Surf City council discusses moving municipal elections to even years, seeks public input

Council members discussed proposed charter cleanups from the regional council of governments that include an option to move Surf City’s municipal elections to even‑numbered years. The proposal would align local elections with higher‑turnout cycles and could produce election cost savings, but it would also change term timing for current officeholders unless the charter language phases in the change.

Council members raised several concerns: some said moving elections could extend current terms by up to one year unless the transition is carefully framed; staff and council members described operational impacts on town facilities during two weeks of early voting and the strain on volunteer poll workers. One member urged that residents be polled and given clear, objective questions before council pursues legislative action.

Staff said charters are typically amended via special legislation and that a representative’s office would need bill language submitted quickly to meet the short session deadline. The council asked staff to prepare public outreach materials and to hold off submitting any charter amendment until council is comfortable with public input and timing.

Next steps: Staff will draft public‑input language and, if council desires, prepare a charter amendment package in coordination with the town’s state representative; the council signaled it prefers to gather public feedback before forwarding any legislative request.