Fort Walton BeachNot a ballot

Fort Walton Beach · On the record

How the council voted

Every recorded council vote in this guide where two or more of the people we profile voted, side by side. Each line was checked against the meeting minutes it links to. Only candidates and members with a page in this guide are listed; open the minutes for the full roll call.

Fort Walton Beach voter guide

3% spending cap

Oct 9, 2025

Accepting the recommendation to remove the 3% cap for the ballot

Result as recorded: passed 4-3, September 2025

  • YesBen MerrellSeconded and voted yes on accepting the recommendation to remove the 3% cap for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).
  • YesLogan BrowningVoted yes on accepting the recommendation to remove the 3% cap for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).
  • NoGloria DeBerryVoted no on the motion to accept the recommendation to remove the 3% cap for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).
  • NoT. Payne WalkerVoted no on the motion to accept the recommendation to remove the 3% cap for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).

Mid Bay News · Oct 9, 2025Link

Pay for elected officials

Oct 9, 2025

Accepting the Charter Review Commission's recommendation of $1,000 monthly stipends for the ballot

Result as recorded: passed 4-3, September 2025

  • YesBen MerrellVoted yes on accepting the Charter Review Commission's recommendation of $1,000 monthly stipends for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).
  • YesDebi RileyVoted yes on accepting the Charter Review Commission's recommendation of $1,000 monthly stipends for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).
  • YesLogan BrowningVoted yes on accepting the Charter Review Commission's recommendation of $1,000 monthly stipends for the ballot (passed 4-3, September 2025).

Mid Bay News · Oct 9, 2025Link

Property tax rate

Jun 24, 2026

Setting a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate

Result as recorded: passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026

  • YesDebi RileyVoted yes on setting a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate (passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026).
  • NoGloria DeBerryVoted no on setting a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate (passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026).
  • NoT. Payne WalkerVoted no on setting a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate (passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026).
  • —Ben MerrellSeconded the motion to set a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate (passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026).
  • —Logan BrowningMade the motion to set a 5.69-mill maximum tentative rate (passed 4-3 with the mayor breaking the tie, June 2026).

Get The Coast · Jun 24, 2026Link

A “—” means the line records something other than a plain yes or no (a motion, an abstention, or two votes in one line); read the line itself. How this guide works