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Panama City authorizes letter to Bay County supporting opening East Pass
Summary
The commission unanimously authorized staff to prepare and the mayor to sign a letter to Bay County supporting efforts to reopen the East Pass, citing expected ecological and economic benefits if reopened.
The Panama City Commission on July 8 voted 5‑0 to authorize City Manager Jonathan and staff to draft a letter of support for efforts by Bay County to reopen the East Pass and to allow the mayor to sign the letter on behalf of the commission.
Mayor Alan Branch framed the proposal as broadly beneficial: "There's very little downside to it and only upside to it from ecological standpoint, from a financial standpoint, from a quality of life standpoint," he said during the mayor's report. Commissioners noted county studies are underway and that reopening the pass has been periodically considered since Hurricane Opal and other shoaling events.
The motion specified the letter be directed to the Bay County Commission and the county manager. Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the staff to prepare and transmit the letter of support.
The commission did not commit city funds in the vote; staff and commissioners said the letter is intended to register municipal support as county officials continue engineering and permitting work.
