Article I: Corporate Name; Purpose of the Charter

Section 1.02 Purpose of the charter.‑‑This charter is ordained and established by the people of the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, to promote the general welfare and common good of the community by providing the framework for a municipal corporation to exercise municipal home rule powers under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida.

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Article II: Territorial Boundaries

Section 2.01 Boundaries of the Town of Fort Myers Beach.--The territorial boundaries of the Town of Fort Myers Beach upon the date of incorporation shall include the following areas situated in the County of Lee, State of Florida:

A corporate limit lying offshore from Estero Island, which line is described as follows: all that part of Lee County that is located and situated within Estero Island, including a corporate limit line offshore 1,000 feet in the Gulf of Mexico and 1,000 feet in the inland bays, and parallel with the shore line of said Estero Island, excluding all of San Carlos Island, Black Island and, structures exclusively attached thereto.

Section 2.02 Extension of the corporate limits; annexation.--The corporate limits of the Town of Fort Myers Beach may be revised as provided by general law.

Article III: General Powers of the Municipality

Section 3.01 All powers possible.--The Town of Fort Myers Beach shall have all governmental, corporate, and proprietary powers to enable it to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions, and render municipal services, and may exercise any power for municipal purposes except as otherwise provided by law. The powers of the Town of Fort Myers Beach shall be construed liberally in favor of the municipality, limited only by the Constitution, general law, and specific limitations contained herein.

Section 3.02 Joint exercise of powers.--The town may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation by contract or otherwise, with any one or more states, counties, municipalities, or any agencies thereof, or the United States or any agency thereof.

Article IV: Charter Officers

Section 4.01 Council members; elections.--

(a) There shall be a town council, hereinafter referred to as the council, with all legislative powers of the town vested therein, consisting of five council members, all of whom shall be elected from the town at-large, for the initial election. The council shall place the matter of a change in the charter regarding at-large or district elections for council members to a vote of the electorate no later than 2 years after formation of the municipality with public hearings as to said matter as required under section 13.03 hereof.

(b) Council seats shall be designated as seats #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5. Candidates shall be required to seek election to a specific seat on the council.

(c) Each member of the council shall be a resident of the town and a registered voter and shall have resided within the corporate limits of the municipality for a minimum of 1 year prior to qualifying for election.

(d) The council are elected officials who are accountable to the citizens at regularly held elections and who are subject to recall as provided by law. The citizens, through these processes, have the opportunity to elect, reelect, or dismiss their elected officials whose promise of performance or actual performance in office best reflects the policies which the citizens desire to implement in the government of the town.

(e) Policy making is the sole prerogative of the elected council. Administrative staff, whether hired or appointed under terms of this charter, is subordinate to the elected officials, whose power derives from the consent of, and election by, the citizens of the town.

(f) Except as otherwise prescribed herein or provided by law, legislative and police powers of the town shall be vested in the council, including the establishment of boards, commissions, and committees. The council shall provide for the exercise of its powers and for the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the municipality by law.

Section 4.02 Mayor.--At the first regularly scheduled meeting following the town's regular election, the council, by majority vote, shall elect from its membership a mayor. The mayor shall serve as chairperson during meetings of the council and shall serve as the head of municipal government for the purpose of execution of legal documents as required by ordinance. The mayor shall also serve as the ceremonial head of the town.

Section 4.03 Vice mayor.--At the first regularly scheduled meeting following the town's regular election, the council, by a majority vote, shall elect from among its membership a vice mayor who shall serve as mayor during the absence or disability of the mayor and, if a vacancy occurs, shall become interim mayor pursuant to section 4.08 of this charter.

Section 4.04 Prohibitions.--

(a) Neither the council, nor any individual member of the council, shall in any manner dictate the employment or removal of any employee other than the town manager and town attorney. No individual member of the council shall give orders to any officer or employee of the town. Recommendations for the improvements in the town government operations shall come through the town manager, but each member of the council shall be free to discuss or recommend improvements to the town manager, and the council is free to direct the town manager to implement specific recommendations for improvement in town government operations.

