Resolution 102a-2015Mayor Pro Tem Carruthers
RESOLUTION NO. 102a - 2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING THE INITIATIVES BY LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS IN FLORIDA TO LESSEN THE
NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SINGLE -USE PLASTIC BAGS ON
OUR ENVIRONMENT AND REQUESTING EXPANSION
OF STATE LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE COUNTIES, IN
ADDITION TO MUNICIPALITES, TO ALLOW THE
REGULATION AND /OR BAN OF SINGLE -USE PLASTIC
BAGS BY BOTH MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES.
WHEREAS, Monroe County is diligent in its efforts to preserve the beautiful
environment that supports the tourism industry which is so vital to the economy of Monroe
County and the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, plastic bags are detrimental because they do not fully degrade in our
oceans or land environment and they introduce unsafe chemicals into our environment; and
WHEREAS, plastic bags create the potential for death of land and marine
animals through entanglement and ingestion; and
WHEREAS, the expansive usage of single -use shopping bags and their typical
disposal rates creates an impediment to the County's waste reduction and recycling goals
while creating unsightly litter; and
WHEREAS, single -use plastic bags are difficult to recycle and frequently contaminate
material that is processed through the County's curbside recycling and composting
programs; and
WHEREAS, reusable bags are considered to be the best option to reduce waste and
litter, protect wildlife and conserve resources; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners for Monroe County
acknowledges that some businesses have taken affirmative steps to accomplish this goal and
recognizes their proactive efforts; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the Board of County Commissioners
for Monroe County to encourage and enable the location of a viable reusable bag
manufacturing operation in the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the Florida Legislature to provide statewide
deregulation of the proliferation of single -use shopping bags; and
WHEREAS, if the State does not act to regulate the proliferation of single -use
shopping bags the Board of County Commissioners for Monroe County would like to
potentially enact regulations governing the use of plastic checkout bags;
Mayor Pro Tem Carruthers
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. Monroe County is committed to the long -term goal of reducing the
harms of plastic pollution on our fragile environment and committed to
ensuring a thriving, attractive and safe environment for current and
future residents and tourists.
SECTION 2. Monroe County does hereby support initiatives to lessen the negative
impact of single -use plastic bags specifically, and supports the
promotion of reusable shopping bags as the best alternative to single -
use plastic or single -use paper bags.
SECTION 3. Monroe County supports the State Legislature's action to allow local
municipalities in the State of Florida to regulate their own local
communities in an effort to alleviate the harms cause by
single -use shopping bags; and, therefore, Monroe County opposes
any statewide preemption on local efforts to determine the best
course of action with regards to protection of the local environment
and tourism economy.
11.
SECTION 4. Monroe County respectfully requests the State Legislature expand their
legislation to also include counties, in addition to municipalities, to
allow the regulation and/or ban of single -use plastic bags by both
municipalities and counties.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a regular meeting of said board held on the 15 day of April, 2015.
Mayor Danny L. Kolhage, District 1 Yes
Mayor Pro Tem Heather Carruthers, District 3 Yes
Commissioner George Neugent, District 2 Yes
Commissioner David Rice, District 4 Yes
Commissioner Sylvia Murphy, District 5 Yes
Heavilin, Clerk
By: yoto �' GC
Dep ty Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF c OE CO RIDA
By:
Mayor army L. Kolhage
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
AbeCRT B. SHILUNGEER, JR.