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News & Notes
Commissioner Jacobs Meets with CFO Sink and Other Cabinet Officials
JobLine
City of Sanford
Director of Human Resources
City of Winter Garden
Finance Director
Desoto County
County Administrator
Okeechobee County
Road Maintenance Director
St. Lucie County
Environmental Resources Director
CALENDAR
January 24-25, 2008
18th Annual Symposium of the Florida Society of Certified Public Managers
Altamonte Springs, FL
March 26, 2008
FAC Legislative Day
Leon County
March 27, 2008
CCC Workshop: Understanding Charter Government
Leon County, FL
March 27-28, 2008
Local Government Finance & Tax Seminar
Orlando, FL
June 24-27, 2008
FAC Annual Conference
Miami-Dade County
During her recent visit to Tallahassee, Commissioner Jacobs had the opportunity to sit down with CFO Alex Sink and discuss the recent troubles with the SBA and the local government investment pool. Commission Jacobs stressed to the CFO our concerns regarding increased liquidity and being able to remove funds as needed without penalty. CFO Sink was receptive in the meeting and shared with Commissioner Jacobs her concerns regarding the break down in the pool and what can be done in the future to prevent any such reoccurrences. Jacobs also met with staff officials in Governor Christ's and Attorney General Bill McCollum's office to express the same concerns.
Commissioner Jacobs and Chris Holley Visit Editorial Boards Across State
Over the last two weeks, Commissioner Jacobs and Chris Holley, FAC Executive Director, have traveled around the state visiting with the Editorial Boards of some of the state's largest papers. Conversations were held with the Orlando Sentinel, St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Palm Beach Post and Tallahassee Democrat regarding Amendment 1, the FAC initiative to amend the constitution regarding unfunded mandates and the importance of preserving home rule.
All of the conversations were productive and well received. In addition, the Tallahassee Democrat wrote an editorial on the importance of curbing unfunded mandates (click here for their editorial) and creating a more stringent process for mandates to be passed to local governments. Papers across the state are taking their positions on Amendment 1 with 13 papers opposing the amendment and seven (7) supporting the amendment. For more information please contact Cragin Mosteller.
FAC President Teresa Jacobs Makes Committee Presentations
During last week's interim committee meetings at the Capitol, FAC President Commissioner Teresa Jacobs presented the Association's 2008 Legislative Priorities before the House Urban and Local Affairs Committee and the Senate Committee on Community Affairs. While a portion of Commissioner Jacob's presentation was directed at highlighting FAC's priorities program, a more significant amount of time was focused on how to create a stronger partnership between the legislature and counties. Noting that no one can predict what may happen after the January 29 ballot initiative on property tax reform, Commissioner Jacobs emphasized that it was important that both parties work in a cooperative spirit to better serve the needs of Florida's citizens.
Florida Association of Counties/Florida League of Cities Joint Projects
FAC and FLC have established a research relationship with the Institute of Government on Florida State University's campus, specifically the Center of Excellence for Local Government Policy to prepare a report on Florida's system of public finance. The paper will provide a comprehensive perspective on the history and consequences of Florida's methods for planning, delivering and paying for public services and facilities.
Juvenile Justice Reform
After discussions with the Governor's Office, members in both the House and Senate and appropriations staff, it is clear that the 2008 legislative session will include significant juvenile justice reform. The recommendations from the Blueprint Commission that Secretary McNeil established to advise the state on reform are being finalized. The Blueprint Commission traveled throughout the state to hear comments from the public, as well as expert testimony, on how Florida's juvenile justice system should be reformed to encourage prevention, lower crime amongst our youth and successful early intervention and diversion. The final recommendations should be adopted next week and FAC is encouraging the Legislature to listen to the recommendations prior to moving any legislation. Currently, HB 273 by Rep. Adams and SB 792 by Senator Baker are filed and include significant changes to the system that cause concern.
Florida Public Safety Coordinating Commission (FPSCC)
On Monday, a letter will be sent to the Associations invited to participate in the FPSCC. Each organization will be asked to send a representative to a brief meeting next committee week at the Capitol to discuss the purpose of the Commission and the role we anticipate it playing this legislative session. A bill report will be provided to the group, and later posted on our website for your review, that lists all of the currently filed bills that affect the criminal and civil justice system and that the attendees will be asked to take back to their membership for review and to provide feedback. The details of this meeting will be announced during the next county lobbyists meeting if you would like to attend the first informal organizational meeting of the FPSCC and listen to the discussion.
