Commissioner's Meeting Oct 27th Update

It was a very long meeting and our Beach Driving Discussion was the very last item on the Agenda. A new three page document was passed out by Mr. Burke, the County's Attorney with some suggested changes. It was broken down into three sections that I have included below. He also commented that both he and the Commissioners had received many emails, letters and calls from concerned citizens. There was no final decision made at this meeting and the hearing will continue on December 8th at the Courthouse Annex in Santa Rosa Beach.

(Wording in black comes directly from Mr. Burke's handout, those in red are my personal comments.)

"As we researched this issue it became clear that additional language was needed to limit the number of permits, but allow for the greatest use of the permits possible. Several residents have weighed in on this issue and their comments have been considered in this memo."
( I truly believe that all of the emails and letters that were written by our members expressing their opinions made a big difference. I really appreciate all of your letter writing.)

"The Tax Collector's Office informed us that over the past five years we have issued permits to 1,835 different people, an average of 1,038 permits per year. Of the total 1,835 permits, 1347 have been Walton County full time residents: thus, approximately 488 have been issued to non-full time residents. The suggestions listed below take these numbers into account."

(These number seems very high to me, and very confusing ...but what caught my attention were the words "TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE". This is not accurate, there are folks who own multiple permits ..some more than four per family. As I mentioned before at this time the County can not get an accurate number of multiple permits issued as there is no way to run a "sort", as parcel numbers are not entered into their system at this time. I was personally told by Ms. Skipper that the only way to check to see if a person had more than one permit was to run a single name at a time through the database, so I question these numbers. The numbers were also questioned by the Commissioners. Mr. Burke said he would go back and check the numbers with the source that shared them with him. He also agreed that looking at them there seemed to be problems with the math.)

For those that are not permanent residents and are only interested in non-permanent residents you might want to move down to item 2 and skip 1.


"1. "Walton County Property Owners, Residents, 1400 permits Total

Walton County real property owners, who are residents of Walton County, and immediate family members residing with the property owners in Walton County may obtain a permit for the use of properly registered and authorized vehicles along the designated limited access areas on the beaches of Walton County. Proof of real property ownership (such as deed or tax receipt) and proof of residency (such as voter's registration card, homestead exemption card, or driver's license) must be presented to the Tax Collector at the time of application to document the requirements of this section. For property titled in the name of a business or owned by multiple owners, the person applying for the permit shall show proof that they own a controlling interest in the property or that they are otherwise entitled to obtain a permit for the property. "Controlling interest in the property or that are otherwise entitled" means that the person applying for the permits own more than 50% ownership interest in the property or has a resolution signed by the other owners of the property that grants the person applying for the permit the authority to apply for the permit. A copy of this beach access permit and the application showing the name of the individual to whom it was issued must remain in the vehicle while being operated on the beach.
There shall be a limit of 1400 Walton County Property Owners/residents permits issued each year. Only two permits may be issued for each parcel of property. In the event that the number of qualified applicants exceeds 1400 permits then a lottery shall be instituted to determine which applicant receive permits."

The lottery idea was thrown out as soon as the rough draft was read to the Commissioners. No one liked the idea of trying to run a lottery. The number 1400 was thrown out and the number 1000 permits was suggested. Then the number was changed to 700 permits (only suggested not a firm number) Two permits per property was discussed with some suggesting that only one permit be issued, as the goal was to reduce the number of permits issued by the county. There was some discussion about allowing "immediate family members" to apply for a permit on their own. There was some discussion about having a home on the lot to qualify, as many permits had been issued to owners of vacant lots in the past. This "home suggestion" would also help to reduce permits issued. The previous requirement that the vehicle be registered in Walton County was also discussed and a change noted that the vehicle just needs to be properly registered and had to meet the 4 wheel drive requirement. No person shall receive a permit unless and until the ad-valorem taxes for the real property are current was discussed and pretty much agreed on. Again Nothing was FIRM as far as the final draft....just ideas thrown around by the board and discussed. The Commissioners agreed to send their final suggestions to Mr. Lyle Seigler, Interim County Administrator, within ten days so that he can meet with Mr. Burke and they can come up with a New plan. (His email is seilyle@co.walton.fl.us)


