Gainesville City Council and Gainesville City Schools Board of Education members are considering whether to run for their seats again in November.

The council approved an ordinance Tuesday that sets election and qualifying dates for Wards 2, 3 and 5.

The seats of council members Bob Hamrick and Myrtle Figueras and Mayor Ruth Bruner, and education board members Maria Calkins, Willie Mitchell and Sammy Smith are up for election.

Seats on both councils aren't likely to see much of a shake-up, and a few members already declared their intent to run again this year.

"I'm planning to run at this point, and I'm looking forward to serving another four years," said Bruner, who started serving on the City Council in January 2004. "I think it's rewarding to do public service, and it feels like you're making a difference."

Bruner grew up in a family of government officials, with her father and brother serving as state senators in South Carolina.

"It seemed like a natural thing to do. I thought it would be very rewarding to run, and it has been," she said Thursday. "It's great to see a project come to fruition, such as opening the public safety facility or going to a new industrial park. Frances Meadows (Aquatic and Community Center) was a highlight when I could see people swimming and enjoying the water after several years of working on it."

Qualifying for the council seats is set for the last week of August, and the election will take place Nov. 8. City Clerk Denise Jordan will announce specific dates later this spring and will have packets available with details about the nominating petition and financial disclosure reports.

The qualifying fee for City Council posts is $605.03, and the fee for education board members is $157.93. State law requires the qualifying fees to be set at 3 percent of the total gross salary of the office, including all supplements that fall under the salaried office. State law also requires qualifying fees to be published by Feb. 1.

For Hamrick, who has served as a council member and mayor since 1970 and plans to run again, it's about seeing projects through to the end.

"The economy has been in a downturn the last couple of years, and there are some projects on the drawing board that I'd like to see develop. That's what maintains your interest," he said. "We have been trying to revitalize the Midtown sector for I don't know how many years, and the economy certainly had an effect, but I think it's emerging from the downturn."

For 2011, that includes industrial and retail development, Hamrick said.

"I've seen a lot of change in Gainesville, which has been just great, and a lot of new people have moved here, which has helped with progress," he said.

"Seeing improvements and growth in the medical community and educational community has been gratifying. I'd like to see the ongoing industrial development this year."

Figueras, who was first elected in 1996 and has served as mayor, noted she's still thinking about her position.

"I haven't made a definite decision. I'm weighting my options and looking at what's good for my life and what's good for the city," she said. "It's always good to serve, and that's my whole thing. I enjoy what I do, and we'll keep on working at it once I make a decision."

Smith, who is completing his first term on the school board, said he's thinking about running again.

"Folks are encouraging me to continue the work as a school board member. Hopefully my perspective on issues and my business experience add value to the work of the board," Smith said. "So essentially I'll engage in specific conversations soon and convey my intentions for 2011."

Mitchell could not be reached Thursday.

Calkins, who plans to run for one more term, said she found her experience in strategic planning, budgeting and staff management to be helpful.

"I have had the chance to watch, listen and learn from school leadership. I am very comfortable with all aspects of Gainesville City Schools, especially finances now that I've served as treasurer for a year," she said.

"As the mother of three children in the schools - elementary, middle and high school - I have a unique perspective to share with our system leadership and my fellow board members. Because I am in the schools as a parent-volunteer on a regular basis, I have the opportunity to interact with teachers, administrators, parents and children on a daily basis."