Bay County declines to file a claim in national Centos class‑action settlement

Bay County decided April 1 not to join a national class‑action settlement involving Centos (vendor name recorded in the meeting) and related piggyback procurement claims. County Attorney Brian explained the litigation alleges the vendor invoiced local governments for prices higher than those in the originating piggyback contract and that the nationwide settlement fund totals roughly $45 million.

Brian said the county's normal auditing processes might not have caught a mismatch between the price list the vendor provided and the originating contract pricing in the piggyback arrangement. He told the commission the county had paid over many years "well over a million dollars" under the contract at issue and that a pro‑rata share of the settlement could yield a modest rebate — staff estimated a possible amount in the roughly tens of thousands of dollars range based on available invoicing — but acknowledged they had not verified an actual loss for Bay County.

Commissioners discussed risk and administrative cost. Some members said they were reluctant to pursue the claim for a relatively small potential recovery and to avoid litigation or insurance consequences; others noted that the vendor had agreed to a substantial settlement fund. After discussion, Commissioner (name recorded as) moved that the county not file a claim; the motion passed on roll call.

County staff noted that any refund from the settlement would be credited to the fund(s) from which Syntops/Centos invoices were paid and would be restricted to those departmental uses under county finance rules.