New Resident Guide · Apalachicola, Florida
Franklin CountyUtilities & Services
Just bought or moving within Franklin County? Here is every office and utility you'll need to get settled across Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, St. George Island, and the rest of the county — power, water, trash, homestead exemption, voter registration, and your zoned schools. The county has no piped natural gas (homes use propane). Print it and keep it on the fridge.
Step 1
County Offices
The government offices every new homeowner needs — for your homestead exemption, taxes, license plates, schools, and voter registration.
Property Appraiser
Franklin County Property Appraiser
File your homestead exemption (deadline March 1), check your assessed value, and look up property records. Filing homestead is the most valuable thing a new Florida homeowner can do.
Tax Collector
Franklin County Tax Collector
Pay property taxes, register your vehicles and get Florida license plates, and handle driver license services (by appointment). New residents must get a Florida license within 30 days.
Supervisor of Elections
Franklin County Supervisor of Elections
Register to vote or update your voter registration with your new address.
Public Schools
Franklin County School District
Find the schools your new address is zoned for and enroll your children.
Official Records / Deeds
Franklin County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Records and provides copies of your deed and other official property documents; also court records.
Building & Permitting
Franklin County Planning & Building
Permits and inspections for unincorporated Franklin County.
Sheriff (Non-Emergency)
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Non-emergency police matters and reports. For emergencies, always call 911.
Step 2
Set Up Your Utilities
Call ahead of your move-in date so the power and water are on when you arrive. Electric and water depend on your exact address — see the note under each.
Electric
Franklin has a single electric utility — Duke Energy (not the neighboring co-ops).
Duke Energy Florida
Serves: All of Franklin County — Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island, Carrabelle.
Water & Sewer
Each community has its own water provider — confirm by address. St. George Island is a separate private utility.
City of Apalachicola Water & Sewer
Serves: City of Apalachicola (also bills garbage).
Water Management Services, Inc.
Serves: St. George Island (private water utility).
Trash & Recycling
Waste One is the countywide curbside hauler; the county runs drop-off/recycling.
Waste One
Serves: Countywide curbside (Apalachicola, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, St. George Island, Alligator Point).
Franklin County Solid Waste
Serves: Unincorporated county drop-off/recycling.
Internet & TV
Availability varies by address — check each provider's site.
Mediacom
Serves: Cable in the Apalachicola/Eastpoint area (the primary wired option).
Brightspeed
Serves: DSL/fiber (former CenturyLink) in the Apalachicola area.
Not sure who serves your exact address?
Electric, water, and trash can change street by street. The fastest ways to confirm: check the seller's most recent utility bill, ask your closing agent or title company, or call the city utility office for the city your home is in. If your home is in an unincorporated area, it's handled by the county. Your MaxLife agent is happy to help you pin this down before closing.
Franklin County Setup — Common Questions
Who provides electricity in Franklin County, FL?
Franklin County has a single electric utility — Duke Energy — serving Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island, and Carrabelle. (The Talquin and Gulf Coast co-ops serve neighboring counties, not Franklin.) Set up service at (800) 700-8744.
How do I set up water service in Franklin County?
Each community has its own water provider: City of Apalachicola, City of Carrabelle, the Eastpoint Water & Sewer District, and — on St. George Island — the private Water Management Services, Inc. Confirm by address.
Is there natural gas in Franklin County?
No — there are no piped natural-gas lines in the county. Homes use propane (LP, tank lease/delivery) or are all-electric, so budget accordingly.
Where do I register my car and get a Florida driver license after moving to Franklin County?
The Franklin County Tax Collector (franklintaxcollector.com, (850) 275-9890) handles property-tax payment, vehicle registration/tags, and driver licenses (by appointment), with offices in Apalachicola and Carrabelle. New residents generally must get a Florida license within 30 days.
How do I register to vote in Franklin County?
Register or update your address through the Franklin County Supervisor of Elections at votefranklinfl.gov or (850) 653-9520. You can also update your registration when you get your Florida driver license.
Helpful next reads
Take it with you
Print this Franklin County contact sheet as a clean one-pager — perfect to keep on the fridge or hand to a client at closing.
Buying or selling in Franklin County? Talk to Ryan Solberg at MaxLife Realty.
Contact details verified June 2026against each agency's and provider's official website. Government offices and utilities occasionally change phone numbers, websites, and service areas — please confirm before relying on a number for a deadline or time-sensitive matter. MaxLife Realty is not affiliated with any office or utility listed here. For emergencies, call 911.