The work of Starke’s charter committee members has come to an end, and commissioners will be voting to place the amended document it in front of voters this fall.
The goal of updating the document by eliminating outdated and obsolete provisions and condensing it into a few readable pages has been accomplished.
The first of six pages deals with legalities such as acknowledging the city’s corporate limits, jurisdiction, obligations and powers in relation to other governments. The second section defines the city as the now familiar commission-manager form of government. All legislative powers are vested in the city commission, including enacting ordinances, approving resolutions and adopting budgets. The city manager — appointed by the commission — is responsible for executing the laws and administering city government.
In addition to the city manager, the third section lists two more charter officers — the city attorney and the city clerk.
Like the manager, the city attorney is the only other employee appointed by the commission. These are the only two employees the commission can hire, direct or fire. A special section in Article II specifically addresses this, preventing commissioners from giving orders to other employees. Charter appointees may be fired by a resolution of a majority of commissioners following a public hearing, if the officer accepts the hearing offer. Otherwise the preliminary resolution will become final. If there is a hearing, the commission will decide afterword to move forward with termination or not.
Like city commissioners, the city clerk will be elected. The only qualifications required for either position is city residency and eligibility to hold public office.
Article III outlines the duties of each officer. The city attorney will be the legal advisor for the commission and all other officers, prosecuting or defending cases on the city’s behalf, and fulfilling other professional duties, such as drafting ordinances.
The city clerk is the clerk and secretary to the city commission. The clerk attends meetings, keeps minutes of meetings and is custodian of city records, making them accessible to the public and recommending policies and procedures to ensure all records are kept in accordance with Florida Statutes. The clerk also assists the public in communicating with the commission. Additionally, the clerk shall be responsible for the administration and oversight of municipal elections in accordance with applicable law.
The city manager hires and fires employees and serves as supervisor to offices other than the city clerk and attorney. The manager ensures that laws subject to their jurisdiction or that of their employees are faithfully executed. The manager attends meetings, participates in discussion but does not vote. The manager prepares and submits the annual budget to the commission for approval. The manager executes contracts and other documents on the city’s behalf. The manager keeps the commission informed of activities related to the city, the city’s financial condition and its future needs. The manager is also charged with pursuing allowable fees and taxes to maximize financial revenues.
The amended charter goes on to discuss elections and the city commission. First is a transitional election schedule, necessary for the implementation of staggered elections in even-numbered years (as with the county commission). This year’s election will proceed as normal, with Districts 1, 3 and 5 electing a commissioner with a term expiring in 2030. The current clerk and commissioners from District 2 and 4 — elected just last year — will also preserve their four-year term expiring in 2029. The clerk and two commissioners elected in 2029, however, will have their terms shortened by one year to expire in 2032. That means the next city elections will take place in 2029, 2030, and then every two years after — 2032, 2034, 2036, etc.
The city commission will continue electing a mayor and vice mayor from its members, each for a one-year term. The mayor presides at meetings and is recognized as head of the city government both ceremonially and for the execution of contracts and other documents. The commission may create or abolish other offices as necessary (police chief/department). Ordinances must be advertised by newspaper notice at least 10 days prior to final adoption.
If commissioners are pleased with the amendments presented, they will move forward and language drafted to place the new charter in front of voters this fall.
