The timing of Sarasota’s city election cycle may soon be up for a vote itself. Sarasota City Commissioners today are scheduled to discuss putting a referendum on the ballot that could move city elections from spring to fall, a move expected to increase turnout dramatically but which critics fear could leave Sarasota discourse buried in a sea of presidential and statewide politics.

A proposal drafted by city staff could move all city elections to November of even-numbered years, concurrent with presidential or gubernatorial elections, as opposed to now being scheduled in March of odd-numbered years. The proposal would allow for a first election 10 weeks before the November vote should more than two candidates—or more than three for at-large elections selecting two commissioners—file for the same seat. But commissioners may also tweak the proposal, potentially creating a winner-takes-all election and eliminating a requirement for majority support.

Supporters say the change would increase political participation in the city and result in more representative government. “An expanded electorate in a November general election will force candidates to create platforms and initiatives that appeal to a broader cross section of the city,” said Gabriel Hament, a campaign consultant who has worked on city and county campaigns. He also said the city could save significant costs over 10 years by eliminating both a first election in March and runoff election in May during odd-numbered years; a November election would be conducted concurrently with statewide races. According to city estimates, the 2015 election in Sarasota cost more than $104,000, while a switch to fall elections would cost $24,000, less if there is no runoff.

But other citizens are concerned moving the election will only hurt Sarasota’s voice. Gretchen Serrie, who chaired the city’s last charter review board and rejected such a move then, said a litany of larger elections and ballot issues will bury Sarasota contests on the ballot if the city contest is no longer a stand-alone event. “I don’t want to be fighting for time in the press and in forums for Sarasota’s issues,” she said. “I just think the city is too precious and important not to have that discussion.” She also said that while the city would save money on running an election, candidates and campaigns will become far more expensive to earn the notice of voters.

Hament said with more voters involved in an election, candidates would have more donors to draw from, so he wasn’t worried about that cost. Serrie also noted that if first elections are held weeks before general election votes and are concurrent with statewide primaries, the initial elections won’t have stronger turnouts anyhow.

The matter will be discussed by commissioners in the evening session at City Hall, which begins at 6pm. 

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System welcomed Dr. Paul Montoya to  the First Physicians Group practice in Gulf Gate with Internal Medicine/Pediatrics & Family Practice physicians Drs. Mark Brus, Kevin Dunn and Barry Stein. Montoya is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. He came to Sarasota from Nebraska, where he spent the past seven years as a practicing physician with Methodist Health Partners, Methodist Health System, Prairie Fields Family Medicine and Oakland Mercy Hospital. In addition to providing inpatient and outpatient care to pediatric and adult patients, he served as trauma director at Oakland Mercy Hospital and medical director of the system’s Tekamah and Hooper Mercy medical clinics. 

First Physician Group

The law firm of Syprett Meshad expanded its legal team with the hire of associate Megan Landis Dell, whose practice is focused on family law. Attorney Dell is a member of The Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Prior to joining Syprett Meshad, Dell worked as an associate attorney for a national law firm based in Miami, where she defended insurance companies in a wide array of legal matters. Dell also practiced maritime law, representing cruise lines in personal injury and wrongful death cases. She began her legal career as a staff attorney for the Florida Third District Court of Appeal in Miami, where she assisted in drafting legal opinions for the Chief Judge. 

Syprett Meshad

The Community Associations practice of Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick, a full-service business law firm, is launching a new blog about condominium and homeowner association laws. The first blog posts for The Condo and HOA Law Bulletin have been added to the Shumaker website and new posts will be added weekly. Each lawyer within the department will contribute to the blog by authoring posts. 

Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick