Local referendums

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published November 3, 2002

Treasure Island referendum

Voters will cast historic ballots in what is expected to be one of the largest voter turnouts in the city's 47 years. The referendum asks voters if they want the commission to pass an ordinance giving voters authority to approve any future increases in allowable height or density. Such increases, according to the referendum's language, would have to be approved by more than half of the registered voters in the city, as opposed to half the voters who cast ballots on a particular election day.

What a "yes" vote means: Technically, the referendum only asks the City Commission to pass an ordinance giving residents this power. The commission can repeal the ordinance at any point in the future, even without another referendum. But opponents of tall buildings in Treasure Island believe a referendum victory will give them political leverage to persuade commissioners to rethink how Treasure Island should develop in the future.

What a "no" vote means: If the referendum does not pass, height and density increases will continue to be in the hands of elected officials. Three of the five commissioners voted to approve new height requirements for Treasure Island two weeks ago because they feared the referendum, if it passes, would inhibit development.

North Redington Beach

Voters will decide whether to give elected officials power to raise their own salaries. Mayor and commissioner salaries are now set by town charter and require a voter referendum to change them.

Redington Shores

Voters will decide whether the town can relax its procedures for publicly bid projects. The most important change the referendum would allow is to reduce the maximum amount the Town Commission can spend without soliciting sealed bids.

Pinellas Park

Council members want residents to decide if the city should eliminate runoff elections. If passed, a charter amendment would give victories in city elections to the person who received the greatest number of votes even if the winning candidate polled less than 50 percent of the votes cast.

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