Destin City Council adopts FY2026 budget and millage, approves multiple ordinances, and extends nonprofit lease

(Note: Individual speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. At the discretion of the mayor, this 3 minute allowance may be adjusted depending on the level of business coming before the City Council)

The City of Destin is seeking temporary road closure of Highway 98 for the 41st Annual Christmas Parade. One of the requirements of the DOT permit is to gain City Council approval. | attachments=1 | reports=1

Resolution 25-09 was prepared at the request of t he U.S. Board on Geographic Names ("BGN") to confirm the spelling and location of Norriego Point Park. | attachments=2 | reports=1

For many years, the City has proudly served as a co-sponsor of the Destin Seafood Festival (DSF). Once again, DSF is requesting permission to utilize the City's parking lots at Marler Street parking lot (northern half) as well as the Zerbe parking lot (all) for seafood vendors. Parking passes will be issued to vendors, and DSF is requesting that associated parking fees for vendor trucks be waived. The event dates for this year's event are Friday September 26 through Sunday September 28. | reports=1

Compass Marine Group, LLC, on behalf of both Sherry Currow and Christopher Finkler , has applied for Harbor and Waterways Board review for the proposed construction of a new 32-foot by 5-foot access pier extending from the MHWL to a 15 -foot by 2 0-foot covered dock structure with an attached 10-foot by 20-foot platform dock . Additionally, the project includes the installation of two (2) finger piers, each measuring 2 1 - feet by 4 - feet , which are accessed via an access pier measuring 4 - f eet - wide by 40 - feet - long . The applicant seeks City Council approval for a Residential Marine Construction project proposing a new residential dock with: Total Square Feet: 98 8 SF Total Number of Piers or Docks: 1 Total Length: 5 7 LF Total Slip Density: 2 Located in the Destin Harbor : No | attachments=7 | reports=1

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At the July 21, 2025, Regular City Council meeting, Councilmember Bagby made a motion directing staff to prepare an update to Ordinance 20-18-LC and present the draft to the Public Works/Safety Committee for review and recommendation at its September meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hebert and passed unanimously with a 6-0 vote. | reports=1

At the September 3, 2025, Regular City Council meeting, Councilmember Braden brought up a discussion item for establishing a Code of Ethics. Councilmember Trammell recommended that the City Manager reach out to the City Manager of Jacksonville Beach, noting their practice of conducting an annual ethics review and suggesting it could serve as a useful model for Destin. | reports=1

During the Regular City Council meeting on August 18, 2025, Councilmember Schmidt made a motion directing the City Attorney to negotiate a purchase agreement for the property located at 446 Calhoun Avenue, based on the City’s appraisal and within a reasonable range. The motion also instructed the City Manager to work with staff to assess any site limitations, including wetlands and to develop cost estimates for converting the parcel into a parking lot. Additionally, staff was directed to simultaneously evaluate the feasibility of using the drainage easement across the street for parking. Councilmember Hebert seconded the motion, which passed with a 5-0 vote. ​ | reports=1

At the Regular City Council meeting on September 3, 2025, the Council approved the renewal of the City’s Property and Casualty insurance with an estimated premium of $585,970—an increase of $28,703 (5%) compared to the previous year. | reports=1

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Pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 200.065, and the City Charter Section 3.13, staff is presenting Ordinance 25-20-CN for adoption of the FY 2026 millage rate. | attachments=6 | reports=1

Pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 200, and City Charter Section 3.13, staff is presenting Ordinance 25-21-CN for adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Budget Workshops were held June 9, 2025 and July 14, 2025. The first reading of Ordinance 25-21-CN Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget was held on September 3, 2025 and passed 6-1. The current budget proposed budget for FY 2026 is $61,578,610 million, and is $185,875 higher than was presented at Public Hearing #1 on September 3, 2025. CHANGES SINCE THE 09/03/2025 PUBLIC HEARING#1 ARE SUMMARIZED AS FOLLOWS: +$320,000 Expenditures - Increased FY 2026 General Fund Capital Expenditures for Dalton Threadgill Park to replace infields with artificial turf Expenditures - Decreased FY 2026 General Fund Additions to Fund Balance to cover additional expenditures ========== $185,875 net change to Expenditures ("Uses") budget + $100 Revenue - Increased FY 2026 General Election Qualifying Fees (charge for service) +185,775 Revenue - Increased FY 2026 General Fund Deduction of Fund Balance by $185,775 to cover added expenditures ======= $185,875 net change to Revenues ("Sources") budget | attachments=3 | reports=1

Proposed Ordinance 25-05-CC requires additional training and safety measures for livery vessel operators and their customers, codifies the livery vessel cap within the City, and makes clarifications to permit transferability. The cap on the number of livery vessels is based on the current number of livery vessels legally registered and expected to register based on the recent clarifications related to bareboat yachts and the existing boat club within the city. Proposed clarifications on permit registration transferability include the ability to transfer permit registrations provided the vessel is transferred with the permit, but prohibit separate permit transfers if detached from the vessel to which the permit is registered. Abandoned permits would be required to be returned to the City. The Ordinance, in various forms, was discussed by the City Council on May 19, 2025; by the Harbor and Waterways Board on May 22, 2025, and again by the City Council on August 4 and 18, 2025. This Ordinance, in its current form, was approved by the City Council on first reading on September 3, 2025. | attachments=1 | reports=1