[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6173881,"mediaKeyId","5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d","parentId",5377655,"title","Town hall spotlights transparency gaps: residents press for project status reports, MLK redevelopment and Joe Moody Park grant update","audioSeconds",708,"startMs",2988000,"endMs",3696000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d&start=2988&end=3696","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d/thumbnail_2988000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173881/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Town-hall-spotlights-transparency-gaps-residents-press-for-project-status-reports-MLK-redevelopment-and-Joe-Moody-Park-grant-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173881-a444ec391d179e9e191375bebac13c1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770382960&Signature=Raf-zb2SC934v1-kUUdq6VpfVmW2iuPzTXAuKEWULyFAsMLIWNDL8Xueq5Rz5ARIYZgo1GjLKt0eSSK~5JYNJyJTD02q0~DSCmKNAUV-9M2KPb~VhDpV~rZ3tfMNvXDJhmETYdsL8urV8gfYZyAcuaaRIfXf~WsfkibDimnIlw0cG-F3Uj55yYYTXWAArtOdgvDrnUjenf8go0Wsxfa5F7xSDx8khN8DvYs8QCdUGQwMm5-4zm5v5JupfpBmBYhKDA67IktiVSZkhWf4hTaRqQqovcRoD6THzCRUN7Hk-kFeXZqi5Xf8KfT3k43VEE6l9dxtnoq5do-3GNHO-Lj2aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Panama City, FL","date","2025-07-13T03:48:16Z","article","Residents at a Panama City town hall pushed commissioners to increase transparency on how projects and ideas move from concept to execution and asked for clearer status reports on individual projects such as Joe Moody Harris Park and MLK corridor redevelopment.

Several speakers said they were unaware of where ideas originate inside city government and asked for a clearer public chain from suggestion to ordinance or contract. One resident asked why the city had not combined small lots on the Martin Luther King corridor to create developable parcels and suggested the city could vacate or replat lots or offer CRA or other incentives. Commissioners and staff said combining lots is legally possible but typically requires either a landowner-driven proposal or a deliberate study and that city-owned parcels can be replatted more quickly; staff invited community developers and the Incremental Development Alliance to assist residents with acquisition and assembly.

On parks, staff said the Joe Moody Harris Park renovation is funded by a grant worth about $700,000 but that the city has not yet finalized the grant signature while the award undergoes change-of-administration audit steps; staff warned that performing work prematurely could jeopardize the grant. Staff also said the grant would fund paths, exercise equipment and other park improvements and that they would proceed once the grant paperwork is finalized. Residents asked for on-site signage explaining grant status and project timelines so neighbors do not rely on informal updates.

Commissioners and staff promised practical follow-ups: staff agreed to make a regular project-status dashboard or periodic Loom video updates organized by ward that show active projects, contract/invoicing status and expected completion; they also invited residents and community organizations to coordinate on redevelopment and encouraged private initiative. The town hall did not authorize property acquisition or change zoning; instead, it clarified the options available (purchase-to-assemble, replat/vacation of lots, developer-led consolidation) and committed staff to give clearer public guidance on next steps.

The meeting’s exchange illustrated recurring themes: residents want clearer, earlier notice and regular public updates on where money and staff time are going; staff asked for time to assemble consistent project-level reporting to reduce one-off citizen inquiries. The commission asked staff to circulate a memo and to work with community partners to help residents who want to assemble lots or propose specific projects.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Panama City Live Stream","oneSentenceSummary","Panama City residents sought clearer project reporting, asked how plats on MLK might be combined to spur redevelopment, and pressed for an update on a $700,000 grant for Joe Moody Harris Park; staff promised memos and said the grant signature is pending audit completion.","taxTitle","Panama City, Bay County, Florida","taxId",4834,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173886,"Residents press Panama City for policy after repeated estimated water bills and surprise back-billing concerns",754,6122000,6876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d&start=6122&end=6876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d/thumbnail_6122000.jpg","/articles/6173886/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Residents-press-Panama-City-for-policy-after-repeated-estimated-water-bills-and-surprise-back-billing-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173886-f21c99791b0af85916e2ee6b0e9c5445/orig.mp4?Expires=1770382960&Signature=kUnh6DkqnZVgQEzQrhWHqDRVQ6t0ZhWeubxFfh~VVCD8RZyGlipVxoy7PPtA3AL~x7UvIdjTJ0PXWS5Ro4vafO5KruefF6EB7aBYjrh1hKta8HshzTLgv3WeSAmVcKJYpgJ8YaZD8hjF2xfrL1-IQ1grRlYTUp-x1ioHCXyIbXF7OWFB21JNW21E-sDr72eHF6VH4t9OQ2Vg9ruP5koW-OXVq1mUqr5jenLIQIQ2ceHiABZYxsvg1EyzVLQV~RoHKLRC1BWIF82eBj1knok6alSXs6ZIob5exGLD7pfSoNYRnEN5EwBKnj7V9sgt4AKaz3VfY2WmgyndrRfpXteXJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents at the Panama City town hall raised complaints about long-running estimated water bills, surprise retroactive charges and confusion over meter reads and billing practices, prompting commissioners to request a formal policy discussion and staff follow-up.

