Cape Coral residents approved two referendums that appeared on Tuesday’s Primary Election ballot.

Both referendums, described by Charter Review Commission officials are primarily “housekeeping” measures, saw a large majority of residents vote “yes” – with the first earning 85.36% and the second 81.80%.

The first is entitled: “City Charter Amendment Relating to the Filling of Vacancies of the Mayor and City Councilmembers.”

The amendment ballot language read:

“This proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to provide that when a special election is required to fill a Council vacancy, if three or more candidates qualify, a special primary election is required and must occur no sooner than 90 days and not later than 120 days following the date of the vacancy. A special general election must be held within 45 days following certification of the special primary election results.”

The second charter amendment is entitled: “City Charter Amendment Relating to Authentication, Codification and Availability of City Records.”

The amendment ballot language read:

“This proposal amends the Cape Coral City Charter to provide that the City Clerk shall authenticate and maintain ordinances and resolutions in codified form, and make them accessible for the use of the public promptly following adoption; removing the requirement of printed copies being maintained in libraries and public offices, in order to allow accessibility by electronic means.”

Cape Coral voters will decide a third measure in November that likely is to be much more controversial than the two decided Tuesday.

The city’s “Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption” will appear on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot.

According to the city’s summary explanation, “This exemption is designed to encourage new commercial development and expansion of existing businesses within Cape Coral, which will create new job opportunities for the community.”

If approved the measure would grant tax exemptions “to developers of specific projects, which will facilitate the growth and creation of business enterprises in Cape Coral. The City of Cape Coral is seeking opportunities to become more business-friendly. By providing economic incentives with the purpose of creating employment and investment, the City can expand economic activity, create a more positive image and stabilize the city’s tax base. The program authorizes the City to grant qualifying businesses a limited property tax exemption for up to 10 years.”

To qualify, an applicant business would have to:

• Create at least 10 new full-time jobs

• Provide an annual average wage for new full-time jobs of at least 100 percent of the Average Annual Private Sector Wage or Capital Investment exceeding $10,000,000 for a period of 5 years

• Submit an annual renewal statement and annual report for each year the exemption is granted

The maximum amount of property tax revenue the city could forego any fiscal year using the exemption would be $2 million.

The Economic Development Tax Incentive Exemption program would sunset after 10 years.