HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 Approval of Resolution Establishing the Qualifying Period
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: July 21, 2026
Item #: 3
Contact Name: Rick Geller Department Director:
Contact Number: City Manager: Craig Shadrix
Subject: Approval of Resolution Establishing the Qualifying Period for the Election to be Held
in March 2027. (City Attorney Geller)
Background Summary:
On October 15, 2024, the City Commission adopted the candidate qualifying period for the offices of Mayor
and City Commissioner, establishing the regular qualifying period as beginning at noon on the first Friday in
December preceding the election and ending at noon on the second Friday in December preceding the
election. The ordinance also authorizes the City Commission to establish, by resolution, an alternative five (5)
business day qualifying period for a regular, special, or general election.
Section C-10 of the Charter of the City of Ocoee provides that the City Commission is responsible for
determining the qualifications and eligibility of candidates for the offices of Mayor and City Commissioner, as
well as the election and qualifications of its members and any grounds for forfeiture of office under the Charter.
In addition, Section C-11 requires that candidates for Mayor or City Commissioner have resided within the City
for one (1) year, furnish proof of meeting the residency requirement as prescribed by ordinance, and consent
to a background check to verify their qualifications to hold office. These Charter provisions ensure that all
candidates satisfy the eligibility requirements before being qualified for the election.
The Human Resources Director has advised that background checks may take up to four (4) business days to
be completed after they are ordered. To allow sufficient time for staff to obtain and review the required
background checks, and present the results to the City Commission prior to its regular meeting on December
15, 2026, staff recommends establishing an earlier qualifying period. The proposed qualifying period would
begin at noon on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, and end at noon on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, for the March
2027 municipal election.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution establishing the qualifying period for
the election to be held in March 2027?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends the Honorable Mayor and City Commission adopt the Resolution establishing the qualifying
period for the election to be held in March 2027.
Attachments:
1. Resolution Changing Qualifying Period
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
Financial Impacts:
None
Type of Item: Consent
RESOLUTION NO. 2026 -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
ESTABLISHING THE QUALIFYING PERIOD FOR
CANDIDATES FOR THE OFFICES OF MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSIONER FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD IN
MARCH 2027; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on October 15, 2024, the City Commission thereupon adopted the qualifying
period for the offices of Mayor and City Commissioner take place between noon on the first Friday
in December preceding the election and ending at noon on the second Friday in December
preceding the election, and allow the City Commission discretion to establish by resolution such
other five (5) business day qualifying period for a regular, special, or general election; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission may exercise any power for municipal purposes, except
as expressly prohibited by law; and
WHEREAS, § C-10 of the Charter of the City of Ocoee states, “The City Commission shall
be the judge of the qualifications and eligibility of candidates for the City Commission, the election
and qualifications of its members, and the grounds for forfeiture of their office under this Charter”;
and
WHEREAS, § C-11 of the Charter of the City of Ocoee establishes a one-year residency
requirement for eligibility to run as a candidate for mayor or city commissioner and further requires
candidates to “furnish such proof of meeting the one (1) year residency requirement as may be
prescribed by ordinance” and “consent to a background check to verify the candidate’s
qualifications to hold office”; and
WHEREAS, background checks may take up to four business days to receive after ordering
them; and
2
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds it necessary and appropriate to establish, by
resolution, an earlier qualifying period for the upcoming municipal election to ensure sufficient time
for the City of Ocoee to order and receive the background checks required by § C-11 of the Charter
before the regular City Commission meeting scheduled for December 15, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Authority. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee has
the authority to adopt this Resolution pursuant to Section 5-3 of the Ocoee City Code, which
states, “The City Commission may establish such other five business day qualifying period for a
regular, special, or general election by resolution.”
SECTION 2. Qualifying Date. The City Commission of the City of
Ocoee hereby adopts the five business day qualifying period for candidates for the offices of
Mayor and City Commissioner beginning at noon on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, and ending at
noon on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, for the election to be held in March 2027.
SECTION 3. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause,
phrase or portion of this Resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and
independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
hereto.
SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this ____ day of ___________, 2026.
3
APPROVED:
ATTEST: CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA
_________________________________
Melanie Sibbitt, City Clerk Rusty Johnson, Mayor
(SEAL)
APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION ON JULY _____, 2026
UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO._________
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY BY
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA;
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGALITY this ____ day of
_________________, 20____.
FISHBACK DOMINICK
By: __________________________
Richard Geller, City Attorney