Panama City Beach is a home-rule city with a Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council is made up of five members -- a mayor and four council members; one council member is elected from each of the four wards but all are elected at-large.
As of early 2020 the City of Panama City Beach employs about 350 people. The City pays health and vision insurance for employees and offers dental, life and other benefits. The City has a pension plan and provides 12 vacation days annually and 12 holidays in addition to sick days.
The City has grown steadily to about 14,000 people. The white sandy beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico attracted more than 4 million visitors in 2018, making the City a major tourist destination. For those who love the beach and the outdoors, Bay County provides a great quality of life for its residents.
Panama City Beach does not have an ad valorem tax.