Bay County, Florida Government

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Alicia Carothers on her appointment as a Bay County Judge.

This week marks Alicia's final week with Bay County after serving as Deputy County Attorney for the past two and a half years. During her time with the county, she provided trusted legal counsel and dedicated service.

While we will certainly miss her, we are excited to see her begin this next chapter. Please join us in thanking Alicia for her contributions to the county and wishing her the very best as she takes the bench.

06/02/2026

Welcome to Bay County, Chief Austin Pugh!

05/29/2026

Paws what you're doing and come meet some adorable adoptable pets! 🐾

Bay County Animal Control will be at PetSmart (849 E. 23rd St.) in Panama City tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with adoptable pets ready to meet their future families. Adoptions are just $25 and include spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, and vaccinations.

Please note: The shelter on Bay Line Drive will not be open for adoptions tomorrow, but staff may be reached during regular business hours by calling (850) 767-3333.

05/28/2026

The recent rain is much needed across Bay County 🙌, but it can also create new places for mosquitoes to breed. Bay County Mosquito Control encourages residents to take a few minutes to walk around their property and dump out any standing water. Even small amounts of water in items like flower pots, buckets, and toys can quickly become breeding sites for mosquitoes.

More information:

Summer in Bay County means sunshine, outdoor fun and community events, but it is also peak mosquito season. Bay County Mosquito Control reminds residents that mosquito prevention starts at home.Most m

05/25/2026

Due to inclement weather, today’s Memorial Day Ceremony has been canceled. While we are disappointed not to gather in person, we remain united in remembering the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

05/22/2026

Exciting projects are taking shape across Bay County’s parks and recreational spaces. Here are some of the highlights:

• Installation of new playground equipment at Island View Park is underway.
• Construction of the new pavilion at the Highpoint Boat Ramp is nearly complete, with the concrete pad poured this week. Construction on the new boat ramp and kayak launch there will begin this summer.
• Demolition of the aged boardwalk at Beach Access #77 is underway to make room for a new walkway, which is expected to take about three weeks to construct.
• The aged walking bridges at H.G. Harder’s Park are being replaced, and work to replace all of the walking bridges at the park will continue over the coming weeks.
• Construction of two new pickleball courts is underway at Under the Oaks Park.

Thank you to our Parks and Recreation team for the great work happening across the county.

05/20/2026

This , we’re recognizing the teams behind the essential services we rely on every day. Bay County’s Public Works professionals keep our community running in ways many people may never see.

Bay County Public Works by the numbers:

Roads and Bridges
• Maintains 563 miles of paved roads, 177 miles of dirt roads, and 49 county bridges
• Resurfaced more than 140 miles of roadway over the past decade
• Applied preservation treatments to more than 200 miles of roads to extend pavement life
• Paved more than 35 miles of dirt roads through surtax-funded improvements

Utilities
• Treats 11.5 billion gallons of drinking water and 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater each year
• Maintains more than 370 miles of water lines and 227 miles of sewer lines
• Services 1,946 fire hydrants and 1,569 manholes

These photos show a Roads and Bridges crew improving safety on Highpoint Road by widening each lane by one foot. Thank you to our Public Works team for the essential work you do for the county.

05/19/2026

Welcome, Chief!

Please join us in welcoming Chief Austin Pugh to Bay County.

The Board of County Commissioners today affirmed Chief Pugh as the new chief of Emergency Services with a start date of June 1. A Panhandle native with more than 25 years of service in Walton County, he brings extensive experience, a strong reputation in emergency services, and a deep understanding of the communities we serve.

We look forward to the leadership, teamwork, and dedication he will bring to Bay County Emergency Services. Welcome aboard, Chief Pugh.

05/19/2026

Due to inclement weather, the Memorial Day Ceremony has been canceled. While we are disappointed not to gather in person, we remain united in remembering the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

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Bay County Veterans Services will hold its annual Memorial Day ceremony and wreath laying at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at Kent-Forest Lawn Cemetery, 2403 Harrison Avenue.

The event, held in partnership with the Bay County Board of County Commissioners and the Bay County Veterans Council, honors U.S. service members who died while serving in the military. Speakers from local military bases and veterans’ organizations are scheduled to participate. The ceremony will conclude by 11 a.m.

“This ceremony gives our community the opportunity to come together and recognize the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” said Bay County Veterans Services Division Manager Anthony Workman. “We encourage everyone to pause and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day.”

Additional information: https://www.baycountyfl.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/313

05/19/2026

If you have opinions to share about parks and recreation issues in Bay County, please plan to attend the Bay County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Bay County Government Center Room 1040, 840 W. 11th St. in Panama City.

The board will review proposed FY2027 parks projects and provide input on future improvements to Bay County’s parks system. Public comments are welcome.