[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6198325,"mediaKeyId","3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d","parentId",3847315,"title","Votes at a glance: key Destin City Council actions, June 16, 2025","audioSeconds",2862,"startMs",1006000,"endMs",3868000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d&start=1006&end=3868","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d/thumbnail_1006000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6198325/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Destin-City-Council-actions-June-16-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198325-03a4c9753318ba9c8c0f43bde5fb8e55/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114265&Signature=o4TP1O59TpvKP~lHzQh1kIAaOkhQ6OxzcxwVWXko2tDK~GVVF93VM1lv~j9FLVGiIodPWwLJ331JIUJAc4-uwxKVrQlQvywVZ9maptPtxuUAcX7~uqFRNGqi2M8S1LJCAfI84cE4-z6WuAryXW5qStvP417fylS7QYv90iZFzqCEcV46P3luFrj2G5e7NoTQhV-L13lrnKkKb69ffKRJBCznjfNolwAjI2Sh8k0TsUAT2RGVpILf3huYzwPAbVjFbtBe5PsZqLOb~LjA7Ilvb0XtgxQV~HDBTCpfvV5uqZhtYGfiYlEKBIaphOEabVSl4SXLm2s0OaS8F-QpDDgfyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Destin, FL","date","2025-06-17T03:37:05Z","article","The Destin City Council took several formal actions at its June 16 meeting. Highlights and formal outcomes follow (votes recorded at the meeting):

- Public Works Safety Committee 2024 annual report and 2025 work plan — Approved (motion to approve by Council member, seconded; vote recorded 7‑0). The council received the committee’s annual report and approved the submitted 2025 work plan, which includes continued work on e‑bikes, vision‑triangle clearing and pedestrian safety items.

- Medical insurance (Difference Card MERP and plan move to UnitedHealthcare) — Approved (motion by Council member Bagby; second; vote 7‑0). Council directed staff to implement the Difference Card medical expense reimbursement program alongside a competitively priced high‑deductible base plan and proceed with contracting/employee education.

- Crosstown Connector — CEI vendor shortlist / presentations: Council approved inviting the top‑ranked CEI firms (Anchor, CEI; Halff Associates; Volkert/Volker as listed) to present at a future council meeting (motion; vote 7‑0).

- Crosstown Connector Phase 1 (stormwater) construction award: Council awarded the stormwater construction contract to H & T Contractors (low responsive bidder) and requested staff bring a construction contract back for council consideration; vote recorded 7‑0. The engineer’s estimate was roughly $2.4 million; H & T’s responsive bid reported at approximately $2.383 million.

- Interlocal agreement for SS4A grant match for Stallman intersection underpass: Council approved an interlocal agreement with Okaloosa County to secure $3,600,000 of the city’s match for an SS4A grant submittal (vote 7‑0). Staff noted this is timely for the grant package due later in June.

- Marine construction applications (288 and 302 Harbor Boulevard): Council denied the applicant’s requested reclassification of slip types at both properties (motion to deny as presented; vote 7‑0). See separate coverage for details of the quasi‑judicial hearing.

- Comp plan small‑scale amendment and companion rezoning for the Crosstown Connector parcels (Beach Drive to Benning Drive area): First readings passed by council (ordinances 25‑03‑PC and 25‑04‑LC); recorded vote noted as 6‑0 on first reading.

- Property maintenance code (new ordinance creating a Property Maintenance Code / unsafe conditions enforcement, amended to place some oversight at the city manager level): Council approved first reading of a revised property‑maintenance ordinance after amendment; vote recorded 6‑0 (substitute motion to route enforcement decisions through the city manager’s office with council appeal provision was adopted).

- Deck encroachment (HDR townhomes): Council approved an ordinance to permit decks to encroach up to five feet into rear setbacks for certain high‑density townhomes; council adopted on first reading with a 5‑1 vote. Council requested a clear definition of “deck” for second reading to distinguish unenclosed decks from screened or enclosed porches.

