HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 2008-308
ORDINANCE NO. 2008 - 30cg
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH,
FLO RID A, AMENDING THE CITY CHARTER AND CITY CODE
OF ORDINANCES TO CHANGE THE DATES OF GENERAL
AND RUN-OFF ELECTIONS OF THE CITY AND FOR THE
RELATED EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE AND
THE ALLOWED LENGTH OF SERVICE; PROVIDING
REQUISITE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR SUBMISSION TO THE
ELECTORATE; CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CHARTER TO
BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008; PROVIDING FOR
NOTICE OF ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR BALLOT
ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE
CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL, CONFLICTS,
SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections has recommended
that the City of Sunny Isles Beach consider revising the date of its regular General Election
and Run-Off Election to coincide with a county-wide election; and
WHEREAS, as such the City Commission proposes to change the date of the City's
General Election from the second Tuesday following the first Monday in November in odd-
numbered years to even numbered years in conjunction with countywide elections; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that considerable cost savings will result
for the City by revising the City's general election dates as described above, and further
finds that the election date revision may serve to enhance voter participation in the City's
electoral process; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to amend the City Charter in order to
implement the above-described City general election date change and the corresponding
extension of the term of office and length of service which is necessary for an orderly
transition of the election date change; and
WHEREAS, Section 6.1 of the City Charter and Section 6.03 of the Miami-Dade
County Charter, provides the manner in which Charter amendments shall be proposed; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to submit this proposed Charter
amendment for approval or rejection by the electors; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to law, the electors of the City shall have the power to
approve or reject at the polls any ordinance submitted by the City Commission to a vote of the
electors.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The foregoing "WHEREAS' clauses are hereby
ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part by this
Ordinance upon adoption thereof.
Section 2. Charter Amendments. That pursuant to Section 6.01 (a)(i) of the City
Charter and Section 6.03 of the Miami-Oade County Charter, the City Charter of the
City of Sunny Isles Beach is hereby amended by amending subsection (a) of Section
2.3 and subsection (c) of Section 5.1 of the City Charter, as described below in Parts A
and B, to read as follows:
Part A. Subsection (a) "Election and term of Office: Section 2.3 (a) of the City
Charter of the City of Sunny Isles Beach is hereby amended to read as follows:
(1) (a) Election and Term of Office. Each Commissioner and the Mayor shall be
elected at-large for four year terms by the electors of the City in the manner provided in
Article 5 of this Charter. The four year term length for each Commissioner and the
Mayor which is provided for in this section shall be extended as necessary to
accomplish the election date revision made pursuant to Section 5.1 (c) of this Charter.
Accordingly, the terms of office of the Mayor and City Commissioners which would
otherwise expire in November 2009 shall instead expire in 2010 and the terms of office
of the City Commissioners which would otherwise expire in November of 2011 shall
instead expire in 2012.
Part B. Subsection (c) "Elections" Section 5.1 (c) of the City Charter of the City of
Sunny Isles Beach is hereby amended to read as follows:
Election Oates. Commencing in the year 2010 and thereafter, A the City's general election
shall be held in each odd numbered year on the second Tuesday following the first
Monday in November in even-numbered years in November. A run-off election, if necessary,
shall be held in December. In the event an election date falls on a religious holiday, the
City Commission may, by ordinance, change the dates for qualifying and for the election.
The terms of the sitting officials shall be extended to as necessary to accomplish the
election date revision made pursuant to this Section in accordance with Section 2.3 of the
Charter.
Section 3. Election Called. A special election is hereby called, and to be held on
Tuesday, the 4th day of November, 2008, to present to the qualified electors of the City of
Sunny Isles Beach, the ballot questions provided below in Section 4 of this Ordinance.
2
Section 4. Form of Ballot.
A. The form of ballot for the Charter Amendments provided for in Section 2 of
this Ordinance shall be substantially, as follows:
Elections Dates
The City Charter currently provides that the City's general election be held in
November of odd-numbered years and that the run-off, if necessary, be held
the December following. It is proposed that the Charter be amended to
provide that the City's general elections be held in even-numbered years in
November in coni unction with elections held by Miami-Dade County, and that
the terms of all currently sitting elected officials be extended to accomplish
this goal.
Shall the above described amendment be adopted?
Yes [ ]
No []
B. The City Commission may revise the ballot form which is set forth above
by Resolution.
