The Destin, Florida City Council made progress Monday toward having a special election next March for voters to consider a proposed charter amendment relating to city park properties.
The council initially planned to vote Monday on the first reading of a proposed ordinance that called for amending the city charter by adding a prohibition on the conveyance, sale, lease or other transfer of interest in a city park without a unanimous council decision.
The term “city park” refers to a park, reservation, playground, beach, boat ramp, recreation center or any other area in Destin that is owned or used by the city and devoted to active or passive recreation, according to city information.
The proposed ordinance also would provide for a referendum on the proposed charter amendment at a special election March 9. The possible amendment would only take effect with voters’ majority approval.
However, after some discussion Monday, the council agreed in a 6-0 vote to revise a major part of the possible ordinance. The revision calls for no interest in a city park to be sold or transferred by the council unless a super-majority of the board votes in favor of it.
