The council welcomed Kelly Horton, a new lobbyist, who provided an overview of the political landscape in Tallahassee and the importance of having representation for Destin, a midsized city often overshadowed by larger municipalities. Horton, a fourth-generation Floridian with deep roots in the Panhandle, emphasized her commitment to advocating for Destin’s interests. She outlined the changes in state politics following recent elections and highlighted the need for Destin to secure funding and attention amid these shifts.

Horton explained her strategy to work closely with local representatives to address issues such as property taxes, affordable housing, and vacation rental regulations. She stressed the importance of continual advocacy beyond the legislative session, which is set to begin on March 4 and last for 60 days. The council expressed appreciation for Horton’s insights, recognizing the potential benefits of her representation in securing necessary resources and attention.

In another discussion, the council addressed the challenges in filling positions on various committees, particularly the Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) for the Town Center and Harbor. Efforts to recruit members had been hampered, leading to debates about the current committee structures and their effectiveness. The council considered proposals to merge certain committees to streamline operations and improve engagement, but there was concern about the feasibility of combining committees with distinct geographical focuses and priorities.

A proposal was made to retain the current configuration of the Town Center and Harbor CRAs for a minimum of one year while extending the timeframe for finding qualified members until March. This approach aimed to allow more time for recruitment efforts and to assess the effectiveness of the committees. Despite some skepticism about the potential for combining committees, the council ultimately agreed to extend the current structure, emphasizing the need for active participation and leadership from members.

The meeting also addressed the issue of illegal vending on the beaches, which was brought to the council’s attention by community member Carrie Harbarger. Harbarger highlighted the detrimental impact of illegal businesses on local entrepreneurs who invest in the community. The council acknowledged the importance of enforcing existing ordinances and discussed potential strategies to deter illegal operations, such as using surveillance tools to monitor beach activities. There was consensus on the need for a structured enforcement plan to protect local businesses and maintain the integrity of the beach environment.

Additionally, the council approved a resurfacing project for fiscal year 2024, allocating over $1.2 million for various infrastructure improvements. The funding for these projects was sourced from Okaloosa County’s half-penny tax and the city’s general fund. The council also navigated complications with the Morgan Sports Center lighting project, ultimately awarding the contract to MG Contractors after resolving licensing issues with the initial bidder.

The discussion on committee structures extended to other advisory boards, with the council debating the potential consolidation of the Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Harbor Waterways committees into a single Community Service Advisory Board. The aim was to improve efficiency and ensure that committees had the expertise needed to address specific community needs. The council recognized the challenges of securing adequate volunteer participation and emphasized the importance of respecting the efforts of those already involved.

As the meeting drew to a close, the council made several nominations for various boards and committees, including the Harbor and Waterways Board, Local Planning Agency, and Parks and Recreation Committee. The nominations process underscored ongoing concerns about applicant suitability and the need for clear guidelines on committee membership.