Charter Review Advisory Board Meeting 02192026

The City of Panama City's Charter Review Advisory Board convened to discuss various aspects of the city charter, focusing heavily on the roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure of key city officers including the city manager, city attorney, and city clerk. Significant attention was given to the separation of duties between the city clerk and financial functions, with discussions about potentially splitting the city clerk and treasurer roles to enhance checks and balances. The board also deliberated on the process for appointing and removing the city manager, including the possibility of requiring a supermajority vote for removal to ensure stability and public transparency. Compensation structures for charter officers were reviewed, with suggestions to clarify and separate compensation authority between officers and employees. The meeting included considerations of residency requirements for city officers and the delegation of authority within the city attorney's office. The board planned to continue discussions on police protection, fire protection, finance, taxation, and boards and commissions in upcoming meetings, aiming to refine the charter to better reflect operational realities and governance best practices.