Mexico Beach council members move forward with a developer’s multi-phase

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Farmdale, or Sugar Sands, is a multi-phase project, including residential homes, hospitality, and food services. It’s located on the Gulf, just off Highway 98, between Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base, in unincorporated Bay County.

The county doesn’t have sewer and water lines in that area, leaving Mexico Beach as the developer’s only option.

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“I think the first phase is going to be 45 single-family residences and about 12,000 square commercial feet. But this is annexing it into the city of Mexico Beach. So they’re going to be able to take advantage of our city sewer water fire protection, police protection and exchange the city gains a significant amount of ad valorem tax revenue,”

Things became complicated in January after a previous city administrator already worked with Farmdale to provide utilities for the first phase of the project, after that phase 1 came to a halt.

In February, the council members denied the request, saying the city would not greatly benefit from the arrangement.

The biggest critic, former mayor Michele Miller is no longer on the board.

“There’s been quite a few stops and starts, but I think the bottom line is the city council sees the benefit that comes from Farmdale as well as being able to get out in front of the development ourselves.”

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Officials now say working with the developer on the project will give the city an opportunity to contribute.

“If we’re able to work with our partners, with our development companies, with our builders to create meaningful agreements that really contribute what we all want, that’s a much better way to do business than try to wait to go to the court system.”

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City administrator Chris Truitt says he is unaware of any timeline for the Farmdale project.

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