Jackson County BOCC August 11th Regular Meeting Highlights

On August 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners held a Regular Meeting. This is a recap of some of the reports and requests included in that meeting.

The Board recognized Tammy Dasher, Program Director at NextStep at Endeavor Academy, for five years of dedicated service to Jackson County. Joined by Human Resources Director Maile Ontiveros, the Board presented Dasher with a Years of Service award honoring her commitment to helping adults with autism build skills for employment, independence, and community engagement. During her tenure, Dasher has been a driving force behind NextStep’s continued success, helping create meaningful opportunities for participants to grow, gain confidence, and build greater independence within their communities.

A presentation by L & K Contractors giving an update on Blue Springs Sewer Project followed. Chris Kirkland of L & K Contractors provided the Board with an update on Phase 1 of the Blue Springs Sewer Project, reporting that the sewer system is ready for customers to begin connecting to service. Following recent work and project inspections, the Board approved the Certificate of Substantial Completion.

Kirkland advised that County staff and contractors will meet to coordinate the remaining roadway and paving work, with customer connections anticipated to begin in September. L & K will continue working toward final completion of the project, including the remaining roadway improvements and connections to individual homes.

Approval of Holyneck Road Paving Certificate of Completion and Final Pay was requested during the meeting. The Board approved the Certificate of Final Completion and final payment for the Holyneck Road Paving Project (2526-14), formally completing and closing out the project. The work was performed by Anderson Columbia Co., Inc. under the $560,592.25 contract and included roadway improvements such as leveling, asphalt paving, maintenance of traffic, and pavement striping. Project documentation reflects 100% completion, with the work inspected and determined to be substantially complete and the final completion date established as July 20, 2026.

A request for Approval of Draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 SFAA for the Mosquito Control Program was also presented. The Board reviewed and approved the draft Fiscal Year 2026-2027 State Financial Assistance Agreement (SFAA) for the Jackson County Mosquito Control Program, authorizing staff to move forward with submitting the agreement and completing the necessary documentation to secure state funding. The agreement supports eligible mosquito control activities and establishes requirements for the use and reimbursement of state funds.

As part of the discussion, the Board also highlighted the mosquito control services available to Jackson County residents through the Jackson County Department of Health (DOH-Jackson). The seasonal program typically operates March through October, depending on weather conditions, and utilizes several treatment methods, including larviciding, adulticiding, extended-release briquettes, and computer-controlled truck-mounted spraying. Residents experiencing mosquito problems may request service by contacting DOH-Jackson at 850-482-9227.

The program also takes specific precautions to protect bees and other pollinators during mosquito control operations. Mosquito spraying cannot occur within one mile of known apiaries, making it important for beekeepers to ensure their apiaries are registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Beekeepers are also encouraged to provide their apiary location to DOH-Jackson at 850-482-9227 so mosquito control staff are aware of the location and can avoid spraying within the required one-mile protective area. Working together, these efforts help the County manage mosquito populations while safeguarding local pollinators.

Approval of Award for Special Magistrate was also given during the meeting. The Board approved the award of 2526-22 – Special Magistrate Services to John McDaniel, the incumbent Special Magistrate and sole respondent to the County’s Invitation to Bid. Jackson County’s Special Magistrate serves an important role in the County’s code enforcement process by conducting hearings and issuing orders in cases involving alleged violations of County codes and ordinances. Under County ordinance, the Special Magistrate must be a Florida-licensed attorney appointed by the Board and provides an equitable and efficient process for addressing code enforcement matters.

Upcoming Property Tax Amendment Town Halls were also briefly mentioned. The Board discussed the upcoming Property Tax Amendment Town Hall, scheduled for October 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CST at the Endeavor Convention Center. Hosted and moderated by State Representative Shane Abbott, the public meeting will provide local government and community leaders with the opportunity to discuss how the proposed property tax amendment could affect their organizations, operations, and the services they provide. Participating officials will be able to share information directly with constituents, discuss potential positive and negative impacts, and answer questions from the public. The Board approved for Chairman Jamey Westbrook to represent the Board during the Town Hall.