Residents described cases in which meters were estimated for months or years while the customer was billed a flat or minimum amount, then later faced large adjustments when meters or MXU (remote-reading devices) were installed. One resident said they had been estimated since 02/2022 and feared a large retroactive charge; another described month-to-month swings (bills of 286, 312, 356 and then a $15 bill) and asked staff to explain. Multiple speakers framed the situation as a combination of equipment failures, delayed MXU/meter replacement and a lack of clear notice to customers that their usage was being estimated.

Commissioners and staff acknowledged the problem and described steps the city has taken to replace meters and remote-reading units. The city manager and staff said the billing system should label estimated bills clearly and that customers may request manual reads or true-ups. One commissioner proposed a written “temporary forgiveness” policy to prevent retroactive billing where the city’s meter or system caused underreported usage; he said he had drafted a policy that would bar retroactive back-billing in the event of meter or system error and require quarterly true-ups where useful.

Staff noted practical accounting constraints: governments encumber funds and do not always record invoices until vendors submit them, and meter-replacement work is labor-intensive and will take time to complete across the system. Commissioners encouraged a policy that protects customers from surprise large bills — for example, by notifying customers of estimated reads, offering periodic manual reads to reset averages and adopting a forgiveness/credit policy where the fault lies with city-owned equipment. The commission directed staff to place a draft policy or discussion item on a near-term agenda so the commission can vote on any new billing rules.

No ordinance was adopted at the town hall; staff were asked to prepare the proposed policy language (the speaker said he had circulated language) and add it to an upcoming meeting agenda so the commission can decide whether to adopt billing protections for customers who have been charged or who received estimated bills because of city equipment or process problems.","Multiple residents described years of estimated water billing and urged the commission to adopt a forgiveness/true-up policy and to accelerate meter replacements; commissioners directed staff to bring a billing policy for review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173891,"Public asks for documentation as Panama City weighs West Beach Drive path redesign and grant timeline",115,2789000,2904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d&start=2789&end=2904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d/thumbnail_2789000.jpg","/articles/6173891/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Public-asks-for-documentation-as-Panama-City-weighs-West-Beach-Drive-path-redesign-and-grant-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173891-738203920bd20c32e664ef688f490bad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770382960&Signature=dlxCUqA4xyuySgyZXGzRU1FnRptQ37ZAF9qkdvazg-Jm7maGuwpHg~Z84Xbu3Vf~VJBKKVBT3gB2UCg24Qx9gQ3BjTXQksn9usV4MUw3Kiss443qhccnNpqdKx5ZRYrRT4P6icVylbEzATkDhzA~Y5D~dmIvHfIxxk22QtoyXSmxIbG98xtjK6OgRV~rjpZZDplWjXgMsjlVlfRKar1sxncGCVLoH7C9Lf1hhlTwNDw1PRUXpR4Em~dasv~rbwk-thtRCka4-mz5G4exUAEqCUbK3OfjVbz0WZBK-44P2jCNfIe5AuhClTPbgnHt-Y6gn3G4nQS5d2N2sHpd1bXvBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A town-hall speaker pressed Panama City staff on the status and feasibility of a planned West Beach Drive multi-use path funded by a Florida Department of Transportation grant, asking for documentation of expenses, design coordination with FDOT and whether the city risks losing the funds.

At the meeting, the speaker said the original grant was “$8,000,000,” that about $1,000,000 had been spent on early design, and that the remainder appeared to be uncommitted. He asked staff whether the city had filed the grant-required quarterly reports with FDOT and whether additional engineering spending had occurred since the last public records entries. He also raised a technical concern: he said the FDOT right-of-way width in one segment was 43–45 feet, which would make fitting an 8- to 12-foot multi-use path plus the required buffers physically infeasible without additional right-of-way or state relinquishment.

The speaker requested clarity before the grant’s sunset date; staff acknowledged a one-time extension that currently extends certain deadlines to the end of December and said they would prepare a memo summarizing project status, invoices and FDOT coordination by Wednesday. The speaker said he had already filed public-records requests and had been told there were no additional claims filed recently for additional design work; staff countered that the city’s bookkeeping and the contractor invoicing cadence can create gaps between work performed and invoices received.

