› THE COMMUNITIES

UNINCORPORATED BAY COUNTY

POPULATION: 175,216 SQUARE MILES: 689 (INCLUDING NAVY BASE AND TYNDALL AFB)

BAY COUNTY COMMISSION

840 W. 11TH STREET PANAMA CITY, FL 32401 GOVERNMENT CENTER: 850.248.8140 BAY CO. SHERIFF’S OFFICE: 850.747.4700

WWW.BAYCOUNTY.GOV

Unincorporated Bay County is governed by the Bay County Board of County Commissioners, a five-member governing board elected to represent the citizens of Bay County. The board guides the actions of the organization in ensuring the future of Bay County, establishing policies and appointing a county manager to implement those policies while managing the operations of the county.

The Commission annually adopts the millage rate and approves the county budget, which determines the revenue and expenditures necessary to operate all county departments. The majority of county government offices are located in the Bay County Government Center. The three-story building provides a single, convenient location for county residents to conduct their business and includes the departments of Planning and Zoning, Information Technology and Geographical Information Systems, Code Enforcement, Builders’ Services, Development Services, Public Works, Traffic Engineering, the Traffic Management Center, Veterans Services, Human Resources, Budget, Risk Management, Purchasing and the County Manager’s Office.

All Bay County Commission-governed offices, as well as the Commission Chambers, are located at the 11th Street site with the exception of Emergency Services, Parks and Recreation, Utility Services, the Solid Waste Division, Mosquito Control and Fleet Maintenance. The Center is also home to the offices of the Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector and Division of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Congressman Neal Dunn and State Senator George Gainer.

PANAMA CITY

POPULATION: 35,939 CHARTERED: 1909 SQUARE MILES: 35.21

CITY OF PANAMA CITY CITY HALL

501 HARRISON AVENUE, P.O. BOX 1880 PANAMA CITY, FL 32402 TELEPHONE: 850.872.3000 PANAMA CITY POLICE DEPT.: 850.872.3100

WWW.PCGOV.ORG

Panama City, the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee on the Florida Panhandle, is located on the shores of St. Andrews Bay. More than 35,000 residents call Panama City home.

Positioned on the north shores of the Gulf of Mexico and protected by an uninhabited barrier island, the calm waters and constant breezes of St. Andrews Bay have made Panama City an attractive living environment since its founding in the early 1800s. Panama City retains the charm and beauty of a sleepy fishing village, while still enjoying the amenities of a busy metropolis. It is known for its numerous commercial and recreational fishing vessels, sight-seeing boat tours, ever-expanding colleges and universities, thriving shipbuilding and paper mills industries, local chefs still harvesting the natural sea salts, authentic retail entrepreneurs, and the bustling Port of Panama City. Bordered by Tyndall Air Force Base and the Naval Support Activity PC, Panama City is a uniquely cultural mix of the arts, music, ecotourism and technology.

With about 200 acres dedicated to leisure activities, Panama City features two walking parks, a large sports complex, a dog park, seven waterfront parks, kayak and

boat launches, and eight clubhouses available for meetings, parties and family events. With many miles of waterfront, Panama City is a boater’s paradise.

Downtown Panama City serves as the area’s art and theater district, anchored by the historic Martin Theatre. Downtown is also home to the Panama City Center for the Arts and several private galleries.

Historic St. Andrews is a quaint fishing village located in Panama City. Visitors are welcomed like family at the many unique shops, award-winning restaurants, and museums on St. Andrews’ Beck Avenue.

Panama City encompasses a number of wonderful neighborhoods each with their own distinct character. The City is enjoying unprecedented development. Sweetbay, a 3,500 unit master planned residential development is in its early phases.

Panama City is dedicated to educating the next generation of skilled employees through its public schools, numerous private schools and charter academies, Gulf Coast State College, Florida State University Panama City, Troy University’s Panama City campus and Tom P. Haney Technical College.

Destination Panama City promotes and markets the city as a destination to tourists and business travelers, as well as bringing about improvements to the area to support these travelers and the community.

In addition to its status as the seat of Bay County, Panama City is served by two hospitals, diverse shopping, acclaimed restaurants and the kind of Southern hospitality that makes our city the Premiere City in the Panhandle.

PANAMA CITY BEACH

POPULATION: 18,094 CHARTERED: 1970 SQUARE MILES: 19.5

CITY OF PANAMA CITY BEACH

17007 PANAMA CITY BEACH PARKWAY PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL 32413 TELEPHONE: 850.233.5100 PCB POLICE DEPT.: 850.233.5000

WWW.PCB.GOV

The City of Panama City Beach is home to an estimated 18,000 permanent residents with over 4.5 million tourists visiting the area annually. A recent community survey revealed that 75 percent of respondents believe the City is a good or excellent place to live; 89 percent said the Beach is a good place to visit; and another 69 percent said it is a good or excellent place to retire. People ranked the quality of life as very high, praised the shopping opportunities available in the City, and ranked the City as a safe community. Respondents praised the City for its natural environment and water resources, parks and recreational facilities, and quality of utility services.

