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Referendum Archives 2005 to Date

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

INCORPORATION (CITIES)

       

Boca Grande incorporation

1958

Boca Grande

Failed

1/21/58

Bonita Springs incorporation

1965

Bonita Springs

Failed

11/2/65

Bonita Springs incorporation

1999

Bonita Springs

Passed

11/2/99

Cape Coral incorporation

1970

Cape Coral

Passed

8/18/70

Ft Myers Beach incorporation

1957

1960

1982

1986

1995

Fort Myers Beach

Failed

Failed

Failed

Failed

Passed

12/3/57

2/2/60

11/2/82

9/2/86

7/25/95

Lehigh Acres incorporation

(non-binding)

1996

Lehigh Acres

Failed

11/5/96

North Ft Myers incorporation

1957

North Ft Myers & Bayshore

Failed

11/12/57

Sanibel incorporation

1974

Sanibel

Passed

11/5/74

         

HOME RULE CHARTER

GOVERNMENT LEE COUNTY

1971

1984

1988

1994

1996

County wide

 

 

Rescinded by courts

Failed

Failed

Failed

Passed

Passed

5/18/71

11/6/84

10/4/88

11/8/94

11/5/96

         

GAMBLING

       

Greyhound racing

1956

County wide

Passed

9/25/56

Lottery

1986

County wide

Passed

11/4/86

         

LOCAL ISSUES

       

Adopt voting machines

1958

County wide

Passed

11/4/58

Create Port authority

1963

County wide

Passed

11/5/63

Appoint superintendent of schools

1963

1968

1974

County wide

Failed

Failed

Passed

11/5/63

2/27/68

11/5/74

Mandatory garbage (non binding)

1976

County wide

Passed

3/9/76

Water management

1976

County wide

Passed

3/9/76

Six mile cypress

1976

County wide

Passed

11/2/76

Lee County Truck parking

1980

County (no cities)

Passed

10/7/80

Create aviation authority

1981

County wide

Passed

11/3/81

Mid-point bridge (non binding)

1986

County wide

Passed

11/4/86

Cape coral truck parking

1988

1996

Cape Coral City

Failed

Passed

3/8/88

3/12/96

Single member district

1988

County wide

Failed

9/6/88

Millage levy for purchase of

Lovers Key

1980

County wide

Failed

11/4/80

1. A Town Charter Amendment changing the election process to require a primary election to be held on the Tuesday five weeks before the general election if more than two candidates qualify for the same office. Currently a runoff election is held the first Tuesday in December. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

2. A Town Charter Amendment changing the term of the council members to begin the first council meeting following the general election. Currently the term begins on January 1st following the general election. Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

2000

Town of Fort Myers Beach

1. Passed

2. Passed

3-14-2000

Shall the method of selecting circuit court judges in the 20th judicial circuit be changed from election by a vote of the people to selection by the judicial nominating commission and appoinment by the Governor with subsequent terms determined by a retention vote of the people?

2000

Lee County

Failed

11-7-2000

Section 3.10.1
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS CONSERVATION DISTRICT;
NON-ALIENATION OF CITY LAND
Should Sanibel Charter Section 3.10.1 be amended to provide that the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Conservation District continue in perpetuity and that its lands remain forever wild; and that actions by the City to sell, exchange, donate, or otherwise alienate City-owned land, or interests therein, or public rights-of-way in the district, or to remove any land from the district, or to abolish the district, be taken only upon referendum approval?

2000

City of Sanibel

Passed

11-7-2000

County Charter Revision Relating to Adoption of County Ordinances
by Citizen Initiative
County Charter Amendment that provides for single subject matter limitation for Ordinances proposed by citizen initiative; provides that the Board of County Commissioners may amend or repeal such Ordinances only by a vote of a majority plus one of othe Board membership after the period of one year from the effective date of the Ordinances.

2000

Lee County

Passed

11-7-2000

CITY OF FORT MYERS, FLORIDA DUNBAR/BELLE VUE ANNEXATION INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT APPROVAL REFERENDUM
Shall the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Fort Myers and Lee County be ratified and approved, which provides for the annexation of the Lee County enclaves known as Dunbar and Belle Vue into the corporate boundaries of the City of Fort Myers, which includes the assumption of the Lee County service duties and transfer of infrastructure located within the enclaves to the City pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Interlocal Agreement.

