90-12 v RESOLUTION NO. 90-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
ATLANTIC BEACH, DUVAL COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING
ATLANTIC BEACH CITIZENS TO SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 3 ON THE NOVEMBER 1990
BALLOT LIMITING UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES ON CITIES
AND COUNTIES
WHEREAS, since 1981, the Florida Legislature has placed over 330
unfunded mandates upon cities and counties in Florida with over 86%
having an undetermined fiscal impact on cities and counties; and
WHEREAS, "unfunded mandates" are governmental actions required of
cities and counties by state law without adequate funding sources; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are continuously forced to adjust
local service priorities, and raise local taxes and user fees to pay for
such unfunded state mandated programs; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are forced to pass these increased
costs of delivery of state mandated programs to the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution preempts all taxing sources to
the state (except ad valorem property taxes) , therefore, it becomes
irresponsible for the state government to require and mandate programs
to other governments without sharing the fiscal responsibility and
political consequences of their actions; and
WHEREAS, there can be no certainty and predictability in the growth
planning process if the state can continue to mandate new and expensive
programs without regard to adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, the priorities and programs of local citizens of cities
and counties have often been curtailed when limited local funds have to
be diverted to pay for a state mandated program; and
WHEREAS, the state constitution "preempts" all taxing powers to the
state (other than local property taxes) and the state has been unwilling
to allow sufficient local discretionary taxing powers directly to
municipalities and has refused to adjust unfair and antiquated formula
allocations of revenue-sharing programs; and
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates are not fair to the local property owner
or the locally elected official who is trying to address local
priorities and problems with a limited amount of financial resources;
and
WHEREAS, during the 1988 Legislative Session nearly 100 members of
the Legislature cosigned or supported a proposed constitutional
amendment to limit the Legislature's ability to mandate programs and
costs to city and county governments; and
Page Two
Resolution No. 90-12
WHEREAS, during the 1989 Legislative Session, a proposed amendment
to the constitution was passed to give Florida citizens an opportunity
to vote in 1990 on a proposal that would limit unfunded state
Legislative mandates on cities and counties.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, as follows:
Section 1. That the City Commission of the City of Atlantic
Beach, Florida, call upon all citizens of Atlantic Beach to become aware
of the seriousness of unfunded mandates and to be prepared to support
the amendment of Florida state constitution on the matter that will
appear on the ballot in November.
Section 2. That a copy of this resolution be sent to the
Jacksonville City Council and the cities that are members of the
Northeast Florida League of Cities and each body is requested to adopt
similar resolutions and positions so their views may be available to
every citizen in Florida.
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, DUVAL
COUNTY, FLORIDA this 23rd day of July, 1990.
I
tl
i7 iam I. Gullifori l
MAYOR
ATT E S T:
M.)/10e ( ci_c _
Maureen King, City Clerk