Freeport: 1/13/2026 Freeport City Council Meeting
Summary. The Freeport City Council met on January 13, 2026, beginning with employee recognition awards including Employee of the Month (Charity Fortune), Supervisor of the Quarter (Morgan Hulan), Employee of the Year (Gene Martin), and Supervisor of the Year (Larry Tucker). The council addressed several significant infrastructure and development matters, including approval of engineering proposals for LaGrange Road Sewer Extension using ARPA funding, and ongoing work on the Marquis Way West project including property acquisition challenges that may require condemnation proceedings. The council conducted second readings and adoptions of important ordinances including Senate Bill 180 Land Development Code revisions addressing subdivision procedures, accessory dwelling units, and certified recovery residences. They also adopted a new code enforcement ordinance establishing a magistrate system instead of a code enforcement board. Additionally, the council approved zoning changes for a Fidelity Trust property from residential to commercial use and addressed community center usage policies, deciding to limit free usage to government agencies only while grandfathering existing reservations.
Agenda Items
1. Employee Recognition Awards
Presentation of annual and periodic employee awards
- Employee of the Month: Charity Fortune
- Supervisor of the Quarter: Morgan Hulan
- Employee of the Year 2025: Gene Martin
- Supervisor of the Year 2025: Larry Tucker (Water Department)
3. Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Report
Brief mention of fiscal year closing report
- Fiscal year 2025 closing
4. Budget Amendment - LaGrange Road Sewer Extension
Approval of engineering proposal for sewer extension design using ARPA funding
- County approved additional ARPA funding in December
- Engineering proposal covers design of LaGrange Road sewer area
- Will design pipe and sewer extensions for city construction
- May need additional costs for easement preparation
Not specified. PFM and Riper Services Agreement
Approval of on-call services agreement and budget amendment
- Reengaging with PFM and Riper
- Three components: resolution, single source agreement, budget amendment
- Rates consistent with past agreements
Not specified. Pathway Investments Legal Matter
City Attorney recommendation for settlement of developer dispute
- Ongoing dispute over repayment under developer's agreement
- Motion to dismiss scheduled for February 18
- No development activity for over 12 months
- Recommendation to settle by returning fees with stipulations
- Would require payment of current capacity fees if development resumes
Not specified. Westwood Ranch Sports Complex Request
Annual request for use of sports complex with fee waiver
- Seventh year of hosting professional sanctioned rodeo
- Serves young people with developmental disabilities
- Family-friendly community event
13. Bonnie Brandon Drive Developer's Agreement
Approval of agreement with Cruz Holdings for road construction
- Cruz Holdings to provide construction estimate for road through parcel
- City would create ledger account for 50% of costs
- Credits can be used for city fees
- City gets new road to specifications at half cost
14. Marquis Way West Maintenance Resolution
City acceptance of maintenance responsibility for roadway section
- Negotiated with Publix attorneys
- Current access points to shopping center maintained
- Allows project to move forward with permitting
- Property acquisition challenges for other parcels discussed
Not specified. Senate Bill 180 Land Development Code Revision
Second reading and adoption of code revisions
- Updates for legislative changes effective July 1
- Planning subdivision procedures
- Elimination of recreation board
- Accessory dwelling units provisions
- Certified recovery residences standards
- Water meter location clarifications
Not specified. Code Enforcement Ordinance
Second reading and adoption of new code enforcement process
- Creates magistrate system instead of code enforcement board
- Provides process for handling code violations
- Will become appendix to land development code
Not specified. Community Center Change Orders
Approval of final change orders for community center project
- Final paperwork cleanup for project
- Adjustments for technology and lighting fixtures
- ADA accessibility improvements
- Two change orders totaling approximately $60,000
Not specified. Fidelity Trust Zoning Changes
Second reading of future land use and zoning amendments
- Property on Old Jolly Bay
- Future land use change from low density residential to mixed use
- Zoning change from residential to general commercial
- Approximately 2.66 acres
Not specified. Equipment Purchases
Various equipment purchase approvals
- Lava rack for $2,200
- Candle shell for $5,573
- CDL training costs discussion
- Map scanner for $11,328
- Dump truck for $120,000
- GPR locator for $21,137
Not specified. Community Center Usage Policy
Amendment to community center fee waiver policy
- Limit free usage to government agencies only
- Grandfather existing reservations
- Future bookings require standard fees
- Concern about facility maintenance and wear
Motions & Votes
Motion to approve LaGrange Road Sewer Extension engineering proposal amendment
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve resolution for on-call services, single source agreement, and budget amendment with PFM and Riper
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to authorize city attorney and city manager to present proposed stipulated settlement in Pathway Investments case
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve Westwood Ranch sports complex usage with fee waiver
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve developer's agreement for Bonnie Brandon Drive with Cruz Holdings
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion for second reading and adoption of Senate Bill 180 Land Development Code Revision ordinance
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion for second reading and adoption of code enforcement ordinance
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve community center change order in the amount of $39,373.80
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve community center change order number 24 for $21,153.85
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve Fidelity Trust future land use change from low density residential to mixed use
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to approve Fidelity Trust zoning change from residential to general commercial
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Motion to amend community center fee waiver policy to limit free usage to government agencies only and grandfather existing reservations
Moved by Not clearly identified, seconded by Not clearly identified
Passed
Action Items
Prepare stipulated settlement and final judgment for Pathway Investments case
Assigned to City Attorney and City Manager
Continue property acquisition process for Marquis Way West project
Assigned to City Attorney · Due First meeting in April or last meeting in March
Bring correct paperwork for CDL training costs
Assigned to City Manager · Due Next meeting
Monitor community center usage for policy review
Assigned to City Staff · Due One year from meeting date
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The Freeport City Council met on January 13, 2026, beginning with employee recognition awards including Employee of the Month (Charity Fortune), Supervisor of the Quarter (Morgan Hulan), Employee of the Year (Gene Martin), and Supervisor of the Year (Larry Tucker). The council addressed several significant infrastructure and development matters, including approval of engineering proposals for LaGrange Road Sewer Extension using ARPA funding, and ongoing work on the Marquis Way West project including property acquisition challenges that may require condemnation proceedings. The council conducted second readings and adoptions of important ordinances including Senate Bill 180 Land Development Code revisions addressing subdivision procedures, accessory dwelling units, and certified recovery residences. They also adopted a new code enforcement ordinance establishing a magistrate system instead of a code enforcement board. Additionally, the council approved zoning changes for a Fidelity Trust property from residential to commercial use and addressed community center usage policies, deciding to limit free usage to government agencies only while grandfathering existing reservations.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 14 agenda items: Employee Recognition Awards; Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Report; Budget Amendment - LaGrange Road Sewer Extension; PFM and Riper Services Agreement; Pathway Investments Legal Matter; Westwood Ranch Sports Complex Request; Bonnie Brandon Drive Developer's Agreement; Marquis Way West Maintenance Resolution; Senate Bill 180 Land Development Code Revision; Code Enforcement Ordinance; Community Center Change Orders; Fidelity Trust Zoning Changes; Equipment Purchases; Community Center Usage Policy.
How many motions were voted on?
12 motions were voted on during this meeting. See the Motions & Votes section above for each motion and its result.
What action items came out of this meeting?
4 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
5 members were recorded as present: Mayor, City Manager, City Attorney, Planning Official, Wendy Wood.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Freeport in?
Freeport is located in Walton County, Florida. Browse other Walton County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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