City of Destin names Tallahassee lobbyist to represent city amid sweeping state turnover

The City of Destin on Jan. 6 introduced Kelli (Kimberly) Horton as the city’s new Tallahassee-based government affairs consultant, a hire City Manager Larry Jones said the council authorized to give Destin on-the-ground representation during the 2025 legislative session.

Horton, who said she lives in Tallahassee and maintains a home in Walton County, told council members she will focus on educating newly elected legislators about needs in the Panhandle and pursuing appropriations for projects the city identified for the 2025 session, including a crosstown connector and the Maddie Kelly project. “It’s a great honor,” Horton said. “I’m personally invested in the community and just super excited about representing the City of Destin.”

The hire is a six-month contract staff said will be re-evaluated after the session. Jones told the council Horton will do year‑round government affairs work in addition to the legislative session, including agency advocacy and post-session contact with the governor’s office. “You don’t just hire a lobbyist for session,” Jones said. “We work with agencies all the time to problem-solve.”

Why it matters: Horton said the 2025 legislative session follows a period of turnover in Tallahassee that left many new lawmakers representing the Panhandle. The council’s priorities, she said, will include appropriations, transportation funding and tracking bills on property taxes, vacation rentals and local authority/impact fees. Horton urged council members and local stakeholders to meet legislators during session to reinforce requests: “You got a 50-50 shot of getting me or my associate — but when you go, that helps.”

Council discussion and next steps: Council members asked whether the contract covers only the session; Horton and staff clarified it is a six‑month contract covering session and related work, with an intention to evaluate afterward. Councilman Schmidt asked whether the agreement is open-ended during the first contract period; Horton said the contract covers legislative representation and related agency work but described it as a six‑month term with a later evaluation. Council members offered examples of additional work they expect Horton to pursue, including grant and resiliency funding coordination with regional partners, the Florida League of Cities and Okaloosa County lobbyists.

Horton said key deadlines the city should note are January 24 for bill drafts, Feb. 14 for appropriations requests and March 4 to May 2 for the 60‑day regular session. She also warned council that ongoing vacancies and appointments at state and federal levels would create a continued domino effect in Tallahassee that may affect representation for parts of the Panhandle during early 2025.

Ending: The council accepted the staff introduction and the six‑month arrangement; staff and Horton said they will follow up with council members to schedule topic-specific calls, including one on vacation-rental policy. Horton encouraged council members to contact the legislature directly during session in addition to using her representation.