Finance staff told the commission that outstanding debt rose to about $36.4 million in FY24‑25 largely because the county tapped a $100 million temporary construction loan to cash‑flow grant-funded projects; commissioners approved the annual report and debt report unanimously.

A resident told the commission that law‑enforcement camera systems (citing 'Flock') collect detailed personal data and may have been installed without board approval; commissioners said county legal staff are researching whether a local ordinance or other measures are possible.

County staff presented a $250,000,149 preliminary FY26-27 budget — roughly 1.5% below the prior year — highlighted changes including a reduced millage and several constitutional-officer adjustments; the board will consider the tentative budget at the first public hearing.

CAS Governmental Services consultant Jim Spratt told the board Wakulla’s 2026 appropriation requests — including requests of $2.3M, $2.1M, $500K and $7.75M for several public works and sewer projects — were not funded; he urged the county to prepare for continued state‑level debates over property tax and growth management.

Commissioners approved submission of a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan application for $13 million (100% interest forgiveness) to build central sewer for Lake Ellen neighborhoods and authorized an initial planning contract with Dewberry Engineers for $62,125; the total project is estimated at $15.6 million.

After debate, commissioners voted to keep the solid‑waste assessment at $214 per dwelling but approved preliminary fire protection assessment rates (residential $277 per dwelling) to help the fire fund contribute an expected $412,000 transfer to the general fund; public hearings are scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026.

The board approved placing a school millage referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, held the solid‑waste rate flat at $214, approved preliminary fire assessment rates, authorized a $13M SRF loan application and a $62,125 planning contract, and completed consent actions (items 14–15); most votes were unanimous.

The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to place a referendum before voters on Nov. 3, 2026 asking whether the school board may levy an additional 1 mill for operations; the superintendent outlined targeted uses including teacher and bus driver pay and keeping student meals free.

In a second budget workshop, commissioners examined the $249.7 million preliminary 2026–27 budget, weighed options to cut the millage and keep fees flat, and gave staff direction to report a proposed millage of 7.7 mills while holding the solid-waste assessment steady; the fire-fee adoption was left for the meeting proper.

At a budget workshop, Wakulla County commissioners agreed to target the rolled-back millage rate for the preliminary FY 26-27 budget and to include nonprofit funding requests in that preliminary budget while holding off on executing agreements until after the Nov. 3 vote on a property-tax amendment.

After hours of public comment warning that data centers could strain Wakulla’s vulnerable karst aquifer and harm fisheries, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit permitting, construction and operation of hyperscale data centers in the county. County counsel warned a permanent ban could face legal risk under state law; staff said drafting and hearings could take two to three months.

After residents urged more transparency and raised concerns about wetlands, sinkholes and wildlife, the county commission pulled consent item 4 for discussion, heard assurances from the fire chief and emergency management, and approved a temporary lease for FDOT staging use.

The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an economic development incentive agreement, lease terms and related financing to support Point Blank Enterprises’ Project Safety, which officials say will bring about 300 jobs, rely heavily on Triumph Gulf Coast and other grants, and include contractual protections against grant clawbacks.

The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda, consent agenda and multiple resolutions and ordinances, including withdrawal of a hazard‑mitigation grant for Lift Station 6 and applications for State Revolving Fund loans for Newport and Lake Ellen projects.

At a Dec. workshop, county staff and outside advisors warned that proposed state constitutional amendments to reduce or exempt homestead property taxes could remove roughly $9.4 million from Wakulla County’s general revenue and force cuts to discretionary services or changes to mandated-service delivery; no decisions were made.

A requested large‑scale comprehensive plan map amendment to change ~30 acres near Jack Crum Road from Agriculture (1 per 20 acres) to Rural 1 (1 per 5 acres) was transmitted to the state after a public hearing; residents raised traffic, environmental and landfill plume concerns and one commissioner voted no.

The Wakulla County Board accepted the 2025 adopted infrastructure plan and removed references to a proposed Forest Service land swap; residents urged moving recreation facilities away from SR 319 and questioned traffic, burnability of the Ivan Tract, and public notice of earlier proposals.

County staff announced completion of a six-site simulcast emergency radio system that replaces an older single-site setup, adds encryption for law-enforcement/HIPAA needs, and restores mutual-aid links with neighboring agencies; officials said the project came in on budget and the maintenance contract runs into the 2030s.

The county attorney summarized multiple House proposals to curb or eliminate non-school homestead property taxes and other reforms; commissioners asked staff to prepare two scenario analyses (elimination of all property taxes and elimination of homestead taxes only) and suggested a public workshop to review impacts.

Pro's Consulting presented a parks and recreation programming and operations plan recommending more fields, roughly six additional FTEs, updated operating procedures and increased per‑capita operating funding; the board accepted the plan 5-0.

Commissioners approved a project design-criteria professional funding agreement tied to an economic development incentive for Point Blank Enterprises; the chairman recused himself and the agreement passed 4-0 with a recusal noted.

County staff reviewed accomplishments and proposed projects in the draft 2025 Adopted Infrastructure Plan, saying grants funded the vast majority of recent work. The public comment period for the draft closes Oct. 17; staff will return to the board with a final plan on Nov. 17.

The Wakulla County Board adopted a comprehensive plan map amendment changing nearly 50 acres on Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Road from agricultural to suburban transitioning, a 4-1 vote that drew multiple public speakers who warned of traffic, school capacity and environmental impacts.

Board discusses changes to $199M preliminary budget and interfund transfer impacts.