Walton County approves $69,500 assessment to repurpose historic jail for county offices and records

Walton County commissioners voted to hire Precision Planning to prepare technical drawings and a site assessment to convert the county's vacant historic jail and adjacent buildings into office space and climate‑controlled storage.

County Manager Don Europe told the board the county is “busting at the seams” in several departments — elections, human resources and others — and that reusing the existing jail complex would be cheaper than new construction. He said the initial bid from Precision Planning for soil testing and a full scope assessment is $69,500 and stressed the county will return to the board for any large expenditures once planning is complete. “If this board so chooses to…we will bid the work out that we cannot do in‑house,” Europe said.

Commission discussion emphasized the need to prepare technical drawings so bids will be “apples to apples,” and staff noted the historic jail already has features helpful to reuse, such as sprinklers and a good roof, though interior renovations will be needed. The motion to enter into the agreement with Precision Planning passed on a motion and second; the board recorded the vote in favor as unanimous.

The county also discussed marketing two other vacant county properties through a development authority so the buildings can be sold and returned to the tax digest. Commissioners said repurposing or selling the properties would reduce insurance costs and put the parcels back on local tax rolls.

Next steps: Precision Planning will meet with departments, perform required site testing and prepare drawings to support future bidding. Any contract awards for construction or large expenditures will require separate board approval.