- April 19, 2024
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Unless more candidates file by Aug. 9, the City Council seats will be decided in November, with no vote in September. With four running, the mayor’s race will have a primary Sept. 13.
The Sept. 13 ballot for the Palm Coast municipal elections may be skimpier than first expected.
City Council candidate Dennis Cross pointed out in the public comment portion of the July 19 City Council meeting that the materials given to candidates were contradictory.
The City Charter says in one paragraph: “If two or more candidates qualify for an office,” there will be a primary. In another paragraph, it says: “If there are more than two candidates,” there will be a primary.
Cross, who is one of two running for District 3 in the City Council (against Jason DeLorenzo) said the candidates needed to know whether there would be a primary in September or only a runoff in November.
“Many of us have prepared all of our campaign materials relative to a Sept. 13 primary,” he said. “Are we, or aren’t we on the ballot?”
City attorney Bill Reischmann confirmed that the 1999 City Charter contradicts itself in two places. “Obviously, that creates a problem,” he said.
But, in a memo prepared for the City Council, Reischmann explains that in 1999 and 2001, two elections featuring two candidates each were held in the primary slot, in September. However, the city amended its charter after the 2001 election, eliminating the September primary in the event that only two candidates qualified for a given race. Beginning in 2003, with the race between Mary DiStefano and Rob Sedelmyer, elections between two candidates were settled in November.
But, as City Manager Jim Landon pointed out, that scenario has not presented itself since. All candidates have either run unopposed, or there have been three or more candidates, necessitating both a primary and runoff.
Adding to the confusion is the fact that the city attorney, city manager and city clerk all arrived on the staff after 2003.
What it means today
The end result, as it stands now, is that residents will not vote on City Council seats 1 and 3 in September. There are only two candidates each for District 1 (Bill McGuire and incumbent Holsey Moorman) and two for District 3 (Cross and DeLorenzo; Charles Ballard has officially withdrawn, according to City Clerk Virginia Smith).
That could change as late as 5 p.m. Aug. 9, however, if a resident decides to pay the fee to run. After that, the qualifying period is over, and the Sept. 13 ballot will be finalized.
“It is not uncommon in a municipal election for someone to come and qualify on the last day,” Landon said.
The race for Palm Coast mayor will likely be voted on in September. Four candidates are still in that race (incumbent Jon Netts, Charles Ericksen Jr., Joe Cunnane and Ray Minami). If one candidate garners 50% of the vote, he will be declared mayor. If no one reaches 50%, the top two vote getters will square off in November.
CONSIDER YOURSELF MEETED AND GREETED
The Flagler County Tea Party hosted a meet-and-greet July 19, for the Palm Coast candidates. Chairman Tom Lawrence said the venue gave residents a chance to ask unscripted questions.
“You can leave here having thoroughly investigated the candidates,” Lawrence said.
There will be a forum 5 p.m. Aug. 23, hosted by the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, the Flagler County Association of Realtors and the Flagler County Homebuilders Association, at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Lawrence said the Tea Party will conduct a vote there and publish the results to its members as a voting guide.
