Ordinance No. 2026-01: Amends Code of Ordinances on Elections

Quick Facts

Description

Ordinance No. 2026-01 amends Chapter 22 of the Town of Orchid Code of Ordinances governing municipal elections in order to implement and align local election procedures with the Town Charter amendments approved by referendum on February 24, 2026. The Ordinance updates candidate qualifying procedures, including filing requirements, qualifying fees, verification of candidate eligibility, withdrawal, and responsibility for election forms; revises procedures for filling vacancies on the Town Council, including when appointments or special elections may be used and how differing unexpired terms are assigned; updates provisions governing the form and ordering of names on ballots and the composition and role of the Town Canvassing Board; clarifies procedures for Charter amendments and boundary changes; and revises recount and drawing-lots procedures for close elections, tied votes, and allocation of differing term lengths. The public purpose of the Ordinance is to conform the Town’s election regulations to the newly amended Charter, provide clear and consistent procedures for candidates, vacancies, special elections, recounts, and election administration, and promote orderly, lawful, and transparent municipal elections.

Official Caption

An Ordinance of the Town of Orchid, Indian River County, Florida, amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22 – Elections; providing for legislative findings, amendment, codification, severability, conflict, and an effective date.

Business Impact Estimate

Pursuant to Section 166.041(4)(a), Florida Statutes, the Town of Orchid has prepared the following Business Impact Estimate for the proposed ordinance. This estimate is intended to summarize the ordinance and its public purpose, and to identify, in good faith, any anticipated direct economic impacts on private, for-profit businesses, including compliance costs, new charges or fees, municipal regulatory costs or revenues, and the estimated number of businesses likely to be affected. Please feel free to email the Town Manager or call at (772) 581-2770 with any questions about this ordinance or estimate. You are encouraged to attend the public hearing to be heard by the Town Council in advance of the ordinance's adoption.

Anticipated Impacts

• No direct impact on private, for-profit businesses is anticipated
• No compliance costs are reasonably likely to be incurred
• No new charges or fees are introduced in this ordinance
• Estimated municipal regulatory costs associated with this ordinance: $0
• Estimate of the number of private, for-profit businesses likely to be impacted: 0

Posting/Notice Dates

• Caption posted: 03/25/2026
• Business Impact Estimate posted: 03/25/2026
• Newspaper notice published: 04/24/2026