Commission moves forward on noise/nuisance ordinance

SANTA ROSA BEACH — Commissioners approved four recommendations concerning the public nuisance ordinance at Tuesday's regular Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Area residents met Feb. 9 to discuss the public nuisance ordinance with over 100 people in attendance, according to CEO and President Dawn Moliterno with the Walton County Chamber of Commerce.

“You have some work ahead of you,” Moliterno told the board Tuesday night. “We have been working through it and are ready to give it off to you.”

For the last four weeks, community members have met weekly discussing the ordinance. Moliterno told the board that no issue had everyone’s approval, but that through working together four recommendations were decided to go before the board.

First, the board separated the nuisance ordinance from the rest of the recommendations presented.

Second, the commission chose to make the ordinance more focused on short-term rentals rather than all residential units.

The third and fourth recommendations were for an educational programs and a mass-notification of the ordinance to all area residents. Commissioners also voted to evaluate a process for business and special occasion events.

In other business:

Commissioners approved a recommendation to surplus one truck for Walton County Animal Control.

Commissioners approved an animal adoption fee resolution making adoption costs at $55.

Commissioners agreed on approving an interlocal agreement between Walton County and the City of Freeport as well as the School Board and the city of DeFuniak Springs for future projects and to provide mutual assistance in the future.

The Hotz Avenue congestion issue was discussed and commissioners said work will take place as soon as weather allows. Public works will one-way the street as well as provide new signage and parking barriers.

A Garfield Street addition for an observation deck and boardwalk was awarded to Floridian Construction of Walton County for $58,000.

Commissioners adopted a Resolution designating March 26-27 as Scenic Highway 30A Days in Walton County.