(b) No present or former elected town official shall hold any compensated appointive office or employment with the town until 1 year after the expiration of the official's elected term.

Section 4.05 Compensation.--

(a) An ordinance establishing, increasing, or decreasing compensation of the council may be adopted at any time; however, in no event shall any establishment of compensation or any increase in compensation become effective prior to the first day of the first month following the first regular election of the town subsequent to the adoption of such ordinance.

(b) The council may provide for reimbursement of actual expenses incurred by its members while performing their official duties.

Section 4.06 Vacancies.--The office of a member of the council shall become vacant upon the member's inability to fulfill the duties of the office, resignation, or removal from office as authorized by law or this charter.

Section 4.07 Forfeiture of office.--A member of the council may forfeit the office, if the member:

(a) Lacks at any time during the term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this charter or by law;

(b) Violates any express prohibition of this charter;

(c) Is convicted of a felony or criminal misdemeanor which misdemeanor involves the office of town council; or

(d) Misses three consecutive regularly scheduled council meetings.

If any of these events should occur, a hearing shall automatically be conducted at the next regularly scheduled council meeting, and the member may be declared to have forfeited office by majority vote of the council.

Section 4.08 Filling of vacancies.--A vacancy on the council, except for the position of mayor, shall be filled by appointment by majority vote of the council members remaining, and said appointment shall be effective until a successor is chosen at the next regular election. In the event that a majority of the members of the council are removed by death, disability, law, or forfeiture of office, the governor shall appoint an interim council that shall call a special election to be held within 45 days following the occurrence of the vacancies to elect a new council. In the event that the mayor becomes unable to fulfill the duties of his office, ceases to be qualified, or is removed from office as provided by law or this charter, the vice mayor of the council shall assume the full powers and duties of the mayor. The vice mayor of the council shall temporarily relinquish his office as council member and shall assume the office of mayor for the remainder of the unexpired term. The council vacancy thus created shall be filled by an interim appointment under the provisions of this charter, to be effective only until such time as the mayor resumes his office or until the expiration of the term of the office, whichever occurs first.

Section 4.09 Judge of qualifications.--The council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and of the grounds for forfeiture of their office and for that purpose shall have power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of evidence. A council member charged with conduct constituting grounds for forfeiture of this office shall be notified by the town clerk by certified mail and shall be entitled to a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the council as outlined in section 4.07 of this charter. Notice of such hearing shall be published in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the town at least 1 week in advance of the hearing.

Section 4.10 Independent financial audit.--The council shall provide for an independent annual financial audit of all town accounts and may provide for more frequent audits as it deems necessary. Such audits shall be made by a certified public accountant or a firm of such accountants who have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the fiscal affairs of the town government or in any of its officers. Residency in the town shall not be construed as a prohibited interest.

Section 4.11 Meetings.--The council shall meet regularly at least eight times per year and shall meet no less often than bimonthly at such times and locations within the boundaries of the town as the council may prescribe. Special meetings may be held on the call of the mayor or the town manager and, whenever practical, upon no less than a 24-hour notice to each member and the public. Action taken at a special meeting shall be limited to the purpose for which the special meeting is called. A special meeting may be held outside the town with proper notice. All meetings shall be public and shall be scheduled to commence no earlier than 7 a.m. nor later than 10 p.m.

Section 4.12 Rules and journal.--The council shall determine its own rules and order of business and shall provide for keeping a journal and minutes of its proceedings. The journal and minutes shall be public records.

Section 4.13 Voting; quorum.--Roll call voting shall be required for ordinances or upon the specific request of a council member and shall be recorded in the minutes; otherwise, voting shall be by ayes and nays. Three members of the council shall constitute a quorum. No action of the council shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the council. All council members in attendance shall vote on all council actions, except when, with respect to any such member, there is, or appears to be, a possible conflict of interest as defined under general law.

Article V: Nominations and Elections; Terms of Office

Section 5.01 Elections.-- The regular election of the members of the council shall be held on the second Tuesday in March. A primary election will be held on the Tuesday five weeks prior to the general election if more that two candidates qualify for the same office.

