Residents urge caution on proposed regional port authority; commissioners emphasize desire to keep local control

A member of the public urged commissioners to oppose creation of a regional port authority that, he said, would move decision‑making away from Gulf County and could require large dredging projects and railwork. Larry Wagner recommended the county focus resources instead on the dry dock and a maritime education facility and retain local oversight of port development.

Commissioners responded that they do not want to give up control of the port, and described a locally driven strategy: phased investments, the dry dock project and workforce training to keep jobs and economic benefits in the county. Several commissioners said they are pursuing coordinated approaches with municipal partners and emphasized they will seek to remain the primary decision‑maker for port development.

No formal board position was adopted at the meeting.