Res 58-98 RESOLUTION NO. 58-98
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING REVISION #10 TO
THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, AND ENCOURAGING OUR
CITIZENRY TO VOTE YES TO THIS REVISION.
WHEREAS, the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) has
proposed Revision #10, which amends Article VII,s.3(a), (f) and
(g) of the Florida Constitution; and
WHEREAS, this revision contains several issues of
importance to cities, namely ex parte communications and
revisions to tax exemptions; and
WHEREAS, if passed by the electorate, Revision #10
would provide greater local fiscal flexibility and unrestricted
citizen access to local officials; and
WHEREAS, under the Constitution, the state and counties
are immune from taxation, while municipalities are exempt only to
the extent their property is used exclusively for public
purposes; and
WHEREAS, a 1997 Florida Supreme Court decision mandates
municipally owned sports facilities, airports and seaports to pay
a property tax in addition to lease payments and intangible taxes
on leased property; and
WHEREAS, Revision #10 authorizes the Legislature to
exempt property of certain municipal and special district
property when such land is used for airport, seaport, or public
purposes; and
WHEREAS, the cost of collecting tangible personal
property tax on mobile home attachments, furnishings, and
fixtures on rental housing often exceeds the revenues derived
from collections; and
WHEREAS, Revision #10 gives local governments the
option of collecting personal property tax for attachments to
mobile homes and certain residential rental furnishings; and
WHEREAS, Revision #10 assures citizens the unrestricted
access to their locally elected officials to discuss issues
likely to be decided by the officials; and
~ER~S, this package of reform proposals would serve
municipal governments well and all cities should work with their
citizens to help public understanding of Revision #10 and the
many benefits contained therein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLED BY THE CITY CO~ISSION
OF THE CITY OF DEL~Y BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That the City of Delray Beach does hereby
support and endorse passage of Revision #10 to the Florida
Constitution, and urges its citizenry to vote yes on this
instrumental resolution.
Section 2: This resolution shall take effect
immediately upon passage and the City Clerk shall provide copies
to the Florida League of Cities and the Yes On 10 Committee.
PASSED AND ~OPTED in regular session on this 15th
day of Septe~er, 1998.
ATTEST:
City Clem '
2 Res. No. 58-98
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100 N.W. 1st AVENUE · DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA 33444 · 407/243-7000
Ali.Am.fica City
1993
October 2, 1998
Kelvin Robinson, Director
Legislative & Public Affairs
Florida League of Cities, Inc.
P.O. Box 1757
Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757
Re: Revision #10 to the Florida Constitution
Dear Mr. Robinson:
Attached for your information is a copy of Resolution No. 58-98
supporting Revision #10 to the Florida Constitution and
encouraging our citizenry to vote 'Yes' to this revision on the
November 3, 1998, general election ballot.
Resolution No. 58-98 was passed and adopted by unanimous vote of
the Delray Beach City Commission in regular session on September
15, 1998.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me
at 561/243-7050.
Sincerely,
Alison MacGregor Harry
City Clerk
AMH/m
Attachment
THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS
(~ Printed on Recycled Paper
MEMORANDUM
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: CITY MANAGER~/~I
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM ~[ - REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
RESOLUTION NO. 58-98 IN SUPPORT OF REVISION ~10 TO THE
FLORIDA CONSTITUTION
DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 1998
Resolution No. 58-98 supports Revision #10 to the Florida
Constitution. It is one of nine revisions recommended by the
Constitution Revision Commission and will be put to Florida's
voters on the November, 1998, ballot.
Revision #10 is strongly endorsed by the Florida League of
Cities. The League's position is that Revision 10 will benefit
Floridians in numerous ways, including:
(1 Stops a new tax by prohibiting tax assessments for property
that is used for governmental purposes;
(2 Encourages land conservation by allowing cities and counties
to grant property tax exemptions for lands that are used for
conservation;
(3 Creates a fair tax system by allowing counties to grant tax
exemptions for personal property, such as appliances and
furnishings, in mobile homes and rental housing; and
(4 Ensures citizens access to local officials by removing court
imposed restrictions that prevent citizens from talking with
their local officials outside of official hearings.
At the September 8th workshop, the City Commission directed that
a formal resolution be prepared and placed on the September 15th
agenda for approval.
Recommend approval of Resolution No. 58-98 in support of Revision
#10 to the Florida Constitution.
ref:agmemo9
LEAGUE OF CITIES INC.
