Local political positions competing for election included Lynn Haven mayor, Lynn Haven commissioner seats 3 and 4, Panama City commissioner Ward 4, Parker mayor and Parker Council seats 1 and 3.
Positions running unopposed were Mexico Beach mayor, Mexico Beach Council groups 2 and 3, Panama City mayor and Panama City commissioner Ward 1.
For Panama City s Hope Abbott, the school board referendum to raise millage rates would help the local education system be more competitive, attracting additional people to the area and boosting the local economy. We re not paying our teachers enough, (and) we ve got to be able to attract good talent and maintain what we do have, Abbott said. If you can afford to pay the high educated teachers, then our rating will go up. If you re not paying them (enough), they re not going to stay in Bay County.