The notion that Tallahassee city commissioners are constantly at odds with one another is mostly a myth.
Over the past three years, it has been widely reported that there has been a bitter divide in the Tallahassee City Commission. The city commission is made up of five elected members, including the mayor. Reports have discussed a prolonged division among the commissioners, who have sometimes split 3-2 on important policies and bills passed.
Reports put Mayor John Dailey, Mayor Pro-Tem Diane Williams-Cox, and Commissioner Curtis Richardson representing one faction while Commissioners Jacqueline “Jack” Porter and Jeremy Matlow represent the other the minority.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, in September, the City of Tallahassee approved a $1.12 billion budget with an 8.5% property tax increase. Mayor Dailey and Commissioners Williams-Cox, and Richardson voted in favor of the budget with Porter and Matlow on the opposing side.
Williams-Cox disagrees with the idea that there is discord in the commission.
“Majority of the time we vote 5-0,” Williams-Cox said. “There are a few issues that our community likes to rub in because they like to create conflict to make it look like we aren’t in agreement, but we agree probably 90% of the time on issues.”
Local attorney and journalist Charles “Chuck” Hobbs understands the importance of a functional city commission.
“One of the best aspects of living in Tallahassee over the past four decades is knowing that our civic leaders, by and large work together to solve the issues that affect us all. When there is gridlock among those leaders, the business of the city lags and we, the people, suffer as a result,” Hobbs said.
Some of the city commission’s recent approvals have been unanimous including the evaluation committee’s ranking and authorization of the city treasurer, the additional project funding for the airport access and roadway realignment project at Tallahassee International Airport, and the procedural process related to establishing a Tallahassee Charter Review Committee.
With several key issues coming up for vote, including Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency allocations, city commission votes are of critical importance.
In addition, 2024 will bring about another election cycle.
Local community advocate Rudy Ferguson has already announced his bid for Porter’s seat, who is seeking reelection. And former City Commissioner and Mayor, Dot Inman-Johnson has filed to run against Richardson, who announced his intentions to remain on the commission.
If one or more of the commissioners were to be ousted, it could change the balance of voting on contested issues where there is no unanimity.