Category: Featured

By Heather Bennett

Food insecurity along The Emerald Coast is an ongoing issue that we have spotlighted with stories involving local food banks, churches, and food drives, but it’s not something we all think about. However, with many people out of work and kids home from school due to COVID-19 it’s now something that has been brought to the forefront of the community.

Thankfully our community is caring and supportive, and we come together when in need. Many local businesses and restaurants have stepped up to help provide free meals during these trying and uncertain times, making sure kids have access to lunch, and families can get a hot meal.

You may have seen the American Lunch food truck handing out free lunches the last couple of months. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been delivering free hot meals to people in need since 2012. They receive 1% of the proceeds from Morgan family restaurants like Harbor Docks, La Paz, The Local Market and Camille’s to cover operating costs. Recently, they’ve been serving up free lunches on The Emerald Coast during the shutdown.

“We’re doing it because we know these times are tough, and food is hard to come by for people, and people need to eat,” said Eddie Morgan of Harbor Docks. “We’re going to be regularly ordering food to keep feeding people.”

Some of the meals being offered by American Lunch are gumbo, tacos, fajitas, ham and cheese sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, fried chicken and fish salad sandwiches. Other local restaurants have also donated meals to American Lunch to distribute. “We’ve had a great response. We’ve been averaging about 150 people a day,” said Eddie. “Everything’s free, completely free of charge. No questions asked. We’re not here to judge, we’re just here to feed people,”

American Lunch not only serves The Emerald Coast, but also is available in other areas of the south – Athens, Georgia, Birmingham, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Morgan family restaurants are located. Since serving free meals is something American Lunch has done for years, they will continue to help the communities as we all start to reopen.

If you would like to know more about American Lunch, or the food truck schedule you can check out their Website at americanlunch.org or their Facebook page facebook.com/AmericanLunch.

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Just in time for Memorial Day, vacation rentals in the Florida panhandle are allowed to book guests again. As of May 19th, officials have approved the Walton County plan to reopen short-term rentals effective immediately. View the Walton County Short Term-Rental Plan here.

Walton, Bay, Okaloosa, Gulf, Franklin, Escambia, and Santa Rosa Counties are all now allowed short-term rentals after Governor Ron DeSantis approved each county’s rental safety plans submitted last week.

Vacation rental reservations, from areas identified by Governor DeSantis as high risk, through Executive Orders EO 20-86, Louisiana and EO 20-82, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, must be for periods longer than the quarantine period established in that Order. Guests occupying those vacation rentals must adhere to the quarantine restrictions or be subject to established criminal and civil penalties.

The locales for which rentals are prohibited or restricted could change as the state of Florida takes ongoing looks at the spread of COVID-19 across the United States.

In Walton County, for the safety of all residents and visitors, individuals and rental companies may not rent to guests from high-risk areas for a period of 45 days from May 19 (in accordance with executive orders 20-82 and 20-86).

All persons entering Florida from areas with substantial community spread must self-isolate/quarantine for 14 days or the duration of the person’s presence in Florida, whichever is shorter. For the safety of all residents and visitors, we will encourage our tourism partners not to rent to guests from high-risk areas.

Before visiting, please check here for what you need to know before visiting South Walton.

Other recent reopening measures:

THE BEACHES ARE OPEN with social distancing and event restrictions.

As of May 18, restaurants were allowed to open at 50% capacity indoors and outdoor seating is encouraged. Retail, museums and libraries were also allowed to open at 50% capacity indoors.

Gyms and fitness centers reopened as well with social distancing and sanitizing of equipment after each use. “If you’re inside, make sure you’re doing the social distance and then sanitize machines and surfaces after use,” Gov. DeSantis said. “I mean, that should be happening anyway.”

Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons re-opened May 11 while adhering to safety protocols.

Professional sports teams can also train and teams are welcome in Florida.

Theaters and bars remain closed for now.

Theme parks will be able to reopen as they submit a plan that is approved.

State Parks began re-opening May 4. During the early phase of re-opening, visitors should expect limited hours, capacity and amenities.

For more information:

See Gov. DeSantis Plan for Florida Recovery

Visit South Walton Coronavirus Travel Updates

Florida Dashboard of Coronavirus Cases by County/Zip Code

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By Heather Bennett

It’s difficult not to feel a little anxious or antsy these days, especially when we are unsure of what each day will bring. Orders to stay home, to wear masks, to adhere to a nightly curfew change weekly. To loosely quote John Lennon, “these are strange days indeed“.

