SEBASTIAN —The six candidates running for Sebastian City Council discussed a range of issues Thursday evening during the first of two forums including a couple proposed charter changes and the city’s efforts to cut spending and boost the economy.
The forum, sponsored by the Sebastian Property Owners Association, was moderated by County Commissioner Wesley Davis, who kept candidates to their allotted time and question at hand.
Those vying for one of the three seats at the dais include incumbents Andrea Coy and Don Wright and challengers David DeVirgilio, Damien Gilliams, Bob McPartlan and Amber Miller.
Councilman Eugene Wolff decided against running for another term, leaving his seat open. At least one new person will be sworn onto the Sebastian City Council following the Nov. 8 election.
The first of six questions posed to the candidates during Thursday’s forum asked if they would support or oppose the charter amendment establishing 4-year terms on the council.
Most said they would not support 4-year terms. Two did not answer explicitly.
DeVirgilio said the public has the chance to say they want to keep a candidate or not after two years.
He cautioned that if the city’s residents voted for the 4-year terms and someone is elected who is disruptive, “you’re stuck with them for four years.”
Gilliams agreed, noting that two years is sufficient.
“What they’re trying to do is establish power,” he said, referring to the current City Council, which voted to put the question to the voters.
McPartlan, who served on the Charter Review Committee, told the audience of about 40 people that the issue of term lengths was one of the most discussed and debated of all the proposed charter changes.
Without saying outright whether or not he would support 4-year terms, McPartlan said making the change would save the city money and would give council members more time to get up to speed and be effective.
As it is, he said, new council members have a 6- to 8-month learning curve, a few more months of service, and then get back into campaign mode.
Miller said the 4-year terms made “economic sense” in that it would save the city money for not having off-year elections.
She added that the problem would be the possibility of having a brand new council every four years. She said that by having the staggered 2-year terms, those already on council could serve as mentors for the newly-elected.
Wright corrected Miller that, if the 4-year terms were approved, the terms would remain staggered – much like the County Commission.
Wright said he, personally, would not vote in favor of the 4-year terms, though he could understand the drive to make the change.
“A big problem we have in Sebastian,” along with most of the country, low voter turnout on non-county/state/federal elections, he said.
Coy, the last to answer the question, said she would not say which way she would vote on the charter question.
“It’s your decision,” she said, addressing the audience.
Coy added that if terms were extended to four years, that would make two fewer years to have political signs posting around the city for the municipal election.
How they responded – below is a recap of the questions asked and the candidates’ responses:
Q. Another Charter Amendment will be on the ballot that enables the City Council to remove a charter officer without cause, without presenting written charges, and without notice to the charter officer. Why are these changes being proposed and what is your opinion on this?
Gilliams: Charter officers should have due process.
McPartlan: Charter officers work at the will of the council – they can’t be effective without the council’s support.
Miller: If the public wants to give council that power, then support it – but would prefer other methods be used prior to dismissal.
Wright: The amendment does nothing more than clarify the power the council currently has – it simplifies the process.
Coy: Would prefer there be “cause” for removal of a charter officer – not a simple majority vote.
DeVirgilio: There should be some process in place – if officer is ineffective, get rid of the officer; but if it is a personality conflict with council member, it’s not right.
Q. Since the city’s revenues have been decreasing and services are being cut, at what point in time would you determine a tax increase is warranted?
McPartlan: Not in favor of raising taxes. City should seek revenue from other sources – perhaps a “Productivity Award” for city staff and residents who find ways for the city to cut costs or be more efficient.
Miller: Only reason would consider raising taxes is that all other revenue avenues have been exhausted. City should seek out grants and volunteers.
Wright: Critical services, such as police, need to be maintained – at the point those and other critical services can’t be maintained, then the city needs to consider raising taxes.
Coy: At the point when the city can no longer uphold the level of service the public has become accustomed to – then the city needs to decide, cut service or raise property taxes.
DeVirgilio: City needs to bring more businesses in to help diversify and add to the tax base. The budget needs to be kept on track.
Gilliams: City needs to find other revenue sources, such as commercial recycling, bringing in natural gas, and setting up a grant writing department.
Q. Can you discuss some of the highlights of the city’s Economic Development Plan, and how would you implement those plans?
Miller: Main industries city is targeting are those the candidate has experience with – life sciences, arts, entertainment and recreation, and research and development.
Wright: City was first to pass the tax abatement program and adopted the plan into the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
Coy: Candidate serves on the Indian River County Economic Development Board – “ditto” to Wright’s comments.
DeVirgilio: City needs to “step up” the tax abatement program and be proactive in attracting businesses from other states, promoting Florida’s lack of income tax.
Gilliams: City has an economic development director but no funds in the budget for the director to do anything. City is also “running everybody out of town” through code enforcement and sign ordinances.
McPartlan: City needs to define the role and responsibilities of its economic development director.
Q. Over the last few years, City Council has worked to reduce expenses. How would you evaluate their efforts and what would you do?
Wright: Would not do much differently. City has not increased the millage rate and has made a conscious effort not to borrow money it can’t pay back.
Coy: City’s bond rating has been upgraded. Department are being streamlined and downsized. Property taxes have decreased to their 2003 or 2004 level.
DeVirgilio: City Manager has done good job. Budget committee has done well.
Gilliams: City should cut City Manager’s discretionary funds from $15,000 to the original $5,000. City needs better financial transparency and should post the city’s checkbook online.
McPartlan: City has done well to reign in expenses and bond rating has improved. Does not favor furloughs as they can be an opening to force more unpaid days off.
Miller: City’s effort has been great. Would not do anything differently.
Q. Cost cutting measures taken by the city could have long term negative effects. What measures would you take to turn this around?
Coy: City – and residents – need to determine what is “critical” and if it is necessary to raise taxes to accommodate. Could use volunteers, which the city already does, but volunteers can only do so much and perform only certain duties.
DeVirgilio: City continues to spend money on projects it doesn’t need, including beautification and a park pavilion, but has to maintain. City needs to review future projects for impact beyond the upfront cost of construction.
Gilliams: City needs to implement a Citizens Academy like other cities have done. Candidate would be willing to give up council salary until furloughs were no longer needed – doing so would serve as motivation to find other revenue streams.
McPartlan: City needs to weigh wants against needs but not put off what truly needs be done because doing so could mean greater expense later – like not repairing a leaking roof and later needing to replace the whole thing.
Miller: City needs to learn to live within its means – like families are now doing. City, too, needs to attract more businesses and help existing businesses to stay. And the city needs to encourage its citizens to get involved.
Wright: All cuts have been negative but hope city employee morale is still good. Deferring needed projects is problematic because when it comes time to get them done, the city would have to “play catch up” and hope the funds are there.
