Wakulla County commissioners approve routine agenda, several loan and ordinance actions

Wakulla County commissioners unanimously approved a routine agenda and a series of motions covering grant withdrawal, loan applications and two ordinance amendments during their most recent meeting.

The board approved a staff recommendation to send a letter to the Florida Division of Emergency Management to withdraw agreement H1028 for Lift Station 6 mitigation after construction bids exceeded the awarded amount. Staff said awarding a contractor without funds would violate the county procurement ordinance, prompting the recommendation to withdraw the application.

Commissioners also authorized submission of State Revolving Fund loan applications for improvements to the Newport drinking‑water system and for the Lake Ellen septic‑to‑sewer project. Staff noted the Newport application would establish pledged revenues and designate the county administrator as the authorized representative. For Lake Ellen, staff said the overall project estimate is about $15,000,000 while program funds total approximately $13,000,000; the board was told the county may need to secure about $2,000,000 in additional funding or a loan if other sources cannot be found.

In public hearings, the board adopted an ordinance to amend section 2.305 of the Wakulla County code to allow certain economic‑development real‑property dispositions to proceed without the standard surplus procedures, and amended section 23.0060.5a to permit special‑event alcohol permits at the historic courthouse. Staff repeatedly clarified that the real‑property ordinance does not forgive ad valorem taxes.

All motions on the record were made, seconded and approved by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

Next steps: staff will transmit the grant‑withdrawal letter, submit the loan application packets and continue work on funding options for the Lake Ellen project.