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Animal Control

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1. What happens to animals after they are picked up?

They are transported our Animal Control Facility (892-8758)Owners have up to seven days to claim their pets. After seven days, the animals are made available for adoption.

2. Is there a fee to get my dog or cat returned?

You may receive a citation if you were in violation of a county ordinance and may have to pay a fine to the Clerk of the Court (892-8115)within 30 days of the date issued. If you choose to dispute our citation, you may call the Clerk's office and request a hearing.

3. I no longer want my dog or cat. What can I do?

Call us at 892-8758 and request to speak to an officer. We will arrange a time with you to pick your animal up or arrange a convenient time for you to bring the animal to us at the Animal Conrol Facility (365 Triple G Road,DeFuniak Springs). Please do not drop an animal off with us without first speaking with our office or with an Animal Control Officer.

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Animal Control Facility

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1. Is the new shelter needed and a good use of county funds?

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) made the determination to build a new animal shelter based on the distance Animal Control personnel had to travel with captured dogs and cats to Chipley (80 miles round trip) and the distance pet owners had to travel from Walton County to retrieve them. Based on citizen input from numerous public meetings, the Commission voted to move forward with building its own Animal Control Facility near the new jail and corrections facility just north of DeFuniak Springs. Individual commissioners may be helpful in giving their own opinions about their decision to build the new facility.

2. What are the operating expenses expected to be?

The Emergency Response Division budgeted approximately $285,000 to equip and operate the new facility for one year, and this did not include personnel costs. The estimate for the County to hire personnel could range between $198,000 and $225,000 depending on personnel options. This is not set at this time, and the Board of County Commissioners are waiting to see proposals from groups who wish to operate the new facility. Once all these issues are worked out, then we should have a defined figure based on determined course of action.

3. Will spay/neutering programs be a priority for this facility?

Spay/neutering is a very important part of any type animal control program. We also are considering plans to reduce the number of animals we intake based on public education and to reduce euthanizing animals through implementing adoption incentive and vaccination programs.

4. Is it duplicating services already available in the private sector?

There is no other capture program provided in Walton County other than what the Walton County Government provides through its Animal Control program. Services for housing the animals until their owners can retrieve them has been a major problem for the County, since there are few private-sector facilities to which we can take animals until their owners retrieve them or be placed up for adoption.

NW Florida Animal Control Facility in Chipley can handle a large volume of animals we collect, but the distance to travel to that facility (80 miles, round trip) each day – and sometimes several times a day – can be costly in personnel time as well as fuel & maintenance costs. In addition, our Animal Control personnel must retrieve animals from the Chipley facility, once pet owners in Walton County learn of their lost pet housed in the Chipley facility. They either must retrieve their pet on their own from the facility or request that the Animal Control personnel bring the animal back to Walton County for them.

Residents that wish to adopt a dog or cat from our area must also travel all the way to Chipley. The likelihood, unfortunately, is that many of these collected dogs and cats are euthanized because of the inconvenience of traveling so far to get the animal.

The second facility we use is Alaqua Animal Rescue in Freeport, but their facility is limited on how many animals they can receive. Thus, most of our collected dogs and cats are taken over to Chipley.

5. Who is responsible for awarding the contract or deciding how to proceed if a contract for operation is not awarded?

The Board of County Commissioners.

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Beach Driving Permit Lottery

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1. When can I apply for the Beach Driving Permit Lottery?

Applications are accepted between April 1st and May 10th of each year.

2. When is the Beach Lottery Drawing held?

The Lottery Drawing is held on May 15th of each year. If May 15th falls on a county holiday or weekend the lottery will be held the first business day following the holiday or weekend.

3. How may applicants will be selected in the Beach Driving Permit Lottery?

150 applicants will be selected to purchase a Beach Driving Permit.

4. If my application is selected in the Beach Driving Permit Lottery, when can I purchase my permit?

Permits may be purchased beginning June 1st from the Walton County Clerk of Courts in DeFuniak Springs and the South Walton Court House Annex.

5. What is the fee to purchase a permit to drive on the beach?

The fee to purchase a Beach Driving Permit is $125.00.

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Coastal Dune Lakes

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1. What is the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone?

It is defined as all land beginning at the mean or ordinary high water line of coastal dune lakes and their tributaries and extends 300 feet landward.

2. What is the building setback from a coastal dune lake?

There is a 100 foot setback from the mean or ordinary high water line of all coastal dune lakes, unless the lot is an existing lot of record established before November 7, 1996. (See Policy L-1.5.7 (B) of the Comp Plan for lots of record.)

