Destin City Councilmember Torey Geile resigned from his seat Tuesday night, citing personal obligations and leaving the council with a vacancy it is now required to fill. Geile’s term ran from 2022 to 2026.
- City Attorney Kim Kopp announced the resignation during the meeting and told the council that under the city charter, because less than a year remains until the next city election, the council can appoint a replacement by majority vote.
Councilmember Jim Bagby made a motion to direct staff to advertise the opening and accept applications, with the goal of selecting a replacement at the council’s next meeting on April 20.
Councilmember Kevin Schmidt voiced reservations about filling the seat at all, arguing the council could function with fewer members for the remaining months before November’s election.
- “I think we should finish the next five to six months before the actual election versus having somebody come up here four to six months,” Schmidt said, adding that past councils have raised concerns about appointed members gaining an unfair advantage if they later run for the seat.
Kopp interjected to clarify that leaving the seat empty is not an option.
“It’s required under the charter that you fill the vacancy,” she said. “It’s not optional.”
Councilmember Rodney Braden then attempted a substitute motion to appoint Chatham Morgan, a former council member, directly to the seat. Braden said Morgan had told him he did not plan to run in November’s election.
“He told me himself that he was not running, but he would sit in the seat temporarily,” Braden said.
Bagby said he would likely support Morgan but wanted to speak with him first and preferred to follow a formal application process. Morgan previously filled a vacancy.
The council also debated whether to ask applicants if they intend to run in the November election. Mayor Bobby Wagner asked about including the question on the application so council members would have that information when making their decision.
Kopp confirmed that the charter does not prohibit an appointed member from running in the next election.
- “You can be appointed whether you intend to run or not,” Kopp said. “If council chooses not to select someone that’s running, that’s up to council.”
The council passed Bagby’s original motion 5-0.
The city announced Wednesday that applications are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. Applicants must live within the Destin city limits and be eligible to vote. Application forms are available at cityofdestin.com, at Destin City Hall at 4200 Indian Bayou Trail or by contacting the city clerk at 850-837-4242. The person appointed will serve until a permanent member is elected Nov. 3.
