County Keeps Simple Majority For Votes To Change Charter

By ANTHONY McCARTNEY The Tampa Tribune

Published: Oct 4, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County commissioners rejected a last-minute push on Wednesday to require amendments to the county charter be passed by 60 percent of voters rather than a simple majority.

Commissioner Brian Blair asked fellow board members to set a public hearing on the proposal so it could appear on the ballot in January. If approved then, it would precede a November 2008 vote on whether to replace the county's administrator - an appointee - with an elected countywide mayor.

Commissioners voted 4-3 to reject Blair's motion. The issue likely will reappear, though.

Blair made his motion during a time set aside for "personal privilege" at the end of Wednesday's board meeting. He cited a letter sent by former Commissioner Joe Chillura, urging commissioners to make the change.

Chairman Jim Norman urged Blair to delay the motion until a later meeting, when it could be placed on the board's agenda. "That's a very hot political potato," he said.

If board members approved Blair's motion, after most members of the public had left, it could look "self-serving," Norman said.

Blair responded he was just trying to schedule a public hearing on whether to require the higher standard. If approved, the 60 percent threshold would be the same as the requirement to amend the state constitution. It also would be similar to the two-thirds vote needed when county commissioners attempt to amend the county charter, Blair said.

"If voters believe it is prudent to require a 60 percent margin to amend the state constitution, should it not also be prudent to amend the county charter by the same margin?" Chillura wrote board members.

Commissioner Ken Hagan supported Blair's motion, saying, "There would be plenty of time for the public to weigh in."

Commissioner Rose Ferlita voted against the motion and indicated she wouldn't support it at a later meeting. "I don't see the need to do that," she said. "Fifty percent plus one tells me what the majority of constituents want."

In other action:

•Commissioners approved 7-0 a new policy allowing the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's department to cremate unclaimed bodies instead of burying them. The change is expected to save the county about$100,000 a year.

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.