Police Budget Cut Amid City Scandal | Panama City Beach News

Cottondale’s city leaders are grappling with a $41,000 budget shortfall, forcing tough decisions—including slashing the police force from three to two officers. The police chief blames a $169,000 phishing scam loss—still under investigation—that’s forcing funds from his department into the general fund, killing planned salary hikes and risking layoffs. As the city braces for cuts, tensions rise over who’s paying the price for financial missteps—and whether public safety is being sacrificed on the altar of fiscal austerity. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/539d2ee0e3023627