"2. Walton County Property Owners/ Non-Resident 435 Permits Total

Walton County real property owners may obtain a permit for the use of properly registered and authorized vehicles along the designated limited access areas of the beaches of Walton County. The vehicle being registered shall be owned by the Walton County real property owner and registered in Walton County in the name of the real property owner. For property titled in the name of a business or owned by multiple owners the person applying for the permit shall show proof that they own a controlling interest in the property or that they are otherwise entitled to obtain a permit for the property. "Controlling interest in the property or that they are otherwise entitled" means that the person applying for the permits owns more than 50% ownership interest in the property or has a resolution signed by the other owners of the property grants the person applying for the permit the authority to apply for the permit. A copy of the beach access permit and the application showing the name of the individual to whom it was issued must remain in the vehicle while being operated on the beach.
There shall be a limit of 435 Walton County Property Owner/Non resident permits issued each year. Only two permits may be issued for each parcel of property. In the event the number of qualified applications exceeds 435 permits, then a lottery shall be instituted to determine which applicants receive permits."

The lottery idea was dropped as soon as it was shared with the Commissioners as no one wanted to deal with a lottery. The number of 435 was suggested to be changed to 250 permits. There was discussion also to drop the requirement of the vehicle being registered in Walton County. It should be just properly registered and also be a 4 Wheel drive vehicle to qualify. There was some discussion that only one permit be issued per lot. There was also some discussion that a home be located on the lot. (The same as for permanent residents) The best part of Mr. Burke's draft was that at least now the county is not ruling out non resident home owners from applying for a driving on the beach permit ( we are now an item 2 in the suggested plan.) Our letter writing campaign seemed to have helped in this change for sure. Toward the end of the discussion, one of the Commissioners suggested that maybe all beach permits should be issued on a first come serve bases...so that if you wanted to be sure to get one of the "numbered ?? permits" that you need to do it as soon as they are opened up for renewal. (June 1st). Another Commissioner suggested that all those owners who already had a permit just be grand fathered in, but then that seemed to be "shot down" by the Commissioners as that would not reduce permits. It was clear and pretty definite that no person shall receive a permit unless the ad valorem taxes for the real property are current . It was a lively discussion. Again nothing said or discussed was a final decision. The Commissioners were directed to write up their thoughts on the issue and send it to Mr. Lyle Seigler, Interim County Administrator who will then get with Mr. Burke, the County Attorney and they will draw up a new draft. My Seigler's email is seilyle@co.walton.fl.us in case you have any thoughts you wish to share with him. You can find the Commissioners emails in a previous post.

"3. Walton County Charter Fishing Operations (20 Permits Total)

Walton County residents that are also licensed charter boat captains and operate charter fishing operations in Walton County ("Charter Operators") may obtain a permit for the use of properly registered and authorized vehicles along the designated limited access areas of the beaches of Walton county. The vehicle being registered shall be owned by the Charter Operator. Proof of residency (such as voter's registration card, homestead exemption card, or driver's license, proof of current captain's license and proof of current commercial fishing license must be presented to the Tax Collector at the time of application to document the requirements of this section. A copy of this beach access permit and the application showing the name of the individual to whom it was issued must remain in the vehicle while being operated on the beach. Charter Operators shall only be required to obtain one permit which shall permit the use of the vehicle and the trailer.
There shall be a limit of 20 Charter Operator permits issued each year. Only one permit shall be issued per Charter Operator. In the event that the number of the qualified applications exceeds 20 permits, then a lottery shall be instituted to determine which applicants receive permits."

Since I have no personal opinion other than to say when there are more than 10 charters out on the beach at one time their trucks and trailers do take up a lot of space...I think that it is a good thing that the County is putting them in their own category.

Hopefully this update has been helpful.