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Winter Springs commission directs staff to draft referendum language after delegation action
Summary
After heated debate and public comment, the Winter Springs City Commission voted to direct the city attorney to prepare ordinance language for a referendum that would change mayoral selection and election structure; the motion passed 4–1. The commission also agreed to pursue a charter-review process.
The Winter Springs City Commission voted on Oct. 27 to direct the city attorney to prepare ordinance and ballot language for a referendum that would alter how the mayor is chosen and how commissioners are elected, a measure the commission said is a response to a recent Seminole County legislative delegation action.
Deputy Mayor Kate Resnick moved the measure and Commissioner Mark Caruso seconded. The motion authorizes staff to prepare language that would keep five commissioner seats, have those commissioners choose a mayor and deputy mayor annually by peer vote, and move to single‑member district elections with commissioners serving at large; the proposed changes were described as taking effect in 2030. The motion passed 4–1, with Commissioner Sarah Baker voting no.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the city is responding quickly because the Seminole County delegation advanced a local bill that would require a referendum or impose charter language. Several commissioners urged caution, noting the legal and logistical steps required to place charter amendments on the ballot, while others argued the city should present its own option to residents rather than allow a state-drafted measure to move forward.
Deputy Mayor Kate Resnick said the approach is intended to meet the delegation’s stated requirement for a voting mayor while preserving local control. "If we put this forward, it accomplishes what Tallahassee has asked and doesn’t dramatically change our districts," she said, urging staff to draft language that could be refined at two subsequent commission meetings before submission.
Mayor Kevin McCann voiced deep reservations about rotating or peer-selected mayoral systems, arguing they can undercut long-term relationships and "millions of dollars in influence" the city accrues through continuity of leadership. "This is a heavy idea — it’s potentially dividing our city," he said, urging careful public engagement and a deliberate charter-review process.
Residents at the meeting largely urged caution or opposed the legislatively prompted change. Art Gallo called the delegation’s action "an overreach" and urged the commission to form a charter review committee and to oppose any pre-drafted language imposed by the delegation. Multiple speakers asked the commission to prioritize a comprehensive charter review and community input.
What happens next: The commission’s motion directs the city attorney and staff to prepare ordinance language for the commission to review at upcoming meetings; commissioners discussed November and December as the window to complete the two readings required to place a charter amendment on a 2026 ballot. City officials said they will return with draft language and schedule additional public engagement before a final vote to adopt ordinance language for the ballot. The commission did not adopt final ballot text on Oct. 27.
