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, Calling for a Referendum Question to be Placed before the Qualified Electors of the City of North Port, Florida at the March 11, 2025 Special Election; Providing a Referendum Question Determining Whether to Amend the City Charter to Authorize the City Commission to Issue Debt to Respond to a Declared Emergency or Disaster without Prior Voter Approval; Providing for the Full Text of the Proposed Charter Amendment; Providing Findings; Providing for an Effective Date for the New Charter Language if the Proposed Charter Amendment is Approved; Providing for the Filing of the Ordinance with the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections; Providing for Publication of the Text of the Proposed Charter Amendment; Providing for Filing with the Florida Department of State if the Proposed Charter Amendment is Approved; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Continue Ordinance 2024-48 to second reading on December 23, 2024.
Background Information
During a City Commission Meeting on July 23, 2024, the City Commission approved Ordinance No. 2024-07 calling for a referendum question to be placed on the November 5, 2024, general election determining whether to amend the City Charter to authorize the City Commission to issue debt in response to an emergency and in instances related to safety or public health. Less than a majority of the votes cast for the referendum question supported the charter amendment and the referendum was defeated.
During a Commission Workshop on December 2, 2024, the City Commission provided consensus to add a referendum question to the Town of Longboat Key’s March 11, 2025 election to request the ability of the City of North Port to borrow money in situations of federal, state, or local declared emergencies. The Supervisor of Elections has established a deadline of January 3, 2025 for the submission of referendum questions for this special election.
Proposed Ordinance 2024-48 utilized wording previously approved by the City Commission via Ordinance 2024-07, removing any reference to borrowing for safety / public health and restricting borrowing for emergency response. The proposed referendum question is:
Florida local governments may issue certain debt for various governmental purposes. The City Charter requires voter approval before the City issues any debt. Should the Charter be amended, allowing the City to issue debt payable from funds other than property taxes without voter approval to respond to a declared emergency or disaster?
Additionally, Resolution 2024-R-57 adopting City Commission Policy No. 2024-01 - Debt Management Policy, and Ordinance 2024-37 establishing a Debt Advisory Committee were approved during a City Commission Special Meeting on November 4, 2024.
Ordinance No. 2024-48 has been reviewed by the City Attorney as is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan
Good Governance.
Financial Impact
To be determined.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance 2024-48 - First Reading
2. Resolution 2024-R-57
3. Ordinance 2024-37
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher, II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher, II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager