I would like to refer an item to the March 25, 2024 Ad Hoc Charter Review and Revision Board (the “Charter Review Board”) meeting and the March 20, 2024 Public Safety Neighborhoods and Quality of Life Committee (the “Committee”) to discuss whether the City Charter should be amended to provide for a “strong mayor” form of government.  The Charter Review Board and the Committee should consider the powers a strong mayor in Miami Beach should have taking into account the City’s unique needs and challenges.  To assist in the discussion, attached as Exhibit 1 is Section 2.02 of the Miami-Dade County Charter.

Transitioning to a “strong mayor” form of government is a significant undertaking that will require thoughtful study and public consultation, to develop a model that is suitable for Miami Beach. Therefore, after consulting with the City Attorney, I believe the first formal step would be to submit a non-binding, straw ballot question to the voters asking whether the City should initiate the process, with final approval of required Charter amendments subject to voter approval in a subsequent Citywide referendum. I ask that the Charter Review Board promptly make a recommendation to the City Commission as to whether to proceed with a straw ballot well in advance of the County’s deadline to submit ballot questions for the November General Election. The County’s deadline for the November 5, 2024 General Election is July 26, 2024.