Make History! Vote on Charter Changes on August 14th!
A very important Special Election is coming up on Tuesday, August 14th which will give all registered Springs voters the rare opportunity to be a part of history by voting on a Charter change. Be an informed voter, read the information below, and come out and let your voice count.
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS A MUNICIPAL CHARTER AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM AN ORDINANCE?
A Municipal Charter is the legal document that formally establishes a local governing body such as a city or a town. As such, it is a very important document, and can ONLY be changed by the electorate. For example, on April 1, 1930, the name of our town was changed to “Miami Springs” by a vote of 33 to 27, and the change was recorded locally and in Tallahassee in the Municipal Charter Books. An ordinance, which is a regulation of a permanent nature, enforceable by local laws passed by our City Council under the authority granted in the Charter, cannot change the Charter. All Charter changes MUST be enacted by a popular vote.
THE “WHATS” AND “WHYS” OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGES
On August 14th, Miami Springs residents will have the opportunity to vote on two very important amendments to the City Charter. They are:
AMENDMENT NO. 1
Shall Charter Section 3.06(4)(a) be amended to change the terms of office for all Council Members, excluding the mayor, beginning with the General Municipal Election of April 2013, from two (2) year terms to four (4) year terms?
AMENDMENT NO. 2
Shall Charter section 3.06(4)(b) be amended to change the proposed four year terms of Councilmembers to staggered terms, beginning with the General Municipal Election of April 2013, by requiring the Councilmembers elected in Groups 1 and 2 to serve only two year initial terms and four year terms in each subsequent election, while the Councilmembers elected in Groups 3 and 4 to begin serving four year terms with the 2013 election and thereafter?
Why are these amendments being considered?
Currently all four Council members and the Mayor run for office every other year, which makes it very difficult to focus on and complete longer term initiatives and diverts them from the job we elected them to perform.
What are the benefits to voters of a “yes” vote?
The benefits to our City of “yes” votes on each of these items are significant. A four-year Council Member term (with the exception of the two-year mayoral term) would ensure that the Council Members you elect can concentrate their talents and energies working more productively to serve you three of four years, not working 50% of their term for re-election. The proposed staggered terms will ensure greater Council stability, efficiency and continuity of experience, which is especially important during preparation of the Annual Budget. This will also make it easier for new Members to fall in and start contributing rather than the whole Council having to learn at once.
Why is the position of Mayor being proposed to remain at two years?
Keeping the position of Mayor on a two-year election cycle (along with two Council Members at every election) ensures that you, as voters, still have the ability to meaningfully impact the governance of your City every two years. Additionally, it lets you, the voters, send a message to off-cycle incumbents to shape up or face defeat.
Will this affect current term limits for our elected officials?
No, current term limits of 8 consecutive years will remain unchanged.
If these amendments pass, what will happen and when?
If these amendments pass, at the April, 2013 election, we would be electing (or re-electing) a Mayor and two Council Members for two-year terms, and two Council Members for four-year terms. From April, 2015, on, all Council terms will be for four years. Every two years we would be electing (or re-electing) a Mayor and two Council Members.
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WHERE DO I VOTE?
Since this is also a County election, our precincts will vote at their regular locations:
POLLING PLACES
Miami Springs Middle School Precinct 343
Miami Springs Community Center Precinct 344
Miami Springs Community Center Precinct 345
Springview Elementary School Precinct 346
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IS THERE AN EARLY VOTING OPTION THIS YEAR?
Yes, early voting for registered voters is being held between August 4 and 11.
For locations and schedules, go to: www.miamidade.gov/elections/vote_early.asp
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For any additional questions regarding these proposed Charter Amendments, please contact the City Clerk at 305.805.5006 or vallsm@miamisprings-fl.gov.
