Jackson County Commissioners Address Fees, Public Safety, Development and County Operations

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners addressed a wide range of county business during its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 27, including updates to county fees, potential future funding for fire and emergency medical services, new development projects, changes to county purchasing procedures and the transfer of animal control services to the Sheriff's Office.

Among the more significant actions taken during the meeting was the approval of a resolution updating fee schedules for the county's Building Division, Community Development and Planning Department, and Corrections Department. The revised fees, which took effect November 1, represent the first comprehensive update to the departments' fee structures since April 2016. The changes affect building permits, inspections, development applications, planning services and certain corrections-related expenses. Residential development order fees increased from $50 to $75, while the minimum general development order fee increased from $250 to $750. Corrections booking fees increased from $25 to $35, and daily subsistence fees increased from $2.70 to $3. Several existing fees remained unchanged. Under the approved resolution, regulatory fees cannot exceed the county's actual costs, while other service fees must remain reasonable in relation to the services provided.

Commissioners also adopted a resolution that preserves the county's ability to consider future non-ad valorem assessments to help fund fire protection and emergency medical services. The resolution allows the county to potentially collect assessments through annual property tax bills beginning as early as November 2027. If eventually implemented, the assessments could apply to properties in both incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas of Jackson County. However, the action does not establish or impose any new assessments. Instead, it preserves the county's option to use the uniform collection method should commissioners decide to pursue such a program in the future. Additional board action would be required before any assessments could be implemented, and commissioners would retain the ability to modify the areas affected or abandon the proposal entirely. Commissioner Edward Crutchfield voted against the resolution.

Another significant decision involved the transfer of Jackson County Animal Control Services from the Public Works Department to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Commissioners approved the recommendation to place animal control operations under the Sheriff's Office, along with the department's previously approved budget. The decision followed an evaluation of existing operations and discussions with the Sheriff. At the time of the decision, both of the department's two authorized positions were vacant. Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires voted against the transfer.

The board also approved a new Procurement Ordinance, replacing the county's purchasing ordinance originally established in 1989. Presented by Procurement Officer Tyler Schaeffer, the ordinance updates procedures governing competitive bidding, contract awards, emergency purchases, cooperative purchasing and vendor protests. It also strengthens ethical standards, incorporates federal requirements for purchases involving grant funding and revises local business preference provisions to comply with applicable laws. One notable change separates the county's overarching procurement ordinance from its day-to-day Purchasing Policy. This will allow commissioners to modify purchasing thresholds and procedures through a public vote without having to repeatedly amend the ordinance itself.

Economic development and new construction were also among the topics considered during the meeting, with commissioners approving development orders for a new restaurant and a residential housing project. The first approval allows Jack's Family Restaurant to move forward with plans for a 3,055-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru along Highway 90, just west of Panhandle Road near Marianna. Plans for the restaurant include parking, sidewalks, landscaping and roadway improvements intended to accommodate additional traffic.

Commissioners also approved a General Development Order for Christian's Way LLC, which plans to construct four duplex buildings near the intersection of Old US Road and Christiana Way. The development would provide eight residential units, along with parking and access improvements. The approval included a variance waiving the county's perimeter landscaping buffer requirement. Commissioner Paul Donofro abstained from voting because he had completed architectural work on the project. Both developments previously received favorable recommendations from the Jackson County Planning Commission and must still meet applicable permitting, inspection and development requirements.

In another development-related action, commissioners adopted an update to the Capital Improvements Element of the county's Comprehensive Plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. The five-year plan identifies approximately $166.7 million in proposed infrastructure and capital projects. Planned improvements include roads and bridges, water and sewer infrastructure, Fire Rescue equipment and facilities, recreational enhancements and continued redevelopment of the Endeavor property. The plan serves as a guide for future county investments, with individual project schedules and implementation dependent upon available funding, including state and federal grants.

Commissioners also approved amendments to the county's Tourist Development Tax Ordinance following a public hearing. Presented by Interim Tourist Development Council Director Chastity Sheffield, the revisions update tourism development policies, clarify the council's responsibilities and establish guidelines for managing tourism-related funding. The changes do not increase the county's existing 5% Tourist Development Tax, which is collected on qualifying short-term accommodations. Instead, the updated ordinance identifies tourism priorities such as destination marketing, visitor services, events that attract visitors and improvements to eligible tourism facilities and attractions. These include the Endeavor Convention Center, Jackson County Museum and certain outdoor recreational and natural resources.

