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Destin City Manager, Lance Johnson, to depart in January after 20 years

After 20 years with the city, Destin City Manager Lance Johnson and the City Council have mutually agreed to part ways effective January 2, 2024. The Destin City Council held a special meeting on Monday night. One item on the consent agenda was the Separation Agreement and Mutual General Releases between Johnson and the city. […]

Destin City Manager Lance Johnson

After 20 years with the city, Destin City Manager Lance Johnson and the City Council have mutually agreed to part ways effective January 2, 2024.

The Destin City Council held a special meeting on Monday night. One item on the consent agenda was the Separation Agreement and Mutual General Releases between Johnson and the city.

  • Johnson has served as city manager since 2018 after initially being hired by Destin in January 2003.

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson will continue receiving his salary and benefits through his final day. He will also receive a 20-week severance payment equivalent to his salary, benefits and perquisites.

  • The city has agreed to pay Johnson’s health insurance premiums under COBRA through July 2025 or until he finds new employment.
  • Johnson will retain his pension and retirement savings plan with the city.

After passing the separation agreement, Councilmember Jim Bagby pushed for the council to start the search process for a new city manager by drafting a request for proposal (RFP) to hire an executive search firm. Bagby wanted the RFP ready for the next council meeting in December.

However, after some back and forth discussion, Councilmember Torey Geile made a motion to table that discussion until the December 11 meeting. That motion passed 5-2 with Bagby and Council-member Johnny King voting no.

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“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
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“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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