Resolution No. 07-01 vRESOLUTION NO: 07-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
URGING IVUMBERS OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING ISSUES DURING THE 2007
LEGISLATIVE SESSION'
WHEREAS, municipal self-determination. and local self-government, are constantly
under attack from a variety of 'public and private interests; and
WHEREAS, numerous, counties have recently proposed revisions, to their ch,arters, that
would adversely impact the Home -Rule powers of municipalities, within those counties; and
EREAS, a majority of Florida's municipalities have experienced negative impacts to
infrastructure, housing stock and employment base from a series of natural disasters; higher than
expected increases in the cost of building products; double-digit increases in the cost of property
insurance; and inequities in the existing roperty-tax system; and
WHEREAS, Florida's, continuing population increase has prese ted a challenge to cities
struggling to meet the infrastructure needs required to accommodate new growth and
development without an infrastructure revenue source dedicated to municipalities,; and
WHEREAS, various proposed revisions to the property -tax system would have
substantial adverse impacts for all municipalities in Florida, should they be adopted; and
WHEREAS, Florida's, municipalities are dependent on other govern entities lbr
financial stability and under the current system the state, counties, and school districts, control all
finding sources authorized for implementing capital improvements and complying with
concurrency requirements; and
WHEREAS, Governor Charlie Crist and Florida's, House and Senate leaders have an
op °nullity to address the unique concerns of municipalities during, the upcoming 2007
legislative session.
NOW TH
REFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City of ,Atlantic Beach.:
SECTION 1. That the City of Atlantic Beach urges Governor aiarlie Crist and members
of the Florida, Legislature to support legislation during the 2007 legislative session that:
▪ Restores and maintains municipal Home -Rule authority for municipalities located
within charter counties.
• Supports a tax structure that is fair and equitable, and is competitively neutral and
allows municipalities the flexibility to provide adequate services in their coni tunnies.
• Preserves the dedicated documentary stamp .fees as a funding source liar the State and
Local Government Housing Trust Fund (Sadowski 'frust Fund), eliminates the cap placed
on fund distribution, and prohibits any of these trust fund dollars from being diverted to.
the General Revenue Fund.
• Provides a comprehensive and uniform workers' compensation system for all. municipal
employees, regardless ofemployee classification, at a reasonable cost to employers.
• Provides a dedicated, and recurring source of revenue, including municipal local -option
.fuel taxes, rental -car surcharges„ or other taxes or fres, tbr municipalities to fund
transportation projects, such as `fR1P, urban arterial and other projects. Furthermore, the
existing distribution formula for local -option transportation taxes imposed by a county
should be revised to allow for a more equitable distribution to municipalities and
provides for indexing oflocal-option fuel taxes.
• Requires legislative authorization prior to the Florida Department of Transportation
removing or delaying any project that is contained in th.e MOT Five -Year Work Plan.
• Preserves municipal authority to franchise cable and video services.
SECTION 2. That a copy of this resolution shall be provided to Governor Charlie Crist,
Senate President Ken Pruitt, House of Representatives Speaker Marco Rubio and members of the
Florida Legislature.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic. Beach, this
k 2007.
A`rrEs'
DONNA BUSSEY, C
City Clerk
as to firm and correctness:
Al JENSEN, ESQUIRE
C itytorney
Resolution No. 07-01
of
DONALD M. WOLFSON
Mayor
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