Section 5. Ballotine: and Canvassine:.
A. The balloting shall be conducted on Tuesday, November 4, 2008,
between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. at the regular polling places
provided for elections in the City. Absentee balloting shall be available as
authorized by law. Early voting pursuant to Section 101.657, Florida
Statutes, shall be provided. All qualified City electors who are timely
registered in accordance with law shall be entitled to vote.
B. The City Clerk is authorized to obtain any necessary election
administration services from the Miami-Oade County Supervisor of
Elections. The City Clerk and the County Supervisor of Elections are
hereby authorized to tall appropriate action necessary to carry into effect
and accomplish the electoral provisions of this Ordinance. This Special
Election shall be canvassed pursuant to the City Charter and City Code,
unless otherwise provided by law.
Section 6. Notice of Election. The City Commission hereby directs the City Clerk to
publish the notices of said election in accordance with Section 100.342, Florida Statutes, in
a newspaper of general circulation within the City at least thirty (30) days prior to said
election, and the notice shall be in substantially the following form:
3
"NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION"
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT PURSUANT TO
ORDINANCE NO. ADOPTED BY THE CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA,
A SPECIAL ELECTION HAS BEEN CALLEO AND ORDEREO TO
BE HELD WITHIN THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH ON
TUESOA Y, THE 4TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008, BETWEEN THE
HOURS OF 7:00 A.M. AND 7:00 P.M., AT WHICH TIME THE
FOLLOWING CHARTER AMENOMENT PROPOSALS SHALL BE
SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIEO ELECTORS OF THE CITY FOR
APPROV AL OR REJECTION.
Elections Dates
The City Charter currently provides that general elections be held in November
of odd-numbered years and that the run-off, if necessary, be held the
December following. It is proposed that the Charter be amended to provide
that the City's General elections be held in even-numbered years in November
in coni unction with elections held by Miami-Oade County and that the terms
of all currently sitting elected officials be extended to accomplish this goal.
Shall the above described amendment be adopted?
Yes [ ]
No []
The full text of the proposed Charter Amendments is available at the Office of the
City Clerk located at 18070 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160.
Section 8. Copies. The place, information, and the full text of the proposed City Charter
Amendments are available at the office of the City Clerk at 18070 Collins Avenue, Sunny
Isles Beach, Florida. Copies of this Ordinance providing for the Charter Amendments
subject to this referendum approval is on file in the office of the City Clerk and available
for public inspection during regular business hours.
Section 9. Effectiveness. The Charter Amendments provided for in Section 2 above shall
become effective if the majority of the qualified electors voting on the Charter Amendment
vote for its adoption, and it shall be considered adopted and effective upon certification of
the election results. Following adoption of the Charter Amendments, the City Clerk shall
file the adopted Charter Amendment with the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Miami-Oade
County, Florida.
4
----I
Section 10. Severability. If any section, subsection, clause or provision of this Ordinance
is declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder
shall not be affected by such invalidity.
Section 11. Inclusion In The Charter. It is the intention of the City Commission, and it
is hereby provided that the Charter Amendment become and be made a part of the Charter
of the City of Sunny Isles Beach; that the sections of this Ordinance may be renumbered or
re-lettered to accomplish such intentions.
Section 12. Effective Date of this Ordinance. This Ordinance shall become effective
immediately upon adoption on second reading.
PASSED and ADOPTED on First Reading the ~ day of ~Li ~l 2008.
~
PASSED and ADOPTED on Second Reading this J.L day of ~lA l Y 2008.
