LOCAL COVID-19: Panama City adjusts commercial garbage collection costs, waives online payment fees
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PANAMA CITY — Businesses shut down due to social distancing governmental mandates for the COVID-19 pandemic might find some relief in a new resolution Panama City commissioners approved Tuesday.
City Manager Mark McQueen presented a resolution to adjust service charges for garbage collection service to “commercial establishments that have closed or partially closed, such as restaurants or bars, as a result of Executive Orders.”
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“We want to help partner with them, we want to take off that burden. They’re producing less solid waste, less garbage right now; so, why should they be paying full fee,” McQueen said.
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The city manager said establishments that were completely shut down during the state of emergency, such as bars and nightclubs, will have their collection fees entirely waived.
For partially-opened eateries, McQueen said, “What we want to do is measure that and meter that amount of the pay, so that we can still take care of the solid waste requirements but relieve that extra burden from the restaurants.”
Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the closing of all bars and night clubs statewide, followed by an order that restricted restaurants to delivery and take-out only. The city’s website lists more than 100 local restaurants that have made adjustments by opening within the new legally accepted capacities.
According to the resolution relating to garbage collection, the city manager may periodically adjust the service charges, which will be published at pcgov.org.
While the motion was approved unanimously, Commissioner Jenna Haligas questioned the city manager about how the city would absorb the costs of another resolution, which was also approved, that waives all online payment fees to the city.
McQueen said he plans that the service charges for online payments will be reimbursed 100% by the federal government. The fees run between $1.50 to $2.75 for payment by debit, credit, and online check.
“What we’re anticipating with FEMA is opportunities to have reimbursed all emergency protective measure we’re putting in place,” McQueen said, noting the city will still have to pay the fee. “Suspending the fees is an emergency protective measure to keep our citizens home and to form a protective barrier for why they went and paid online.“
“My intent is to go and request reimbursement for what I see as a direct correlation to an emergency protective measure,” he added later, noting the resolution will be in effect for “as long as the federal declared disaster (is in effect) and (the city is) eligible to be reimbursed.”
The city has taken several measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, while helping alleviate some of the burden on residents and business owners. The city has suspended utility disconnects and code enforcement hearings until at least April 23. It has canceled all events at city facilities at least until April 15 and limited traffic at the St. Andrews marina store. Also, the city has kept open all parks, boat ramps, and dog parks.
“The city is looking at all possibilities to lighten the load for all of all of our citizens, as well as our businesses. This is a tough time for all of us,” McQueen said. “But if we work together and think creatively, I think we can all get through this in a much better way.”
Although the lobby to City Hall has been closed, the city launched a call center at 12 p.m. noon Tuesday. The call center is available to support the needs of the citizens — from bill payment to information on what’s open and what’s close — while the country is dealing with limited social interaction as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its course.
The city of Panama City’s call center can be reached at 850-872-3000.
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