CULTURE

KALEIDOSCOPE

Theatre

WWW.KT-ONLINE.ORG / 850.265.3226

Originally incorporated in 1976 as a non-profit organization, Kaleidoscope Theatre has developed an amazingly large and diverse “family” of volunteers. Over the years, they have produced live performances of dramas, comedies and musicals for the people of Bay County. They are proud to serve our community and to provide a means through which the talents of local artists can find expression.

The Martin Theatre

WWW.MARTINTHEATRE.COM / 850.763.8080 attend fun arts events! They are open Tuesday through Saturday. For more information call 850.640.3670, or visit their website at PCCenterfortheArts.com.

Bay Arts Alliance

WWW.BAYARTS.ORG / 850.640.3670

Bay Arts Alliance is Bay County's local arts agency. In addition to managing arts buildings like the Center for the Arts, they are also working to help develop a thriving arts community in the county. Their vision is to put art on every corner of Bay County. First up... murals! The Bay Arts Mural Program commissions several murals every year to ensure everyone has access to quality art. Check out their website at BayArts.org to discover more.

Originally built in 1936, the Martin Theatre opened its doors as the “Ritz,” one of a chain of movie houses. Early memories boast visits by such notables as Clark Gable, Constance Bennett, Michael O’Shea, William Boyd and cowboy great, Bob Elliot. In the early 50’s, the Ritz chain was bought and renovated by the Martin family. The original marque was replaced with the one now gracing the facade of the building, and the cinema operated as the Martin Theatre until 1978.

In 1978, the Panama City Downtown Improvement Board’s (DIB) H. Mack Lewis, Chairman, bought the vacant building. The DIB, with funding from the State, completely renovated the facility, turning it into the current state-of-the-art-facility. Since that time, the Greenroom was added, a 1,500 sq. ft. reception and meeting room. Although made temporarily unusable by Hurricane Michael, the Martin’s programming continues on in various venues throughout the county. Visit the website for a full calendar of shows, events and venues, or call or come by our temporary box office at 19 E 4th St., Panama City, FL 32401 (850-763-8080).

Panama City Center For The Arts

WWW.PCCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM / 850.640.3670

The Panama City Center for the Arts is the arts center in Historic Downtown. They have four galleries, a gift shop, a self-serve wifi coffee café, library, kids art studio, and three classrooms—digital, painting, and pottery—all in the city's historic 1925 City Hall building. Visit them to see free art exhibitions, take classes, and

State Requirements

Please refer to www.MyFlorida.com or one of the following websites for Florida relocation requirements and resources:

• Elder Affairs (Retiring in Florida) www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us

• Department of Revenue: www.myflorida.com/dor

• See these sections of the Florida Statutes: www.leg.state. fl.us

• Section 222.17 (homestead exemption)

• Section 1009.21 (residency requirements for tuition and state financial aid for education)

• Section 196.015 (permanent residency)

• Section 372.57 (fishing licenses)

State Taxes

• Personal Income Tax: None

• State Retail Sales Tax: 6.0 percent

• Florida corporate income tax: 5.5% on net income

• Ad valorem (real estate) taxes combine city, county and school district levies, plus special assessments.

• Homestead Exemption: Up to $50,000

• Property is assessed at approximately 100 percent of true market value.

• Bay County ranks among the lowest millage rates in the state.

• License Tax: 1 percent (Cities of Panama City & Panama City Beach only)

• Gasoline Tax: 7 cents per gallon (local), 36.7 cents per gallon (state)

Name Change For United States Citizens

If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must submit the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order. No photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority. New residents who have a current driver’s license from another state are required to pass only the vision portion of the examination. First-time applicants must take vision, written and road tests. Applicants should make an appointment to take the drivers examination.

DRIVER’S LICENSES AND ID CARDS

WWW.FLHSMV.GOV

The name assigned to the social security number must match the name that will appear on the Florida driver’s license or identification card. If you have recently changed your name, update your records with the Social Security Administration before you apply for your license or identification card. The cost of a first time Florida license is $48. The license is valid for eight years. License renewal is $48 and a replacement license is $25. Document requirements include: birth certificate, social security card, two proofs of residential address. Name changes must show marriage license or divorce papers.

Automobile Tags And Registration

New residents must register their vehicles and obtain a Florida license tag within 10 days of establishing legal residency, beginning work, or registering children in the public school system. Military personnel and students are exempt. Proof of Florida insurance, your out-ofstate title or registration, and a completed Florida State Form 82042 which verifies the vehicle’s identity number and odometer readings is required. Please visit the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle’s website at www.flhsmv.gov for more information or the Bay County Tax Collector website at http://tc.co.bay.fl.us

BAY COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICES/ DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFFICES

(OFFICE HOURS ARE 8 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.)

