The Palm Bay Charter Review Commission (CRC) convenes for a pivotal meeting this Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. at City Hall.
The agenda features proposals that could fundamentally reshape the city’s political landscape, from how residents vote for Council to how strictly the city is limited in raising property taxes. With multiple competing visions for the city’s future up for debate, the Commission is actively inviting public input on these critical changes.
Here is a breakdown of the major items under consideration.
1. The Battle Over the Tax Cap
Palm Bay’s “3% Revenue Cap” was designed to limit how much the city can increase its total property tax collection year-over-year. However, the current Charter allows the City Council to bypass this cap if they declare an “emergency or critical need.”
Fast Facts: The Tax Cap’s Election History
2016 (Adoption): Voters originally approved the 3% cap on November 8, 2016, with a decisive 71.74% majority.
2022 (Failed Repeal): An amendment that sought to weaken the cap appeared on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Residents rejected the change, with 64.84% voting in opposition to repealing the 3% cap.
The Commission is now facing three radically different paths for the future of this cap:
The “Total Repeal” Option: Commissioner Phil Weinberg has submitted a proposal to strike the 3% cap entirely from the Charter. If successful, this would return Palm Bay to the standard Florida municipal tax model, removing the unique revenue restrictions that voters approved in 2016.
Closing the “Emergency” Loophole: Conversely, Vice-Chair Thomas Gaume seeks to strengthen the cap by removing the subjective “emergency or critical need” language. Instead, overriding the cap would require a “Consensus of 4”. The goal is to replace semantic debates about the definition of an “emergency” with a clear, high-bar consensus requirement to exceed the voters’ original 3% mandate.
Revenue vs. Millage Rate: Commissioner Mark Miller has introduced a discussion on whether the cap should be based on the millage rate rather than total revenue. While this could simplify calculations, it raises questions about whether it would allow tax bills to rise significantly faster when property values spike.
2. Overhauling City Council Elections
The current system forces candidates to run for specific “Numbered Seats” (Seat 2, Seat 3, etc.), which critics argue encourages “seat shopping”, where candidates pick the race with the weakest opponent rather than running on merit.
Three distinct plans to change this system will be debated:
The “At-Large” Model: Proposals by both Vice-Chair Gaume and Commissioner Miller suggest eliminating numbered seats entirely. Under this “Single Pool” system, all candidates would run against each other, and the top vote-getters would fill the available seats.
The “Quadrant” Model: Commissioner Weinberg proposes keeping specific seats but assigning them to geographic quadrants (NE, NW, SE, SW). Candidates would have to live in their assigned quadrant to run, ensuring geographic diversity, though they would still be elected by a citywide vote.
Eliminating Primaries: To reduce costs and increase participation, Vice-Chair Gaume has also proposed eliminating the August primary entirely. This would move all city races to the November General Election, where voter turnout is historically highest.
3. Residency & Citizenship Requirements
The Commission will also discuss tightening the rules for who can hold high office in Palm Bay.
Stopping “Carpetbaggers”: A proposal is on the table to require Council candidates to prove two years of continuous residency using voter registration records. This creates a more objective standard than utility bills, ensuring candidates have truly lived under Palm Bay laws before asking to govern them.
Citizenship Requirements: Commissioner Ruth Kaufhold is proposing amendments that would require the City Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk to be qualified U.S. Citizens, emphasizing that the electorate must have “full trust and confidence” in these key officials.
4. Term Limits and Recalls
Commissioner Miller has proposed a strict lifetime term limit: a maximum of 12 years total service in any single elected position (Mayor and Council time would count separately). Additionally, the Commission may discuss the possibility of a mid-term recall provision, allowing voters to remove an official halfway through their term if a supermajority of electors agree.
🗳️ How to Make Your Voice Heard
The Charter Review Commission is seeking public input on these proposals.
When: Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 P.M.
Where: Council Chambers, 120 Malabar Road SE, Palm Bay, FL 32907
How to Speak: The public is invited to speak on agenda items at the time the item is being considered. You must fill out a Public Comment Card upon arrival.
Watch Live: The meeting will be broadcast live on the City’s website.
Transparency Note: Thomas Gaume, the publisher of The Palm Bayer, serves as the Vice-Chair of the Charter Review Commission and is the sponsor of several proposals mentioned in this article.
