The Charter Review Board (CRB), Hillsborough County, Florida, met in Regular Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, August 24, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., in the Boardroom, County Center, Tampa, Florida.

The following members were present:
Jan Smith
Chairman Steve LaBour
Kevin Ambler (arrived at 6:12 p.m.)
Denise Lasher
John Bales (arrived at 6:12 p.m.)
Arlene Waldron
Terry Ballard (arrived at 6:20 p.m.)
Gerald White
Mike Bedke
Danny L. Wilkes (arrived at 6:16 p.m.)
Henry C. Beltran
Dee Williams
David Hurley

The following members were absent:
Mary Lou Tuttle (illness)

Chairman Smith called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Ms. Waldron led in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The Deputy Clerk called the roll and noted a quorum was present.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Ralph Hughes, Tampa, believed it was not the form of County government that was important but the people who were elected. He read citizens' comments about forms of government. Mr. Mike Carducci, County resident, spoke against changing the County's form of government, noting true representation for all citizens was needed. Mr. Al Davis, former CRB member, was not yet sure of his opinion regarding the form of government. Mr. LaBour informed Mr. Davis the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) would address changing its oath of office.

Chairman Smith reviewed information included in backup material.

SCHEDULED SPEAKER

Speaking as a private citizen, Ms. Joanna Tokley, 2118 West Carmen Street, Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League, Incorporated, asked where the hue and cry from the general population was in regard to changing the form of County government. Another layer of bureaucracy was not needed. An elected County administrator would be given too much power and be exempt from the sunshine law. The stability of exempt employees would decrease each time a new County administrator was elected. Constant change caused problems in services; good employees would leave, because they would not feel secure. She opined an elected system would open the door for partisan politics. The minority community was less negatively impacted by the current County government system. Pointing out that business audits were generally done by outside independent sources, Ms. Tokley asked for additional information regarding the County internal performance auditor and that information be given to the media for citizens to have a better understanding.

Chairman Smith directed Ms. Barbara Merritt, CRB Executive Director, to provide Ms. Tokley with information regarding the performance auditor position. Ms. Tokley responded to questions from CRB members regarding the role as an African-American citizen to inform others in the community, at-large BOCC districts, and adequate representation on the BOCC.

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REPORT

Assistant County Attorney Kenneth Tinkler said the County Attorney's Office was working on 2002 ballot language for the BOCC internal performance auditor and budget analyst. Regarding the proposed change to the BOCC oath of office, the issue would be on the next BOCC meeting agenda. Chairman Smith said the County Attorney's Office would be presenting a report on legal opinions related to charter changes allowed by Florida Statutes.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Ms. Merritt said city of Tampa Mayor Dick Greco would speak to the CRB on October 12, 2000; there were no speakers scheduled for the next two meetings. Representative Lesley Miller, Jr., could address the CRB after the primary elections. Updated census information was not available. A BOCC town hall meeting was scheduled that night in the city of Plant City. The next town hall meeting would be in Town 'N Country on October 26, 2000. She asked if the CRB should reschedule its October 26, 2000, meeting. CRB members agreed to keep the meetings as scheduled. Ms. Merritt reported the year-to-date expenditure for CRB was $15,143.68.

Mr. LaBour asked that Ms. Merritt not speak on behalf of the CRB to reporters or represent the CRB at speaking engagements; that responsibility belonged to CRB members. Ms. Merritt assured Mr. LaBour that as a staff member, she helped the public by providing public records and press releases; otherwise she directed citizens to CRB members or the County Attorney's Office. Chairman Smith said CRB members should feel comfortable presenting their personal opinions. The only CRB opinion to date would be an explanation of the vote for the performance auditor position. Mr. White thought the media should be directed to Chairman Smith. He wanted someone from the Hispanic community to speak to the CRB. Following discussion, CRB members and Ms. Tokley gave Ms. Merritt suggestions on organizations to contact for Hispanic representation.

Mr. White informed CRB members that a survey conducted through Dr. Susan McManus, Government and International Affairs, University of South Florida, would cost between $15,000 and $17,000. Ms. Waldron thought the CRB should schedule meetings in communities, which would cost approximately $2,000 per meeting. Discussion followed on the pros and cons of conducting a survey and having community meetings. Mr. Hurley commented on having citizens telephone comments during CRB meetings. Chairman Smith agreed to check into that possibility. Mr. White noted the survey was expensive and a community forum might address the desire for a broad community perspective.

BOARD DISCUSSION ON GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Mr. Ambler reported that in County Commissioner Jim Norman's recent visits with constituents, the biggest issue was growth management and not the form of government. Chairman Smith reviewed items to consider with each form of government such as salaries; dealing with constitutional officers; how contracts would be handled; veto power; zoning issues; and who would make appointments to boards and councils, present and prepare ordinances, and present the budget.

For at-large districts, Ms. Williams suggested the County be split across in thirds--north, central, and south--and at-large County commissioners would be required to live in the district in which he or she ran. Chairman Smith asked about the legality of that suggestion. Attorney Tinkler would submit, by the next CRB meeting, other options and the language used by Pinellas County, which had divided its districts as Ms. Williams suggested. Discussion followed on Pinellas County requirements, the laws governing districts, and the involvement of the Supervisor of Elections with the districts. Mr. Beltran thought Ms. Williams' suggestion would work better with nonpartisan elections; Ms. Williams did not agree.

