HomeMy WebLinkAbout751-18 50th Anniversary of Constitutional Home Rule RESOLUTION 751-18
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HOME RULE
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS HONORING 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 OF ZEPHYRHILLS:
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 Zephyrhills 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 Zephyrhills will include this information on its website, as a regular
agenda item for public discussion and within the City of Zephyrhills' services in as many outreach
venues as possible.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 9th day of July, 2018.
ATTEST CITY OF ZE' -' '"Ir DP S
Lo../LoHillmanCMC, CityClerk L. . ' h, Council President
A.
Gene h' 1•ld Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
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Matthew E. Maggard, City Attorney
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