Commission votes to put city clerk charter change on ballot, plans charter review committee

The Lynn Haven City Commission voted to place a charter amendment on the ballot that, if approved by voters, would create a city clerk position reporting directly to the Commission. Commissioners debated whether to hire a clerk immediately or wait until a charter change is approved; city attorney guidance said the clerk cannot be made to report to the Commission until the charter is amended through referendum.

City Attorney Jennifer Jackson (city attorney) advised the Commission that creating a position is possible, but that a change that requires the clerk to report to the Commission must be enacted by charter amendment and approved by the voters at referendum. She described the scheduling constraints the supervisor of elections imposes, noting an 8–10 week lead time for a special election and that municipal "Super Tuesday" is the next regularly scheduled municipal election that could host a charter question.

Commissioners voted to place the charter amendment on the ballot and directed staff to bring a resolution at the next meeting to re-establish the Charter Review Committee to help draft language and recommend duties. Several public speakers urged immediate creation of a clerk as an accountability measure; others suggested alternative measures such as an ombudsman or grievance committee. Interim City Manager Michael Lightfoot said staff would not hire a clerk to report to the Commission until voters approved the charter change.

The motion passed 5–0. Commissioners and staff agreed the Charter Review Committee would be reconstituted by resolution and would review and recommend the clerk’s duties and accompanying code changes; the committee’s recommendations will be returned to the Commission for ordinance drafting and placement on the ballot.