Q: What are the responsibilities of the Board of Commissioners?
A: The Board is the legislative and governing body of the City of Madeira Beach. The members establish policies and make decisions to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the city.
Q: What are the responsibilities of the Mayor?
A: The Mayor presides at all meetings has voice and vote in the proceedings of the Board is the official head of the city for the serving of civil process and for ceremonial purposes
Q: How many Board members are there and how long do they serve?
A: The Board consists of five (5) members elected by the residents of the city. Four (4) of the members are from each of the four commission districts and the fifth member is the Mayor. The Mayor is elected for a three-year term, and the Commissioners are elected for a two-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms one can serve.
Q: When are Board-member elections held?
A: The elections are non-partisan and are held on the first regular meeting following the election.
Elections for Commission Districts One (1) and Two (2) are held in even-numbered years.
Elections for Commission Districts Three (3) and Four (4) are held in odd-numbered years.
Q: Who are the current Board of Commissioner members?
A: Effective March 25, 2008, the members are:
Patricia J. Shontz, Mayor
Terry Lister, Commissioner District 1
Sarah Nichols, Commissioner District 2
Nancy T. Oakley, Commissioner District 3
Steve Kochick, Commissioner/Vice Mayor District 4
Q: How can I become a candidate to seek a position on the Board of Commissioners?
A: Pick up a candidate packet from City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive, if you meet the following requirements:
MAYOR
You have been a resident of Madeira Beach for two years prior to the date of application.
You are over 18 years old.
COMMISSIONER
You have been a resident of Madeira Beach for two years prior to the date of application.
You have lived in the district for which you are seeking election a minimum of six (6) months prior to the date of application.
You are over 18 years old.
Applicants must prepare petition cards - the city provides an example - and secure signatures from a minimum of fifty (50) registered voters.
If you are an applicant for commissioner, your petitions must come from voters in your geographical district.
If you are a mayoral applicant, you petitions may come from voters citywide.
No registered voter can sign more than two (2) petitions: one from the voter's district and one for a mayoral candidate.
If you obtain only the minimum number (50) of petitions, a $25 filing fee is required. If you get twice the minimum number, the fee is waived.
Take the completed candidate packet, the petition cards, and the filing fee (if needed) to the City Clerk at City Hall. For more information, contact the City Clerk at (727) 391-9951.
Q: When does the Board of Commissioners meet?
A: The first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. is a Board of Commissioners workshop, which is held in the Conference Room at City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach. The regular Board of Commissioners meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Assembly Room at City Hall. They are televised live on Bright House Networks Cable TV Channel 615.
Q: How can I get an agenda for a Commission meeting?
A: An agenda is available at City Hall on the Friday before the Tuesday meeting and is posted on our website at the following link: Board of Commission Agendas
You may also subscribe to receive the agendas by email by clicking the Email Subscriber link in the left navigation column.
Q: How can I speak at a Commission meeting?
A: You can address the Board during the Citizen Forum on any subject of interest not on the agenda. You limit your comments to three minutes.
You can also speak on agenda items. The Board reviews the staff presentation, discusses the item, and then opens the meeting for public input. You speak from the podium after stating your name and address for the record and stating whether you represent a group or organization. You limit your comments to five (5) minutes. After everyone has commented, the public-hearing portion closes, and the Board decides the matter.
Q: What is the Sunshine Law?
A: To find out about the Florida Government-in-the-Sunshine Law please visit
Q: How do I find out information about the State of Florida Commission on Ethics?
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