Resolution 731-1989
Commissioner Mike Puto
RESOLUTION NO. 731-1989
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY CO~US-
Sl!ONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, URGING
FLDRIDA CITIZENS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITU-
q'IONAL AMENDMENT 113 ON THE NOVEMBER 1990
_LLOT LIMITING UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES ON
~TIES AND COUNTIES.
.t:
WHEREAS, since 1981, the Florida Legislature has placed 288
unfunded mandates upon cities and counties in Florida with over
86 percent having an undetermined fiscal impact on cities and
counties; and
WHEREAS,
"unfunded mandates" are governmental actions
required of cities and counties by state law without adequate
funding resources; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are continuously forced to
adjust local service priorities, and raise local taxes and user
fees to pay for such unfunded state mandated programs; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are forced to pass these
increased costs for delivery of state-mandated programs to the
citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution preempts all taxing
..
sources to the state (except ad valorem property taxes) it
becomes irresponsible for state government to require and mandate
programs to other governments without sharing the fiscal
responsibility and political consequences of their actions; and
WHEREAS, there can be 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 of
cities and counties have often been curtailed when limited local
funds have to be diverted to pay for a state mandated program;
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 sufficient local discretionary taxing
powers directly to municipalities and has refused to adjust
unfair and antiquated formula allocations of revenue-sharing
programs; and
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates are not fair to the local
property owner or the locally elected official who is trying to
address local priorities and problems with a limited amount of
financial resources; and
WHEREAS, during the 1988 Legislative Session nearly 100
members of the Legislature cosigned or supported a proposed
constitutional amendment to limit the Legislature's ability to
mandate programs and costs to city and county governments; and
WHEREAS, during the 1989 Legislative Session a proposed
amendment to the constitution was passed to give Florida citizens
an opportunity to vote in 1990 on a proposal that would limit
unfunded state legislative mandates on cities and counties.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows:
Section 1. That the Board calls upon all citizens of the
state to become aware of the seriousness of unfunded mandates and
to be prepared to support the amendment to the Florida state
constitution on the matter that will appear on the ballot in the
November 1990 election.
Section 2. That the Clerk of the Board is hereby directed
to forward a certified copy of this Resolution to the Monroe
County Delegation.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of the Board held on
the tlJI.I1IL day of -11.>1&. ~&r , 1989.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF ~~~_COUNT~ FLORIDA
By: ok~'
Mayor/Chairman
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
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MMO~1::c=
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BY ,II"
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