PCB Mayor, Councilman appointed to Florida League of Cities Committees

The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, announced that two Panama City Beach officials have been appointed to special committees.

Panama City Beach Mayor Mark Sheldon was recently appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities 2023-2024 Municipal Administration Committee. Panama City Beach Councilman Michael Jarman was appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities 2023-2024 Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Both committees are two of the League’s five Legislative Policy Committees.

Legislative Policy Committee chairs, vice chairs and members were appointed by Florida League of Cities President Greg Ross, Mayor of Cooper City.

As a Legislative Policy Committee member, both Mayor Sheldon and City Councilman Jarman will help develop the League’s Legislative Platform, which details priority issues that are most likely to affect daily municipal governance and local decision-making during the upcoming legislative session, as well as help League staff understand the real-world implications of proposed legislation. Committee members are also asked to serve as advocates for local decision-making throughout the legislative process.

“It is an honor and it is a privilege to sit on the Municipal Administration Committee and be a part of the process to ensure our State is moving forward in a positive way,” said Mayor Sheldon. “We want to continue to lobby for legislation that will benefit our community and our residents. We will maintain our efforts to ensure the strength of home rule, which leaves decisions that affect local residents in the hands of local communities.”

Last year Mayor Sheldon served on the Legislative Policy: Finance, Taxation and Personnel Committee.

Councilman Jarman said he is likewise honored. “I am honored and excited to represent the City on the State level helping to drive transportation legislation,” Councilman Jarman said. “Transportation is our community’s greatest challenge, as I am sure it is for many cities across the State. This committee appointment allows me a unique networking opportunity with other city leaders. Working together, in a collaborative effort, increases our ability to get legislation passed, even from our different community perspectives.”

Mayor Sheldon was first elected to office in April 2020, as a political newcomer but with extensive planning and development experience, having served on the City’s Planning Board. He is the COO and Manager Member of PCB Entertainment, LLC, and R&M Entertainment, LLC, which are music festival production companies. He has 15 years of management experience in multi-day, large attendance music festivals. Mayor Sheldon has a Bachelor of Science Business Administration/Communications degree from Husson University in Bangor, Maine. The mayor also serves on the board of directors for the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, Bay County Economic Development Agency, the Airport Authority, and Beach Care Services, a local non-profit that provides emergency assistance with rent, utilities, transportation, and other basic needs for those living and working in the area. He is also active in coaching both of his children’s sports teams. He and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Sydney and John Robert. Mayor Sheldon and his family attend church at Destiny Worship Center.

Ward 4 Councilman Michael Jarman was first elected to office in 2020. He grew up in Panama City Beach, and graduated Bay High School and St. Joseph Seminary College in Louisiana. He received his MBA at Louisiana State University-Shreveport. Councilman Jarman has worked in the fire equipment business for 18 years. He is a member of the Bay County Transportation Planning Organization, the Emerald Coast Regional Council, and the St. Bernadett Catholic Church. He and his wife, April, are the parents of three sons, Jacob, Caleb and Logan.

For a complete list of committee members, as well as more information on each committee and the League’s legislative policy development process, click here.

Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities, which are formed and governed by their citizens. The League believes in “Local Voices Making Local Choices,” which focuses on the impact citizens and city leaders have in improving Florida’s communities. For more information, visit flcities.com.