Bradenton Beach is eyeing an empty chair at the dais.
The commission seat was left vacant by Jake Spooner, who resigned in December 2023 less than two months after his reelection.
He was unopposed in the November city election.
Spooner quit his Ward 1 seat Dec. 28, 2023.
During a Jan. 4 meeting, Mayor John Chappie said the city would accept applications for the seat. As of Jan. 5, the city had no deadline for applicants.
“There is a process that our charter dictates that we go through,” Chappie said. “This is something that we need to discuss and advertise, that we are accepting applications.”
According to the charter, when a seat is vacated, the commission nominates candidates and then votes to appoint a successor to fill the remainder of the open term. Spooner’s term ends in November 2025.
If the commission is unable to fill the vacancy after two meetings, a successor is chosen by lot, drawn by the city clerk from the pool of nominees.
Spooner, who had served on the commission since 2015, cited changes to state financial disclosure rules as the reason for his departure.
With the new year, state law changed regarding financial disclosure, requiring that municipal officials file a Form 6 financial disclosure statement, the same as state and county officials.
The new law is intended to add transparency to offices that make spending decisions with taxpayer funds.
On the form, administered by the Florida Commission on Ethics, officials must include net worth, dollar amounts of bank accounts and retirement plans.
Spooner owns the Bridge Street Bazaar and Fish Hole Miniature Golf and the property that houses the Daiquiri Deck in Bradenton Beach.
Some of the other properties Spooner owns in the Bridge Street area were combined with those of developer Shawn Kaleta to form the Bridge Street Resort project, which was approved last month by the city.
Included are 108 Third St. S., a parking lot behind the Daiquiri Deck; 110 Third St. S., a multifamily home; 112 Third St. S., parking for the Fudge Factory; and 117 Bridge St., occupied by the Fudge Factory — all registered to Bridge Street Bazaar Inc., which is owned by Spooner.
Spooner also purchased a 1.83-acre two-lot commercial property that was formerly a Wells Fargo bank at 5325 Gulf Drive and 5327 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach July 10, 2023, for $4,750,000, according to real estate company Michael Saunders & Co.
“I am sad that we are losing Jake,” Chappie said Jan. 4. “He was a great commissioner to serve with. He has been one of the city’s great commissioners.”
The Islander reached out to Spooner by text Jan. 6 but, as of Islander press time, there was no reply.
Chappie also touched on the impact of the new Form 6 law, which has prompted resignations elsewhere in the state.
“I see both sides of it,” the mayor said. “Transparency is key, but privacy rights are important as well. As a county commissioner for eight years, I did the Form 6 and I understand the position of a businessmen and the need for privacy in the face of competition.”
In a related discussion at the Jan. 4 meeting, Chappie said the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections notified the city that a review of ward boundaries and ward voting population is needed.
City attorney Ricinda Perry said the ward review will need to precede Spooner’s replacement.
To qualify for the commission, an applicant must be a registered voter who permanently resided in Bradenton Beach for 12 calendar months before the date of qualifying. The candidate also must reside in Ward 1, which could change boundaries based on the voter review.
People interested in serving as commissioner can apply at city hall. City commissioners receive $400 a month.
The commission is expected to begin its candidate search and ward review at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at city hall, 107 Gulf Drive N.