Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter

Your City. Your Charter. Your Vote.

The City of Fort Lauderdale is considering amendments to its charter. The charter is like our city’s constitution and guides how the city is governed. It explains how decisions are made, who’s responsible for what, and how services like parks, roads, and public safety are provided. It outlines the roles of the mayor, city commissioners, and city manager, ensuring everyone works together to serve the community. It’s designed to keep everything running smoothly and fairly for residents like you.

Any changes to the charter must be approved by residents through a public vote. Your vote decides how our government works.

The proposed Charter amendments below are part of an effort to modernize, clarify and clean up sections of the City Charter. On April 7, 2026, the City Commission reviewed 25 proposed Charter amendments and provided direction to move forward with 11 items for the 2026 ballot. The remaining items will continue through public input and feedback. On June 19, 2026, the City Commission voted to create two new Charter Officer positions for Police and Fire Chiefs

City Commission reviewed 25 Charter amendments on April 7, 2026.
Direction was given to focus on cleanup items.
City Commission added items related to the creation of two Charter positions of Fire Chief and Police Chief on June 19, 2026
20 items are approved for the 2026 ballot.
7 remaining items are being shared for public input and possible future consideration.
Public outreach includes the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations and Strategic Communications.

2026 Proposed Ballot Items

Section	Topic	Summary
Section 3.03	Qualifications of members; forfeiture of office	Reorganizes candidate qualifications, requires candidates to be City electors, accounts for redistricting, defines permanent residency and changes the residency requirement from six months to 12 months.
Section 3.04	Judge of elections and qualifications of members	Adds Clerk for ministerial review of candidate documentation; eliminates city commission as canvasser and the ability of electors to challenge candidates during canvassing.
Section 3.05	Designation of vice mayor	Changes when the vice mayor is designated to the first meeting after all commissioners elected in a municipal election assume office, then annually after that.
Section 3.09	Organizational meeting	Updates the timing for the organizational meeting and oath of office to occur after election results are certified by the Broward County Canvassing Board.
Section 3.10	Special meeting to seat a new member	Deletes this section because it is addressed in Section 3.09.
Section 3.12	Special meetings	Requires 72 hours’ notice for special meetings, with an exception for emergency meetings when notice must be provided as practicable.
Section 4.06	Interim or acting city manager	Separates an interim city manager during resignation/termination from an acting city manager during a temporary absence.
Section 4.08	Removal or discharge	Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.02	Classified and nonclassified service	Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.04	Civil Service Board	Updates the Civil Service Board appointment/election process and removes the board’s role in reviewing job class specifications.
Section 7.16	Election tie vote	Deletes outdated language referencing a primary election.
Section 10.03	Public hearings and public notice	Repeals the requirement for two publications for public hearings.
Section 8.01	Sale of personal property	Simplifies the sale of personal property (e.g. vehicles, furniture, and equipment, etc.)
Section 8.02	Sale or lease of City property public bodies	Simplifies the sale or lease of property to public bodies for a public purpose upon the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.04	Sale of real property to private parties	Requires a resolution containing a finding that such sale, exchange, or conveyance would be in the City's best interest adopted by the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.07	Leases with governmental entities	Subsumed by proposed Section 8.02
Section 8.09	Leases, licenses, concessions and use agreements over one year	Provides a tiered system for leases, etc., for more than one year
Section 8.21	Disposing of public park property	Requires a referendum for the sale of City-owned park land and requires affirmative vote of at least four Commissioners
NEW Section 4.15	Charter Position: Police Chief	Creates a new Charter Officer position for Police Chief reporting directly to the City Commission
NEW Section 4.16	Charter Position: Fire Chief	Creates a new Charter Officer position for Fire Chief reporting directly to the City Commission

Your City. Your Charter. Your Vote.

Any changes to the charter must be approved by residents through a public vote. Your vote decides how our government works.

City Commission reviewed 25 Charter amendments on April 7, 2026.
Direction was given to focus on cleanup items.
City Commission added items related to the creation of two Charter positions of Fire Chief and Police Chief on June 19, 2026
20 items are approved for the 2026 ballot.
7 remaining items are being shared for public input and possible future consideration.
Public outreach includes the Council of Fort Lauderdale Civic Associations and Strategic Communications.

2026 Proposed Ballot Items

Section	Topic	Summary
Section 3.03	Qualifications of members; forfeiture of office	Reorganizes candidate qualifications, requires candidates to be City electors, accounts for redistricting, defines permanent residency and changes the residency requirement from six months to 12 months.
Section 3.04	Judge of elections and qualifications of members	Adds Clerk for ministerial review of candidate documentation; eliminates city commission as canvasser and the ability of electors to challenge candidates during canvassing.
Section 3.05	Designation of vice mayor	Changes when the vice mayor is designated to the first meeting after all commissioners elected in a municipal election assume office, then annually after that.
Section 3.09	Organizational meeting	Updates the timing for the organizational meeting and oath of office to occur after election results are certified by the Broward County Canvassing Board.
Section 3.10	Special meeting to seat a new member	Deletes this section because it is addressed in Section 3.09.
Section 3.12	Special meetings	Requires 72 hours’ notice for special meetings, with an exception for emergency meetings when notice must be provided as practicable.
Section 4.06	Interim or acting city manager	Separates an interim city manager during resignation/termination from an acting city manager during a temporary absence.
Section 4.08	Removal or discharge	Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.02	Classified and nonclassified service	Updates language from “acting city manager” to “interim city manager” for consistency.
Section 6.04	Civil Service Board	Updates the Civil Service Board appointment/election process and removes the board’s role in reviewing job class specifications.
Section 7.16	Election tie vote	Deletes outdated language referencing a primary election.
Section 10.03	Public hearings and public notice	Repeals the requirement for two publications for public hearings.
Section 8.01	Sale of personal property	Simplifies the sale of personal property (e.g. vehicles, furniture, and equipment, etc.)
Section 8.02	Sale or lease of City property public bodies	Simplifies the sale or lease of property to public bodies for a public purpose upon the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.04	Sale of real property to private parties	Requires a resolution containing a finding that such sale, exchange, or conveyance would be in the City's best interest adopted by the affirmative vote of at least four commissioners
Section 8.07	Leases with governmental entities	Subsumed by proposed Section 8.02
Section 8.09	Leases, licenses, concessions and use agreements over one year	Provides a tiered system for leases, etc., for more than one year
Section 8.21	Disposing of public park property	Requires a referendum for the sale of City-owned park land and requires affirmative vote of at least four Commissioners
NEW Section 4.15	Charter Position: Police Chief	Creates a new Charter Officer position for Police Chief reporting directly to the City Commission
NEW Section 4.16	Charter Position: Fire Chief	Creates a new Charter Officer position for Fire Chief reporting directly to the City Commission

Reviewing the City of Fort Lauderdale Charter

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City Commission reviewed 25 Charter amendments on April 7, 2026.

Election