In a recent government meeting, Bay County officials discussed significant amendments to the county budget and personnel benefits, particularly focusing on health care provisions for commissioners.

The meeting began with a motion to amend resolution number 2024-181, reducing the budget for a mine correction from $23,000 to $17,106, which was approved unanimously. Following this, the board appointed Robert Mead to the Bay County Building Authority after a voting process that saw him receive four votes against three for his opponent.

A key topic of discussion was the proposed amendment to the 2025 Bay County budget, specifically regarding health care benefits for commissioners. Commissioner Tom Herrick proposed to eliminate health care coverage and a stipend for not taking health care, arguing that the current package, which could total around $43,000, is excessive compared to the salaries of county employees who do not receive similar benefits. Herrick emphasized that many employees earn significantly less and do not have access to health care through their positions.

The discussion sparked a debate among commissioners, with some defending the necessity of health care as a fringe benefit for full-time employees, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Legal counsel clarified that while health care is a budgeted item, it is not classified as part of the commissioners' compensation package, meaning future boards could alter these benefits without affecting their salaries.

The meeting concluded with a call to vote on Herrick's amendment, which aims to remove health care and the stipend from the budget. The outcome of this vote could set a precedent for how the county approaches benefits for its elected officials moving forward.