Pensacola Approves New Charter Government

November 25, 2009

Voters in Pensacola approved a new form of government during a mail-in vote that ended Tuesday.

About 55 percent (7,762) voted for the new city charter, while about 45 percent (6,308) voted to keep Pensacola’s current governmental structure.

Under the new strong-boss mayor charter, the mayor in Pensacola will be able to set budgets, hire and fire, and exercise veto power. The city council will have to agree with the mayor to hire department heads and the city attorney, but the mayor will be able to fire them at will.

The nine-member council will be cut to seven members, eliminating two at-large seats.

Three four-year term limits will be imposed on both the council and mayor.

Portions of the new charter go into effect January 1, but the sections related to the election of the council and mayor won’t be in effect until the November 2010 election.

Pensacola’s vote for a new charter form of government is unrelated to Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission that is developing a plan to consolidate the governments of Century, Pensacola and Escambia County into one.

Comments

3 Responses to “Pensacola Approves New Charter Government”

  1. A.W. THOMPSON on November 26th, 2009 1:30 pm

    NO TO CONSOLIDATION! MOSQUITO FLATS DOES NOT WANT TO BE ANY WAY ASSOCIATED WITH PENSACOLA AT ALL..AS SOON AS WE GET A MAYOR AND A FIRE CHIEF THATS THE DAY IM SELLING THIS EMPIRE AND HEADED BACK TO THE HEART OF DIXIE.THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY DONT WANT TO BE PART OF CENTURY LET ALONE PART OF THE CORRUPTION THAT GOES ON BELOW I-10..THE MAIN REASON I MOVED TO THE RIVER SWAMP.PENSACOLA CAN HAVE THE BEACH I DONT NEED IT,ALONG WITH THE CROWDS AND TRAFFIC.IF WE THINK THAT THE NORTH END DOESN’T GET ITS FAIR SHARE JUST WAIT UNTIL GODS COUNTRY IS TURNED INTO A SPRAWLING METROPOLIS.ITS EASY JUST VOTE NO. A.W. THOMPSON MOSQUITO FLATS FLORIDA. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA………

  2. Mr. Rodgers on November 25th, 2009 11:12 pm

    I can’t wait to see all the folks, citizens up in arms over this. BUT so you think they will vote?
    You want change——-or if you don’t want change. VOTE!
    You will stand, sit, or talk on the telephone to voice your opinion. BUT you will not take the same amount of time and go VOTE.
    NEIGHBOR IT’S IS…I REAPEAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T TAKE IT UPON YOURSELF TO GO AND VOTE. and TELL THAT NEIGHBOR, SISTER, BROTHER ALL THAT CAN VOTE TO DO THE SAME.

    Times are changing. Changing fast. Those that want this know there are ways to hurry this through because we are just as usual jacking our jaws.
    IF YOU DON’T GO VOTE…YOU just need to sit back and keep your opinions to yourself.

  3. robert Hudson on November 25th, 2009 5:31 pm

    And does any one in this county wish to be governed by a strong mayor, that is going to be all- pro for the now present city of pensacola when it comes down to tax’s to support the city? . Remember we will all live in the city of pensacola limits, and they will be able to impose what ever tax that they see fit. To consolidtate, would be a very bad thing for this county. The city will never run out of ways to spend our money. VOTE NO ON CONSOLIDATION!!!!!