Res No 074-20-15514RESOLUTION NO.074-20-15514
A Resolution instructing the City Attorney to draft a ballot question for the
Tuesday, November 3, 2020, national elections, to amend the City Charter,
Article V, SECTION 2, titled "General Elections" Subsection A. titled "Time"
to change the City's general election from February to the same time as the
national elections in November.
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 2. General Elections Subsection A. provides as follows:
A. Time. General elections for the Commission shall be held during February of each
even year, the day, place and time to be set by ordinance, at which time the Mayor
shall be elected to a term of two years and two Commissioners shall be elected to
terms of four years.
WHEREAS, the City's General Election held at the same time as the national election
on November 8, 2016 resulted in a 77% voter turn out (5,871 ballots were cast). The cost was
$6,613.81 which translates into a cost of $1.13 per vote; and
WHEREAS, the February 11, 2020 City election resulted in only 2,175 ballots cast
which was a 27.75% voter turnout at a cost of $40,619.58, which translates to a cost of $18.68
per vote; and
WHEREAS, history has shown that the 77% of the City electorate shows up for a
national election and only 27.75% show up for an election limited to City candidates; and
WHEREAS, an election of City candidate and City issues held at the same time as a
national election saves the City $34,005.77 and results in a turnout of voters that is in excess of
177.49% of the number of voters who turn out when the City holds its elections in February; and
WHEREAS, an election in February costs more than 1,553.10% of the cost of an
election that takes place during the national elections in November; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to have a ballot question submitted to amend
the City Charter, Article V, SECTION 2, Subsection A. to determine whether a majority of the
electorate desires to change the date of the City's General Elections from February to November
at the same date as the national elections.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH NIIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and
correct and are hereby made a specific part of this resolution upon adoption hereof.
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Res. No. 074-20-15514
Section 2. The City Attorney is hereby instructed to draft a ballot question for the
Tuesday, November 3, 2020 national elections asking the City's electorate whether a
majority of the electorate desires to change the time of the City's General Elections from
February to the same time as the November national elections.
Section 3. Corrections. Conforming language or technical scrivener -type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any conforming amendments to be incorporated into the
final resolution for signature.
Section 4. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is
for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 5. Effective Date: This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7°i day of July. 2020.
ATTEST:
L
CITY LERI
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM:
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREF
CITY ATTORNEY
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APPROVED:
-kAYOR j
COMMISSION VOTE:
4-1
Mayor Philips:
Yea
Vice Mayor Welsh:
Nay
Commissioner Harris:
Yea
Commissioner Liebman:
Yea
Commissioner: Gil
Yea
Agenda Item No:10.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: July 7, 2020
Submitted by: Thomas Pepe
Submitting Department: City Attorney
Item Type: Resolution
Agenda Section:
Subject:
A Resolution instructing the City Attorney to draft a ballot question for the Tuesday, November 3, 2020, national
elections, to amend the City Charter, Article V, SECTION 2, titled "General Elections" Subsection A titled
"Time" to change the City's general election from February to the same time as the national elections in
November. 3/5 (Commissioner Liebman)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
Reso_Charter_baIlot_questionNovElectsk_2_ (1).docx