Port St. Joe commission approves 2.5‑acre contraction amid heated port authority debate

The Port St. Joe City Commission on Nov. 18 adopted Ordinance 6‑28, removing roughly 2.5 acres from the city limits by voluntary petition and approving a legal description under Florida Statute chapter 171.451. The vote was unanimous, recorded in the meeting as 5–0.

The decision drew an extended public and commissioner discussion about a recent port authority letter that recommended procuring a floating dry dock to be leased to Eastern Shipbuilding and starting a marine academy. Several speakers questioned why the county applied for large state grant funding on behalf of a private company and said the city was not being given adequate input. An unidentified commenter told the commission, “Don’t give our stuff away,” urging the city not to cede local assets or tax revenue to the county. Another speaker told commissioners, “Just say no to dredging,” warning of environmental impacts to St. Joe Bay.

Mayor (unnamed) and other commissioners said they had raised concerns with the port authority chair and that the chair had contacted state legislators to propose changes to port authority representation. The mayor told the commission he had spoken with the port authority chair and relayed that the chair had sent text messages to local legislators proposing adjustments to membership. The chair (Gary Madison, named in the meeting) was referenced as having recently met with city leadership.

Speakers also discussed whether the county’s procurement of property — and related applications to the Triumph program — effectively served a private shipbuilding firm. One speaker said a county representative applied for state funds with Michael Hammond’s name at the top of the application. Commissioners and public commenters said that if state grants were pursued, the city should protect local interests and preserve local representation on any governing port board.

The ordinance itself was procedural: staff presented the petitioned contraction, and the commission voted to adopt the ordinance after public comment. Commissioners emphasized that future development in the port area would still require local development orders and standard approvals before large projects (such as a floating dry dock) could proceed.

The commission did not take formal action on port governance or dredging at the meeting; commissioners requested follow‑up, noting constituent emails and the need to coordinate with county leaders and state legislators before any statutory change.

What’s next: The city will proceed with the recorded voluntary contraction as adopted. Commissioners asked staff to continue communications with the port authority and county officials and to report back on any legislative or administrative changes affecting local representation or port projects.