Summary

Board Advances Charter Language Changes

Panama CityFeb 19, 20262 min read

At a glance

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The advisory board approved revised charter language for the city manager, including a requirement that the manager establish city residence and become a qualified elector within six months of appointment. It also approved a supermajority-vote requirement for removing the city manager, passing 4-1.

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Charter Review Advisory Board

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What this means

The board advanced several proposed changes to how Panama City’s city manager and city attorney positions would be structured and governed. The changes are recommendations for the charter review process and do not by themselves amend the city charter. The board also approved using gender-neutral pronouns throughout the charter and scheduled its next discussion for police protection, fire protection, public utilities, and boards and commissions.

Key decisions

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Approved January 22, 2026, meeting minutes with a change to spell out the acronym ICMA.
Approved using gender-neutral pronouns throughout the charter.
Approved revised Article VII language for the city manager, with changes concerning city clerk references and authority to extend an appointment beyond the authorized 15-day term.
Approved changes to Sections 79 and 82, creation of a separate section for employee compensation, and removal of Section 101.
Approved language requiring the city manager to establish residence within Panama City and become a qualified elector within six months of appointment.
Approved a requirement that the city manager may be removed by the City Commission only by a supermajority vote; the motion passed 4-1.
Approved removing certain references to officers from Section 103 and creating a separate section for budget submission.
Approved changing the city attorney qualification to require at least five years of good-standing admission to the Florida Bar.
Directed that the city attorney receive similar residency requirements and temporary appointment authority as the city manager.
Deferred a final direction on the City Clerk and Collector position after members expressed differing views about separating clerk and finance duties.

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