Apopka commissioners move to present charter amendments for April readings, attorney to use March election date

Apopka City Commission members and staff spent a workshop session reviewing a multi-part charter amendment package that would change the city's election timing, limit consecutive terms for elected officials, clarify the city clerk's role in candidate qualifying, and offer voters a choice between a council‑manager and a strong‑mayor form of government.

City Attorney Cliff Shepherd told commissioners he would prepare the ordinance for first reading using March as the election date unless the commission directed him to use November. "I'll put March unless someone tells me to put November, then we have to have some further discussion," Shepherd said. He and commissioners agreed the charter language should match actual practice so that readers of the charter can determine when local elections occur without hunting for an implementing ordinance.

Why it matters: the changes would put multiple interrelated governance issues before voters and adjust how the city handles hiring, firing and employment contracts for senior positions. Shepherd and commissioners emphasized timing: the supervisor of elections' office gave a schedule that requires a first and second reading in April so referendum language can be provided by May 1 for a mid‑July election timeline.

Most immediate direction

Commissioners signaled consensus to present March as the election date on the ordinance for first reading in April. Shepherd said he would draft the ballot language and the full "all-changes" redline version of the charter amendment package for that first reading. The commission must still decide which of several additional suggested edits, submitted by the vice mayor via email, should be included as discrete ballot questions.

Discussion highlights

- Election timing: Commissioners debated whether to put the…