Memorandum
To: City Managers/City Clerks
From: Kelvin Robinson, Director
Legislative & Public Affairs
Date: August 28, 1998
Re: Vote "YES" on 10 Educational Materials
As you may know, several constitutional revisions will be placed on the upcoming November
ballot. Among those is Revision 10. Revision 10 is a League-supported constitutional change
that, if approved by Florida voters, will, among other things:
· Eliminate taxes for property that is used for governmental or city purposes;
· Allow counties and cities to waive property taxes for lands used for conservation;
· Allow counties to waive taxes for tangible personal property such as appliances and
furnishings in mobile homes; and
· Allow citizens to communicate with local officials outside of local heatings about land-
use issues.
These are important issues for cities. We need your support and we need your help in getting the
word out to your citizens to VOTE YES!
To better assist you with understanding what Revision 10 does we are sending you this
educational packet which includes:
· "Yes on 10" brochure
· "Yes on 10" poster
· "Yes on 10" talking points
· "Yes on 10" bumper stickers
· "Yes on 10" buttons
· "Yes on lO" sample resolution
We are requesting that every city pass a resolution/proclamation supporting Revision 10 and that
you use every opportunity to voice your support of this revision to the media and your
community.
301 South Bronough Street , Post Office Box 1757 · Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757
Telephone (850) 222-9684 · Suncom 278-5331 , Fax (850) 222-3806 , Internet: http://fcn.state.fl.us/flc/
Page 2
Vote "YES" on 10 Educational Materials
The talking points may be used for speeches when addressing civic groups or clubs. You can
wear your button, hang the poster in city hall and display the bumper stickers in prominent
places. Let us know if you need additional information or materials on Revision 10.
Remember, it is important that we all work hard to see that Revision 10 passes in November.
IfI can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me or my assistant Carol Dixon at the
League, (800) 616-1513, ext. 137. Thank you.
/cid.
Enclosures
Filenam¢: Yes on Ten First Memo.doc
Yes on 10
-. .Talking Points
Every 20 years, we as Floridians have a remarkable opportunity - one that residents of no
other state enjoy.
We have the chance to revise our state Constitution, Florida's most important document.
It is an opportunity to improve the very foundation of our government - to improve our
lives and ensure a better future for all Floridians.
Florida established the Constitution Revision Commission to review the Constitution and
suggest changes based on input from citizens.
The Constitution Revision Commission, made .up of professionals, legal scholars,
community leaders and others, recommended nine revisions. They will be placed on the
November ballot for voters to decide which to approve.
Among the best of the bunch is Revision 10.
What does Revision 10 do? It...
Stops a new tax by prohibiting tax assessments for property that is used for governmental
purposes.
Encourages Land conservation by allowing cities and counties to grant property tax
exemptions for lands that are used for conservation.
Creates a fair tax system by allowing counties to grant tax exemptions for personal
property - such as appliances and furnishings - in mobile homes and rental housing.
Ensure citizens access to local officials by removing court imposed restrictions that
prevent citizens from talking with their local officials outside of official hearings.
So how would Revision 10 benefit us as Floridians?
First, it stops a "new" tax. Currently, cities don't pay taxes on public properties like
airports and seaports. Recently, however, the Flor/da Supreme Court allowed a tax to go
into effect that would mean cities will have to start paying taxes on these public
properties.
(Over)
This tax burden, of course, would ultimately fall on citizens - unless Revision 10 is
approved.
Second, Revision 10 will preserve our most valuable lands for future generations.
Revision 10 allows local governments to give tax breaks to property owners when they
use their land for conservation purposes.
This is critical because - as we all know - the state simply can't afford to conserve all of
Florida's sensitive lands. Revision 10 is our best hope of preserving these pristine lands
before they are gone.
Third, Revision 10 creates a fairer tax system. Currently, mobile-home owners must pay
property taxes on items that are in their home - such as refrigerators - just because their
home can be moved. Revision 10 would treat mobile-home owners the same as other
homeowners. And it would eliminate the costs of collecting the tax - which often can
exceed the small amount that's actually collected. In short, this could save all of us
money.
Finally, Revision 10 helps open the lines of communications between citizens and their
elected representatives. As you may know, Florida's courts have interpreted some
Sunshine Laws in ways that keep citizens from talking with local officials except during
public hearings. This revision would allow taxpayers to talk to officials...without
violating the law.
The bottom line is this: Revision 10 is good for our cities, our state and our citizens. Our
challenge now is to get the word out to the citizens of Florida.
The more people who know about Revision 10, the more people who will vote for'it.
It truly is a Perfect 10.
File name:/Yeson 10.doc