[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6316407,"mediaKeyId","2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd","parentId",2377071,"title","Destin council visioning session: parks, trees, workforce housing and better staff‑council communication emerge as priorities","audioSeconds",5529,"startMs",896000,"endMs",6425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd&start=896&end=6425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd/thumbnail_896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316407/Florida/Destin-council-visioning-session-parks-trees-workforce-housing-and-better-staffcouncil-communication-emerge-as-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316407-0fa0bf574771425e6110727a18504029/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987202&Signature=QKjuDz6Z9aZW1Czapq9649KOvua51EAAdzO0lcRRqbQCZyc0u4Yk8MKlaW9V7ulsZNn21JCfLWI9~rwMGMKG-GldgqfSv8Y6GRPmMhqay4ImW4P6Yb1YdSdbsmGcu4g1TefN5Oj21urRNrBlj79LTZsAYkeGQw2ToFMc~sVeUu30fatiU9B-isZFwFUnd91x6zPV7~~uPaK81S1Rt~P1TqaY7LbnkJeCFru6s-FscXQKh270wc9lyQAtGWjplUt8Hz-~GO4BPHwX8qSd5PRM--KmGkTScnxhKRjJdGItWpZcbrNar5ZEWGiuwhNcKD8wov6aL-8FFL-5wDJccjJlRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Destin, FL","date","2025-02-22T22:10:09Z","article","Council members, the city manager and community partners used a visioning session to outline priorities for Destin’s next planning horizon: more and better parks and green space, street trees and shade on sidewalks, workforce‑housing options tied to mixed‑use development, preserving community character, and improved two‑way communication between elected officials and staff.

Among specific themes: several council members urged planting trees along Airport Road and increasing investment in parks — one council member suggested a $10 million parks fund — and others suggested preserving historical references as part of the city vision to open eligibility for grants aimed at historic preservation. “We need more money for our parks,” a council member said, and another urged adding “history” to the vision statement so the city can pursue historic grants.

Workforce housing was a recurring point. Chamber of Commerce representative spoke about the region’s rapid population growth and urged creative approaches such as mixed‑use parking garages with workforce apartments above or community land trusts. The chamber representative recommended viewing parking garages as multiuse facilities that can incorporate affordable housing and office/retail to generate revenue.

Council members also raised the need for local‑first business programs and staff appreciation efforts. One council member suggested programs that reward or recognize local businesses with preferential waiting lists or other local benefits; another urged more staff outreach and informal events to strengthen relationships. Multiple speakers stressed fiscal restraint: while pursuing amenities, the city should avoid imposing excessive costs that drive residents away.

Councilmembers pressed staff for an action plan and timelines tied to the visioning priorities. Several asked staff to bring back the SRS (comprehensive plan/road) item and other unresolved capital projects in a future council meeting. The city manager encouraged staff to “measure what gets done” and to act with a sense of urgency on agreed priorities.

Ending: Council did not adopt formal policies during the session; instead members asked staff to return with options, costs and timelines for parks, trees, workforce housing concepts and public‑safety facility ideas discussed during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 21, 2025 - Destin Visioning Session","oneSentenceSummary","At a City of Destin visioning session council members and partners emphasized parks and green space, tree planting on Airport Road, workforce/affordable housing options, preserving community character, and improved two‑way communication with staff; no binding decisions or votes were taken.","taxTitle","City of Destin, Okaloosa County, Florida","taxId",71331,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316412,"Captain urges Destin to consider consolidated public‑safety facility and an added beach deputy",385,3805000,4190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd&start=3805&end=4190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd/thumbnail_3805000.jpg","/articles/6316412/Florida/Captain-urges-Destin-to-consider-consolidated-publicsafety-facility-and-an-added-beach-deputy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316412-749089267f04a3cbd3d37a741205e2cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987202&Signature=QiSBpiRm5R1tageZKmJ2gT1NpOwO3~8v118W33nhAh9DX4r1VO7bzG6Xz-jhhFMPgu4Vz49x8SpoCN3Zhfc4ScbiKLezutUfibTv1a6-1LXOaMe2sCiLe33oN1ENIP5qMCdUGU6iHg6q6RKqXUF2mwDitNmZ~tSesnqSxTx9U4SAQgZVJPI2HLzJSxMGKMaED7aIarOaqPXJkd6pUHAUmH80QCVSp-NEE6FokTKlqAW6Ic4SP~J8zJ3JcrLV2hFRQ90j-2Snq-WWZ39~~8MOHBawNFkRJIadWc0AKXgPehCrj8N9kiZTgaoT6c2V-z8cw3HnoxoX3-5pDGaSXWvCBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Captain Jason Fulgham of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office urged the City of Destin to partner on a consolidated facility to house sheriff personnel, EMS and code enforcement and to consider adding a dedicated beach deputy to the city’s contract to improve coverage of Destin and Okaloosa Island beaches.

