City of New Smyrna Beach issued the following announcement.
Voters in New Smyrna Beach have a date with history this Nov. 3.
Founded in 1768, New Smyrna Beach did not officially incorporate as a city until 1947. Since then, its City Charter has evolved gradually by amendment. In 2019, the City Commission formed a Charter Review Committee made up of 10 citizens to review the charter and recommend updates to it for the modern era.
Guided by the Florida Institute of Government at the University of Central Florida, they hosted nine public meetings from Nov. 7, 2019 through May 14, 2020 before producing a final report of recommendations, which the City Commission then reviewed and distilled into a single 75-word ballot question:
Shall the City of New Smyrna Beach adopt a revised Charter incorporating a preamble, reorganizing existing language, removing obsolete language, revising election procedures, revising qualifications and duties of members of the City Commission and Charter officers, adopting provisions related to sustainability, including limitations on the transfer of ownership or lease of certain lands, establishing requirements for financial management, providing for citizen participation, including an initiative and referendum process, and requiring regular reviews of the Charter?
That’s a lot to unpack, which is why on Sept. 10 the city released a 37-minute-long video summarizing the committee’s recommendations and providing insights directly from its members on their process and intent, available now on the city’s official YouTube channel.
Some proposed changes include:
- making language gender-neutral
- doubling the residency requirement to run for office from 6 to 12 months
- requiring the mayor to deliver an annual State of the City address
- strengthening city standards on sea level rise and flooding
- preserving the scale and character of city neighborhoods
- preventing the sale or lease of certain lands without a unanimous 5-0 vote
- and much more.
“With so much on the 2020 general election ballot from the federal level on down, we strongly encourage voters to set aside a dedicated block of time to study and really understand what they’re voting on,” said Public Information Officer Phillip Veski, the city’s spokesperson. “Here at City Hall, it’s our goal to make this easy for residents through our explainer video and, for those who are eager to ask questions in-person or with limited internet access, at live events like this.”
Original source can be found here.
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