- Voters approved five city charter amendments, with more than 55% of support on each.
- One amendment will up pay for city commissioners by about $50,000.
- Watch the video to hear about the other amendments:
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Five changes to Tallahassee’s governing document passed with more than 55% of support.
More than 80,000 voters like David West voted on changes to the city's charter.
"Four out of the five, just like four out of five dentists surveyed, four out of five were good," West said. "I don't think we should be increasing the pay of the commissioners."
The one he's talking about: Amendment 1.
It was the change to set Tallahassee City Commissioner's salaries equal to the Leon County Commissioners.
It's a raise of almost $50,000, bumping their pay to about $95,000.
"Most of the people who run for city commission are not necessarily struggling," West said.
Voters ultimately voted to move the amendment forward with 56% support.
Mayor John Dailey said he thinks the increase could be a motivator for people with less means to run for office.
"I'm pleased that the amendment passed even though it doesn't impact my office, but for the commissioners, and I hope it's an incentive for people to run for office," Dailey said.
Amendments both Dailey and West were happy to see pass: 3.
It received 69% of the vote, moving elections between two commission candidates from the primary to general election.
"I think it improves turnout, adds to the integrity of the election," Dailey said.
"Instead of having them run in the primary and have only people from one party vote for them, you send it to the general election," West said.
The changes were all recommended by the charter review committee after the city asked them to look into certain areas of the document.
West said he wishes they would take a look at some other changes in the future.
"They should be allowed to consider anything, especially increasing the size of the city commission and representing people by district rather than at large," West said.
The changes to the charter will be implemented at different times for each amendment. City commissioners should see a pay raise after commissioners are sworn in next week. Amendment 3 won’t impact us until city commission elections in 2026.
