Election season brought more of the same in Anna Maria.
Incumbent Mayor Dan Murphy and Commissioners Deanie Sebring and Mark Short were sworn Nov. 10 into new two-year terms after running unopposed for reelection.
This year marked the fifth consecutive municipal election without competition.
But post-election, it seems the city is losing a commissioner — Carol Carter.
While Carter did not broach the subject at the meeting, although other people commented during the meeting on her impending departure.
The Islander learned Nov. 9 that Carter distributed an Aug. 31 email announcing she and her husband, Bob, were selling their home at 239 Willow Ave., listed at $3,495,000, to move closer to family in Naples.
She told The Islander Nov. 14 that she submitted a letter of resignation to city hall and would attend her last meeting Dec. 15. She said she would be leaving her island home the following day.
Carter said she did not want to announce her departure until she had a contract for her home, and was proud to have served on the commission for nine years.
“I think I’ve been able to respond to citizens and be a good representative,” Carter said. “I think that this is a great place to live …Things are well positioned for the city to move forward.”
Short thanked Carter for her years of service on the board.
City attorney Becky Vose said she had a “delightful” time working with Carter, who she said was an “incredibly good chair.”
The commission and mayor did not discuss plans for selecting Carter’s successor. However, the charter allows the remaining four commissioners to name a successor to fill a vacated term.
Meanwhile, the commission voted 4-1 at the organizational meeting to name Short the commission chair.
Short became commissioner in 2019.
He told The Islander Nov. 11 that he had overcome the learning curve associated with being commissioner and is excited to begin his position as chair.
“I felt like, after three years, I was finally comfortable in that role,” Short said. “I was very honored that my fellow commissioners elected me to be chair. I look forward to the role and I hope I do as good of a job as (Carter).”
Sebring told The Islander Nov. 11 she hoped to help increase the amount of interaction between residents and the city government heading into another term. Sebring joined the commission in 2020.
“I’m very excited for my second term,” Sebring said.
Commissioner Robert Kingan was nominated by Carter to succeed her as chair but he received only her vote. He was then named deputy chair.
Murphy was first elected mayor in 2014. He did not respond to a Nov. 11 text message from The Islander.
Out of 942 registered voters in precinct 301, which covers the city, 667 voted in the general election, according to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office.
Overall, the number equates to a 70.8% voter turnout for the precinct.
More than half of the votes, 348, were cast on Election Day, while 254 people voted by mail and 65 voted early, according to the SOE.
Mayors are paid $19,600 annually.
Commissioners receive a $4,800 annual salary.
The commission’s next meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at city hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.
For directions to attend, go to cityofannamaria.com.