Alan Armstrong and Al McCambrey, leaders with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, told the delegation the chamber's top legislative priorities are affordable housing, childcare, property-tax policy and protecting the Jones Act because of its link to local shipbuilding jobs.

A representative of the Central Panhandle Association of Realtors thanked legislators for elimination of the business rent tax and for programs such as Hometown Heroes, My Safe Florida Home and My Safe Florida Condo. The Realtors urged continued action on property-insurance and housing programs.

Several speakers, including chamber representatives, Bay Building Industries Association leaders and residents, raised alarm about proposals to phase out or eliminate local property taxes. Jamie Shepherd and others cited independent analyses projecting large revenue losses and urged clear fiscal replacement plans to avoid cuts to police, fire, libraries, stormwater and other local services.

Speakers also criticized rising special-assessments and impact fees. Rex Reed and Brian Knox described recent local actions: Reed said special-assessment increases and a recent deep cut in some commercial impact fees shift costs to existing taxpayers; Knox said Panama City proposed water and sewer connection increases that could raise a typical single-family builder's fee by almost 70 percent.

Kurt Hartog of the Bay Building Industries Association warned legislators of proposed state changes to wind-zone building requirements that could mandate enhanced window protection in much of Bay County; he said such a change would raise construction costs and influence insurance rates.

Ending: Delegation members said they would hear these concerns in Tallahassee and suggested follow-up with legislative staff and county officials to evaluate fiscal scenarios and regulatory proposals.