BAY COUNTY HURRICANE RECOVERY MONEY

Bay County expects Hurricane Michael recovery spending to be about 80 million dollars, even if all expected federal disaster money is paid. That would cover the county’s portion of the 661 million dollar total cost for hurricane damage. Bay County officials are looking at all options to cover the cost, from raising taxes to cutting services. FEMA is expected to reimburse 75 percent of the cost, leaving the other 25 percent to be split evenly between the state and county. The county’s 12.5 percent share would be about 80 million dollars and would have to come from the county’s general fund.