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Term Limits, Council Districts To Be On Ballot In Umatilla

    The City of Umatilla has formalized proposed verbiage for nine ballot initiatives set to go before town voters later this fall.  From basic items designed to bring the city’s charter of laws in line with how the city actually operates to tweaking the town term limits law, the measures are designed to streamline city operations while allowing increased flexibility for selecting council members.
    Here are the initiatives as worded upon approval this past Tuesday night:
- Ballot Question Number 1: Voting Districts
City Council is currently comprised of five (5) at-large representatives. The
proposed amendments provide that City Council shall be comprised of three (3) district representatives for seats one (1), two (2), and three (3) who reside within and will represent a district and two (2) at-large representatives for seats four (4) and five (5), all of whom will be elected by the City’s voters at-large.  Shall the above-described amendments be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 2: Department of Records and Finance;
Appointment of City Clerk
Under the current Charter, City Clerk is designated as Director of Records and Finance, appointed by City Council, and required to have knowledge of accounting, taxation, budgeting and financial controls. This responsibility was required before establishing the positions of City Manager and Director Finance and Administration. The proposed amendment to Article X Section 1 authorizes the City Manager to appoint the City Clerk and reallocate duties and qualifications accordingly.  Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 3: Removal
The City Manager is the City’s chief administrator and operates under direction of the City Council. Per the Charter, the City Council must adopt preliminary and final resolutions, hold public hearings, and offer a public hearing on the matters regarding removal of the City Clerk. The proposed amendment to Article X Section 2 removes these requirements and places the administrative responsibility for the City Clerk to the City Manager.  Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 4: Officers
Under the current Charter, the officers of the City shall be a Mayor, a City Manager, City Clerk, a Chief of Police, a Fire Chief, and five (5) Council Members. The proposed amendment would eliminate the Mayor, City Clerk, Chief of Police, and Fire Chief as officers of the City. If approved, the officers of the City will be the five (5) Council Members, and the City Manager.  Should the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 5: Meetings
Under the current Charter, if a regularly scheduled council meeting falls on an election day or a holiday, then the meeting shall be held on Tuesday following such election day or holiday. The proposed amendment would allow the City Council to reschedule at their discretion and require it to be duly noted and properly advertised.  Should the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 6: Declaring Candidacy
Under the current Charter, candidates for city election shall declare their candidacy to the City Clerk, in writing, upon a form provided by the City Clerk, not less than thirty (30) days prior to the day of the election. The proposed amendment to Article VI Section 5 would remove the requirement and make candidacy requirements consistent with the rules and dates of the Florida Statutes. Should the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 7: Elections
Under the current Charter, there is conflicting language regarding when officers or council members shall be inducted into office. The proposed amendment to Article III Section 2 would eliminate language regarding past elections and amend when officers or council members, elected thereto, shall be inducted into office. The terms of office shall begin on the first Tuesday immediately following election certification in November.
Should the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 8: Membership
Under the current Charter, Council members are limited to a maximum number of twelve years of consecutive service or three terms, whichever occurs first. The proposed amendment to Article III Section 1 allows former Council members who have served twelve consecutive years, not including years appointed, to regain office four (4) years after the expiration of the last term served.  Should the above-described amendment be adopted?
- Ballot Question Number 9: Vacancies
Under the current Charter, Council shall appoint vacancies until the next regular Municipal election; provided that if such vacancy is not filled within thirty (30) days after it shall have occurred, it shall be filled by appointment of the Governor. The proposed amendment to Article III Section 8 would allow Council to appoint vacancies for the remaining portion of that term and allow candidates for appointment to be at-large.  Should the above-described amendment be adopted?