850 W. 11th St.*

Panama City, FL 32401

850.248.8501

17109 Panama City Beach Pkwy*

Panama City Beach, FL 32413

850.233.5035

801 Florida Ave.

Lynn Haven, FL 32444

850.271.8850

(written test only)

805 S. Tyndall Parkway* Callaway, FL 32404

850.872.4654

* also a DMV office - arrive before 3 p.m. for Driver's License Testing

Services

Voter Registration

Voter registration can be done at the Bay County Supervisor of Elections Office, local libraries, driver’s license offices, or completed/printed online and mailed in. You may register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen and a legal resident of Bay County, 18 years of age or older, in possession of your civil rights and not currently adjudicated mentally incompetent. You can pre-register on or after your 17th birthday, or upon receipt of a valid Florida driver’s license, whichever occurs first. Florida is a closed primary state; voter registration must be completed 29 days prior to any election. If you are interested in becoming an Election Worker, applications are available online and at the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Supervisor Of Elections

Mark Andersen

830 West 11th Street

Panama City, FL 32401

850.784.6100 www.bayvotes.org

Fishing

Whether you are fishing for dinner or for a prized trophy, you’ll find it swimming in the waters surrounding Bay County. You can charter a boat to take you deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico or fish from one of our piers and bridges. A deep-sea catch might include snapper, grouper, tuna or marlin. If you prefer freshwater fishing, cast your line into Deer Point Lake, where your catch could be a large-mouth bass or bluegill.

A license is required to fish, except a “For Hire” Charter Boat where the license is included in the trip cost. Some ages are exempt from licensing. Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for information or visit www.myfwc.com/ fishing

Fishing licenses are available at various marina stores, tackle shops, and from the Bay County Tax Collectors offices, substation, or online at https://license.myfwc.com. Licenses are renewable annually and the cost varies.

FWC Phone Numbers

Panama City Office – 850.265.3676

Tallahassee Office – 850.488.4676

Fishing License – 888.347.4356 (toll free)

Utilities

Electric, gas, telephone and water companies require deposits for first time service in the area. Deposits vary in each municipality and for the county.

ELECTRICITY

Florida Power and Light

800.225.5797 www.fpl.com

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative

850.265.3631 www.gcec.com

Duke Energy

800.700.6143 www.duke-energy.com

Natural Gas

TECO Peoples Gas

850.914.6143 www.peoplesgas.com

Water Services

Water services are offered through the County and each of the municipalities; if you live within the city limits, please contact the city office of that municipality.

Bay County Water Division

850.872.4785

PHONE, CABLE, INTERNET

AT&T

1.888.757.6500 www.att.com

Comcast

1.800.391.3000 www.comcast.com

WOW!

850.215.1000 www.wowway.com

Libraries

Citizens in Bay, Gulf, and Liberty Counties made 303,869 visits to the eight locations of the Northwest Florida Regional Library System FY2019.

Bay County Public Library

898 West 11th Street

Panama City, FL 32401

850.522.2100 www.nwrls.lib.fl.us

Lynn Haven Public Library*

901 Ohio Avenue

Lynn Haven, FL 32444

850.265.2781 www.youseemore.com/lynnhaven

Panama City Beach Public Library

12500 Hutchison Boulevard

Panama City Beach, FL 32407 850.233.5055 www.facebook.com/PCBLibrary

Parker Public Library 4710 2nd Street Parker, FL 32404 850.871.3092

* Location is temporaily closed for renovations. Not part of NW FL Regional Library System

Airport

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is one of the newest airports in the United States. Located only minutes from Panama City Beach and downtown Panama City, ECP is one of the most popular transportation choices for travelers. The airport is owned and operated by the Panama City-Bay County Airport and Industrial District, otherwise known as the Airport Authority, and services flights from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

For more information, visit their website: iflybeaches.com 6300 W. Bay Parkway | Panama City, FL 32409 850.763.6751

Bayway

WWW.BAYWAYTRANSIT.ORG / 850.769.0557

Bayway serves Bay County including Panama City, Parker, Springfield, Callaway, Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach. For route maps and service areas, call or visit the website. Bayway recently announced they will be providing transportation services on Sundays, making the business open seven days a week. The trolley operates Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and SaturdaySunday on a limited schedule. Bay County’s Public Transportation System was created in 1983 to provide residents and visitors with transportation services in and around Bay County. As the demand for public transportation increased, the original service area was expanded to encompass other areas of the county. Today, Bayway continues to be a safe, reliable, and affordable transportation option that makes destinations all over Bay County accessible to everyone.

To track your trolley in real-time download one of our partnering tracker apps at BayWayTransit.org.