Final Budget Passes in Bay County

Bay County commissioners announced their final budget Thursday evening.

After a 30-minute meeting, commissioners passed a $232,030,533 budget that called for cuts across the board. One of the more controversial cuts was to the Bay County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Frank McKeithen had made his opposition very clear at the county commissioner's meeting on September 4. At the meeting, McKeithen said the $759,000 cuts would cost 31 jobs and could effect some services.

At Thursday's meeting the budget passed with very little comment, neither McKeithen or any representation for the sheriff's office were present.

McKeithen can still appeal the cuts to the state but has not said if he plans to exercise that option.

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