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Charter review committee backs 100‑signature or $100 qualifying option for council, higher threshold for mayor; endorses two‑term limit
Summary
The Palm Coast Charter Review Committee voted informally to recommend that council candidates qualify with either 100 citywide signatures or a $100 filing fee (mayoral candidates: 400 signatures or $400) and to limit elected officials to two four‑year terms; the panel also settled on a one‑year residency requirement and removal of a 45‑week residency clause.
The Palm Coast Charter Review Committee agreed to recommend simplifying candidate qualification requirements, endorsing a flat option of 100 signatures or a $100 qualifying fee for city council candidates and a higher threshold of 400 signatures or $400 for mayoral candidates.
The committee’s discussion centered on equity and administrative feasibility. Committee member Perry argued that percentage‑based petition thresholds grow with population and can become onerous as the city expands; he and others urged a fixed, lower barrier to broaden the candidate pool. Karen from the Supervisor of Elections provided technical guidance on where petitions are filed and how signatures are counted.
The recommendation replaces an earlier formulation in the draft charter that tied petitions to 1% of registered voters in a candidate’s district. Supporters said the flat, citywide petition or modest fee would reduce confusion and make it easier for people with limited mobility or fewer resources to qualify. Opponents warned it might invite unserious candidates, but the committee favored the tradeoff and adopted the 100/ $100 (council) and 400/ $400 (mayor) framework for its report to the city council.
On residency, members removed a draft rule that had required council members to be present in their district 45 weeks a year and instead affirmed a one‑year residency requirement prior to qualifying; staff noted residency is typically verified through the elections office and an oath of residency.
The committee also addressed term limits. After debate about successive versus lifetime limits, members settled on a straightforward ceiling: no council member or mayor may serve more than two four‑year terms in the same office. The committee asked staff to clarify that a council member who completes two council terms may run for mayor (subject to residency rules) and that the charter language be explicit to avoid ambiguous interpretations.
Next steps: the committee will include these recommendations in its final report to the city council and present proposed charter language at the next meeting for formal drafting and public review.