Commissioners said they would circulate a staff memo with the five written questions the speaker provided and make staff available for a follow-up. Staff also emphasized that the original grant budget covered more than just pavement and path construction; it included design, surveys, environmental work, landscaping and a planned water-line project. The town-hall exchange did not adopt policy changes but signaled that the commission expects a written project status and financial reconciliation to inform next steps and any possible decision on whether to pursue reallocation if FDOT will not approve a revised design.

Speakers urged the commission to determine whether it is feasible to redesign the path to FDOT standards in the existing right-of-way or whether the city should seek a legislative repurpose of the funds before the grant period expires.","A resident raised detailed questions about an FDOT-backed West Beach Drive multi-use path — whether the path can physically fit in the right-of-way, how much of the original $8 million grant remains, and whether the city has filed required quarterly reports — prompting staff to promise a written memo by Wednesday.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173896,"Citizens push for clarity as Panama City debates transportation impact fee goals and exemptions",417,1541000,1958000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d&start=1541&end=1958","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d/thumbnail_1541000.jpg","/articles/6173896/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Citizens-push-for-clarity-as-Panama-City-debates-transportation-impact-fee-goals-and-exemptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173896-b32975e57116c0b51b1c6713849cf4d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770382960&Signature=e0O76mELxplYHNTzXSOI-OMT~jV4F7r6OtUhBWVJ47n3KVlZoePhYv5y4U9LL1m8u886ICH9jXAnVS6vGUaRV~~q2mPnU-VjxsjB~f2ZigrpBIjt2Oe60kDBgeJ-wqza3GoL5XUc6QiB2bBAyUUeMOJBZq414Dq3NyrORncK-WVCS9ittZHLwXA3Q2uKpCWqIGTTk-1QUUnjjdRtOOic-Wy5Er5ZykutM733nM23oO2b-jKh8H4YCdgThz97ZGafZ6YZfLrJVZ691KjA1kBslkho-hzEKvEiTfPDMRrjddd-ATwr0mSAjlzK5YeP2i~z1WTJUxs6zEt9K1WxV3ZiFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents at a Panama City town hall urged the City Commission on Saturday to set a clear objective for the proposed transportation impact fee and to quantify how much money the city expects to raise before adopting exemptions.

“Do we want $10,000,000 in this fund? What do we want?” asked Brian Garman, a resident who followed recent meetings on the fee. Garman and others warned that broad or numerous exemptions could erode the fee’s purpose and shift costs to taxpayers. “It seems like it’s going where it's like exception, exception, exception,” he said, arguing that exceptions risk making the fee ineffective.

Speakers presented two competing considerations: the need to raise dedicated funds for new and expanded roads as Panama City grows, versus sensitivity that additional fees could raise immediate housing costs or discourage desired development. One speaker said the city should decide whether the policy objective is primarily to raise revenue for roads or to influence the mix of economic development.

Commissioners and other speakers suggested practical next steps. Several called for a 10-year paving or repaving work program tied to a revenue target so the city can test the fiscal impacts of proposed exemptions. “You the the principle of what you tax you get less of,” a commissioner observed, noting a potential economic incentive effect of fees. Staff and commissioners encouraged asking what the fee must raise to meet concrete infrastructure goals, then modeling exemptions against that target.

No ordinance or formal vote was taken at the town hall. The discussion served as public input to ongoing staff work and commission deliberations. Residents asked the city to present transparent cost estimates, the desired scope of projects to be funded, and the effect of exemptions before finalizing rates or categories of development that would be exempt.

