Walton County budget workshop reviews $500,000 event grant, reserve policy and staff pay

Walton County staff and council members discussed possible increases to event grant funding, the use of county reserves and measures to improve recruitment and pay during a budget workshop.

Matt Algarand, a Walton County staff member, opened the workshop and invited council questions on the proposed budget. Kelly Carter, a county staff member, told the council the event grant line is budgeted at $500,000 for the current year and said that historically the county had funded event grants at higher levels, "between $700,000 and $750,000," adding that those amounts could also cover community event sponsorship if the council chose to keep them in one fund or split them into two pots.

The conversation focused on whether the county should restore the event grant program to its earlier funding levels now that revenues are improving, or wait for the county's strategic plan to be finalized before committing additional reserves. "If the money is there it should be expensed and used for the purpose that it was collected," one council member said, urging use of funds for events rather than continuing to hold them unused. Staff cautioned that any planned spending from reserves would require a defined scope of work and a formal request to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for approval.

On reserves, Algarand said the county currently holds roughly $17.6 million in reserve funds and asked whether the council wanted staff to propose allocating a percentage of that into the 2026–27 budget or to wait until the strategic plan provides clearer priorities. Several members said they preferred waiting for the strategic plan before committing additional reserve dollars.

Council members also pressed staff on personnel concerns. Josh Shervin, the county director, said the department is struggling to recruit and has recently received "zero applicants" for some open positions. He described a previously used $2-per-hour location pay for non-exempt employees and said staff are considering reinstating that adjustment and targeting a starting wage "just north of $20" per hour to be more competitive.

The workshop ended with staff agreeing to bring more granular numbers on event grants and reserve-allocation options to a subsequent special session on events, and to coordinate with human resources on pay and recruitment strategies. No formal motions or votes were taken during the session.

The council will revisit event-grant funding levels and any proposed reserve expenditures after staff prepares specific financial options and the county advances its strategic plan.