Voters in Palm Coast will face choices on three proposed charter amendments this general election, in addition to voting in runoffs for two City Council seats.
The Palm Coast City Council held public hearings in May and June on the ordinance that placed the three proposals on the general election ballot. The city also has a detailed webpage explaining what each amendment would do if approved, and what would remain in place if the proposal is not approved.
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Charter Amendment 1: Council Member and Mayor Accountability Provisions
This amendment would expand and clarify standards related to suspending officials from office, define ethics violations, add meeting attendance requirements for elected officials, and allow the city council to petition the governor for suspension or removal of a council member or mayor after three formal censures within a calendar year.
Voters will be asked to vote yes or no based on this ballot language:
AMENDING ARTICLE IV, SECTION (7) OF CITY CHARTER REGARDING REMOVAL OF COUNCIL MEMBERS OR MAYOR.
Shall Article IV, Section (7) of the City Charter be amended to expand and clarify standards for forfeitures and suspension of the Mayor and City Council members by defining ethics violations under Florida law, establishing additional meeting attendance requirements, and authorizing the City Council, after three formal censures, to petition the Governor for suspension or removal of a City Council Member for neglect of duty or malfeasance.
Charter Amendment 2: Procedures for Filling City Council Vacancies
This amendment would require a special election when there is a vacancy and there is more than 18 months before the next regularly scheduled election. The election would have to be called within 30 days of the vacancy and occur within 90 days.
Voters will be asked to vote yes or no based on this ballot language:
AMENDING CITY CHARTER ARTICLE IV (7)(e) PROCEDURES FOR FILLING CITY COUNCIL VACANCIES AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS.
Shall Article IV(7)(e) of the City Charter be amended to revise vacancy procedures? If a vacancy occurs with over 18 months remaining in a term, a special election is required within 90 days. If a vacancy occurs within 60 days or less of a General Election, a special election must be called within 90 days following that General Election.
Charter Amendment 3: Increase to City Council Unfunded Contracting Authority
This would allow the City Council to enter into certain unfunded multi-year or lease-purchase contracts without voter referendum approval. It would increase the current financial threshold from $15 million to $30 million, and extend the allowable contract term from 3 years to 30 years.
Voters will be asked to vote yes or no based on this ballot language:
AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER TO INCREASE CITY COUNCIL’S UNFUNDED CONTRACTING AUTHORITY TO $30,000,000.00.
Shall Art. VI (3) (e) of the City Charter be amended to increase the Council’s unfunded contracting authority from $15,000,000.00 to $30,000,000.00 and extend the term from 36 months to 30 years? Unfunded multi-year or lease purchase contracts exceeding these limits shall require voter approval via referendum. The $30,000,000.00 threshold shall be adjusted annually for inflation (CPI), rounded to the nearest $1,000.00.