Commission approves voluntary home buyouts under Hurricane Sally CDBG‑DR program
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Summary
The commission authorized city staff to execute purchase-and-sale contracts for properties selected under the state-funded Hurricane Sally voluntary home buyout program; contracts are subject to final approval by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The Panama City Commission on June 10 approved staff authority to execute purchase-and-sale agreements for properties in the voluntary home buyout program funded through Community Development Block Grant — Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) for Hurricane Sally.
City staff explained the program’s purpose is to acquire repeatedly flooded properties in eligible low-to-moderate income areas, remove structures and return land to open space or other appropriate uses. The city signed a subrecipient agreement with the state (DEO) in December 2023 to administer the funds. Staff recommended approval of the purchase contracts for the parcel list included in the city attorney’s packet and requested authorization for the city manager to execute the contracts subject to final DEO approval. The commission voted 5-0 to approve the contracts and signings.
Disaster recovery staff said additional funds remain available for future buyouts and asked commissioners and the public to continue notifying staff about eligible repetitive-loss properties. City staff noted the purchase contracts will follow the form included in the city attorney’s materials and that DEO must still approve the individual acquisitions.
Commissioners commented on the life-changing nature of buyouts for homeowners who have experienced repeated flooding, and staff reiterated that relocation assistance is available through the program.
