[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6264537,"mediaKeyId","3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea","parentId",3096293,"title","Charter panel asks staff for sample language on city clerk duties, tables revision","audioSeconds",606,"startMs",3702000,"endMs",4308000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea&start=3702&end=4308","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea/thumbnail_3702000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264537/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Charter-panel-asks-staff-for-sample-language-on-city-clerk-duties-tables-revision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264537-5b03237e62859270296ea8160770961d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168590&Signature=QCaOPrGzZM4d-CTlvowHWvzlUKYn-nGi0qzG8Vkjwf8vSf-cYd7jfKHsaEvCKFbXV5O9PXw609qkQJ6rqToFFnQAF76Kfk1uvRxUHQLDV8IUT9YMfxtbmPxKxEVkCwOobvKg2Yp6LekXNpMHpHAbtZUK5m5ZzP2~0rcmROthJi8fu9y5Ccehy5a4vV4cfvekQNWDLmbrinwgEsTf27UuK9gxij2lfM3~SLJYfc064~x3rleuWvn7Oacv~MlB4Xq31EpsW4GJNh~-GVuXNkLiYAqvR1LLSvsLR9oPeWrGVUFiex12XB9BwPsshWS-bIk8rs9qrSnUCLR3AfoahAa7hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Palatka","date","2025-04-23T16:54:57.94Z","article","The Charter Review Committee on April 22 voted to table a proposed revision to the charter that would more precisely define the duties and qualifications of the city clerk and asked staff to collect sample language from other municipalities.

Members and counsel said the clerk’s role has shifted over successive administrations and that some charters set a detailed statutory-like description while others leave duties to job descriptions. Speakers noted certification programs for clerks and that municipal practice varies: in smaller cities clerks often perform many hands-on duties; in larger cities responsibilities are more specialized.

Committee members asked staff to compile examples of clerk language from other city charters (five examples was suggested) and to include the city’s existing job description and HR materials. The motion to table the item and return with recommended wording and supporting materials passed unanimously.

Committee members emphasized they wanted clarity on the position’s core responsibilities and qualifications while preserving administrative flexibility for changing statutory requirements or organizational needs. Counsel and staff agreed to provide the requested materials ahead of the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Palatka's Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The committee agreed to gather examples of charter language and job descriptions from other Florida cities to define the duties and qualifications of the city clerk, citing wide variation across municipalities and changes in administrative practice over time.","taxTitle","Palatka, Putnam County, Florida","taxId",54767,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264542,"Panel tables proposed referendum requirement for sale or transfer of waterfront, downtown and airport property",667,3007000,3674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea&start=3007&end=3674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6264542/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Panel-tables-proposed-referendum-requirement-for-sale-or-transfer-of-waterfront-downtown-and-airport-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264542-6a6ab35008e5d7b3a3497d34b926bfae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168590&Signature=Ph7Mvbm6x6yQ4zzMw43~5YCD48VZhTTZDajcEa4p1iyoNS~74C~3lidgBj8Orm6GZjPjNeSPPjPJOpqWaNZuKlKKBzxm~ql7i~7SLezkQVuiNmeEnYRgIoinhTsi4o1ZFhRJDLWEniMCPVWEhpb8j2L~620XWeroK-09DpYwvpo5bv6aNoO1E2WdkKZPR8lImRymmdWKRO-pjoVOQq~RmWKZAtbOm9R-koU8ZKlq11NWhbGOKnUY-eTEdXx2mEbwLCJya-XQaYn8dSXaT8F7-gGRC1YcsIS1s6Ik8eY69z38KiFtLHpvFfa5Z43~82kdYDs2zfaWODWbsMo5vde9nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Review Committee on April 22 debated whether future sales, exchanges or long-term leases of certain city-owned property — specifically waterfront parks, downtown parcels and airport property — should require a voter referendum. After extended discussion about reverter clauses, past property swaps and possible conflicts with state law, the committee voted to table the proposal pending further research.

Members who supported the idea said citizen oversight is appropriate for high-value or publicly sensitive parcels, especially riverfront parks and downtown land. One committee member noted that some donated parcels include reverter clauses that return property to donors if the land is not used for the intended public purpose. Supporters suggested adding airport property to the proposed list because of recent swaps involving airport parcels.