2003

City of Fort Myers
Dunbar & Belle Vue Areas

Passed

 

03-04-2003

CITY OF FORT MYERS AND DUNBAR/BELLE VUE ANNEXATION REFERENDUM ELECTION ON INVOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
Shall Lee County enclaves commonly known as Dunbar and Belle Vue be annexed into the municipal boundaries of the City of Fort Myers, Florida?

2003

City of Fort Myers
Dunbar & Belle Vue Areas

Passed

03-04-2003

SANIBEL CHARTER AMENDMENT REFERENDUM ARTICLE III, SECTION 3.04
Amendment to Sanibel Charter, changing the election date for the offices of Mayor and Vice-Mayor, pursuant to Ordinance No. 02-23. Beginning April 2004, in non-election years, the election date for the Council's election of Mayor and Vice-Mayor shall be changed from the first regular meeting in December to the first regular meeting in April.

2003

City of Sanibel

Passed

03-04-2003

SANIBEL CHARTER AMENDMENT REFERENDUM ARTICLE IV, SECTION 4.07
Amendment to Sanibel Charter, changing the terms of employment for the City Attorney, pursuant to Ordinance No. 02-23, to an "at will" status and removing any entitlement to a hearing and removing the "for good cause" termination requirement.

2003

City of Sanibel

Passed

03-04-2003

REFERENDUM #1
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT CLARIFYING THAT EMPLOYEES CAN BE TERMINATED WITHOUT CAUSE DURING THEIR PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
The proposal is to clarify in the Charter that the City has the power to terminate employment of probationary employees for any reason during the probationary period.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #2
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT DELETING REFERENCE TO SPECIFIC MONTHS FOR ELECTIONS AND CLARIFYING TERM LIMITS.
The proposal is to amend the charter to delete the reference to specific months for primary and general elections. The proposal also states that appointment or election to a partial term (a term of less than four years) shall not count as a "term" for purposes of the two terms of office limitation.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

 

 

 

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

REFERENDUM #3
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT REQUIRING A VOTER'S REGISTRATION CARD TO ESTABLISH PROOF OF RESIDENCY FOR OFFICE.
The proposal is to require presentation of a valid voter's registration card to establish proof of residency at the time a person seeks to qualify to run for a seat on City Council.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #4
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING THAT CANDIDATES CANNOT BE ELECTED DURING A PRIMARY AND CORRECTING GRAMMAR.
The proposal is to amend the charter such that it will no longer be possible for a candidate to be elected to office during a primary election. The proposal also includes a grammatical correction concerning when candidates' names will not appear on the primary ballot.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #5
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT CLARIFYING WHEN THE MAYOR PRO TEM IS ELECTED.
The proposal is to clarify the charter by providing that in years in which no City General Election is held, the Mayor Pro Tem election shall take place at the first regular City Council meeting on or after the anniversary of the previous City General Election.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #6
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT CHANGING METHOD BY WHICH MAYOR AND COUNCIL SALARIES ARE DETERMINED.
The proposal is to change the method by which the Mayor and Council salaries are calculated from the current specified amount "per registered city elector" to that same specified amount "per City resident." The number of City residents would be determined based on the latest annual population of local government determined pursuant to Section 186.901, Florida Statutes. The salaries would adjust annually on October 1.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Failed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #7
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT PROVIDING THAT NEITHER MAYOR NOR COUNCIL CAN BE A CONTRACTOR TO CITY.
This proposal is to delete the word "substantial" from the current charter provision that states that "Neither the Mayor nor any council member, either directly or indirectly, may be a substantial contractor to the City."

