Panama City meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Panama City boards set to weigh rezoning, FEMA road design, port budgets

No final decisions were made at Panama City government meetings over the past two weeks — all recent sessions were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items on the table include a $408,000 engineering contract for FEMA road repairs, a rezoning to heavy industrial, and the Port Authority's proposed FY 26-27 budgets. Residents can weigh in at the next City Commission meeting on Aug. 25.

Planning Board (Aug. 10)

The Planning Board held public hearings on four land-use requests. It has final authority on variances and makes recommendations to the City Commission on rezonings. Items included:

• Continued rezoning of 1023 E 15th Street (4.563 acres) from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial, first heard July 13.
• A variance for 4019 Valencia Court to reduce the front setback to 0 feet (20 feet of relief).
• A variance for 551 E 6th Street to build a 5,000 sq ft commercial building with a 25-foot front setback.
• Rezoning of 2913 E 5th Court (0.594 acres) from Neighborhood Residential to Neighborhood General.

The board also approved the July 20, 2026 minutes.

City Commission (Aug. 11)

The Commission held public hearings on a Gateway Overlay exception for 1006 Beck Avenue and on two ordinances changing land use and zoning to General Commercial at 2015 W 23rd Court. It also held a first hearing on rezoning 1023 E 15th Street to Heavy Industrial.

The consent agenda included a $408,000 task order to Dewberry Engineers for FEMA Roads Group B design, a fee waiver for the Bay High Homecoming Parade, and consideration of proposals for 13 city-owned properties on Harmon Ave. and E. 6th Street. The Commission also considered reissuing the Martin Theatre management RFP and a request for severance pay for the City Clerk-Treasurer.

Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Committee (Aug. 12)

The committee reviewed and voted on infrastructure surtax spending for April 1 to June 30, 2026. The agenda included approval of the May 13 minutes, a financial review, and public participation.

Public Workshop (Aug. 17)

The City Commission held a non-voting virtual workshop. No official actions or audience participation occurred. The session was live-streamed on the city's website and viewable in Room 10 at City Hall, 501 Harrison Avenue.

City Commission Special Meeting (Aug. 19)

The Commission conducted interviews for the City Clerk-Treasurer position. Public comment was limited to agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker.

Port Authority (Aug. 20)

The Panama City Port Authority discussed its FY 26-27 operating and capital budgets, annual tariff amendments, and selection of an independent audit service. The board also reviewed bids for the East Terminal rail project and considered a task order for prescribed burn contractor oversight. Routine items included approval of minutes, tonnage and financial reports, and a presentation on UAS testing results.

Coming up

The City Commission meets Aug. 25 at a time to be confirmed. The agenda includes a public hearing on a developer agreement with Zachary Seymour for 101 E 7th Street, a Gateway Overlay exception for 1023 E 15th Street, and Ordinance 3311 rezoning that property to Heavy Industrial. The Commission will also consider a $1,199,749.00 contract award to Marshall Brothers for Project STORM Group I, plus the FY27 proposed budget and contracts for stormwater improvements, clubhouse renovations, and marina wet slip construction.

Panama City boards weigh property sales, rezoning, and FEMA design contract

Over the past two weeks, Panama City boards and committees met to consider property sales, rezoning requests, a $408,000 engineering contract, and other items. No final decisions have been published yet, as minutes from these meetings are not yet available. The City Commission is scheduled to act on several items at its Aug. 11 meeting.

City Commission (Aug. 11)

The commission will hold public hearings on a Gateway Overlay special exception for 1006 Beck Avenue and final hearings on ordinances 3306.1 and 3306.2 to change land use and zoning to General Commercial at 2015 W 23rd Court. It will also hold a first hearing on Ordinance 3311 to rezone 1023 E 15th Street to Heavy Industrial.

The consent agenda includes a $408,000 task order to Dewberry Engineers for FEMA Roads Group B design, a fee waiver for the Bay High Homecoming Parade, and consideration of proposals for 13 city-owned properties on Harmon Ave. and E. 6th Street. The commission will also consider reissuing the Martin Theatre management RFP and a request for severance pay for the City Clerk-Treasurer.

