Bay County staff report bond closing and progress on animal shelter, pool and golf-course repairs

During reports at the May 19 meeting, staff told the Bay County Board of Commissioners that the county completed a bond sale last week and settled at a competitive interest rate of 3.5% for a 13-year term. The board did not take a formal vote on the bond at the meeting; the information was provided as an administrative update.

Staff also presented aerial footage and construction updates. The animal services building has walls up, underground plumbing complete and half of the building slab poured; staff said a roof is expected by July and interior work will follow. County staff reported the community pool excavation and cement work finished faster than expected and that the pool contractor would mobilize soon to begin underground plumbing and other work, with a target opening in June 2027.

The board separately approved a bid award and budget adjustment for the Bay County Golf Course bunker restoration to Great Lakes Golf and Site Development and heard staff say the contractor can complete work in June to be ready for a county tournament; funding was described as leftover ART funds and capital proceeds from clay sales, with no cost to the general fund.