Multiple residents urged the Gulf County Board of County Commissioners to oppose a proposed change to the Port St. Joe authority that would replace the existing local board with a regional body appointed from multiple counties.

"The little slogan we came up with, we are Port Saint Joe, not Panama City 2," Deborah Mays, of a local citizens coalition, told commissioners. She warned that the proposed plan would place only one Gulf County representative on a multi-county board and would dilute local knowledge and decision-making.

A public commenter who said he attended the legislative delegation meeting said Representative Jason Shoaf and Senator Corey Simon proposed drafting legislation to create a regional freight logistics zone and shift appointments to a multi-county board. "If you don't want this port, take a vote and, you know, let us know," that speaker said, repeating an appeal he said was made at the delegation meeting.

Commissioners debated whether to send an immediate letter opposing the idea or to wait for the draft bill. Several commissioners said they favor local majority representation on any board and emphasized the need to meet with the state delegation to shape the proposal before it is filed. "I would love to see us do the model here the county commission is the board authority," one commissioner said, referencing a model where county oversight remains strong.

Port Authority Chairman Gary Majison told the board he has discussed the matter with Representative Shoaf and that port leadership will meet in mid-November. "I have been in conversations with Representative Shoaf discussing with him the importance of us maintaining a majority on any board that he puts up there," Majison said.

Commissioners agreed they do not yet have a drafted bill to review and that early conversations with state representatives are needed. Several commissioners said they would press for a structure that preserves a Gulf County majority or otherwise ensures local input, while acknowledging state leaders may seek broader regional participation to access additional funding.

No formal county resolution or letter was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to monitor the legislative process and to engage the delegation and port authority leadership as the draft legislation develops.