Title
MOTION TO PASS PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-02 ON FIRST READING.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-02 IS AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA, SUBMITTING TO REFERENDUM AMENDMENTS TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES AMENDING ARTICLE I ENTITLED “CREATION AND POWERS”, AND IN PARTICULAR AMENDING SECTION 1.10 “DEFINITIONS” TO CHANGE MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION’S DEFINITION TO THE CITY ELECTION HELD IN NOVEMBER OF EVEN NUMBERED YEARS; AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “LEGISLATURE,” AND IN PARTICULAR AMENDING SECTION 3.02 “COMMISSION MEMBERS,” SECTION 3.05 “MAYOR,” TO CHANGE THE ELECTION DATE IN THE CITY TO OCCUR IN NOVEMBER OF EVEN NUMBERED YEARS, AMENDING ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “LEGISLATURE”, SECTION 3.06 “VICE MAYOR” TO CHANGE THE DATE FOR THE CITY’S VICE MAYOR TO BE ELECTED ANNUALLY BY THE CITY COMMISSION AT THE FIRST MEETING IN DECEMBER, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 75-350, LAWS OF FLORIDA; AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR EXTENSIONS IN THE CURRENT TERMS FOR THE MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS IN DISTRICTS 2 AND 3 TO EXTEND UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 2028 ELECTION AND FOR COMMISSIONERS IN DISTRICTS 1 AND 4 TO EXTEND UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 2030 ELECTION, PURSUANT TO SECTION 5, CHAPTER 75-350, LAWS OF FLORIDA, AS AMENDED; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE, WHEN ADOPTED, SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES ON THE NOVEMBER 2026 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, AND IT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AS PROVIDED BY LAW; PROVIDING FOR THE ADVERTISING OF THE REFERENDUM ELECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF PEMBROKE PINES, AS WELL AS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ELECTION CODE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
SECOND AND FINAL READING IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 20, 2026.
Summary Explanation and Background
SUMMARY EXPLANATION AND BACKGROUND:
1. Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, as amended, provides for a methodology of Charter amendments supplementary to and not in conflict with the Charter of the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida.
2. Chapter 166, Florida Statutes, as amended, provides that such an amendment may be submitted to a referendum vote by the City Commission of the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida, in an ordinance format.
3. The City Commission has held a public hearing in accordance with Florida law.
4. Section 100.3605, Florida Statutes, as amended, provides that municipalities may change the date of their elections and provide for the orderly transition of office to accommodate changes.
5. By virtue of special acts governing municipal elections in Broward County (Chapter 75-350, Laws of Florida, as modified by Chapters 2004-443, 2005-318, and 2012-253, Laws of Florida (collectively, the "Special Act")), the City of Pembroke Pines and most municipalities in Broward County are required to hold general elections for the elective offices of the municipality on the second Tuesday in March.
6. The present City Charter provides that there shall be a general election in the City on the second Tuesday of March of even numbered years, unless changed by law.
7. The Special Act was amended by Chapter 2004-443, Laws of Florida, to allow municipalities in Broward County to move their elections to November, in even numbered years, provided that any change in election date will not be effective until at least 18 months after the approval of the ordinance by the municipality’s governing body.
8. The City Commission of the City of Pembroke Pines finds that aligning municipal elections with the November general election may increase voter participation by allowing residents to vote in municipal, state, and federal elections at the same time.
9. Historical data reflects voter turnout is significantly higher in November elections than in March municipal elections.
10. The consolidation of municipal elections with the November state and federal elections is expected to reduce the City’s election expenses.
11. The City Commission of the City of Pembroke Pines desires that its Charter be amended to change the date for the City's elections to be in November of even numbered years, on the date authorized by the laws governing municipal elections in Broward County.
12. In order to implement the change in election dates, and, to maintain staggered terms for the City's elected Mayor and Commissioners, it is necessary to extend the current terms for Mayor, District 2, and District 3 Commissioners to November 2028, and for District 1 and District 4 Commissioners to November 2030, resulting in an additional 8 months in office for current elected officials.
13. The City Commission deems the proposed amendments to the City Charter, as detailed herein, to be in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the City.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT DETAIL:
a) Initial Cost: Estimated cost $345,209.49.
b) Amount budgeted for this item in Account No: Funds would come from account # 001-519-1001-531500-0000-000-0000 (Professional Svc Other) for the 2026-2027 FY Budget.
c) Source of funding for difference, if not fully budgeted: Not Applicable.
d) 5 year projection of the operational cost of the project Not Applicable.
e) Detail of additional staff requirements: Not Applicable.
FEASIBILITY REVIEW:
A feasibility review is required for the award, renewal and/or expiration of all function sourcing contracts. This analysis is to determine the financial effectiveness of function sourcing services.
a) Was a Feasibility Review/Cost Analysis of Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor Conducted for this service? Not Applicable.
b) If Yes, what is the total cost or total savings of utilizing Out-Sourcing vs. In-House Labor for this service? Not Applicable.
BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATE:
Pursuant to Section 166.041, F.S., a Business Impact Estimate must be prepared for certain ordinances that impact the operations of local businesses.
a) Is a Business Impact Estimate (BIE) Form attached to this Ordinance? Yes.
b) Is this Ordinance exempt from requiring an Business Impact Estimate (BIE)? No.