News Flash

March 17 BCC/TDC Joint Workshop Cancelled, Set for May 5

The BCC/TDC public workshop originally planned for March 17 has been cancelled. The next joint BCC/TDC workshop will take place as originally scheduled on Tuesday, May 5 at 1 p.m. in the South Walton Annex Boardroom,  31 Coastal Centre Blvd. in Santa Rosa Beach.

This board meeting is open to the public and also streamed on the Walton County BCC YouTube channel. For more information about TDC meetings, please contact Dana McDowell, administrative support specialist, at (850) 267-1216 or Dana@WCFLTourism.com.

Walton County Progress on Projects

Walton County – 03/09/26 – Walton County Public Works is pleased to share the latest updates on its ongoing infrastructure projects. The dedicated in-house crews have been busy improving the infrastructure throughout the county. Here are the latest highlights from these efforts.

ORANGE BLOSSOM AVENUE (EAST AND WEST) DIRT TO PAVE

Project Improvements:

• Paving 0.26 miles extending from Brookside Drive to the end of maintenance

• Pavement striping

Current Status:

• Construction (stabilizing road base)

• Sod installation completed

Traffic Impacts:

Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

POINSETTA AVENUE (EAST AND WEST) DIRT TO PAVE

Project Improvements:

• Paving 0.32 miles extending from Walden Road to the end of maintenance

• Pavement striping

Current Status:

• Construction (stabilizing road base)

Traffic Impacts:

Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

13th STREET DIRT-TO-PAVE AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS

Project Improvements:

• Paving 0.64 miles extending from Churchill Bayou Road to the end of maintenance

• Pavement Striping

Current Status:

• Under Construction (stabilization)

• Drainage Improvements

Traffic Impacts: Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS ALONG NORTH SIDE OF CR 30A

Project Improvements:

• Asphalt apron installations along the 30A corridor. Work will take place at the following locations:

• Thyme Street: 150 feet

• Hickory Street: 125 feet

• Azalea Street: 100 feet

• Camellia Street: 100 feet

• Gardenia Street: 250 feet

• Montigo Avenue: 200 feet

• Live Oak, Nightcap, Holly, and N. Dothan Avenue: Apron work within the CR 30A right of way only.

Current Status:

• Under Construction

These improvements are part of ongoing efforts to enhance roadway safety, improve drainage, and support long-term infrastructure maintenance along the 30A corridor.

Traffic Impacts:

Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

CR 30A MULTI-USE PATH RECONSTRUCTION FROM CR 395 TO SOMERSET BRIDGE (SEAGROVE)

Project Improvements:

• Installation of a new shared use path, drainage and shoulder improvements

Current Status:

• Under Construction (CR 395 to S. Andalusia completed)

Please be advised that work will remain within established right-of-way limits.

Traffic Impacts:

During construction, you may observe workers, equipment, temporary traffic controls, and general activity typical of roadway and multi-use path construction.

W PARK PLACE OVERLAY

Project Improvements:

• The overlay operation will commence on W. Park Place extending from S Walton Lakeshore Drive and will proceed for approximately .43 miles, terminating at the end of maintenance.

Current Status:

• Overlay Completed

• Pavement striping

Traffic Impacts: Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

CASA GRANDE LANE OVERLAY

Project Improvements:

• The overlay operation will commence on Casa Grande Lane extending from the intersection of Las Roblas Grande Drive and will proceed for approximately .27 miles, terminating at the end of maintenance.

Current Status:

• Overlay

• Pavement striping

Traffic Impacts: Intermittent shoulder and lane closures are anticipated throughout the duration of the project.

ADDITIONAL PROJECTS

• New Agriculture Center (west off Hwy 90): Installation of mulch

• Eagle Springs Golf Course Entrance: Installation of new pipes and road base for the road to the maintenance center. Mitered ends have been poured.

• S. Dothan Avenue: Installation of a new Exfiltration System

• Rock Hill Road-Re-striping

• Oyster Lake Bridge on CR30A-Installation of backer rod in bridge before the small overlay project begins

• Old Dairy Road-Replacement of beam in wooden bridge

• Seacrest Circle-Repair sections of existing sidewalk

Walton - Okaloosa Construction Traffic Advisory

Walton County – 03/06/26 – Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Walton County:

• Western Lake Bridge Replacement – Drivers may encounter temporary County Road 30A traffic stoppages near Western Lake Bridge, Sunday, March 8 through Saturday, March 14, from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction activities.

Delays are expected to last less than 15 minutes and intermittent flagging will be in place to guide vehicles and pedestrians through the work zone.

• U.S.331 Turn Lane Operation South of Madison Street - Motorists may encounter intermittent northbound outside lane closures Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 19 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane closure operations.

Okaloosa County:

• Brooks Bridge Replacement Project – Drivers will experience a temporary traffic shift on U.S. 98 over Brooks Bridge the week of Sunday, March 8 between 9 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Both travel lanes will shift to the eastbound side of U.S. 98, from just west of Perry Avenue in Fort Walton Beach to Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island, to allow crews to work on the new bridge deck and is expected to occur for one night only. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for construction activities at the following locations:

Santa Rosa Boulevard from U.S. 98 to Ross Marler Park. Signage and traffic flaggers will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.

U.S. 98 from Ferry Road to Pier Road.

• State Road (S.R.) 85 Resurfacing Project from U.S. 98 to Richbourg Avenue - Drivers will encounter alternating S.R. 85 lane closures, from U.S. 98 to Richbourg Avenue, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for manhole and valve adjustments.

