Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Plan to alter Zephyrhills mayoral role is worthy

Kudos to a Zephyrhills citizens committee for trying to achieve an often-stated goal of the political right: shrinking the size of government.

The Zephyrhills Charter Review Committee, a group of residents overseeing proposed changes to the city's 31-year-old governing document, recommended last week that the city scrub one of its five council seats and give the mayor a vote on council matters. In essence, the mayor would assume the duties now assigned to the council president but would be picked by voters, not the council. It reduces the number of seats on the dais, and annual salaries paid to the officers, from six to five.

It is a welcome move toward efficiency. It empowers the mayor, increases accountability and eliminates redundancy. The citizens committee should be commended for recommending it to the council and to voters for consideration in the April election.

Under the city's current charter, the mayor participates in council debates but has no vote. The mayor, however, can veto city ordinances, as was done earlier this year when Mayor Cliff McDuffie announced he would veto a rezoning because of density concerns. Developers, instead, resubmitted their plans with fewer homes.

It is the only time anyone at City Hall can remember even the threat of a veto. The proposed changes eliminate the mayor's veto authority. That, too, is an astute recommendation.

In truth, the mayoral post now is more public relations than public policy, though McDuffie has been more active than previous mayors by accepting appointments to the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city planning and zoning board.

Past council members have recognized the system's shortcomings. Then-council member Timothy Ippolito tried unsuccessfully in 2000 to alter the position. It coincided with perhaps the most revealing testimonial to scrap the mayor's job in its present carnation: James Bailey decided to forgo another four-year term as mayor in favor of seeking a council seat and the accompanying voting authority.

When the person holding the job recognizes it as unproductive, it shouldn't be too difficult for others to follow suit.

Currently, the council president, elected by peers, acts as the city's chief executive, runs the council meetings and signs the city's official correspondence. Zephyrhills is the only Pasco city that has a mayor with no voting authority. Port Richey and New Port Richey mayors are elected by voters and act as one of five council members. Dade City, Saint Leo and San Antonio mayors are city council members, elevated by their peers. If approved by the council and voters, Zephyrhills will parrot New Port Richey and Port Richey's form of government.

Changing the Zephyrhills mayor's position from a ceremonial functionary and government observer into a serious leadership role accountable to the public is a worthwhile idea that should be embraced by the council and forwarded to the electorate.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 01:18:12]