Longboat Charter Review: small changes, big implications?

Recommendations on changing the timing and methods of elections on Longboat Key are heading to the Town Commission.

Those ideas, and other suggested changes submitted by the town’s Charter Review Committee, will be considered by the Commission for a spot on the March 2018 ballot.

Many of the committee’s recommendations are small, such as adjustments to language or the deletion of sections already covered by state statutes, but some suggestions have larger implications, including:

• Changing the mix of at-large and district commission seats from five districts and two at-large to four districts and three at-large;
• Moving elections from March to November; and
• Allowing commissioners to hold office for two consecutive three-year terms instead of three consecutive two-year terms.

When it comes to redistricting, former Commissioner Dave Brenner said he understands the plan was put forth to increase resident participation in town government, but said he believes more research needs to be done.

“Changing districts is a very tricky business,” Brenner said.

Foremost, Brenner said, more information must be available indicating which residents are voting, which residents are involving themselves in Key issues and how many citizens see themselves as vacationers rather than residents. Then, those statistics can be used to determine the best means to increase public participation, Brenner said.

Former Commissioner Lynn Larson also expressed concern for the redistricting proposal.

“One portion of the Key could dominate,” Larson said, noting four commissioners could be from the same neighborhood if all three at-large candidates won seats from within the same commission district. “I think that’s wrong, but that’s my opinion.”

Planning and Zoning Board Chairwoman B.J. Bishop said the redistricting idea “has some merit,” noting the higher number of contested at-large commission races compared to district races in recent years. However, she opposes the idea of November elections.

To make her case, Bishop points to the political climate of Leesburg, Va., where Bishop served as mayor, after the town made a similar change.

“It’s been an unmitigated disaster,” Bishop said.

Combining town elections with state and national races intensified partisan politics at a local level, Bishop said, making for a more divisive political climate. She worries the same would happen on the Key.

Bishop also noted November elections would mean an increase in uninformed voters when it comes to local issues because they might be drawn to the polls by higher-profile elections for statewide office, Congress or president.

Larson shares Bishop’s disapproval for the idea, mentioning that fewer voters are on the Key in November compared to March. From her own experience running for office, she said it’s vital for candidates to connect with voters in-person.

Larson said the town might benefit financially from November elections, but she called the cost of holding them during the season is “the price of democracy.”

See ya in 2027

Since April, a panel made up of two former commissioners and three newcomers to Longboat Key governance have fielded, generated and discussed proposals to amend the town’s charter, which serves as a basic document under which the municipality operates, much like the constitution of a state. The process is done every 10 years. The panel held its last meeting on June 16.