Commissioner Tim Reed Votes Against Bond Referendum

At last night’s Special Town Commission Meeting, Commissioner Tim Reed single-handedly squelched the bond referendum from being placed on the November ballot. The residents of the Town of Melbourne Beach cannot voice their votes in November due to the referendum being sabotaged by Commissioner Reed.

Town Manager Marie Smith placed the item on the agenda for Commission approval. The Town Manager explained, in detail, the background information of the Town’s last General Obligation Bond and the reasons why the Town uses debt instruments such as this for major capital projects. The Town Manager noted in her report that this Commission agreed in June to move forward with the $5 Million G.O. Bond and authorized the hiring of a fiduciary advisor (PFM.com) to prepare the resolution for the ballot. A representative from PFM was in attendance and presented his findings and recommendation to the Commission.

CLICK HERE to read the Agenda item with the Town Manager’s summary and the proposed Resolution. (12 pages)

For the General Obligation Bond to move forward, the Commission must vote in favor of the resolution language and ballot language (attached). The process moving forward is also spelled out in the resolution and will be handled by town staff in conjunction with PFM and bond counsel. Town Attorney, Ryan Knight, has also reviewed the resolution and ballot language for legal sufficiency. Recommend voting in favor of the Resolution and Ballot language.

Commissioner Tim Reed seems to be following in Mayor Dennington’s footsteps with his behavior of questioning minutia of the language in the document. He “wasn’t happy” with the, interest at a rate not to exceed the maximum lawful rate of the bond EVEN THOUGH the representative gave an explanation to this language as well as the opportunity to massage the language to satisfy Commissioner Reed’s hesitation. Commissioner Reed offered nothing as a solution or an option for different language, he flatly just voted NAY to move forward with the Resolution.

This contrarian behavior does NOT serve the needs of the Town and its residents.

Commissioner Reed needs to be brought to task on this injustice to the residents of the Town of Melbourne Beach to allow THEM the opportunity to vote on the November ballot whether or not to pass the Resolution for the Bond. The Commission’s job was to approve the language of the Resolution. Period. Not to decide to squelch the resolution from appearing on the ballot altogether!

Commissioners Butler and Quarrie were present and in favor of approving the language. Residents from the audience spoke in favor of the resolution. The only person opposed was Tim Reed. He offered no explanation, no compromise, no solution. What, or WHO, is behind him? Does he not understand how things work? Does he think he is smarter than everyone else? Does he simply want a stalemate?

It is important to note that there were only three Commissioners at the meeting and a total of at least three votes are needed to pass a motion. Even though it was still a majority vote of 2-1, the item could not pass unless all three Commissioners that were present voted in favor. Vice Mayor Terry Cronin was absent due to a family wedding.

To contact Commissioner Tim Reed, you can email him at: treed@melbournebeachfl.org

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