Two weeks after voting to pursue a drone show in lieu of fireworks, the Destin City Council reversed course and unanimously approved the fireworks contract while exploring adding a drone show to the celebration.

• The council voted unanimously Monday night to extend its fireworks contract with Pyro Shows Inc. and pay for the incidental take permit required by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 

In a separate 6-1 vote, council directed staff to bring back an integration plan at the next meeting for adding a drone show to the fireworks display, with Councilman Rodney Braden casting the lone no vote.

The decision came after staff presented three options: a standalone drone show for $50,000, fireworks alone for $39,100 plus a $9,000 shorebird take permit, or adding a drone show to the fireworks for an additional $10,000.

City Manager Larry Jones said local drone operator Alex Ou of Cosmic Drone Light Shows offered the combined package at $20,000, with $10,000 covered by sponsorship and $10,000 to be paid by the city. Jones said the standalone drone show would normally cost between $60,000 and $80,000 during the July 4th holiday due to nationwide demand.

• The proposal calls for a 200-drone light show approximately 12 minutes in length featuring patriotic animations and custom sky imagery including the American flag, bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, military tributes and “AMERICA 250” branding.

At its May 18 meeting, council had voted 4-3 to pursue a drone show contract in lieu of fireworks, citing concerns about nesting shorebirds near the city’s traditional launch site on the West Jetty on Eglin property. That vote was formally reconsidered Monday night after a procedural discussion about Robert’s Rules of Order. City Attorney Kim Kopp recommended the motion to reconsider to clean up the record, and it passed before council took up the new options.

Councilman Jim Bagby, who voted against the May 18 drone-only motion, made Monday’s motion to approve the fireworks contract extension and take permit.

• “This is the 250th birthday of the nation,” Bagby said. “I wouldn’t have voted to have fireworks last time, except this year we need to do fireworks, and we need to celebrate.”

Bagby initially moved to approve all three components — fireworks, permit and drone show — with the condition that the Destin Parks Foundation raise the $10,000 for the drone portion. He later split his motion into two parts after questions arose about timing, funding and logistics.

Councilwoman Sandy Trammell clarified the Parks Foundation’s role, saying it would serve as a pass-through to hold tax-deductible donations rather than committing $10,000 of its own funds.

“We are not donating $10,000. We will donate up to whatever Lisa can get in, because it’s a tax write-off for the person making the donation,” Trammell said.

Finance Director Krystal Strickland said savings from this year’s Christmas decorating budget could cover the additional $10,000 if the Parks Foundation is unable to raise the funds, requiring no budget amendment.

Councilman Dewey Destin raised questions about the $9,000 incidental take permit, noting the fireworks are launched from federal property near the NCO club rather than within Destin city limits. He said the permit’s monitoring covers a 300-square-foot area on federal property and has no direct connection to the city’s nesting concerns at Norriego Point.

• “I’d rather spend $9,000 or $5,000 or whatever it takes to monitor what’s going on at Norriego Point, which is within our city limits and which is the area we’re trying to protect, rather than spend the money to monitor and protect an area over on the federal property,” Destin said.

Kopp said she would review the permit requirements with Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Firth and report back. Firth said the federal Fish and Wildlife Service began requiring the permit about four years ago, and this would be the fourth year the city has paid for it.

Councilman Chatham Morgan asked whether other parties launching fireworks near bird nesting sites are paying take permits. Jones said they have not been but have been put on notice that they need to comply.

Details on how the drone show and fireworks will be integrated, including whether the drones will fly before, after or simultaneously with the fireworks, remain unresolved. Jones said the drone operator is flexible and open to the city’s direction. Mayor Bobby Wagner said smoke from the fireworks could be a factor if the drone show follows the fireworks, and that the FAA has already approved the drone flight pattern.

Councilwoman Teresa Hebert sought to clarify the outcome for the public.

“The bottom line is we’re gonna have fireworks, and if we get the money raised, we’ll have the drone show on the side as the fireworks are going off,” Hebert said.

Staff will bring an integration plan and funding details to the next council meeting.