Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Panama City tables major water and wastewater connection fee increase; seeks affordability measures
Summary
After hours of public comment and commissioner questions, the Panama City Commission voted 5‑0 Oct. 28 to table a proposed update to water and wastewater connection (impact) fees and asked staff to return with options on phased implementation, payment plans, SHIP funding use, and targeted exemptions for infill and existing lots.
The Panama City Commission on Oct. 28 delayed action on an ordinance that would raise water connection fees to $1,350 per equivalent residential connection (ERC) and wastewater fees to $1,610 per ERC. Staff said the proposed increases — from $465 for water and $1,250 for wastewater — reflect capital investments needed to expand and maintain the city’s utility system and were recommended in a consultant study.
The proposal, included in Ordinance 32‑74, drew extended public comment from builders and residents who said the change would sharply raise costs for single‑family homes and could harm affordability. Brian Knox, a local builder who represents the Bay Building Industries Association, told commissioners the proposed…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