3. What restrictions are there for development located within the Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone?

Please refer to the Homeowner's Guide for a quick reference or 4.02.06 (B) of the Land Development Code for complete and updated information.
*No more than 25% of vegetation can be cleared.
*Septic tanks and drainfields must be at least 100 feet from the ordinary or mean high water line.
*Seawalls, bulkheads, revetments and rip-rap are not allowed.
*No new point or non-point sources of pollution shall be discharged into the lakes - no treated wastewater or untreated stormwater runoff.
*No construction or disturbance will be allowed in the natural outlet from a coastal dune lake.

4. Why are these lakes important?

These coastal features are recognized by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as globally rare and critically imperiled throught the state of Florida. The changing condition of water chemistry in the coastal dune lakes makes them dynamic, biologically diverse ecosystems. Temporary estuaries and nursery grounds are formed when the fresh and saltwater mix, providing important breeding areas for birds and mammals. Beach dunes around the lakes provide habitat for the endangered Choctawhatchee beach mouse and the threatened piping plover.

5. What can you do to help preserve these unique natural treasures?

Stay on the marked trails and boardwalks and avoid walking across dunes and trampling vegetation. Be respectful of the lakes and their natural processes, do not dig in or around the lake outfalls. See 4.02.06(B)9 of the Land Development Code. It states that a 50-foot vegetated buffer will be left undisturbed along either side of the natural outlet from the lake.

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Commission District 5

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1. How can I get my road paved?

If you live outside the city limits of our three municipalities, call Public Works Department at (850) 892-8108 to learn about the Dirt to Pave Program.

The dirt to Pave Program considers a number of issues that include items such as the right of way, environmental issues, engineering considerations and traffic counts.

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Contractors BUILDING

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1. When do I renew my license?

Month of August each year.

2. When will I receive my renewal notice?

Renewal notice will be sent out late July.

3. What will the cost now be if I renew late?

$25.00 if renewed July-September, when renewed October 1st or later an inactive fee in addition to your late fee will be collected.

4. What is the inactive fee?

The fee is 1/2 the cost of your license. Example: License fee of $150.00 the inactive fee would be $75.00.

5. If I will not be using my license this year what can I do?

You may place your license on an inactive status.

6. What will an inactive status fee be?

If renewed on time the fee will be 1/2 the cost of the license.

7. Will I have to keep my insurance up to date on inactive status?

No, insurance certificates will not be required for renewal on an inactive status.

8. What will be required to become active from inactive status?

You will pay the remaining cost of the license fee and update all state and insurance information.

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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

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1. Walton County Citizen Information Number

(850)267-2000

2. Joint Information Center

(985)902-5231

3. To report oiled or injured wildlife

1-866-557-5816

4. To discuss oil related damage claims

1-800-440-0858

5. To report oil on land or for general community and volunteer information

1-866-448-5816

6. EPA National Response Center

1-800-424-8802

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District 4

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1. What do I do if my garbage isn't picked up?

Call your local commissioner's office. Here in District 4, the number is 835-4834.

2. Where is the District 4 Commissioner's Office?

North side of Highway 20 in Freeport. Large sign outside identifying Dist. 4 office.

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Environmental

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1. What is an Ecosystem?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service defines an ecosystem as a geographic area and all its living components (e.g., people, plants, animals, and microorganisms), their physical surroundings (e.g., soil, water, and air), and the natural cycles that sustain them (e.g., precipitation, drought, fire, grazing). The term ecosystem was coined in 1935 by the British ecologist Sir Arthur George Tansley, who described natural systems in "constant interchange" among their living and non-living parts.

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2. What are wetlands?

Wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions (USACE, 1987).

3. How do I know if my lot contains wetlands?

You must hire a recognized environmental professional to perform a “wetland delineation”. The Walton County Environmental Department does not delineate wetlands, but we can provide you with basic soil information and National Wetlands Inventory data.

4. What is a wetland delineation?

Wetland delineations are simply the act of establishing the boundary between the wetlands and the uplands (or non-wetlands). Private environmental consultants and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection can conduct wetland delineations. They will evaluate your property for wetlands based on the presence of wetland vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology. The fees for these services vary, but they are usually based on the size of your property.

5. Can I build on my property if I have wetlands?

The presence of a wetland on your property may not prohibit construction on the property but may restrict it. The first step is to determine if there is enough upland area on your property (or non-wetland area) to construct your project or whether you will need to obtain wetland permits for access, construction, etc.

