County News

Big Bend Transit – Franklin County Transportation Services
Your Community Transportation Coordinator

Need a Ride? We’re Here to Help!

*Curb-to-curb service
*M–F, 8 AM – 5 PM
*ADA-accessible vehicles
*Help available on request

How to Schedule a Ride:
*Call (850) 229-6550 by 2 PM the day before
Friday for Monday rides
Info needed:
• Name & phone
• Pickup/drop-off
• Time & return
• Any special needs

Fares (One-Way Trips):
• TD Eligible: $3.00
• General Public: $10.00
• Escorts: Same fare
*Exact fare only (cash, check, money order, Ride Pass)

Cancellations:

*Cancel at least 2 hrs before
*Late cancel/no-show = full fare charged

Online Booking Available!
*Register email with a BBT rep
* Use smartphone/tablet/computer
*Submit by 2 PM the business day before

Contact Us:
* (850) 229-6550
*TDD: 1-800-955-8711
*www.bigbendtransit.org

Title VI Notice:
We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or marital
status.
Questions? Call FL Commission on Human Relations:
(850) 488-7082 or 1-800-342-8170.

BBT Transportation Disadvantaged Application (Franklin County)

BBT Services Flyer (Franklin County)

BBT Transportation Disadvantaged Brochure (Franklin County)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2026

DOH-Franklin Lifts Water Quality Health
Advisory
Carrabelle Beach tests below unsafe level

Contact:
DT Simmons
Deanna.Simmons@flhealth.gov
850-653-2111

Franklin County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health Franklin County (DOH-Franklin) is lifting the advisory for high bacterial levels the following location:

Carrabelle Beach

Tests completed on Thursday, July 2, 2026, indicate that the water at Carrabelle Beach shows an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines. Test results are
available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

For more information, call 850-653-2111or Franklin.FloridaHealth.gov.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2026

Alligator Point Beach and St. George Island State Park tests
below unsafe level

Contact:
DT Simmons
Deanna.Simmons@flhealth.gov
850-653-2111

Franklin County, Fla.
— The Florida Department of Health Franklin County (DOH-Franklin) is lifting the advisory for high bacterial levels the following locations:

Alligator Point Beach
St. George Island State Park (Sugar Hill Beach Access)

Tests completed on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, indicate that the water at Alligator Point Beach and St. George Island State Park (Sugar Hill Beach Access) shows an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

Please note that water quality advisories for Carrabelle Beach are still active and have not been lifted at this time.

For more information, call 850-653-2111or visit Franklin.FloridaHealth.gov.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2026

DOH-Franklin Issues Water Quality Health Advisory

Advisory Issued for Several Franklin County Beaches

 

Contact:

DT Simmons

Deanna.Simmons@flhealth.gov

850-653-2111

Franklin County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County (DOH-Franklin) has issued a water quality advisory for the following locations:

Alligator Point Beach, Carrabelle Beach, St. George Island State Park (Sugar Hill Beach Access)

Tests completed on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, indicate that the water quality at Alligator Point Beach, Carrabelle Beach, and St. George Island State Park (Sugar Hill Beach Access) does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria recommended by the Florida Department of Health.

DOH-Franklin advises against any water-related activities at these locations due to an increased risk of illness in swimmers. Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.

This advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

For more information, call 850-653-2111 or Franklin.FloridaHealth.gov.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2025

DOH-Franklin Lifts Water Quality Health Advisory
Carrabelle Beach tests below unsafe level

Contact:
DT Simmons
Deanna.Simmons@flhealth.gov
850-653-2111

Franklin County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County (DOH-Franklin) is
lifting the advisory for high bacterial levels the following location:

Carrabelle Beach
1859 US-319
Carrabelle, FL 32322

Tests completed on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, indicate that the water quality at Carrabelle Beach
shows an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines. Test
results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

For more information, call 850-653-2111 or visit Franklin.FloridaHealth.gov.

=================================================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2025

Beach.Water.Advisory.Issued_05.16.2025

Contact:
DT Simmons
Deanna.Simmons@flhealth.gov
850-653-2111

Franklin County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Franklin County (DOH-Franklin)
has issued a water quality advisory for the following location:
Carrabelle Beach

Tests completed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, indicate that the water quality at Carrabelle
Beach does not meet the recreational water quality criteria for Enterococcus bacteria
recommended by the Florida Department of Health.

DOH-Franklin advises against any water-related activities at this location due to an increased
risk of illness in swimmers. Sampling conducted during regular water quality monitoring showed
that the level of bacteria exceeds the level established by state guidelines.

This advisory will continue until bacteria levels are below the accepted health level. Test results
are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

For more information, call 850-653-2111 or visit Franklin.FloridaHealth.gov.
###

About the Florida Department of Health
The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to
protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state,
county, and community efforts.
Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida
Department of Health, visit FloridaHealth.gov.

