Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

SEMINOLE – South Pasadena Mayor Kathleen Peters joined the Florida League of Cities and other groups around the state that oppose the proposed Amendment 4 measure that will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Speaking before members of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Sept. 16, Peters said the proposed amendment, if passed, would create a flood of litigation and delays in city and county business.

“It’s not going to work,” she said.

Proponents of Amendment 4, which is also known as Florida Hometown Democracy, say it will give citizens in a community “a seat at the table” and a vote on new growth.

The measure would require a referendum for any changes to a local government’s comprehensive land use plan.

“This is one extra step so voters can have a say in what direction local government goes on its land use plan,” said Peters.

Any decisions involving zoning, wetlands, transportation, green space and other matters tied to a city’s land use plan would have to go before voters for approval before it could be implemented.

The process would not only slow down the efficiency of city business it would be very costly to taxpayers. A special election in St. Petersburg, for example, would cost about $295,000, Peters said. The city of Clearwater would have to pay about $110,000.

“Hometown Democracy will show you slides where Florida growth has not been smart and they’re probably right,” Peters said. “But that’s not the issue. It’s the solution that’s been proposed.”

The state of Florida requires municipalities to update their comprehensive plans every five years but some cities and towns do it more frequently, depending on the need for changes in the community. Each change would require a separate question on the ballot, Peters said.

“Indian Rocks Beach made changes to their plan (recently),” said Peters, “and we printed a sample ballot. It was 48 pages.”

Amendment 4 mirrors a similar change recently in the city charter at St. Pete Beach. In St. Pete Beach, a referendum isn’t necessary unless the change will affect five or more parcels of land.

Under terms of the statewide Amendment 4 proposal, there is no mention of parcels, Peters said, which means any change will have to go before voters for approval.

If it’s a county matter, it would take longer because counties hold elections only once every two years.

“For example,” said Peters, “if you lived in Palm Harbor and wanted to build a park there, it would require a countywide election. How much will it cost to (promote) it countywide?

Seminole City Councilor Bob Matthews said Amendment 4 would hurt business growth in Florida because of the length of time it would take cities to make necessary zoning changes.

“Any business outside the state looking to move to Florida will not come here (if Amendment 4 passes),” he said. “They’ll go to Raleigh (N.C.) or some other area that’s booming.”

Matthews added that Amendment 4 would disqualify every elected official in the state from doing their job.

Peters said it is estimated that the measure, if passed, would cost the state more than 267,000 jobs, and reduce fiscal revenue by $4 billion per year.

“We can’t afford this,” Peters said. “We need a solution but this is the wrong solution.”