R2018-07 Home RuleRESOLUTION 2018-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS
TO IMPEDE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FLORIDA'S CITIZENS HAVE
ENJOYED FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS TO GOVERN THEMSELVES UNDER
MUNICIPAL HOME RULE POWERS; OPPOSING THE LEGISLATURE'S
PERSISTENT INTRUSION INTO LOCAL FINANCES, WHICH ARE
NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ESSENTIAL
SERVICES UNIQUELY REQUIRED BY MUNICIPAL RESIDENTS AND
LOCAL BUSINESSES; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO TRANSMIT
A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLORIDA LEAGUE
OF CITIES, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, it is the expressed will of the voters of Florida to have the right to govern
themselves under municipal Home Rule powers; and
WHEREAS, Floridians have possessed this constitutional right of local self-government for
nearly 50 years; and
WHEREAS, as the only form of voluntary government, Florida's municipalities are the
embodiment of the Florida Constitution's right of local self-government; and
WHEREAS, municipal Home Rule powers include all governmental, corporate and proprietary
powers necessary to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions and render
municipal services for the unique benefit of the people who live and work within a municipality; and
WHEREAS, Floridians exercise their Home Rule powers by voting to incorporate and be
governed under a municipal form of government for a variety of reasons, including increased
services, a unique business and residential environment, and greater voice in how their
government is run; and
WHEREAS, municipal citizens further exercise their Home Rule powers by voting on a charter
that specifies the desired form, functions and powers of their municipal government; and
WHEREAS, Floridians' constitutional right to govern themselves locally, under municipal Home Rule
powers and pursuant to their adopted municipal charters, is being increasingly eroded and limited
by actions of the Florida Legislature; and
WHEREAS, these actions of the Florida Legislature take power away from Florida citizens to
ensure their chosen municipal government provides their desired level of services, offers their
desired quality of life and otherwise meets their needs in a timely and effective manner; and
WHEREAS, municipalities are authorized by the Florida Constitution and by general law to levy
ad valorem and other forms of local taxation, and are further authorized by general law and their
Home Rule powers to impose special assessments and fees; and
Page 1 of 2
WHEREAS, municipal residents and local businesses pay local taxes, assessments and fees for
the specific purpose of obtaining and enhancing their desired level of municipal services and
amenities; and
WHEREAS, intrusion from the Florida Legislature into municipal finances prohibits elected
municipal leaders from meeting the expectations of their residents and local businesses that local
revenues will be used as intended; and
WHEREAS, the Florida League of Cities has included the protection of local self-government
under municipal Home Rule powers as one of its 2018 Legislative Priorities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach urges all members of the
Florida Legislature to oppose legislation that limits Floridians' constitutional right to govern
themselves under municipal Home Rule Powers.
Section 3. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach urges all members of the
Florida Legislature to oppose legislation that would interfere with or intrude into municipal
finances.
Section 4. The Village Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the
Florida League of Cities, the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation and any other interested
parties.
Section 5. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution is held to be invalid or
unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way affect
the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution.
Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8' DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2018.
(Village Seal)
MAYOR
ATTEST:
VILLAGE CLERk
Page 2 of 2