TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — The Treasure Island City Commission held a special meeting on Monday amid officials' effort to replace the city's vice mayor.

District 3 commissioner and vice mayor Saleene Partridge stepped down effective Dec. 30.


What You Need To Know


A new law, requiring local elected officials to declare income and assets worth $1,000 or more, which has led multiple small-town lawmakers, including Partridge, to resign from their posts.

As last year’s President of the Suncoast League of Cities, Treasure Island Mayor Tyler Payne says the new law has been on his radar for a while.

“We made a big effort to try to share our concerns with our legislators in Tallahassee,” said Payne. “But they really felt as though this is something that they file already and something that they believed we need to file as well.”

Two people have already said they are interested in the District 3 seat, including now-candidate Gary Potenziano.

“(The law) is not a concern for me because I have nothing to hide,” said Potenziano. “I’m willing to fill out the necessary paperwork.”

Anyone interested in the District 3 seat should submit a letter of interest in-person to the city clerk or by email to cityclerk@mytreasureisland.org by noon on Friday, Jan. 12.

The qualifications to be considered for appointment are:

  • The individual must be a registered voter in the city.
  • The individual must be a qualified elector of the district in which they 
    will service.
  • Hold no other elected or appointed public office.

Items to include in the letters of interest include:

  • Name and Address
  • How long have they lived in the City
  • Why do they want to serve City as an appointed Commissioner
  • Education and Professional Experience or attach a resume
  • Any public service or involvement in Treasure Island
  • Current and Past involvement with the City or any City Boards

The city is expected to finalize the decision on Jan. 16.

In recent weeks, Bay area lawmakers in Pinellas and Pasco counties have had similar issues, as well as members of Orange City city council in Volusia County.

Also, council members in Williston, Dunnellon, Inglis, and Yankeetown have either resigned or threatened to step down rather than submit the disclosures.