PANAMA CITY The proposed property tax increase to help pay for teachers raises in Bay County was the focus of a spirited, organized debate Tuesday evening.
Voters will be asked on Tuesday whether to support or reject the Bay District Schools proposal to raise property taxes by one mil. If approved, the extra money would be used for operational expenses, including increases in teacher and other district employees salaries, mental health, school safety and pre-K programs.
Dr. Jon Ward, founder of Bay County Taxpayer LLC created in opposition to the tax hike and Tho Bishop, vice president of the Bay County Republican Party, traveled to BDS home turf at the Nelson Building on Tuesday to debate Superintendent Bill Husfelt and Association of Bay County Educators (ABCE) Vice President Alexis Underwood. It was a spirited debate between both sides exactly one week before Election Day.