Destin council asks staff to clarify lifeguard role after debate over beach vending enforcement

The Destin City Council asked staff to return with clear guidance on lifeguard duties and beach vending enforcement after a heated discussion about safety, jurisdiction and how vendors are policed.

Council members raised concerns that asking lifeguards to enforce vending or other regulatory matters could distract them from water-safety duties. One councilor suggested lifeguards serve as 'scouts' who report violations to code enforcement or the sheriff’s office rather than acting as the primary enforcers. City staff said vending on Destin beaches is prohibited but noted some enforcement issues are the subject of litigation and that the sheriff’s office has authority over water closures.

The city manager told council the city funds summer lifeguard coverage (noting the historical increase in that budget) and that lifeguards are employees of the Destin Fire Control District; the council debated asking the district lifeguards to add reporting duties without impairing their primary mission of public safety.

After discussion council voted to pull agenda item 3a for further review and directed staff to: (1) clarify whether lifeguards can be formal reporting agents for code violations, (2) outline operational boundaries that keep lifeguards focused on safety, and (3) return with recommendations at a future meeting. The motion passed with council support (recorded in discussion as a 5–1 vote).

Council members also requested that staff review the city’s notification procedures for longstanding liens and enforcement matters and return with a plan to improve outreach and enforcement consistency.