Resolution 018-1972RESOLUTION NO. 18 1 72
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO THE LEGISLATIVE BILL TO
ESTABLISH A SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL PLANNING AND
SERVICE DISTRICT .AS PROPOSED BY SENATOR ROBERT
GRAHAM OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
WHEREAS` Florida State Senator Robert Graham of Miami, has pro-
posed a Legislative Bill to establish a South Florida Area Planning.and ,
Service District. composed of Broward Collier, Dade, Hendry, Lee,'
Monroe, and Palm Beach Counties; and
WHEREAS, there presently exists a South Florida Regional Planning
Council, made up of these same counties, that does or can serve approxi-
mately the same planning functions as the organization proposed in said bill;
and
WHEREAS, the existing Planning Council would be eliminated or
reduced to very little value if the bill is passed and the District established;
and
WHEREAS, the proposed bill would in -effect establish .a .regional super
government with the authority to supercede,' circumvent or over -ride the
existing county and municipal governments; and
WHEREAS, the original concept of county or municipal home rule
governments, and in particular the passage of Chapter 71-14, Laws of
Florida, 19719 was to have local government close to and responsive to the
will of the people; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County's interests under the bill would be made
subservient to the interests of the more populous counties within the region
and this bill would eliminate the ability of local government to respond to the
will of the people; and
WHEREAS,+ the Trustees of the District would all be appointed by the
Governor with little or no say by the people regarding the membership; and
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WHEREAS., the District would be formed by the Legislature without
any determination by the people within the effected area, with no provisions
for dissolving the District if the people should determine it should be dis-
banded,' thus removing the right to referendum,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA," that Monroe County
does hereby strongly oppose the Legislative Bill proposed by Senator Robert
Graham to establish South Florida Area Planning and Service District.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be mailed
to the Board of County Commissioners of each .county within the proposed
District, to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives and to each member of the Legislative Delegation for Monroe
County. -
DATED February 22, 1972.