Sarasota Charter Review Board District 1: Samantha Medred

Name: Samantha Medred

Age: 33

Family: Joe (Husband), Bo (son) and Savannah (daughter)

Bio:

Samantha Medred has grown up in the area since childhood, living in Sarasota for the past 10 years. She attended Florida State University and graduated with honors, with a degree in civil engineering. 

After graduating, she worked as an engineer before opening her own business. Since then she has become a licensed certified general appraiser and currently serves as a director of a real estate appraisal firm. Medred has been involved in the community and has served on nonprofit organizations throughout the years. 

Why do you want to serve on the Charter Review Board? 

We are fortunate to have our own charter, and I believe it is important that the board operates as it was originally intended for. My duty would be to make sure that the board does not overstep its authority and that the citizens of Sarasota are well represented 

I love our community and want our county to continue to prosper. I have two young children I am raising here, and I want to work to ensure that our area is somewhere they want to live when they grow up. 

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term? 

1. Ensure that the CRB is operating exactly as established in the charter;
2. Ensure that meeting time is spent with the citizens of Sarasota County in mind; and 
3. Be open-minded and studious in all matters that come before you.

Where do you stand: Should the Charter Review Board be proactive initiating changes to charter, or should the board make recommendations based on voter desires and ideas brought to the board? 

The Charter Review Board has the ability to serve both purposes, though I don’t believe the board is intended to be an "activist" board. The primary purpose is to serve the voters of Sarasota County. 

What is your position on turning the Charter Review Board into an appointed position rather than an elected office?

I am fine with the board remaining an elected position. This enables voters to have input on who represents their interests on the board. 

What, if anything, in your view, needs to be updated/changed in the county charter?

I do not believe in change for the sake of change. 

At this point, I do not see any matters that need to be changed but pledge to be open-minded to others who may differ in this perspective

The CRB has been discussing changes to the charter amendment process. What’s your position on that? 

The charter review board is currently proposing a potential amendment that would bring additional transparency to the petition process by requiring a financial impact statement with each submission as well as provide an opportunity for the petitioner to appear before the board to discuss the petition in further detail. I am in support of this amendment because it would provide the taxpayers a greater understanding of the impacts of any potential amendment. 

What are your comments about reforming the CRB, so it mirrors the State Constitutional Revision Commission — appointed members every 10 or 20 years to review the charter, rather than the existing system of elected members who serve four-year terms? 

I am interested in the history of the CRB and researching other Charter Review Boards in the state. Sarasota County should have the most effective process for all of government, including our Charter Review Board.