25-2277 Authorizing the use of Column for Required Legal Notices - Advertisements and Public Notices RESOLUTION NO. 26-1710
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA,AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO UTILIZE A PUBLICLY
ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLICATION OF LEGALLY REQUIRED
ADVERTISEMENTS AND PUBLIC NOTICES PURSUANT TO SECTION
50.0311, FLORIDA STATUTES; DESIGNATING THE COLUMN WEBSITE AS
THE CITY'S OFFICIAL PLATFORM FOR ONLINE PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLICATION; PROVIDING FOR THE REQUIRED ANNUAL NOTICE TO
RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS REGARDING OPTIONAL MAIL OR
E-MAIL DELIVERY OF LEGAL NOTICES; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF REQUESTING PROPERTY OWNERS AND
RESIDENTS; REQUIRING THE CITY TO PROVIDE CONSPICUOUS WEBSITE
LINKS TO ALL ONLINE PUBLIC NOTICES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS,
SEVERABILITY,AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature has authorized governmental agencies to publish legally
required advertisements and public notices on a publicly accessible website in lieu of a newspaper of
general circulation, as provided in section 50.0311, Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, section 50.0311(3), Florida Statutes, allows a municipality to use the publicly
accessible website of the county in which it lies, or another private website designated by the county, if
the cost of publishing legally required notices on such website is less than the cost of publication in a
newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Seminole County has a population exceeding 160,000 residents, making the
additional public-hearing requirement under section 50.0311(4), Florida Statutes, inapplicable to the
City of Longwood; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that utilizing a publicly accessible website for the
publication of legal notices will reduce costs, increase accessibility, and meet statutory requirements;
and
WHEREAS, the City desires to designate "Column," a publicly accessible online legal notice
platform authorized for use within the State of Florida and designated by Seminole County for the
publication of legal notices and advertisements, as the City's official website for the publication of
legally required advertisements and public notices; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to section 50.0311(6), Florida Statutes, the City must annually publish a
notice in a newspaper of general circulation, or another publication mailed or delivered to all residents
and property owners, informing residents and property owners that they may receive legally required
advertisements and public notices by first-class mail or e-mail upon registering with the City; and
WHEREAS, section 50.0311(6), Florida Statutes, also requires the City to maintain a registry of
property owners and residents who request to receive legally required advertisements and public
notices by first-class mail or e-mail; and
Resolution No. 26-1710
Page 1
WHEREAS, section 50.0311(7), Florida Statutes, requires that a link to the publicly accessible
website used for legal notice publication be conspicuously placed on the City's homepage or accessible
through a direct link from the homepage; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that it is in the best interest of the public to proceed with
online publication of legally required advertisements and public notices consistent with state law and
the policies of the City of Longwood; and
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA,
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Adoption and Authorization. The City Commission hereby authorizes the City of
Longwood to utilize a publicly accessible website for the publication of legally required advertisements
and public notices pursuant to section 50.0311, Florida Statutes.
Section 2. Designation of Public Notice Website. The City Commission hereby designates
Column (or its successor platform) as the City's official publicly accessible website for the publication of
legally required advertisements and public notices. The City Clerk is authorized to administer and
manage the publication of legal notices on Column in accordance with applicable law.
Section 3. Annual Notice Requirement. The City Clerk shall publish, at least once per year, a
notice in a newspaper of general circulation or another publication that is mailed or delivered to all
residents and property owners within the City's jurisdiction, informing them that they may receive
legally required advertisements and public notices by first-class mail or e-mail upon registering with the
City.
Section 4. Registry of Requesting Residents and Property Owners. The City Clerk shall
maintain a registry of all residents and property owners who request, in writing, to receive legally
required advertisements and public notices via first-class mail or e-mail, as required by section
50.0311(6), Florida Statutes. The registry shall include each registrant's name, address, e-mail address (if
applicable), and preferred method of delivery.
Section 5. Website Link Requirement. The City shall place a conspicuous link to its online
public notices on the homepage of the City's official website, or provide a clearly visible direct link from
the homepage to the public notices page, as required by section 50.0311(7), Florida Statutes.
Section 6. Implementation. The City Manager and City Clerk are authorized and directed to
take all necessary steps to implement this Resolution, including updating internal procedures,
coordinating with Column, and ensuring ongoing compliance with section 50.0311, Florida Statutes.
Section 7. Conflicts. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution are
hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 8. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this
Resolution is held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions.
Resolution 26-1710
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Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its
passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 19th DAY OF JANUARY A.D., 2026.
CITY COMMISSION
CITY OF LONGWO D, FLORIDA
BRIAN D. SACKE
ATTEST:
LIANE CARTAGENA, CITY CLERK
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, only.
DANIEL W. LANGL , G ("ATTORNEY
Resolution 26-1710
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