Bradenton Beach voters Nov. 8 did a big editing job on their charter.
Voters approved four charter amendments and rejected one in the 2022 general election, casting ballots at the polls, via mail and in early voting.
- Amendment 1: The vote was 222-220 to eliminate outside arbitration and allow commissioners to begin forfeiture of office proceedings in opposition to a sitting commission member. An elected official still only be removed from office by a majority vote from the Bradenton Beach electorate.
The amendment had the highest percentage of yes votes — 78.88%.
• Amendment 2: The vote was 248-201 to allow the commission to appoint an at-large commissioner to fill a vacant seat when a ward candidate is not available.
Prior to the vote, the charter required a commissioner to reside in the ward they represent.
• Amendment 3: The 178-267 vote meant the electorate kept the status quo and maintained the process requiring a special election to fill a mayoral or commission seat should it be left vacant more than six months before the next general election.
About 60% voted against the proposal.
• Amendment 4: The 235-217 vote removed term limits but maintained two-year terms for elected positions.
The change, which had a 51.99% yes vote, allows Commissioner Marilyn Maro, who faced being termed out on Election Day, to hold her seat and also removes the limit faced by three-term Mayor John Chappie in 2023.
Voters elected to keep term limits in 2016, 2018 and 2021.
• Amendment 5: A 259-175 vote means decisions regarding employee personnel benefits and procedures can be adopted in public meetings through resolutions rather than by an ordinance.
There are 684 registered voters in Bradenton Beach.
The city commission, at the recommendation of their city attorney, appointed a charter review committee in the spring — a year earlier than required — to recommend changes and then approved the five questions that went on the municipal ballot.