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, ATTEST:
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Jane A. Hines, CMC, City Clerk
Moved by: V l C.R. (Y\ ~Cl r lH J\L ie
Second by: ('.ohvrN.~ tR~z..JN
VOTE AS FOLLOWS:
Mayor Edelcup
Vice Mayor Thaler
Commissioner Brezin
Commissioner Goodman
Commissioner Scholl
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CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Commission ot the City of
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, will hold a publiC hearing in the Sunny Isles
Beach Government Center, David P. Samson Commission Chambers,
18070 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, on Thursday, July
17, 200B, at 6:30 p.m., to consider final adoption ot the following
proposed Ordinances:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 2.3 (B)
"RESIDENTIAL AREAS" TO PERMIT THE REDRAWING OF
RESIDENTIAL VOTING AREAS BOUNDARIES BY ORDINANCE
BASED ON POPULATIDN GROWTH; AMENDING SECTION 2.3(B)
TO CONVERT THE AT-LARGE SEAT ON THE CITY COMMISSION
TO A RESIDENTIAL VOTING AREA SEAT; PROVIDING FOR
REQUISITE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR SUBMISSION TO THE
ELECTORATE; PROVIDING FOR COPIES OF THE CHARTER
AMENDMENT TO BE AVAIlABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION;
CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION ON THE PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CHARTER TO BE HELD IN
CONJUNCTIDN WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESOAY,
NOVEMBER 4, 2008; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF ELECTION;
PROVIDING FOR BALLOTING AND ELECTION PROCEDURES;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN
THE CHARTER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY
ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CiTY CHARTER AND CITY
CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CHANGE THE DATES OF GENERAL
ANO RUN-OFF ELECTIONS OF THE CITY AND FOR THE RELATED
EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE AND THEALLOWED LENGTH
OF SERVICE; PROVIDING REQUISITE BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR
SUBMISSION TO THE ELECTORATE; CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION
ON THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY CHARTER
TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008; PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF
ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR BALLOT ELECTION; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION IN THE CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL, CONFLICTS,
SEVERABILITY, CODiFICATION AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
N ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY
ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 256 BY CREATING
A NEW ARTICLE ENTITLED .THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH
DANGEROUS INTERSECTION SAFETY ACT"; PROVIDING FOR
RECORDED IMAGE MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT OF RED
LIGHT INFRACTIONS, AND FOR RELATED PROCEDURES AND
PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR
INCLUSION IN THE CODE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Inquiries regarding these items may be directed to the City Clerk at
305-792-1703. Copies of these documents are available tor public
inspection during normal business hours in City Hall.
Jane A. Hines, CMC. City Clerk
All persons are invited to appear at this meeting or be represented by an
agent, or to express their views in writing addressed to the City Commission
c/o the City Clerk, City of Sunny Isles Beach, 18070CollinsAvenue, Sunny Isles
Beach, Florida, 33160.Any person wishing to address the City Commission at
a public hearing is asked to register with the City Clerk by completing a publiC
speakers' card prior to the item being heard. The hearing on these matters
may be continued at this meeting and under such circumstances, additional
legal notice would not be provided. If a person decides to appeal any decision
made hy the City Commission wilh respecl 10 any matter considered at such
meeting, they will need a record at the proceedings and, for such purJXlse.
may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. which
record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be
based. This notice does not constitute consent by the City for introduction
or admission of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it
authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed by law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons who are
disabled and who need special accommodations to participate in this meeting
because at that disahility shouid conlact Ihe Ci\'j Manage' at 305-947 -0606,
no later than 48 hours prior to the proceedings; it hearing impaired, please
telephone the m line at 305-792-1590 tor assistance.
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TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33 160
(305) 947-0606 City Hall
(305) 949-3113 Fax
(305) 947-2150 Building Department
(305) 947-5107 Fax
City Commission
Norman S. Edelcup, Mayor
Lewis .J. Thaler, Vice Mayor
Gerry Goodman, Commissioner
Roslyn Brezin, Commissioner
George "Bud" Scholl, Commissioner
A. .John Szcrlag, City Manager
lIans Ottinot, City Attorney
Jane A. Hines, CMC, City Clerk
MEMORANDUM
The Honorable City commis~~
Hans Ottinot, City Attornew \j
June 19,2008
Ordinance Proposing a Charter Amendment to Consolidate the City Election
with Countywide Elections.
Recommendation:
The attached Ordinance is presented for your consideration.
Reasons:
Miami-Oade County Supervisor of Elections, Lester Solar, and the Board of County
Commissioners have requested that municipalities in Miami-Oade County consolidate their
elections with countywide elections. As indicated by the attached memorandum from the
County Manager, George Burgess, Miami-Oade County is the only county in the State of Florida
with an unconsolidated elections calendar.
As indicated by the attached memorandum from the City Clerk's Office, consolidating the City's
elections with county wide elections has several major benefits. These benefits include cost
savings and increased voter's participation. More precisely, the City Clerk has noted the City
will save at least $38,000.00 annually if the City's election is held in conjunction with
countywide elections.