Ending: Several items will return to council for second reading, contract drafting or presentations; staff will proceed with implementation steps and follow‑up reporting for voted directives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 16, City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of final votes and motions taken by the City of Destin City Council at the June 16 meeting, including contract awards, plan approvals and ordinance readings.","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},6198332,"Destin council approves 'difference card' reimbursement plan to curb health‑insurance renewal hike",1414,2231000,3645000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d&start=2231&end=3645","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d/thumbnail_2231000.jpg","/articles/6198332/Florida/Destin-council-approves-difference-card-reimbursement-plan-to-curb-healthinsurance-renewal-hike","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198332-16d2fe60cffdcfa2eb383bf75927197e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114265&Signature=Vivk-LCezvHtAbMXIKuAgNeBMDYL83vcoCwyrtetLJWDpGZgSbju1uk1Q3J~Wvq-x4QUORNsOaUqDpPrpD1M6CDbrDOCUKDQ5QKetUzURpwDET4jLRZ3~JsfozhSgPCT5yxIIGgogD6z47YvltUjsYyAi318v7vhFPspoRLwOc3UzX3jODAf4LycHvizYvdpY8gzlRJs7Dvj50DnJlimc1pgLntoHtsv2KEsz3dsJPRzHcZyEMdkpQVR1oi8i6xwrUbaRFo5eRO~WhAPmNBjQg8fqKqVSh4DD279IA9vz0hNgpPyF-Z8U~YphRqHTE5E6P~KQtaWqi2zOLUsqqLGgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Destin voted unanimously Monday to implement a medical expense reimbursement program commonly called the “Difference Card” alongside a move to a single UnitedHealthcare plan, a change staff said will limit the council’s near‑term insurance costs and preserve employee benefits.

City benefits consultant Mike Carraway presented the plan at the June 16 meeting, telling council that after negotiating the Blue Cross Blue Shield renewal the city faced a proposed increase of “just over 20%” and had negotiated that to about 15%. He said UnitedHealthcare’s market quote was materially lower than the Blue Cross renewal and that the Difference Card (a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan, MERP) would let the city adopt a higher deductible design without increasing employees’ out‑of‑pocket costs.

“If we can move to this program … it’s going to improve the benefits for the employees,” Carraway said. For single employees, the program would provide a $3,500 reimbursement bucket (and $7,000 for family coverage) that pays certain first‑dollar expenses so participants on the plan would not face higher out‑of‑pocket costs compared with current benefits, he said.

Carraway presented financial exhibits the consultant team had prepared showing a guaranteed, year‑one savings compared with the Blue Cross renewal. He said the revised carrier and program fixed costs were lower than the Blue Cross renewal and that the city’s “revised max cost” (carrier + MERP funding) was still below the renewal estimate from the incumbent carrier. Carraway said the model includes stop‑loss reinsurance and that any unused MERP funds would be returned to the city at year end.

Council members asked clarifying questions about network continuity, exposure for employees with catastrophic medical needs and how the Difference Card would be administered at the point of service. Carraway and UnitedHealthcare representatives said UnitedHealthcare’s Choice Plus network has broad provider coverage in northwest Florida and that staff would conduct individual employee sessions to ensure members understood the change.

Councilman Bagby moved to direct staff to implement the Difference Card program and to proceed with a competitively priced high‑deductible base plan; the motion was seconded and the council voted 7‑0 to proceed.

Ending: City staff will move forward with plan implementation and vendor transitions; staff said it would provide employee education and individual benefit counseling before the new plan goes into effect.","Council authorized staff to implement a medical reimbursement plan (the Difference Card) and to move the city’s group health coverage to a single UnitedHealthcare plan with an accompanying reimbursement bucket to reduce premium increases and keep employee benefits stable.",{"_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},6198337,"Destin council denies Perry Enterprises’ request to reclassify slips at 288 and 302 Harbor Boulevard",1272,4046000,5318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d&start=4046&end=5318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3847315-afc7311545632dcec5da0899f0b6c71d/thumbnail_4046000.jpg","/articles/6198337/Florida/Destin-council-denies-Perry-Enterprises-request-to-reclassify-slips-at-288-and-302-Harbor-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6198337-bbe578a5628be9786278384daaec5dd5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114265&Signature=h~UYCegnX7iIqPcOojaD-iPjF8d1sXb87K56yASj7pIaIgvcHpe4pP1bnESa7m8PFaLBrEDiy0fWtYf76ejeKLFMSiAU6govWrQDy5qqAdMcXUCDJMGIe5ACuc3TN7LOzmvsblTi9BQqmYBgaTtFhK7Gq72mq1DePyAGqZ9QFwv9lfWdPapcmYRsY1lKiS~P4eeRV2AD7tZhvNtoaUd-cGP3vncHjldS-Hj7LxXHweHHLDzroOtC2ts-Mnvm7o5NSP8UTn~rvHsLZ7rZgdWSF6pKhOQvHhowRdNyApzjJZd3ZXD9ztQY5lSbP0fMn6CsmLHYNN96fjtQq4d08S2vhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Destin City Council on Monday denied a request from Perry Enterprises to change how boat slips at 288 and 302 Harbor Boulevard are designated, saying the original approval and the public benefit promised in 2019 supported keeping more transient slips open to the public.

