Callaway to consider bar hours, trolley funding

CALLAWAY — The Callaway City Commission will consider aligning with other cities and unincorporated Bay County in prohibiting alcohol sales between 2 and 7 a.m. during Spring Break.

Currently, the city allows alcohol sales between 7 a.m. and 4 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Sunday. In March, sales would stop after 2 a.m. with a change of city ordinances. Callaway was the last city in Bay County to enact such an ordinance to keep a consistent time with Panama City Beach during Spring Break.

Also the city does not subsidize the Bay Town Trolley, and at a recent TPO meeting a suggestion was made to stop trolley service to communities that do not contribute.

Commissioner Pamn Henderson suggested the city contribute about $7,500, approximately what Lynn Haven provides. She said about 10,000 people pass through Callaway trolley stops every month, the most frequented of which is the stop next to Wal-Mart on Tyndall Parkway.

“I see a lot of people out there in the morning,” Henderson said. “I don’t think they’re using it just for entertainment. I worried how it will impact the economy of Callaway citizens who rely on it to get to work.”

In other business, the commission will consider:

-The first reading of an ordinance waiving transportation impact fees. Transportation fees can account to about $2,933 on a building permit and for commercial businesses it’s calculated by square foot.

-Three bids to replace water meters for the city. The bids are from Ferguson Waterworks for $1,996,340, HD Waterworks for $1,495,090 and Empire Pipe and Supply for $1,153,400.

-Approving a five member board for a Charter Revision Committee. The city received seven applications.