Kissimmee charter amendment on commissioner pay fails after 3-1 vote

A proposed charter amendment to change commissioner compensation failed on second reading at the Kissimmee City Commission meeting on May 5, 2026. Mayor Jackie Espinosa voted in favor; three commissioners opposed, so the measure did not pass.

The ordinance, described in the agenda as an amendment to "article 2 administration, chapter 2 city commission, section 6 compensation of commissioners," was the subject of procedural debate before the vote. Commissioners discussed a motion to continue the item until Commissioner Ortiz could attend; that motion failed. Following clarifying exchanges with the city attorney and clerk, Commissioner Martinez moved to adopt the ordinance on second reading, and the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Edie. The roll call recorded three nays and one yes, and the clerk announced the motion had failed.

City staff had noted that if the commission continued the item to a date certain they would not need to re-advertise, and the clerk confirmed that Commissioner Ortiz was absent for the roll call. City Attorney counsel explained the procedural consequences of tie votes earlier in the process and the effect of a failing roll call at second reading.

The action ended any immediate change to the charter's compensation language; commissioners did not adopt the amendment and the charter remains unchanged pending any future action. The meeting moved on to public comment and other business after the vote.

The meeting record shows the commission deliberated on procedure and timing as much as on the substance of compensation. There were no public comments recorded speaking in favor of the amendment during the hearing portion; several public commenters used the time to raise other issues of accountability and fairness with the commission.