2015-08 Oppose Election Dates MandatesRESOLUTION NO. 2015-08
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA, OPPOSING LEGISLATION
THAT RESTRICTS A MUNICIPALITY'S HOME RULE AUTHORITY TO SET MUNICIPAL
ELECTION DATES; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION BY CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR
CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, of Florida's 411 cities, town and villages, only 151 hold November elections; and
WHEREAS, City Elections are non - partisan in nature, and shifting City Elections to November may cause City
Elections to become injected into the partisan rhetoric usually associated with General Elections; and
WHEREAS, many cities have staggered terms in order to maintain institutional knowledge on their City
Commissions and Council. This proposal may adversely affect the ability for cities to maintain staggered
terms; and
WHEREAS, longer General Election ballots lead to voter fatigue with the possibility of voters not completing a ballot
or voting on City questions usually found at the bottom of a ballot; and
WHEREAS, holding a City Election in conjunction with the General Elections may require City candidates to
compete with nation and statewide candidates to communicate their message, receive media attention and
receive campaign contributions. This may lead to higher municipal campaign costs as City candidates may
have to pay higher advertising costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee, Florida; presented at a duly
advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote of the City Council; and properly executed by the
Mayor or designee, as Chief Presiding Officer for the City:
SECTION 1.
That the City of Okeechobee urges Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida Legislature to oppose
the action that restricts a municipality's Home Rule authority to set municipal election dates.
SECTION 2.
That a copy of this Resolution shall be provided to Governor Rick Scott, Senator Denise Grimsley, House
Representative Cary Pigman, and the the members of the Florida League of Cities.
SECTION 3.
All Resolution or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Resolution, or application thereof
shall for any reason be held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion
or provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications here.
SECTION 5.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED at a Public Hearing held this 15th day ber, 2015.
ATT s. T:
I� !L SIEZta
Lane Gamiotea, CMC, ity Clerk
REVIEW D FOR LE C
L S FFICIENCY:
John R. Cook City Attorney
Resolution No. 2015 -08 - Page 1 of 1
James E. Kirk, Mayor