The Panama City Commission on Dec. 16 approved a six-month extension of its Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and placed a moratorium on new commission‑led P3 discussions for city parks while the committee completes community engagement.

Ethan Brown, appointed chair of the advisory committee, told the commission the group has been working since August to classify parks by community resistance to liquidation and to host ward-based town halls in January and February. He asked the commission for an additional six months — to June 30 — and requested a pause on commission‑led P3 deliberations until the committee returns a recommendation.

Several commissioners supported the request on procedural and public‑engagement grounds. The motion as amended exempted an ongoing negotiation with Girls Inc. for use of the Oakland Terrace building, after commissioners and staff said that organization needs clarity sooner than the committee’s timeline. Staff noted the Girls Inc. negotiation had prior direction from the commission and the organization would require a decision to be in place by spring if it is to relocate before the next school year.

The commission also clarified that the moratorium applies to commission‑led P3 discussions affecting parks across the city; it does not automatically prohibit private or neighborhood‑led proposals from being discussed informally with staff, though formal commission action on P3s is paused. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission directed staff to schedule the committee’s presentation at the June meeting and to return interim updates, and urged commissioners to encourage resident participation in the January/February town halls.

What’s next: The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee will host ward-specific town halls in January and February and return recommendations to the commission, with a presentation expected the second meeting in June.