NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The City Commission unanimously moving municipal elections to "even" years to coincide with larger voter turnout for the presidential elections and at a cost savings of nearly $46,000, but in doing so the commissioners and the mayor gave themselves another year in office.
That didn't sit well with a couple of residents.
"To me it's a little wrong," Robert Rees said. "You spent $7 million on Esther Street and $400,000 on Dunn Lumber. The ($46,000) savings is peanuts to me."
Margaret Yarranton of Florida Avenue suggested the elected officials put themselves up for election instead of adding a year.
Commissioner Jiom Hathaway said "I certainly don't have a problem facing the electorate," but he and commissioners Jack Grasty, Lynne Plaskett, Judy Reiker and Mayor Adam Barringer voted in favor of going with even-year elections, and as a result, extended their terms in office by one year.