The Dade City Commission on Sept. 23 approved a set of interrelated actions to restructure the city’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board, ending alternate-member provisions, setting a fixed seven-member board, and changing terms and appointment timing.

Staff told the commission the package included three linked items: a resolution creating interim appointments to continue existing seats through the transition; an ordinance amending the municipal code to establish four-year terms timed to commission terms and move the appointment date to May 1; and a resolution adopting revised board bylaws. The package was intentionally coordinated so the code, bylaws and interim appointments would align after a transitional period.

Key changes approved by the commission:
- Board size: reduced/confirmed to seven members (title corrected from 9 in one document). Five direct appointees (one per commissioner) and two at-large members were specified in the bylaws; the at-large appointments will be made by a vote of the commission rather than by “consensus.”
- Term length and timing: board members will serve four-year terms timed to commence on May 1 to align with new commission terms; the commission discussed language to stagger initial appointments so some initial seats would be two-year terms to achieve the staggered rotation.
- Quorum: bylaws now specify a quorum of four voting members.
- Procedure: bylaws eliminated alternate-member provisions, adjusted meeting frequency and modernized administrative responsibilities such as agenda posting and minute approval.

Commission discussion focused on consistency between the ordinance, the bylaws and the interim reappointments. Commissioners and staff worked through language to allow short, transitional two-year appointments where necessary so the staggered rotation aligns with the new four-year term structure. City attorney and staff recommended an amendment to the interim resolution so that section 2 would read “subject to subsequent amendment to the code of ordinances” to ensure that interim appointments do not conflict with the final code changes. The commission approved that amendment and adopted the resolution (Resolution No. 2025-28) by roll call, 5–0.

The ordinance amending Chapter 2 and Chapter 54 of the municipal code (Ordinance No. 2025-12) was read by title, discussed and approved in a first-reading action with the additional transitional language agreed in the hearing. The commission then adopted the bylaws (Resolution No. 2025-18) with two changes requested in open discussion: change the at-large appointment method from “consensus” to a formal vote and correct the title to reflect seven members. The bylaw resolution passed by roll-call vote, 5–0.

Staff said the changes were intended to improve board stability, align historic-board appointments with newly seated commissioners, and modernize administrative practices. Staff also invited the current historic board membership to comment; the board president offered minor typo corrections and expressed support for the changes.

What was decided: the commission approved the interim reappointments subject to a clause linking them to subsequent code changes, approved first reading of the code amendments to implement four-year staggered terms and May 1 appointment timing, and adopted revised bylaws that establish a seven-member board, a quorum of four, and at-large members appointed by commission vote.