There’s an overwhelming financial concern for most on top of an already overwhelming emotional concern for the health and safety of those we love and ourselves, and while these times seem dark, it’s important to hold on to the light. Through the stories of fear, heartbreak and loss, there are many stories of hope, love and humanity, coming together to help one another.

Restaurants are serving free lunches for children who rely on school meals. They have  altered the way they do business by using their wait staff as delivery staff, collecting tips for employees that were furloughed, and offering free meals for first responders and healthcare workers.

Businesses are trying to keep as many employees as possible, finding ways for them to work from home and stay connected. What once was deemed an impossibility, employers are finding that many people can successfully operate remotely, improving their work-life balance.

On a busy day we might stop and waive to our neighbor before we continue with our self-indulgence, focusing on our next task as hand. Neighbors are now taking the time to check in on each other, and find out how they are doing, even offering to run errands for those that can’t leave their home. Some neighborhoods have come up with a color-coding system they display in their windows, to let each other know if they are okay, or if they need help. One Attorney reported a record number of divorce proceedings being cancelled.  It seems many couples forced to spend time together quarantined, are rekindling the romance that brought them together in the first place!

Many parents are getting to spend quality time with their children due to schools closing and extracurricular activities cancelled. Instead of getting a quick bite on the go between taking kids to soccer practice and dance class, families are sitting around the dinner table together enjoying a home cooked meal.

Teachers and school districts are working hard to put lessons online and provide access and materials to children who might not have the internet or a computer. They are coordinating zoom calls and parades to stay connected to their students and let the kids know how much they are missed.

Positive messages like “We are in This Together,” “Stay Home, Be Strong,” “Stay Positive, Stay Kind,” “This too Shall Pass,” and “Thank You Healthcare Workers” are popping up on yard signs, reader boards, store fronts and drawn on sidewalks. People are taking the time to let others know they are not alone.

I have come across many stories of people coming together and helping one another in the community. This is the light we need to hold on to, and I hope people are inspired to carry that light. Every day we have a choice. We can choose positivity. We can focus on our blessings and the things for which we are grateful. We can choose to be a light for someone else. We can choose to reach out and be a beacon of hope for others.

I am just as lost somedays as the next person. We all want to have financial stability, to know our family and friends are safe, to know we are safe. But in the midst of darknes and uncertainty we can the light!  We can choose to choose to make positive changes, asking ourselves: what do we want to learn from this and what can we take with us when we get back to normal?

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UPDATE from Governor DeSantis April 29. 2020:

Florida will enter what Governor DeSantis called “phase one” of the reopening process on May 4 as the state continues to fight the spread of coronavirus.

Here’s what changes and doesn’t change for Florida:

• Schools continue distance learning
• Visits to senior living facilities are prohibited
• Elective surgeries can resume
• Sports arenas and movie theaters will remain closed
• Restaurants may offer outdoor seating with six feet of space between tables and indoor seating at 25% capacity
• Retail stores can operate at 25% of indoor capacity
• No changes for bars, gyms and personal services such as hair dressers and barbers
• Vulnerable individuals should avoid close contact with people outside the home

Phase one maintains current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including vulnerable individuals continuing social distancing while in public, avoiding groups of 10 or more and using face masks in public when you can’t maintain six feet away from others.

The Short-term Rental Ban has been extended by the Governor with Executive Order 20-112 which takes effect May 4th. This order will remain in place indefinitely until subsequent action is taken by the Governor.

“Our plan from the beginning to fight COVID-19 is going to continue. Nothing’s going to change about that. We are going to continue to protect the vulnerable,” DeSantis said. “We are going to continue to increase testing … we’ll continue to promote various forms of social distancing.”

The governor said when phase two and phase three begin will depend on how well the first stage goes. “Each phase we’re thinking about weeks, not thinking about months,” DeSantis said. “We also need to make sure our health care system is ready, make sure we have adequate resources and beds and the staff is protected.”

See the full Executive Order here: https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/EO-20-112.pdf.

UPDATE from Walton County Board of Commissioners April 28, 2020:

During the Walton County Board of County Commissioner’s (WCBCC) meeting that took place April 28^th, the following action was taken by the WCBCC regarding the opening of the Beaches of Walton County.