Section 5.02 Commencement of term.-- The term of a member of the council shall begin at the first council meeting following the general election.

Section 5.03 Terms of office.--The terms for all council seats, #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5, shall be for 3 years, except during the transition period, seats #1 and #2 shall initially be for a term from November, 2000 to March, 2004 and seats #3, #4, & #5 shall be for a term from: November, 2001 to March, 2005 No member of the council shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms. After 1 year out of office, a candidate may re-qualify for any vacant seat.

Section 5.06 Nonpartisan elections.--All elections for officers of the town shall be conducted on a nonpartisan basis without any designation of political party affiliation.

Section 5.07 Multiple candidates.-- In the event that more than two candidates qualify for election to a single office those candidates shall participate in the regular election and the candidate receiving a majority of votes cast shall be elected. If no candidate receives a majority, then the two candidates receiving the most votes shall participate in a runoff election established in Section 5.01. to decide the winner for that office.

Section 5.08 Recall.--The qualified electors of the municipality shall have the power to recall and to remove any elected official of the town as prescribed by general law.

Article VI: Town Manager

Section 6.01 Appointment and qualifications.--The council shall appoint a town manager for an indefinite term and fix compensation. The town manager shall be appointed primarily on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications.

Section 6.02 Removal.--The council may remove the town manager for any reason by affirmative vote of the council. If the vote is less than unanimous by all council members, the town manager may, within 7 days of the dismissal motion by council, submit to the mayor a written request for reconsideration. Any action taken by the council at the reconsideration hearing shall be final.

Section 6.03 Powers and duties.--The town manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the town and shall implement and administer all ordinances, resolutions, and policies adopted by the council and shall perform such other duties as may be required by the council or law. The town manager shall be responsible to the council and shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To hire or fill existing positions and, when the town manager deems it necessary for the good of the town service, suspend or remove town employees, except as otherwise provided by law or this charter.

(b) To direct and supervise the administration of all employees, departments, and agencies of the town, except as otherwise provided by this charter or by law.

(c) To attend all council meetings and shall have the right to take part in discussion but may not vote.

(d) To ensure that all laws, provisions of this charter, and acts of the council, subject to enforcement by the town manager or by officers subject to the town manager's direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.

(e) To submit to the council and make available to the public a complete report on the administrative activities of the town as of the end of each fiscal year.

(f) To make such other reports as the council may require concerning the operation of town departments, offices, and agencies subject to the town manager's direction and supervision.

(g) To keep the council fully advised as to the condition and future needs of the town and to make written recommendations to the council concerning the affairs of the town.

(h) To perform the duties of town clerk in addition to the duties of town manager during any period of time so appointed by the council.

(i) To perform such other duties as are specified in this charter or as may from time to time be assigned by the council.

Article VII: Town Clerk

Section 7.01 There may be a town clerk who shall be appointed by the town manager with the consent of the council. The town clerk shall serve at the pleasure of the town manager and shall:

(a) Give notice of council meetings to its members and the public.

(b) Keep the journal and minutes of the proceedings of the council and its committees, which shall be public records.

(c) Authenticate by signature and record in full in books kept for that purpose all ordinances and resolutions passed by the council.

(d) Be the custodian of the town seal.

(e) Have the power to administer oaths.

(f) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the town manager.

Article VIII: Town Attorney

Section 8.01 There shall be a town attorney appointed by the council, who may represent the town in all legal proceedings and shall perform all other duties assigned by the council. The council may remove the town attorney for any reason by motion requiring three affirmative votes.

Article IX: Administrative Departments

Section 9.01 Establishment of additional departments.--The council may establish such other departments as it determines necessary for the efficient administration and operation of the town; such departments, offices, or agencies shall be established by ordinance.

Article X: Ordinances and Resolutions

Section 10.01 Definition of ordinances and resolutions.--As used in this charter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings unless some other meaning is plainly indicated:

(a) "Ordinance" means an official legislative action of the council, which action is a regulation of a general and permanent nature and enforceable as a local law.

