Palmetto Charter Review Committee ponders commission term limits

PALMETTO -- After recently being recommended by Palmetto elected officials and selected by resolution, the city Charter Review Committee wasted little time in raising hot topics such as mayor versus city manager forms of government and city commissioner term limits.

If ordinances and resolutions make up the body of city government, the charter is its heart. It's not a lengthy document but it defines what kind of body governs its citizens.

Thursday's kickoff was expected to be more of an organizational meeting, but members quickly raised discussion items to debate moving forward in making their final recommendations within six months.

Committee members discussed whether the city is best served by continuing its elected mayoral position or switching to a city manager-led government. As quickly as the subject was raised, it was equally quick to die.

"I don't believe there is any inclination here for a city manager," said committee Chairman Alan Zirklebeck. "A city manager would be expensive and I can't think of a recent mayor in the city of Palmetto, including (Shirley Groover Bryant), who hasn't worked really hard and put in a lot of hours."

Bryant makes $55,000 a year as head of the city's day-to-day operations. The median income for a city manager with 10 years of experience is more than $87,000. Bryant's salary would be considered at the low end of the scale for doing much of the same work, according to pay scale.com.

Committee member Vicky Moore pointed out another challenge with a city manager form of government.

"It's easier to vote out a mayor you are having an issue with than firing a city manager," she said.

Committee member Phil Guercio said it is time to revisit whether the city charter should limit terms for commissioners.

"My initial thinking is I would say two terms. ... Eight years is enough for anybody," said Guercio.

Such an action would have an immediate impact for three commissioners.

Vice Mayor Brian Williams recently celebrated 23 years on the dais while Commissioner Tambra Varnadore has served since 2004. Commissioner Tamara Cornwell has served nearly a decade. Commissioner Jonathan Davis is in his third year of his first term and Commissioner Harold Smith is still in his first year.

City attorney Mark Barnebey, who has sat through charter reviews before, said it's not the first time the subject of term limits has arisen.

"It seems to be a popular topic every five years," he said.

Barnebey said if the committee chooses to eventually make a recommendation: "I would advise caution in the language. If a commissioner can only serve two terms, does that mean they can't come back or can they lay out for two years and then run for election again?"

Zirklebeck, a former one-term commissioner, said the committee also needs to understand: "It's a small city and we don't have a lot of people who want to run."

Barnebey said the committee also needs to clarify language in the charter on how amendments take place due to some inconsistencies. Some amendments the commission would vote to approve and some would have to go on an election ballot. He was uncertain where a recommendation for term limits would land under the existing language.

Charter Review Committee meetings are open to the public and the process encourages public input. The next meeting is scheduled at 3 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Palmetto City Hall chambers.

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Palmetto Charter Review Committee ponders commission term limits ."