Photo for Headline Surfer / This is a screenshot of New Smyrna Beach Mayor Fred Cleveland, whose proposed salary would have nearly doubled to $50,545.80, over his current salary of $27,189.24, but was rejected by New Smyrna Beach residents in Tuesday's voter referendum by a whopping 75 percent.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- A proposal sought by New Smyrna Beach's elected officials to increase mayor and commissioner salaries was overwhelmingly rejected in one of seven municipal referendums on Tuesday.
The measure was rejected by a whopping 75 percent of the votes cast. New Smyrna Beach Mayor has remained silent since the measure failed miserably.
New Smyrna Beach voters also decisively rejected City Charter amendments that proposed to double the mayor’s term of office (62% voted no), elect candidates who earn over 50% of primary votes (65%), reclassify the city clerk as a department head (60%), and relax historic preservation requirements (58%) during Tuesday’s special election.
Adding a section prioritizing cultural arts squeaked by (51% voted yes) while mandating further City Charter reviews at least every 10 years passed comfortably (61%).
Turnout among the city’s eight voting precincts was highest in 807, made up of Bouchelle Island and beachside neighborhoods north of 17th Avenue, which cast 1,534 ballots.
Tuesday night’s results bring to an end a process initiated by the City Commission after concerns were raised about how elections are conducted shortly after swearing-in ceremonies were held on Nov. 12, 2024.
The referendum sought to increase “the salary of the commission members to 75% of the County Council Chair for the mayor, and 75% of the mayor's salary for the four other commissioners.”
The mayor’s base salary is $27,189.24, while each zone commissioner earns $20,329.06. The Volusia County Council chair's current annual salary is $67,394.40, while other council members earn $56,162.00.
The mayor's salary would have jumped to $50,545.80, nearly double his current salary. The city commissioners' salaries would have climbed to $42,121.50, nearly double their current salaries.
The mayor's salary would have jumped to $50,545.80, nearly double his current salary. The city commissioners' salaries would have climbed to $42,121.50, nearly double their current salaries.
Another major bone of contention was a proposal to increase the mayor's term of office from two to four years, which was also soundly rejected by the voters.
During public comments prior to Tuesday's amendment votes, citizen Leslie Sachs told the elected leaders she would vote “no” on the proposed mayor’s term extension, as it “takes away the power of the people to change the commission by majority every two years.”
“The only way I and everyone I spoke with would vote ‘yes’ would be term limits,” Sachs said. “Because this shouldn’t be a coronation.”
Cindy Sniezak added, “the most compelling reason not to change the mayoral term to four years is it keeps that right with the voter,” to change the commission majority every election.
“Because there are no term limits, and because the incumbent always has a large advantage, that’s not something I’m willing to give up without getting strict term limits in exchange,” Sniezak has said.
Looking ahead, the City Commission will host its next public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, in the James W. Hathaway Commission Chambers, located at 214 Sams Avenue.
Summary of NSB charter votes:
- Amendment 1 – Mayor Term: No — 61.94% (3,943 votes)
- Amendment 2 – Primary Majority: No — 64.88% (4,125 votes)
- Amendment 3 – City Clerk: No — 59.55% (3,757 votes)
- Amendment 4 – City Commission Salary: No — 74.76% (4,701 votes)
- Amendment 5 – Historic Preservation: No — 58.02% (3,610 votes)
- Amendment 6 – Cultural Arts: Yes — 51.07% (3,117 votes)
- Amendment 7 – Charter Review: Yes — 61.35% (3,864 votes)
Detailed election results at www.volusiaelections.gov.
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