The WCBCC has passed Resolution 2020-35, which updates the County’s Local State of Emergency.

This Resolution was passed with the following language regarding the opening of Walton County’s beaches and parks which will become effective on Friday, May 1^st.

Beginning on Friday, at 12:01 a.m. May 1, 2020, the beaches within Walton County, Florida will be open with the following restrictions:

• All permits for vending on the beach shall be suspended and no vending on the beach, including private beaches, shall be permitted while this Local State of Emergency remains in effect.

• All permits for beach bonfires shall be suspended. No fire permits will be issued while this Local State of Emergency remains in effect.

• All special events on the beach shall be suspended and no special events on the beach shall be permitted while this Local State of Emergency remains in effect.

• Individuals on the beach shall limit their activities to walking, jogging, fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, surfing and boating.

• Groups of more than ten (10) people are prohibited, and a minimum of six (6) foot social distancing shall apply.

In addition to the action above, the WCBCC has taken action to open all County parks and the Eagle Springs Golf Course. No more than ten (10) people and a minimum of six (6) foot social distancing shall apply at all parks and the golf course.

At this time, the Governor’s Executive Orders 20-91 (Safer at Home) and 20-103 (Short-Term Rental Ban), continue to be in effect until April 30, 2020. The County will continue to monitor any action taken by the Governor regarding these or other Executive Orders, and will release information as it is received.

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On Wednesday, April 1st, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-91 which requires all persons in Florida to “limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”

The Executive Order incorporates by reference guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security and a Miami-Dade County Emergency Order, what is defined as essential services and essential activities.

For current Florida case numbers from Florida Health: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429

In order to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order, Walton County Local Government is taking following steps:

• All county employees which are not deemed “essential” will work from home for the duration of the Executive Order
• Limited TDC Beach Maintenance Staff will remain in service
• The following employees are deemed “essential” and will continue to report to work: limited Public Works Road and Bridge Crews, limited Fleet Maintenance, limited Facilities Maintenance and Custodial Staff, North Walton Mosquito Control, Building Department Staff, County Probation, Landfill Staff, TDC Beach Code Enforcement; One (1) Purchasing Employee to receive shipments of essential supplies and one (1) courier to maintain essential communication
• The Landfill will be closed to the public; however, the Landfill will remain open for commercial activity
• All county recreational facilities will be closed to the public; while parks are closed, boat ramps will remain open
• The Planning Department will continue to accept permits online and will maintain contact with the public via email and telephone; however, the Planning Department will be closed to the public
• The Building Department will remain open to the public to accept permit applications; however, the Building Department will prioritize essential permitting (i.e., residential permitting) as defined by the Executive Order
• The EOC will continue to operate at Level 2 activation.

In response to the Governor’s Executive order, Walton County Board of County Commissioners  voted to update Executive Order 2020-08 extending beach closures to all beaches in Walton County. Beginning on Friday, April 3rd, “It will be unlawful to walk or remain on any beach in Walton County.”

Be advised:

Administration Office – Open, Limited public access, by appointment only.

Building Department – Limiting public to the lobbies. Practicing social distancing. No reduction in services.

GIS Department – Closed.

Human Resources Department – Closed.

HUD – Closed to walk-ins.

OMB/Purchasing Department – Closed to the Public.

Office of the County Attorney – Closed to the Public.

Parks & Recreation Department – Closed.

Planning Department – Closed to walk-ins. All

Planning Department Building Permit Reviews

continue to be reviewed and issued as appropriate.

Probation – Open.

Public Works Department – Closed to the public.

Veteran’s Services – Closed to walk-ins.

County Facilities

Morrison Springs and Grady Brown parks are

closed to the public. Boat launches are open.

Eagle Springs Golf – Closed to the public.

Walton County public libraries are closed.

Landfill – Closed to the public.

All county parks are closed to the public; boat

ramps are open.

Walton County Coastal Seniors– All activities cancelled until further notice.

Message from Walton County Sheriff’s Office

Governor Ron Desantis has issued a 30-day stay-at-home order which goes into effect Friday, April 3rd at 12:01 am. This order directs everyone to stay at home for any reason other than working at essential jobs or participating in essential activities. Operationally, Walton County Sheriff’s Office is fully functioning as it pertains to calls for service and providing fire rescue and animal control services. We are continuing to maintain our commitment to the public by providing public safety services to our community, however, in the interest of transparency, it’s going to be a serious challenge. “We are going to carry out the order with common sense, courtesy, and professionalism,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “At the end of the day each situation is different and what we’re working towards is gaining voluntary compliance while ensuring public safety. We will be as nice to people as they will let us be. An individual is not more important than the whole in this situation. Personal responsibility is critical.”

