County rejects paving of North Star Drive

PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Commission on Tuesday rejected a proposal to pave a dirt road while at the same time calling for further study of a sales-tax funded, countywide paving program.

The commission also rejected an option to pave one-half of North Star Drive and leave the other half unpaved. Under this option, a barrier would be installed, blocking the street, which would have made it a dead end on both sides with no through traffic allowed.

A majority of neighbors on the east side of the road initially voted in favor of the paving moving forward, while a majority of those on the west side wanted it to stay a dirt road.

Residents initially lobbied the commission to include the project as part of a participating paving program. When votes were first tallied based on how much front footage a person owned, the project didn’t get the necessary votes under county ordinance to move ahead. On July 1, the commission asked that another vote be taken using a per-lot formula. Under this formula, the paving was approved by a 54 percent margin. But before Tuesday’s meeting, some property owners had a change of heart after notices were sent out stating that each of the 28 homeowners would be charged $2,854.

Commissioners on Tuesday were on their way to approving an staff-suggested alternative to have the east side of the road — which runs off Star Avenue (County 2315) — paved and keep the west side unpaved. Then they backed off that proposal.

“We wouldn’t normally suggest this for any other roadway, but this road is fairly unique, with two, 90-degree turns in it,” Public Works Director Ken Schnell said. “It kind of lends itself to making it two separate roads, where we actually split the road at the S curve.”

Commissioner Bill Dozier made the motion to proceed with this option and it was seconded by Mike Nelson. But Dozier withdrew his motion after County Manager Ed Smith pointed out it was unknown whether people along the street would like it cut off in the middle.

Commissioner Mike Thomas then made a motion, which was approved, that the proposed paving project die.

“If (residents) want to come back with (another proposal), that is their business, but I am just not comfortable with dividing a road,” he said.

Both Thomas and Dozier pointed out that staff is evaluating a proposal to bring forth a comprehensive paving project in which streets like North Star Drive might be paved with revenues from a sales tax.

Thomas said he preferred that the program be funded from sales taxes instead of property taxes.

“I think it should be a sales tax that we would sunset in five years and get some roads paved,” he said.

In other action Tuesday:

- The commission approved a slow-wake zone in the area around the new Crooked Creek boat ramp that lies just north of State 388. Some people had raised safety concerns about boats speeding in the S-curves in the creek at the boat ramp site. The area includes 1,263 feet lying 300 feet south of the State Road 388 bridge northerly to a point 300 feet north of the existing county boat ramp on TiTi Road.

- Commissioners found out from County Attorney Terrell K. Arline that Tyndall Air Force Base will appeal a court ruling in favor of Bay County in a legal battle with Tyndall over the cost of wholesale water. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims on June 13 issued a judgment ordering the federal government to pay $450,516 in damages for breaching its water and sewer contracts, as well as $303,589 in interest. The county has contended Tyndall owes more than $1 million in unpaid water bills dating back to 2007, when Tyndall refused to pay the increased rate. Tyndall has contended the language in one of its county contracts provides a rate-increase exemption.