The Bay County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 7 approved construction of the 388 Fire Station with an estimated budget of $3,427,044, funding $2,680,000 via impact fee credits and the remaining balance from the county general fund.

County staff said the funding arrangement stems from a partnership with The St. Joe Company, which dedicated land and agreed to front capital for the station; impact fees collected from future development will be used to repay St. Joe. County staff described the station as located on the 388 corridor in a rural area and said that without the partnership the facility likely would not occur under current level-of-service calculations.

During public comment, a resident who identified himself as Dave Demeester of Latitude Margaritaville said the community supported the station and urged approval so the project could move forward. "We just wanna thank the commissioners and Bob for their work in this project over the past 2 years. And hopefully that gets approved today," he said.

Commissioners discussed staffing challenges for Emergency Services in general terms; one commissioner noted the county has added positions and is working to hire. After a motion and second the board took a roll-call vote and approved the item; multiple commissioners recorded “Yes, ma’am.” Staff said the remaining balance to be paid from the general fund would be due within 30 days of the county's acceptance of the completed building.

No amendments to the staff recommendation were recorded at the meeting.