6. How can I build or rebuild a dune walkover?

You must first obtain a field permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Beaches and Coastal Systems. Then take a copy of this permit to the Walton County Building Department and apply for a building permit.

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Environmental - Invasive Species

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1. What are native plants?

In Florida, plants are considered native if they were here before Columbus arrived. Native plants are not invasive within their own native ranges.

2. What are invasive plants ?

An invasive plant is a non-native plant species that has escaped cultivation, is spreading on its own and causing environmental or economic harm.

3. Why are invasive plants a problem?

Under the right conditions, some non-native plants can become invasive. Non-native Invasive plants can outgrow, replace, and otherwise destroy our native plants. That's because non-native plants usually do not have their natural enemies; the diseases, insects and other environmental stresses, that keep them in check in their native ranges. The destruction and replacement of our native plants has several significant consequences:
Our natural biodiversity is destroyed;
Our native plants can be eliminated;
Our wildlife have evolved to use native plants are not able to make use of non-native plants. As a result, they leave the area or die off; invasive plants can completely fill the water column or cover the surface so that fish are driven from the area; swimming, boating, hiking and other uses can be affected or even dangerous in areas with invasive plants.
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4. How do non-native plants get here?

Non-native plants find there way here through a variety of ways; any of us could have accidentally introduced them:
• as seed and plant contaminants in imported nursery plants and soils;
• as misidentified/unknown plants sold to/by aquarium keepers, water gardeners, landscapers and friends;
• as whole plants and growing fragments in ballast water in foreign ships coming to our ports;
• on those fruits and flowers you brought home in your vacation luggage;
• and as hitchhikers on boat trailers, props, dive gear, or in bait wells.
In the past, some species were purposefully introduced to "improve" our natural areas.

5. How are invasive non-native plants controlled?

Invasive non-native plants must be controlled, ignoring them is not an option. Because it is unlikely that an established non-native plant species can be eradicated from natural areas, we often have to settle for the goal of "maintenance control”. This means using all appropriate tools to “control” or keep the plants at the lowest level possible while conserving or enhancing native plants. There are several control methods used to achieve maintenance control.

Chemical control is the use of specially formulated herbicides to kill plants. (Registered with the U.S. EPA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

Biological control is the use of imported insects, fish and other organisms which eat or infect or otherwise keep the invasive plants at low levels indefinitely. Before releasing such organisms, the USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must verify that insect bio-controls have proven to be host-specific.

Mechanical control is the use of specially made machines to "harvest" invasive plants by cutting and collecting them and transporting them to a place to decompose.

Physical control includes using hands, draw-downs (water removal), flooding, burning, dredging and shading to control invasive plants.

Integrated control is the use of two or more of the above methods.

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Environmental - Wildlife Lighting -Turtle FAQs

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1. How Can I Help?

Minimize beachfront lighting by turning off, shielding, or redirecting lights away from the beach. Lights disturb nesting sea turtles and hatchlings. Helpful Hints for Lighting

2. What is Wildlife Lighting?

Lighting that minimizes the potential for negative effects to the nocturnal behaviors of wildlife by keeping visible light low, shielded and long. Information on light sources that have been certified as meeting the criteria of wildlife lighting can be found on the joint Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wildlife Lighting Certification Program(LPC). Wildlife Lighting Certification Program

3. What is Long Light?

Long wavelength light falls within the yellow to red color spectrum. This type of light is considered wildlife friendly.

4. What is directly illuminated?

This is visible light illuminated by one or more point sources of light directly visible to an observer on the beach.

5. Why do we have Wildlife Lighting Ordinances?

The purpose and intent of the ordinance is to minimize the detrimental effects of artificial lighting on threatened and endangered sea turtles and other coastal wildlife along the Gulf of Mexico Beaches of South Walton. Effective management of exterior lighting minimizes disturbances to nesting sea turtles, their hatchlings, and other coastal wildlife in a manner that does not jeopardize the safe and secure nighttime use of private property by property owners and their guests.

6. How do I know if I am within the Wildlife Conservation Zone?

This is the area extending from the mean highwater line of the gulf Mexico to a line 750 feet lanward from the Okaloosa county line to Bay County line. Map of Conservation Zone

7. When do Wildlife Lighting requirements go into effect?

All new construction must comply with the Wildlife Friendly Lighting Standards for new construction. Standards for existing lighting for all single-family residences and multi-family residences with four(4) or fewer units, including rental properties must be in compliance by May 1, 2010. All commercial property must come into compliance by December 1, 2010.

