By Henry Fitzgerald
In addition to voting for their choice of Democratic or Republican members of Congress in the Aug. 30 primary election, Boca Raton voters will be deciding how to fill council vacancies or whether council members should get a raise.
One referendum question was added to the ballot at the request of Councilman Scott Singer. He said council vacancies take too long to fill and that voters should elect the person for the open seat.
Under the current rules, the council selects a person to fill the seat, but Singer has said an unelected person could hold the seat for two years of a three-year term.
“Shouldn’t residents have the greatest say?” he has asked.
Councilman Mike Mullaugh pushed for the second question, saying better-paying council jobs might attract a wider field of candidates. The proposed raises would boost the mayor’s pay to $38,000 a year from $9,000, and a council member’s pay to $28,000 a year from $7,200. If approved, the pay hikes would become effective in October 2017.
The questions read as follows, with “yes” and “no” options for voters:
City Of Boca Raton Referendum Question No. 1
Proposed charter amendment filling of vacancies in the City Council
The city charter provides: vacancies on City Council are filled by appointment until the next regular city election. The proposed charter amendment would provide: Vacancies on City Council, including the office of mayor, will be filled by special election for the unexpired term. The special election will generally be no later than the Tuesday following the 90th day after the vacancy (or on a scheduled election date if within 150 days of the vacancy).
Shall the charter be amended?
City Of Boca Raton Referendum Question No. 2
Proposed ordinance mayor and City Council member salaries
The proposed ordinance provides that the annual salary of the mayor shall be increased to $38,000.00, and the annual salary of the other council members shall be increased to $28,000.00.
Shall the above described ordinance be adopted?
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