Res 96-89 RESOLUTION NO. 96-89
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY
BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING FLORIDA CITIZENS TO SUPPORT THE
CONSTITUTIONAL ~4ENDMENT #3 ON THE NOVEMBER 1990 BALLOT
LIMITING UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES ON CITIES AND COUNTIES.
WHEREAS, since 1981, the Florida Legislature has placed 288
unfunded mandates upon cities and counties in Florida with over 86
percent having an undetermined fiscal impact on cities and counties;
and,
WHEREAS, "unfunded mandates" are governmental actions required
of cities and counties by state law without adequate funding resources;
and,
[^~EREAS, cities and counties are continuously forced to adjust
local service priorities, and raise local taxes and user fees to pay for
such unfunded state mandated programs; and,
WHEREAS, cities and counties are forced to pass these increased
costs for delivery of state mandated programs to the citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution preempts all taxing sources
to the state (except ad valorem property taxes) it becomes irresponsible
for state government to require and mandate programs to other
governments without sharing the fiscal responsibility and political
consequences of their actions; and,
WHEREAS, there can be no certainty and predictability in the
growth planning process if the state can continue to mandate new and
expensive programs without regard to adequate funding; and,
WHEREAS, the priority and programs of local citizens of cities
and counties have often been curtailed when limited local funds have to
be diverted to pay for a state mandated program; and,
WHEREAS, the state constitution "preempts" all taxing powers to
the state (other than local property taxes) and the state has been
unwilling to allow sufficient local discretionary taxing powers directly
to municipalities and has refused to adjust unfair and antiquated
formula allocations of revenue sharing programs; and,
WHEREAS, unfunded mandates are not fair to the local property
owner or the locally elected official who is trying to address local
priorities and problems with a limited amount of financial resources;
and,
WHEREAS, during the 1988 Legislative Session nearly 100 members
of the Legislature cosigned or supported a proposed constitutional
amendment to limit the Legislature's ability to mandate programs and
costs to city and county governments; and,
WHEREAS, during the 1989 Legislative Session a proposed
amendment to the constitution was passed to give Florida citizens an
opportunity to vote in 1990 on a proposal that would limit unfunded
sta~e legislative ~ndates on cities and counties,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City Commission calls upon all citizens of
the state to become aware of the seriousness of unfunded mandates and to
be prepared to support the amendment to the Florida State Constitution
on the matter that will appear on the ballot in the November 1990
election.
Section 2. That a copy of this resolution be sent to every
municipality in Palm Beach County and each municipality is urged to
adopt a similar resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this the Sth day
of December , 1989.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
Asst. Cit~ Clerk
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