Charter Commission notes

From last night’s City charter review commission meeting:

Charter Review Commission notes:

The scheduled two-hour-long Pensacola Charter Review Commission public hearing Wednesday night lasted for an hour and 10 minutes, and included enthusiastic comments from about eight citizens.

“What we’ve learned is capital will go elsewhere,” John Peacock told the CRC. “It’s not the people (that’s the problem). It’s the form of government. There’s no accountability.
“I think strong mayor makes sense.”

Peacock added that the council members’ jobs are part-time. He also said City Manager Tom Bonfield has said his job doesn’t involve going before elected officials. “And I think we see the result of that,” Peacock said.

“Who’s going out in front of anybody?” Peacock asked. “Pensacola lags behind.”
All CRC members were present at the meeting. Floyd Armstrong was tardy, and Mark Crutcher arrived 30 minutes late.

Chair Crystal Spencer began the meeting by announcing Rhette Anderson had resigned, so another alternate must be named. Spencer also said she was told the $50,000 budget for the CRC has not yet been approved, though Article VIII of the CRC’s bylaws states: “The City Council established a budget of $50,000 for expenses related to the CRC’s activities…”

Tom Bonfield’s White Paper on the CRC estimates “the charter commission expenses for a city this size could range between $25,000 and $50,000.” A memo from Bonfield, who was not present at the meeting, indicates the funds will come from the sale of piece of property on Palafox St.

The reason for the miscommunication about the budget is unclear. Spencer said she will go before the City Council about the budget, and that the CRC will likely need more than $50,000.
CRC consultant William Haraway estimated a total cost of $65,010 for expert witnesses, research, consulting and other services. The CRC unanimously approved taking that figure to the City Council.

The citizens who commented talked about the lack of accountability and leadership in local government, reducing the size of the Council, imposing term limits, and other topics.
The also speakers cited Pensacola’s problems, including population decline, the tax burden, youth and talent flight, and the poverty rate.

Several of the speakers called the city’s problems “systemic.”

“You have the opportunity to set the standard and not simply follow someone else’s standard,” Dan Lozier told the CRC.

Sharon Barnett of the League of Women Voters took issue with the charter itself. The problems, she said, include it not being comprehensive or including a review provision. “It’s a mess,” Barnett said.

Tim Wright told the CRC members their job is critical. “If you don’t do a good job,” Wright said, “We’re gonna be out to lunch for another 20 years.”

Tom Bonfield is expected to talk about the current form of government at the next CRC meeting on March 17.