Bay County Board Approves $60,000 Loan for Impact Fees and $500,000 Water Quality Project

Bay County officials have taken significant steps to enhance local infrastructure and environmental quality during their recent Board of County Commissioners meeting on September 3, 2025.

In a pivotal decision, the board approved a loan option for impact fees related to a development project, shifting from an initial waiver request of approximately $20,000 to a loan amount of $60,000. This change, supported by the applicant's representative, allows the county to recoup the fees while still enabling the applicant to pursue additional funding opportunities. The board emphasized the importance of ensuring that the fees are repaid, which will ultimately benefit the county's financial resources.

Additionally, the board approved a deductive change order for the Frankfurt Avenue booster station project, resulting in an estimated savings of $275,000 for Bay County. This decision was made possible through value engineering efforts by the contractor, contingent upon the approval of the county's design engineer. The board discussed the potential for sharing these savings with the contractor, a practice that could become part of future purchasing policies, aligning with successful models used by other agencies.

In another key initiative, the board authorized a sub-award agreement with Florida State University to utilize $500,000 in Restore Act funds for a project aimed at identifying water body impairments in Saint Andrew Bay. This project will involve water quality surveys of 39 water bodies, with the goal of analyzing data to improve local water quality.

These decisions reflect the board's commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship, promising tangible benefits for the Bay County community. As these projects move forward, residents can expect improvements in both infrastructure and environmental health.