2017-06 Home Rule SupportRESOLUTION NO. 2017-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA;
SUPPORTING THE TREASURE COAST COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN
PROMOTING HOME RULE AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION BY THE
CITY CLERK; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 1968, Florida voters amended the Constitution of the State of Florida to confer broad
powers to counties and municipalities, authorizing local officials to pass local ordinances and
exercise all powers not specifically prohibited by law, otherwise known as "Home Rule "; and
WHEREAS, local governments are instrumental in improving the quality of life of its citizens and use Home
Rule authority to provide vital public servir..es such as parks and recreation, water, wastewater,
streets and public rights -of -way, drainage and storm water management, and police and fire
protection that are used and counted on by citizens, businesses and visitors every day; and
WHEREAS, Home Rule powers, both administrative and fiscal, allow local governments to develop and
implement community -based solutions to local problems without state interference; and
WHEREAS, there were a significant number of legislative bills filed during the 2017 State of Florida
legislative session that proposed to preempt the Home Rule authority of local governments thereby
inhibiting the ability of local governments to respond to matters of local importance; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee anticipates future legislative attempts to curtail, restrict and /or preempt
it from using its Home Rule authority; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative and critical that decisions and legislation regarding local government services
be left to the form of government closest to the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee is a member of the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments
( "TCCLG ") which was established in 1987 and incorporated in 2003 as a voluntary council
pursuant to Section 163.02, Florida Statutes, for the purpose of studying and addressing area
governmental problems as the TCCLG deems appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the City of Okeechobee believes working together with the members of the TCCLG to support
and promote its Home Rule authority is in the best interest of the City's residents, businesses and
visitors.
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: The above "WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct, and hereby adopted as findings of
this Board.
SECTION 2: The City Council of the City of Okeechobee supports the TCCLG's promotion of the
integrity of the Home Rule power of local governments.
SECTION 3: The City Clerk for the City of Okeechobee is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of
this resolution to Florida District 26 Senator Denise Grimsley, Florida District 55 House of
Representative Cary Pigman, and the TCCLG.
RESOLUTION No. 2017 -06 PAGE 1 OF 2
SECTION 4: Conflict. All Resolution or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5: Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
Resolution, or application hereof, i:> for any reason 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 portion$ or applications here.
SECTION 6: Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in Regular Session 'his 20th day of June, 2017.
owling R. Wa o •, Jr., "Mayor
ATTEST:
Lane y/}()
am
iotea, C r. C, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUF ICIENCY:
John R. Cook, City Attorney
RESOLUTION No. 2017 -06 PAGE 2 OF 2