PANAMA CITY BEACH — Panama City Beach voters approved a dozen amendments to the city’s charter at the polls Tuesday, with each proposed change garnering a yes from the majority.
Some of the major changes will be made to the purchasing policy for the city’s utility department, which now will have the ability to purchase goods or equipment up to $25,000 without advertising for competitive bids. Previously, competitive bids were required for any goods or services costing $10,000 or more.
Another change will allow the department to purchase goods and equipment for the water, sewer or stormwater departments without competitive bids if the council finds they are available from a sole source. Of all the amendments, the sole source change was the closest, with 645 votes in favor and 537 against.
Another close call on the ballot came from an amendment to authorize the city manager to adopt personnel rules for city employees without having to receive approval from the City Council. The amendment received 667 votes in favor and 505 against.
Another pair of amendments will clean up the wording in provisions addressing the process for abandoning beach access easements and rights of way, but will not change the process itself.
Other changes consist of several housekeeping issues, changing the charter wording to “gender neutral,” eliminating outdated portions and unnecessary or confusing verbiage, and adding provisions to address new technology like electronic payments.
Voters also approved an amendment that will allow the city to advertise ordinances, proposed budgets, City Council hearings and bid solicitations solely online, which City Manager Mario Gisbert indicated is something that will help save money.
The results
1 – Authorizing City Council to reschedule or cancel holiday meetings in late November and December: Yes - 916, No - 295
2 – Amending the wording of the requirement of a referendum to abandon a beach access easement: Yes - 929, No - 271
3 – Amending the requirement of a referendum to abandon a right of way: Yes - 926, No - 265
4 – Authorizing purchase of goods for sewer and water systems up to $25,000 on competitive quotes: Yes - 950, No - 241
5 – Authorizing sole-source purchase of specialized replacement goods for sewer and water systems without competitive bid: Yes - 645, No - 537
6 – Approving revision of civil service, article 6, of city charter: Yes - 938, No - 236
7 – Authorizing website posting of adopted ordinances, proposed annual budgets, City Council hearings and bid solicitations: Yes - 895, No - 278
8 – Clarifying the City Council must approve the salary of an assistant city manager: Yes - 1,081, No - 118
9 – Confirming that the city manager is authorized to adopt personnel rules for city employees: Yes - 667, No - 505
10 – Authorizing electronic transfer in addition to traditional check disbursement: Yes - 1,017, No - 166
11 – Prohibiting change of ward boundaries within six months before the election of a council member: Yes - 1,006, No - 167
12 – Approving miscellaneous charter updates and corrections such as gender neutrality and timing of annual reports: Yes - 918, No - 242