Post Endorsement: Ballot questions for Municipal elections in Palm Beach County

On March 14, Municipal elections will be conducted in Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board, independent of the newsroom, has reviewed questions on bonds and charter changes that will appear on ballots in five communities. The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board consists of Executive Editor Rick Christie, Editorial Page Editor Tony Doris and Editorial Writer Douglas C. Lyons. 

Boca Raton

VOTE YES on Length of Terms.

Extending the time an elected official can serve is typically a tough sell, and Mayor Scott Singer's idea to extend council terms from three to four years is no exception. However, the council and the city would benefit from the charter change. Longer terms mean more time for council members to work on issues and projects, many of which take longer to address than the current two-term limit allows. Four-year terms for larger cities in Florida have become the norm. Given Boca Raton's size and ongoing projects, the change in council terms is warranted.

Delray Beach

VOTE YES on Question 1: General Obligation Bonds for public safety projects.

The $100 million general obligation bond would pay for the renovation of the city's police headquarters, improve the city's Ocean Rescue headquarters and renovate fire stations. The estimated cost to a residence with a $250,000 taxable assessed value will be about $107 for the first year but that cost is expected to drop to $90 annually in 2024. By voting YES, the city will have the funds to improve public safety to meet the demands of a growing community.

For subscribers: Post Endorsement - Delray Beach voters should opt for experienced leaders

VOTE YES on Question 2: General Obligation Bonds for public park projects.

The $20 million bond would be used for new practice fields, basketball courts, walking trails and lighting improvements in Catherine Strong and other parks. The estimated cost of the bond for a residence with a $250,000 taxable assessed value will be $22 annually.

Juno Beach

VOTE YES on Direct Election of Mayor.

Currently, the council picks the mayor. Juno Beach residents initiated a citizens' petition leading to a charter change that, if approved, would allow voters to elect their mayor to serve a two-year term, beginning next year.

For subscribers: Post Endorsement: Financial, ethical experience needed on Juno Beach council

Lantana

VOTE YES on Question 1: Change Charter from Majority to Plurality Vote.

This change, if approved, would replace the 50%-plus one majority vote requirement with a simple plurality, starting in 2024. The amendment would give candidates with the most votes a seat on the town council and spare the town the cost of holding runoff elections.

For subscribers: Post Endorsements - Vote for candidates who will keep Lantana feeling like a small town

Tequesta

VOTE YES on Bonds for Land Acquisition Program.

The village is asking voters to allow the council to sell bonds, up to $10 million, to pay for the acquisition of land for parks, recreation, open space and environmental preservation. If approved, the village would gain another tool to pay for open space improvements sought by residents during a series of 2022 community meetings.

VOTE YES on Question 1: New Terms and Term Limits for Councilmembers.

This charter amendment changes council terms from two years to three and sets term limits of three three-year terms, with a required one-term waiting period before an incumbent can again seek office.

VOTE YES on Question 2: Residency requirement before seeking office.

This charter change sets a residency requirement of a year before an individual can run for Village Council.

VOTE YES on Question 3: Resolving tie votes by lot.

Instead of holding an expensive special election to determine the winner of a tie vote, this charter change would institute a drawing to select the winner who would serve on the council until the next election.

VOTE YES on Question 4: Temporary appointments to fill council vacancies.

This charter change would eliminate a special election to fill a council vacancy and give the council the ability to pick a replacement who would serve until the next election. Like Question 3, the change would save the village money.

VOTE YES on Question 5: Require voter approval prior to dissolving police and fire services.

If approved, the change would require a referendum that would allow village residents to determine if they wanted to replace the village police and/or fire services with public safety services provided by the county.

VOTE YES on Question 6: General Clarification.

This change is limited to housekeeping in charter language that corrects and updates terminology.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Local elections 2023: Palm Beach County ballot questions, Boca, Delray