future amendments could push even higher. The Comprehensive Plan stage is the strongest point of resistance.

• Protect Wakulla Springs.
  The site lies within the Wakulla Springs BMAP Primary Focus Area (PFA2). Septic tanks contribute roughly 34% of nitrogen pollution to groundwater. With no central sewer planned, approving this amendment guarantees additional long‑term nutrient loading.

Make Your Voice Heard

Email all five commissioners before the meeting:

rthomas@mywakulla.com
fnichols@mywakulla.com
vrussell@mywakulla.com
qmessersmith@mywakulla.com
jmlawhon@mywakulla.com

Email all at once:
https://www.mywakulla.com/meet_your_commissioners/contact_all_commissioners.php

Stay sharp — you CAN stop the domino effect now.