Ballot Amendments

In an effort to help residents make an informed decision on how to vote for the eleven Charter amendments that are on the Melbourne Beach November ballot, Truth and Accuracy Matter offers the following guide. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email us at: TruthandAccuracyMatter@gmail.com

Question #1: YES

Increases residency requirement for Commission candidates to: 12 months, instead of 6 months. Also includes a clarification for reasons for removal from Commission to include the words, ‘malfeasance, or misfeasance,’ instead of ‘a crime of moral turpitude.’

Question #2: YES

Clarifies that an elected Commissioner shall assume office at the next ‘regular Town Commission meeting,’ instead of the next ‘official meeting.’ Also changes the amount of time that an elected official may not serve on Commission from ‘one year (365 days)’ to: ‘eleven (11) months.’

Question #3: YES

Clarifies the time period that an appointed Commissioner shall serve by recognizing the qualifying period for the next election at the time of vacancy.

Question #4: YES

Clarifies that candidates receiving the largest number of votes to be elected are given the longest terms.

Question #5: YES

Removes the Town Commission’s authority to appoint, suspend, or remove the Town Clerk.

Question #6: YES

Removes the Town Commission’s authority to fix the salary of the Town Clerk.

Question #7: YES

Clarifies that the reasons for the Vice Mayor to assume the duties of the Mayor until the next general election shall also include, ‘or if the Mayor is unable or unwilling.’

Question #8: YES

Clarifies the requirement for the Commission to adjourn when the possibility of less than a quorum is present, a vote must still be taken.

Question #9: YES

Clarifies the wording for the Commission’s approval of the Town Attorney’s salary to include the words, ‘and/or contract.’ Also removes Town Attorney’s duty to ‘be prosecutor in the Town Court.’

Question #10: YES

Clarifies unacceptable gifts to Town officers or employees to be defined by Florida Statutes, and further identifies said gift to include, ‘item, whether tangible or intangible.’

Question #11: YES

Replaces verbiage in entire Town Charter from “HE” and “HIS” to include “HE or SHE” and “HIS or HER.”