OFFICE  OF  CITY  COUNCIL

RESEARCH  DIVISION

 

SPECIAL RULES COMMITTEE MINUTES

October 25, 2007

5:30 p.m.

 

Committee Room B

First Floor, City Hall

117 West Duval Street

 

 

 

Attendance:  Committee Chair Jay Jabour; Committee Members Warren Jones (arrived 5:57 p.m.), Michael Corrigan (excused), Ronnie Fussell (excused), Denise Lee (arrived 5:57 p.m.), Jack Webb, Clay Yarborough, and Stephen Joost (by appointment of Council President to ensure a quorum); Council Members Bill Bishop, Ray Holt, and Don Redman; Phillip Peterson, Office of Council Auditor; Steve Rohan, Office of General Counsel; Shirley Nulf and Rick Campbell, Office of City Council; Adam Hollingsworth, Office of the Mayor; others present included John Rutherford, Sheriff, and Jerry Holland, Supervisor of Elections

 

The special meeting, originally scheduled for the Council Chamber, was moved to Committee Room B due to the meeting of the Planning Commission running into the designated start time.  The Committee Chair, Jay Jabour, called the meeting to order at 5:55 p.m., to consider the following item:

 

2007-1004

ORD Amend City Charter for Election of Mayor, Council Members, Sheriff, Supv of Elections, Propty Appraiser & Tax Collector Elections to Coincide with Presidential Elections beginning in 2012 and to take Office on January 1st; Extend Current Terms to 12/31/12; Provide for Referendum on 1/29/08 Presidential Preference Primary. (Rohan) (C/M Holt & Redman)

Public Hearing Pursuant to Chapt 166, F.S. & CR 3.601 - 10/9/07

 

1. 9/25/2007 CO  Introduced: R

 

    10/1/2007 R Read 2nd & Rerefer

 

2. 10/9/2007 CO PH Read 2nd & Rereferred; R

 

The Chair called upon C/M Holt, as a sponsor of the legislation, to provide an overview of the bill and his reasons for introducing it.  C/M Holt stated that he was seeking ways to save funds in light of current and anticipated budgetary constraints.  He introduced this bill as a way to do so, citing an estimated savings of approximately $2.84 million this next term.  He recognized that some may not wish to extend the terms of existing officials, but asked that the long-term benefit be considered.  He stated his preference that the committee vote the item either up or down and send it to the full City Council for discussion.

 

Next followed a period of public comment, with the majority of speakers expressing opposition to the bill as drafted.  It was suggested that the savings were not significant when the risk of governmental quality was considered.  Others feared that local offices and issues would not receive due attention if on the ballot with state and federal concerns, and cited the possibility for a lengthy ballot and numerous under votes.  It was noted that the issue of moving the elections had been considered several times, and failed each time, and that the timing of elections was a compromise reached at the time of Consolidation.  Alternative suggestions were made, including moving the elections to the fall, but in either the year of state elections or in an off year.  The idea of newly-elected officials not having to deal with the budget immediately after taking office was also mentioned.  The Supervisor of Elections supported the holding of a referendum on the issue as a straw ballot, and suggested that more than one alternative could be placed on such a ballot.

 

C/M Lee made a MOTION to recommend DENIAL of the bill.  The committee members addressed the issue of general public apathy concerning elections.  Discussion was held concerning some of the alternative election cycles which had been suggested.

 

C/M Joost MOVED an AMENDMENT to change the proposed referendum from the January 2008 election to the November 2008 election, allowing more time for discussion and public awareness.  The MOTION DIED for lack of a second.

 

C/M Joost MOVED an AMENDMENT to change the election of officials to coincide with state elections rather than national elections.  C/M Joost stated his belief that it would be fairer to shorten terms of existing officials rather than arbitrarily extend the terms.

 

Upon discussion, C/M Webb CALLED THE QUESTION.  The MOTION TO AMEND FAILED on a vote of 4-2.

 

Discussion continued on the bill, with the MOTION to recommend DENIAL having being made earlier.  C/M Webb CALLED THE QUESTION.

 

Prior to voting on the bill, Mr. Rohan clarified the voting procedure since the machine was not available in this meeting room.  He further noted that, since the motion was for a recommendation to deny, those in favor of the bill should vote in the negative, while those opposed to the bill should vote in the affirmative.

 

The MOTION concerning DENIAL was approved on a vote of 6-0, with the Chair announcing the committee’s REPORT TO DENY.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

 

Rick Campbell, Research Assistant

(904) 630-1679