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Council advances election-code amendments on first reading; members discuss changing candidate filing fee
Summary
On first reading the council approved an ordinance to amend local election rules, including electronic filing and examples of residency proof; council also discussed a resolution to set candidate-filing fees to 1% of council salary (roughly $83 based on current compensation).
The Village of Tequesta advanced an ordinance on first reading that amends sections of the village code dealing with elections and candidacy requirements, and council members discussed a companion resolution to change the candidate filing fee.
Ordinance changes (O 2-25): Keith (staff) summarized ordinance O 2-25, which modifies Chapter 2 (Administration), Article 5 (Elections). The amendments presented on first reading include: - Allowing the village to opt out of electronic filing procedures for campaign-finance reports when requested by the village clerk; - Amending inspectors and election worker provisions to give the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections authority to appoint poll workers for village polling places; - Adding examples of residency-proof requirements for candidacy and creating a new section (2-270) describing candidacy qualifications and examples of residency proof.
Council moved, seconded and approved the ordinance on first reading by voice vote.
Candidate filing fee discussion: Staff explained the code requires the qualifying (filing) fee to be set by resolution. Currently the fee has been $30 for decades; staff said the filing fee has not changed for 43 years. The clerk confirmed the current $30 fee. A staff member (Keith) requested a resolution to set the fee at 1 percent of the council’s salary so the fee would adjust annually; using current compensation as of the meeting the fee would be $83. Council members noted the proposed change would align the fee with council compensation and prevent the fee remaining at $30 indefinitely. No vote on the fee resolution was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Why it matters: The ordinance clarifies administrative election procedures and residency proof for candidates; changing the filing fee affects access and administrative consistency for future elections.
Next steps: The ordinance will return for a second reading and final adoption per statutory timelines. Staff said they will prepare a resolution to set the filing fee at 1 percent of council salary for council consideration.