Agreeing with Ms. Williams' suggestion, Mr. Bedke gave examples used by the University of Florida and the American Bar Association. Mr. Hurley commented on the expense of running for election in countywide seats. He recommended for discussion that nine smaller districts be formed--eight single-member districts with one countywide district designated as chairman or mayor without total power. Mr. White would submit notes from a presentation on partisan versus nonpartisan elections from the Democratic National Convention, in which nonpartisanship was deemed to be more effective. He asked if the BOCC should be considered as full-time positions. Chairman Smith explained the original intent was not to imply County commissioners held part-time positions but to allow them the opportunity to continue in businesses held before becoming elected officials. Mr. White asked CRB members to consider term limit issues in light of the city of Tampa's attempt to eliminate term limits for the mayor and Tampa City Council members.

Mr. Ambler pointed out the current BOCC was structurally sound in that every voter could elect a majority member of the BOCC; Ms. Williams' suggestion improved that structure with fair representation without adding districts. He initiated discussion of the tabled motion to consider having the CRB meet for a longer period one time per month. In regard to Ms. Williams' suggestion, Chairman Smith proposed the CRB be reconvened as a recommending body to the BOCC after census information was available. Ms. Williams concurred. Ms. Lasher commented on procedures and suggested the CRB meet for 18 months every 8 years, convening 2 years before general elections and finishing 6 months before those elections. As maker of the motion for that recommendation while on the prior CRB, Chairman Smith explained the intent was to have CRB recommendations on presidential election ballots for greater voter turnouts and have CRB appointments made with newly elected County commissioners. Mr. White was satisfied with the current CRB time frame; however, the internal structure could be revised, including issues such as CRB member qualifications.

Chairman Smith called a recess at 7:39 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:55 p.m. (Mr. Ambler did not return.)

Chairman Smith gave the Hillsborough Television August replay dates for the CRB meeting. Mr. Ballard reviewed the form of government used by the city of Plant City. He agreed with Ms. Williams' suggestion regarding at-large districts and cautioned a larger BOCC would create more problems. Most East County residents viewed a change to government structure as a step toward consolidation, which was not desired. Citizens should go to the County administrator, who was the chief executive officer, for answers. Mr. Wilkes stated East County residents were primarily concerned about districts, representation, and sometimes partisan versus nonpartisan issues. He thought the current form of government and the CRB system could be tweaked. In answer to Chairman Smith, Mr. Wilkes said term limits did not appear to be an issue.

Mr. Beltran thought the major problem citizens had with County government was finding the responsible party when they had questions. Mr. White said a determination was needed on how many citizens a County commissioner could effectively represent. Chairman Smith asked if CRB members should be appointed by the BOCC and the County's three cities. Mr. Bedke said the three top issues were partisan versus nonpartisan elections; an elected executive such as mayor, chairman, or County administrator; and term limits. Mr. Bales challenged CRB members to be bold and get to the substance of the issues. He leaned toward an elected chairman.

Chairman Smith opined a strong mayor would take away the ability for citizens to influence the entire BOCC, dilute the input of various ethnic communities, and diminish the influence of the BOCC. However, a strong mayor could help the County be more efficient and effective. She reflected on several existing governments with an elected chairman and noted changes that could be made to the existing form of government by giving the chairman specific responsibilities such as working with the County administrator in setting the budget. Mr. White wondered, if by supermajority vote, the BOCC could appoint a County administrator to act as the mayor. In response to Chairman Smith, Mr. LaBour explained various appointment procedures in the city of Tampa.

Mr. Ballard suggested the chairman be an at-large County commissioner. The County administrator could be rated on job performance similar to justices in the Supreme Court; the BOCC would have the benefit of voters' opinions before making decisions regarding the County administrator. In answer to Ms. Waldron, Mr. Bedke suggested a weak elected mayor, two additional single-member districts, district the at-large seats, and consideration of nonpartisan versus partisan issues. Mr. Hurley said a weak elected mayor would only vote to break a tie, although the mayor's perspectives should be well known. Mr. Ballard suggested keeping a balance on the BOCC by having five single-member districts and four at-large districts. The city of Tampa, which represented one-third of the County, could be one at-large seat and the remaining County areas could be divided into two at-large districts.

Chairman Smith noted the qualifications for vice chairman should be considered. She suggested the at-large candidate with the most votes could be chairman, or a specific at-large seat could be designated as chairman. Term limits and partisanship were issues in any form of government. Discussion followed on issues for discussion at the next meeting concerning the form of government; CRB structure; community-based plans, which citizens felt were an opportunity to solve community problems; et cetera. Ms. Williams informed CRB members that the South County Round Table had not expressed much interest in changing the form of government; however, its members wanted to improve the current system.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

READ AND APPROVED:
CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:
RICHARD AKE, CLERK

By:
Deputy Clerk
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