Council members voted 7‑0 to deny the amendment after several hours of staff presentations, testimony from the applicant and a long public comment period that included boat‑owners, condominium representatives and residents who said the harbor’s public access should be preserved.

The application sought to reassign the existing slip mix approved in 2019 — then described by staff as 18 commercial slips, 21 transient slips and 1 water‑taxi slip — into a configuration the applicant said would include 29 commercial slips, six transient slips, one water‑taxi slip and six fueling slips. City planning staff told council the change would reduce the number of transient slips the council originally relied on when it approved the docks in January 2019.

“Tonight the applicant is proposing to adjust these designations to accommodate 29 commercial slips, six transient slips, one water taxi and six fueling slips,” said Planning staffer Kyle Butler during his presentation. He also explained the land‑development code provisions used for the 2019 approval and noted the particular criteria related to “fare‑carrying” and transient slips that the applicant had relied on at that time.

Applicant representatives said they were offering more public benefit than required under the current code and described the proposal as a managed approach to keep parts of the dock available to transient users without undermining the property’s commercial tenants.

“[We] are proposing nearly 20 public waterfront slips that will be available on his two properties,” Taylor Engineering’s Matt Trammell told council, arguing the project would add access and support the Harbor Boardwalk and harbor businesses.

Several residents and harbor businesses urged council to preserve the earlier understanding that many slips would remain available to the public. “Should this matter proceed to go to litigation, arbitration, or negotiation … I strongly urge the council to consider requesting easements to the boardwalk of 288 and 302 Harbor Boulevard,” John Stevens, chairman of the Harbor CRA, told council.

Other speakers objected to changing the slip mix, saying the public had been promised transient access when the docks were approved and that the city and applicant had not clearly documented the arrangement as a binding long‑term obligation. Multiple commenters also raised concerns about parking capacity downtown if more slips were designated for commercial or fare‑carrying use.

Council discussion repeatedly returned to what had been promised in 2019. Council member Guile moved to deny the application “as presented,” a motion that drew a second and ultimately a unanimous vote in favor of denial.

City staff advised that continuing code‑compliance proceedings related to current slip use would proceed to the magistrate as scheduled; council’s denial means the requested reclassification will not be approved and the earlier permit conditions remain in force.

The applicant indicated it would work with staff on next steps; city staff said the council’s action and the pending magistrate hearing could be part of a broader process including easements, signage and clearer definitions of transient use on future inquiries.

Ending: The council’s denial preserves the slip designations tied to the 2019 approval and leaves unresolved questions about long‑term public access, parking and whether the applicant and city will negotiate a recorded development agreement or easements to clarify future use. A magistrate hearing on current code enforcement remains scheduled and may address uses that city staff say are inconsistent with the earlier permit conditions.","After a lengthy quasi‑judicial hearing with public comment and competing legal arguments about prior approvals and public‑use promises, the Destin City Council voted unanimously to deny an applicant request to reclassify slips at two adjacent harbor properties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key Destin City Council actions, June 16, 2025

Destin council approves 'difference card' reimbursement plan to curb health‑insurance renewal hike

Destin council denies Perry Enterprises’ request to reclassify slips at 288 and 302 Harbor Boulevard