Fort Myers Beach commission unanimously sends five charter-change recommendations to town council

The Fort Myers Beach Charter Review Commission voted unanimously April 7 to send a final package of five recommended changes to the town council, a move that begins the next step of whether the proposals appear on a future ballot.

The recommendations address transparency (section 3.01), creation of a recurring compensation committee (section 4.05), filling vacancies (section 4.08), election-related provisions (section 5.01), and revisions to camping-board language (section 5.09). The commission chair said the packet distributed to council will include a corrected version of the recommendation letter and a spreadsheet mapping each proposal to charter sections.

Why it matters: the commission’s package could change how the town handles disclosure and ex parte contacts, set a regular schedule and process for reviewing elected officials’ compensation, clarify how the vice mayor and other vacancies are filled, and adjust election and camping-board procedures. If council approves any charter changes, the town will need to translate them into ballot questions and coordinate with the supervisor of elections.

On compensation, the commission agreed on language to create a compensation committee that would begin in 2027 and recur on a four-year cycle. The draft language in the recommendation reads in part: “Commencing in 2027 and no sooner than every four years, a compensation committee consisting of five residents appointed by the town council shall make recommendations for compensation adjustments to town council. The first compensation committee shall be appointed and will make its recommendation to the town council no later than three months prior to the date of the next general election. Any action by the town council to change its compensation shall be effective as of the first day following the next regular election.” The commission’s rationale emphasized separating pay reviews from active election campaigns and making any changes effective only after the next regular election so that incumbency does not advantage newly adopted pay adjustments.

The panel also clarified vacancy language so the vice mayor assumes the office of mayor for the remainder of an unexpired term and the resulting vice-mayor vacancy is to be filled at the next regularly scheduled meeting until the next vice-mayor selection. Members discussed temporary versus permanent vacancies and confirmed the charter’s provisions would apply for permanent vacancies.

Commissioners discussed seat numbering for at-large positions and recalled historical practice that originally assigned seat numbers (once done alphabetically) but agreed seat numbers now serve only administrative or organizational purposes; no amending action on seat numbering was taken at this meeting.

Town staff member Nancy explained the post-commission process: council will review the commission’s recommendations, decide which items — if any — to place on the charter or address via ordinance or resolution, and then, if council approves charter questions, the town will work with the supervisor of elections and follow ordinance readings and ballot-timing procedures. The commission was told it will have an opportunity to present to council; April 20 was identified as the next relevant council meeting for a presentation.

A motion to send the final recommendation letter and supporting materials to the town council was made and seconded (Ed is recorded as having seconded the motion). The commission voted by voice and the motion carried unanimously. The commission then adjourned.

Next steps: the town council will determine which — if any — of the five recommended charter changes will appear on the ballot or instead be handled by ordinance or resolution. The corrected version of the commission’s letter will be published as part of the April 20 council agenda materials.