No candidates were on the ballot in the town of Surfside on Tuesday, but four referendums were, including one straw poll, one centered on continuing a storm-resiliency project and two focused on future spending.
Fewer than 1,000 Surfside voters cast ballots in the Special Election.
To pass, each measure needed only a majority vote.
Here are the results:
— Referendum 1 failed with 42% support: Would have approved continuing the town’s project to bury overhead electric and communication lines underground at an anticipated cost of $80 million.
— Referendum 2 failed with 34.7% support: A nonbinding question asking residents if they support creating a gated community in Surfside. The vote served only as a gauge of public opinion.
— Referendum 3 passed with 53% support: Amends the Town Charter to require a unanimous vote by all Town Commissioners before spending more than $2 million on any single project, purchase or investment, except in emergencies. The $2 million threshold will rise over time with inflation.
— Referendum 4 passed with 64% support: Requires a public referendum, with at least 60% voter approval, before Surfside can spend an amount equal to or greater than 20% of its prior year’s ad valorem tax revenue on any single project, purchase or investment.
