The airport expansion proposal, particularly the new entrance from Country Club Drive, drew the most attention, sparking considerable concern among residents. Jim Harmon, a resident of the affected area, presented a petition signed by property owners opposing the road construction. He emphasized the safety risks posed to the neighborhood, especially to the eight children residing there, and criticized the council for prioritizing the airport expansion over community well-being. Harmon noted infrastructure inadequacies, such as the narrow railroad crossing, which could not accommodate increased traffic. Another resident, Greg Majors, added to the concerns, citing inconsistent information received from council members and questioning the transparency of the project. Majors raised issues related to a grant tied to the project and the potential financial consequences if job creation targets weren’t met, expressing frustration over the lack of public notification.

Residents expressed fear that the increased traffic would disrupt their community and potentially devalue properties. Jerry Ma, a long-term resident, discussed the decline of the local golf club and raised safety concerns stemming from the narrow passage for traffic. Randall Grryer inquired about the environmental impact study for the proposed road, which had yet to be conducted, raising questions about potential effects on local waterways.

The council attempted to address these grievances by clarifying that the new entrance would direct traffic into the airport, not through the neighborhood. However, skepticism remained, with residents like Grryer characterizing the project as speculative and financially risky.

In another focal point of the meeting, the council deliberated the ongoing search for a new finance director as members scrutinized candidate qualifications. A consultant presented three candidates, with notable discussion surrounding Adam Thompson, who had relevant Florida experience but lacked certification from the Florida Government Finance Officers Association. The council debated whether to proceed with the current candidates or readvertise the position, ultimately deciding to continue the search. Concerns about the adequacy of training and support for new hires were raised, with a specific mention of a staff member named Danielle, highlighting the need for additional resources within the finance department.

The council also addressed the allocation of approximately $43,000 in surplus funds from the Walton Phoenix Library Construction Project. A recommendation was made to create a facility maintenance reserve fund to address future repairs and maintenance of city facilities. A motion was proposed to allocate $20,000 toward grants for local Little League and athletic leagues, citing their achievements and needs. However, some council members argued that the city should prioritize its own infrastructure needs, emphasizing financial stability over external allocations. The debate concluded with a substitute motion favoring the creation of the maintenance reserve fund.

Property sales were another topic of discussion, with offers for the Armory and surrounding properties scrutinized. The council considered a $415,000 offer for all properties combined, with options to sell in parts. Concerns were raised about the optics of selling state-gifted land and the absence of a property appraisal. Some council members advocated for retaining the property for future municipal needs, while others argued for selling to return the properties to the tax rolls.