Panama City board renames disaster relief fund, approves routine administrative items

PANAMA CITY — On Jan. 14, the Board of Directors of the Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund voted unanimously to rename the nonprofit the Panama City Community Fund and approved a set of routine administrative measures, including ratification of two expenditures, confirmation of officers for 2025 and adoption of the 2025 meeting schedule.

Board members voted 5-0 to accept staff’s recommendation to change the fund’s name to the Panama City Community Fund, a change staff said would “clarify the allowance for generic contributions” and allow the organization’s scope to benefit a broader range of initiatives beyond hurricane disaster relief. The board also approved the minutes of the Oct. 8, 2024 meeting and the financial statements for the most recent quarter.

The name-change vote followed staff presentation of the proposal. "Staff recommends changing the name to be the Panama City Community Fund," the secretary said before the motion passed. The board recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Director Josh Street, Director Jenna Flint Halligas, Director Janice Lucas, Director Brian Granger and Director Rowan.

In public comment before the votes, a member of the public identified as Patty asked whether the organization is set up as a 501(c)(3). A staff member replied, "This is a 501(c)(3). We’ll confirm it," and the board proceeded with the agenda. Patty had said she was considering additional fundraising approaches and asked whether the entity takes federal funds; staff said they would confirm classification.

The board ratified two expenditures by unanimous roll call: $10,578.51 for an employee holiday luncheon funded from a restricted donation pool intended to benefit city employees, and $2,850 for accounting services described as necessary routine expenses. Board members described the luncheon expense as an allowable use of restricted donations that benefit city staff.

Directors confirmed officers for calendar year 2025 by unanimous vote. The slate presented and approved: Jonathan H. Hayes, president; Jeanette Smith, secretary and treasurer; Michael X. Rohan, director; Jenna Flint Halligas, director; Janice Lucas, director; Brian Granger, director; and Josh Street, director.

The board also approved meeting dates for 2025: April 8, July 8 and Oct. 14. One director asked whether the July 8 date fell too near Independence Day; staff clarified the date is the Tuesday after the Fourth of July and the board left the date on the calendar.

During a brief staff discussion of the financials, the board was told there was little activity during the quarter and that total interest income for 2024 was $145.80. Staff said interest is allocated across the fund’s restricted accounts based on each account’s cash balance.

All formal motions taken during the meeting were approved by recorded 5-0 votes. The meeting adjourned following routine closing procedures.