Sheriff Michael Adkinson will be holding periodic Live Q&A’s on Walton County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during the crisis. We appreciate your patience and support as the COVID-19 situation develops and evolves. We cannot stress this enough…. we are all in this together.

Walton County Tax Collectors Covid-19 Update

Rhonda Skipper, Walton County Tax Collector, would like to share the following information concerning the COVID-19 Pandemic and how we are adjusting to the situation.

• The Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline of the new Real ID Act for one year due to the coronavirus. It was originally supposed to take effect October 1, 2020. The new deadline is October 21, 2021.
• The Department of Revenue has extended the property tax deadline to April 15, 2020. This was announced by an Executive Order from Governor DeSantis.
• The annual Tax Certificate Sale will still take place on June 1st.  This is since holding the certificate sale provides necessary funding for local governments and school districts.
• Pursuant to Executive Order 20-52, issued March 15, 2020 by Governor Ron DeSantis, please observe the following:
  • Extend the effective period of driver licenses and identification cards with expiration dates of March 16, 2020, to April 15, 2020, for thirty (30) days.

(Be advised, this does not include suspensions or revocations.)

• • Waive the delinquent renewal fees during the extension period for these driver licenses and identification cards.
  • We are available to assist our CDL holders at 850-892-8121

• Tax Collectors across the State of Florida are partnering with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in extending expiring commercial driver licenses (CDL) and waiving commercial truck hours-of-service regulations and other related regulations so emergency supplies, equipment, commodities and resources for the state’s response to COVID-19 can continue deliveries throughout the state.
  • Please call 850-892-8121 for any questions you may have concerning your Commercial Driver License (CDL)
  • Visit us on-line at: www.waltontaxcollector.com

Currently all lobbies are closed, but our Customer Call Center remains open. Telephone hours of operation are 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. On-Line Service available at www.waltontaxcollector.com to:

-Replace or renew a Florida driver license or ID card.

-Replace or renew registration for a motor vehicle, vessel or mobile home.

-Obtain a paper title or to pay property taxes.

• • Tag Express Same Day Pickup- renew your registration online by Express then come to the office and we will bring it out to you
  • Working on implementing an online chat for customers

We will continue to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) through the CDC and other agencies as we continue to ensure the protection of our customers and employees. Thank you all for your patience and understanding during this time.

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Psalm 91 begins with this message of hope: “He who dwells in the shelter of The Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” These words can infuse you with faith and give you the assurance you need in uncertain times. No insurance company, bank or government can cover you like the “Almighty.” You can have exceptional expectations when you pray. You don’t have to be just another statistic. Expect to be an outlier, not a statistic. Have an audacious faith to believe God for good things.

When David faced Goliath, he recalled the time a lion carried off one of his family’s sheep. David struck it and rescued the sheep from the lion’s mouth. The same happened when a bear tried to take his sheep. David told King Saul that just as God delivered him from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, God would deliver him from Goliath… and God did!

Just like David, what we rehearse we reinforce. If we constantly think about something negative, something evil, or something bad from our past, we reinforce that. If we rehearse fears we may get from the 24/7 news, we will reinforce that. But, if we rehearse the goodness of God, the Word of God, and the things God has done for us, we will reinforce and strengthen our faith in tough times. Did God help us through September 11? Did God see us through the hurricanes? Did God walk us through the Great Recession? Did God help us through the Gulf Oil Spill? Did God allow us to survive the Swine Flu that hit in 2008 and 2009? When we recall what God has seen us through, we are strengthened in our faith.

What does it mean to rest in the shadow of the Almighty? Where is this rest? Where is this peace? We talk about peace at church. We tell others they need it. We pretend we have it. But when all is said and done, there is more said than done. How do we get it? Forget world peace for a moment. Where is the peace we long for in our innermost beings? Most find it easier to talk about peace when they have a good job, family members are in good health, and the bills are all paid. But there is a difference between good times and peace.

Horatio Spafford knew all about life’s troubles. He was an attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Then, his four-year-old son died of scarlet fever. His family took it hard. Thinking a vacation would do them some good, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, planning to join them in a few weeks. However, while crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank. More than 200 people lost their lives, including all four of Horatio Spafford’s precious daughters. His wife, Anna, survived the tragedy. Upon arriving in England, she sent a telegram to her husband that began: “Saved alone. What shall I do?” Horatio immediately set sail for England. At one point during his voyage, the captain of the ship let Horatio know that they were now passing over the spot where the shipwreck had occurred. As Horatio thought about his daughters, words of comfort and hope filled his heart and mind. His words have been sung in churches for over a hundred years:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Where did Horatio find such peace? Perhaps he found peace when he thought about heaven. Perhaps he found peace when he thought about a glorious place where all four of his daughters were; a place where there is no more dying, no more crying, no more sickness and no more pain. Perhaps he found peace when he realized his daughters were now safe and sound in the arms of the Prince of Peace. Perhaps it’s time we cast our cares unto those same loving arms.

Pastor Steve Vaggalis is Lead Pastor of Destiny Worship Center, with campuses in Miramar Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Freeport and Panama City Beach, FL.

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A vote early Thursday morning, March 19th has closed beaches to the general public in Walton County. At their scheduled emergency meeting Walton County Board of County Commissioners passed an emergency ordinance to close all Walton County beaches to the public. The ordinance was effective as of 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 19th and will remain in place for 30 days unless subsequent action is taken by the Commission. Walton County Sheriff’s Office will be charged with enforcement of the ordinance which came following a local state of emergency triggered by COVID-19. Walton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking voluntary compliance in this unprecedented time in our community. The Sheriff’s Office stated “It is imperative for our constituents to understand the magnitude behind this decision and the resources it will take to enforce. While deputies will be doing their best to educate and mediate first, personal responsibility is essential during this time for the safety and health of our county. Normal operations will continue at the Sheriff’s Office as far as answering calls for service and continuing our commitment to serving our residents. We are asking for our community to come together to help spread this message.”

“The important thing to understand is that we are going to carry out our duties in a professional manner with an emphasis on customer service with a common-sense approach,” said Sheriff Adkinson. “It is our intent to continue to be good stewards of the public’s trust.”

“The Walton County Board of County Commissioners continues to convey the importance of following CDC guidelines and practicing social distancing,” said Walton County Administrator Larry Jones. “We are asking residents and visitors to continue to take personal responsibility towards working to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Other items passed:
• Cancellation of all BCC and TDC permitted outdoor events and beach activity ordinance special events.
• Suspension of the rental of all public facilities.
• Extended all current dog beach permits for 8 weeks. No new permit processing until June 1st.
• Extended all driving on the beach permits until August 1st. Beach permit lottery application process will begin June 1st.

All Walton County Volunteer Board meetings have been canceled for the remainder of March and the month of April. At this time, these meetings are expected to continue in May.

The WCBCC encourages all Walton County citizens and visitors to be mindful and adhere to all direction distributed by the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.

Protect yourself and your community from COVID-19. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick.

The County Commissioners encourage all of those that have the ability to conduct any county business through the County and Constructional Offices online services.

Per Governor Executive Orders
(Updated 3/20/20) – Restaurants in Florida will be able to stay open for take-out/delivery only as of March 20th. Food orders can include alcohol to consume off premise with ID. Gyms and fitness centers were also ordered to close. All Florida bars and nightclubs closed beginning March 17th and must remain closed for 30 days. Gatherings are limited to 10 people. Elective surgeries are postponed.

(Updated 3/24/20) – Gov. ordered  that New York travelers must self-isolate under executive order, persons 65 years or older told to stay home.

(Updated 3/27/20) – Gov. ordered that checkpoints be installed along Florida’s roads to account for traveling drivers and has also suspended all new vacation rentals in Florida for the next 14 days.

State Parks and Recreation Fields
State Parks are now closed. All county youth sports programs are canceled. This includes the use of any recreational fields by independent league sports.

Walton County Tax Collector
The Walton County Tax Collector’s office has been monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely and will continue to do so through the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and State and Local agencies. We are doing everything we can to protect the best interests of our community and our employees while ensuring you have access to the services we provide.

