Wildwood voters have approved a new city charter with only a tiny turnout of the electorate.
Commissioner Joe Elliott said about 13 percent of the city’s registered voters participated in the election, which was held over the past month.
Elliott attributed the low participation level to the fact that only the charter was up for a vote.
“We weren’t electing a person and we weren’t doing this with a general election,” he said, adding that a report will be done on the election process.
The charter defines the responsibilities and duties of city officials. Last renewed in 2003, the revised charter was written over the past year by a charter review committee including Elliott and City Manager Jason McHugh.
Wildwood officials decided to conduct the charter vote by mail because it cost about half as much as a special election and provided an earlier result than waiting for next year’s general elections.
The charter specifies the duties of the city manager, police chief, city clerk and attorney. It also makes it clear that the city manager supervises other appointed staff members. That issue arose last fall when three police officials challenged the city manager.
The charter also continues the mayor-commissioner form of government and the at-large election of commissioners instead of by districts.
It also sets provisions for suspension or removal of a commissioner if convicted of a felony, upon three consecutive unexcused absences or for misconduct. A special election must be held within 30 days if a mayoral vacancy occurs.
The charter requires that the names of unopposed candidates appear on election ballots and that it must be renewed every 10 years.
Elliott said all information on the adoption of this year’s revised charter will be in storage so the process will be easier the next time.