Sewer projects, golf cart rules, parks, and hurricane prep
The May 26, 2026 Gulf County Board of County Commissioners meeting covered a wide mix of topics this month, from infrastructure and recreation projects to golf cart enforcement and hurricane season preparation.
Like always, this is not every single item discussed during the meeting, but these were some of the larger conversations and updates that stood out for residents, property owners, and anyone following growth and projects around Gulf County.
Sewer and infrastructure projects continue moving forward
A large portion of the meeting focused on wastewater and sewer infrastructure planning across the county.
The county approved applying for several grants tied to sewer expansion projects, including work connected to the future advanced wastewater treatment facility and infrastructure running toward Howard Creek and the Department of Corrections work camp area.
County staff explained they are pursuing multiple funding sources at once to help avoid placing the full burden on local taxpayers if grants are not awarded. Officials also said the DOC related sewer project could support future job growth and potentially help reopen work camp operations that historically supported county public works efforts.
The county also updated funding plans connected to previously approved sewer projects after some earlier work was completed using different funding sources.
One thing that stood out during the discussion was the amount of grant activity currently happening across Gulf County. Staff shared the county now has more than $133 million in active grants, along with millions more still tied to Hurricane Michael reimbursements and pending applications.
The county also confirmed it is finally receiving reimbursement funding for one of the remaining Hurricane Michael debris burn projects after waiting several years.
Golf cart enforcement and safety rules are expanding
Golf carts were one of the longer discussions during the meeting as the county continues trying to address safety concerns in St. Joe Beach and other busy areas.
The board approved updates to the county golf cart ordinance that expand enforcement options for the sheriff’s office and public works crews. The updated ordinance now includes additional language related to low speed vehicles and utility terrain vehicles, along with rules tied to parking near stop signs and intersections.
One of the biggest concerns discussed was visibility at intersections along Highway 98 where golf carts have been parking too close to stop signs and blocking views for drivers trying to safely pull onto the highway.
Commissioners also discussed concerns about golf carts crossing Highway 98 in heavy traffic areas, especially in communities where golf carts are heavily marketed to vacation renters and visitors.
The updated ordinance also gives the county authority to relocate or immobilize improperly parked golf carts creating safety hazards.
The board adjusted the proposed stop sign setback distance to mirror existing state law requirements using a 30 foot buffer zone instead of the originally proposed 50 feet.
There was also discussion about possible future “geo fencing” technology that could eventually limit where rental golf carts are able to operate if safety problems continue during busy seasons.
County preparing for hurricane season
With hurricane season approaching, the county finalized its new disaster debris removal contract after reviewing proposals from multiple companies.
Commissioners voted to award the debris recovery contract to Crowder Gulf following an evaluation process involving county staff with decades of disaster recovery experience, including Hurricane Michael response work.
The board emphasized the importance of having contracts in place before hurricane season ramps up rather than waiting until after a storm event.
Monitoring services connected to disaster debris operations were also approved during the meeting.
Parks and recreation projects continue moving ahead
Several recreation related projects also moved forward during the meeting.
The county approved funding related to:
• Pickleball court improvements at Washington Gym
• Air conditioning replacement projects at Washington Gym
• Funding for the new park property off Highway 71
• A concession stand project at the 10th Street Ballpark in Port St. Joe
Most of the recreation funding discussions centered around tourist development tax funding sources and required cost sharing agreements.
New ambulance expected soon
The county also approved applying for additional grant funding for a future ambulance purchase.
EMS officials shared that a brand new ambulance currently being finalized should be delivered soon and placed into service by the end of the month.
Sober living ordinance officially approved
The board officially adopted the county’s sober living and recovery residence ordinance after several months of public discussion and workshops.
The ordinance creates county guidelines for licensing, spacing, safety requirements, and operation of sober living and recovery residences in unincorporated Gulf County.
No specific sober living project was approved during this meeting. The ordinance establishes county rules and oversight for any future facilities.
Why these meetings are worth paying attention to
A lot of the things discussed during county meetings are the kinds of projects people notice months or even years later. Infrastructure planning, sewer expansion, recreation projects, tourism growth, safety enforcement, and disaster preparation all shape how Gulf County continues to grow.
You do not have to sit through every meeting to stay informed. I’ll keep posting these recaps to help make the bigger discussions easier to follow.
You can also attend meetings in person or watch the full meetings on YouTube through Gulf County if you want to hear every discussion firsthand.
Linda Surles, Realtor, Selling the Coast
850.329.5771
linda@sellingthecoastfl.com