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Panama City shifts non‑agenda public comments to monthly town halls, moves evening meetings to 5:30 p.m.
Summary
On July 8 the Panama City Commission voted to shift non‑agenda public comments toward monthly town halls and to move regularly scheduled evening commission meetings to 5:30 p.m., while retaining one 8 a.m. meeting. The changes are framed as a test to increase early public engagement and shorten lengthy meetings.
Mayor Alan Branch and the Panama City Commission on July 8 voted 5‑0 to shift non‑agenda public comments into monthly town halls and to move the commission's regular evening meetings to 5:30 p.m., keeping the existing 8 a.m. meeting. Commissioners also approved holding town halls monthly (except December) for an initial test period.
The move is intended to give residents earlier opportunities to weigh in on items before staff has spent substantial time preparing proposals. "My goal with town halls and virtual meetings is to push that discussion forward much earlier before staff has spent a lot of time on things and, and, and not surprise citizens with things that we're, like, voting on right now," Mayor Alan Branch said during…
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