Broward pushes to let voters decide new mayor

Broward County leaders want to make sure a Republican governor never takes control of the county by appointing the county mayor.

A proposal to let voters decide whether to elect the mayor now includes a provision dictating that if the seat is empty — whether the mayor dies or leaves office — the governor could not appoint a replacement. That power would rest with the vice mayor, and voters would choose a new mayor in the next general election.

The provision is important because the Democratic Party controls most offices in Broward County. Without the restriction, a Republican governor could take over one of the county’s highest offices.

The mayor currently is appointed rotated among commissioners, and it’s largely a ceremonial position.

Proponents say an elected mayor would serve as the public face of the county and be someone who helped to make crucial countywide decisions, the same way things are run in Miami-Dade County. Those opposed to the idea say everything is just fine the way it is. If voters wanted a countywide mayor so badly they could form a petition, argued Commissioner Nan Rich.

“I don’t think anything is broken right now,” agreed Mayor Steve Geller.

The commission could vote June 14 on putting the question before voters. If voters were to approve it, the first mayoral election would be in 2024.

The mayor’s salary would be $220,000 for a four-year term. With benefits and the additional cost for the mayor’s four support staff, it would cost the county about $700,000 a year.

Under the latest proposal, the county administrator’s job would still exist, and that person would still be in charge of the day-to-day county operations.

Unlike the other commissioners who have day jobs, the mayor would be prevented from having outside employment.

Broward County Commissioner Tim Ryan is behind the latest effort to let voters make the decision. It was last voted on in 2000 when it was rejected, but it’s since been modified to include term limits.

Ryan said the latest modification to prevent a governor from deciding who runs the county was to allay concerns on the commission that a Republican could get the job.

Republican governors have gotten involved in Broward politics in the past. In 2009, for example, Gov. Charlie Crist, then a Republican, appointed a new

Broward County School Board member to replace Beverly Gallagher, who was suspended after a federal corruption charge. And Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Gregory

Tony as sheriff in 2019 after removing his predecessor, Sheriff Scott Israel.

Still, Ryan said he’s not sure his colleagues have been persuaded to let voters make the ultimate decision.

“I’m not a betting man, but if I was I’d keep that money in my pocket,” he said.