Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Okaloosa commissioners send liaison to Tallahassee to discuss management of newly purchased state park
Loading...
Summary
After hours of public comment and a two-hour debate, the Okaloosa County Board voted 3–2 to send county liaison Commissioner Palmer and a City of Destin representative to Tallahassee to meet the parcel owner (DEP) about management options; commissioners stressed any county support must avoid committing county capital and require free parking for county residents.
The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–2 April 21 to send the county’s appointed liaison and a City of Destin representative to Tallahassee to meet the landowner about possible management and lease arrangements for a four-acre state park parcel adjacent to Destin.
County attorney staff reported that the state purchased the parcel and that the City of Destin has asked to serve as the lessee and manager, with a stated financial commitment of up to $5 million and a concept plan favoring passive, low-impact public use. Commissioner Palmer said he would support city management only if the county made no capital investment and if the arrangement included free, sufficient parking for county residents at that park and other Destin facilities.
Residents and city officials had presented different expectations during a lengthy public-comment period. City Attorney Kimberly Romano Cupp asked the board to back the city’s request and to present “a clear and unified path forward” to state regulators; Councilman Dewey said the city’s plan includes roughly 100 parking spaces, noncommercial daytime transient slips at the docks and measures intended to limit commercial activity.
Opponents urged the county to defer to the city and residents, arguing the city already manages the adjacent Noriega Point Park and that splitting management between two governments would be wasteful. Jim Bagby, a Destin resident, told the board that trust with the city had been strained and asked the county to invite the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to an on-site meeting.
The motion approved by the board asked Commissioner Palmer and the City of Destin’s designated representative to travel to Tallahassee, meet with the landowner (the state/DEP) and report back. The chair said the trip is intended to get the landowner’s views and better define any management or lease concept without predetermining outcomes.
The vote came after extended discussion about the county’s fiduciary responsibilities, potential county contributions and the need to preserve community trust. The board’s action does not transfer management or commit county funds; it authorizes a joint meeting to clarify the landowner’s requirements and whether the city’s proposal could proceed without county capital.