The ordinance also formally incorporates the Tourist Development Council's bylaws and clarifies that the council serves in an advisory capacity, with county commissioners retaining final approval authority over tourism-related expenditures, contracts and budgets. In related business, commissioners appointed Heather Tye to fill a vacant position on the Tourist Development Council designated for a representative who collects the county's Tourist Development Tax. Tye owns a short-term rental property in Grand Ridge and was recommended for the appointment by the council during its October 12 meeting.

The board also approved an agreement with FloridaCommerce to maintain Jackson County's designation as part of the Northwest Florida Rural Area of Opportunity. The designation is intended to support economic development in rural communities through state assistance, business recruitment, job creation and partnerships with regional organizations. The Northwest Florida designation extends through July 8, 2030, subject to continued participation and compliance with program requirements. Under the agreement, County Administrator Jim Dean will serve as Jackson County's designated point of contact, while Kevin Yoder will represent the local nonprofit economic development community.

Commissioners also approved a letter supporting statewide efforts to reform reimbursement for emergency medical services. The Florida EMS Reimbursement and Sustainability Reform proposal, developed by Union County, seeks to improve reimbursement rates from Medicaid and private insurance companies for ambulance services. The proposal also calls for reimbursement when emergency medical personnel provide medically necessary treatment without transporting a patient to a hospital. Additional provisions are intended to strengthen protections against excessive ambulance bills. Supporters of the initiative believe the changes could help reduce the financial burden on local governments and taxpayers while allowing ambulances to return to service more quickly. The county's letter of support will be submitted to the Florida Association of Counties for consideration during statewide legislative advocacy efforts.

Several county property matters were also addressed. Commissioners approved a resolution and purchase agreement for the sale of approximately 3.7 acres of surplus county-owned property along Kynesville Road near Marianna. The property, located adjacent to 3972 Kynesville Road, will be sold to adjoining property owner Shyam Sunder, LLC, for $18,500, or $5,000 per acre. The county previously determined the property was no longer needed for public purposes and had authorized moving forward with the sale. The October 27 action approved the formal resolution and purchase agreement following completion of a property survey. The transaction does not include approval of any proposed development or future land use.

Commissioners also approved a $500,000 purchase proposal from Chrome Ministries for the former Jackson County Sheriff's Office property on Highway 90 in Marianna. The property, originally listed for $675,000, had been on the market for nearly a year through the county's contracted real estate agent. Chrome Ministries intends to use the facility for administrative and vocational offices. However, several pieces of public safety infrastructure remain on the property, including radio communications equipment, a communications tower, antennas, a backup generator and fuel tanks still used by Sheriff's Office vehicles. Any sale would require an easement ensuring continued access to those facilities by the county and Sheriff's Office until the equipment can be relocated. Maintaining uninterrupted access to the equipment would be a necessary condition of the agreement.

The board also authorized moving forward with a Request for Qualifications for Continuing Engineering and Construction Engineering Inspection Services as existing county contracts approach expiration. Commissioners will serve as the review committee responsible for evaluating qualifications submitted by interested engineering firms. Commissioner Donofro recused himself from serving on the committee because of professional relationships with engineering firms through his business, Donofro Architects, and concerns about the potential appearance of a conflict of interest. The county will also utilize standard Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee agreements during the contracting process.

In addition to the business conducted during the meeting, commissioners recognized graduates of the 2026 Jackson County Citizens Academy. Now in its fifth year, the program offers residents an opportunity to learn more about county government, meet department leaders and employees, and gain a better understanding of the services provided to Jackson County citizens. This year's program included 23 graduates, with those attending the meeting receiving certificates of completion from the board.

Graduates recognized during the meeting included Lonnie Barber, Amber Barnes, Dexter Brand, Nichole Brannon, Lily Bratcher, Barbara Brewer, Angela Calloway, Jennifer Collins, Jennie Ann Dean, Annie Dowd, Bowden Howell, Linda Long, Barbara Mason, Jack Mason, Judy Stanton, Kevin Sura and Kevin Yoder. Additional graduates who completed the program but were unable to attend included Billy Bailey, Mary Howard, Martin Howard, Malachi McAllister, Shana Robison and Theresa White. County officials expressed appreciation to the graduates for their participation and commitment to becoming more informed about local government.

The October 27 meeting included decisions affecting county operations, infrastructure, public safety, economic development and future financial planning, with several approved measures expected to influence county services and development in the coming years.