🏡 How it Works Part 2: Wakulla County Government – Your Local Team

👋 Hey Wakulla Neighbors!

We’re back with Part 2 of our series on how Florida and Wakulla governments work—solo, together, and sometimes in a tug-of-war.

Last time, we looked at the big shots in Tallahassee.

Now? We’re zooming in on your local squad—the folks fixing potholes, managing parks, and tasked with keeping our springs pristine.

Spoiler: Wakulla’s got more flexibility than most counties. But we still play by state rules. Let’s break it down.

🗺️ Wakulla: A Charter County Since 2008

We’re not just any county—we’re a charter county, which means we’ve got home rule powers. Translation:

• We can pass local ordinances without asking the state first

• We can tailor rules to fit Wakulla’s unique needs

• But—we can’t contradict state law (hello, preemption 👀)

🧠 Compared to non-charter counties (stuck under Dillon’s Rule), we’ve got more wiggle room. But Tallahassee still holds the override button.

🧩 How Our Government Is Structured

Wakulla runs on a commission-administrator system—a setup used by most Florida counties.

Let’s meet the team.

🧑‍⚖️ BOCC: Your Elected Decision-Makers

Five commissioners. Five districts. One mission: keep Wakulla running.

• Districts 1–5, redrawn every 10 years

• Each rep serves a 4-year term (staggered for stability - districts 2 and 4 in 2026, Districts 1,3 & 5 in 2028 and alternating thereafter)

• Partisan elections—check wakullavotes.gov for updates

🗓️ They meet twice a month (1st & 3rd Mondays, 5 PM at 3093 Crawfordville Hwy).

📣 Public comment is open (for three minutes)—your voice, emails, and social media activity matter.

💰 FY 2025/2026 budget? Around $200 million. Priorities: roads, public safety, and infrastructure.

👔 County Administrator: The Day-to-Day Boss

Hired by the BOCC, the Administrator is like Wakulla’s CEO.

• Oversees departments

• Preps the budget

• Executes the Board’s vision (as of recent, more like the board executes the Administrator's vision)

⚠️ Real talk: Sometimes the Administrator steers the ship more than expected. That’s why paying attention matters.

🗳️ Constitutional Officers: The Specialists

These five positions are elected countywide—no districts, just Wakulla voters.

🧾 These roles add checks and balances. For example, the Clerk audits county spending—catching any funny business.

These five positions are elected countywide—no districts, just Wakulla voters deciding. They’re established by the Florida Constitution and operate independently from the Board of County Commissioners, but they collaborate to keep county government accountable and running smoothly.

👮 Sheriff

Role: Law enforcement, jail operations, and public safety

Responsibilities:

• Patrol and protect Wakulla communities

• Manage the county jail

• Respond to emergencies and criminal investigations

• Coordinate with other agencies during disasters

Real-Life Impact: From hurricane evacuations to neighborhood patrols, the Sheriff’s Office is your frontline for safety.

📑 Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller

Role: Court clerk, auditor, treasurer, and financial watchdog

Responsibilities:

• Maintain court records and public documents

• Process marriage licenses, passports, and jury duty

• Audit county spending and manage contracts

• Record BOCC meeting minutes and provide financial reports

Real-Life Impact: The Clerk ensures transparency—catching financial missteps and keeping public records accessible.

💸 Tax Collector

Role: Revenue collection and licensing

Responsibilities:

• Collect property taxes and fees

• Issue vehicle tags and registrations

• Handle hunting, fishing, and business licenses

• Administer local revenue programs

Real-Life Impact: From renewing your car tag to paying your property tax, this office keeps Wakulla’s revenue flowing.

🏠 Property Appraiser

Role: Property valuation for fair taxation

Responsibilities:

• Assess the market value of homes, land, and businesses

• Maintain property records and maps

• Ensure equitable tax assessments across the county

Real-Life Impact: Your tax bill starts here—accurate assessments mean fair contributions from all property owners.

🗳️ Supervisor of Elections

Role: Oversees voter registration and elections

Responsibilities:

• Maintain voter rolls and registration systems

• Organize and run local, state, and federal elections

• Ensure ballot security and election integrity

• Educate voters and promote participation

Real-Life Impact: From early voting to election day, this office protects your voice at the ballot box.

🛠️ Departments: The Hands-On Crew

Under the Administrator’s watch, Wakulla’s departments deliver the goods.

🚧 Public Works

Handles: Roads, bridges, fleet services, wastewater, solid waste

🚨 Public Safety

Handles: Fire services, EMS, animal control

🏗️ Planning & Community Development

Handles: Building permits, zoning, land use, growth management

🌳 Parks & Facilities

Handles: Recreation programs, park maintenance, golf course, airport

📚 Library Services

Handles: Public libraries, programs, digital resources

👥 Human Resources & Risk Management

Handles: Hiring, employee benefits, insurance, safety training

💰 Fiscal Operations

Handles: Budgeting, accounting, procurement, grants

🏥 Health Services (via Florida Department of Health): Hybrid County/State

Handles: Immunizations, tobacco prevention, birth/death certificates

🎖️ Other Specialized Services (Hybrids)

Includes:

• Veterans’ Services – Benefits assistance, outreach events

• UF/IFAS Extension – Agricultural education, farm support

• Probation Services – Community corrections, supervision

🚗 Motor Vehicle Services (via FLHSMV): Hybrid County & State

Handles: Driver licenses, vehicle tags, registrations

⚖️ Powers & Limits: What Wakulla Can (and Can’t) Do

✅ What We Can Do:

• Levy local taxes and fees

• Manage zoning and land use

• Run parks and waste services

• Tailor local ordinances

🛑 What We Can’t Do:

• Contradict state law

• Regulate guns, rentals, or wetlands beyond state limits

• Escape preemption—State can override us

🧠 Dillon’s Rule doesn’t bind us as tight, but state supremacy still rules.

🛣️ Pure Local Plays: No State Meddling

Some things are 100% Wakulla’s call:

• Local road repairs (not interstates)

• Park events and rec programs

• Trash fees and solid waste assessments

Example: Our 2025/2026 solid waste program—designed and approved right here.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Wakulla’s charter gives us flexibility—but the state’s still the boss

• The intent is that the BOCC sets policy, Administrator runs ops, Officers specialize (does not always appear to happen this way)

• Departments deliver services that touch every corner of life

• Preemption is real—know where local power ends

• Your participation matters: show up, speak out, stay informed