In order to consolidate the City's election with countywide elections, the City Commission must
amend the Charter of the City to accomplish this goal. The attached Ordinance provides for a
charter amendment to move the City's election dates. The attached Ordinance also provides for a
one year extension of existing terms of the elected officials to facilitate the consolidating of the
City's election with county wide elections.
/attachment
Agenda Item q ~
Oate { - J 7 ~ D~
OF SUtol
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160
(305) 947-0606 City Hall
(305) 949-3113 Fax
(305) 947-2150 Building Department
(305) 947-5107 Fax
//
City Commission
Norman S. Edelcup, Mayor
Lewis J. Thaler, Vice Mayor
Roslyn Brezin, Commissioner
Gerry Goodman, Commissioner
George "Bud" Scholl, Commissioner
A. John Szerlag, City Managel
Hans Ottinot, City Attome)
Jane A. Hines, CMC, City ClerJ
MEMORANDUM
TO: A. John Szerlag, City Manager
Hans Ottinot, City Attorney .
FROM: Jane A. Hines, CMC, City Cler~ ~~
Priscilla Walker, CMC, Deputy City ClerkX-\.
DATE: June 16,2008
RE: Consolidated Elections Meeting with Miami-Dade County Elections Department
On May 5, 2008, the Miami-Dade County Elections Department ("Elections") held a roundtable
discussion on consolidating municipal elections. Elections referenced a new State law
mandating that all voting must be by mark-sense ballots utilizing a marking device for the
purpose of designating ballot selections (i.e., paper ballot). As such, Elections purchased new
optical scanning voting equipment that produces a paper ballot on which voters will "bubble- in"
their selections and then scan and deposit their ballots in a locked container. The new equipment
costs $12 million dollars, and Elections will "pass on" this cost to municipalities on a pro rata
basis, based on amount of usage for non-County elections.
Last year, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa sponsored legislation requesting the
County Manager research the feasibility of consolidating municipal elections to one day or
conducting municipal elections in conjunction with County elections, as a cost-saving measure.
The County Manager found that consolidation was feasible and desirable.
Supervisor of Elections Lester Sola advised that the State gave the County $5 million dollars for
the old voting machines and that the County may get more, depending upon the amount the State
sells the machines for. Further, he advised that municipalities piggybacking the August and
November elections this year will realize increased elections costs.
Elections provided the 2005 estimated cost for a Sunny Isles Beach stand-alone election as
$16,661.80 (see Attachment "A"). Elections also provided the projected election costs for the
City for 2008 as follows:
r........C"....l;rl...,....rl ~1""r1";........t' \,K,.,...1) "'......... l..A""...........
A. John Szerlag
Hans Ottinot
June 16,2008
Page 2
Additional points addressed include the following:
. Miami-Dade is the only county in the State that does not have consolidated municipal
elections;
. Broward County's municipal elections are held on the same day in either February or
March in odd years and March in even years;
. Palm Beach County's municipal elections are held on the same day m March in odd
years, with no municipal elections held in even years;
. Miami-Dade conducts an average of 30 elections per year;
. Early voting sites will have approximately five (5) machines and Elections will be
pushing early voting;
. V oting ballots will be generated according to the address of the voter, to eliminate voters
receiving the wrong ballot;
. County elections are scheduled for August and November and municipalities can use
these for their municipal and subsequent run-off elections;
. Cities that piggyback County elections only pay for programming costs;
. Municipalities are requested to consider making this change in 2009, if a charter
amendment is necessary; and
. Elections will give media support to receptive municipalities who are questioned why
they are making the change.
In sum, Elections advised that there IS a significant cost-savings to municipalities who
consolidate their elections or piggyback a countywide election. The cost-savings for
consolidated elections, however, is dependent upon the number of participating municipalities.
Lastly, Elections stressed that "consolidation" is a request and not a requirement, but cautioned
that municipalities will bear increased costs for stand-alone elections.
A copy of the County Manager's report is attached hereto as Attachment "B" for your reference.
/pw
Attachments
cc: Jorge L. Vera, Assistant City Manager/Services
Ooug Haag, Assistant City Manager/Finance
Mauricio Betancur, Administrative Coordinator II
Consolidated Elections Mtg Recap Memo
Customer I
Name
Address
City
Contact
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FilE COpy
Miami-Dade County Elections Department
2700 NW 87th A venue
Miami, Florida 33172
Invoice No. S18-110805
INVOICE
Misc
City of Sunny Isles Bea~_.___._.._______._
18070 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach State FL._ ZIP 33160
Attenti~~:_ Jane ~: Hines, Clerk .__
Date
Order No_
Rep
FOB
----~_._----_._-- -
. .
