The results are in for the 2021 General Election in St. Petersburg. Here is a list of what was voted on yesterday in the Sunshine City. These totals are still unofficial, and more details can be viewed online via Vote Pinellas.

Mayor: Ken Welch

Council Member – District 1: Copley Gerdes

Council Member – District 4: Lisset Hanewicz

Council Member – District 6: Gina Driscoll

Council Member – District 8: Richie Floyd

No. 1 Charter Amendment: No

Limiting City Council Elections to Voters in the Applicable Council District and Making Related Changes Currently, City Council Members are elected through primary elections limited to voters in the Council district and general elections open to all City voters. Shall the Charter be amended to (i) limit primary and general elections for Council Members to voters in the Council district, thereby eliminating City-wide voting for Council Members; (ii) allow a candidate receiving more than 50 percent of votes in the primary to be elected; and (iii) make other clarifying changes?

No. 2 Charter Amendment: No

Shall the city create a new process for establishing city council district boundaries that (i) uses comprehensive standards for drawing equitable district boundaries; (ii) has requirements and restrictions for appointment, service, communication, and and accepting public comment; and (iii) requires city council to be bound by commission recommendations unless inconsistent with applicable law? The new process would occur every ten years and maintain the existing nine-member citizens commission appointed by the mayor and council members.

No. 3 Charter Amendment: No

Analysis of demographic and economic date for Pinellas County indicates that the region’s economy would benefit from eliminating equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, or other immutable characteristic. Shall the City Charter be amended to establish an equity framework intended to address those equity gaps? That framework must include an equity action plan implemented at City-wide and departmental levels, regular assessment and reporting, and the creation of a Chief Equity Officer for the City.

No. 4 Charter Amendment: No

Analysis of demographic and economic data for Pinellas County indicates that the region’s economy would benefit from eliminating equity gaps based on race, ethnicity, or other immutable characteristics. Shall the City Charter be amended to require that the City designate “Charter-protected equity funding” to address those equity gaps and prevent that funding from being used for other purposes?This amendment would not prohibit the City from funding equity-related initiatives with other unrestricted, funding.

No. 5 Charter Amendment: Yes

The Charter provides requirements and duties for certain City officials appointed by the Mayor with consent of City Council. Shall the Charter be amended to (i) add a residency requirement for the City Administrator; (ii) clarify that the City Clerk serves both Mayor and Council and may be removed only with consent of both; (iii) provide the City Council Administrative Officer with duties and protections similar to the City Clerk; and (iv) make related changes?

No. 6 Charter Amendment: Yes

Every ten years, the City conducts a Charter-review process to consider the operation of City government and propose amendments to the Charter. Issues occur when the Charter-review process changes the process for redrawing City Council districts because the two processes are scheduled to occur almost simultaneously. Shall the Charter be amended to resolve that scheduling conflict and to make other changes to improve the administration and integrity of the City’s Charter-review process?

No. 7 Charter Amendment: No

Shall the Charter be amended to add a preamble containing a concise statement to describe the spirit of the Charter and the City’s governing philosophy? That aspirational statement will describe the City’s vision, goals, values, and priorities while acknowledging past shortcomings and promising a renewed and continuing commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens.

Referendum Question: No

Shall the City Council of St. Petersburg be authorized to grant, pursuant to s. 3, Art. VII of the State Constitution, property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in the City of St. Petersburg?