Gender-neutral language went into the city charter

The St. Augustine Beach City Commission on March 2 gave final approval to Ordinance 2026-01, a charter rewrite presented as grammar, gender-neutral language, and reorganization. First reading had passed unanimously February 2.

City Attorney John Steinmetz said the March 2 draft held only a single typo correction, with everything else unchanged from earlier readings. He had told the Commission in February the ordinance was primarily grammatical updates, gender-neutral language adjustments, and organizational edits meant to improve clarity. Commissioners that night had already noticed structural rearrangements; Steinmetz said some text was moved into separate sections for readability without changing its substance.

No one spoke at the final-reading hearing. Commissioner George was absent. Commissioner Samora moved, Vice Mayor Morgan seconded, and Ordinance 2026-01 passed unanimously among those present.

The city charter now carries an official identity rewrite — not a holiday on the calendar, a change to the city’s own law.