Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 5, 2015 11:05 a.m.
On second and final reading at its August 4, 2015 Regular Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) approved sending two questions to city voters on the November Ballot:
Question One would change the City Charter by moving elections from every year to every two years to coincide with state and county elections. The change would eliminate annual elections beginning with 2017 and not affect any current City Commissioner’s term. Changing commissioners’ terms from three to four years would bring their terms in line with those of Nassau County Commissioners and Nassau County School Board Members. This would mean that the term of the Mayor would change from one year to two years also. The chart below shows when each particular group change would take effect:
| Incumbent | Current Term—3 years | 2015 Election | 2016 Election | 2017 Election | 2018Election | 2019No Election | 2020 Election |
| Group 1:Johnny Miller | 2013-2016 | 4 years(2016-20) | 4 years (2020-2024) | ||||
| Group 2:Tim Poynter | 2014-2017 | 3 years(2017-20) | 4 years (2020-2024) | ||||
| Group 3:Robin Lentz | 2014-2017 | 3 years(2017-20) | 4 years (2020-2024) | ||||
| Group 4:Ed Boner | 2012-2015 | 3 years2015-18) | 4 years (2018-22) | ||||
| Group 5:Pat Gass | 2012-2015 | 3 year2015-18) | 4 years (2018-22) |
Note that Groups 2 and 3 would not convert to 4-year terms until 2020, and that the first year that would not see an election for city commission is 2019. Under the charter’s term limit provision, neither current Commissioner Tim Poynter (Group 2) nor current Commissioner Robin Lentz (Group 3) would be eligible to seek re-election to a 4-year term. The change would have no bearing on Commissioners Ed Boner (Group 4) and Pat Gass (Group 5) whose seats are up for election this year. Candidates winning election to those seats will serve 3 years, since 4-year terms—if approved via the referendum–would not kick in until 2018. Boner has announced that he is not seeking re-election, and Gass has not announced her intentions at this time.
All current commissioners voted in favor of placing this item on the ballot, citing hopes that eliminating annual elections will add stability to the commission and city government while saving the relatively small cost of odd-year annual elections ($13,000) and saving work for the Office of City Clerk in advising and training candidates every year.
During public comment, only one citizen—Lynn Williams—spoke against the shift to 4-year terms, citing fear that such a change could lead toward too rapid a change in direction of the city, should 3 commissioners be elected in one cycle. He suggested instead that the commissioners adopt a 5-year term, with one commissioner elected every year. The Commission was not persuaded by his arguments.
Question 2 is a housekeeping change to the City Charter necessitated by the city’s change of election cycle from spring to coincide with the county and state November election cycle. The annual organization meeting is conducted following the November election and any run-off election. During that meeting commissioners formally elect the Mayor and Vice Mayor among other items of business.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Sometimes longtime consistency is needed for survival. Now is a better time to restructure and reinforce the building than an infinite number of times of constant bickering and demolition. Suanne makes a critical point about what it takes to build for a long term future, starting here – and now.
What happened to the term limit question that is mentioned in the minutes of the city commission meeting?
During earlier meetings commissioners talked about two other possibilities: requiring a super majority vote to terminate the city manager; and eliminating the current 2-term (consecutive) limit. Ultimately they decided not pursue those ballot questions at this time. The term limit question has been put to voters at least twice in recent years. Voters soundly rejected the proposal both times, to the best of my recollection.
thank you Suanne.
Terms that coincide with the County Commissioners might be beneficial for any number of reasons not the least of which is time not being wasted “getting up to speed” with issues, agendas, and other folks everyone needs to work with. So far, great cooperation between Vice Mayor Johnny Miller and County on beach litter issue. Would hate to see something like that interrupted.
I’d like to point out that there have been several referendums in the past to change City Commissioner terms. To date they have all been voted down. Accelerated growth vs “quality of life” is the age old struggle in our faster-paced modern world. In the past, many of our elected officials brought a strong pro-growth real estate aspect to the Commission which culminated in intensifying local land uses. It’s not hard to remember Commissioners where all one could do was to wait with bated breath for their 3 year term to be completed. From my way of thinking, 4 years is an interminably long time when poor decisions are being made. I, for one, find it disconcerting that once again this is going to be placed on the ballot. To me, there are not only questions of what to change but, of equal importance, of what not to change, as some tempting innovations are often fraught with hidden costs. Perhaps more than the $13,000 it costs to hold more frequent elections.