Callaway meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Callaway Planning Board approves annexation, rezoning for Hwy. 22 property

The Callaway Planning Board unanimously approved three related applications for the property at 6305 Hwy. 22 at its Aug. 18 meeting: a voluntary annexation into city limits, a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment, and a rezoning to highway commercial. The board discussed the property's location relative to the overlay district and stormwater control responsibilities. The property owner stated the city will not be responsible for stormwater control. No public comments were made.

Planning Board actions

The board approved the voluntary annexation (Parcel ID 06290-000-000), the comprehensive plan amendment, and the rezoning to highway commercial. Discussion noted that highway commercial is the most intense commercial zoning. All three items were approved unanimously.

Commission meetings: agenda items and budget workshops

The Callaway Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Aug. 11 with several items on the agenda, but no minutes have been published yet. The agenda included a public hearing on abandoning a 20-foot unused easement at 7043 Hugh Drive (Resolution 26-08), a developer's agreement with the St. Joe Company for capacity, bid awards for water meters (PW2026-07) and fire hydrants (PW2026-09), a task order for DHGroup lift stations, a planning board appointment, and declaring surplus equipment. Presentations on Bay County Sheriff's Office statistics and Yard of the Month were also scheduled.

On Aug. 12, the commission held a budget workshop for the draft fiscal year 2027 budget. Public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker. The meeting was held at the Callaway Arts & Conference Center, 500 Callaway Park Way. No final budget decisions were made.

Evaluation Committee meeting

The Evaluation Committee met Aug. 10 to review and rank proposals for grant administration services under RFQ No. CM2026-08. The agenda included appointing a chair and vice-chair, evaluating and ranking proposals, and tabulating scores by the City Clerk. This was a procedural meeting to select a vendor.

Coming up

The Board of Commissioners will hold a workshop session on Aug. 25 to review the draft budget for fiscal year 2026/27. City Manager Eddie Cook and Finance Director Adam Thompson are scheduled to present discussion points, including a proposed $1.00 salary raise for all city employees and a $100 per month increase to the City Manager's auto allowance. The session will also include discussion of legal fees, law enforcement costs, Bay Transit increases, street department staffing, street lighting, and sewer overtime. Public comment is expected on solid waste pickup charges and the City Hall sign. No final budget decisions are expected at this workshop.

Callaway officials review grant bids, infrastructure contracts, and draft budget

Callaway city officials held several meetings over the past week to review grant administration proposals, consider infrastructure contracts, and discuss the draft budget for the coming fiscal year. No minutes have been published yet, so no final decisions are confirmed.

Grant administration evaluation (Aug. 10)

The Evaluation Committee met to review and rank proposals for grant administration services under RFQ No. CM2026-08. The agenda included appointing a chair and vice-chair, evaluating and ranking proposals, and having the City Clerk tabulate scores. This was a procedural step toward selecting a vendor.

Commission meeting (Aug. 11)

The Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on abandoning a 20-foot unused easement at 7043 Hugh Drive. The board also considered a developer's agreement with the St. Joe Company for capacity. Other agenda items included awarding bids for water meters (PW2026-07) and fire hydrants (PW2026-09), a task order for DHGroup lift stations, a planning board appointment, and declaring surplus equipment. Presentations covered Bay County Sheriff's Office statistics and Yard of the Month.

Budget workshop (Aug. 12)

The commission met for a budget workshop to discuss the draft budget for fiscal year 2027. Public comments were limited to three minutes per speaker. The workshop was held at the Callaway Arts & Conference Center, 500 Callaway Park Way. This was a working session, not a final adoption.

Coming up

Planning Board – Aug. 18 – The board is scheduled to consider three related applications for the property at 6305 Hwy. 22: a voluntary annexation into city limits, a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment, and a rezoning to highway commercial. The agenda notes that highway commercial is the most intense commercial zoning and that the property owner stated the city will not be responsible for stormwater control. No public comments are listed.

Callaway Planning Board to Consider Denying Three Development Requests

The Callaway Planning Board is set to meet July 7 and, based on the published agenda, will consider denying a variance for a commercial project on North Tyndall Parkway as well as a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for a residential proposal on Harvey Street. The decisions could shape future development along two key corridors.

Recent Commission Meeting (June 23)

The Callaway Commission held a public hearing on Ordinance 1132 to revise the city’s comprehensive plan. The agenda also included a variance request for property at 535 Tyndall Parkway, a proposed additional holiday for Independence Day, and several contract amendments — among them a CEI fee change for the Cherry Street Reconstruction & Drainage project and a change order (CM2023-04) for Panhandle Engineering services. Commissioners also discussed acquiring Civic Plus Recreational Management Software. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so no final votes or dollar amounts are available.

Upcoming Planning Board (July 7)

The Planning Board’s agenda lists three items, all of which carry staff recommendations to deny:

• **Denial of a variance** for a proposed Dutch Bros Coffee and Firestone Auto Care development at 535 N. Tyndall Parkway.
• **Denial of a Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment** for property at 6122 Harvey Street.
• **Denial of a rezoning request** for 6122 Harvey Street that would have allowed modular and mobile homes.

Board members will take public comment and vote on each item. If the denials are approved, the projects cannot move forward without further action from the city commission or a revised application.

Coming Up

• **Callaway Planning Board** – Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The meeting will be held at City Hall. Check the city’s website for the exact time and agenda.