Panama City Beach Council considers giving city manager more emergency powers
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (FLV) – The Panama City Beach Council proceeded to potentially grant the city manager increased powers in emergency situations such as a hurricane or terrorist attack.
Those powers include closing any public or private area of assemblage and establishing curfews.
Under the proposed ordinance, the city manager would be able to declare a state of emergency for up to 72 hours without city council approval. During this time the city manager would be able to execute any of the measures due to public safety and security.
The city council is able to extend the state of emergency measures for up to 42 days after they are issued.
In a 4-1 vote on Thursday, the council approved the first reading of an amended ordinance that significantly expands the authority of the city manager position, currently being occupied by Drew Whitman.
Prior to the first reading vote, members of the community spoke in opposition to the increased powers, saying the proposal is “extremely concerning” and the board “cannot take peoples’ rights away.” However, several council members said it would help in times of emergency.
This ordinance originally came from a decision in April 2022 when the city council granted increased powers to Whitman and his office after spring break brought about a spike in crime known as “Panamaniac.”
These measures include, but are not limited to, the power to establish curfews, prohibit the sale of alcohol, close any public or private area of assemblage, prohibit the operation of low speed vehicles, and terminate any event permit provided by the city.
The city council members also spoke their opinions on the issue of updating the ordinance during the Thursday meeting.
“I know Drew,” said Councilman Paul Casto. “I don’t think Drew will abuse this.”
Casto explained that during the last major hurricane, “we lost communication.” The police were bringing “notes” to the coucilmemebers when they couldn’t convene at city hall.
“It’s just a tool that he can use if he needs to and if he abuses it, we’ll take it away,” he stated.
Councilwoman Mary Coburn recognized the need to provide adequate emergency assistance, but was hesitant on supporting the amended ordinance.
Coburn described the ordinance as “overreaching” and too expansive of city government power.
“I’m comfortable with setting out guidelines for those incidences,” she said. “But I feel like that this ordinance is more then that.”
WATCH: Panama City Beach residents are upset at a new proposal that would give the city manager more power during emergencies
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) July 19, 2023
Council members considering the proposal say it will help them provide aid more quickly pic.twitter.com/4OY0Sn0OtQ
In an interview with Florida’s Voice, Panama City Beach Mayor Mark Sheldon defended his position on why he supports expanding the powers for the city manager.
“As the mayor, I’m the only person that can call an emergency meeting, or three council members,” he explained. “Well, if there’s a weather event and I can’t be reached, and two other council members can’t be reached, all the sudden, you can’t create an emergency meeting.”
The mayor pointed out that the expansion of powers will help speed up the process of responding to emergencies. Something that the council struggled with during Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Sheldon assured those who are wary about the new powers that Whitman will not make a “rash decision” or do something that will cost him his job.
“I trust our city manager wholeheartedly,” he said. “He was the chief of police here before, so he understands when an emergency is an emergency.”
“He knows that he’ll be held accountable for any decision that he makes,” Sheldon said.
