City Council will not add polling places

Zephyrhills does not approve an ordinance that would open three sites for municipal elections.

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 15, 2003

ZEPHYRHILLS -- City Council members opted Monday not to act on a proposed ordinance adding two polling places for municipal elections.

Voters in the three precincts now cast ballots for mayor and City Council at Alice B. Hall Community Center. Two other polling places are used for general elections.

County Supervisor of Elections Kurt Browning had asked the council to consider using all three for municipal races, citing voter confusion and crowds.

"There will be some voter confusion in the opposite direction for the longtime residents," Compton said.

Mayor Cliff McDuffie, who doesn't have a vote on the council, noted how only 10-13 percent of voters turn out for municipal elections.

City Attorney Tom McAlvanah warned that Browning might have the authority to require the use of three polling places.

"I would be willing to wait and let the supervisor of elections tell us to do it," McDuffie said.

In other business, council members approved plans to develop a paramedic program within the fire department.

The city will pay the cost of the yearlong training and supplement each paramedic's salary $4,000.

"I think this will be important for us to be a self-contained fire department," City Manager Steve Spina said.

Employing paramedics, who can administer drugs and transport patients, could generate money for the city. The department is facing a steep decline in revenue when its lucrative agreement with the county to provide service in zones outside the city expires in October.

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