Story and photos by JEFFREY POWELL
Approximately 50 local dignitaries and members of the general public gathered on February 27, 2019, to celebrate the official opening of several Walton County offices in Freeport. The gathering marked the culmination of much hard work by Walton County officials and employees to bring the effort to fruition. Walton County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Tony Anderson, who grew up in Freeport, was the first to address the gathering.
“When Mayor Barley and I were going to school as children in Freeport we never in our wildest dreams thought there would be full Walton County offices here in town,” said Anderson. “There is so much potential here in Freeport and in all of Walton County. The growth in this area over the next 10 years is going to be unbelievable. I want to thank Dave Sell and all the county employees that made this possible. It could not have been done without all of their hard work.”
In addition to the Walton County offices there is also a full service Walton County Tax Collector’s office and a Walton County Sheriff’s sub-station. Attendees to Wednesday’s event were able to enjoy a donut with coffee and tour several of the offices. Walton County Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper was on hand to personally give tours to the new facility.
“I am honored to have everyone here today, especially my mom,” said Skipper with a smile. “There are so many people to thank and I am very excited to see this complex come to pass. Those of us at the Walton County Tax Collector’s office look forward to serving all the citizens of Walton County.”