When a consultant is hired to advise the city, they should be working for Pompano Beach — not for a private client with business before the city. This amendment closes that loophole for good.

The Problem

Pompano Beach hires consultants to provide independent professional advice on planning, legal matters, engineering, and more. That independence is only meaningful if consultants don't have conflicting loyalties.

A structural gap in the current charter allows a consultant to simultaneously serve the city and private clients whose interests may conflict with the city's. That's not a hypothetical risk — it's a built-in structural flaw that this amendment would permanently fix.

What This Amendment Does

This amendment establishes a clear rule: any consultant retained by the city may not simultaneously represent private clients with business before the city in matters related to their city work.

This is a forward-looking, permanent structural rule. It applies to all consultants — existing and future — and is not targeted at any specific firm or individual.

Common Questions

Is this targeting a current consultant?
No. This is a permanent structural rule that applies to all city consultants — current and future. Good governance doesn't depend on who happens to hold a contract today.
Don't consultants already have ethics rules?
Some do, but the city charter doesn't currently close this specific conflict. This amendment puts the rule directly in the charter — the highest level of local law — where it cannot be quietly waived or ignored.
How does this get on the ballot?
Under Florida Statute §166.031, residents can place charter amendments on the ballot by collecting signatures from 10% of registered voters — 5,796 signatures. Once submitted, the Commission is legally required to put it to a vote.

Support this amendment — request your petition packet.

Request Your Petition Packet