Sen. Trumbull, Rep. Abbott hold delegation meeting in Washington County

Sen. Jay Trumbull and State Rep. Shane Abbott held their Washington County Legislative Delegation meeting Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Board of County Commissioners board room.

Held before the beginning of the new legislative session, the meeting gives municipalities and other local agencies the opportunity to request support or funding for specific projects through state appropriations.

The Board of County Commissioners had several requests, including $2.5 million to expand the Washington County Fire Department in Sunny Hills into an operations center for fire and EMS. The expansion would benefit the growing population in the south end of the county. 

Commissioners also requested an additional $2.2 million for drainage mitigation at the county annex offices and to add additional parking spaces for easier access.

The third and final request for $1.062 million would allow the county to complete phase II of the Dumajack Road paving project.

“Going into last year’s legislative session, you could consider yourself at a disadvantage for having two freshmen leading us but were they oh so wrong,†said County Commission Chairman Tray Hawkins. “You all had the best legislative session we have ever had in Washington County. It is because of the tireless hard work by you and your staff and we are appreciative of that.â€

The City of Chipley also made three requests for appropriation funding in the 2024 cycle. The first of those requests is to extend the sewer lines south of Interstate 10. 

“The expansion of a sewer system would allow for business and industry to come into our community,†said Chipley Mayor Tracy Andrews. “This project would greatly improve the economic viability of our city.â€

The second request is another water and sewer project in the form of expansion of the Brickyard Road systems. With the addition of a new surgical center at Northwest Florida Community Hospital, the expansion is much needed. 

The final request comes in the form of updated equipment for the Chipley Police Department to include vehicles, cameras, and other safety equipment.
Wausau Mayor Roger Dale Hagans made a solitary request on behalf of the town. During last year’s session, funding was appropriated to the town for improvements to the Possum Palace but the amount didn’t cover the entire project. Hagans requested $1.2 million to complete the project.

“Thank you to everyone who came out today,†said Abbott. “This is why we love what we do. We serve communities that love their communities. Thank you for being so invested in your communities.â€