Community Redevelopment Board (Aug. 4)

The CRA board reviewed the disposition of CRA-owned property at 1342 MLK Blvd to American Legion Post #424, a tax rebate application from KBP Properties Florida, LLC at 4101 W. 19th St, and a matching donation of $8,150.00 to Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership. It also discussed Sankofa's letter of termination for the Glenwood Town Center Development Agreement and approved the FY27 CRA Board Meeting Schedule.

Planning Board (Aug. 10)

The planning board held public hearings on four land development requests, including a continued rezoning of 1023 E 15th Street (4.563 acres) from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial, two variance requests (4019 Valencia Court and 551 E 6th Street), and a rezoning of 2913 E 5th Court from Neighborhood Residential to Neighborhood General. The board has final authority on variances and makes recommendations on rezonings to the City Commission.

Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Committee (Aug. 12)

The committee reviewed and voted on the use of infrastructure surtax funds for Q2 2026 (April–June). It also approved minutes from May 13, 2026, and held a public participation period.

Public Workshop (Aug. 3)

The commission held a non-voting virtual workshop with no official actions or audience participation.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17** – City Commission virtual workshop, 4:30 p.m. CT. Non-voting; live stream at WWW.PANAMACITY.GOV and in Room 10 at City Hall, 501 Harrison Avenue. ADA accommodations available by calling (850) 872-3009.
• **Aug. 19** – Special City Commission meeting to interview City Clerk-Treasurer candidates. Public comment limited to agenda items, 3 minutes per speaker.
• **Aug. 20** – Panama City Port Authority will consider FY 26-27 operating and capital budgets, annual tariff amendments, independent audit services selection, East Terminal rail bids, and a task order for prescribed burn contractor oversight.

Panama City boards weigh charter referendum, $73M budget item, port lease

Panama City officials met over the past two weeks to consider a range of items, including a possible charter amendment referendum, a $73 million budget amendment, and a port lease change. No final decisions have been published yet, as minutes from these meetings are not yet available.

City Commission (July 28)

The City Commission held public hearings and discussed several items, including:

• **Ordinance 3308** – a referendum to amend the city charter.
• A budget amendment for a principal payment not to exceed **$73,000,000**.
• Rezoning of **2015 W 23rd Court** to General Commercial-1.
• A revision of the Special Event Handbook and Fee Schedule.
• Acceptance of **$5,850.00** in donations for a Back-to-school Backpack Giveaway.

Panama City Port Authority (July 30)

The Port Authority considered several action items, including:

• A second amendment to its container freight station lease with **Linea Peninsular**.
• A resolution supporting federal bill **H.R. 9229**.
• A consulting contract with **Timmins**.
• An updated site plan for **Patronis Point**.
• A forklift lease agreement.

The board also held a public hearing on changing the method of publishing public notices.

Public Workshop (August 3)

The City Commission conducted a non-voting virtual workshop. No official actions were taken, and there was no audience participation.

Community Redevelopment Board (August 4)

The Community Redevelopment Agency reviewed a tax rebate application and a property disposition, including:

• Disposition of CRA-owned property at **1342 MLK Blvd** to **American Legion Post #424**.
• A Tax Rebate Program application from **KBP Properties Florida, LLC** for **4101 W. 19th St**.
• A matching donation of **$8,150.00** to Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership.
• Discussion of **Sankofa's** letter of termination for the Glenwood Town Center Development Agreement.
• Approval of the FY27 CRA Board Meeting Schedule.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Panama City boards set agenda items on budget, charter referendum, port lease; no decisions yet recorded

What was decided

No decisions can be reported this week. All four recent meetings — the July 20 Planning Board, the July 20 City Commission workshop, the July 28 City Commission meeting, and the July 30 Port Authority meeting — are listed as agenda-only with minutes not yet published. Outcomes, vote tallies, and any final actions are not available in the record provided. Readers should consult the official minutes once published for what was actually decided.

