Latest news with #BobMajka
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay County Commissioners Oppose House and Senate Bills
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Community Redevelopment agencies allow cities to identify blighted sections of town, withhold the property taxes from those properties, then use the money to revitalize the area. The hope is to attract businesses. Improve infrastructure, create jobs and affordable housing, all while boosting the local economy. But the state legislature is considering a bill that would limit community redevelopment agencies from performing certain actions or terminate them all together. During Tuesday's Bay County commission meeting, board members approved of a resolution opposing the House and Senate companion bills. Man in Panama City Beach faces 30 charges in trafficking case 'We want to see that CRA and the other CRA's in Bay County are being successful. We want to see them to be completed in accordance with the plans that are published. And we think there are some things in this legislation that would inhibit that and prevent that from happening,' County Manager Bob Majka said. Oddly enough, Bay County had been at odds with Panama City Beach over the beach's CRA.A few years ago, beach officials renewed the taxing district until 2049, costing the county millions of dollars in property tax revenue. Last summer the two sides worked out a compromise, capping CRA revenues at $30 million a year. It could save Bay County $2.7 billion in the next 25 years. Gulf World has filed for bankruptcy 'Nobody expected the growth in the property taxes like what we've experienced. And so it is the current seat holders, those on the city commission out there, the Mayor, the City Manager, as well as those of us are sitting at the county commission to work together to try to make sure that we put the proper guardrails in place that allows both the Panama City Beach City government to be able to operate,' Commissioner Doug Moore said. The House Bill is currently in commerce committee, and the Senate Bill is on the committee agenda. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay County to vote on financial audit by state DOGE team
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A couple of weeks ago, we told you how Gov. Ron DeSantis was thanking Bay County for being the first to agree to a financial audit by the state DOGE team. County manager Bob Majka had mentioned the audits during the last board meeting, but commissioners did not vote on the matter. It's on the agenda for tomorrow's meeting, and board members are expected to vote for the audit request. If approved, the state doge will audit Bay County's budget and expenditures, using AI to review operations and identify ways to cut spending. 'There's always an opportunity to have a conversation about how we could do things differently or maybe do things better or just basically why are we funding the things that we're funding?' Majka said. If the audit finds what doge team members consider unnecessary spending, county officials are not bound to cut the funding. It's up to local government officials to decide the community's needs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor DeSantis spotlights Bay County for new Florida DOGE audit
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Governor Ron Desantis posted a 2-minute video to the 'X' social media platform Tuesday, singling out Bay County three times for agreeing to the new Florida doge audit. Bay County County Manager Bob Majka had mentioned the audits to county commissioners earlier that day. Majka and Commissioner Doug Moore voiced support for the proposal, but the commission was not able to vote on it. 'It's a procedural issue. You know, we started these conversations a while back, you know, about being interested in the process just because we wanted to make sure we had a voice at the table. Not necessarily from the perspective of being first, but just if there's going to be a conversation, we would like to be involved in the conversation about how this is going to take shape and how things are going to be looked at, 'Bob Majka said. DeSantis urges local governments volunteer for Florida DOGE audits Desantis has accused local governments of raising taxes on citizens, even though the counties and cities are getting more money from the state. 'Shouldn't you know how this money is being spent especially in those counties that have seen dramatic increases in their state budgets? Now we are working with the Florida legislature to get more prescriptive authority to be able to go in and conduct audits of these local governments so that taxpayers get the full picture of what's going on,' Desantis said. If commissioners approve the governor's request, the state doge will audit Bay County's budget and expenditures. Mayor suggests forming a DOGE in Panama City Auditors will use AI to review operations and identify more ways to cut spending. 'You know, never hurts to continue to look and evaluate and reevaluate what you're doing. So we're looking at this as a very positive process. I think the benefit of AI is that it can conduct evaluative research very quickly. I think the fundamental part of this conversation is what government should be and should not be spending money on. And so, you know, a lot of that is driven by a community desire,' Majka added. Majka says the state will not be charging the county to perform the audit. If the audit finds unnecessary spending in the budget, but county officials disagree with the finding, what happens then? 'Local government decisions are made by local government, and it really comes down to what people in the community want their government to look like and to fund and what services they desire,' Majka continued. Majka plans to present the audit proposal for a vote at the April 1st commission meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Severe Weather Awareness Week Day 3: what you need to know about tornadoes
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Day 3 of Severe Weather Awareness Week focuses on tornado and thunderstorm safety. According to the National Weather Service, an average of 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide every year. While tornadoes can happen any time, in any place…the peak season for Florida and surrounding southern states is March through May. Severe Weather Awareness Week: The dangers of rip currents Bay County officials say like with any kind of natural disaster, staying connected and making a plan is the best way to stay prepared 'Being able to receive alerts is the primary of importance. And then the second thing is making sure you have a plan and you know what you're going to do to react to the issuance of a tornado watch or a tornado warning' Bay County manager Bob Majka said. But what is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning? 'Tornado watch is where we want folks to kind of be ready, get that preparedness plan ready, know what you're going to do, and then when a warning is issued, that's when you take action. That's where we want folks to get to that safe place,' National Weather Service representative Kelly Godsey said. In 2024, Florida saw over 100 tornadoes…6 of those hit the Panhandle in January of 2024. Severe Weather Awareness Week: Protect yourself from lightning 'They're really prepared for the hurricanes, but they don't understand that same level of preparedness. Needs to be taken for the other threats that the community faces. And so tornadoes are one of those threats. And you having a disaster plan is just that. It's a disaster plan. It's not a hurricane plan. It's not a flood plan. It's not a snow event plan. It's a disaster plan. And those consequences that the community can face are consistent. And so having that plan is really important,' Majka said. Officials say your disaster plan includes the best place to seek shelter if a tornado comes your way, whether that's in your home or a 2nd location. They also say part of that plan should include checking your home insurance and knowing your coverage before something hits. 'We always encourage people, make sure you understand what your insurance policy covers, understand, you know, what those benefits are.' Tomorrow's topic will be hurricanes & flooding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
