The City of Panama City has a Commission-Manager form of government. The City Commission consists of five members, a Mayor and four Commission members; one (1) commissioner is elected from each of the City's four wards and (1) commissioner is elected at large and serves as the Mayor-Commissioner At Large.
The Commission passes ordinances, adopts resolutions, adopts the City's budget and sets the policies for the operation of the city government.
The administrative responsibility of the City rests with the City Manager who is appointed by the City Commission.