Will Safety Harbor Reschedule Its Election?

Barely four months into his term as the mayor of Safety Harbor, some residents are concerned that Joe Ayoub might get a few months added to his tenure next year. 

During a budget workshop on May 6, the city commission addressed the possibility of moving the 2014 city election from March to November to coincide with the county elections, which would save the city roughly $20,000. 

But a group of Safety Harbor citizens are upset at the potential to extend Ayoub’s term by nearly nine months — a petition was presented to officials prior to Monday night’s city commission meeting, where one resident spoke up about the issue.

“I would like to go on record that I am opposed to the City of Safety Harbor forgoing our general election in March 2014 and moving it to November 2014,” Barbara Hugg said during the "audience to be heard" portion of the agenda. 

“I am not the only resident objecting to this possible issue,” she added. “Earlier today and this evening, we had brought in both handwritten and online petitions submitted to the City objecting to the moving of the election.” 

The decision to move city elections is not without precedent. 

Records show that four times in the past five years, the Safety Harbor City Commission voted to move elections either up or back to piggyback on county elections in order to save money and maximize voter turnout. 

It’s a practice that has been used often by neighboring communities as well, including Dunedin and Largo, which recently amended its city charter to prevent annual debates over the issue. 

When contacted by Patch, Mayor Ayoub was quick to point out that he actually voted to move an election up from March to January last year, which could have shortened his term as then-City Commissioner.

Keep up to date on all the local issues. Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!

“We’ve moved elections before to save the city $20,000 and increase voter turnout,” Ayoub said. “In the past I supported it, and it just so happened to affect my term.”

“All I’m doing now is applying the same exact thought process to the next election as I did when I voted to potentially shorten my term.” 

Documents from the budget workshop show the estimated cost to host a separate city election in March of 2014 would be $22,999.06.

If that election was held in November the estimated cost decreases to $1,790.50, an estimated savings of $21,208.56.

During the workshop Commissioner Nina Bandoni, whose seat is also up in 2013, said she agreed with the proposal.

"I've always been one who voted with regard to the thought of saving money on the elections," Bandoni said. "In addition I've noticed when we do it in concert with county elections, there is a greater turnout."

However, Commissioner Nancy Besore expressed reservations about moving the election.

“I was happy to have my term potentially shortened,” Besore said. “I’m going to have a problem about lengthening because there are some of the constituency who want an election in 2014.”

“There are some people who are going to want to weigh in right away, they’re not gonna want to wait, even given the expense.” 

According to city officials, the issue could come before the commission for a vote in June or July.

What do you think, Harborites? Should the city move the 2014 election from March to November and save $20,000, or would you rather the schedule remain as is? Let us know in the comments below.