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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 02 23 Regular 500 - Documents Submitted by Commission Sarah BakerA Winter Springs Charter Review Committee I. Form of Government & Organizational Structure • Clarify the City's intended form of government (council/commission-manager vs. hybrid structure that gives some possible administration duties to mayor in absence of manager). • Determine if number of commission seats is appropriate. • Determine whether the City Manager position should be required by charter. (current language is vague) • Evaluate clarity of the separation between: o legislative authority (elected officials) 0 administrative authority (city manager/staff). • Confirm consistency between charter structure and current operational practice. • Evaluate whether charter language creates overlapping authority among officials. 11. Powers and Duties of the Mayor Clarify the Mayor's role as: 0 presiding officer, ceremonial head, voting member, or other possible changes. • Review whether any language implies executive or administrative authority. • Evaluate voting authority and procedural responsibilities. • Review veto power and use of veto. • Review succession procedures during absence or vacancy. • Consider consistency with council/commission-manager best practices used in similar Florida cities. III. Powers and Responsibilities of the City Commission • Review scope of legislative authority granted to the governing body. • Evaluate whether duties are clearly distinguished from administrative functions. • Review procedures for: 0 ordinances, resolutions, emergency actions, etc. • Review ethical governance expectations stated in charter language. IV. City Manager Role & Administrative Authority • Review appointment, qualifications, and removal procedures. • Evaluate clarity of manager authority over: o personnel, departments, budgeting, daily operations. • Consider whether charter adequately protects professional administration. • Review whether elected officials' interaction with staff is clearly defined. • Evaluate whether operational detail belongs in ordinance rather than charter. V. Non -Interference & Chain of Command • Determine whether charter clearly addresses: o individual elected official direction to statt, administrative interference, communication protocols, etc. • Review alignment with Model City Charter standards. • Consider whether additional clarity would reduce governance disputes. VI. Elections & Terms of Office • Review length of terms for elected officials. • Evaluate staggered term structure. • Review election timing and alignment with state or municipal cycles. • Consider impacts on voter participation and governance continuity. • Review procedures for candidate qualification requirements. VII. Vacancies, Removal, and Succession • Review procedures for filling vacancies on the governing body. • Evaluate timelines and appointment vs. special election processes. • Review removal or forfeiture provisions. • Confirm clarity of succession order for Mayor and Council seats. Vill. Compensation of Elected Officials • Review method for setting compensation. • Evaluate timing of compensation changes. • Consider whether charter language ensures transparency and avoids conflicts. • Compare with compensation frameworks in comparable Florida municipalities. IX. Legislative Procedures • Review ordinance adoption procedures. • Evaluate emergency ordinance authority. • Review requirements for readings, publication, and notice. • Consider modernization for digital publication and accessibility. • Ensure consistency with Florida Statutes. X. Citizen Initiative, Referendum & Charter Amendments • Clarify distinction between: o ordinance initiatives and charter amendments. • Review procedures for citizen petition amendments. • Confirm all align with Florida Statutes §166.031. • Evaluate clarity of petition thresholds and election requirements. • Consider whether amendment procedures are easily understood by residents. XI. Administrative Organization • Review whether the charter contains operational or departmental detail better suited to ordinance. • Evaluate flexibility for future organizational changes. • Consider reducing overly specific administrative provisions. • Review authority to create or reorganize departments. XII. Financial Administration & Budget Process 0 Review budget preparation responsibilities. • Evaluate adoption timelines and procedures. • Confirm financial oversight roles. • Review audit requirements and reporting obligations. • Consider modernization of fiscal controls language. XIII. Boards, Committees & Advisory Bodies • Review charter references to boards and committees. • Determine whether creation and governance should occur by ordinance instead. Evaluate appointment authority and terms. • Review consistency with current city practices. Xiv. Ethics, 'transparency zk iruijiic Accounicabinty • Evaluate whether charter references: C L"iii,��aiiUiliii�, �t�iiSiilii� �uvv v ri�iNiauiii�, Nuu�ii �ccci1US N11iiiJ 1i . Consider whether modernization language is appropriate or necessary. XV. Home Rule Authority • Review how charter expresses municipal home rule powers. • Confirm consistency with Florida Constitution Article VIII. • Evaluate whether language clearly preserves local authority while recognizing state preemption. XVI. Charter Organization & Readability • Identify outdated or ambiguous terminology. • Review internal inconsistencies between sections. • Update gendered or antiquated language. • Improve structure for public readability. • Ensure cross-references are accurate. XVII. Periodic Charter Review Process • Consider whether charter should require regular review intervals (e.g., every 5-8-10 years). • Evaluate appointment procedures for future Charter Review Committees. • Review public engagement expectations. XVIII. Legal Consistency Review • Confirm alignment with: o Florida Statutes, current case law, municipal best practices. • Identify provisions potentially vulnerable to legal challenge. • Remove any obsolete provisions superseded by state law. XIX. Technology & Modern Governance (Modernization Review) • Electronic notice and publication authority. • Remote meeting references (consistent with state law). • Digital records recognition. • Modern communication practices. XX. Miscellaneous & Cleanup Items • Definitions section review. • Severability clause clarity. • Effective date provisions. • Transition language from prior amendments.