Council adopts package of charter changes to sync initiative/referendum timing, signature thresholds and preserve status quo pending certification

The City Council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 60-2026, a package of charter amendments that change how citizen initiative and referendum petitions are scheduled and certified.

City Attorney Mr. Kaylor outlined three principal changes: 1) replace the charter’s fixed election windows with a rule that petitions will be scheduled for the next available election as determined by the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections; 2) change petition signature calculations from "total votes cast" (which aggregates votes across multiple seat contests) to "total ballots cast" to better reflect actual voter participation; and 3) create a status quo preservation provision that prohibits the city from taking irrevocable actions that would conflict with a certified initiative or charter amendment during the window between certification and the scheduled election.

Mr. Kaylor said the goal is to align charter language with current election administration practices and reduce confusion and disputes about petition thresholds. He noted the difference between total votes cast (which can vary depending on how many seats were on the ballot) and total ballots cast (which counts voters, not votes across multiple contests).

At the public hearing resident Pam Paschke expressed support for the package. Deputy Mayor Michelle Grau moved adoption as amended; Councilmember Drucker seconded and the council passed the resolution unanimously.

Why it matters: The amendments change technical but consequential rules that affect how citizen petitions qualify for the ballot and when elections are scheduled. The status quo preservation provision also limits city actions that could render a petition moot before voters decide.

Next steps: The council will finalize ballot language and publish full explanatory materials as required for voter information.