Panama City Charter Review Advisory Board Holds Kickoff Meeting

August 02, 2025

by City of Panama City

PANAMA CITY, FL – The Panama City Charter Review Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting on July 31, 2025, marking the start of a comprehensive review of the city’s charter. The board, appointed by city commissioners, introduced its members and outlined its mission to enhance the charter through policy-focused recommendations.

Board Member Introductions

Brandon Burg (appointed by Mayor Allan Branch), an attorney with a passion for supporting the Cove and downtown areas, was elected Chair.

Brandon Henderson-Jansenius (appointed by Commissioner Robbie Hughes), a Cove resident and nonprofit manager, was named Vice Chair.

Cecile Scoon (appointed by Commissioner Janice Lucas), a former school board member with a legal and military background, brings extensive community service experience.

JP Ferreira (appointed by Commissioner Brian Grainger), a business owner turned attorney with the State Attorney’s Office, has been a Panama City resident since 2010.

Ron Danzey (appointed by Commissioner Josh Street), a lifelong resident and CEO of Palm Bay Elementary Education Group, rounds out the board.

Key Discussion Points

Operating under the Florida Sunshine Law, the board emphasized transparency, with all meetings recorded and agendas publicly available. The board’s role is to focus on policy recommendations, leaving operational matters to city staff. A recording of the meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel within days.

Action Items

Board members were tasked with:

Reviewing the current city charter.

Researching charters from other municipalities.

Initiating community outreach to gather feedback on potential charter improvements.

Next Steps

The board will reconvene on Wednesday, September 4, 2025, at 12:00 PM in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall. The agenda includes establishing a meeting calendar, setting rules of procedure, and planning discussion topics for future meetings.

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