Walton commissioners commit $600,000 in North Walton TDT funds toward tractor collection for proposed museum, with conditions

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to allocate $600,000 from North Walton tourist development tax (TDT) reserves to support the purchase of tractors for a proposed Walton County tractor museum and agritourism center, but the board conditioned the allocation on a funding agreement spelling out ownership, reverter language and performance requirements.

Kim Falconer, who led the presentation, said the project aims to jump‑start tourism and provide education and workforce development tied to local agriculture. "This is not just about a tractor museum," Falconer said, describing plans to link the site with FFA programming, farm partners and agritourism operators to create a North Walton anchor that draws visitors inland from the beach.

Commissioners and county attorneys debated whether using TDT (bed‑tax) reserves to buy tractors is consistent with Florida statute limiting TDT expenditures to tourism promotion and qualifying public museums. County Attorney Clay Atkinson said the statute allows acquisition and construction related to museums open to the public if the museum is owned or operated by a not‑for‑profit and the funding agreement contains protections. He recommended staff return with a written funding agreement and budget amendment before any funds are released.

Commissioner Gladwell moved to allocate $600,000 toward tractor purchases and to keep county ownership of the tractors; he amended the motion to direct staff to draft a funding agreement and budget amendment that would include reverter and performance clauses. Commissioner Anderson seconded; the motion passed 5‑0.

Supporters said the $600,000 commitment would be the seed to attract private sponsors and additional fundraising for a larger $1.5 million collection and associated facilities. FFA representatives said the FFA would operate programming but that the museum entity would be a not‑for‑profit open to the public. Several residents urged county ownership or strong protections to prevent sale or diversion of assets; others warned that the funding was drawn from marketing reserves previously earmarked for promotion.

County staff said the allocation is an administrative step that does not move money until a funding agreement and formal budget amendment are approved; those documents must be signed before funds can be disbursed. Staff will return with the written funding agreement that specifies conditions for release and reversion of assets if the museum is not developed or fails to comply with public‑use requirements.

Next steps: staff will prepare a funding agreement and budget amendment for the board to review at a future meeting; public comment and legal compliance language will be incorporated into those documents before any transfer of funds.