Lynn Haven tweaks mission statement wording amid sharp public exchange

The Lynn Haven City Commission voted to revise a single word in the city’s mission statement — replacing “progressively” with “diligently” — and to add the term "efficient" to the phrase describing customer service, after a spirited discussion and public comment.

Mayor Lowry and Commissioner Judy Tinder argued the change would depoliticize the statement. "Progressively has a very distinct political connotation that I wanted to move the city away from," the mayor said. Commissioner Tinder moved to accept the wording change and the motion was seconded and amended during discussion to add "efficient" (so the phrase reads "consistent, efficient and transparent customer service").

Opponents on the dais said the change was cosmetic and not a priority in the current budget context; several public speakers criticized how the meeting’s decorum was handled during debate, including an ejection of a member of the public after an interruption during comment.

The roll call recorded two 'yes' votes from Mayor Lowry and Commissioner Tinder and three 'no' votes from Commissioners Peebles, Pero and Warick, but the mayor exercised the tie- or chair role language recorded in procedure and the motion passed as recorded in the public roll call during the meeting. (The transcript records the outcome as the commission approved the revision.)

The commission did not allocate funds immediately for replacing wall signage; staff said a vendor estimate to update the wall display ranged widely and commissioners suggested low-cost options such as painting over the panel and using a framed printed sign until budget funds are available.

Next steps: staff will update the official mission-statement text in city records and schedule noncapital changes (signage) according to budget availability.