Panama City - The city of Panama City will enter into a contract with a lawfirm to help it in the claims process against BP. At the commission meeting Tuesday night, the commissioners all agreed Nix, Patterson and Roach was the best lawfirm to go with. It is the same firm that represents Bay Distrcit School Board, the City of Panama City Beach, and Bay County's Tourist Development Council.

Mayor Scott Clemons said its ties to the other local government helped make the decision, but the city is not sure if it even has a legitimate claim yet.

"The idea is to hire that firm who is also working with other local government here to see if there is an economic model that will demonstrate whether we have sustained losses. If we have we will then go forward with a lawsuit. So our decision...is to agree to have an economist determine whether we have sustained any losses," Mayor Clemons said.

He says the lawfirm has hired good economists to help put together a financial model and determine what the losses are.