2018-05 Home Rule 50 Year AnniversaryRESOLUTION NO. 2018-05
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA; HONORING FIFTY YEARS OF MUNICIPAL
HOME RULE IN THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND COMMITTING TO
AN EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE TO HELP FLORIDIANS UNDERSTAND
THIS BENEFICIAL RIGHT; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFIECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Florida's voters placed municipal Home Rule powers into the F arida
Constitution on November 5, 1968, during the regular elections as an amendm,rit to
Article VIII; and
WHEREAS, this power has enabled each city, town, and village across the Sunshine State
to consider, adopt, revise, or remove its own laws without the need to seek
legislative permission from the State and has further served as the foundation upon
which every municipality builds its governmental structure; and
WHEREAS, the political climate within the Florida Legislature has recently included many
attacks on these powers; and
WHEREAS, grassroots measures calling such actions wrong and declaring that local
decisions be made at the local level by local officials must continue so that all
legislators clearly understand Florida's Home Rule as a Constitutional powe, and
one upheld in State Statutes; and
WHEREAS, a 50th anniversary is a fitting time for all municipalities to engage their
respective citizens to educate them about the Florida Constitution and local laws, so
that all Floridians may continue to receive the many benefits of Home Rule.
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 this 50th anniversary presents a tremendous opportunity to educate all
citizens about Florida's Constitution, municipal government and Home Rule
authority, and that all necessary resources shal be provided for such public
information.
SECTION 2: That the City of Okeechobee will actively challenge all efforts to reduce or
erode this cherished right and further employ all efforts to ensure State and
Federal government partners understand that a one -size -fits -all approach to
governance is not in the interests of Florida citizens.
SECTION 3: That the tradition of local decision-making in Florida is essential to protect,
as it provides each municipality the ability to preserve and enhance the
myriad characteristics that make each one uniquely special and that
maintains its quality of life.
SECTION 4: That the City of Okeechobee will include this information on its website; as a
regular agenda item for public discussion and within the Ciiy of
Okeechobee's services in as many outreach venues as possible.
SECTION 5: Conflict. All Resolution or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
RESOLUTION No. 2018-05 PAGE 1 OF 2
SECTION 6: Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion
of this Resolution, or application hereof, is 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 remr:9;ring
portions or applications here.
SECTION 7: Effective Date. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upc; i its
adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in Regular Session this 10th day of July, 2018.
ATTEST:
Lane Gamiotea, MC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
John R. CookEity Attorney
Dowling R. Watford, Jr., Mayor
RESOLUTION No. 2018-05 PAGE 2 OF 2