The Wildwood City Commission has unanimously approved an ordinance that would put a referendum on the November ballot to change the city charter.
Voters will be asked to decide if they approve of the commission’s plan to move from at-large representation to district representation.
The city’s population of roughly 7,100 will soon swell significantly thanks to the new Oxford Oaks development, the new developments of Alden Bungalows and Antrim Dells in The Villages, and a significant expansion at Lakeside Landing. Other developments are on the horizon as well.
“New people likely will be more affluent and more participatory in government,” said Assistant City Manager Jason McHugh in a presentation to the city commission Monday evening.
He said the move would prevent one particular group from taking over city government through the power of their population.
“If we are going to protect our districts and make sure we have local representation this is the only way we can do it,” said Mayor Ed Wolf.
The citizens would no longer directly elect the mayor. The five commissioners elected from their districts would select a mayor from their ranks.
Commissioners would be elected to four-year terms.
The mayor and Commissioners Pamala Harrison-Bivins and Don Clark are up for election this fall. They will fall under the “old system” and be elected at large.
A draft map has been part of the discussion, but the actual map won’t be drafted until after the vote. The finalization of that map would probably take place in January 2015, McHugh said.
