Bay County ballot

Charter Review Advisory Board Recommendations to Amend Charter - Terms and Qualifications of Commissioners; Election Dates

Shall the City Charter be amended changing the Mayor's term of office from 2 to 4 years; clarifying the qualifications to be Mayor or Commissioner; moving the elections of commissioners and Mayor to align with the election dates of state/federal primary and general elections and moving the next election from 2027 to 2028; and, providing in competitive elections for two candidates to be on the November ballot?

Shall the City Charter be amended changing the office of City Clerk-Collector to the office of City Comptroller; moving duties of City Clerk to City Manager; moving duties of treasurer to City Comptroller; eliminating a public hearing for removal of the City Manager; requiring City Comptroller, City Attorney and City Manager be electors in the City; and, providing for the City Manager to appoint a lead administrator of police/fire services?

Shall the City Charter be amended eliminating Articles or sections superseded by state or federal law, such as Police, Fire, Finance, Taxation, Bonds, Public Utilities, Streets and Public Grounds, and Purchasing and Contracts; complying with state/federal anti-discrimination laws; extending the time period to fill commission vacancies; providing for acting charter officers; providing for procedural rules; making non-substantive but clarifying changes to words or terms; and, providing for Charter review every 10 years?

Shall the city charter be updated to clarify that the charter be reviewed in its entirety at least every five (5) years by an independent charter review committee, and that the appointing resolution specify that committee members' terms expire at the end of the review? This revision will ensure the entire charter is reviewed every 5 years or sooner from last review and confirm the members term expiration to avoid dual-office holding conflicts.

Shall the charter be amended to change the method of stating the elected officials' current compensation from monthly amounts to equivalent annual amounts, without changing compensation, and to conform to the city's existing payroll practices?

Shall the charter be amended to require that a vacancy on the City Commission be filled by a vote of the remaining Commissioners until the next regular municipal election, and if not filled within 60 days, be filled by a special election? If approved, the amendment would give the Commission thirty additional days to make an appointment and require a special election instead of a Gubernatorial Appointment if the Commission does not timely act.