A group headed by locals Dorothy Slye and Everett Ratliff have landed management of the new Navarre Beach fishing pier.

On Thursday, with Commissioner Layne Lynchard abstaining, the Board on unanimously chose  Slye & Ratliff over its competitor, Navarre Beach Fishing Pier Inc., also headed by two locals, Pat Huggins and Robert Macon.

"The two offered nearly exact bids," said Commission Chairman Gordon Goodin. "The determining factor was that Slye & Ratliff offered to take care of cleaning the pier, as needed."

County staff now will hammer out the details of the contract with Slye & Ratliff.

As at Monday's committee meeting, Lynchard abstained because of possible conflict of interest.