Both cities
The Scorecard: What Passed, What Failed, What's Next
Two councils, three months, and one issue that split the council, in the minutes we could get. Here's what Gulf Shores and Orange Beach did from August through October, and what's coming in November.
Most of what these councils do passes without a word of debate. The few votes that do split are the ones worth knowing about. This is the first Island Insider Scorecard. It will run after every meeting cycle.
Gulf Shores: the vote that split
On Sept. 28 the council rewrote the beach parking rules. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, hurricane decals stop working as parking passes and exemptions move to a license-plate system. Full-time property owners park free anywhere with no vehicle limit. Part-time owners can register up to two vehicles, but they are shut out of the East Gulf Place resident lot. (City of Gulf Shores)
Councilman Jason Dyken moved to let part-time owners use that lot too. Here is how it went, from the official minutes (Sept. 28 minutes):
| Member | Let part-time owners use the East Gulf Place lot | Final parking ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Mayor Robert Craft | No | Yes |
| Joe Garris Jr., Place 1 | No | Yes |
| Jennifer Guthrie, Place 2 | No | Yes |
| Phillip Harris, Place 3 | No | Yes |
| Jason Dyken, Place 4 | Yes | No |
| Steve Jones, Place 5 | Yes | Yes |
| Result | Failed 2-4 | Passed 5-1 |
Two weeks later, on Oct. 12, the council hired Park Loyalty on a three-year, $102,600 contract to run enforcement, ticket collection and plate registration. (Gulf Coast Media)
Gulf Shores: what else passed
| Date | What | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 26 | Pedestrian bridge plaza Change Order No. 5, Harrison Construction (agenda: up to $1.28M; FOX10: $1.25M), and a separate $220K management contract | Approved, per FOX10. Management contract outcome not reported. See the bridge story |
| Oct. 12 | New operations manager (about $145K). City also looking to add a senior management analyst (about $85K). Projected ongoing personnel cost about $310K a year | Approved (GCM) |
| Oct. 12 | $1.5M street resurfacing, McElhenny Construction | Approved (same) |
| Oct. 12 | $39,500 survey for a Canal Road bypass. Temporary route would affect homes on the north side of Dolphin Avenue; construction estimated 2027 to 2034 | Approved (same) |
| Sept. 28 | Kids Park rebuild, Leathers & Associates, up to $1.1M | 6-0 (minutes) |
| Sept. 28 | Vehicle barrier system, sole source | 6-0 (same) |
Gulf Shores: what got stopped
At an Aug. 17 work session, city staff recommended removing the Canal Park public boat launch under the Highway 59 bridge, citing safety and plans for park space and Waterway Village parking. Residents packed the chamber in opposition (1819 News, Aug. 18). On Aug. 24 the council reversed course and kept the launch by extending its lease with ALDOT. Councilman Phillip Harris abstained because he owns property near the launch. Everyone else voted yes. (1819 News)
Orange Beach: what passed
| Date | What | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20 | Hunter Harrelson of Beachball Properties appointed to the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism Board, through Sept. 2029. He is the husband of Councilwoman Ginger Harrelson | Approved. She abstained, according to the meeting recording. See the Tourism Board story (GCM) |
| Oct. 20 | $757,711 federal grant for 75 firefighter breathing units; $1.5M GOMESA grant through the state for a shooting range clubhouse | Accepted (same) |
| Oct. 20 | $950,000 county grant to raise Jubilee Point Road | Approved (same) |
| Sept. 1 | E-bike rules: 15 mph max on multi-use paths, 10 mph when approaching others, helmets for 16 and under, fines up to $500. Councilman Jack Robertson's amendment cut the proposed sidewalk limit from 20 mph to 15 | 6-0 (GCM) |
| Aug. | Margaritaville sign exceptions: rooftop sign, oversized waterslide sign, rooftop video screen | 5-0, Pat Simpson absent (GCM) |
What we can't tell you yet
Orange Beach posts its council meetings as audio files and keeps minutes on a separate portal, so roll-call votes are hard to get. Two things we are still checking:
- Orange Beach's building moratoriums were set to expire Sept. 30. An extension to June 30, 2027 was on the Sept. 1 agenda for first reading. We have not confirmed it was finally adopted.
- We could read posted Gulf Shores minutes for only one meeting in this period. We are requesting the rest.
Coming up
- Nov. 9, Gulf Shores council: possible votes on items aired at the non-voting Nov. 2 work session. A new impact fee ordinance, required by a lawsuit settlement to cover schools, parks and transportation, would charge a new single-family home from $4,831 (1,000 square feet or less) to $15,326 (4,000 square feet or more). Also up: a city takeover of the Gulf Shores Sports Center, whose private operator "did not generate sufficient revenue," per a city memo; a two-year Fat Tuesday parade deal with the Krewes & Commerce Parade Alliance; a budget amendment adding $4.2 million in 2026 revenue; and a fiber franchise for Gigapower. (Gulf Coast Media)
- Nov. 9, Orange Beach Planning Commission: final approval for Margaritaville's 142-lot cottage subdivision (116 lots in phase one, 26 in phase two), plus a rewrite of the rules on PUDs, density and housing in business districts. The commission only recommends; the council decides. (Gulf Coast Media)
- December, both cities: 2027 budgets. Both run on a calendar year, and we could not find a proposed budget posted by either city yet.
- December, Gulf Shores: the Flock license-plate camera contract comes up for renewal. Two high school students asked the council on Sept. 28 not to renew it. (minutes)
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