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #8
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT DELETING GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE AND PROVIDING FOR DISCIPLINARY APPEAL TO NEUTRAL THIRD PARTY.
This proposal is to delete the requirement for a grievance committee for hearing employee grievances and to require adoption of procedures for appeal of disciplinary action to a neutral third party whose decision shall be binding.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #9
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A CITY AUDITOR'S OFFICE REPORTING TO CITY COUNCIL.
This proposal is to establish a City Auditor's Office reporting directly to City Council. The City Auditor's office will provide the City with an independent audit function to evaluate City policies, programs, and services to determine if those operations have been conducted in accordance with state and federal law. The amendment also grants the Auditor the power to appoint professional and support staff for the City Auditor's office.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Failed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #10
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT ESTABLISHING A CITY COUNCIL STAFF OFFICE REPORTING TO CITY COUNCIL.
This proposal is to establish a City Council Staff Office that is independent from the City Manager and reports directly to the City Council. The proposal also provides that City Council shall be the final administrative authority over employees in the City Council Staff Office and that Council may designate one Council member to handle supervisory or managerial responsibilities associated with the office.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Failed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #11
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO DESIGNATE DEPARTMENT RECEIVING MONIES COLLECTED BY THE COURT.
This proposal would amend the Charter to provide that fines, penalties, fees, and other monies collected by the Court shall be promptly paid to the department designated by the City Manager instead of to the City Clerk.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

 

 

 

FRED

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

REFERENDUM #12
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT CLARIFYING THAT DISTRICTING COMMISSION MEMBERS CANNOT BE CITY EMPLOYEES.
This proposal would amend the Charter to clarify that electors chosen to serve on the City's Districting Commission shall not be City employees.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Passed

04-08-2003

REFERENDUM #13
CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT REDUCING INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITION SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT FROM 15% TO 10%.
This proposal would amend the Charter to reduce the number of signatures required for an initiative or referendum petition from fifteen percent (15%) to ten (10%) percent of the total number of qualified electors registered to vote at the last regular City electon.

2003

City of Cape Coral

Failed

04-08-2003

APPROVAL OF SALE OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Do you approve the sale of two city-owned parcels located within the environmentally sensitive lands conservation diovernment to be included in the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, with such sale conditioned upon the federal government maintaining both parcels in their natural and preserve states and "forever wild"?

2004

City of Sanibel

Passed

 

07-15-2004

AMENDMENT No. 1

County Charter Revision Relating to Petition Signatures for County Ordinances by Citizen Initiative

County Charter Amendment that provides for limiting the number of petition signatures for (a) County Ordinance(s) proposed by citizen initiative, to no more than thirty percent (30%) of the total number of signatures required in any single County Commission District.

Yes, For Approval

No, For Rejection

2004

Lee County

Passed

 

11-02-2004

AMENDMENT No. 2

County Charter Revision Providing for Time of Appointment and Composition of the Charter Review Committee

County Charter Amendment that provides for appointments to the Charter Review Committee to be made by the Board of County Commissioners eighteen (18) months prior to the General Election rather than twelve (12) months, and excluding the Lee County Constitutional Officers from Charter Review Committee membership.

Yes, For Approval

No, For Rejection

2004

Lee County

Passed

 

11-02-2004

TOWN CHARTER AMENDMENT ELIMINATING THE PRIMARY ELECTION, ADDING A RUN-OFF ELECTION AND QUALIFYING PERIOD

 

Should Section 2 of the Town Charter relating to council member elections be amended to eliminate the primary election prior to the general election; adding a provision for a run-off election after the general election if no candidate receives a majority of votes for that office; and adding a provision specifying the time period for candidate qualification prior to election?

Yes, for Approval

No, for Rejection

2005

Town of Fort Myers Beach

Passed

 

11-08-2005

TOLLS REFERENDUM

 

Should the Town Charter be amended to state that the council may impose road or bridge tolls only after the approval by the electors as provided by general law?

Yes, for Approval

No, for Rejection

2005

Town of Fort Myers Beach

Passed

 

11-08-2005

PROPOSAL FOR PERIWINKLE WAY RIGHT- OF- WAY IMPROVEMENTS PRIMARILY TO ENHANCE SHARED USE PATH SAFETY

 

Do you approve right-of-way improvements to Periwinkle Way between approximately 1/8 mile west of its intersection with Casa Ybel Road to a point approximately ¼ mile east of its intersection with Dixie Beach Boulevard, such improvements primarily for the purpose of enhancing the shared use path safety in such right-of-way, but also including a reconfiguration of the vehicular travel lanes and drainage improvements, but no additional vehicular travel lanes?

Yes, for Approval

No, for Rejection

2006

City of Sanibel

Passed

 

12-19-2006

 

LOCAL TAXES

       

Road bond ($30 million)

1978

County wide

Failed

1/31/78

Tourist tax

Tourist development tax

1978

1982

County wide

County wide

Failed

Passed

9/12/78

10/5/82

1 cent gas tax (roads)

 

1978

1981

County wide

Failed

Passed

9/12/78

11/3/81

5th & 6th cent gas tax

1986

County wide

Failed

9/2/86

1 cent sales tax

1987

County wide

Failed

12/1/87

Business tax exemption

1981

County wide

Failed

11/3/81

General obligation bonds (roads)

1982

County wide

Failed

11/2/82

Cape Coral obligation bond

1989

Cape Coral City

Passed

5/2/89

Sanibel obligation bond

1989

Sanibel City

Failed

11/7/89

Cape Coral reclaimed water

1989

Cape Coral City

Passed

11/7/89

Children's services funding

1991

County wide

Failed

11/5/91

Conservation 2020 (non binding)

1996

County wide

Passed

11/5/96

 

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

Change in Millage cap from 2 Mills to 3.75 Mills

1998

Alva Fire Control District only

No

11/3/98

Change in millage cap from 2 Mills to 3 Mills

1998

San Carlos Park Fire Control District only

No

11/3/98

Increasing the salaries of the Mayor and Council Members

1998

City of Cape Coral only

No

11/3/98

Change in millage cap from 2 Mills to 3 Mills

1999

San Carlos Park Fire Control District only

Yes

11/2/99

 

 

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

Shall Lee County Ordinance 99-21 be approved levying a countywide one-cent per dollar sale surtax from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005 with no extension without further voter approval; proceeds being used by Lee County and Cities to construct and improve roads, youth recrecation, juvenile justice, library, public safety, hurricane evacuation and preparedness facilities, with citizen advisory oversight committee for expenditures; as authorized by Section 212.055(2), Florida Statutes?

2000

Lee County

Failed

3-14-2000

Shall Section 6 of Chapter 63-1558, Laws of Florida, as amended, be further amended per House Bill 1741, Laws of Florida, to provide for a change in the maximum millage that may be levied by the District from two (2) to three (3) mills of net taxable assessed property value.

2000

Matlacha-Pine Fire Protection District

Failed

3-14-2000

CHANGE IN MILLAGE CAP FROM 2 MILLS TO 3 MILLS

Shall Section 6 of Chapter 63-1558 Laws of Florida, as amended, be futher amended per House Bill 1741, Laws of Florida, to provide for a change in the maximum millage that may be levied by the District from two (2) mills to three (3) mills of net taxable assessed property value.

Yes for Approval

No for Rejection

2000

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control

Passed

 

6-6-2000

Shall the method of selecting county court judges in Lee County be changed from election by a vote of the people to selection by the judicial nominating commission and appointment by the Governor with subsequent terms detemined by a retention vote of the people?

2000

Lee County

Failed

11-7-2000

REFERENDUM TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM MILLAGE TAX RATE

Shall the Fort Myers Shores Fire Protection and Rescue Service District by authorized to increase the annual ad valorem millage tax rate maximum on all property within its boundaries from 2 mills ($2.00 for every $1,000.00 of property value), which was approved by referendum in 1990, to 3 mills ($3.00 for every $1,000.00 of property value), to meet the operating costs of the District?

2000

Fort Myers

Failed

11-7-2000

Shall the City of Sanibel issue bonds or other forms of indebtedness in an amount not more than $5.621 million dollars at a market interest rate not to exceed the amount allowed by law for not more than thirty (30) years payable from ad valorem taxes? If approved, the bond money will be used to purchase 8.61 acres of mostly commercially zoned real property located on the north side of Periwinkle Way at Bailey Road.

2001

City of Sanibel Only

Passed

11-6-2001

 

 

 

SUBJECT

YEAR

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

RESULTS

ELECTION DATE

Referendum for a Lee County Emergency, Trauma and Essential Health Care One-Half Cents Surtax
Shall Lee County ordinance No. 02-22 be approved, levying a Countywide one-half cents (1/2¢) per dollar sale surtax beginning January 1, 2003, to finance essential health care services pursuant to a Medical Plan for Qualified Lee County Residents, including truama and emergency services, primary, preventive, hospital and mental health care, and compensation for service provers per Section 212.055(7), F.S., for 10 years if that Section is reenacted by October 1, 2005?

2002

Lee County

Failed

11-05-2002

A referendum is hereby ordered and called for the purpose of submitting to the qualified electors of the ALVA FIRE PROTECTION AND RESCUE SERVICE DISTRICT the question of whether Section 5 of Chapter 76-413, laws of Florida as amended should be further amended to provide for a tax that shall not exceed $3.00 per $1,000.00 of net taxable assessed valuation.

Shall Section 5 of chapter 76-413, Laws of Florida, as amended, be further amended to provide for a change in the maximum millage that may be levied by the District from two (2) mills to three (3) mills of net taxable assessed property value.

Yes for approval

No for rejection

2002

Alva Fire District

Passed

11-05-2002

"Change in Millage Cap From 2.0 Mils to 2.5 Mils"

"Do you support the North Fort Myers Fire Control And Rescue Service District in raising its millage rate from 2.0 mills to 2.5 mills? This will allow the District to comply with new standards and safety issues, and allow us to add the additional twelve (12) personnel needed to meet compliance. YES for approval or NO for rejection"

2002

North Fort Myers Fire Control and Rescue Service District

Passed

11-5-2002

WINKLER SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LEVY OF ADDITIONAL AD VALOREM TAXES
"Do you favor an additional two mill ad valorem tax on real property located in the Winkler Safe Neighborhood Improvement District to be used for various municipal purposes as described in the Winkler Safe Neighborhood Improvement District Plan and approved by the City Council of the City of Fort Myers, Florida, in its capacity as the governing body of the Winkler Safe Neighborhood Improvement District?

2002

City of Fort Myers
Precincts 10-1 & 76-1

Failed

12-10-2002

REFERENDUM ON WHETHER TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO FINANCE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY
Shall the City of Cape Coral issue general obligation bonds to finance construction and acquisition of parks in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000; saind bonds having a maximum maturity of 25 years and bearing interest not exceeding the legal rate, which bonds shall be payable from ad valorem taxes without limit on all taxable property in the City?

2003

City of Cape Coral

Failed

04-08-2003

CHANGE IN IONA MCGREGOR FIRE PROTECTION AND RESCUE SERVICE DISTRICT MILLAGE CAP TO 2.50 MILLS
Shall the Iona McGregor Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, which has been authorized to levy 1.75 mills of ad valorem tax since 1983, be authorized to levy an ad valorem tax millage not to exceed 2.5 mills annually for the purpose of maintaining high quality fire and emergency rescue and paramedic services as required by law?

2003

Iona McGregor Fire District

Passed

 

05-06-2003

CHANGE IN BAYSHORE FIRE PROTECTION AND RESCUE SERVICE DISTRICT MILLAGE CAP TO 3.5 MILLS
"Do you support the Bayshore Fire Protection and Rescue Service District in raising its millage rate from 2.5 mills to 3.5 mills? This will assist towards compliance with new standards and safety issue, and allow us to add additional necessary Firefighter/EMT's as required by law."

2003

Bayshore Fire District

Passed

06-10-2003

CAPTIVA EROSION PREVENTION DISTRICT BOND REFERENDUM
Shall the Captiva Erosion Prevention District issue bonds not exceeding $8,140,817.00, bearing interst at not exceeding the legal rate, maturing within ten years from issuance, payable from special assessments on benefited lands, to finance the cost of the erosion control projects described in Resolution No. 2002-01 of the District?

2004

Captiva Erosion District

Passed

 

08-31-2004