HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-24-05 Referendum Council TermsORDINANCE NO.O-24-05
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, SCHEDULING AN
ELECTION TO SUBMIT A REFERENDUM ISSUE TO THE ELECTORATE IN
ORDER TO AMEND SECTION 4.12 OF THE CITY CHARTER TO CHANGE
THE TERM OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM TWO YEARS TO FOUR
YEARS WITH STAGGERED ELECTIONS FROM 2024 TO 2026; PROVIDING
FOR SUCH MANNER IN WHICH SUCH ELECTION SHALL BE CONDUCTED;
PROVIDING FOR THE TIME AND PLACES FOR HOLDING SUCH ELECTION;
ESTABLISHING THE FORM OF THE BALLOT FOR SUCH ELECTION; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 166.031 of the Florida Statutes provides that the governing body of a
municipality may submit to the electors of that municipality a proposed amendment to all or parts of its
City Charter; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sebastian has held a first reading and public hearing
on March 20, 2024 during which the City Council determined that it is the public interest to change the
term of City Council members from two year terms to four year terms in order to better serve the citizenry
of the City and to provide for staggered terms such that the terms shall align with future general election
cycles; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sebastian has held a second reading and public
hearing for adoption on April 10, 2024 during which the City Council determined that it is the public
interest to change the term of City Council members from two year terms to four year terms in order to
better serve the citizenry of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to submit the proposed amendments to the City Charter for
ratification by the electors of the City of Sebastian, Florida.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. That upon passage of the Referendum submitted hereunder, existing Section 4.12 of
the City Charter of the City of Sebastian, Florida, shall be amended as follows:
"Sec. 4.12. - Election Procedures; tie vote.
(a) in all general or speeial eleetiens, the eandidates reeeiving the highest vate in each of the
affie&q a.F,.a.. neil «. ., ber to be filled shallieFrns,a. lbe elected G.- twe . - the hl.,..a.e
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,
Commencine in 2025. in all general or special elections. the candidates receivine the
hiehest vote in each of the offices of council member to be filled. shall be elected for one
three-vear term. or the balance of the term.
(b) Commencine in 2026. in all eeneral or snecial elections, the candidates receivine the
hiehest vote in each of the offices of council member to be filled, shall be elected for
four-year terms. or the balance of the term.."
Section 2. ELECTION. An election is hereby called and scheduled for November 5, 2024,
to determine whether the revisions to the City Charter of the City of Sebastian, Florida shall be approved
by the majority of the votes cast in such election, in which the qualified electors residing in the City of
Sebastian shall participate.
Section 3. POLLING PLACES. The places of voting in such election shall be the usual
places of voting in the City of Sebastian, Florida, in the regular election as determined under the
applicable provisions of Florida law.
Section 4. BALLOT. The purpose of this election shall be to present a referendum issue to
the electors of the City of Sebastian of whether or not to adopt revisions to the City Charter. The ballot
shall be substantially in the following form:
BALLOT
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
Charter Referendum #1
Amending the City of Sebastian Charter to Increase Councilmember Terms to Four Years
Shall Charter Sec. 4.12 of the City of Sebastian be amended to provide that the Council Members
are elected for three-year terms in 2025 and commencing with the year 2026 thereafter for four-
year terms?
Yes for Approval
No for Rejection
Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
its adoption effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council.
The foregoing Ordinance was moved for adoption by Councilmember Nunn . The
motion was seconded by Councilmember McPartlan and, upon being put to a vote, the vote
was as follows:
Mayor Ed Dodd aye
Vice Mayor Kelly Dixon aye
Councilmember Fred Jones aye
Councilmember Christopher Nunn aye
Councilmember Bob McPartlan aye
K
The Mayor thereupon declared this Ordinance duly passed and adopted this 11 Oth day of April
2024.
ATTEST:
e ette Williams, City Clerk
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORH! c 'We 2w—
Mayor Ed Dodd
Approved as to form and legality for
reliance by the City of Sebastian only:
Je fer Cockcroft, City Attorney
I HEREBY CERTIFY that notice of public hearing on this Ordinance was published in the TC
Palm Press Journal as required by Florida Statutes, that one public hearing on the Ordinance was held on
the 20th day of March, 2024, AND April 10, 2024 and that following said public hearing this
Ordinance was passed by City Council for placement on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
nette Williams
ity Clerk
3
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SEBASTIAN
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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA TRANSMITTAL
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: April 10, 2024
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Second and Final Reading, Public Hearing for adoption of Proposed
Charter Amendment Ordinance 0-24-05 relating to Terms of City
Council Members.
RECOMMENDATION: Conduct a public hearing and second reading for adoption, and at
Council's discretion, pass or amend Ordinance 0-24-05 relating to terms of City Council Members.
BACKGROUND: This proposed Ordinance is submitted for City Council's consideration
at second and final reading and public hearing. Ordinance 0-24-05 proposes changes to the terms of City
Council members from two years to four years. The terms will be staggered in order to align with the four
year general election cycle. Elections in 2024 will be for two year terms. Elections in 2025 will be for three
year terms. Elections thereafter will be for four year terms.
If approved, the proposed language will be sent for consideration by the electorate at the next general election
to be held in November of 2024.
IF AGENDA ITEM REOUIRES EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS:
Budgeted Amount: $4,000 City Clerk Legal Ads
Total Cost: Advertising costs $331; translation fee minimum fee, $75 or 0.18 cents per word.
Funds to Be Utilized for Appropriation: General Fund
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Ordinance No 0-24-05
Administrative Services Depart geentt Review; _
City Attorney Review; Z71 ('I
Procurement Division Review, if applicable: NJA
City Mana er Authorization:
Date: V/Ze�y