Representation
Who ultimately decides if we become a town?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023The process is two-step. It must first go through our local delegation (House and Senate members), make it through the floor of the legislature, and be signed by the governor before coming home for a referendum. The community must meet all the state review requirements for becoming a municipality, and multiple state departments participate. The...
Who decides what goes into the new town’s charter?
Last Updated: July 17, 2023The town charter is drafted based on input from community residents, and the adoption of the charter is left to the registered voters within the proposed municipal boundaries. Most new towns model their charters after other existing town charters. Our organization researched several recommended charters to identify key elements and relevant topics and compiled these...
How are local leaders put in place?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023The municipal charter outlines the structure of the elected town leadership, the number of elected town leaders, term length, term staggering, compensation (or, in some cases, non-compensated), and the process to elect these leaders. Registered voters within the municipal boundaries elect the local leaders, who must also be municipal residents. For new towns, the first...
Are elected town leaders compensated?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023Florida has some cities that pay their council members and others that do not pay their council members. Even among the paid council members, the compensation of elected town leaders varies greatly across Florida. Traditionally, in the Panhandle, the compensation is relatively meager ($1000 to $6000 a year). In larger cities, such as Tallahassee, the...
What form of government would the new municipality take?
Last Updated: July 7, 2023The form of government is up to the citizens, written into the charter, and based on community conversations. All 26 of the newest Florida municipalities have been of the Council-Manager form. Florida does have Council-Mayor municipalities, but none were incorporated recently. Efficiencies are afforded by the Council-Manager form, both operationally and effectively representing citizens, making...
How does becoming a municipality give us more power to address local issues?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023Municipalities have the power to address local issues both directly and indirectly. Local town administration can directly address any issue within their jurisdiction and any services they deliver or for which they manage the service delivery contracts. Elected leaders can also indirectly address local issues through intergovernmental negotiations and by having a seat at the...
How many employees does a typical government-lite municipality require?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023There is no “typical,” as every city is unique in its own right and has a distinct mix of service needs. Government-lite municipalities have anywhere from five to twelve employees. Every municipality needs, at a minimum, an attorney, a clerk, and a manager/administrator. Beyond those three, the employment needs depend entirely on the scope of...
How can we, as a municipality, ensure the proper delivery of services?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023Locally elected town leaders would oversee the government-lite municipality, a responsive, agile local administration that manages all service contracts. If services are lacking in an area, leaders can more quickly address the need. If the provider fails to deliver the service as contracted, the local government has the voice and means to rectify the situation...
Can municipalities work with the school district to ensure a safe, quality education?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023Locally elected town leaders can work with Escambia County’s school district to ensure the community’s needs educational needs are addressed. In Florida, a school district is a distinct governmental body that operates under state law. A municipality, itself a governmental body, has a seat at the table for discussions regarding school access and quality. Municipalities...
Can becoming a municipality help simplify or streamline our current bureaucratic situation?
Last Updated: July 5, 2023Yes. Forming a municipality transfers ownership of the local government functions to the local community, simplifying and localizing the administration. Voters elect local citizens as leaders to manage and oversee these functions. Government lite aims to simplify the delivery of services to support these functions by contracting most of these services to the existing providers...
Is the mayor elected or appointed?
Last Updated: November 6, 2023Under the council-manager form of local government, as proposed in the Town of Perdido’s draft charter, the town mayor is one of the council members and has no administrative authority (sometimes referred to as a “weak mayor”). They simply serve as the chairman of council meetings and sign documents and agreements on behalf of the...
Why are Coral Creek and Roscoe Field areas being included?
Last Updated: November 7, 2023No decision has yet been made on including Coral Creek or Roscoe Field areas. Upcoming research will look at the implications of including each of these areas. The final decision for inclusion will be based on four factors: identity, feasibility, liability, and interest. We learned from other proposed municipal incorporations to research surrounding areas, considering...
Would council members have term limits?
Last Updated: November 7, 2023In the proposed Town of Perdido charter (see the Special Act), council members would be subject to term limits. These dedicated individuals would serve two-year terms capped at a maximum of three consecutive terms. This thoughtful provision ensures a blend of experience and renewal, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives while maintaining stability. The limited term...