The Walton County Tax Collector’s office has closed all lobby areas for the Santa Rosa Beach and DeFuniak Springs offices beginning until further notice. The Freeport location is closed for all services. Operating hours will also be adjusted to 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Each of these locations will be offering curbside services to Walton County residents only with any urgent transactions that need to be completed during this difficult time. Identification Card, Commercial Driver License, and Driver License expiration dates have been extended 30 days per Governor’s Executive Order 20-52, however this does not apply to existing restrictions or sanctions. The Tax Collector’s office encourages residents to utilize the online office at www.waltontaxcollector.com which is available 24 hours a day. To make it easier to process transactions online “E-Check” fees will be waved during this difficult time. You can also contact the Customer Care Center during normal business hours at (850) 892-8121.

Walton County Property Appraiser’s Office
The Property Appraiser’s Office has announced office lobbies are closed to the public until further notice; curbside service is available in conjunction with the Tax Collector’s office at both locations; contact the office at 850-267-4500 for South Walton Annex; The Property Appraiser’s website, www.waltonpa.com is available or email to waltonpa@co.walton.fl.us for assistance.

The health and safety of our citizens and employees remains of utmost importance. We aim to continue to provide first-rate customer service at our office locations and encourage the use of the website. You may contact the Property Appraiser’s office by phone, (850) 892-8123, or (850) 267-4500, or by email for assistance.

Walton County Clerk of Courts
(Updated 3/19/2020)
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles T. Canady issued an Administrative Order (AOSC20-13) on March 13, 2020, suspending all jury trials in Florida’s Court System starting Monday, March 16, 2020, through Friday, March 27, 2020.

Anyone with a summons for jury duty dated between March 16, 2020, and March 27, 2020, are not required to appear as jury trials during this time have been cancelled. If you are unsure if your summons is impacted by this Order, please call 850-892-8115 to speak to a Deputy Clerk.

Walton County Clerk & Comptroller will continue to mail out summons forms between March 16th and March 27th to avoid delay to future court processes once the suspension of all jury trials is lifted. If you receive a summons during this period, the Walton County Clerk & Comptroller recommends calling 850-892-8115 to confirm whether you are required to appear. All scheduled court hearings and appearances remain in effect unless specifically excused by the court. The Walton County Clerk and Comptroller’s Office is currently open to serve the public. Additionally, many Clerk services can be accomplished online and on the phone. The following services are offered online. For a complete listing of changes and cancellations, please visit the website at: www.clerkofcourts.co.walton.fl.us.

Passport Updates
All passport agencies are closed to the public until further notice, and appointments will not be accepted. Expedited service (2-3 weeks) will not be available and customers will be unable to submit passport fees that include the $60 expedite fee until further notice. If a customer applied for a passport and requested expedited service on or before March 18, 2020, Passport Services will honor the commitment of 2-3 weeks door-to-door for expedited service. Routine service (6-8 weeks) may be delayed. Customers may continue to apply for their passport at Application Acceptance Facilities currently providing passport services or may renew their passport through the mail.

South Walton Fire Department
(Updated 3/18/2020)
All SWFD offices, including all fire stations, service centers and our fire district headquarters in Santa Rosa Beach, are now closed to the public until further notice in order to preserve critical Fire/EMS services. The public is discouraged from visiting any of the district’s five (5) fire stations unless you have a fire or medical emergency. All public education programs, special events, and fire station tours have been cancelled until further notice. The Board of Fire Commissioner meeting scheduled for April 13th, 2020 at 4 p.m. will be evaluated in the weeks ahead and held dependent on the current risk to the public. Beach Bonfires have been suspended until further notice. This includes all annual and temporary permits.

Construction Plan Reviews – Please continue to drop off any construction plans for review at the front of the SWFD Headquarters Building located at 911 North County Highway 393 Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. by placing in the designated drop-off box. Your plans will be processed as usual and you will be notified via email once the review is completed.

Impact Fee Receipts – Impact fees will be processed online only. You will need to submit a completed Walton County Building Permit Application electronically through info@swfd.org. Upon receipt of your e-mailed request, the impact fee will be processed. Payment for impact fees will only be accepted remotely via credit card or by mailed check at this time. Once payment has been remitted, we will email your SWFD Impact Fee Receipt.

Emergencies – As always, we are here to serve you. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911.

Number of COVID-19 cases of March 27, 2020:
– 15 Walton County cases of  (8 residents and 7 non-residents)
– 27 in Okaloosa County
– 5 in Bay County
– 3,198 in Florida
For the latest numbers, visit:  https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/

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