Fulgham said the current Stallman office is dated, lacks space and separates supervisors from officers, and that a central facility would improve operational coordination and officer relationships. “Part of restoring that dignity comes with the professional image being put forward,” Fulgham said, urging partnership with the Tourist Development Department (TDD) and the city on a new facility.

On beach policing, Fulgham noted that the sheriff’s three beach deputies operate two shifts to maintain seven‑day coverage; with the unit covering both Destin and Okaloosa Island, a single deputy is sometimes responsible for both beaches. He said the beach deputies are busy: over the past five years they averaged 604 arrests a year and 59 distressed‑swimmer calls annually; last year the three deputies answered 7,142 calls for service. “It’s a needed position and I would certainly like to see the city consider adding that to the city contract,” Fulgham said.

Council discussion addressed lease arrangements for current leased space, the potential for shared facilities owned by the city or other public entities, and the role of the TDD and county in any new construction or lease. No formal motion or decision was made; council members expressed willingness to explore partnership options with the sheriff and county.

Ending: Fulgham and council members agreed to continue conversations about site options and partnerships; staff was asked to provide options and costs for future consideration.","Captain Jason Fulgham of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office asked the City of Destin to pursue a consolidated office (co‑locating deputies, EMS and code enforcement) and to add a dedicated beach deputy to the sheriff contract to improve response during busy seasons; councilmembers discussed property, lease and partnership options.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316418,"Destin beach safety, fire district report: 3,300 rescues in 20 years; new equipment and regional capabilities coming",397,3368000,3765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd&start=3368&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd/thumbnail_3368000.jpg","/articles/6316418/Florida/Destin-beach-safety-fire-district-report-3300-rescues-in-20-years-new-equipment-and-regional-capabilities-coming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316418-ab9e03435908e65d7351771228194641/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987202&Signature=I-zm~T~VfB0QFKEDJd8sJ5yrMWvCsPaG5T95ADHfbXzSQ4irnUGYYzMBqISvU42~AMbsDElBOTvkOXSHo7iQ8cNu7MbRGUSwEeyd2Uh4iQlEr1g~VkwroeqHwzmB0JEFoiGNkKhB8MHu1UK0wo~CIs2~kohPNdB0ZqRfEctkKgYcCMTF~Azbecu6G9Joj6yU4YHmoO5xqwyE2x0g0wiXDO6bRYKn4rp8swfVSpNWyzVoFNe~NTuGunMyJVsAF384d~IeWPnGmg8eeyjQVuqUlvBVhy7973yWhit61wZ02X~H9h~WKmpnYyvZGI2PI410stMEmYL2bwzaxc53v1~zNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe (Beach Safety division chief, Destin Fire Control District) told the City of Destin City Council that the lifeguard and beach safety program has grown into a multi‑agency effort that now covers seven contiguous miles of guarded beach and associated harbor areas. “We rescued 3,322 people in the last 20 years,” Joe said, noting that statistic as a measure of the service’s public‑safety record.

Joe described programs and partnerships now in place: lifeguard coverage across beaches and the harbor, a beach wheelchair program at most entrances, a junior lifeguard program at Henderson Beach State Park, and a lifeguard exchange program that has sent local lifeguards to Australia. He said the city’s recent budget increase improved the service’s maintenance and staffing levels.

Deputy Chief Mike Landis of the Destin Fire Control District explained several preparedness upgrades in the coming year: finalizing a shared dock that will host Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office boats for faster response, taking delivery of a new boat with an expected late‑March/early‑April arrival that includes a 3,000‑gallon‑per‑minute pump, and expanding the district’s CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) capabilities — described as the largest in the state when complete.