Speakers repeatedly framed the choice as one between short-term fees and longer-term tax revenue: “You’re either gonna pay the cost for the long term with taxes or the short term with fees,” Garman said. The commission encouraged continued public comment and said staff will use the feedback to refine the fee proposal before bringing formal recommendations back to the commission.","At a town hall discussion of a proposed transportation impact fee, residents urged the commission to define the target revenue, clarify exceptions, and publish a long-term repaving plan so that fee exemptions do not undermine funding for roads.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173901,"Panama City explores boat-ramp fees, short-term marina slips and outside funding amid permit, management questions",6069,1991000,8060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d&start=1991&end=8060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377655-cdcad760e80afe025c73a9778885d20d/thumbnail_1991000.jpg","/articles/6173901/Panama-City/Bay-County/Florida/Panama-City-explores-boat-ramp-fees-short-term-marina-slips-and-outside-funding-amid-permit-management-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173901-50e93c8fa730ea08b4f628e73080ff5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770382960&Signature=G9Q-dRHgFRPzCaEJk9DysKpX98ZyIA7n4HrLDavzeCF-6r-g4ranQIMfnQkk0gkNhQNEZBYrcgEUrZxNRkQXdJv-oAAffMStjT0NDCM5W6vu25ha5Z~guLlwz~zbuQRyr7apQi1KCdYbDoHH5PEf6TGB93~ug1jDYp97cA-yjyHr1NCcR-8783QNb15TAROm8nkeN3N8TkgmIDRoWfDjN7n7sctOd1nVmueGwklCqQvjnNhksJ3ZsuXeVoxmraIJkcWWtxbTJQMXgI2dRRRyhmoxKU5bnqffoVjK-rlOYvkxpab3ciUKBAFOgpqjD0i6CoUXMLvo2qFLlsNJQF5lfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Panama City leaders and residents on Saturday discussed proposals to charge user fees at city boat ramps and to accelerate construction of wet slips at the downtown marina, while debating who should finance and operate new facilities. The conversation produced a staff request to research resident-pass options and a commitment to bring findings back at a virtual meeting by the end of summer.

The debate centered on two related aims: generate a stable revenue stream for boat-ramp maintenance and expand marina capacity quickly enough to meet demand from local and visiting boaters. Residents including Kenny Bostick argued for a user fee and resident sticker, saying, “We should charge $20 just like Saint Joe, Mexico Beach. If you’re not a Bay County resident, you would have to pay it.” He and others suggested fees be held in a restricted fund dedicated to boat-ramp improvements, dredging and maintenance.

City staff and commissioners described options for advancing the idea. Commissioner Jonathan (City Manager) indicated staff can research a sticker/annual-pass program like parking permit systems and report back; a motion was supported to have staff “research this and bring it to a virtual meeting to discuss the findings by the end of the summer.” Staff noted prior grants and appropriations that funded some marina projects — for example Snug Harbor was funded by a grant previously and the city received legislative appropriations — and stressed that any fee program should be structured so revenue remains constrained to boat-ramp or marina needs.

Speakers also pressed the city about speeding delivery of wet slips at the downtown marina. Commissioners and attendees discussed using outside partners to fund construction. One participant urged asking The St. Joe Company (referred to in the discussion as “Saint Joe”) whether it would fund the first 50 slips, the number for which the city currently holds a permit. Staff said such outside funding or private activity bonds are options previously used in the city: “That’s how we built the promenade and the floating dock,” a commissioner said, noting precedent for partner-funded upland or waterfront improvements.

City staff and bond counsel explained tradeoffs. Private activity bonds or partner financing can reduce upfront city debt but require clear revenue pledges or a lessee/operator with capacity to cover debt service. Staff recalled earlier numbers and estimates, including an informal “bonding capacity” estimate that had been discussed previously in staff conversations; they also noted the city has existing debt/cash-flow commitments for ongoing infrastructure projects. Commissioners asked staff to solicit responses from potential partners including Saint Joe and CMP and to present options at a formal commission meeting so all parties can respond publicly.

Speakers raised questions about management: whether the city should operate marinas long term or transfer operations to a private operator once slips are in place. Commissioners expressed a consistent preference for the city to own assets but not necessarily manage marina operations indefinitely. Staff pointed out existing lease terms and interim agreements with private operators (CMP was discussed) that affect timelines and obligations for upland and wet-slip delivery.

The town hall did not produce a vote or final contract. Instead, the commission directed staff to research user-fee models (including resident discounts or preloaded resident credits), to prepare a memo on financing and permit status, and to solicit firm responses from potential private partners about funding and terms. Those deliverables will be discussed in future virtual or commission meetings.

A range of residents supported targeted user fees so that those who use boat ramps pay for maintenance rather than shifting costs to general taxpayers; others urged careful definition of any restricted fund or bond structure so user revenue cannot be diverted to unrelated city expenses. The commission and staff repeatedly emphasized they would return with written analyses and options — including estimated revenues and management scenarios — before asking the commission to approve ordinances or contracts.","At a city town hall, residents and commissioners debated charging user fees for boat ramps, options to fund and build wet slips at downtown marina, and whether private partners such as St. Joe or CMP should finance initial slips while management questions are resolved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town hall spotlights transparency gaps: residents press for project status reports, MLK redevelopment and Joe Moody Park grant update

Residents press Panama City for policy after repeated estimated water bills and surprise back-billing concerns

Public asks for documentation as Panama City weighs West Beach Drive path redesign and grant timeline

Citizens push for clarity as Panama City debates transportation impact fee goals and exemptions

Panama City explores boat-ramp fees, short-term marina slips and outside funding amid permit, management questions