TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Activating a Communications Department; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Continue Ordinance 2025-26 as presented to second reading on September 18, 2025.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Continue Ordinance 2025-26 as presented to second reading on September 18, 2025.
• Pros: Creating a Communications Department will strategically strengthen internal support for the entire City organization; enhance resident engagement and public trust; and ensure scalable, effective management as North Port grows.
• Cons: Requires additional funding for the Communications Department in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
Option 2: Deny Ordinance 2025-26 as presented.
• Pros: Does not require additional funding in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget for Communications.
• Cons: Not activating a Communications Department and maintaining the current structure limits strategic planning capacity and operational oversight; could result in misaligned messaging, slower responses, fragmented support across Departments; and reduced ability to build public trust.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events pertinent to changing the Communications Division to a Department:
Ø June 16, 2025: During the budget workshop, as part of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget development process, the creation of a Communications Department was proposed in the City Manager’s Proposed Budget. There was a consensus by the City Commission to direct the City Manager to not include the change of the Communications Division to a Department in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Ø July 23, 2025: During the budget workshop, the City Manager’s Proposed Budget did not include funding to activate a Communications Department as directed. However, the City Commission brought this topic up for discussion. There was a consensus by the City Commission to direct the City Manager to create an agenda item for discussion regarding the transition of the Communications Division to a Department. Ordinance No. 2025-26 provides that agenda item for further conversation and action by the City Commission.
Ø Section 5.05. Organizational structure. (a) of the North Port City Charter states:
“(a) The City Commission shall, by ordinance adopted by unanimous vote, activate or deactivate departments as deemed necessary for the efficient administration and operation of City government. The following departments may not be deactivated except by referendum:
1. Police Department
2. Finance Department”
Ordinance 2025-26 has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The Business Impact Estimate for Ordinance 2025-26 was posted on the City’s website on August 19, 2025.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
The Communications budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 includes a budget proposal totaling $47,260 for the reclassification of the Division Manager to Department Director.
Below is a breakdown of the budget proposal by salary and benefits.
|
Salary |
Benefits |
|
$12,850 |
$34,410 ($33,190 is FRS) |
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2025-26
2. Business Impact Estimate
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager