Proposed 2020 Doral Charter Amendments to vote on November 3rd
DORAL, FL – Per the City of Doral Charter, every five years the Charter Review Committee must meet for four months to review the City Charter. These meetings are public and the community is able to attend and provide feedback.
The Charter Review Committee is comprised of five members. The City Council members each appoint one committee member, all of which are Doral residents. Below are their recommended changes to the City Charter, which the City is required by law to put out to a vote for Doral voters to decide.
All of the recommendations were unanimously approved by all of the Charter Review Committee members.
Doral Referendum 1 – Expand the role of Office of Charter Enforcement; revise process for selection Charter Enforcement Official
It is proposed that the Charter be amended to revise the requirements for the appointment of the Selection Committee for the Charter Enforcement Official and permit the members of the Selection Committee to be appointed by the Mayor and Council; establish minimum qualifications for the Charter Enforcement Official; expand the role of the Office of Charter Enforcement to include investigations and enforcement of persons doing business with the city and clarify the process for establishing the operating budget.
What does this mean?
During a prior election, the Charter Commission recommended a Charter Amendment to establish an Office of Charter Enforcement. This amendment, which was approved by voters during a past election, provided for a complicated selection process that was not functional.
This current proposed Charter Amendment rectifies the process in place to select the Charter Enforcement Official through a Selection Committee. It also expands the Office’s role to investigate and enforce persons doing business with the City, not just the Elected Officials.
Doral Referendum 2 – Adopt a process for naming City properties that doesn’t limit the naming to posthumous nominees
It is proposed that the Charter be amended to adopt a procedure for naming properties and facilities after an individual or organization that does not limit the naming and designations to posthumous nominees.
What does this mean?
This Charter Amendment clarifies the criteria and procedures used for naming City facilities, removing the language that limits considerations to only nominees who are no longer alive. As the City continues to grow with more facilities, this change could permit organizations, contingent upon proper vetting and approval from Mayor and Council, to generate revenue opportunities to the City through sponsorship naming rights.
Doral Referendum 3 – Change the minimum qualifications for the position of City Manager
Currently the Charter authorizes the City Manager to have minimum qualifications of a combination of a bachelor’s degree, and three (3) years’ public administration experience; or ten (10) years’ experience in a City Manager or Assistant City Manager position.
Shall the Charter be amended to replace the bachelor’s degree as the minimum educational requirement and require a master’s degree in public administration, business administration or other related fields from an accredited college or university?
What does this mean?
This Charter Amendment revises minimum qualifications for the City Manager from a Bachelor’s degree to a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or other related fields.
Doral Referendum 4 – Change the minimum qualifications for the position of City Attorney
Currently the Charter authorizes the City Attorney to have no less than five years of experience of practice in Florida and at least three years of experience in local government law. Shall the minimum requirements be amended to require the City Attorney to have been admitted to practice in Florida for no less than ten years and to have no less than five years of experience in the practice of local government law?
What does this mean?
This Charter Amendment revises minimum qualifications for the City Attorney to require 10 years of experience at the time of his appointment, with no less than five years’ experience in the practice of law for local government.
Doral Referendum 5 – Change election to plurality occurring May of each even numbered year; eliminating runoff elections
It is proposed the Charter be amended to change the election to a plurality election in May of even numbered years eliminating runoff elections. The change to May will result in an increase of approximately eighteen (18) months in the terms of the officials elected in 2018 and 2020.
Shall the Charter be amended to a plurality election in May of even numbered years eliminating runoff elections?
What does this mean?
This Charter Amendment provides for a change in the General Election date to May of each even numbered year. It includes a change to a plurality election and eliminates run offs.
In a plurality election, the candidate who has more votes than any other counterpart is elected. This amendment includes provision for a Special Election in the event of a tie. While the terms of office for Mayor and Council members remain that of four years, the terms for Council members elected in 2018 and 2020 would be extended to account for the initial change in election dates to May.
Several other municipalities in Miami-Dade County also hold their elections outside of the General Election. One of the reasons for the proposed change is that an election outside of the General Election allows voters to focus on the Doral candidates and Doral issues.
Doral Referendum 6 – Change Charter Commission Review to every six years and extend commission’s term to general election
Currently the Charter provides that the Charter Revision Commission shall meet every fifth year. Shall the Charter be amended to provide that the Charter Revision Commission shall meet every sixth year and continue until the day after the general election?
What does this mean?
This Charter Amendment changes the appointment of the Charter Review Commission from every five years to every six years and provides a “sunset” provision for the Charter Review Commission stating that the term of the Charter Review Commission shall expire on the day after the general election.
This allows the Charter Review Commission to take an active role in educating the voters concerning the proposed Charter changes that they will be asked to vote on.
For further information or questions, contact the following email constituentservices@cityofdoral.com.
With information of City of Doral Public Affairs team.