§ 8-91. Annexation referendum.

(a) A referendum as required by F.S. § 171.0413 to approve the involuntary annexation of land adjacent to the corporate limits shall be called and conducted pursuant to this section.

(b) The city commission shall call an annexation referendum by the adoption of an ordinance describing the land to be annexed and setting the date for the election. A certified copy of the ordinance shall be delivered to supervisor of elections by the city clerk.

(c) The referendum on annexation shall be held at the next regularly scheduled city election following the final adoption of the ordinance proposing the annexation or at a special election called for the purpose of holding the referendum. However, the referendum shall not be held sooner than thirty (30) days following the final adoption of the ordinance by the city commission.

(d) As required by F.S. § 171.0413, the city clerk shall publish notice of the annexation referendum at least once each week for two (2) consecutive weeks immediately preceding the date of the referendum in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which the referendum is to be held.

(1) The notice shall give the ordinance number, the time and places for the referendum, and a brief, general description of the area proposed to be annexed.

(2) The description shall include a map clearly showing the area and a statement that the complete legal description by metes and bounds or subdivided lot and block and that the ordinance can be obtained from the office of the city clerk.

(e) On the day of the referendum, there shall be prominently displayed at each polling place a copy of the ordinance of annexation and a description of the property proposed to be annexed. The description shall be by metes and bounds or subdivided lot and block and shall include a map clearly showing the area to be annexed.

(f) Ballots used in the annexation referendum shall offer the choice "For annexation of property described in ordinance number ____________ of the City of Lake Wales" and "Against annexation of property described in ordinance number ____________ of the City of Lake Wales" in that order.

(g) If the referendum is held only in the area proposed to be annexed and receives a majority vote, or if the ordinance is submitted to a separate vote of the registered electors of the city and the area proposed to be annexed and there is a separate majority vote for annexation in the city and in the area to be annexed, the ordinance of annexation shall become effective on the effective date specified therein. If there is any majority vote against annexation, the ordinance shall not become effective, and the area proposed to be annexed shall not be the subject of an annexation ordinance by the city for a period of two (2) years from the date of the annexation referendum.

(Ord. No. 2003-15, § 1, 6-3-03)