Landis said the district is also increasing staffing, moving to a new schedule, adding training and recruiting firefighters (12 recent hires with six more planned before summer), and participating in a regional task force to improve surge capacity for major disasters so the area can better handle high‑level incidents without waiting for distant state resources.

Council members asked for public recognition of the services provided; Joe and Landis supported sharing statistics and outreach to highlight beach safety performance. No council vote was taken; the presentations were informational.

Ending: Both officials invited council and staff to support continued training and to publicize the program’s successes. “Those just need to be in the paper,” a council member said of the rescue statistics; leaders agreed that public promotion helps community awareness.","Beach Safety and Destin Fire Control District leaders reported long‑term rescue totals, described current programs (lifeguards, junior lifeguard, beach wheelchairs), and said the department is acquiring a new response boat with high pump capacity, expanding training and CBRN capability, and planning staffing increases.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316423,"Waste Management tells Destin council recycling contamination high in some neighborhoods; urges education and cart stickers",964,2325000,3289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd&start=2325&end=3289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd/thumbnail_2325000.jpg","/articles/6316423/Florida/Waste-Management-tells-Destin-council-recycling-contamination-high-in-some-neighborhoods-urges-education-and-cart-stickers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316423-490d6651d09d1b788c1a528106cc4acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987202&Signature=DYZj9yKEwTgTqaeMKryowru-Cuo6AMC1h4paU5O2W6PvguaBIOVIQ6-VzFL3GOcxAuwcnw5GMxYzqY3EJH7eOTWoOR17N0b~U2QFVWVat~zw9GRA3NO1qgTNij0Q7NmRP9kzg7iphmu2beiwqdKFk~HCGP8nFdPO8wmz1dT4XTDeHyp2Y2XWnmzHLXQ3fuRT7UscHdLKRoFfeNICpi7VAxktE1Vr64A0ClLQvPQ8XQq56RUqffaK3YJ1jb5hBdtCWa3Jg5UJgtphMar64Sg7aMZh7sCUgSTs-hQzSVj3yJOZoZCnJxdFQ81jNIO-0YC1ve12psAqZzLyIlbvZkmNJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doug, a Waste Management representative, told the City of Destin City Council that local audits show recycling contamination rates higher than industry goals in several neighborhoods and laid out outreach steps the company and the city can take to improve diversion.

“Destin average is about 15% diversion,” Doug said, and contamination rates in specific areas were far higher when the company audited curbside carts: Indian Bayou about 40% contamination (16% bagged material), the Henderson Beach area up to 64% contamination (18% bagged), and West Destin about 47% contamination (12% bagged). “If you pull out the bagged material, you've cut a chunk out of your contamination already,” he said, urging residents to put recyclables loose in carts.

Doug described operational tools Waste Management can use locally: cart‑level audits that identify contamination by neighborhood and street, co‑branded education materials, door hangers or stickers on carts to explain why a container was not collected, and tours of the company’s Fort Walton Beach recycling facility (the “Murph”). The company also noted a recently opened $30 million recycling facility in Fort Walton Beach and a national sustainability fund the company is using to support projects.

Council members and staff discussed operational options such as swapping yard‑waste and bulk pickup days to better match residents’ weekend yard work patterns, and whether leaving carts uncollected for repeated contamination would change behavior. Doug said changing pickup schedules is possible but would require coordination with neighboring jurisdictions and contractors. He also said Waste Management can issue door hangers and use camera or truck photo records to document contamination for habitual cases.

Doug asked council partners to support a public education push and offered materials and a facility tour. No formal council vote or ordinance was proposed during the session; Waste Management’s briefing was informational and included an offer to collaborate on a local contamination reduction campaign.

