HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-07-01 Legislative SupportRESOLUTION NO. R-07-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
URGING MEMBERS 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 revision to their charters that would
adversely impact the Home-Rule powers of municipalities within those counties; and
WHEREAS, 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 exiting property-tax system; and
WHEREAS, Florida's continuing population increase has presented 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 governmental entities for financial
stability and under the current system the state, counties, and school districts, control all funding
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
opportunity to address the unique concerns of municipalities during the upcoming 2007
legislative session.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN:
Section 1. That the City of Sebastian urges Governor Charlie 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 communities.
• Preserves the dedicated documentary stamp fees as a funding source for the State and Local
Government Housing Trust Fund (Sadowski Trust 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 of employee classification, at 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 fees, for municipalities to fund transportation
projects such as TRIP, 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 of local-option fuel
taxes.
• Requires legislative authorization prior to the Florid Department of Transportation removing or
delaying any project that is contained in the FDOT 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.
This resolution was moved for adoption by Council Member Neglia ,and
the motion was seconded by Council Member coy ,and, upon being put to
a vote, the vote was as follows:
Mayor Brian S. Burkeen aye
Council Member Andrea Coy aye
Council Member al Paternoster aye
Council Member Sal Neglia aye
The Mayor thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 10th day of January,
2007.
Attest
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By _/
Sally A. Maio, C -City Clerk
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
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By ~~
Brian S. Burkeen, Mayor
Approved as to form and legality for
reliance,. he City of Sebastian only:
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Rich Stringer
City Attorney