The meeting began with public commentary, where a resident, Mr. Walker, questioned the allocation of TIF funds, noting that Bay County seemed to receive more money than Lynn Haven despite not having its own Community Redevelopment Agency or TIF mechanism. The resident expressed concern that Lynn Haven might be perceived as “greedy” by Bay County due to these financial dynamics. In response, officials clarified that the county’s proposed higher millage rate results in a larger portion of the tax increment funding going to Bay County, explaining the apparent discrepancy.

Following this discussion, the board moved on to approve the final budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget saw a decrease in proposed revenue by $26,268 due to a reduction in the city millage rate. Expenses increased by $5,200, primarily attributed to liability insurance adjustments following a recent meeting with the city’s insurance broker. These changes will be balanced by a transfer from the CRA reserve fund, totaling $85,692.