Rey Bailey, who has served as the city of Destin’s city clerk since 2008 and worked for the city for more than 26 years, was honored at Monday night’s city council meeting as he heads into retirement.

• Mayor Bobby Wagner read a resolution recognizing Bailey for his decades of service, citing his “exceptional professionalism, integrity, and dedication to public service.” The resolution noted Bailey’s role in overseeing official records, ensuring transparency in government operations, and assisting with municipal elections.

Bailey, a 23-year U.S. Air Force veteran, began working for the city in 2000 as a records specialist. He advanced to deputy city clerk before being named city clerk in 2008.

In remarks to the council, Bailey said he was leaving with “a heart full of gratitude and mixed emotions.”

• “I am excited for retirement and for the next chapter, but it is not easy to leave behind so many colleagues, friends, and familiar faces, some of whom I have known since my very first day with the city,” Bailey said.

He praised the council members he’s worked alongside over the years, saying they “serve not because the work is easy, and certainly not for recognition or pay, but because they care deeply about Destin.”

Bailey also recognized the citizens who have given their time to the community through boards, committees, and volunteer work — singling out Jim Wood, John Stephens, Marcie Bell, and the Weidenhammer family, which has had three generations serve on city boards. He also remembered the late Nancy Weidenhammer, whom he called “a dear friend.”

Looking ahead, Bailey expressed confidence in the clerk’s office under his successor, Lisa Wallace.

• “Lisa is very talented, experienced, very capable, and ready for this role,” Bailey said. “I know she will do an outstanding job as city clerk.”

Before joining the city of Destin, Bailey spent more than two decades in the Air Force, with assignments at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Comiso Air Station in Italy, and Hurlburt Field. His final military assignment was as commander of the Information Systems Flight within the 16th Communications Squadron at Hurlburt Field — a position traditionally held by an officer — where he led a team of 70 personnel.

He earned his degree in human resources management through evening coursework while on active duty.

Bailey closed his remarks with humor, telling the audience he already has a new job lined up in retirement.

“I will be my wife’s full-time Uber driver, manager, bodyguard, chef, personal assistant, and of course, doing other duties as assigned,” he said.