Concerns over excessive spending and questionable entertainment choices at a recent Emerald Coast Regional Council (ECRC) event have prompted calls for increased accountability and transparency from the organization’s leadership. During a government meeting, a representative from the City of Milton expressed discontent regarding over $200,000 in expenditures for weekend events, which included hefty fees for event coordination, entertainment, and photography.

The representative highlighted that the ECRC board was not consulted prior to these expenses, which were only disclosed after a public records request. The investigation into the spending revealed that while procurement policies were technically followed, the CEO obscured costs by distributing them across various budget line items, circumventing the established $150,000 spending limit for non-event items.

In light of these findings, the ECRC executive committee is set to propose process improvements at an upcoming board meeting. However, the City of Milton is advocating for a reduction of the CEO's spending limit to $100,000 and has raised concerns about the appropriateness of certain entertainment acts provided at the event. The CEO's justification for the entertainment choices, citing a lack of opportunity for approval, has been criticized as indicative of poor oversight.

The City of Milton is urging the CEO to acknowledge the misjudgments made and to issue a formal apology, emphasizing the need for adherence to the values of integrity and accountability that the ECRC promotes. The discussions underscore a growing demand for improved governance and fiscal responsibility within the organization.