Qty _ Description
:Municipal Election -1118/05 - 8,162 Registered Voters
373
5
'INVOICE
11/3012005
Unit Price
TOTAL
5
5
TrucksIFleet Costs
Ballot Printing/Shipping Charges
: Polling location Rental
,Absentee Ballot Postage Charges
: Precinct Supplies
: Ballot CreationfT abulation
; labor/Overtime (Seasonal)
: labor/Overtime (Staff)
! Poll Worker Recruitment and Payroll
\ Election Specialist Telephone Charges
'Precinct Telephone Activation Charges
,Security Costs
1$
i$
'$
0.60 i $
50.00 $
:$
:$
:$
1$
15.00 : $
30.00 i $
i$
I
:$
1$
i$
$
i
L.___.____._.__i.....__.__._._..___________. ______.______________"_________ __~
Payment I
1,134.00
460.00
2.000.00
223.80 !
250.00 i
1,200.00 f
4,505.00
1,525.00 :
4,837.00 I
75.00 .
150.00 ;
302.00 :
--+------~
SubTotal i $ 16,661.80 i
~-'-------j
Shipping i .J
Tax Rate(s)
,
I
TOTAL 1$
Comments Pleas~make check payable to the
Board of C...Q~~!Y_,g~~~J..~~~~.r.s and.___
~~!}d to Mar.ia Sab...9ya, D~~!y""--'___
Sup~ryi~or, Fin.~!:,.~_~nd Adml~l::;tratl9.!!.._
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16,661.80 I
A +-I-'/"~.t j, '-",,0 ,,\..1.
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~emorandum __
Agenda Item No. 12(B)1
Date:
February 5, 2008
To:
From:
Honorable Bruno A. Barreiro, Chairperson
and Members, Boa:~ Commlsslonsrs
George M. Burgess ~~
County Manager _ ~
Report on the Feasibility of Consolidating Municipal Elections
Subject:
This Information Is provided in response to Resolution R-1135-07 adopted by the Board of County
Commissioners on October 2, 2007, requesting the feaSibility and advisability of consolidating
municipal elections onto one day or conducting municipal elections In conjunction with countywide
elections. The Elections Department was charged with reviewing the current elections calendar and
Identifying whether the consolidation of municipal elections would result In a more efficient use of
public resources and higher voter participation.
This is a topic that the Supervisor of Elections had previously discussed with my staff as It was
believed that a consolidation was beneficial from both an operational standpoint as well as for the
voters of Miami-Dade County. Upon passage of R-1135-07, a more comprehensive review of this
Issue was undertaken, and It was found that the con.ol/datlon of munIcIpal electlona la both
feasIble and de.lrable. However, municipal charter amendments will be necessary in order to
move election dates, thus cooperation from each municipality will be necessary.
Backaround
Miami-Dade Is the only county In the State of Florida with an unconsolidated elections calendar,
Each of the County's 35 municipalities' election dates Is set by the municipality's charter without
Input from the County. Currently, their elections take place on varIous dates throughout both even
and odd years. There are only a handful of municipalities that share the same date. Other counties
require municipalities to hold their elections In conjunction with each other. For example, Broward
County's municipal elections are consolidated and held on the same day In either February or March
in odd years and in March In even years. Palm Beach County's municipal elections are consolidated
and held on the same day In March in odd years with no municipal elections In even years. In vast
comparison, the Miami-Dade Elections Department conducts approximately 30 elections per year. In
2007, July was the only month In which an election did not take place.
Consolidating municipal elections In Miami-Dade County Is both feasible and desirable, and can be
accomplished In two ways - consolidating onto one day not In conjunction with a countywide election
or consolidating In conjunction with a countywide election. Both scenarios will result In a cost
savings to the municipality for services provided by the Elections Department and a cost savings to
the County for Elections personnel. Of most Importance Is the Increased voter participation that will
be realized, which Is a direct benefit to both the municipalities and the County. It Is too common that
Important local Issues are decided upon by a small minority of the electorate. Even If the municipal
races or Issues are Impacted as a result of their placement towards the end of the ballot, the number
of voters deciding an Issue will be significantly higher than In "stand-alone" elections.
