North Port City Commission approves referendum questions for May 13 special election

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

CITY OF NORTH PORT, FL – The City Commission on Tuesday finalized five referendum questions that will be placed on the ballot for North Port voters in a May 13 special election.

City voters will be asked to consider the following:

1. Debt Issuance to Respond to Declared Emergency or Disaster

The City Charter does not allow the City to issue any debt without first obtaining voter approval, which can create significant delays, most crucially during emergencies. A vote “Yes” would allow the City the flexibility to borrow money to remove debris or repair or reconstruct any public infrastructure or capital facilities damaged as a direct result of an emergency or disaster.

The debt could be issued only during a declared local, state or federal emergency or disaster (as outlined by state and federal law), and it could only be repaid from identified revenue streams, not property taxes.

2. Removal of Residency Requirements for City Clerk and City Attorney Positions

The City Charter requires that the City Clerk and City Attorney live within the City limits. A vote “Yes” would remove the residency requirements for these positions. City Commissioners stated they want to attract the most qualified candidates when recruiting for a vacant City Clerk or City Attorney position and believe that eliminating the residency requirement will create more interest in the positions.

3. General Obligation Bonds to Finance a New Police Department Headquarters Facility

The North Port Police Department has outgrown its current headquarters, built in 2006 when there were only about 47,000 North Port residents. A proposed new headquarters was recommended by a professional firm that analyzed current and future staffing needs, growth projections and industry standards for the number of officers and staff needed to safely protect the community.

A “Yes” on this ballot question would authorize the City to issue bonds up to $115 million to pay for the new police headquarters. The average North Port homeowner with an assessed property value of $246,400 would see an initial property tax increase of $121.38 – about $10 a month or 33 cents a day. This cost would go down over time as it is spread out among more residents moving to North Port.

4. Bonds to Finance a Solid Waste Transfer Station

The City is planning to build a new solid waste transfer station where collected trash is temporarily unloaded, sorted and prepared for further handling before final disposal at a landfill. The new station will help keep the community clean. It will also increase efficiency and ultimately save the City money by reducing trips to the landfill, fuel costs and wear and tear on City vehicles and equipment.

A vote “Yes” would allow the City to issue bonds up to $14 million to pay for the transfer station. The bonds would be paid from Solid Waste revenues. It is not a new tax.

5. Bonds to Finance Capital Improvements to a Wastewater Treatment Facility

In an effort to replace aging infrastructure, the City’s Utilities Department needs to make improvements to an effluent pumping station – a system that transports treated reclaimed water. A new 30-inch pipeline needs to be built between the Pan American Boulevard facility and a deep injection well where the treated water can be safely stored.

A “Yes” vote would allow the City to finance this project through the issuance of bonds of up to $17 million that would be paid back from water and sewer utility revenues. It is not a new tax.

Town Halls & More Information

The City Commission also heard an update from staff about educational opportunities for residents to learn more about the May 13 special election. An informational webpage at NorthPortFL.gov/Referendum includes the ballot language for all five referendum questions and more details.

The City Commission will host three Town Halls for residents to have their questions answered about the referendum. They will be held:

  • 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at Morgan Family Community Center
  • 6 p.m. April 2 at North Port Public Safety Building, Wellen Park
  • 6 p.m. April 24 at Suncoast Technical College

All three Town Halls will be broadcast live via the City’s YouTube channel, and those who can’t attend may submit their questions online in advance of each meeting.

How to vote

As discussed at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, the deadline to register to vote with the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections for this North Port special election is Monday, April 14.

North Port residents may vote by mail or drop off their vote-by-mail ballot at the North Port elections office, 13640 Tamiami Trail, from April 4 through May 13. Vote-by-mail ballots can be requested online by Thursday, May 1, at 5 p.m.

In-person early voting will be held May 5 through May 10 and can be done each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Supervisor of Elections Office in Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port.

For more information, visit sarasotavotes.gov/Next-Election.