Opponents and some legal observers warned that requiring referenda for broad categories of property could hinder regular municipal business, delay routine transactions and be administratively impractical when the city holds many small parcels, easements or rights-of-way. City counsel and other members recommended examining model language from other Florida charters that carve exceptions and set thresholds, including limits on lease terms to trigger a voter vote.

The committee approved a motion to obtain and review example charter language, including the Lake Worth charter example cited in discussion, and to return with recommended wording. The motion to table and research passed by voice vote; the committee will bring its findings back to a future meeting.","The committee debated and then tabled a proposal that would require a referendum before the city could sell or otherwise dispose of waterfront parks, downtown parcels or airport property. Members asked staff to research Lake Worth and other municipal charters for model language.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264547,"Charter review panel approves citizen-initiative language, agrees to require financial impact statements on ballot",824,1570000,2394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea&start=1570&end=2394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096293-1fa23a3c463c54dbc5db2752f12516ea/thumbnail_1570000.jpg","/articles/6264547/Palatka/Putnam-County/Florida/Charter-review-panel-approves-citizen-initiative-language-agrees-to-require-financial-impact-statements-on-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264547-3616bac0b6e9ef7ab61ecff0fbf83a70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168590&Signature=i13jD8bnTmgTbuR4CRQY-~z8id7teUinFVj88GSGt1NgYKKVJQ3XuOGvvgEzcptcsdcALGDLgEWgqo~gt1~VcbNaCXD1Em4W0aZuBKgOzpt5~a6~nV59XRYbcFa4pxQIiKA8oUOaQnhnHG~up8uTvqy1G9O2tP3r9rOzvVClvinS7q8e5mkV8ornU4SdZf1YZosHvSr2pt4Nj98KpjrFgsqe9Wpuws5FuI6eECNu12SByp9P84qOOFq4qsGM--rx4UH5Tr-2reSzV2x2CdQz2zrtF4WaZVCkAw6SIYx0-K-nkuf6N1uDH8yfU0E90neisa5s1rM7F32eYFza4YA0FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Charter Review Committee on April 22 voted to add language to the city charter allowing citizen-initiated amendments and agreed that any proposed charter amendment placed on a ballot should include an estimated financial-impact statement.

Committee members said the changes would give residents a formal route to propose charter changes while also giving voters basic fiscal information when deciding on amendments. The panel adopted the citizen-initiative language and separately moved to require a financial-impact statement for charter amendments appearing on the ballot.

Committee members discussed the mechanics and tests for a citizen initiative. Committee member Audrey Wise noted petition thresholds discussed in the meeting, saying that a petition would require signatures equal to roughly 10% of the city’s registered voters — which the committee estimated would be about 700 signatures based on the city’s registration numbers. Several members said that requirement serves as a check on the process; others warned it could be administratively burdensome.

City counsel explained that similar language exists in other Florida charters and that state and local rules determine timing for referenda. Some members argued that providing a financial statement would improve transparency even if calculating precise impacts could be difficult; one committee member said including the statement gives voters “the opportunity to have it before me to partake,” emphasizing public access to information.

Opponents said preparing a formal financial-impact statement could be time-consuming and subjective, depending on how the city calculates lost revenue or added costs, while supporters said a standard summary would at least surface potential budget consequences for voters.

The committee approved the citizen-initiative language by voice vote. It then voted to require an estimated financial-impact statement be included on ballots for proposed charter amendments; the committee passed that motion by majority vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve minutes from the March 24 meeting — approved unanimously.
- Motion to add language authorizing citizen-initiated charter amendments to the charter — approved (motion carried by voice vote).
- Motion to require an estimated financial-impact statement on the ballot for charter amendments — approved by majority vote.

Members and staff said the committee will forward its recommendations to the city commission as part of the commission-facing package. The committee also discussed possible future work to refine signature thresholds, timing and the specific form of financial-impact disclosures.","The Charter Review Committee voted to add language enabling citizen-initiated charter amendments and to include estimated financial-impact statements on ballots for proposed charter changes, after members debated transparency, administrative burden and signature thresholds.","actionData","errors"]

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Charter panel asks staff for sample language on city clerk duties, tables revision

Panel tables proposed referendum requirement for sale or transfer of waterfront, downtown and airport property

Charter review panel approves citizen-initiative language, agrees to require financial impact statements on ballot