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Fire Rescue

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1. How Do I Get a Burn Permit?

For information on burn permits in your area, please use the following contacts:

1. Florida Division of Forestry, (850) 488-6111
2. Argyle Work Center, (850) 892-8011
3. Point Washington, (850) 231-5800 Visit the Fire page

2. Do I need a burn permit to burn items on my property?

Yes, so please contact your local Department of Forestry.

3. How can I become a volunteer fire fighter?

Volunteer Information

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GIS

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1. What is GIS?

GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information System.
A GIS is composed of computer hardware, software, data, and personnel.
Maps and databases are products of GIS. GIS provides combinations of various map layers to help users analyze issues in the area. Spatial maps are created from tabular data contained in the databases; this allows the user to search for important information easily.

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HUD Section 8

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1. How do you apply for rental assistance?

Unfortunately, our waiting list has exceeded the funding we have available to accomodate new applicants for the forseeable future. Therefore, we are not accepting new applications at this time. We recommend that you contact us at (850) 892-8185 before visiting our office.

2. What other rental assistance services are available?

There are a number of subsidized housing complexes in Walton County that are funded through sources other than our program. Contact us a 892-8185 to discuss how we may help you.

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Human Resources

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1. How do I find your job postings?

For a list of current job postings, please view the following link. Job Postings

2. Can I apply for a job online?

Yes. You can print and fill out an application and return it to:
Walton Board of County Commissioners
Human Resources Division
650 E. Nelson Avenue
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Fx: (850) 892-8590 Application

3. Can I apply for a job that is not posted?

Yes. On the first page of the application, simply write in the title of the job for which you're applying.

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Library

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1. What are your library hours and locations?

Walton-DeFuniak Library
(On the Lake in DeFuniak Springs)
3 Circle Dr.
DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433
Ph: (850) 892-3624
Fx: (850) 892-4438
Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday Closed

Coastal Branch Library
(In the South Walton Government-Education Complex off Hwy 331)
437 Greenway Tr.
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Ph: (850) 267-2809
Fx: (850) 267-9452
Monday: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday Closed

Freeport Public Library
(Next to the Freeport City Hall)
76 State Hwy 20 West
Freeport, Florida 23439
Ph: (850) 835-2040
Fx: (850) 835-2154
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday Closed

Gladys N. Milton Memorial Library
(In the Flowersview Community Center)
261 Flowersview Blvd
Flowersview, Florida 32567
Ph: (850) 834-5383
Fx: (850) 834-5487
Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, and 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday Closed

2. How can I check online to see what books I've read?

Go to the Walton County Library Department website and:
1) Click on the Home tab
2) Click on My Account
3)Enter your Walton County library card number for the "Patron / Alternate ID Number" field
4) Enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) you gave to the library staff in the "PIN" field
5) Click on Submit Request

If you do not remember your PIN, or if you have not provided the library staff the PIN you wish to use, you will not be able to access your personal account. In either case, you can call the library, and they can enter the PIN you want to use. Visit the Walton County Library Department website

3. What are the library's charges for fees and fines?

Non-resident library users are charged a $35 annual fee for a library card.

Fines on overdue books and audiotapes are $0.10 per day per item with a maximum of $2 per item.

Fines on videotapes and DVDs are $2 per day with a maximum of $10 per item.

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Local Mitigation Strategy

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1. How can I join this committee?

Public participation on this committee is highly encouraged. Call Janet Trinka at the county's Planning and Development Services Division at (850) 892-8157 or e-mail her at trijanet@co.walton.fl.us

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NRCS / Soil and Water Conservation

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1. Whom do I contact about digging a pond?

Michael S. Lane, Assistant Field Representative
Northwest Florida Water Management District
800 Hospital Dr.
Crestview, FL 32539
Ph: (850) 683-5048
Fx: (850) 683-5051

2. Where can I get soils information, topographical maps, or plat books for Walton County?

This office sells the following:
Walton County Soil Survey CDs for $50; you may also look at soils information at no cost in our office. Walton County Plat Books, published in 2006, sell for $40. USGS Topographic Maps of Walton County cost $8 per quadrant; there is a grid of 30 quadrants in Walton County.

3. Do you have historical aerial photos of Walton County?

Yes, we have historical aerials dating back to 1949. You can view these in our office:
239 John Baldwin Rd.
Ste. B
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433

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Probation

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1. What is Community Service?

