Jackson County Commissioners Approve Budget, Grants and Infrastructure Projects

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners addressed a wide range of county business during its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 22, approving the county’s final budget and millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year along with several grant applications, infrastructure projects, public safety measures and improvements aimed at recreation and tourism. The meeting was held at 6 p.m. and included action on towing rates, improvements at Great Oaks in Greenwood, beautification plans for Caverns Road, affordable housing programs, Fire Rescue staffing and major water infrastructure along the Highway 71 corridor.

One of the most significant actions of the evening was adoption of Jackson County’s final Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. Commissioners approved a total budget of $102,492,012 and set the final operating millage rate at 7.9450 mills, the same as the current millage rate with no increase for the new fiscal year. The action followed a series of budget workshops and consideration of the tentative budget and millage rate earlier in September.

Commissioners also approved a new towing rate structure for Jackson County. The changes came after a request presented during the September 8 meeting and a subsequent review by county staff of existing rates, increased costs faced by towing service providers and proposed rates. The new rates took effect September 22 and address base towing, mileage, hourly recovery work, storage, after-hours service and specialized equipment or recovery needs.

The historic Great Oaks property in Greenwood was the subject of two separate actions during the meeting. Commissioners authorized the county to apply for up to $200,000 through the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, or FRDAP, for improvements to the property. If funding is awarded, the Great Oaks Park Improvements project will be added to the county’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. Proposed improvements include a multipurpose trail, covered pavilion, trailhead and signage, parking with ADA-accessible spaces, outdoor restrooms and connecting sidewalks. The project is intended to expand recreational opportunities and improve accessibility for residents and visitors.

The Board also approved evaluation criteria and a review committee for a request for proposals seeking a concessionaire to manage day-to-day operations of the 12-acre Great Oaks property. Jackson County is seeking a vendor to help develop the historic site as a tourism destination while preserving its character. Potential uses include tours, weddings and other events, community programming, dining, retail and other visitor experiences. The review committee includes Tourist Development Council Director Kelsi Jackson, TDC Board Member and venue owner Charlene Trickey Durham, and District 3 Commissioner and TDC Board Member Paul Donofro. Proposals will be evaluated based on qualifications and experience, tourism impact and property activation, operational approach and feasibility, financial sustainability and overall responsiveness.

Commissioners approved resolutions allowing Jackson County to pursue two Florida Department of Transportation Beautification Grants for State Road 166/Caverns Road. The county will seek approximately $100,000 for each of two segments, with the first extending from Pineview Drive to Old U.S. Road and the second continuing from Old U.S. Road to State Road 71. Proposed improvements would use native and Florida-adapted trees to provide shade, seasonal color and visual improvements along the corridor. The plans are intended to create a more attractive gateway connecting residents and visitors with Florida Caverns, MERE Park, nearby schools, neighborhoods, businesses and other community facilities.

The Board also approved an increase in the hourly rate for Jackson County Fire Rescue Auxiliary Paramedics from $20 to $24 per hour. The adjustment is intended to help the county remain competitive with surrounding agencies while supporting recruitment and retention of qualified paramedics. Auxiliary paramedics help fill staffing needs when full-time employees are on leave and assist with special events and long-distance patient transports. Fire Rescue also plans to schedule auxiliary personnel in advance to fill known vacancies, helping maintain adequate coverage while reducing the need for overtime.

Another major action involved $3.8 million in grant funding for new water infrastructure along and near the Highway 71 corridor in Marianna. Commissioners approved a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant agreement with the Florida Department of Commerce to fund engineering and construction of an additional public water well and water storage system. The well is expected to provide approximately 1,000 gallons per minute, while the storage tank will have a minimum capacity of 180,000 gallons. The grant requires no county match and currently extends through September 30, 2029. The infrastructure is intended to support continued growth and development in the area.

Commissioners also approved updates to Jackson County’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership Local Housing Assistance Plan, including a technical revision to the 2024-2027 plan and adoption of the new 2027-2030 plan. The changes incorporate recent state requirements allowing SHIP assistance for eligible residents affected by mobile home park closures. Other adjustments include increasing the allowable household asset limit to $20,000 and requiring applicable recipients to maintain homeowners insurance. The updated plan was recommended by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and conditionally approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

The Board approved a multiple award under RFQ 2526-18 for simplified infrastructure requirements to Hollister Asphalt Paving and It’s Your Asphalt. The continuing services may be used for a variety of county projects, including road construction and paving, resurfacing, drainage and stormwater improvements, water and sewer infrastructure and other related construction needs. Both companies submitted qualifications by the September 10 deadline and have previously performed work for Jackson County. The multiple-award approach gives the county qualified contractors that can be used for future projects based on the type and scope of work needed.

Two county construction projects were also formally closed out during the meeting. Commissioners approved Certificates of Final Completion for the Jackson Museum Exterior Shell Reconstruction and Structural Repair Project and the Jackson Hospital Air Purification Improvements Project. Both projects were inspected and determined to be complete in accordance with their respective contract requirements. The museum project received a final completion date of August 31, while the hospital air purification improvements received a final completion date of September 11.

The Board also rescheduled a public hearing concerning proposed changes to Jackson County’s procurement ordinance. The hearing will now be held Tuesday, October 13, at 9 a.m. The county is working to modernize the procurement ordinance, which has not been substantially updated since the 1980s. According to the county, rescheduling the hearing will allow it to meet applicable advertising requirements and ensure the ordinance update process complies with Florida law and county policies.

The September 22 meeting covered projects ranging from county operations and public safety staffing to long-term investments in water infrastructure, recreation, tourism, housing and transportation. Several of the actions, including grant applications for Great Oaks and Caverns Road, represent initial steps toward projects that will depend on future funding awards, while other measures—including the county’s $102.49 million budget, millage rate and updated towing structure—were finalized by commissioners during the meeting.