The City has nine miles of sandy beach, and an economy that depends on tourism dollars. Panama City Beach is the largest City in Florida without a property tax. The primary source of funding is a one percent business tax on all goods sold within the City.

One of the City’s greatest challenges is improving traffic flow and meeting transportation needs. These are being met through the continued construction of the Front Beach Road Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) and Bay Parkway. The Front Beach Road CRA is a massive project to widen and restructure all of Front Beach Road by providing bike and trolley lanes, and building sidewalks, adding landscaping and lighting, and burying utilities. Bay Parkway is an alternative route to divert traffic from Panama City Beach Parkway. Segment 2, from North Pier Park Drive to Nautilus Street, was completed in 2021. This will allow drivers to avoid the Pier Park area and access State Road 79 via Bay Parkway.

LYNN HAVEN

POPULATION: 18,695 CHARTERED: 1913 SQUARE MILES: 10.8

CITY OF LYNN HAVEN

825 OHIO AVENUE LYNN HAVEN, FL 32444 CITY HALL: 850.265.2121 LYNN HAVEN POLICE DEPT.: 850.265.4111

WWW.CITYOFLYNNHAVEN.COM

Lynn Haven is a resilient community which is rebuilding and updating post Hurricane Michael for an even better Lynn Haven than before. Lynn Haven’s current population remains at over 18,000 residents and upholds its identity as family-oriented and business-friendly alike, including a vibrant downtown that preserves and values its local heritage.

The City has made park improvements including new equipment, sunshades over the playground equipment, and more to enhance the parks and replace old and outdated facilities. The city also

added new activities such as the Disc Gold Course at A.L. Kinsaul Park. Cain Griffin Park is undergoing a full remodel, as well as the sports complex after they suffered severe damage in the hurricane. The redesign of city facilities is underway and will include a new media/library, preservation of the old city hall portion, a new city hall, police department and chambers, remodeling of public works and fire station No. 1, the animal shelter and the new facilities maintenance building. The city has revitalized some current facilities such as the Garden Club, Senior Activity Club, Cain Griffin Park Ballfields upgraded facilities and expansion of the Leon Miller Splash Pad at Cain Griffin Park and Porter Park through the RESTORE Grant. Despite many of the facilities being damaged, the City continues to host many recreation programs for youths and adults. Among these include flag football and youth basketball that was only made possible through a partnership with local schools for use of the basketball courts.

The City continues to attract many new businesses. Economic development activities include the promotion of the Lynn Haven Commerce Park and the Hugh Nelson Industrial Park. These parks are home to national companies such as General Dynamics, Trane, Merrick Industries, and Jensen USA. Redevelopment efforts of its historic downtown area are being emphasized and supported by the Lynn Haven Community Redevelopment Agency.

CALLAWAY

POPULATION: 13,045 CHARTERED: 1963 SQUARE MILES: APPROX. 12

CITY OF CALLAWAY CITY HALL

6601 STATE ROAD HWY. 22 CALLAWAY, FL 32404 TELEPHONE: 850.871.6000

WWW.CITYOFCALLAWAY.COM

Callaway’s pristine waterways, residential and recreational areas and the Arts and Conference Center help make it a diverse community. There are many parks with something available for everyone. Some of the park amenities offered include: Veterans Park with a walking path, picnic area, playground, and is pet friendly; John B. Gore Park provides a boat ramp, floating docks, a Community Center with a meeting room and small kitchen, outdoor picnic area, and is conveniently located next to three sports fields, a playground, basketball, and tennis courts; Brittany Woods has a walking track; Patterson and Collinfurst Parks both have beautiful and serene water views with picnic areas. The Arts and Conference Center, located at the Recreation Complex, features an auditorium, meeting rooms and a caterer’s kitchen, which are available for special events. Also located at the Recreational Complex are seven ball fields, six soccer fields, a fully stocked community fishing pond, a mile-long walking trail with exercise equipment and two playgrounds.

The commercial districts in Callaway offer many services and amenities to citizens and visitors, including many financial services, dining opportunities at the many local diverse restaurants, lodging at its hotels, as well as other new commercial entities. Callaway Elementary School is located within the city limits, and Everitt Middle School and Rutherford High School are in close proximity to the city.

Callaway’s City Commission strives to protect the delicate balance between property rights and property values. It has approved legislative requirements, which ensure quality growth within the City of Callaway. Public transportation is available through the Bay Town Trolley, which traverses the entire county. Callaway has a Historical Society that is home to the City’s historical artifacts in a museum located next to the “Old School House” which has been designated as a Florida Heritage Site. Both are located inside John B. Gore Park.

PARKER

POPULATION: 4,545 CHARTERED: 1967 SQUARE MILES: 2

CITY OF PARKER

1001 WEST PARK ST., P.O. BOX 10619 PANAMA CITY, FL 32404 CITY HALL: 850.871.4104 PARKER POLICE DEPT.: 850.871.4100

WWW.CITYOFPARKER.COM

The beautiful and quiet City of Parker, known for its gorgeous sunsets, overlooks East Bay and St. Andrew’s Bay. Parker is an incorporated municipality with a five-member city council including an elected mayor. Its landscape has changed dramatically due to Hurricane Michael. Many of the hundred year-old oaks the city is known for are gone, yet there are plans to eventually replant the right kind of trees, ones that will better survive future storms. Although we have had many citizens temporarily move away, the storm left us a blank slate for restoring our parks, homes and

businesses to make our community even better. A post-storm community of 4,000 citizens, Parker is nestled between the bays and Martin Lake. Although the City only comprises 2 square miles of land, residents and visitors enjoy 12 miles of shoreline. Its southern boundary is coastal and borders Tyndall Air Force Base. Parker is a neighborhood community with a large sports complex that will be rebuilt, a unique environmental/educational park, two waterfront parks with boat launches and has its own fire/EMS and police departments. Founded as a community in the early 1800’s, the City of Parker celebrated its 50th anniversary as a municipality in 2017. The City is rich with history, being the earliest settled area in the County. If you are looking for a place to fish, water ski or just relax, this is the place. If you love to shop, there are many area stores within driving distance for your convenience. Parker is a great place to come home to!

SPRINGFIELD

POPULATION: 8,075 CHARTERED: 1935 SQUARE MILES: 4.4

CITY OF SPRINGFIELD

3529 E. 3RD STREET PANAMA CITY, FL 32401 CITY HALL: 850.872.7570 SPRINGFIELD POLICE DEPT.: 850.769.7545

WWW.SPRINGFIELD.ORG

Springfield is a thriving, mainly residential, city with two beautiful walking parks, boat ramp access to Martin Lake, a playground, a sports complex with two baseball fields and a soccer field and has plans to add five new parks: The Neighborhood Park, the Douglas Road Dog Park, The Nature Park, The Cherry Street Linear Park and the 11-Mile Loop Park. Springfield provides municipal water and municipal sewer services to its residents. The city has its own full-time Public Works Department for servicing the city's roads, parks and utilities along with a community oriented, full-time Police Department and Fire Department. With all the new growth in the city and throughout the county, Springfield is in the architectural phase of planning for a new City complex to centrally locate all the City’s services in one location for its residents. Springfield also has plans to build a new Civic Center for its residents next to the Henry Brooks Walking Park. Additionally, the City of Springfield has five medical facilities, a state veterans’ home and an accredited high school: Rutherford High School (home of the Rutherford Rams). The City is located within 4 miles of Tyndall Air Force Base, the Base of the Future. Over the years, Springfield has maintained its small-town appeal and is a great place to live. Springfield’s leadership is proud of the friendly atmosphere and quality of life and feels confident that as you get to know it better, you will share the same opinion. Welcome to Springfield… “Dedicated People Working Together”.

MEXICO BEACH

POPULATION: 1,200 CHARTERED: 1967 SQUARE MILES: 3

CITY OF MEXICO BEACH

P.O. BOX 13425 MEXICO BEACH, FL 32410 TELEPHONE: 850.648.5700

WWW.MEXICO-BEACH.COM

As Bay County’s smallest city, Mexico Beach is less than five miles long, but don’t let these little statistics overshadow the abundance of life in this Gulf front city. An unconventional beach destination, Mexico Beach provides unique adventure tailored towards an easygoing vibe for residents and visitors year-round.

Thanks to its proximity to the beautiful, emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, its sugar white sands and quiet, non-commercialized setting, the community is a natural pick as a vacation destination for families looking for a getaway to a more traditional, less busy destination. Many families choose to relocate to this area to enjoy the warm, sunny days of Florida’s “Unforgettable Coast” where the Southern hospitality is as authentic as the Old Florida charm.

Due to its unique natural and social assets, Mexico Beach’s economy is almost entirely dependent on tourism. The City’s beautiful, pristine beaches are some of the safest in the area due to the lack of rip currents, which are prevented by a sand bar that parallels the beach, adding to its attractiveness for those who like water activities. In addition to the beautiful public beaches, the City offers a three-bay public boat ramp situated along the canal that allows boaters direct access to some of the best fishing locations in the Gulf of Mexico Beach. The City marina offers boaters enhanced walkways and boat slips that are available for both short and long term periods.

U.S. Highway 98, which runs parallel to the Gulf of Mexico, boasts zero traffic lights and a scenic, unobstructed view of the beaches. While much of Mexico Beach continues to convey a predominant spirit echoing a setting from Old-Florida, new transformations are in the community with several new residential developments taking place.