Bradenton Beach voters could be facing a ballot question to terminate term limits in November.
City commissioners voted 3-1 May 6 to move forward with a referendum on the issue on the November municipal ballot.
They plan to hold a first reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would establish the ballot question, according to the city charter provisions.
Mayor John Chappie opened the discussion, noting it is difficult to get people to run for elected office.
“To quote a local individual, ‘The residents of our community are an endangered species around here,’” Chappie said.
Commissioner Ralph Cole opposed the motion, saying he would like to confer with constituents before advancing a referendum. But Commissioner Jan Vosburgh sided with Chappie: “I think we should have a referendum for no term limits.”
Vosburgh motioned to move forward with a referendum and Commissioner Marilyn Maro seconded the motion.
Commissioners directed city attorney Ricinda Perry to draft a referendum, which would need to be submitted to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office by noon Aug. 27.
Bradenton Beach is the only island city with term limits for elected officials. The city charter states that commissioners and mayors can serve no more than three consecutive two-year terms in office.
Seats held by Chappie, Vosburgh and Commissioner Jake Spooner are up in the November election but none of the incumbents are facing term limits.
If reelected this year, Chappie will term out as mayor in 2023.
Chappie was first elected to the commission in 1997, serving until he was elected mayor in 2001. He term-limited as mayor in 2007 and was elected as a county commissioner in 2008. In 2011, he resigned from the county board and again won a city commission seat. He termed out as commissioner and retook the mayor’s seat in 2017.
Vosburgh also termed-out as commissioner and after waiting out of office, returned to her Ward 3 seat.
Commissioners earn $4,800 a year and the mayor earns $9,600 a year.
In addition to term limits, voters could face two other questions on the November ballot:
- A nonbinding referendum on whether to sell the city properties that include city hall at 107 Gulf Drive N. and Tingley Memorial Library at 111 Second St. N. to fund a new municipal complex.
- A nonbinding referendum on whether to raise property taxes — in lieu of selling the properties — for repairs, renovations and maintenance of city hall and the library.
A discussion on the ballot questions is set for the city meeting at noon Thursday, May 20, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.
There are 754 registered voters in Bradenton Beach.