• U.S. 98 and S.R. 293 Resurfacing Project - Drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures on U.S. 98 from Paraiso Boulevard to Regions Way, and S.R. 293 (Danny Wuerffel Way) from U.S. 98 to the Mid-Bay Bridge, Sunday, March 8 through Thursday, March 12, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. for sidewalk repairs.

• U.S. 98 Resurfacing from Santa Rosa County Line to west of Josie Road – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:

Shoulder closures are to be expected throughout the project limits U.S. 98 on Monday, March 9, through Friday, March 13, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for utility relocation and median improvements.

Lane and shoulder closures are to be expected on Sunday, March 8, through Thursday, March 12, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for median improvements.

• Interstate 10 (I-10) eastbound Rest Area and Truck Parking Improvement Project – The I-10 eastbound rest area at mile marker 59 will be closed Sunday, March 8 and Monday, March 9, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.

For more information, contact Kohen Johns Brannon at (888) 638-0250, ext. 1661 or kohen.johnsbrannon@dot.state.fl.us

Public Notice: 

Due to no items on the agenda, the March 12th, 2026 Planning Commission has been canceled. 

PUBLIC NOTICE

 Please be advised that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners will hold a Public Workshop on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Walton County Board of County Commissioners Board Room, located at 571 US Highway 90, DeFuniak Springs, FL.

 The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the budgetary impacts of potential legislation related to ad valorem taxes.

 Walton County adheres to the American with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable modifications for access to the meetings upon request.  Please call (850) 892-8110 to make a request.  For hearing impaired, please call 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), 1-800-955-8770 (VOICE).  Requests must be received at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to allow time to provide the requested services.

 Melissa Thomason, CFO 

Office of Management and Budget

DOMES

District One Medical Examiner Support, Inc

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

March 11, 2026

1:00 PM

Location:

Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners

302 N. Wilson St,

Crestview, FL 32536

This is not an official meeting of any Board of County Commissioners, but

multiple members of the following Commissions may attend:

Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton

Walton County to Host Seminar on Short-Term Vacation Rental Regulations

Walton County – 02/27/26 – Walton County will be hosting an upcoming Short-Term Vacation Rental Seminar. This free educational event is designed for property owners, managers, and community members interested in learning about the County's Vacation Rental Registration Program, including registration requirements, compliance standards, and related regulations.

The seminar will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the South Walton Courthouse Annex BCC Board Room, located at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459.

Presentations from multiple County departments will cover essential topics such as:

•

Annual registration and renewal processes

•

Fire Life Safety Inspection Process by SWFD

•

Tourist Development Tax (TDT) obligations and more

Important Note: This is not a meeting of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. Two or more Commissioners may attend as members of the public only. In compliance with Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law (Chapter 286, Florida Statutes), no discussions or deliberations on official County business will take place among attending Commissioners.

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Attendees can hear directly from County staff, ask questions, and get practical guidance on staying compliant with the Vacation Rental Registration Program.

All short-term vacation rentals in Walton County (properties rented for less than 30 consecutive days more than three times per year), not a declared condominium, must maintain current annual registration.

For more details on the seminar or the Vacation Rental Registration Program, visit https://seminar.mywcfl.rentals or contact the Walton County Department of Planning & Development Services, Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration Program at stvr@mywaltonfl.gov or (850) 924-7887 (option 2).

Walton County Public Works Director Buddy Wright talks about some of the important projects his department has completed recently.

Click Here to View Video on YouTube

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – Feb. 23 – Walton County Tourism is expanding its free Beach Tram service on Sunday, March 1, connecting municipal parking facilities to regional beach accesses in an effort to ease parking demand and improve beach access. 

Route details are available at WaltonTransportation.com, which will act as an informational hub for the transportation program. 

"This program has been years in the making," said Tabatha Bolen, transportation manager for WCT. "The entire team has put so much work into making it what it has become. It is exciting to be part of a program that provides a needed service that truly benefits our guests, both visitors and the local community."

The 393 Municipal Parking Facility (MPF), at 1668 S County Hwy 393, and the Grayton Beach Municipal Parking Facility, at 1505 County S County Hwy 283, are the first two lots that will be on the transportation program.

At 393 MPF, service will run daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The A-to-B Route will run directly from 393 MPF to Ed Walline Regional Beach Access, departing every 10 minutes. The West Route will include stops at Dune Allen RBA and Fort Panic RBA, departing every 15 minutes.

At Grayton Beach MPF, also known as Grayton Central, the A-to-B Route currently operates from 6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily, with direct service to the corner of Hotz Avenue and Garfield Street every 10 minutes.

Beginning March 1, Grayton Central will add a West Route running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with stops at Blue Mountain RBA, Gulfview Heights RBA and 393 MPF. This route will depart every 15 minutes.

A third location, Driftwood Road MPF, will be added to the transportation program after construction is completed. Planned service includes a direct route to Miramar RBA and additional stops along Scenic Gulf Drive. Final route details are pending.

For more information, please contact Beach Operations at (850) 267-4578.

Citizens Academy – Walton County Government 

Great news, Walton County residents!

Registration is now OPEN for our Citizens Academy!

Click Here to Apply!

Program Details:

• Monthly sessions – one Friday per month (four months total)
• Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Upcoming Class Dates:
  • April 24th - DeFuniak Springs Boardroom
  • May 29th - South Walton Annex Boardroom
  • June 26th - DeFuniak Springs Boardroom
  • July 24th - South Walton Annex Boardroom

Each class will spotlight different offices and functions that make Walton County government run smoothly — from Administration, to Public Works, Parks, Finance, and more!

Spots are limited — we’re now accepting applications through March 26th.

Don’t miss this chance to become more informed and engaged with your local government!