Bay County commissioners approve package of routine resolutions, adopt revised purchasing and travel policies

Bay County's Board of Commissioners on June 15 approved a batch of routine resolutions covering grants, contracts, appointments and administrative policies, and added four items to the agenda that were adopted during the meeting.

The board voted to approve or authorize resolutions numbered 2026-118 through 2026-135. Approvals included grant outreach agreements (2026-118), a parking-lot project at the health services building (2026-119), a bid release for emerald ash borer treatment (2026-120), new waste and recycling services for the House Services building (2026-121), payables (2026-122) and multiple county-level items including executive reports and personnel/contract approvals (2026-123 through 2026-127). The board also approved a Department of Corrections grant application (2026-128), a 911 recording system agreement (2026-129), an agreement designating Habitat for Humanity as the HUD responsible entity for an environmental review (2026-130) and a wetland mitigation project authorization (2026-131).

Near the end of the meeting commissioners voted to add and approve four additional resolutions: treatment court grants (2026-132), school nutrition program reimbursement funds (2026-133), a revised Bay County travel policy (2026-134) and a revised Bay County purchasing policy (2026-135). The purchasing-policy revision drew public support from representatives of the Operating Engineers Local 324, who joined the meeting remotely and told commissioners the change should help attract more bidders and benefit local contractors. "We really appreciate your partnership on this and really just wanted to be here to support," said Maggie Leonard of Operating Engineers Local 324. William Miller, who identified himself as political director for the union, said he expected the policy would increase the number of bidders and help local bidders.

Several resolutions were moved, seconded and carried without substantive discussion. Where the record shows discussion, staff or commissioners provided brief project or program descriptions before a vote. For items not discussed in the record, the board approved motions following standard procedure.

The meeting also included routine appointments: the board confirmed candidates for the Bay County Library Board and other county boards during roll-call-style voting. For the full five-year library-seat term, the candidate listed as "Tim Xstein" received five votes and "Andreas Ty" received two; for an unexpired partial term ending June 30, 2028, Susan Row received four votes, Heather Heman received one and Andreas Ty received two. The record does not include a roll-call tally of individual commissioner votes for every resolution beyond those appointments.

The board adjourned after a final call for public comment and announcements.