Panama City Beach grants city manager increased powers, public expresses disapproval

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (FLV) – The Panama City Beach City Council voted 3-1 Tuesday to give their city manager increased emergency powers in the event of natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

The ordinance allows for City Manager Drew Whitman to establish a state of emergency and execute all emergency powers for 72 hours without the council’s approval. The powers include the ability to establish curfews and close any private area of assemblage.

The council is then able to extend the state of emergency for up to 42 days, if needed.

Multiple members of the public spoke against the the ordinance and expressed concern about the expansion of powers. Some described the increase in power as “dictatorial” and “tyrannical” while giving the members firm warnings that if they vote in favor of the ordinance, they would be be voted out of office.

This ordinance originally came from a decision in April 2022 when the council granted increased powers to Whitman and his office after spring break brought about a spike in crime known as “Panamaniac.”

Councilwoman Mary Coburn, the one vote against the ordinance, expressed that the proposal is “broad and overreaching.”

“We as a council were elected here to represent our constituents,” she said. “And we are giving up that power to one individual.”

Councilman Phil Chester explained that he believes the ordinance is a “good tool” and that if Whitman abused his power, the council would be able to take it away.

“I’m for it,” he said. “We need to have it, we need to implement it. It’s already there, I just think we’re putting in more checks and balances.”

Mayor Mark Sheldon shared how he agreed with Chester that most of the powers have already been granted to Whitman and that this ordinance simply expands it to weather related emergencies.

“We can always call an emergency meeting and undo everything in a matter of bourse,” Sheldon said.

Florida’s Voice previously spoke with Sheldon in July when the council approved the first reading of the ordinance.

“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.”