Community Service is free labor donated to any federal, city, county, state, or non-profit organization that does not serve alcohol. Community Service can not be performed for private individuals.

2. What is the difference between Anger Management and Batterer's Intervention?

Anger Management is a court-ordered counseling program for altercations between persons who are not or have not been in a domestic relationship.

Batterer's Intervention is a more intensive court-ordered counseling program for altercations between persons who are or have been in a domestic relationship, whether as a couple or a family.

3. What is the difference between Level I DUI School and Level II DUI School?

Level I DUI School is for offenders who have had only one DUI arrest in their lifetime. Level II DUI School is for any offender who has had more than one DUI arrest or has previously attended DUI School at any time, in any state.

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Public Works

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1. Is my road county maintained?

View the Walton County Maintained Road Index for more information.

2. My road is private, how do I get it county maintained?

Walton County receives requests on a daily basis to assist in matters concerning private property. Walton County is striving to maintain and improve the County's Rights of Way with our limited resources. This is one of the many reasons the County can not justify expending tax payers monies on private property.

The Walton County Public Works Department strongly encourages developers to construct their developments to the county's minimum standards located in the Land Development Code (LDC). These standards allow the County to accept maintenance upon completion and approval of construction.

There are avenues you and your neighbors can take to improve your road condition. You can request a special assessment that could potentially fund some of the improvements on your private road. The procedure is for whoever is requesting the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU) or Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) to call (850) 892-8155 and get on the County Commission agenda to request that the Board approve for the county’s consultant (Government Services Group) to work with their neighborhood group.

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Roads

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1. Does the county maintain my road?

View a list of all county maintained roads.

2. How can I get my road paved?

If you live outside the city limits of our three municipalities, call the Public Works Department at (850) 892-8108 to learn about the Dirt to Pave Program.

The Dirt to Pave Program considers a number of issues that includes items such as right of way, environmental issues, engineering considerations, and traffic counts.

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SHIP Program

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1. What is SHIP money and how do I know if I qualify?

SHIP is an acronym for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership. Florida Housing administers this program by providing the State's 67 counties and 48 entitlement cities with state dollars that are used for both homeownership and rental housing programs on the local level. The units of local governments identify their affordable housing priorities and disseminate those dollars throughout their communities. The SHIP program is designed to help very low, low, and moderate income households. To find out if you qualify, contact Kathy Ahlen at (850)332-7976 and inquire about the SHIP program.

2. I own a mobile home. Can I get SHIP assistance to refurbish it?

No. Unfortunately the program regulations do not allow expenditure of SHIP funds on mobile homes.

3. Are there any other ways to get help with my housing needs?

Our SHIP Program works closely with USDA Rural Development and with Tri-County Community Council to help people with their housing needs. Give us a call and we'll do our best to get you the help that you need if you qualify.

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TDC

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1. How are advisory board members selected?

Nominations are made by the current Tourist Development Council advisory board memebers to the Walton County Board of Commissioners. It is a requirement that a nominee and board member be a resident of Walton County.

2. How long is a term of appointment?

The term of appointment is 4 years.

3. How many members are on the board?

9-members make up the advisory board.
1-Board of County Commissioner
2-Elected city or special taxing district office
6-persons in the tourist industry
All must be county residents and not less than three nor more than four shall be owners or operators of motels, hotels, rv parks or other tourist accommodations in the county and subject to the tax.

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Veteran Services

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1. How can I get a copy of my DD Form 214?

Come by the Veteran Services Office to complete a Standard Form 180 Application. We will send this application to the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. They will send you a copy of your discharge paper to your home address.

2. Can I get help with my Health Care and Medication?

If you have a service-connected disability, you are entitled to health care and medication for those conditions. If you are at least 50% service connected, you can receive free treatment for any condition, which includes your medication.

Another way you may possibly be eligible for health care, including your medication, is based on your total family income, net worth, and number of dependents.

3. Am I eligible for a VA Home Loan?

Most veterans are entitled to a VA Home Loan guarantee, but time in service and your character of discharge are factors in your eligibility. The bottom line is, apply for your benefits, and let the Veterans Administration decide if you're eligible.

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Vision Plan

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1. How can I provide input into this plan?

During meetings, in writing, a personal visit with our staff or through the online survey.

2. How long is the vision plan process?

About a year. During this time, we will hold meetings, gather feedback and produce a document that will act as a guide for the future of our community.

3. What will you do with the information I provide?

We will gather and analyze citizen input to develop a long term plan or reference for the various stakeholders to use in making decisions regarding the progress of the County.