Scenic Walton Pushes Countywide Underground Utility Plan
Walton County commissioners expressed support during a recent strategic planning session for a countywide initiative to bury overhead utility lines underground, a project Scenic Walton Director Leigh Moore called a top priority for the community’s storm resilience and beautification.
The proposal, discussed during a Board of County Commissioners strategic planning workshop, would move power lines, fiber optic cables, and other overhead utilities underground throughout Walton County. Moore told commissioners that while the cost is significant, the benefits extend beyond aesthetics — underground utilities are far less vulnerable to hurricane-force winds and storm debris, reducing prolonged power outages that have plagued the region after major storms. The initiative aligns with goals outlined in the county’s 2027 Strategic Plan, which identifies infrastructure hardening as a critical need for a county that sits directly in the path of Gulf Coast storm systems.
Commissioner Danny Glidewell, whose District 2 covers north and central Walton County including DeFuniak Springs, was among the most vocal supporters of the initiative. “Putting utilities underground — it just makes sense,” Glidewell said during the discussion. “I don’t know where we’re gonna find the money, but Melissa can find the money,” referring to County Chief Financial Officer Melissa Thomason, who would oversee the financial planning for the project.
The underground utility push has particular relevance for Freeport. US 331, the city’s primary north-south artery and hurricane evacuation route, has been a focal point for Scenic Walton’s beautification efforts, including a gateway landscape project at the northern entrance to Freeport. Burying utilities along this corridor would not only improve the visual appeal of the city’s main commercial strip but also harden a critical evacuation and emergency response route against storm damage. The county has previously explored undergrounding in partnership with utility companies and the Walton County Emergency Management Department, with Scenic Walton convening a working group that includes representatives from all major utility providers operating in the county.
The next step in the process is a feasibility study known as an Opinion of Probable Cause, which would assess the cost and engineering requirements for undergrounding utilities countywide. Scenic Walton has urged residents to advocate for funding the study in the county’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, with budget workshops scheduled throughout July. The Board of County Commissioners will hold a series of Tuesday budget workshops at 10:00 AM to review the proposed FY2027 budget, where the underground utility funding question is expected to be addressed.
Residents who want to weigh in on the underground utility initiative can attend the upcoming budget workshops or contact their county commissioner. The full strategic plan discussion and budget workshop schedule are available through the Walton County website.
Originally reported by Mid Bay News and Scenic America.