Ending: Waste Management invited council and staff to tour the Fort Walton Beach recycling facility and said the company will coordinate messages with the city’s public information officer. “We would love to give you a tour,” Doug said.","A Waste Management representative reported neighborhood recycling contamination rates as high as 64% in parts of Destin, recommended public education (including not bagging recyclables) and said the company can supply cart stickers and door hangers to flag contamination.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316428,"City of Destin HR director: employee survey shows strong culture, identifies mental‑health and communication gaps",595,1573000,2168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd&start=1573&end=2168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377071-445a6d2593b081a5eb20bb5d3b5120bd/thumbnail_1573000.jpg","/articles/6316428/Florida/City-of-Destin-HR-director-employee-survey-shows-strong-culture-identifies-mentalhealth-and-communication-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316428-a787900f67aae2c51f6c07421f4d00f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987202&Signature=TMIgcIq9R9IZj68H7tvWQQBTdwmtIrqiPApt2Qnrm4l4~lsQK9MS7FBVLPoao9LTYkLmnjP4u7CBP6H-zcegF3wZaUqfwKa0ix~DBEB6xyUGSzLN-VUorkU0GAm95RS~7LusGK9rCGUjgF5phTO0jX69qWtHLibDMq7L3bjzeJVuanuP9AQbAB~R6SUF0IPnhPrHYg5G~FrTYXiqDf~57FeNblqXq9bq~42Z-aYSEyhxRZSMhn8WR4L1ON3L2Re7W7fndqeCGQ0oq2TLfOHnFn15D6Zy~EUwqON46Dvo~MYs3-lmvay2IeX6-F0lDBUxzrajhteHg6FsydfRlYI3Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jamie, Destin’s human resources director, told the City of Destin City Council during a visioning session that 80 employees completed the city’s 2025 employee survey, which the presentation said represented about 73% participation.

Jamie said survey results showed strong workplace culture and fairness but identified room to improve how the city promotes physical and mental well‑being and how elected leaders communicate with staff. “Employees do feel like they are respected by the new city manager and department directors,” Jamie said, “Where we have some area to grow is employees don't necessarily feel respected and appreciated by the mayor and council.”

The survey was organized into five categories: employee well‑being and satisfaction, leadership and trust, communication and employee voice, compensation and career growth, and workplace culture and fairness. Jamie summarized ratings with a four‑star style scale; workplace culture and fairness scored highest (four stars), while leadership and trust scored about three stars and compensation/career growth about two stars on some measures.

Jamie outlined steps already planned or under way to address the gaps: a City of Destin Leadership Academy that will enroll 25 employees initially for monthly two‑hour sessions delivered by a professor from Northwest Florida State College over six months; a “deep dive” benefits analysis with the city’s broker to explore partially self‑funded health plans as a way to control annual premium increases; and a policy change to combine sick and vacation accrual accounts while retaining current accrual rates and liabilities. “We are going to be combining our sick and vacation accounts. Nothing is going to change in terms of liability for the city,” Jamie said.

Jamie also reported ongoing small‑group employee feedback sessions to understand why some employees view well‑being supports as inadequate and noted plans for a senior‑leader meeting after those sessions to recommend priority actions. On compensation, she said employees ranked pay, retirement and health insurance as their top three benefits and that many employees value the stability those benefits provide more than occasional merit increases.

City Manager (addressing the council earlier in the session) framed the exercise as a visioning and culture effort and emphasized “no drama, no surprises, and don't embarrass us” as expectations he has asked senior staff to adopt.

Key next steps Jamie recommended are completing the small‑group sessions, convening the senior leader follow‑up meeting, presenting the benefits analysis findings and rolling out the Leadership Academy beginning in May (timing given in the presentation). No formal council action or vote on HR items occurred during the session.

Ending: Jamie invited additional questions and said staff would return with recommendations after the small‑group sessions and the senior‑leader discussion. “We are going to set up a workshop with our broker and members of council to discuss 1 to 5 year options we can move to a partially self funded platform,” she said.","City of Destin HR Director Jamie reported results of a 2025 employee survey showing high workplace-culture marks but lower scores on leadership trust and promotion of physical and mental well‑being; staff proposed a Leadership Academy, benefits review and a combined sick/vacation policy change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Destin council visioning session: parks, trees, workforce housing and better staff‑council communication emerge as priorities

Captain urges Destin to consider consolidated public‑safety facility and an added beach deputy

Destin beach safety, fire district report: 3,300 rescues in 20 years; new equipment and regional capabilities coming

Waste Management tells Destin council recycling contamination high in some neighborhoods; urges education and cart stickers

City of Destin HR director: employee survey shows strong culture, identifies mental‑health and communication gaps