(b) "Resolution" means an expression of the council concerning matters of administration, an expression of a temporary character, or a provision for the disposition of a particular item of the administrative business of the town.

Section 10.02 Adoption of ordinances.--Every proposed ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the form required for final adoption. No ordinance shall contain more than one subject and matters properly connected therewith, which shall be clearly expressed in its title. The enacting clause for an ordinance shall be: "IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE TOWN OF FORT MYERS BEACH AS FOLLOWS..."

(a) An ordinance may be introduced by any member at any regular or special meeting of the council. A proposed ordinance may be read by title, or in full, on at least two separate council meeting days and shall, at least 10 days prior to adoption, be noticed once in a newspaper of general circulation in the town. The notice of proposed enactment shall state the date, time, and place of the meeting; the title of a proposed ordinance; and the place or places within the town where such proposed ordinance may be inspected by the public.

(b) To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property, or the public peace, the council, by a two-thirds vote of those present as required by general law, may adopt an emergency ordinance without complying with the requirements of notice expressed in the foregoing paragraph. An emergency ordinance may not levy taxes; grant, renew, or extend a franchise; set service or user charges for any municipal services; or authorize the borrowing of money. An emergency ordinance shall become effective upon adoption and automatically stand repealed as of the 61st day following the date on which it was adopted. This shall not prevent reenactment of such an ordinance under regular procedures.

(c) Ordinances which rezone specific parcels of private real property or which substantially change permitted use categories shall be enacted pursuant to general law.

(d) An ordinance shall, upon its final passage, be recorded in a book kept for that purpose and shall be signed by the mayor and the town clerk. A copy of the ordinance shall be available in the town hall.

Section 10.03 Adoption of resolutions.--Every proposed resolution shall be introduced in writing and in the form required for final adoption. No resolution shall contain more than one subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title. The clause which shall be used for all resolutions approved by the council shall be: "IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE TOWN OF FORT MYERS BEACH AS FOLLOWS..." A resolution may be introduced by any member at any regular or special meeting of the council. A resolution shall, upon its final passage, be recorded in a book kept for that purpose and shall be signed by the mayor and the town clerk. A copy of the resolution shall be available in the town hall.

Article XI: Financial Procedures

Section 11.01 Fiscal year.--The fiscal year of the town shall begin on the first day of October and end on the last day of September.

Section 11.02 Submission of budget and budget message.--On or before the 15th day of July of each year, the town manager shall submit to the council a budget in accordance with state law. It shall outline the financial policies of the town for the ensuing fiscal year; describe the important features of the budget; indicate any major changes from the current year in financial policy, including any changes in budgetary accounting methods from the current year expenditures and revenues together with the reasons for such changes; summarize the town's debt position; and include such other material as the town manager deems necessary.

Section 11.03 Council action on the budget.--

(a) The council shall adopt the budget by resolution on or before the 30th day of September of each year.

(b) Unless authorized by the electors of the town at a duly held referendum election, the council shall not authorize or allow to be authorized the issuance of revenue bonds or enter into lease-purchase contracts or any other unfunded multi-year contracts all for the purchase of real property or the construction of any capital improvement, the repayment of which extends in excess of 36 months, unless mandated by state or federal governing agencies.

Section 11.04 Public records.--Copies of the budget and the capital program as adopted shall be public records and shall be made available to the public at suitable locations in the town.

Section 11.05 Budget amendments.--

(a) SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS.--If, during the fiscal year, the town manager certifies that there are available for appropriation revenues in excess of those estimated in the budget, the council, by resolution, may make supplemental appropriations for the year up to the amount of such excess, so long as a fiscally responsible reserve is maintained.

(b) EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS.--To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property, or the public peace, the council, by resolution, may make emergency appropriations. To the extent that there are no unappropriated revenues to meet such appropriations, the council may by such emergency resolution authorize the issuance of emergency notes, which may be renewed from time to time, but the emergency notes and renewals in any fiscal year shall be paid not later than the last day of the fiscal year succeeding that in which the emergency appropriations were made.

