After 20 years, Bill Dozier will not seek re-election to the Bay County Commission

PANAMA CITY − After almost two decades on the Bay County Commission, Bill Dozier says he is excited for the next chapter of his life.

During a meeting on Tuesday, Dozier, the District 3 commissioner, announced that he would not seek re-election after his current term ends in November. The 63-year-old was first elected to the position in 2004.

"I think that God has blessed me greatly, allowing me to serve the people of Bay County," Dozier said. "Through the years, we've seen a lot of changes in Bay County, a lot of growth and we've got a lot of growth coming.

"You know in your gut when it's time to move on, and I just felt like it was the right time for me to move on. I don't want to be one of those guys who just stays around just to stay around."

Dozier spent about 16 years working for the county in various roles before he was elected. This means he has spent a combined 36 years either working for the county or serving on the board.

Dozier started off working for the county's parks and recreation department, eventually transferring to its roads department. From there, he took a detour and served three years in the U.S. Army before returning to Bay to work for its engineering department. He stayed with that department until he was elected as District 3 commissioner.

"We have a lot of young people coming up who are very bright and sharp, and they bring good ideas to the table," Dozier said. "As I look at my future, I'm ready for the next chapter in my life. ... Whoever comes behind me will be able to do a great job."

As a long-standing member of the commission, Dozier has helped the county grapple with a variety of challenges, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, Category 5 Hurricane Michael in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

He also has assisted the county through a tremendous amount of growth − something he and other local officials are confident will not slow down anytime soon.

"As a board, we faced everything together," Dozier said. "When you look back, it's hard to pin down what the biggest accomplishment was. There's been a lot of things that we've been able to do as a group. ... Bay County is growing so fast, just like most of the counties in the Panhandle, (and) staying up with the infrastructure ahead of the growth is a big challenge.

"We've been able to do it, and we'll be able to do it in the future."

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Though Dozier was not sure as of Wednesday what he will do in the future, he was excited to spend more time with his family, do some fishing and travel.

That said, Dozier does not plan to fully retire, and he aims to do whatever he can to help Bay County thrive as a resident.

"I'm not the type of person who can get up and not work," Dozier said. "When I get up in the morning, my goal is to accomplish something, so I will be working somewhere, doing something. I don't know what yet. ... It's retirement from public service this point, but all the doors are not closed to me.

"I'm just excited for what God has for the next chapter of my life."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 20-year Bay County Commissioner Bill Dozier won't seek re-election