Century To Consider Charter Amendment To Change Elections

November 16, 2010

The Town of Century will explore amending the town’s charter to change election days to coincide with the regularly scheduled county elections.

Under the current  charter, Century’s general election is held on the second Tuesday of the month. That meant this year, for example, taxpayers footed the bill for the county and statewide general election on November 2 and then paid to hold another election a week later in Century with just two candidates in a runoff for town council.

“I felt it was a waste of our tax payer money to have this last election we had just a week after the county election,” Ann Brooks, Century Town Council president, said Monday night.

But the council can’t just amend the charter — that requires a referendum, according to Brooks who cited an email from the town’s attorney. But rather than hold an additional, special election on a referendum to reduce the number of elections in Century, Brooks suggested that the town target a charter-changing referendum for the next general election.

Brooks also recommended that the council review the town charter to determine if any other changes are needed that could be included in the referendum.

Lame duck Councilman Henry Hawkins suggested that the council consider charter changes after two new members take office in January. Brooks said the charter changes would be considered in January.

Century’s elections are managed by Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford through an interlocal agreement.

Pictured top: Ballots are counted for a Century town council election by Escambia County elections officials. Pictured inset:  Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and members of the Century Canvassing Board tabulate votes.  NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News