Walton County is considering a potentially transformative shift in infrastructure as the Board of County Commissioners evaluates a proposal to move power lines underground countywide. During a recent strategic planning session, Scenic Walton Director Leigh Moore urged the board to treat the initiative as a top priority, noting that while undergrounding utilities—including fiber for communication—is one of the most challenging projects a county can undertake, it is vital for storm resilience, hurricane recovery, and long-term beautification.
This proposal emerges as the county charts its 2027 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive long-term roadmap to manage future growth and infrastructure. Commissioner Danny Glidewell acknowledged the necessity of the project; significant hurdles remain, primarily concerning funding. The immediate path forward involves commissioning an “Opinion of Probable Cause”—a feasibility study estimated to cost between $100,000 and $150,000—to determine the project’s scope and implementation plan. This strategy could draw from the phased success seen in neighboring Destin.
Leigh Moore of Scenic Walton took the opportunity to speak specifically about a Strategic Plan involving the strategic enhancement of infrastructure for Walton County, involving underground utilities. She indicated that moving power underground was a recommendation pushed by residents who filled out a survey and attended county workshops to give their opinions. Moore said, “I’m not sure there are a whole lot more critical things that the county could pursue than a countywide undergrounding initiative.” Moore then immediately addressed the big question. “Will it be expensive? Yes, it will probably be one of the hardest things the county ever undertakes. It is not easy.” she continued, “You can talk to any county that has done it, and they’ll tell you both of those things, but they’ll also tell you it’s the best thing they’ve ever done, and they can’t stop talking about it.”
As the Director of Scenic, Walton, Moore said she’s committed to supporting the county and preserving the attributes the county provides from the North to the South end. The key message Moore sought to convey is that moving utilities underground is not a new process, and neighbors like Destin have a lot of experience that Walton County can easily benefit from.
Destin has completed 1 of 7 of their undergrounding phases, and, Moore says, the current project is the most difficult of all. They have completed a 3-mile stretch of Hwy 98 from “Main Street to the bridge,” estimated at $14 million.
Moore did not deny that underground power (including fiber for communication) is a major project, but this is now a common and preferred infrastructure method not only for beautification but also excellent for storms and hurricane recovery. Commissioner Glidewell shared that underground utilities would be welcomed in the northern part of the county, where downed power lines have been commonplace following storms.
Moore was asked about the next steps in the inquiry into the implementation of underground utilities in Walton County. She said the next step would be to obtain an Opinion of Probable Cause, which is essentially an in-depth professional study to “determine the scope of the work,” with prioritization or a utility implementation plan for the county. Moore added, “It’s like a feasibility study combined with a very, very generalized plan. It doesn’t go super in-depth.”
After a series of questions from the BCC, Commissioner Glidewell concluded the conversation, saying, “Putting utilities underground – it just makes sense. I don’t know where we’re gonna [sic] find the money, but Melissa [Thomason, CFO for Walton County] can find the money.”
