Greater Naples Fire Rescue District’s Board Conversion to Fire Commissioners Elected District-wide (At-Large)
Ballot Language: Beginning with the November 2028 election, shall the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District’s Board of Fire Commissioners members be elected district-wide (at-large) rather than the current charter requirement that two board members are elected by the Golden Gate Division, two board members are elected by the East Naples Division, and one board members is elected district-wise (at-large)?Synopsis: Section 4.02 of Chapter 2014-240, Laws of Florida, provides that after the November 2018 election, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District has five commissioners with 4-year staggered terms. Seats 1 and 2 are elected as at-large seats for the East Naples Division. Seats 4 and 5 are elected as at-large seats for the Golden Gate Division. Seat 3 is elected as an at-large seat for the district as a whole. There is no requirement for candidates to live within the subdivision they represent. If this referendum passes, beginning with the November 2028 election, all five members of the Board will be elected district-wide (at-large). The current Board is in favor of this change, citing several expansions of the District boundaries that added areas outside the Golden Gate and East Naples Division and the need for all five members to be on the “same page and not focusing just on East Naples or just on Golden Gate”. Supporters: Board of Fire Commissioners of the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District, Florida Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Florida House Representative Lauren MeloOpponents: No elected officials A Yes Vote would:-make all five commissioner seats elected district-wide (at-large) by all voters in the Fire District boundaries A No Vote would:-retain the current election system with two board members elected by the Golden Gate Division, two board members elected by the East Naples Division, and one board member elected district-wide (at-large)
