Bill > S1218

This bill introduces a significant change to how county administrators are selected in Florida counties with populations over 750,000, transitioning from an appointed to an elected position. Specifically, the bill requires counties with populations exceeding 750,000 to elect their county administrator every four years during general elections in years divisible by 4, with the term beginning the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January following the election. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research will certify county populations before each election cycle, and if a county's population drops below 750,000, the county administrator would revert to being an appointed position upon the current elected administrator's term expiration. The bill mandates that county administrator candidates must qualify for office according to existing state guidelines and conduct campaigns in compliance with campaign finance regulations. Candidates are not required to be county residents at the time of election but must reside in the county during their tenure. Any vacancies in the elected county administrator position would be filled by appointment until the next general election. The first implementation of this new system is set for the 2026 general election, with the initial term running from January 5, 2027, to January 2, 2029, and the entire act taking effect on July 1, 2025.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1218