West Miami voters to consider charter changes
West Miami residents will have a chance to vote on revisions to the city’s charter.
Voters can vote on seven charter amendments in the city special elections Nov. 4.
The charter is the city’s basic law, like the state’s constitution.
City Attorney Jose Villalobos says the charter hasn’t been revised in years.
“In order to modernize it and put it up-to-date, this is the reason why it was decided to revise it,” he said in a phone interview.
The process to agree on updating the charter was decided when commissioners appointed residents to sit on a group.
Amendment No. 1 deals with qualifications to hold office. It would set a two-year residency requirement prior to holding office.
Amendment No. 2 deals with compensation and expenses for commissioners. It would allow commissioners, by a four-fifths vote, to approve expenses for commission members for travel and/or per diem expenses, while on city business.
Amendment No. 3 deals with referendum by petition. When a city ordinance is challenged by petition, the ordinance would “be deemed valid until results from such referendum are certified.”
Amendment No. 4 deals with the mayor and vice-mayor. It would allow the city manager instead of the mayor or vice mayor to execute deeds.
Amendment No. 5 deals with recall. It would allow voters to recall a city elected officials only after the official has served at least one year in office.
Amendment No. 6 deals with a transition schedule. It would repeal all prior charter provisions inconsistent with the present charter and amendments approved on Nov. 4.
Amendment No. 7 deals with scheduling. It asks whether to continue holding municipal elections in April of even-numbered years.
All West Miami qualified residents shall be eligible to vote. Polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m Nov. 4. For more information on the questions visit cityofwestmiamifl.com.
This story was originally published October 13, 2014 at 4:56 PM with the headline "West Miami voters to consider charter changes."