On the agenda: Freeport Minutes — Flock Camera (Sep 8)

CITY OF FREEPORT
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM
Council Chambers, Freeport City Hall

Council Members Present: Mayor Russ Barley, Councilwoman Elizabeth Haffner,
Councilman Eddie Farris, Councilwoman Hurst, Councilman
Tracey Dickey, and Councilwoman Elizabeth Brannon.
City Attorney Clay Adkinson, City Clerk Rebecca Mclendon,
Finance Director Bruce Simmons, Planning Director Latilda
Staff Members Present:
Hughes -Neel, Deputy Planning Director Samantha Graves,
Parks Director Charles Bartlett, Water Sup�rvisor Larry Tuggle,
Wastewater Supervisor Paul Johnson, Billing Supervisor Morgan
Hulion, and Mosquito Control Daniel DeBord.

1. Meeting called to order

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM. by Mayor Barley in the Council Chambers
of Freeport City Hall.

2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
Councilwoman Haffner gave the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American Flag was recited.

3. Recognition of Guests
4. Consent Agenda
a.eBills
b. Regular Council Meeting Minutes -August 27, 2026
c. Special Council Meeting Minutes -September 1, 2026
d. Budget Amendment #17 -Phase 3 Decorative Lighting
e. Budget Amendment #18 -Storage Building for Christmas Decorations

5. Public Comment on Consent Agenda
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

6. Approval of Consent Agenda
Moved by: Councilman Farris
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the Consent Agenda, as presented

A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst

aye
aye

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye

7. Consideration of Additions and/or Deletions to Agenda
1. Councilwoman Brannon -Addition -Light at Business 331 and Hwy 20
2. Councilwoman Brannon -Addition -Lighting Plan Budget Amendment for Future

8. Approval of Agenda with Additions/ Deletions
Moved by: Councilman Dickey
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the additions as presented.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye
aye
aye

9. Staff Reports
a. City Clerk

1. 2027 Meeting Schedule
City Clerk Mclendon stated that the item was the meeting schedule for 2027 with one
meeting in November and one meeting in December. Looking for approval to publish
meeting schedule.
Moved by: Councilman Farris
Seconded by: Councilwoman Brannon
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the additions as presented
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye
aye
aye
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026

b. City Manager
1. Blueberry Road/State Road 20 Intersection Improvements - Scope of Services
Planning Director Hughes-Neel introduced item stating that this was assigned to North
Florida Professional Services and attached is the scope of services for $36,500.00.
Moved by: Councilwoman Brannon
Seconded by: Councilman Farris
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the scope of services for Blueberry Road/State Road 20 Intersection
Improvements.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye
aye
aye

2. Living History Park SW Revision Scope of Services
Planning Director Hughes-Neel stated that this scope of services became necessary
because of the alignment for Marquis Way West. The stormwater pond for the Living
History Park would need to be moved. This meant that the stormwater management
part of the project needed to be revised. The total for this is $58,490.00. The reason
this is so much is because of the recent changes to stormwater management. There are
more studies that have to be done, and it takes more time to do them. A lot more
information is required now due to the changes. Staff is asking for approval of this
scope of services.
Moved by: Councilwoman Brannon
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the Dewberry Scope of Services for Stormwater Revision at
$58,490.00.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon

aye
aye
aye
aye
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye

c. Engineering
d. Finance

1. FMIT Insurance Renewal

Finance Director Simmons stated that he is looking for approval of the Insurance
renewal for $445,672.00
Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner
Seconded by: Councilman Farris
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the FMIT Insurance Renewal for $445,672.00.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Carried.

aye
aye
aye

e. Human Resources

1. 2027 Holiday Schedule

City Clerk Mclendon presented the 2027 Holiday Schedule. She asked for council
direction on the Christmas Holiday. We could do Thursday and Friday Holiday or Friday
and Monday Holiday. Staff is recommending Thursday and Friday.
Moved by: Councilwoman Haffner
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve the 2027 Holiday Schedule with Thursday and Friday off for
Christmas.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye
aye
aye

f. Legal
g. Mosquito Control

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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026

h. Parks

1. Trunk or Treat
Parks Director Bartlett asked council for approval of Trunk or Treat on October 24.
Moved by: Councilwoman Hurst
Seconded by: Councilman Dickey
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve Trunk or Treat for October 24th.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
aye
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
aye
aye
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
aye
aye
Councilman Dickey
Carried.
2. Kickball League
Parks Director Bartlett asked for approval to start a Kickball League. He has been asked
by quite a few people to see about starting one.
Moved by: Councilman Farris
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve starting a Kickball League.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:
Councilwoman Haffner
aye
Councilwoman Hurst
aye
aye
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
aye
aye
Councilman Dickey
Carried.
3. HVAC Certification Class
Parks Director Bartlett asked for approval to send William Canaday to get his HVAC
Certification. The cost is $4,000.00. Councilwoman Brannon asked if we had rules in
place to require an employment timeframe for this certification.
Moved by: Councilman Farris
Seconded by: Councilwoman Hurst
Mayor Barley called for public comment and there was none.

To approve, sending William Canaday to HVAC Certification Class.
A roll call vote was ordered, and the vote was as follows:

5

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026
Councilwoman Haffner
Councilwoman Hurst
Councilman Farris
Councilwoman Brannon
Councilman Dickey
Carried.

aye
aye
aye
aye
aye

i. Planning

1. Draft Political Signage Language
Planning Director Hughes-Neel presented item to council as a complete section for
political signage. These are all the rules that we currently have that applies to political
signage. Director Hughes-Neel wanted to make sure that council was good with this
language before she put it in the Land Development Code. We can use the language
now to tell people what we require. She asked council to read it over and let her know
if there was anything in there that was too strict or not strict enough. Councilwoman
Brannon asked if they could look at it and bring it back at the next meeting. Director
Hughes-Neel stated that she would bring it back at another meeting to give council time
to really look it over.

j. Sewer
k. Utility Billing
I. Water
10. Old Business
11. New Business
a. Mayor Barley

1. Employee of the Month

Mayor Barley presented the Employee of the Month Award to Gary Thomas for his
dedication, passion, and hard work for the citizens of the City of Freeport.

b. Councilman Dickey
c. Councilwoman Brannon

1. Flock Cameras

Councilwoman Brannon stated that the Governor of Florida has said no flock cameras
on state highways. Walton County Board of Commissioners has said no flock cameras
on county highways. She is asking that we say no flock cameras on city streets.
Councilwoman Brannon thinks that for housekeeping purposes we should follow up with
that and have Attorney Adkinson bring something back.
2. Light at Business 331 and Hwy 20
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026
Councilwoman Brannon stated that she was on 331 Business this morning and waited
through 2 light cycles because there is no dedicated left turn light at that intersection.
She would like us to contact FOOT to find out about getting a dedicated left turn light
and fix the intersection to hopefully get traffic moving better. Planning Director Hughes­
Neel stated that she had met with Walton County Public Works and the County
Engineering Department and had several conversations with FOOT about this
intersection. There are some things that would have to happen to have a dedic�t�� �� _
turn in terms of right of way. If council would authorize it she would like to_ as$igri•t11ts•.f:1 ;.
intersection to one of the engineering companies in our rotation for a scop���·se�6% ·-..__,:�: ••
•
J ·and bring back all possible options for this.
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3. Lighting Plan Budget Amendment for Future

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Councilwoman Brannon stated that in the last budget workshop they were tokt
was 1.5 million extra in revenue. She believes that $200,000 in the lighting plan is not
enough. Councilwoman Brannon would like to look into a budget amendment when we
start developing the lighting plan.

d. Councilman Farris
e. Councilwoman Hurst

1. City Hall Porch/Under Hang Lighting
Councilwoman Hurst stated that the existing lights on City Hall's porches and under
hangs are on photocells and are not dimmable. We would have to change all the
lighting to do anything about that. We can opt not to do anything and leave it as is or
we can choose to turn the breaker off just for the lights that are underneath the awning
and only on nights that we don't have meetings or special events. Staff needed all of
councils guidance and approval to turn those off. Council agreed to have them turned
off on an event-by-event basis. Councilwoman Hurst asked on the nights there wasn't a
special event or holiday does everyone have an opinion on what color the lights on City
Hall should be. We could do red, white, and blue and the time or we could do white.
Council agreed on white.

f. Councilwoman Haffner

12. Public Comment
13. Adjournment
With no other business, Mayor Barley motioned to adjourn at 9:23 AM.
Minutes were prepared by City Clerk Mclendon and approved by the City Council on
September 24, 2026.

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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, September 8, 2026
ATTEST:

/;(��
Rebecca Mclendon, City Clerk

Russ Barley, Mayor

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