Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Panama City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in taxes budget
Infrastructure Surtax Spending Review (July–September 2026)
This committee double-checks how the city spends your half-cent infrastructure surtax each quarter. The April–June 2026 report got a clean review and sign-off.
Utility billing placement under the city manager
Commissioner Grainger floated moving utility billing out of the clerk-treasurer's office and under the city manager to fix chronic complaint volume. Others want to wait until after the November 3 charter election — no action taken.
Zero-based budgeting study
Commissioner Grainger wants to bring in a consultant (Heron Group, with a Pensacola presence) to shift the city to zero-based budgeting — every dollar justified from scratch each year. It wouldn't change FY2027 but would reshape how FY2028 is built.
Pension article editor's note error
Staff discovered the charter's pension article carries an outdated editor's note wrongly claiming the city merged its pension plan with the Florida Retirement System — it hasn't. Legal will research the history and the board left the article's fate to the commission.