Bradenton Beach voters are facing fundamental changes to the city charter on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The general election ballot contains five ballot questions proposing changes to the charter, including one to eliminate term limits for elected officials.
The charter forms the legal foundation of the government.
City commissioners appointed a charter review committee in April, based on recommendations from city attorney Ricinda Perry.
Based on the CRC review and with commission approval the questions before the voters include:
- Forfeiture of office. The charter vests authority in three arbitrators to hold forfeiture of office proceedings against an elected official. The city wants voters to replace the panel procedure with a former forfeiture provision utilizing the city commission to conduct proceedings.
Temporary at-large filling of vacancies. The charter requires a ward commissioner to reside in the ward they represent. The city wants the authority to establish a procedure to temporarily fill a ward seat for one term with an at-large commissioner if no ward resident is willing to run.
Filling of vacancies by appointment. The charter requires the city to provide a special election to fill a vacancy resulting in more than six months from a resignation. Voters will decide: Should the charter be amended to allow for all vacancies to be appointed by the commission?
Qualifications and terms of office. Voters will decide whether to remove term limits but maintain two-year terms for elected positions with an effective date of June 16.
Actions requiring an ordinance. This question asks whether the city should remove employee personnel benefits and procedures from the charter and require them to be adopted in a public meeting through a resolution of the commission.
Among the questions posed, the most impactful issue might be term limits.
Currently, elected officials serve two-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms.
With the Nov. 8 election, Commissioner Marilyn Maro, uncontested for her Ward 2 seat, can only retain her elected seat if voters decide to eliminate term limits.
Maro has served as Ward 2 commissioner for three consecutive terms. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and was elected in 2018 and again in 2020.
If voters eliminate term limits, then Maro, will stay in office.
If the vote for the elimination of term limits does not go through, Maro will not be able to remain as an elected official.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 8, with polling 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Bradenton Beach Fire Hall, 201 Second St. N.
There are 683 registered voters in Bradenton Beach.