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Charter Review Committee says rewrite underway, sets AprilMay 2026 deadlines
Summary
The City of PalatkaCharter Review Committee has completed an initial review and is drafting rewrite language, with deadlines to present proposed changes to the commission by April 14, 2026 and for first and second ordinance readings in May 2026.
The Charter Review Committee told the City Commission on Nov. 13 that it has completed a full review of Palatka and is now in a rewrite phase, with staff preparing ordinance language for commission consideration.
"The committee has now gone through the entire charter," Mr. Hill, the committee chair, told commissioners, and said staff member Miss West is drafting language for committee approval. He outlined key deadlines tied to next year: an April 14, 2026 deadline to present to the commission, a first reading on May 6 and a second reading on May 28. The committee also identified an Aug. 3 deadline to submit language to the supervisor of elections if the commission approves placement on the ballot.
Committee members and staff said the rewrite addresses structural items and modernizes language. Hill listed subjects under review, including whether the city attorney should report to the commission or the city manager and clearer charter language on the city clerk roles. "There are some places where you have an asterisk, which says the commission has the ability to enter into an ordinance, which will clarify certain aspects," Hill said as he described technical changes staff will draft.
Miss West told the commission that committee meetings are open to the public and invited residents to attend; she noted the next CRC meeting is Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. "All of our charter review committee meetings are open to the public," she said. Commissioners asked about opportunities for public workshops and town-hall style feedback; Hill recommended using workshops to permit deliberation in public before ordinance readings.
Why it matters: changes to the charter will define the roles and authorities of elected officials and staff and, if approved, could be placed on the 2026 ballot. The committee expects to complete draft language well before the April deadline, giving commissioners time for deliberation and public hearings.
Next steps: the committee will continue drafting language and return proposed ordinance text for commission review ahead of the April 14 submission window.
