Palm Bay, FL - Palm Bay City Councilman Mike Hammer will be hosting a Town Hall meeting focused on the ongoing City Charter review process. This event provides a key opportunity for residents to engage directly, understand the process, and share their thoughts on the foundational document that governs our city.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Dawn Reid Room, Palm Bay City Hall
What is the City Charter and Why is it Being Reviewed?
The city charter essentially acts as Palm Bay's "constitution." It's the highest level of law for the city, outlining the structure, powers, and functions of our local government. According to the charter itself, a Charter Review Committee can be appointed by the City Council to review the document and recommend changes to keep it current and effective.
The current review process was established by the City Council on January 16, 2025. The committee, which will begin meeting in July or August 2025, is set to discuss several key topics, including the process for filling council vacancies, requirements to run for office, voting districts, and the city's 3% ad valorem tax cap.
The Charter Review Process Explained
Understanding how a charter amendment gets from an idea to law is key. The process involves three main steps:
Charter Review Committee: A citizen committee, with two electors appointed by each councilmember, reviews the charter and recommends potential changes.
City Council Decision: The City Council considers the committee's recommendations and votes on which proposed amendments to place on the ballot for a public vote.
Voter Approval: Ultimately, Palm Bay residents have the final say. They vote to approve or reject any proposed charter amendments during an election.
Why Your Participation Matters
The charter affects how our city operates day-to-day. Changes can have a significant impact on:
City Government Structure: How the roles of the mayor, council, and city manager function and interact.
Accountability: The rules for ethics, how charter officers can be terminated, and the process for filling vacancies.
Local Decision-Making: The city's powers related to taxation, land use, and providing essential services.
Resident participation is crucial in shaping the future of Palm Bay's governance. This town hall is a direct avenue for your voice to be heard as the review process gets underway.
How to Participate and Prepare
All residents are encouraged to attend this Town Hall to listen, learn, and engage. To prepare, you can review the current City Charter online.
View the City Charter Here: Palm Bay City Charter
This is an excellent chance to ask questions about the committee's timeline, learn how to submit ideas for consideration, and understand Councilman Hammer's perspective on the review process.
Important Sunshine Law Note: To ensure transparency and prevent informal deliberations, this Town Hall is structured to include only Councilman Hammer and one representative from the Charter Review Committee. Other members of the City Council and the Charter Review Committee should not attend.
Curated by AI and fact-checked by The Palm Bayer.
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