The Bay County Board of County Commissioners convened on April 1, 2025, to discuss the implications of a class action settlement involving Centos, a company accused of overcharging local governments. The meeting focused on the details of the settlement and whether Bay County should participate in filing a claim.

During the discussion, it was revealed that Centos allegedly invoiced local governments at prices higher than those listed in their original contracts. The complaint suggests discrepancies between the price list provided to Bay County and the actual negotiated prices with the originating local government, Hartford County Public Schools. This situation raises concerns about potential financial harm to Bay County, which may not have been detected during routine audits.

The board learned that Centos has set aside $45 million to address these class action claims, although they have not admitted any wrongdoing. The deadline for Bay County to decide on participating in the settlement is today, prompting the need for immediate direction from the board.

While there is no definitive evidence that Bay County suffered a financial loss, discussions indicated that there are circumstances under which the county could have been adversely affected. The board is now tasked with determining whether to file a claim based on these potential risks. The outcome of this decision could have significant implications for the county's finances and its relationship with Centos.