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Destin council presses county and state over Noriega Point; puts lease action on next agenda
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Summary
After extensive public comment and council debate, Destin’s City Council agreed to keep Noriega Point conservation on its agenda, discussed an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County and passed a substitute motion to place consideration of pursuing a state lease or other formal lease documents on the next meeting (5–2).
Council members and residents spent the largest portion of the meeting on Noriega Point and the newly acquired state parcel on Holiday Isle, debating whether the city should push the county or the state to lock in conservation-focused management.
City staff outlined the sequence required to pursue conservation: future land use map amendments, zoning changes, and revisions to the development order, and described a draft interlocal agreement delivered to the county that the city expected would be negotiated. Staff also noted that, to date, Okaloosa County had not shown legal interest in the parcel.
Multiple council members urged a sustained campaign of engagement. Councilman Bagby said the city would press county commissioners, county staff and the state legislative delegation and described three “nonnegotiables” discussed with county representatives (free parking for county residents, license-plate reader enforcement and ‘unity of command’ in management). Several residents and Holiday Isle Association representatives told the council they opposed commercialization and wanted conservation protections reflected in any agreement.
Councilman Schmidt moved that the city request the state consider leasing the parcel to the city so the city could manage it; that motion was seconded but the body adopted a substitute motion to place a formal request/lease-preparation item on the next council agenda for review once county action is known. The substitute motion passed 5–2.
Councilmembers emphasized they expect the city to remain engaged: staff will continue to pursue an interlocal agreement thread with the county, attend the county meeting and report back, and will coordinate with the Holiday Isle attorneys who have submitted correspondence to county staff.