There are three scenarios for conducting a municipal election:
Option 1: Stand-alone election
In this option, the election date Is unique to the municipality. The costs Incurred by each muniCipality
to hold a stand-alone election are the actual costs Incurred by the Elections Department. One
hundred percent of the costs associated with election-related services such as ballot programming,
/
Honorable Bruno A. Barreiro, Chairperson,
and ~y18mbsr81 Board of County Commlsalonais
Page 2
translation, printing, tabulation, equipment delivery, poll worker pay and overtime costs are passed
onto the municipality In this scenario.
Option 2: Consolidated, not In conjunction with a countywide election
Municipalities share the same election date, which Is dIfferent from a countywide election date. The
costs incurred by each municipality to hold Its election on the same day Is significantly reduced
because the costs stated above are divided among the municipalities and are calculated by using
the municipality's percentage of total registered voters. -
Option 3: Consolidated, and In conjunction with a countywIde election
Municipalities share the same election date as a countywide election. The cost Incurred by each
municipality to hold Its election In conjunction with a countywide election Is most dramatically
reduced because the County Is responsible for the costs associated with that election. The
municipalities Incur minimal costs associated with ballot programming, translation, and ballot printing
only. All other costs are absorbed by the Elections Department.
Table 1 (attached) shows the cost comparison of the three scenarios stated above. Not Included In
Table 1 Is the cost for Early Voting. Should a municipality opt to offer Early Voting during option 1 or
2, the cost would be Increased accordingly. In contrast, municipalities can offer Early Voting at no
additional cost when held In conjunction with a countywide election (option 3), should the
municipality utilize the County's 20 predetermined Early Voting locations. This Is a service already
offered and paid for by the County.
The municipalities denoted with an asterisk will only realize a cost savings If their elections are
consolidated onto a countywide election (option 3). ThIs Is due to the formula used to calculate
election costs, which Is based on the number of registered voters In each municIpality. For Instance,
these cities may not require additional support such as truck rental and seasonal personnel costs
during their stand alone election. However, In a consolidated election, not In conjunction with a
countywide election (option 2), this support Is required and these additional costs are divided among
all the participating municipalities. These municipalities would stili realize a benefit from JoIning a
consolidated calendar because of the higher voter participation. While the cost associated with
conducting the election Is higher, the actual cost per voter Is less.
The County will also benefit from a consolidated elections schedule. A cost savings will be realized
as the only cost not passed onto municipalities for conducting their elections Is for personnel during
regular County office hours. Currently, seasonal staff must be hired for varying Intervals throughout
the year In order to conduct the numerous stand-alone elections. If the elections calendar Is
consolidated, the number of staff needed and duration of their employment will be significantly
reduced. Subsequently, the Elections Department personnel budget would be reduced accordingly.
This approach makes sense from an operational and logistical perspective. While the department Is
accustomed to conducting various elections, continuing to hold elections In this manner will become
more complex due to the recent mandate to convert to optical scan technology. The planning and
preparation that Is required to hold an election will be more extensive and will require additional time
to print paper ballots. This will become extremely challenging considering the short time frames
between currently scheduled elections.
The Increase In voter turnout that will result from a consolidated elections calendar Is another
compelling factor. Historically, municipalities holding elections In conjunction with countywide
elections experience higher turnout. The successful experiences of our neighborIng counties. as well
as those across the countryl prove the same will occur In Miami-Dade County. There are many
Instances within our county where these results repeatedly occur. ThIs Is apparent from lookIng at
voter turnout In 2006. Table 2 (attached) shows the comparIson of voter turnout In stand-alone
elections versus countywide elections that contained municipal questlon(s) only months apart.
cJ
Honorable Bruno A. Barreiro, Chairperson,
and Members, Soard of County Commlsslonais
Page 3
This Increase can be attributed to several factors. First, voters typically know when countywide
elections are being held due to the wide-spread media attention Inherent In large elections. In
addition, the Elections Department launches Its own awareness campaigns via television, radio, and
newspaper and holds hundreds of outreach events throughout the community. These are
opportunities that municipalities can benefit from should their elections occur on the same date.
