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High Springs delays charter referendum after commissioners cite unknown ballot cost
Summary
Commissioners voted to decline placing two charter amendment questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot, citing uncertain election costs; staff was directed to bring the matter back if the commission wants to revisit it later.
The City Commission voted March 12 not to place two proposed charter‑amendment questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot after commissioners raised concerns about the potential cost of running the questions during a midterm election.
Staff presented Ordinance 2026-03, which would have placed two charter referendum questions before qualified electors and provided the full text and ballot language. One commissioner moved that the commission refrain from putting the questions on this year’s ballot while the cost is unclear; legal staff advised that the cleanest path is to let the ordinance fail tonight and, if desired, direct staff to return with cost estimates at a later date.
The motion to not place the questions on this year’s ballot passed on a roll call vote: Vice Mayor Bledsworth, Commissioner How, Commissioner Whites and Mayor Miller voted in favor; Commissioner Grunder voted no.
During the discussion commissioners explored whether the city would pay election costs if it ran a local ballot and whether waiting until a municipal election next year would change the expense. Staff estimated a municipal election could cost about $5,000–$7,000 depending on staffing, printing and advertising, but also noted that if the city runs its own election (for example, during a year with contested seats) the marginal ballot cost could be lower. Commissioners asked staff to return with clearer cost estimates and legal guidance if the commission wants to consider the referendum again.
