In Inweekly’s Jan. 8 issue, I listed four issues that the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners needed to resolve in 2026: paratransit, Pensacola Beach parking, Perdido Beach access and the use of discretionary funds to help nonprofits fill service gaps. Read “Outtakes—Escambia County’s Full Plate.”
- The commissioners appear ready to address public beach access not only on Perdido Key but also on Pensacola Beach at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5 at its next Committee of the Whole.
Customary Use
For years, county leaders have debated “customary use,” the public’s right to use the dry sand area of the beach for recreation, even where that sand is part of private waterfront parcels and when that use has been “ancient, reasonable, without interruption, and free from dispute.”
- Perdido Key has seen conflicts where condo owners claimed sections of dry?sand beach as private, while county officials and residents pointed to long?standing public use and old easement language in deeds. The customary use issue has now popped up on Pensacola Beach.
“Customary use on Perdida Key, it’s going to have to be dealt with by his board,” said Commissioner Steven Barry. “In my opinion, it’s not going to go away. You now have some of District 4 advocates that have taken up the mantra.”
The commissioners agreed to put it on the agenda for the next Committee of the Whole and to make it a discussion-and-action item for the next regular meeting, which would be two weeks later. The goal is to give the public substantial time to offer input to the board.
City Issues
In the same issue, we wrote about four lingering issues Mayor D.C. Reeves has on his desk for 2026. From the memorial plaza that has yet to be built after funding controversies to a deadly intersection, these problems challenge the city’s capacity to make meaningful improvements for its people.
Throw in the Bluffs Park—closed for nearly three years—and a multi-million-dollar funding dispute with the Escambia Children’s Trust over childcare dollars, and the picture is clear: 2026 will be defined by City Hall’s ability to move these critical projects from discussion to completion…