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What To Expect If County Voters Opt To Have A Mayor

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By ELLEN GEDALIUS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2008

TAMPA - Over the next few months, you likely will hear a lot about a proposal to create a county mayor position in Hillsborough County.

So what is a county mayor and why should you care?

Voters will be asked in November whether they want to change the county charter to create the county mayor position. Now, the county has an administrator, appointed by the commission, who is in charge of managing the various departments and the day-to-day operations of the county.

If the county mayor idea passes, voters would elect a county mayor in 2010, stripping the commission of the power to appoint an administrator.

In a separate referendum, voters will be asked to decide whether to give veto power to the county mayor.

If the ballot measures pass, Hillsborough's government would look more like Tampa's, with a strong mayor and a weaker city council.

It could potentially be a major power shift that changes the course of county politics.

How is county government structured now?

Seven county commissioners are elected, four from districts and three countywide. The commissioners appoint the county administrator, who answers to the county commission. Commissioners have the authority to hire and fire the county administrator.

If this proposal passes, how will that change?

Voters would still elect county commissioners but would elect a county mayor as well. The county commission would have no power over that person. The commission would serve as the government's legislative body, and the mayor would lead the executive branch.

Why do proponents like this idea?

Advocates say local government would be more efficient if power were vested in a single, strong leader with the authority to make major policy decisions for Hillsborough County. They also say an elected county mayor would give county government a better system of checks and balances because all the power would not be vested in the county commission.

What do the opponents say?

Opponents say too much power would be concentrated in one person and that could lead to corruption. They also say minorities could be disenfranchised because the countywide vote for mayor would dilute the voting power of minority neighborhoods.

What will be the duties of the county mayor?

The county mayor will act as Hillsborough's chief executive. The officeholder will supervise employees, hire and fire department heads and essentially serve as the chief administrative officer of the county.

Will the mayor have veto power over the county commission?

That depends. A separate ballot question asks voters whether they want to give the county mayor veto power over the commission. If approved, the veto power would be limited to ordinances and the budget. The mayor would not be allowed to veto zoning, master plan or land use plan issues. The commission would be able to override the veto with a two-thirds vote.

How will this affect the role of the county commissioners?
County commissioners would still pass ordinances and make land-use decisions, but they would have essentially no control over the county mayor. Now, they can hire and fire the county administrator and give the administrator direction to carry out certain policies.

Will the county mayor serve on the board of county commissioners?

No.

When will we get to decide whether we should have a county mayor?

The election is in November.

How many votes are needed for the referendum to pass?

A simple majority: 50 percent plus one.

If it passes, when will the election for mayor be held? When will the mayor take office?

The primary election would be in August 2010, and the general election would be in November 2010. The mayor's term would start in January 2011.

What will the term of office be? Are there term limits?

The term of office would be four years, limited to two consecutive terms.

Does the county mayor need to live in Hillsborough County?

The county mayor must be a registered voter and a resident of Hillsborough at election time and throughout the term in office.

Will the mayor be a partisan position?

No. The ballot language calls for a "non-partisan primary and general election."

How will the mayor's salary be determined?

By the county commission at a "level which is commensurate with the requirements of the position."

If I live in Tampa, Temple Terrace or Plant City, will I be able to vote on the county mayor proposal?

Yes, all registered voters in Hillsborough County are eligible to vote on the county mayor questions.

What will happen to the mayors of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City if this passes?

The creation of a county mayor in Hillsborough isn't expected to have any effect on the mayors of the county's three municipalities.

Do other Florida counties have county mayors?

Duval, Orange and Miami-Dade counties all have variations of the county mayor form of government.

Reporter Ellen Gedalius can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or egedalius@tampatrib.com.

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