Miami Lakes council adopts revised charter ballot order, approves 45/60 nomination timeline and tables August-primary proposal

The Miami Lakes Town Council voted to adopt a revised order for 14 charter ballot questions, approved an alternate amendment changing the timeline for mayoral nominations and council confirmation of vacancies, and laid a separate proposal to move primaries to August on the table indefinitely.

The revised order — moved and discussed during a lengthy debate over which items should appear at the top of the ballot — was adopted after council members said prioritizing certain questions (including items affecting election procedures) would increase their chances of passage. 'There are 14 items..., the further down the ballot these are, the less likely it is to succeed,' Councilman Sanchez said while urging strategic placement of questions 2, 3, 5, 12, 14 and 7 at the top.

Mayor (unnamed) raised concerns about ballot question 4, calling it 'incomplete and, therefore, will be improperly before voters at great risk to the structure of our government,' and proposed alternative language as item 7b to address nomination and confirmation timing for council vacancies. The mayor's text would give the mayor 45 days to make a nomination and require the council to act on that nomination by day 60; the proposal retained existing language that if six months or more remain in a term the mayor may make a nomination until the next regularly scheduled election.

Vice Mayor Moreira supported the fix, saying charter officers and nomination procedures 'rightfully belong to us as representatives of the people' and that the change aimed to avoid the gridlock the town experienced previously. Council members debated whether the new timing should be 45 days plus a 15-day council window, how the 45/60 timeline interacts with the six-month rule, and whether the change could create conflicting language if competing ballot measures pass. After discussion the alternate amendment (45 days for nomination, council vote by day 60) was seconded by the vice mayor and approved by voice vote; the chair announced '7b passes.'

Council members earlier debated the relative importance of item 8 (the town clerk reporting relationship) and other procedural changes. Councilman Herzberg said item 8 'is a critical item' because, he argued, charter officers generally report to elected officials and making the town clerk report to the council would correct an unusual arrangement in Miami Lakes.

Separately, the council considered an alternate proposal (7c) to move primaries to August with a November runoff for races with multiple candidates. Supporters said August primaries could make the electorate smaller and less costly for candidates; opponents warned August is also low-turnout and would create extra qualifying periods and higher campaign costs. After debate the mayor moved to lay 7c on the table indefinitely and the motion carried.

Procedural votes were conducted by voice; the chair repeatedly called for 'ayes' and announced when motions carried. Several council members asked the town attorney to return with an actionable resolution presenting the final amended order at the next meeting for formal adoption on the record.

The council adjourned after taking these actions; the mayor requested that the attorney bring the final resolution back to the council for formal signing and for the clerk to prepare the ballot text for voters.