Tavares council approves ballot language to extend council terms to four years

The City of Tavares City Council voted 4-0 on March 18 to approve ballot language that would ask voters in November whether to amend the city charter to extend council member terms from two to four years and align municipal elections with statewide cycles. Staff emphasized that the council was approving language only; if the language is approved by the council again as an ordinance at the next meeting and by voters, the charter amendment would take effect with transitional staggered terms.

A staff member said consolidating local elections with statewide election cycles would save the city an estimated $80,000 in election costs and could increase voter turnout for municipal races. Councilmembers discussed a public education campaign to explain the fiscal impact and benefits of aligning elections.

The motion to approve the ballot language passed by voice vote, 4-0; staff said the ordinance implementing the ballot language would return for a later ordinance reading.