SAFETY HARBOR - City commissioners say a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution would effectively halt growth and development.

And now, their position is on record.

Following the lead of St. Pete Beach, the Safety Harbor City Commission unanimously adopted this week a resolution against Amendment 4, known as Hometown Democracy.

Officials contend that if the measure passes, voters - not elected officials - would be asked to consider hundreds of land use changes each year, a costly process that would create lengthy delays. The amendment is on the November ballot.

According to the resolution, "local governments and their taxpayers will be obligated to fund elections for thousands of technical planning changes."

Safety Harbor officials fear developers would shell out large sums of money to push through land use changes without fully involving voters. Cities would be prohibited from spending money on voter education.

"I don't think we're going to be, before it's over, the only municipality who will have our own resolution against this amendment," said Commissioner Mary Lynda Williams. She said defeating the measure is one of the top priorities of the Florida League of Cities.

Rodney Thrash can be reached at rthrash@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4167.