Panama City adopts ordinance allowing automated speed detection in school zones

The Panama City Commission on Aug. 12 adopted Ordinance 32-75, allowing automated speed detection systems in school zones under the limits set by state law.

The 4-1 vote lets the city pursue a vendor and contracting process to install speed-detection equipment that can issue citations for drivers exceeding school-zone limits by more than 10 miles per hour. Mayor Allen Branch and Commissioners Hughes, Lucas and Street voted yes; Commissioner Granger voted no.

City staff told commissioners the measure implements House Bill 657, codified as chapter 2023-174, Laws of the State of Florida, which authorizes speed detection systems in school zones and restricts use to violations at least 10 mph above the posted limit during the school day. Staff said sworn officers must review alleged violations before tickets are mailed and that points are not automatically assessed.

Supporters who spoke during public comment said school-zone safety and limits on police staffing make automated systems a useful supplement. Ron Danzey, a local school representative, told the commission the highest number of violators were seen between Eleventh Street and Balboa and urged adoption to improve safety.

Commission discussion focused on operational details that will return to the commission before any contract is signed: whether installations would start and enter a single, citywide 30-day warning period (staff said vendors could coordinate a concurrent start), how fines will be distributed, and what equipment the city already operates. Staff told the commission Bay County and the city already share license-plate-reader networks and traffic camera systems; they estimated roughly 80 LPR cameras countywide and about 50 currently in Panama City.

Under state law and the city presentation, the typical distribution of a $100 fine is: $60 retained by the city (to be used for administering the systems and public-safety initiatives such as crosswalks and sidewalks), $12 to Bay District Schools, $5 for school crossing guards, $3 to the criminal justice training fund, and $20 to the state department of revenue. Staff said the flashing signs and other required infrastructure would be paid from the city portion and that the city would net roughly $40 per ticket after fees.

Commissioners pressed staff on contract controls they want in place: limits on hours of enforcement (state law sets school-zone windows but commissioners asked that hours not be extended by vendors without approval), ownership and buyout terms for leased equipment, and a recommendation by some commissioners for a three-year sunset clause that would require the city to revisit the program (staff suggested Aug. 31, 2028, as an example). Staff said any vendor and contract would be brought back to the commission for approval, and the city could choose to reject a vendor response.

The vote authorizes staff to move forward with the ordinance on the books and to negotiate and return with a contract and implementation plan for the commission to review. Staff said they do not plan to begin ticketing until the first school day in January to allow time for installation and a coordinated warning window.

Commissioners and staff also discussed lower-cost alternatives such as radar-activated “your speed” signs and temporary data-collection units; commissioners suggested testing non-ticketing options in neighborhood cut-throughs and using data to target officers or temporary deployments.

The ordinance was read in final form during the meeting as Ordinance 32-75 and approved by roll call. Staff said vendor selection and details (including whether the city will run systems itself or contract with a vendor that provides cameras, software and mailing) will return for separate approval before any ticketing begins.