Panama City charter-review panel narrows police language, debates independent comptroller and strips planning‑board text

The Panama City Charter Review Advisory Board met to consider a package of proposed charter edits and to give staff direction on several high‑profile items, including how the charter should describe police and fire leadership, whether to create a separate controller or comptroller role for fiscal oversight, and whether the charter should retain specific planning‑board language.

Board members began with staff reports on background research. Staff said they had compiled roughly 35 examples from Florida showing a range of approaches to elected‑official pay and related benefits, including examples where mayor and council pay are tied by formula to county commissioner salaries. That research was distributed to members in advance to inform a later compensation discussion.

Why it matters: the board is balancing clarity for the public with flexibility for future administrations. On police and fire language, members questioned whether the charter should require a named "chief of police" or instead retain broader wording such as a "lead person" designated by the city manager. Proponents of naming a chief argued it provides clearer public…