Despite Miami Springs residents having voted no to this back in 2012, the City Council voted 3 to 1 at Monday’s City Council Meeting to ask residents once again on extending the Council’s terms from two years to four years.
Here’s the language the City Council voted for:
Four-Year Staggered Terms of Office and November Elections
The City Charter provides that the Mayor and Council are all elected for two-year terms at general municipal elections held in April of odd-numbered years. The proposed Charter amendment provides for a transition to four-year, staggered terms for Mayor and Council with elections to be held in November of even-numbered years.
Shall the above-described amendment be adopted?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
One of the points made by councilman Walter Fajet was that most of the other municipalities in Miami-Dade County have four year terms. Miami Springs is one of the only cities that has two year terms. Our opinion is that Miami Springs is one of the best, if not the best city in all of Miami-Dade County. Maybe, part of our success has to do with having two year terms. In other words, we don’t want to be like the other Miami-Dade municipalities. We want to protect the things that make Miami Springs special. If one of the things that makes us different is holding politicians accountable every two years, why would we want to give it up?
Furthermore, throughout the history of Miami Springs, there have been many council members that served two years and were subsequently voted out within two years. While not common, it has definitely happened. Why would we want to give up that right?
I have listened to the arguments from the members on council. I truly believe the council members who voted for expanding from 2 years to 4 years honestly think this is better for the community. I don’t doubt their sincerity. They just haven’t persuaded me in favor of their argument.
Our opinion is that Miami Springs has been served well for many decades with two year terms. Residents get to choose every two years on whether to re-elect the council members or to vote for a new candidate. Why would residents want to give up this power?
Who benefits from four year terms? Naturally, the politicians in office. Miami Springs is a tiny town. Our politicians don’t need to serve a whole presidential term. Two year terms has served us well. Let’s not break this.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Members in the House of Representatives only get two years to serve in Congress before they need to seek re-election. If it’s good enough for Congress, it’s more than enough for little ol’ Miami Springs.
And, as we’ve stated before, the majority of Miami Springs voters agreed with us. Most Miami Springs voters voted NO to expand the council’s terms from two years to four years when this was brought up back in 2012. On August 14, 2012, the City of Miami Springs held a special election to amend the City Charter to change the terms of office for all Council members, excluding Mayor, from 2 to 4 year terms. The residents of Miami Springs overwhelmingly voted NO. We’re talking 1,180 NO votes to 678 YES votes. That was 64% of the Miami Springs voters clearly stating they were not in favor of extending the terms of the Council Members.
Why would residents vote to lose their existing rights? Right now, residents of Miami Springs have the right to either re-elect or vote out any member on the City Council every two years. A two year term is the same term length as members of the United States House of Representatives.
A two year term gives Miami Springs residents the ability to hold council members accountable on critical matters. By in large, incumbents have generally received a vote of confidence and have been re-elected. However, there have been many times where residents have been able to vote out a sitting council member shortly after a controversial issue. In other words, you don’t have to wait four years to vote against a council member you disagree with.
The chart below shows the vast majority (63%) voted against 4 year terms:
Who benefits from four year terms?
The politicians obviously benefit as they don’t have to run for re-election as often. It benefits any political cronies who get in tight with the elected power structure.
Who loses?
The residents will lose their current right to vote for or against each member on the council every two years.
Folks, we do not want to be like the rest of Miami-Dade County. Miami Springs is special. So what if all the other municipalities have four year terms. Maybe that’s the difference between other cities and beautiful Miami Springs.
The residents have a special right (built into our charter) that allows us to vote every two years. Let’s not lose that right.
Of course, we encourage contrasting points of views. Let us know what you think in the comments section or via social media.
The Record
The council members that voted in favor of changing the terms from 2 years to 4 years:
- Jorge Santin
- Walter Fajet
- Victor Vazquez
Who voted against it:
- Jacky Bravo
What about the mayor?
Mayor Mitchell was not present at Monday’s meeting and thus did not vote for or against the item. That said, she’ll have a chance to vote for or against the item at second reading.
The fact that this item does not have unanimous support from the council and the fact that it was already voted down 12 years ago does not bode well for its success in November.
