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Charter items might be separated

A Zephyrhills' charter panel suggests voters evaluate different items, not just one package.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published October 6, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - The committee reviewing the city's charter recommended Wednesday evening that proposed amendments be put to voters in separate questions.

The other option was to lump all the amendments together in a package and have voters answer a single "yes or no" question.

Marilyn Crotty, the consultant leading the review, said there are benefits and drawbacks to both approaches.

A yes or no question could derail all the proposed amendments if any are considered controversial by voters. Some of the nearly dozen suggested changes simply update the document to comply with current law and practices. Others, such as the one giving more power to the mayor, might draw objections.

But separating the changes in individual questions could lead to confusion, Crotty said.

"It's a lot of stuff for people to read through and understand," Crotty said, adding that municipal elections typically draw a very small sector of voters.

Committee member Kris McAlvanah favored separating the amendments.

"I'd like to give them (voters) the benefit of the doubt that they are going to read this stuff," she said.

She said that informing voters in detail of each change and letting the changes be decided on individually could also lead to greater participation.

"Maybe they can somehow become more interested in government policy," she said.

The committee, composed of residents chosen by the City Council, reviewed the city charter and compiled proposed changes. The council will next consider the proposed changes and decide which to put before voters in April's municipal elections. The changes, if approved, would take effect in 2007.

Among the proposed changes:

The role of mayor changes substantially, so that the position would have a vote on the council and run council meetings.

Council members and the mayor would serve three-year terms.

Goes into detail about the duties of the city manager and leaves in place that he or she would be hired and fired by a four-fifths vote by the council.

Outlines the way residents can propose or repeal ordinances.

Committee members diluted the language establishing city police and fire departments. Until now, the departments existed without being provided for in the charter. The committee, in an earlier meeting attended by several firefighters, approved stating that the departments would be established and staffed by city employees. But state law leaves the power to dissolve those departments with the City Council. In the change proposed Wednesday, the charter would say it is the city's "intent" to maintain those departments.

"I feel better about that," McAlvanah said. "I think it's clear that we're going to make every effort."

The city plans a campaign to educate voters about the changes ahead of the referendum.

[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:14:18]