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 May 13, 2025 Special Election; Providing a Referendum Question Determining Whether to Amend the City Charter to Remove the Residency Requirements for the City Clerk and City Attorney Positions; 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 for an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Continue Ordinance No. 2024-49 to second reading on January 28, 2025.
Recommended Action - Second Reading
Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-49 as presented, with amendments in response to City Commission direction from the City Commission Regular Meeting on December 10, 2024.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events pertinent to Ordinance No. 2024-49:
Ø December 3, 2024: During the City Commission Workshop on December 3, 2024, the Commission discussed recruitment efforts to fill the vacant City Attorney position, and the limitations imposed by the residency requirements within the City Charter pertaining to the City Clerk and City Attorney positions. Currently, the City Charter requires that the City Attorney and City Clerk establish residency within the City of North Port within one year of their appointment date and maintain residency within the City for the duration of their employment in their respective position.
The current residency restrictions limit the potential candidate pool by excluding qualified candidates that may not live within the City but reside within our region and are able to commute daily to the City. In order to attract candidates residing beyond City limits, the City Commission directed staff to develop an Ordinance with potential referendum language for the March 11, 2025, special election, seeking voter approval to amend the City Charter to remove the residency requirements from both the City Attorney and City Clerk positions.
Ordinance No. 2024-49 has been reviewed by the Interim City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Information for Second Reading
During the City Commission Regular Meeting held on December 10, 2024, the Commission continued Ordinance No. 2024-49 to second reading on a date to be determined amending the Special Election date to May 13, 2025.
Ordinance 2024-49 - Second Reading, reflects the change to a North Port Special Election on May 13, 2025.
The Business Impact Estimate was posted on the City’s website on December 12, 2024, in accordance with Florida Statutes Section 166.041(4)(a).
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
Financial Impact
To be determined.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance No. 2024-49 - Second Reading
2. Business Impact Estimate
3. Ordinance No. 2024-49 - First Reading
4. City Commission Minutes 12.10.24
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager