City Council advances jetty safety, CRS review, infrastructure projects, and pension action items

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At the regularly scheduled Harbor and Waterways Board (HWB) meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Board discussed ongoing navigational issues in relation to East Pass, and how the area could improve boater safety. | attachments=1 | reports=1

(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 Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) has provided animal control services to the City of Destin for more than 15 years. The most recent agreement, covering January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, was approved by Council in the amount of $69,655, based on a per capita rate of $5 for a population of 13,931. When PAWS announced rate changes for local governments beginning in 2025, city staff coordinated with Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Okaloosa County to review service options. Following these discussions, the annual contract was negotiated and approved at $92,761.50, based on a per capita rate of $6.50 for Destin’s population of 14,271. This rate matches the recent agreement between Okaloosa County and PAWS. The contract will be billed monthly, with payments of $7,730.12 due upon receipt of invoices and corresponding activity reports. | attachments=3 | reports=1

The City Council discussed the Lease with Food for Thought at its regular City Council meeting of September 15, 2025. Councilmember Trammell moved to extend the lease agreement for Food for Thought under the same terms and conditions through March 1, 2030. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Hebert and passed 7-0. As such, the proposed lease amendment is attached to this agenda for City Council approval. | attachments=3 | reports=1

McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin is requesting the use of the city right-of-way to hold their annual 5K/10K road race on October 25, 2025 starting at 9:00 a.m. All the required documentation has been provided. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Destin Fire Control District, and the Okaloosa County Emergency Medical Services are aware of the upcoming request. A map indicates the path of the race, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Posse will control the traffic where necessary, and race sponsors will maintain the traffic elsewhere and remove any debris left after the request. | attachments=1 | reports=1

The current Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative (OCPLC) Interlocal Agreement will expire on December 31, 2025. It is now time to execute a new agreement that stipulates the amount of funding Okaloosa County will pay in FY2026 to extend municipal library services to all residents of Okaloosa County. | attachments=3 | reports=1

Under the current bylaws, the Destin City Council may appoint up to 14 members to the Destin Youth Council, with a maximum of 5 members allowed to be non-residents. | attachments=2 | reports=1

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Announcements

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As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to roadway maintenance, the Public Works Department has developed a Renewal/Replacement Schedule for the City of Destin. For FY 2026, multiple streets have been selected for milling, resurfacing, and re-striping. This request covers fourteen such streets. The Public Works/Public Safety Committee reviewed the proposed list of resurfacing projects at their September 9th meeting and recommended approval. These projects will address surface cracking, rutting, and aging asphalt to maintain a safe and efficient transportation network. As these streets each have a "local" classification, they will have Stop Bars and crosswalks re-installed approximately two weeks after the new asphalt has been placed, allowing the asphalt time to cure. | attachments=9 | reports=1

5/5/2025 Councilmember Bagby moved to direct staff to develop and present an option for transitioning City employees to Social Security and the Florida Retirement System, to be considered as part of the 2026 budget planning process. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Trammell and passed 6-0. 6/9/2025: Staff presented a proposed budget at Budget hearing #1 to include a transition to FRS and Social Security. 7/14/2026: Staff presented a proposed budget at Budget workshop #2 to include a transition to FRS and Social Security. 7/21/2025: Councilmember Bagby moved to allow city employees the option to transition from the current thrift savings plan into the Florida Retirement System (FRS) beginning FY26, starting October 1, 2025; seconded by Councilmember Trammell. Motion passed 6-0. 8/18/2025 — In order to proceed with allowing City Employees the option to join Social Security and FRS, staff initiated the FRS join process which requires implementation via ordinance. First reading of proposed Ordinance 25 - 19 -CC - Amending Chapter 2 - Administration of the Code of Ordinances relating to city membership in the Florida Retirement System (FRS); providing for membership in FRS for the benefit of City of Destin employees. Motion to approve Ordinance 25 - 19 -CC -on first reading failed 2-3 (Council members Bagby and Trammell voted " yes"; Council members Schmidt, Hebert, and Geile voted " no";Councilmember Braden had departed the meeting, and Councilmember Destin was absent. 9/4/2025: Councilmember Destin made a motion that employees be given authority to vote on whether they would like the Florida Retirement System (FRS) to be offered as an option for their retirement, thus allowing staff to make an informed choice rather than speculating about their preferences. Motion was seconded by Councilmember Trammell and passed 4-3 (Destin / Bagby / Braden / Trammell – “yes”; Geile / Hebert / Schmidt – “no”). | attachments=2 | reports=1

The City of Destin has successfully transitioned from the COMPASS system to the My Government Online (MGO) platform as part of a citywide system upgrade to improve business licensing and tax receipt operations. The MGO platform provides enhanced functionality, including streamlined application processing, improved record management, and increased online accessibility. As part of this upgrade, all businesses were required to create a new MGO account and submit a new Business Tax Receipt (BTR) application, regardless of prior registration under the COMPASS system. The transition was well received, with positive feedback and strong cooperation from the business community, reflecting their continued partnership and support during the implementation. | reports=1

This agenda item contains a revised contract proposal for purchase of the subject property at a price at, or below, appraisal, with a thirty day closing and a provision that would allow the City to terminate the contract without penalty at any time for the entire thirty day period if the City determines in its sole discretion that use of the property for parking is not financially feasible. This agenda item also contains parking information obtained by the City Engineer, as further detailed below. A copy of parking options and the above-referenced revised contract are attached. | attachments=3 | reports=1

Council requested an update on the Joe's Bayou project. | reports=1

This item is informational only. | attachments=1 | reports=1

Please see an attached copy of the draft minutes of the September 23, 2025, Parks & Recreation Committee and September 10, 2025, Harbor CRA Advisory Committee meetings. Harbor CRA Advisory Committee – September 10, 2025 Motions Adopted: Boardwalk Safety Patrol Motion by Chairman Stephens, seconded by Committee Member Bell, to recommend that the City Council request the Sheriff’s Office Community Resources Officer conduct patrols of the boardwalk at the end of each shift during the offseason. The purpose is to ensure public safety and verify that the boardwalk area remains adequately lit. Motion passed 4-0. Camera Systems Work Plan Update Motion by Chairman Stephens, seconded by Committee Member Tadlock, for the committee to amend the Destin Harbor CRA camera systems work plan to include the following: If the City elects to use LAZ Parking’s payment system or a compatible QR code payment system, efforts should be made to integrate the Turing System for license plate recognition. Motion passed 4-0. Parks & Recreation Committee – September 23, 2025 The committee did not adopt any significant motions at this meeting. | attachments=2 | reports=1

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