Wakulla County Commission Meeting: November 3, 2025

Everything’s on the Consent Agenda — Here’s What’s Quietly Moving Forward

This week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting is a consent-only affair. That means all items will be voted on in one motion unless pulled for individual discussion. While these items are considered routine, they still shape how our county functions — from pet adoption grants to fuel contracts, code enforcement, and long-term infrastructure.

Let’s break it down:

Items 1–3: 🧾 Routine Approvals

• ✅ Minutes from:

• October 14 Infrastructure Plan Workshop

• October 20 Regular Board Meeting

• 💳 Bills and vouchers from October 16–29

These keep the public record accurate (mostly) and the county’s financials transparent (mostly).

Item 4: 🐶 Pet Adoption Grant Application

The County is seeking funds from Walmart’s Spark Good Local Grant to host a pet adoption event. If approved, the County Administrator will be authorized to submit the application and sign off.

🦴 Why it matters: This grant could help boost local adoption rates and support animal welfare efforts — a win for our furry neighbors.

Item 5: 🗑️ Solid Waste Management Grant — $93,750

Wakulla County is set to receive nearly $94K from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to support solid waste efforts. The grant covers:

• 🧪 Landfill monitoring ($28,020)

• ☣️ Hazardous waste collection event ($5,000)

• 🛠️ Equipment, disposal, and permitting support ($39,730)

• 🚮 Litter collection and disposal ($21,000)

No matching funds are required, but the County will amend its budget to accept and spend the grant. A new fund (440-DEP-2026) will track all related transactions.

📌 Note: The agreement includes a clause allowing FDEP to terminate the grant with 30 days’ notice — a reminder of the importance of timely invoicing and compliance.

Item 6: ⚡ Utility Easement for Sopchoppy Tower

Duke Energy will receive a 10-foot-wide easement on County-owned land in Sopchoppy to install and maintain electric lines for the communications tower. The easement is perpetual and nonexclusive.

🧭 Parcel ID: 12-5s-03w-040-00953-000

💰 Budget impact: None

Item 7: ⛽ Fuel Services Contract Award

Petroleum Traders Corporation will be awarded the contract for Wakulla County’s fleet and equipment fuel services. The contract runs for three years with no renewal periods.

🛢️ Fuel types: 89 octane mid-grade gasoline & ultra-low sulphur diesel

📊 Bid analysis: Petroleum Traders offered the lowest markup based on average order quantities

💸 FY 2024–25 fuel expense: $793,801.30

🔧 Departments are billed at cost + $0.06/gallon for maintenance and insurance

Item 8: ⚖️ Code Compliance Special Magistrate Selection

The County will enter negotiations with Hartman Law Firm to provide Special Magistrate services for code enforcement. This role ensures fair hearings and enforcement of civil citations related to:

• 🐕 Animal control and dangerous dogs

• 🏗️ Building and zoning violations

• 🏡 General code compliance

The Special Magistrate will:

• Decide cases based on evidence and issue final orders

• Uphold due process, public records, and sunshine laws

• Prepare written findings and maintain professional administration

• Submit monthly invoices for services rendered

🗳️ Selection Committee Score: Hartman Law Firm — 155 points

💰 Budget impact: TBD after contract negotiations

Item 9: 🏘️ Permanent Utilities Easement — The Park Subdivision

The County will accept a permanent utilities easement from The Park Subdivision HOA to support a future septic-to-sewer conversion project. Design is expected to begin in 2026, with construction tentatively slated for 2029.

🔧 Easement includes perpetual access for construction, maintenance, and vegetation clearing

💰 Budget impact: None — funded by FDEP Springs Protection Funds

Item 10: 🧭 Planning Commission Appointments

Two new members have been appointed to the Planning Commission to serve through December 31, 2026:

• 🧑‍💼 Katie Taff — Member-at-Large, nominated by the Planning Director

• 🧑‍💼 Cherrie Smith Barbree — District 4 appointee, selected by the Commissioner

Their terms begin November 3, 2025. Expect future updates as they begin contributing to land use and development decisions across Wakulla County.

Stay Sharp, Wakulla!