🗳️ Six proposed charter amendments will appear on the March 2026 ballot for Fort Walton Beach voters
🏛️ Changes include election timing, governance rules, administrative updates, and compensation for elected officials
💰 Voters will also decide whether to repeal limits on annual city budget increases
FORT WALTON BEACH — Fort Walton Beach city leaders have approved a package of charter-related ordinances that will place six proposed amendments before voters in a March 10, 2026, referendum, setting up a wide-ranging decision on how the city conducts elections, governs itself, compensates elected officials and manages its budget.
The ordinances, adopted on second reading on Dec. 16, stem from months of City Council discussions and recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. City Attorney Jeff Burns said voter approval is required before any changes to the city charter can take effect.
Taken together, the measures would align city elections with statewide contests, revise governance rules, modernize administrative language, authorize compensation for elected officials and repeal limits on annual budget increases in the City of Fort Walton Beach.
Ordinance 2195 would amend the charter to move municipal elections for mayor and City Council to coincide with statewide general elections held in November of even-numbered years. Under the proposal, officials would continue to be elected at large for four-year terms beginning April 1 following the election.
The amendment establishes a staggered schedule, with council seats one through four next appearing on the November 2026 ballot and seats five through seven, along with the mayor’s office, on the November 2028 ballot.
City officials said the change is not expected to have an immediate impact on the city budget.
However, former Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux previously warned the council that the county could revisit whether to pass along costs associated with longer ballots, as occurred when Destin and Crestview moved municipal elections to November.
Ordinance 2196 would amend Sections 3, 4, 5, 7 and 25 of the charter to clarify the nonpartisan nature of council seats, update term-limit provisions, establish consistent procedures for filling council and mayoral vacancies, and allow flexibility in setting filing fees for city elections.
The proposal combines multiple charter sections into a single ballot question, a point that drew criticism during public comment.
Rob Smith, a member of the Charter Review Committee, argued the ballot language was overly broad and ambiguous.
“They cover more than half a dozen different sections,” Smith said during the meeting. “They don’t tell me what the amendments are actually doing. I don’t believe they comply with Florida Statute 101.161.”
Burns said he had reviewed similar ballot language from across the state and believed the wording complied with Florida law.
Ordinance 2197 addresses City Council meetings and governance, proposing amendments to Sections 6, 8 and 9 of the charter. The changes would clarify how council meeting schedules are set by resolution, adjust the vote threshold for disciplinary action against council members, and strengthen attendance and forfeiture-of-office provisions.
City staff said the proposal would have no impact on the city budget.
Ordinance 2198 proposes amending Sections 11 through 14 and 16 through 22 of the charter to remove outdated language, provide clearer descriptions of city officers and their duties, and improve administrative efficiency.
During the council debate, Councilman Payne Walker raised concerns that the amendment would further restrict the council’s ability to consider consolidating the Fort Walton Beach Police Department with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, citing historical consolidation studies and cost comparisons with other cities.
Walker warned that approving the change would permanently limit future councils’ options, though the ordinance ultimately passed despite his objections.
Ordinance 2199 would amend Section 33 of the charter to authorize compensation for city elected officials. Under the proposal, officials could choose either monetary compensation or city-paid health insurance coverage.
During discussion, Burns explained that council members opting for monetary compensation would receive $1,000 per month, while the mayor would receive $2,000 per month. Officials choosing insurance coverage would not receive the cash stipend. No specific cap on insurance benefits is included in the charter language.
City officials said the measure would have no budget impact unless approved by voters.
Ordinance 2200 proposes repealing Section 35 of the charter, which currently limits annual increases in budget expenditures but does not restrict increases in property tax millage rates.
The initial ordinance was passed in November 2024, with over 60% of Fort Walton Beach residents voting in favor.
Burns said ballot language was added to clarify that repealing the section would not affect millage rates, following staff discussion earlier in the process.
All six ordinances have been approved on second reading and will appear on the March 10, 2026, referendum ballot. Voters will decide whether the proposed charter amendments take effect.
Before adjourning, Burns cautioned council members against using the city seal for political purposes during the referendum campaign, citing legal issues and costs that arose after a previous charter vote.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
