Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/92622
Sarasota News Leader November 9, 2012 The amendment got off to an inauspicious start. It was conceived in secret by an organi- zation now under investigation by the Florida Elections Commission. It also had a legal flaw that was rectified at the last minute, and it was put on the ballot by hired signature gatherers working piecemeal, paid per signature. It was dubbed "the strong city manager amendment." The vote margin was similar to that seen in earlier attempts to change the city charter to create a "strong mayor" and eliminate the city-manager form of government. The third amendment that failed should give pause to city commissioners willing to open city coffers to corporations wanting to open up a large firm here. Cities and counties all over Florida have "economic development co- Page 13 ordinators" with hands full of cash to throw at corporations — sometimes with tax exemp- tions as well. Sarasota is now looking for its second such coordinator, and economic devel- opment is a current political buzzword. However, city voters by the same 45/55 margin refused to strike out of the charter a demand for a higher minimum wage than required by state law for larger companies receiving city assistance. In other words, the city will give the company a financial break, but in return, the company must pony up higher minimum wages. The measure was put into the city charter five years ago with the intention of halting de- velopment of a Walmart supercenter on the southeast corner of Washington Boulevard City Attorney Robert Fournier and City Auditor and Clerk Pam Nadalini listen to public comments during a City Commission meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel