City OKs borrowing question for voters

NORTH PORT — The city of North Port will ask voters for borrowing allowance in November.

According to its charter, the city cannot take on any debt without voter approval.

North Port is the only city out of 411 in the state that is unable to do so, city staff says.

City officials want to be able to borrow money to help fund some projects, and in case of emergencies. The City Commission has unanimously agreed it would be best to amend the pre-existing, “outdated” charter restriction.

To do that, they’ll need voter approval.

Commissioners have been working on the process of getting the charter amendment on to the November ballot since April. Discussions began when they were talking about funding some large projects, including a new $122 million police headquarters.

It was decided that a limit of $15 million per non-emergency project, payable from funds other than property taxes, would suffice as a cap. Costlier non-emergency projects would still need voter approval.

At the meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Debbie McDowell said she is getting feedback from people saying they are fully behind emergency bonds, but are reticent or fully against non-emergency borrowing.

Vice Mayor Phil Stokes said the city needs to address deteriorating infrastructure. He said doing so is essential, and current structures are disasters waiting to happen.

“We live in a swamp,” Stokes said, then saying the city needs to catch up with regard to infrastructure, especially pertaining to water.

Commissioner Barbara Langdon agreed.

She said that non-emergency projects are not “frivolous,” and they need to be addressed before it is too late.

“We were lucky after Ian that it wasn’t worse than it was,” she said. “It has to be done.”

Robin San Vicente, who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, expressed wariness concerning the city not having a limit of projects they can borrow for per year.

She said she is confident emergency borrowing allowance would pass, but the other side is doubtful. San Vicente suggested the idea of a second referendum altogether to get approval on the emergency front, at least.

However, the commission opted to adopt the ordinance as presented, 5-0. It will be on the ballot this November.

“We’ve done all we can do on this. I sincerely hope everyone sitting up here is going to continue to educate the citizens on this. Ultimately, we’ve spoken and now it’s the voters’ turn,” McDowell said.

There is also a debt management policy workshop set for Sept. 9.

For more information on the referendum, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Referendum.