The current two-year terms on the Bradenton Beach commission held by Ralph Cole and Marilyn Maro are up for election Nov. 8.
Both commissioners told The Islander May 19 that they remain undecided on whether they will seek reelection.
The same ballot as the commission elections will contain proposed charter changes, including one asking voters to eliminate term limits.
Currently, elected officials in Bradenton Beach — commissioners and mayor — serve two-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms.
The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office shows Maro as having been elected to the commission twice but she has served three consecutive terms as Ward 2 commissioner. She was appointed to a two-year term in 2016 and elected in 2018 and again in 2020.
Cole was elected in 2015 for Ward 3, appointed to a one-year term in 2017, elected in 2018 and again in 2020. He lost his race for reelection in 2017, then was appointed by the commission to fill the one-year remainder of John Chappie’s term on the commission, as he was elected mayor.
It was not clear how the charter review process or previous charter changes might impact the incumbents’ ability to run.
At an April 26 charter review meeting, city attorney Ricinda Perry described the current language in the charter and how it might impact officeholders: “Right now, there is the appointment provision that is the law of the charter but you wouldn’t be able to appoint somebody who doesn’t qualify. You don’t qualify if you’ve termed out. They could not come back onto the dais, even by appointment.”
Perry said the only way an elected official could come back to their original position would be if voters eliminated term limits, which will be decided at the polls Nov. 8.
Meanwhile, qualifying to run for the commission seats begins this month — noon June 13 to noon June 17.
Candidates must be registered voters and permanently reside in Bradenton Beach for the 12 calendar months prior to the date of qualifying.
Also, candidates must declare their candidacy via one of three forms of media —newspaper, radio or television.
Potential candidates must file paperwork with the supervisor of elections office specifying a campaign account and a treasurer to oversee the account.
Candidates for office also must submit proof of residency and pay 4% of one year’s salary of the office sought.
Commissioners receive $400 a month.
Bradenton Beach has 672 registered voters.
In the 2021 election, 348 voters cast ballots.
To learn more about candidate requirements or the election visit the SEO website, at votemanatee.com.