Item 6CAGENDA ITEM # 6C
JANUARY 14, 2008
RESOLUTION NO. 08-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, URGING MEMBERS
OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING ISSUES
DURING THE 2008 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHEREAS, as Florida's population continues to increase, cities are challenged to meet
the service demands and infrastructure needs to account for new growth; and
WHEREAS, a majority of Florida's municipalities are challenged to meet the increasing
infrastructure, affordable housing, transportation, and water quality needs of their citizens; and
WHEREAS, the state has imposed greater accountability in comprehensive planning and
fiscal feasibility standazds on municipalities; and
WHEREAS, Florida's municipalities are dependent on other governmental entities for
financial stability and presently the state, counties, and school districts, control every funding
source that has been authorized for implementing growth management capital improvements and
complying with concurrency requirements; and
WHEREAS, municipal self-determination and local self-government aze constantly
under attack from a variety of public and private interests; and
WHEREAS, the role and function of municipal govemment is constantly evolving from
new demands from its citizens and businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ATLANTIC
BEACH:
SECTION 1. That the City of Atlantic Beach urges Governor Chazlie Crist and members
of the Florida Legislature to support legislation that:
• Reauthorize the affordable housing trust funds, preserves the documentary stamp fee as
the trust funds' funding source and removes the legislative cap on fund distribution;
• Enhances public notice of and participation in state environmental permitting
processes;
• Fully funds state growth management mandates and provides municipalities with state
and local option revenue sources to meet financial feasibility requirements and
infrastructure demands;
• Allows municipalities and counties to reclassify businesses, professions, and
occupations and establish new rate structures for local business taxes on a periodic
basis;
• Enhances municipal control over municipal employee pension plan management and
funding;
• Preserves and protects property rights of mobile home owners, when mobile home
parks aze rezoned, but not in a manner that requires removal costs to be the
responsibility of local governments;
AGENDA ITEM # 6C
JANUARY 14, 2008
• Broadens municipal home rule and other authority to issue tax-increment financed
bonds and other forms of indebtedness without approval by referendum;
• Provides an equitable, dedicated and recurring revenue source for municipal
transportation projects and opposes legislation that transfers or diverts state
transportation trust fund revenues to balance the state budget;
• Prohibits the Florida Bepartment of Transportation from eliminating, deferring, or
delaying capacity improvement projects contained in the 5-year Work Plan when it
negatively impacts the comprehensive plan of the local government;
• Authorizes the use of electronic traffic infraction detectors at trafl"ic intersections; and
• Maintains or increased funding of the state Water Protection and sustainability Trust
Fund.
SECTION 2. That a copy of this resolution shall be provided to Governor Charlie Crist,
Senate President Ken Pruitt, House Speaker Marco Rubio and members of the Florida
Legislature.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14"' day of January 2008.
JOHN S. MESERVE
Mayor
Approved as to form and correctness:
ALAN C. JENSEN, ESQUIRE
City Attorney
ATTEST:
DONNA L. BUSSEY, CMC
City Clerk
AGENDA ITEM # 6C
JANUARY 14, 2008
MEMORANDLiM
FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.
To: Members of Florida League of Cities, Inc.
From: Rebecca O'Hara, Director
Legislative Affairs
Date: December 20, 2007
Re: Request for Resolution
The FLC Board of Directors adopted an initiative to enhance the Legislature's
awareness of the League's priority issues. This plan calls on each of Florida's
412 cities to adopt a resolution that supports the League's key priority issues.
These key issues were adopted by the League membership at the recent
Legislative Conference and address Affordable Housing, Environmental Permits,
Growth Management, Local Business Taxes, Local Government Pension Plans,
Mobile Home Park Closures, Municipal Indebtedness, Property Tax Reform,
Transportation, and Water.
Enclosed is a draft resolution that we are asking your city to adopt at the next
available council/commission meeting. Please send copies of your adopted
resolution to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Ken Pruitt, Speaker of the
House Marco Rubio, your local legislative delegation and to the Florida League
of Cities no later than Friday, February 22, 2008.
Also enclosed are a list of addresses for the Governor, Senate President, and
Speaker of the House. In addition, we have enclosed a directory so that you may
identify legislators whose districts include your city.
A Microsoft Word version of this resolution is available on the League's website
under Legislative/Advocacy at: www.flcities.com. If you have any questions or
require additional information, please contact Rikkia Rellford at the Florida
League of Cities at (850) 701-3653. Thank you for your assistance.
Enclosures
301 South Bronough, Suite 300 • Post Office Box 1757 • Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757
Telephone (850) 222-9684 • Suncom 278-5331 • Fax (850) 222-3806 • Internet: www.flcities.com