ANNA MARIA – Carol Carter has vacated her Anna Maria City Commission seat and the commission is using a new pre-selection vetting process to appoint her successor.
Running unopposed in 2021, Carter earned an additional two-year term in office that was to expire in late 2023. Carter and her husband, Bob, recently sold their Anna Maria home and purchased a home and rural property in Sarasota County. On Dec. 15, Carter participated in her final city commission meeting and then vacated her commission seat. The remaining 10 months of that commission term will be filled by commission appointment on Thursday, Jan. 26.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, the commission unanimously supported a new vetting process recommended by Mayor Dan Murphy. The enhanced process provides the four sitting commissioners and the public with an opportunity to submit written questions and concerns to later be addressed by the commission applicants during an open public forum.
Since 2015, vacant commission seats have been filled according to a ranking system. Each commissioner ranks the commission applicants, who receive one point for being a commissioner’s first preference, two points for being a commissioner’s second preference and so forth. The individual rankings are then tallied and the applicant with the lowest total score is appointed to the commission.
That process allowed applicants three to five minutes to address the commission but did not provide the public with an opportunity to assist in the vetting process.
New procedure
When presenting his new concept, Murphy said the goal is to make the appointment process more inclusive for the public.
He presented a schedule that calls for the immediate solicitation of commission applicants and a Monday, Jan. 16 application submission deadline. The application form and procedural schedule can be downloaded at the city web- site, www.cityofannamaria. com, or obtained from the city clerk’s office.
The one-page application form seeks confirmation that the applicant is over 18 years old, is a registered voter in Anna Maria, has been a city resident for at least two years, is not currently employed by the city and does not currently hold any other governmental position.
“During that solicitation period, we’re asking the public, as well as the commissioners, to provide input as to areas you’d like to see the candidates address. This could be things like parking, vacation rentals, what you prefer on Pine Avenue – things that are germane to the city of Anna Maria now and in the future. The public, as well as those of us up here, can submit questions or areas of concern you’d like to see addressed,” Murphy said.
Written questions and concerns must be submitted to the mayor or city clerk’s office by Sunday, Jan. 1. Submissions can be made by email at ammayor@cityofannamaria.com or amclerk@cityofannamaria. com. The submitted questions and concerns will be compiled, summarized and made available to the candidates, the commission, the public and the press on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Commission applicants can then address those questions and concerns during an open forum planned for Thursday, Jan. 19 at city hall. The open forum is currently scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but the start time may possibly be pushed back until 6 p.m. to accommodate candidates and members of the public who work during the day.
During the forum, the applicants will sit at the commission dais and be given as much time as they need to give their presentations to the public and attending commissioners. The forum will not be a debate or allow verbal exchanges between the applicants.
Using the existing ranking system, the sitting commissioners will appoint Carter’s successor on Thursday, Jan. 26.
“I’m hopeful this elicits a lot of public input. Anything to get the citizenry move involved,” Commissioner Jon Crane said.
“I think it’s an excellent suggestion,” Commissioner Deanie Sebring said of the mayor’s proposed procedure.
Farewell wishes
Later during the meeting, Murphy thanked Carter for her service and presented her with a wooden plaque that features a key to the city and a replica of the gavel she used as the commission chairperson.
The mayor read aloud the inscription that says, “The city of Anna Maria thanks you with grateful appreciation in recognition for your leadership and your dedication.”
Murphy then said, “We thank you very much for everything you did for our city and we’re going to miss you.”
“I’m going to miss all of you too. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the city for nine years plus,” Carter said, noting that she also served on the Planning and Zoning Board before becoming a city commissioner.
“This experience with the city has been a real growth experience. I learned a lot and worked with such fine people on the staff and the various commissions. It’s really enhanced my life,” she said.
She also referenced sea level rise expert and author John Englander, whom she and her husband helped bring to The Center for two presentations in 2019.
“We are moving to 26 feet above sea level. That’s 20 more feet than we had here,” she joked. “Most people our age are downsizing and it looks like we’re upsizing. We have more acreage and we have a barn. I came from a farming background. I’m not sure what will happen with the barn, but something will happen,” she said.
Anna Maria Island Historical Society board member Barbara Murphy thanked Carter for all she did for the museum and museum board.
Commissioner Robert Kingan said, “Carol, it really has been such a pleasure to serve with you. You and Bob are good friends of ours and I wish you all the very best. I know we will see you again.”
