From the City of Destin
By Tamara Young, PhD, PIO, City of Destin
Bobby Wagner, Mayor of the City of Destin, addressed the crowd at the City Annex on February 23 with a State of the City Address aimed at creating possibilities through connections.
He spoke about the importance of partnerships at all levels of government, and he said that the City Council and City staff stood unified in agreement that the residents of Destin must remain the number one priority – the number one partner.
“Speaking directly to the citizens of Destin was my only focus when I gave the address,” said Mayor Wagner. “To provide them with the confidence that as we look into newly revitalized areas of Destin, we will do so with open ears and an open heart toward our full-time residents.”
From safety to enjoyment of green spaces to parking and traffic concerns, he offered details on what the City has accomplished in the last year to keep a resident-first mentality. He also gave a bottom line monetary example to show how much of spending for infrastructure and projects is derived from outside sources. As stated in the fiscal year 2023 budget, the City expects to expend $23 million of capital grant funds along with $1 million of general funds for park improvements and stormwater infrastructure improvements. This is new external revenue that is not generated from residents.
The address referenced at least a dozen major city successes thanks to various partnerships:
• The overhaul of the Harbor Pump which cycles 14.4 million gallons of low nutrient gulf water into the harbor daily during peak season;
• The valuation of construction projects requiring permits rose from over $98 million in 2021 to $172 million in 2022; and
• Destin’s beachfront park footage has been extended by around 450 feet.
Mayor Wagner said he hoped the recap of 2022 and the projection of the future “… brings imagination to our citizens, enthusiasm to our small business community, and honor to our heritage.”
The State of the City address was followed by a workshop on the Joe’s Bayou Recreation Area Improvements project. “What gets me fired up about Joe’s Bayou is it brings much needed improvements to not only our human amenities, but to the natural environment,” said Mayor Wagner. “It’s a great example that shows that we are all interconnected with our environment. What’s good for the environment is also good for our citizens and the future generations that will call Destin home.”
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