18-1467 Honoring Fifty Years of Municipal Home Rule in FloridaRESOLUTION NO. 18-1467
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA,
HONRORING FIFTY YEARS OF MUNICIPAL HOME RULE IN THE
FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND COMMITTING TO AN
EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE TO HELP FLORIDIANS UNDERSTAND
THIS BENEFICIAL RIGHT
WHEREAS, Florida's voters placed municipal Home Rule powers into the Florida
Constitution on November 5, 1968, during the regular elections as an amendment to Article
VIII; and
WHEREAS, this power has enabled each city, town and village across the
Sunshine State to consider, adopt, revise or remove its own laws without the need to seek
legislative permission from the state and has further served as the foundation upon which
every municipality builds its governmental structure; and
WHEREAS, the political climate within the Florida Legislature has recently
included many attacks on these powers; and
WHEREAS, grassroots measures calling such actions wrong and declaring that local
decisions be made at the local level by local officials must continue so that all legislators
clearly understand Florida's Home Rule as a constitutional power and one upheld in state
statutes; and
WHEREAS, a 50th anniversary is a fitting time for all municipalities to engage their
respective citizens to educate them about the Florida Constitution and local laws, so that all
Floridians may continue to receive the many benefits of Home Rule.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That this anniversary presents a tremendous opportunity to educate all
citizens about Florida's Constitution, municipal government and Home Rule authority, and that
all necessary resources shall be provided for such public information.
Section 2. That the City of Longwood will actively challenge all efforts to reduce or
erode this cherished right and further employ all efforts to ensure state and federal government
partners understand that a one -size -fits -all approach to governance is not in the interests of
Florida citizens.
Section 3. That the tradition of local decision -making in Florida is essential to protect, as
it provides each municipality the ability to preserve and enhance the myriad characteristics that
make each one uniquely special and that maintains its quality of life.
Section 4. That the City of Longwood will include this information on its website, as a
regular agenda item for public discussion and within the City of Longwood's services in as
many outreach venues as possible.
Resolution No. 18-1467
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PASSED AND RESOLVED this 16'' day of July, 2018.
CITY COMMISSION
CITY OF LONGWOOD, FLORIDA
Ben Paris, Mayor
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida only.
Daniel W. La ey i tto
Resolution No. 18-1467
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