City Commission — July 28

The City Commission agenda included several consequential items, though no outcomes are recorded:

• **Ordinance 3308**, a referendum to amend the city charter.
• A budget amendment for a principal payment **not to exceed $73,000,000**.
• Rezoning of **2015 W 23rd Court** to General Commercial-1.
• Revision of the Special Event Handbook and fee schedule.
• Acceptance of **$5,850.00** in donations for a Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway.

The commission was also scheduled to discuss the Fiscal Year 2027 millage rate and various property offers and redevelopment initiatives.

Planning Board — July 20

The Planning Board agenda listed two public hearings on variance requests continued from a previous meeting:

• A variance for **1919 Tyndall Drive** to reduce the front setback from 20 feet to 16 feet for a carport.
• A variance for **222 Elm Avenue** to allow an accessory structure to exceed the 60% maximum square footage allowance.

No vote tallies or outcomes are available.

City Commission workshop — July 20

The commission held a non-voting virtual workshop at 4:30 p.m. on July 20. No official actions were taken. The meeting was streamed on the city website and in Room 10 at City Hall. Persons needing accommodations were directed to contact the interim city clerk by the stated deadline.

Port Authority — July 30

The Panama City Port Authority agenda included:

• A second amendment to the container freight station lease agreement with **Linea Peninsular**.
• A resolution of support for federal bill **H.R. 9229**.
• A consulting contract with **Timmins**.
• An updated site plan for **Patronis Point**.
• A forklift lease agreement.
• A public hearing on changing the method of publishing public notices.

Routine items included officer elections, approval of minutes, and financial and tonnage reports. No outcomes are recorded.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3 — Public Workshop:** The City Commission will hold a non-voting virtual workshop. No official actions will be taken and there will be no audience participation.
• **Aug. 4 — Community Redevelopment Board:** The CRA will review a property disposition at **1342 MLK Blvd** to American Legion Post #424, a tax rebate application for **KBP Properties Florida, LLC** at **4101 W. 19th St**, a matching donation of **$8,150.00** to Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership, discussion of Sankofa's letter of termination for the Glenwood Town Center Development Agreement, and approval of the FY27 CRA Board Meeting Schedule.

Because minutes for the July meetings have not been published, residents seeking confirmed outcomes should check the city's official records once they are available.

Panama City Commission eyed $350,000 land sale and $676,000 in contracts; outcomes pending as minutes unpublished

Panama City's City Commission packed its July 14 agenda with several high-dollar items, including a proposed $350,000 sale of 13 city-owned parcels and two contracts totaling more than $676,000. However, minutes from that meeting and all other recent city meetings have not yet been published, so only the scheduled agenda items can be confirmed — not the outcomes of any votes.

City Commission — July 14

The Commission's agenda listed five notable items:

• **Sale of 13 parcels at E 6th St. and Harmon Ave.** to MRS Enterprises LLC for $350,000.
• **$340,297.84 amendment** to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-DR) Storm project, with Mott MacDonald.
• **$336,545 contract** for the Chestnut Parking Lot Project with C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.
• **Public hearing on Ordinance 3307**, which would vacate an alleyway east of 519 E 6th St.
• **First reading of Ordinance 3308**, which would adopt an amended city charter pending a referendum.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed whether any of these items were approved, tabled, or rejected.

Planning Board — July 13

The Planning Board scheduled public hearings on three land-use items:

• **Rezoning request** for 1023 E 15th Street from Light Industrial (LI) to Heavy Industrial (HI).
• **Variance request** for 1919 Tyndall Drive to reduce the front setback from 20 feet to 16 feet for a carport.
• **Variance request** for 222 Elm Avenue to exceed the 60% maximum square footage allowance for an accessory structure.

