The City of Miami Springs City Council voted on Monday by a split 3-2 vote to direct the City Staff to create a Charter Amendment that would extend the term of each council member from 2 years to 4 years.
We are surprised to see this issue come back again. The residents of Miami Springs have already given their opinion on this matter. Back in 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 don’t like.
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. And it would save the City of Miami Springs some money by reducing the number of elections we have. (However, there’s a better option if cost-savings is the goal.)
Strongly Disagree
Back in 2012, the residents of Miami Springs said they did not want to lose their right to hold the City Council accountable every two years. Why would the residents of 2024 all of a sudden want to lose their right to hold Council Members accountable every two years?
Furthermore, our system of elections every two years has worked well for the Miami Springs residents for decades. Why change it?
Again, who gains and loses if we change the terms from 2 years to 4 years? The residents lose their power to hold officials accountable. The politicos gain more power. I don’t know about you, but I like keeping the residents rights to hold our city officials accountable.
Cost Savings
The City of Miami Springs holds a dedicated Miami Springs election every two years in April. The small number of voters who come out to participate in the April Miami Springs municipal elections are obviously highly motivated and interested in our local politics. It’s expensive, but it keeps the focus of the election on our local politicians and local Miami Springs issues. However, if the goal was to save money, the City of Miami Springs could move the date to coincide with the county election date in August. Moving the date could save the City of Miami Springs about two-thirds of the cost.
As Councilwoman Jacky Bravo stated, “Keep it as an April election…It costs what it costs…That’s what it takes to run the city…”
Should the U.S. Constitution be amended to allow the House of Representatives hold a 4 year term instead of a 2 year term? I’m sure it would save millions if not billions, but would you want to lose your Constitutional right to hold your Federal representative accountable every 2 years?
Split Vote by Council
Councilman Victor Vazquez made a motion to extend the term of each Council Member from 2 years to 4 years beginning with the next election with a maximum of an 8 year concurrent term. Councilman Walter Fajet (who announced is running for Mayor) seconded the motion. Here’s how the city council voted:
- Jorge Santin: No
- Jacky Bravo: No
- Walter Fajet: Yes
- Victor Vazquez: Yes
- Mayor Maria Mitchell: Yes
Next Steps
The city staff was directed to create a resolution to draft a Charter Amendment. Let the city know, we already voted on this 12 years ago. Why do we need to waste time and money to lose our right to hold our small city’s local officials accountable every two years?
