Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Temple Terrace City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

5 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Alison McGillivray FernandezIncumbentAccountant and Temple Terrace Council Member with accounting and finance degrees from Florida State University. She served two earlier terms on the council from 2008 to 2016.7sourced
Ryan GessmanEconomic Development Manager at the Pasco Economic Development Council since 2024. He has more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership, workforce development, financial services and project management, according to the Pasco EDC.1sourced
Karen MichalskiLongtime environmental advocate and vice chair of Temple Terrace's Board of Adjustment.2sourced
Eugene PapantoniouPharmacist and co-owner of Tampa-based Trinova Health, a compounding pharmacy. He is a University of Florida College of Pharmacy graduate.3sourced
Amber TreatSmall business owner and member of Temple Terrace's Board of Adjustment, appointed in June 2025.4sourced

Voters citywide choose among five candidates, and the three candidates with the most votes win the three open seats.

3 notes on these statements

Council Members Gil Schisler and James Chambers hold the other two seats up for election and are not eligible to run again because of term limits, according to the Tampa Bay Beacons. Tampa Bay Beacons · Aug 24, 2026

Karen Michalski and Amber Treat both serve on the city's five-member Board of Adjustment. City of Temple Terrace

Mayor Andy Ross and Council Member Erik Kravets are not on the 2026 ballot. Tampa Bay Beacons · Aug 24, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Erik KravetsCouncil Member; not up for election in 20268sourced Andy RossMayor; not up for election in 20266sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesSchool-zone speed cameras, PFAS and the water system, Public safety complex Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Candidate forum, Omar K. Lightfoot Center (forum begins 6 p.m.)

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

School-zone speed cameras

Where it standsThe council passed the school speed zone ordinance on second reading August 17, then on September 1 voted to postpone implementing the camera program until staff brings it back.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city brings back the camera program, including the vendor, data retention and enforcement windows.

The ordinance authorizes automated speed detection at five schools: Greco Middle, Woodmont Charter, and Temple Terrace, Lewis and Riverhills elementary schools. Tampa Bay Beacons · Aug 10, 2026
Violators are mailed citations, with no officer required at the scene, and the fine is $100. Tampa Bay Beacons · Aug 10, 2026
On September 1 the council adopted Resolution 88-26(m), postponing implementation of the camera policy or program until brought back by city staff. Temple Terrace City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

PFAS and the water system

Where it standsThe council accepted a roughly $74 million water treatment master plan on September 15 and raised water, wastewater and irrigation rates 15% starting October 1.

What's on the tableHow to design, finance and phase the permanent PFAS treatment project and the interim carbon filtration, and how much of the cost falls on water customers.

The City Council voted unanimously September 15 to accept the water treatment facilities master plan, a roughly $74 million overhaul that includes measures to reduce PFAS. Tampa Bay Beacons · Sep 21, 2026
Temple Terrace water testing found PFAS levels above federal limits that go into effect in 2029. Tampa Bay Beacons · Sep 21, 2026
The City Council unanimously approved a 15% increase in water, wastewater and irrigation rates beginning October 1. Tampa Bay Beacons · Sep 28, 2026
The budget includes $5.5 million for a temporary granular activated carbon filtration system designed to lower PFAS levels while the permanent system is built. Tampa Bay Beacons · Sep 28, 2026

Public safety complex

Where it standsVoters approved a $50 million bond on August 18 and the council authorized issuing up to that amount on September 1; design comes before construction.

What's on the tableThe timing, design and cost of the new police station and Fire Station 3 complex, and when the bonds are sold.

Voters approved the $50 million bond referendum with 60% support in the August 18 election. Spectrum Bay News 9 · Aug 20, 2026
The police chief said the project must go through architectural design before construction and could wrap up sometime in 2029. Spectrum Bay News 9 · Aug 20, 2026
Information from the city says owners of a property assessed at $200,000 will see up to $185 a year in additional taxes. Spectrum Bay News 9 · Aug 20, 2026
On September 1 the council adopted Resolution 85-26, authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $50 million in general obligation bonds. Temple Terrace City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

Budget and property taxes

Where it standsThe city adopted its new budget with the millage rate held at 6.455, while a November ballot measure on the property tax exemption could affect future revenue.

What's on the tableHow the council balances the general fund and water costs, and how it responds if the homestead exemption measure passes.

The city kept its millage rate at 6.455 and avoided layoffs, after a 1.7% increase in property values that squeezed the General Fund. Tampa Bay Beacons · Sep 28, 2026
The mayor said the city will not issue the bond immediately, partly to see whether a November ballot measure to increase the property tax exemption passes. Spectrum Bay News 9 · Aug 20, 2026

Growth and redevelopment

Where it standsThe city is updating its comprehensive plan, and the council is reviewing a redevelopment concept for property it is selling on North 56th Street.

What's on the tableLand use, redevelopment and zoning decisions, including the comprehensive plan update and site plans for downtown parcels.

The Imagine 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update will guide the city's growth, development and quality of life over the next 20 years. City of Temple Terrace
On September 1 the council adopted Resolution 89-26(m), accepting the renderings of "B", also known as #2, in the agreement for the sale of 8447 North 56th Street. Temple Terrace City Council minutes, September 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should Temple Terrace use automated cameras to enforce school-zone speed limits?
2. How should the city proceed with the voter-approved public safety complex?
3. What approach should the council take to new development and redevelopment?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Candidate forum, Omar K. Lightfoot Center (forum begins 6 p.m.)City of Temple TerraceOct 13, 2026
Election DayCity of Temple TerraceNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Erik Kravets, Andy Ross3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The Mayor is elected by a majority vote to a four-year term, and four Council members serve staggered four-year terms. City of Temple Terrace
Temple Terrace elections are nonpartisan, and the three candidates receiving the most votes win the seats. Tampa Bay Beacons · Aug 24, 2026
Newly elected members of City Council are sworn in on the second regularly scheduled Council meeting after certification of election results. City of Temple Terrace

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