The agenda also included an alert about fraudulent emails requesting additional planning and zoning fees. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Community Fund Board — July 14

The Panama City Community Fund, Inc. Board of Directors was scheduled to approve minutes from its April 14, 2026 meeting and review quarterly financial reports for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. The agenda was largely procedural, with public comment limited to three minutes per speaker.

Public Workshops — July 6, 9, 15, and 16

Four non-voting workshops were held over the past two weeks:

• **July 6:** Discussion of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee report. No audience participation was scheduled.
• **July 9:** Procedural items and an audience participation period.
• **July 15:** Community Redevelopment Agency virtual workshop on current and future programs in each CRA district.
• **July 16:** Fifth pre-budget workshop, featuring city manager and department presentations and commission discussion. No specific budget figures or project names were listed on the agenda.

None of these workshops involved official votes.

Coming up

• **Planning Board — Monday, July 20, 2026:** Public hearings on two variance requests continued from the July 13 meeting: 1919 Tyndall Drive (front setback reduction for a carport) and 222 Elm Avenue (accessory structure square footage).
• **City Commission virtual workshop — Monday, July 20, 2026, 4:30 p.m.:** Non-voting workshop, streamed live on the city website and in Room 10 at City Hall. No official actions will be taken.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed until minutes are published. Readers seeking official records should consult the linked agendas and forthcoming minutes on the city's website.

Panama City workshops wrap up budget season; Commission set to weigh $350,000 land sale and $676,000 in contracts next week

Panama City's recent meeting cycle was dominated by non-voting workshops, with no official actions taken over the past two weeks. The most consequential items on the horizon are scheduled for July 14, when the City Commission will consider selling 13 city-owned parcels for $350,000 and approving roughly $676,000 in contracts and grant amendments.

Recent workshops: budget, charter, and parks

Three public workshops were held between June 29 and July 6. Minutes have not yet been published for any of them, so only agenda-level details are available.

On June 29, the City Commission held its third pre-budget workshop for 2026, reviewing departmental budget presentations and hearing public comment. No budget was adopted.

On July 1, the Commission held a virtual workshop to discuss revisions to the City Charter. The session was non-voting with no public participation.

On July 6, the Commission discussed a report from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Again, no official actions were taken and no audience participation was scheduled.

Coming up: Planning Board — July 13

The Planning Board will hold public hearings on three land-use items:

• A rezoning request for **1023 E 15th Street** from Light Industrial (LI) to Heavy Industrial (HI).
• A variance request for **1919 Tyndall Drive** to reduce the front setback from 20 feet to 16 feet for a carport.
• A variance request for **222 Elm Avenue** to exceed the 60% maximum square footage allowed for an accessory structure.

The board will also alert attendees to a scam involving fraudulent emails requesting additional planning and zoning fees.

Coming up: City Commission — July 14

The July 14 City Commission meeting carries the heaviest agenda of the cycle. Key items include:

• **Sale of 13 city-owned parcels** at the intersection of E 6th Street and Harmon Avenue to MRS Enterprises LLC for **$350,000**.
• A **$340,297.84 amendment** to a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-DR) storm project with Mott MacDonald.
• A **$336,545 contract** with C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc. for the Chestnut Parking Lot Project.
• A public hearing on **Ordinance 3307**, which would vacate an alleyway east of 519 E 6th St.
• First reading of **Ordinance 3308**, which would adopt an amended city charter pending a referendum.

Coming up: Community Fund Board — July 14

The Panama City Community Fund, Inc. Board of Directors will meet the same day to approve minutes from its April 14, 2026 meeting and review quarterly financial reports for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Public comment is limited to three minutes per speaker. The agenda is largely procedural.

Coming up: CRA Workshop — July 15

The Community Redevelopment Agency will hold a virtual workshop on July 15 to discuss current and future programs in each CRA district. The session is for general discussion only.