Having a single election date for all municipalities will allow for enhanced media exposure. The
County and municipalities can spend advertising dollars on a single, shared election date, resulting
In a much farther reaching audience and therefore contributing to higher turnout. Should the
municipalities piggyback onto a countywide election, voters will only have to remember major
election dates thereby Increasing the likelihood of their participation. Granting voters the ability to
vote on all Issues, both local and beyond at once, will further ensure their voices will be heard on all
Important Issues. I understand, however, that there are Instances when a stand-alone election Is not
only required, but prudent. There are times when a municipality needs to place an Issue or other
Item on the ballot for consideration by their residents and a stand-alone election Is the best
approach. The Elections Department will certainly accommodate municipalities In cases such as
this.
Even with these benefits to both government and our voters, cooperation from the municipalities Is
necessary to consolidate the elections schedule. Buy-In from each municipality Is essential as
charter amendments will be required In order to move Its election dates. Some municipalities will
also require amendments to candidate qualifying dates and potentially term limits. The Elections
Department Is currently In discussions with the municipal clerks to gain support for this essential
consolidation. The City of Aventura has seen the value In consolidating and has agreed to pass a
resolution In early 2008 moving Its municipal election to coincide with the Miami-Dade General
Election beginning In 2010.
The most mutually beneficial approach Is for municipalities to hold consolidated elections In August
and November during odd years, and In conjunction with the Primary and General Elections In even
years. Each municipality can determine which Interval best suits their city and Its residents as
making a change such as this may require an extension of term limits for certain offices during the
transition to the new schedule. Those municipalities choosing to consolidate on even number years
will draw the additional cost benefits Inherent with piggybacking onto the countywide elections.
Those cities choosing to consolidate on odd number years will also realize a cost savings, albeit
less. All municipalities will be afforded the other benefits stated above.
Recommendation
It Is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners adopt legislation urging municipal
officials to sponsor their own legislation In support of a consolidated elections calendar. The
Elections Department will be available to assist municipalities with the creation of such legislation. In
order to provide ample time for the municipalities to make the necessary arrangements, the
consolidated elections calendar should be promoted to have a 2010 effective date.
Municipalities would not only benefit from the cost savings of consolidating election-related services,
It would also allow the election process to function more efficiently. In addition to the cost benefits to
government, the residents of Miami-Dade County will undoubtedly benefit from this change as voter
turnout would Invariably be Increased.
((,J~
3
Estimated Municipal Election Costs
Table 1
Same Cly.not Same Day. In
Number of Stand with a Conjunction with
Reglltered Alone Countywide a Countywide
MunlclDalltlel Voterl (ODtlon 1) (OptIon 2) (OptIon 3)
.
City of Aventura* 18,887 ". 84,288 78,507 8,418
Vlllaae of Bal Harbour - 1,484 17,870 " 7,281 4,118
Town of Bay Harbour leland!_, 2,489 19.222 12,088 4,929
-=
Village of Bllcayne Park - 1,733 17,984 8,488 ~"'-"... 4,322
lQ!!Y. 01..90r~1 Gable. 28,328 139,878 128,840 - 8,818
Town of Cutler Bay 18 381 . . 7,021
Cltv of Doral . .. ...-.... 5,281
10,831 53,007 51.459
""',",'" - 1 810 17,384 7,378 . - 4,13t
Vlllaae of EI Portal
--
City of Florlda....Q!!L,_ ~1883 30,772 17,508 '- 4,558
Town of Golden Beach 58S 15,531 2,781 3,358
.. .~...... 331,894 378 548 20,323
City of Hlaleah* ._ 77.488
- ~...._....
Cltvof Hialeah Garden.' 7,400 32.787 38,158 . S,OOt
.2!!Lof Homlltead* "'" ., 14,190 87,183 89,338 ....., S,085
Village oflndl!,n, Creek 34 14.900 188 2.920
City of lelandla 8 14,883 2S8 2,897
.."'--.,.... - -- -
Village of K.~ ~.c!Yne* 5,773 25,715 28,209 - 4,884
Town of Medle~ 482 .. 15,581 . 2.358 3.290
.,",,-,,--,,~,---..-........_, ..
