Resolution 550-1988
'-___ .._:!I
County Commission
RESOLUTION NO. 550 -1988
WHEREAS, the Florida State Legislators have, for over ten
years, ignored and violated the provisions of Section 11.076
F . S.; and
c ~EREAS~ the Legislature's lack of courage and commitment to
c CV)
~ouna:fiscal~management has forced counties to continuously raise
C, a.. -
'local::r taxes:.and user fees to pay for unfunded State mandated
- I
prog~ms;~ a~
L~.
\.J....
costs on to its citizenry already overburdened with ad valorem
~E~~ County government is forced to pass these increased
. :I:
LL
and special district taxes; and
WHEREAS, it is irresponsible for one level of government to
mandate unfunded programs on another level of government without
bearing the fiscal responsibility or facing the political conse-
quences; and
WHEREAS, there is no certainty and predictability in the
growth planning process if the State can continue to mandate new
and expensive programs without regard to adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, the priorities and programs of local citizens and
local governments have often been curtailed when limited local
funds have to be diverted to pay for a State mandated program
which
contravenes
the
legislative
intent
of
Section
163.3177(10)(b) F.S. and other discretionary authority vesting in
local government; and
WHEREAS, the State Constitution "preempts" all taxing powers
to the State (other than local property taxes) and the State has
been unwilling to allow local discretionary taxing powers to
counties and, in fact have tied the hands of local governments
and then shifted programs to them without funding; and
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates are not fair to the local proper-
ty owner or the locally elected official who is trying to address
local priorities and problems with a limited amount of financial
resources; and
WHEREAS, since 1980 more than 200 unfunded local mandates
have been passed by the Legislature and 87% have had an "unde-
termined" fiscal impact on local government; and
WHEREAS, 1988 marks the 10th anniversary that the State
Legislature has cavalierly ignored Florida Statute 11.076 which
provides that the State will not mandate programs on cities and
counties without funding or designating a funding source; and
WHEREAS, the 1988 State Legislature failed to pass legis-
lation which would have allowed the voters to determine if the
State Legislature should be allowed to continue to fund State
priorities through local property tax dollars when there is an
overwhelming State interest, goal or agenda. now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
1. That the Florida State Association of Counties calls
upon the electorate of this State to become aware of the serious-
ness of unfunded mandates and be prepared to support either a
petition to the 1989 Legislature seeking a remedy, or, in the
event that effort is not successful, actively support a citizen's
petition drive to secure sufficient signatures to place this
matter on the ballot in November 1990.
2. That the Legislative Delegation of Monroe County,
namely Senator Larry Plummer and Representative Ron Saunders,
provide their sponsorship and maximum support and effort in this
critical resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 1st day of November, A. D. 1988.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY&~ "
{/ ai.nn
(Seal)
Attest :pANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
-:B.L:, ~l1,Jflr
~~EDAS raFORM
AN} /14 SUFF. CIENC'I.
BY ! \'
2