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Coming up at a glance:

• **July 13** — Planning Board, public hearings on rezoning and variances
• **July 14** — City Commission, land sale, contracts, and ordinance readings
• **July 14** — Community Fund Board, quarterly financial review
• **July 15** — CRA virtual workshop on district programs

Panama City Commission eyed $1.19M Pretty Bayou contract, charter and budget workshops in late June

Panama City's Commission had a full late-June schedule, with a June 23 regular meeting agenda listing more than $1.9 million in proposed contracts and two rezoning final hearings, followed by two non-voting workshops on the city budget and a revised City Charter. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the three sessions, so the items below reflect what was on the agendas — not confirmed outcomes or vote tallies.

June 23: Contracts, rezonings, and Bay County collaboration on the agenda

The City Commission meeting agenda included several dollar-figure items:

• **$1,194,839** — proposed award to 850 Construction Services for Pretty Bayou Improvements Phase 3.
• **$404,978** — task order to Volkert, Inc. for a Rails with Trails Planning Study covering Phases I–III.
• **$381,760** — contract with Barge Design Solutions for construction engineering inspection of the CDBG-DR Project Area O-2.

The agenda also listed final public hearings on two rezoning requests: parcel 14327-000-000 on Grace Avenue to General Commercial-2, and parcel 18067-000-000 on Magnolia Avenue to Neighborhood General.

A discussion item — not a contract or vote — addressed potential collaboration and consolidation of services with Bay County and other municipalities. No specifics on which services were listed.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which of these items were voted on, tabled, or continued.

June 29: Third pre-budget workshop

The Commission held a workshop focused on the upcoming 2026 budget, with departmental budget presentations from the City Manager and various departments. The agenda included a public comment period. This was a discussion and input session, not a final budget vote.

July 1: City Charter revision workshop

A virtual, non-voting workshop was scheduled for the Commission to discuss revisions to the City Charter. The agenda noted that no official actions would be taken and that there was no public participation for this session.

Coming up

• **July 6 (today):** Public Workshop to discuss the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee report. This is a non-voting workshop with no audience participation, per the agenda.

Residents looking for confirmed outcomes from the June 23 meeting should watch for published minutes from the City Commission, which will record any votes taken on the contracts and rezonings listed above.

Panama City Commission Takes Up $1.2M Pretty Bayou Contract and Rezonings; Budget and Charter Talks Continue

The Panama City Commission on June 23 took up a slate of infrastructure contracts and land-use changes, including a $1.19 million award for Pretty Bayou improvements and final hearings on two rezoning requests. Minutes from that meeting had not been published as of July 5, so voting outcomes were not immediately available.

Also in recent days, the commission held workshops on the upcoming 2026 budget and potential revisions to the City Charter. No formal actions were taken in those sessions.

Here is a roundup of local government meetings over the past two weeks and what’s coming next.

June 23 City Commission Meeting

The commission’s agenda included several items that would shape spending and development:

• **Pretty Bayou Phase 3:** A $1,194,839 contract with 850 Construction Services for improvements.
• **Rail-Trail study:** A $404,978 task order to Volkert, Inc. for a Rails with Trails Planning Study covering Phases I through III.
• **Construction engineering:** A $381,760 contract with Barge Design Solutions for inspection services related to the CDBG-DR Project Area O-2.
• **Rezonings:** Final public hearings on rezoning a parcel on Grace Avenue (parcel 14327-000-000) to General Commercial-2 and a parcel on Magnolia Avenue (18067-000-000) to Neighborhood General.

The agenda also listed a discussion on potential collaboration and consolidation of services with Bay County and other municipalities. Because official minutes were not yet published, details of any votes or public comments were not available at press time.

June 29 Budget Workshop

The City Commission held its third pre-budget workshop for the 2026 fiscal year. Department heads presented budget overviews, and the public was invited to comment. The session was strictly informational; no budget votes were taken.

July 1 Charter Workshop

Commissioners met virtually to discuss proposed revisions to the City Charter. The workshop was non-voting and did not include a public participation period. No decisions were made.

Coming up

A public workshop on July 6 will focus on a report from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. No official actions or audience participation are expected. The workshop is scheduled as a discussion-only session.