Residents urge help with culvert permit, criticize code enforcement and late bus service at Bay County meeting

Public comment at the June 16 Bay County meeting included technical permitting concerns and strongly worded allegations against county enforcement practices.

Mike Nobles Jr., a resident of Panama City, described a problem with a culvert on undeveloped property at 10305 Heather Lane. Nobles said he has paid for a permit but had not received it because county engineers required oversized pipes (three 48‑inch or two 60‑inch), which he said were physically infeasible for the shallow ditch at the site. Nobles asked the board for help; staff invited him to remain after the meeting to discuss specifics and seek a resolution.

Michelle Carter, who identified herself as a regular bus rider, complained that Bay County fixed‑route buses run late and said drivers and dispatchers are not meeting scheduled departure times. “The bus was a half an hour late,” Carter said of the No. 7 route; she urged using red lanes around Pier Park and reconfiguring some service so flex buses can reduce delay.

Captain Gary Wayne Beck told the board that building‑services fines and liens are illegal and accused enforcement personnel of seizing and selling residents’ property. He framed those actions as violations of the Constitution and said he planned legal follow‑up; no county official provided an immediate rebuttal during his remarks.

Board response and next steps: Chair and staff offered to meet with citizens after the meeting to discuss the culvert permit and other concerns. No formal action or vote was taken on the public comments recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: Permitting decisions can delay private development and affect property owners’ costs; allegations about code‑enforcement practices, while made publicly, were not followed by on‑the‑record staff rebuttal or an immediate policy response at the meeting.