(c) REDUCTION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--If, during the fiscal year, it appears probable to the town manager that the revenues available will be insufficient to meet the amount appropriated, the town manager shall report to the council without delay, indicating the estimated amount of the deficit, any remedial action taken, and recommendations as to any other steps to be taken. The council shall then take such further action as it deems necessary to prevent or minimize any deficit and for that purpose may, by resolution, reduce one or more appropriations.

(d) TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS.--At any time during the fiscal year, the town manager may transfer any unencumbered appropriations among programs within a department, office, agency or a program provided by interlocal agreement and, upon written request by the town manager, the council may by resolution transfer between funds any unencumbered appropriations from one department, office, agency or a program provided by interlocal agreement to another.

Article XII: Initiative and Referendum

Section 12.01 Initiative and referendum.--At least 25 percent of the qualified electorate of the town shall have the power to petition the council to propose an ordinance or to require reconsideration of an adopted ordinance, and if the council fails to adopt such ordinance so proposed, or to repeal such adopted ordinance, without any change in substance, then the council shall place the proposed ordinance, or the repeal of the adopted ordinance, on the ballot at the next general election.

Article XIII: Charter Amendments

Section 13.01 Initiation by ordinance.--The council may, by ordinance, propose amendments to any or all of this charter to be submitted to the electors, as provided by general law.

Section 13.02 Initiation by petition.--The electors of the town may propose amendments to this charter by petition to be submitted to the council to be placed before the electors, as provided by general law.

Section 13.03 Charter review.--The charter will be reviewed no later than 3 years after approval, then no later than 5 years after the initial charter review, and thereafter at least every 10 years. A five-member charter review commission shall be appointed and funded by the council. The charter review commission shall be appointed at least 6 months before the next scheduled election and complete its work and present any recommendations for change no later than 60 days before the election. The council shall hold a minimum of two public hearings on the proposed changes to the charter prior to placing the proposed changes on the scheduled election ballot.

Article XIV: Severability

Section 14.01 Invalidity of character provision or application.--If any provision of this charter is held invalid, the other provisions of the charter shall not be affected thereby. If the application of this charter or any of its provisions to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the application of the charter and its provisions to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Article XV: Transition

Section 15.03 Creation and establishment of the town of Fort Myers Beach.--For the purpose of compliance with section 200.066, Florida Statutes, relating to assessment and collection of ad valorem taxes, the Town of Fort Myers Beach is hereby created and established effective December 31, 1995.

Section 15.11 Contractual services and facilities.-- Services for fire, police, public works, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, building inspection, development reviews, animal control, and solid waste collection may be supplied by contract between the town and county, special districts, municipalities, or private enterprise until such time as the town council establishes such independent services. Facilities for housing the newly formed municipal operations may be rented or leased until the town is in the position to obtain its own facilities.

Section 15.12 Elimination of transition elements from the charter.--Upon completion of the transition phase as contained herein, those sections of the charter relating to transition shall be eliminated from the charter.

Article XVI: Independent Special Districts

Section 16.01 It is recognized that certain services within the municipal boundaries are provided by independent special districts created by special acts of the Florida Legislature. The municipality is empowered to merge the functions of said districts with those of the municipality only upon dissolution of the special district, or upon affirmative vote of a majority of the town council and an affirmative vote of the majority of the council or board governing the district after meeting all requirements for merger or dissolution in the district's enabling legislation and chapter 189, Florida Statutes. It is recognized that certain planning and interlocal agreements may be necessary between the town and such districts and the town council shall endeavor to maximize the benefits of the districts to the fullest extent possible. In the event the town council desires to supplement or duplicate services determined to be inadequate, the council is fully empowered to do so.

Article XVII: Revenue Sharing

Section 17.01 It is recognized that the services provided by independent districts within the municipal boundaries provide essential services which would customarily be provided by municipal government. It is therefore declared that the Town of Fort Myers Beach shall be eligible to participate in revenue-sharing beyond the minimum entitlement in any fiscal year, provided that the town and all independent special districts created under special law, combined, levy ad valorem taxes in amounts as required by section 218.23, Florida Statutes.