Panama City Beach City Council Ward 3 · Nov 3, 2026
Mary
Coburn
Mary Coburn, the incumbent, is running for Panama City Beach City Council Ward 3 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Nick Atkinson.
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The race · City Council Ward 3
- 01Nick Atkinson
- 02Mary CoburnYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Ward 3 councilmember, elected in 2022, with a 30-year career in downtown revitalization.
On the record: Mary Coburn
5 sourced01Development2 sourced positions
Voted no on approving the Palmhaven Traditional Neighborhood Overlay District master plan (162 lots, Front Beach Road) with conditions (passed 4-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, Sept. 10, 2026 · Sep 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Said in her candidate statement that development cannot be stopped but can be shifted so projects benefit the community.
We can’t stop development; however, we can shift to ensuring the project benefits our community.”
Own statementCandidate statement, Bay County Supervisor of Elections filing: Mary CoburnLink
02Data centers1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing staff to amend the Land Development Code to ban data centers (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, June 25, 2026 · Jun 25, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Water and sewer rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance 1689, raising water rates 5.5% and sewer rates 7.5% effective Jan. 1, 2027 (passed 5-0 at first reading, Sept. 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, Sept. 10, 2026 · Sep 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Library1 sourced position
Voted yes on a motion to drop studies of converting library space to meeting space and keep the current space as is (passed 5-0, Aug. 2026).
Council voteCity Council minutes, Aug. 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
In their own words
Answered by the candidate on Oct 23, 2026
How should the council treat large neighborhood development plans, and why?
Their pick: Deny it
The developer found a loophole in our ordinance. Although the Planning Commission approved the project, the City appealed. As a result, the developer provided public amenities, including 40 golf cart parking spaces, a park, a dog park, and eventual public showers adjacent to Front Beach Road that the public can use. Under current rules, new projects cannot be denied based on traffic concerns. I voted NO on this project.
Should the city allow food truck courts, and why?
The City already has an ordinance in place regulating the placement and allowable duration of food trucks on a premise. I do not support the addition of food truck courts unless there is potable water, restrooms with hand washing and three compartment sink for washing of utensils, customer parking and landscaping. All trucks must be well maintained, licensed and inspected. Music should be from one source. Manager should be on site. Not allowed beach side.
Should the city ban data centers, and why?
Their pick: Ban them
The City has already banned data centers and I voted yes. We really don't have the land available and the cost of land could make the project prohibitive and negatively impact our environment.
How should the city pay for water and sewer system needs, and why?
We should continue pursuing state and federal funding for our water redundancy plan to connect the east and west ends of the island. We have already secured $5 million for this effort. We may also consider municipal bonding when interest rates improve. We maintain approximately an eight-month reserve for natural disasters, and impact fees help fund improvements tied to new growth. Adding storage tanks on the east end will help ensure sufficient water volume during peak demand and emergencies. I remain fully committed to providing clean and safe drinking water, reclaimed water for irrigation, and reliable wastewater management for our residents.
What should the city do with the Beach library space, and why?
Their pick: Keep it as it is
Our citizens have spoken on this issue: keep it the way it is. They love their library!
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