City of Mlaml*___~ - 148,180 .702,321 714,199 -.- 35,778
City of ~Iaml Beach 38,889 192,488 '''4 190,028 11,842
91ty of Miami Garden!~_~ ~_._-- 59,849 282,301 291,470 .......""".....-,.,.-. 1 8,313
Town of Miami Lake.... 14,387 83,423 70,301 8,129
City of Miami Shore.... .., ,......--..- "A'.~....... 5,045
....-.... . 8,241 28,885 - 30,498 ~-
.~It~ of Miami Spring.... . 7,381 28 348 38,087 4,998
-~
City of North Bay Village 2.108 23,374 10,291 4,829
City of North Miami .. . 23,792 122,937 118.258 ,_..c,_, 8J~
.,,..,-
City of North Miami Beach'" 17,488 81,579 85,348 8,822
City of Opa.Locka ' 8,481' 50,887 31,889 ._.,...,"- 4,739
-.. . "'" .... "'-
Village of ,=,almetto Bay ...,... 14,488 81,008 70,838 ....""'" ~,145
Village of Plnecrelt 11,377 71,078 ..- 58 593 ....._ 5,452_
-- .._.._----~
City of South Mlaml*'-' 8.435 27.182 31.444 4728
City of Sunny 1"11 Beac~. 7,799 48,238 38,109 5118
Town of Surf.lde 2,948 20,205 14,410 5,325
City of Sweetwater 4,887 29.088 _ 23,880 5,184
Village of Vlralnla Gardene 1,188 17,037 5,808 3,872
~ of Wilt Miami -........ 2,983 20,359 I -.... 14,478 '.T""_~,,._ 5,338,"
I
Totall ....~". n..... .-__, "$2,788,9121 $2,657,888- '--~"u$243,80e
_~+~~~2,1e9
..,,,.,...., '''--- -~=F-,. - ,. .. i ~--":~~.- -,,---
.- - , ...._..h. _~__"
'Thl" munlclp,UII.. will only rullll I
COlt Ilvlngl If .llctlonl Irt conlolld.ted I
onto I countywld. .1.cUon du. to thl
formull ulld to calcullte COlta.
4
,n.
Percentage of Voter Turnout for Municipal VI Countywide Election. In 2006
Table 2
5
'ffioaJCr! 0/ Yf/oU41t;y Yf/oJ}bI)MjJtO/n(]/~J___._
...
April 15, 2008
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P/(e6eca cffbja
COMMISSIONER
DISTRICT 6
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Mr. John Szerlag
City Manager
City of Sunny Isles Beach
18070 Collins Avenue
Miami, FL 33160
Dear Mr. Szerlag:
I recently sponsored resolution R-1135-07 requesting that the County Manager evaluate the feasibility
and advisability of consolidating municipal elections into one day or in conjunction with countywide
elections. As a result, on February 5, 2008, a report was brought before the Miami-Dade Board of County
Commissioners that recommended we adopt legislation urging municipal officials to sponsor their own
legislation in support of a consolidated elections calendar. This recommendation was approved based on
the benefits that will be realized by both the municipalities and its voters.
We would like to begin discussing how a consolidated elections calendar would benefit your city and its
voters. The meeting will take place on Monday, May 5. 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Miami-
Dade County Elections Department (2700 NW 87 Avenue). Lester Sola, Miami-Dade County Supervisor
of Elections, will be in attendance to explain the extensive planning and preparation that is required to
hold an election, especially in light of the recent law mandating the use of optical scan technology.
Historically, municipalities holding elections on one day or in conjunction with a countywide election
experience higher turnout and reduced election costs. Your municipality could see a significant cost
savings from the economies of scale realized through consolidating election-related services such as
ballot programming, printing, tabulation, equipment delivery, overtime and seasonal employee costs - all
of which are associated with administering separate municipal elections. In addition, your municipality will
benefit from an increase in voter participation as municipalities holding elections on one day or in
conjunction with a countywide election historically experience higher turnout, due in part to enhanced
media exposure.
I hope that you will join me to discuss this topic further with the hopes of making our election process
more efficient and keeping government spending low. Please do not hesitate to contact my office at the
number below if you have any questions or require additional information.
To confirm your attendance to this event, please R.SVP. with Carolina Lopez, Assistant to the Chief
Deputy Supervisor of Elections, at 305-499-8509 or via email at lopezc@miamidade.Qov.
Sincerely,
Rebeca Sosa
Miami-Dade County Commissioner
cc: Alina T. Hudak, Assistant County Manager
Lester Sola, Supervisor of Elections
1000 S.W. 57TH AVENUE, SUITE 201 . MIAMI, FLORIDA 33144 . (305) 267-6377 . FAX (305) 267-6366