STUART – After months of debate, the Stuart City Commission unanimously approved draft language July 28 for a referendum that would prohibit the sale or long-term lease of the city’s ballfields without voter approval.
Commissioners also agreed to hold special hearings to ensure the measure qualifies for the November ballot.
The proposal follows years of discussion over the future of the ballfields at Guy Davis and Sailfish parks. A first reading stalled in May after the resignation of Commissioner Christopher Collins left the commission deadlocked. Commissioner Laura Giobbi later persuaded the board to revisit the issue and requested additional information on the parks’ history, use and redevelopment efforts.
Community Services Director Jim Chrulski presented that overview, describing Sailfish Park as a historic community asset that has served local baseball since the 1950s. He also reviewed past improvement projects and the city’s unsuccessful effort to secure state funding for a tournament complex at Guy Davis Park.
Chrulski said the fields remain heavily used. In 2025, Guy Davis hosted 24 user groups with 227 field reservations, while Sailfish Park accommodated 25 groups with 673 field uses. The city generated about $31,000 in combined facility revenue from the two parks.
He also revisited a 2018 unsolicited proposal to redevelop Sailfish Park, which sparked public opposition and ultimately led to the current referendum effort.
City Attorney Lee Baggett said the proposed ballot language mirrors protections already in the city charter for certain waterfront properties, requiring voter approval before the city could sell, convey or enter into long-term leases for the ballfield properties.
Commissioner Campbell Rich voiced concerns that language allowing leases for sports, recreation or concession uses could create an unintended loophole and argued for stricter limits while also noting the city’s annual ballfield maintenance costs exceed $300,000.
After further discussion, Baggett revised the language to address commissioners’ concerns, and the measure passed 4-0.
The commission held the referendum’s first reading Aug. 3. A second reading is scheduled for Aug. 17 to meet the Supervisor of Elections deadline for the November ballot.