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Destin council presses county, state over Holiday Isle park plan amid public mistrust
Summary
City council members and residents debated management and use of the Holiday Isle parcel the state purchased, with concerns about whether the county or state controls the land, potential commercialization (boat slips), parking access and who pays. City staff said the state owns the land, no deed restrictions require a specific plan, and any county interest is not finalized.
Mayor Bobby Wagner called a lengthy public discussion on Holiday Isle State Park after residents and council members pressed concerns about who controls the property and what uses will be allowed.
The exchange centered on comments made earlier by Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer, who some attendees quoted as saying the county “owns” or had decisive authority over the property. City Attorney Kimberly Romano Cuff and City Manager Larry Jones told the council the parcel is state-owned and that staff is not aware of any deed restriction requiring a specific development plan. Romano Cuff read the relevant development order language aloud, emphasizing that any docking facilities approved previously…
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