Small Jail Training Seminar
As a reminder the following counties have agreed to participate in the National Institute of Corrections (NIC's) small jail training program sponsored by FAC and the Florida Sheriff's Association Monday through Wednesday of next week: Baker, Bradford, Collier, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hendry, Madison, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor and Barry County, Michigan. To review the agenda for the three day seminar, click here. Members of the Legislature in the criminal justice field and their staffs, as well as the Governor's Office criminal justice staff, have been notified of this great opportunity and are invited to attend. The purpose of the seminar is to provide a better understanding of the role of jails in a small county and some of the unique issues that they raise.
Final Recommendations of Fireworks Task Force
The final recommendations of the Fireworks Task Force have been released. The final recommendations did not substantively change from those found in the final draft recommendations. Prior to the Task Force's final meeting FAC sent a letter outlining our concerns regarding the mandate that the final draft recommendations, and those of the Florida Association of County Attorneys (FACA), to the Task Force members. The recommendation from the Fireworks Task Force that causes the most concern is the mandate that every county designate a 25 acre parcel of land that can be used by citizens to detonate aerial devices on dates around the fourth of July and New Years.
Government Accountability Office Releases Report
The Government Accountability Office just released a report entitled " State and Local Governments: Growing Fiscal Challenges Will Emerge During the Next 10 Years." Click here to view the entire report.
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission Updates
On Thursday, January 17, 2008, a constitutional proposal by Commissioner John McKay to mandate review of sales tax exemptions and exclusions and use the revenues to eliminate the Required Local Effort passed the TBRC Governmental Procedures and Structure Committee (8-3), with Commissioners Jacinta Mathis, Nancy Riley and Brian Yablonski dissenting. The bill will next be discussed at the TBRC Finance and Tax Committee at their February 11 meeting and could be put to a vote at the committee's February 12th meeting.
FAC's unfunded mandates constitutional proposal is in the continuing process and is being finalized by TBRC staff and the proposal sponsor, Mike Hogan. The proposal will be assigned to a committee by Chairman Bense and could be ready for agenda and first discussion at the assigned committee on February 11 or 12.
FAC 2008 Legislative Day
The FAC 2008 Legislative Day will be held Wednesday, March 26, at the Residence Inn - Universities at the Capitol in Leon County. Click here for all of the details including a preliminary schedule of events, hotel information and online registration. Register soon to receive the discounted registration rate. Registrations need to be postmarked on or before February 29 to receive the discount. Online registrations need to be completed by 5:00 p.m. on February 29 to receive this rate.
Strategic Aggregates Review Task Force Meets To Review and Finalize Findings and Recommendations
The Strategic Aggregates Review Task Force will meet for the last time on January 29 - 31. The main purpose of this meeting will be to review and finalize the task force findings and recommendations. Many of the task force members believe that local government environmental regulations should be preempted, and that local governments should be preempted from considering environmental impacts in making land use determinations. There is also a perception that the Department of Environmental Protection handles environmental concerns, so that there should be no need for local governments to address local environmental concerns.
Florida Communities Trust Announces Dates for 2008 Florida Forever Funding Cycle
Florida Communities Trust, the state's premier program for helping local communities preserve parks and recreational space, will open its eighth Florida Forever application cycle on February 22, 2008. An expected $66 million in Florida Forever funds will be available to local governments and non-profit environmental organizations to acquire land for green space, conservation, and recreation purposes. The deadline for submitting applications is 5:00 p.m. (EDT), May 7, 2008. In conjunction with the 75-day application cycle, a series of application workshops will be held at different locations across Florida to help local communities navigate the application process. The workshops are free of charge and registration is not required.
Local Government Finance and Tax Seminar March 27-28, 2008
Nabors Giblin & Nickerson will present a one and ½ day seminar for local government elected officials and financial and legal staff on March 27-28, 2008. This workshop will focus on local government home rule, special assessments, debt and dedicated tax increment, concurrency compliance requirements, allocation of taxing power, and more. Commissioners that participate in this program can receive three hours of Elective Credit towards CCC certification.