To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

Re: Franklin County, Florida; St. George Island Stormwater Improvements Construction; U.S. Department of the Treasury; RESTORE Act Direct Component Grant Program

In accordance with the federal regulations at 44 CFR Part 9, Franklin County Board of County Commissioners is issuing this notice to inform the public that the St. George Island Stormwater Improvements Construction project will in whole or in part take place in a 100-year Floodplain and Wetland. This activity is funded by a RESTORE Act Direct Component grant, grant number, RDCGR090560-01-00 issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The proposed project will include installation of approximately 1,489 linear feet of 18” piping and 3,186 linear feet of 24” piping, and 3,270 square yards of asphalt patching and resurfacing, sod improvements, other required piping and restoration activities to complete the overall objectives of the St. George Island Stormwater Improvements project. The purpose of this project is to extend, enhance, and construct storm water drainage facilities in order to increase the capacity for the commercial district of St. George Island. The project locations include: Zone 1: W Gorrie Drive, 1st Street W, W Gulf Beach Drive; Zone 2: W Pine Street to Franklin Blvd; Zone 3: W Bay Shore Drive to Franklin Blvd; Zone 4: 1st Street E; Zone 5: 2nd Street E to E Pine Street; and Zone 6: E Pine Street to 3rd Street E.

Franklin County has considered alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. The project includes impacts to approximately 0.10 acres of wetlands for the installation of outfall pipes and mitered end sections. The Environmental Resource Permit issued by the Northwest Florida Water Management District includes construction recommendations to reduce the chances for adverse impacts which the County and its Construction Contractor will implement to avoid any adverse impacts to the wetland and 100-year floodplain, as applicable.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains, wetlands, and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about projects that will take place in floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance the county’s efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas in accordance with the Federal requirements. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the county uses Federal funds for projects that will take place in floodplains and wetlands, it must inform the public who may be put at greater or continued risk pursuant to 44 CFR § 9.8.

Written comments may be mailed via United States Postal Service (USPS) and must be received by the Franklin County at the following address on or before June 9, 2025: Franklin County Board of County Commissioners, Attn: Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager/Grants Coordinator, 248 Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328.

Written comments may also be submitted via email to Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager/Grants Coordinator at erin@franklincountyflorida.com or Michael Moron, County Coordinator at michael@franklincountyflorida.com and must be received by June 9, 2025.

Flood Plain Notice SGI Storm Water

To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

Re: Franklin County, Florida; County-wide Dune Restoration Construction; U.S. Department of Treasury; RESTORE Act Direct Component Grant Program

In accordance with Treasury regulations at 44 CFR Part 9, Franklin County Board of County Commissioners is issuing this notice to solicit public comment on the County-wide Dune Restoration project because it has been determined that the project in whole or in part will take place in a 100-year Floodplain. This activity is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury, RESTORE Act Direct Component Grant Program under Award Agreement RDCGR090518-0100.

The proposed project will include installation of a varied vegetation footprint of between 6 and 7.5 feet installed along the toe of the dune areas along 11 miles of public beaches (St. George Island, .8 miles of Carrabelle Beach, 5 miles of Alligator Point and 1.2 miles of Bald Point). All private property owners within the proposed project area have been notified of the activity and homeowner license agreements have been executed and recoded for participating parties. The proposed project will also include dune and coastal hammock restoration at two county beach park locations: St. George Island’s Lighthouse Park and Carrabelle Beach Park.

Franklin County has considered alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. Franklin County does not anticipate any adverse impacts to the 100-year floodplain.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments mailed via USPS must be received by the Franklin County at the following address on or before June 9, 2025: Franklin County Board of County Commissioners, Attn: Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager/Grants Coordinator, 248 Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328. Emailed comments may be submitted to Erin Griffith, Fiscal Manager/Grants Coordinator at erin@franklincountyflorida.com or Michael Moron, County Coordinator at michael@franklincountyflorida.com.

Flood Plain Notice Co Wide Dune Rest Proj

The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners through the Franklin County S.H.I.P Program will be accepting applications for Fiscal years 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025, for the Down Payment Assistance, Emergency Repair, Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, and Demolition/Reconstruction programs.
Applications will be accepted beginning May 2^nd, 2025, and will end on June 30^th, 2026, for the Emergency Repair and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation programs.

Applications for Down Payment Assistance will also begin May 2^nd, 2025, and will end on June 30, 2026.

Applications for the Demolition/Reconstruction program will be first come first eligible. With limited funding for this program, we will be limited to 1 eligible applicant per fiscal year.

Applications for all programs will be served on a first come first eligible basis. The total allocation is $1,435,701.71 and priority will be given to special needs households as defined in section 420.0004 (13) and 393.063 (9) Florida Statues.

For an application and other SHIP information, please visit www.franklincountyflorida.com/resources/franklin-county-ship/

Please be aware that if you have applied for SHIP previously and were not served, you will need to reapply. The program will not use any names or applications from prior waiting list.