R2025-09 Public Records Exemption for Municipal ClerksRESOLUTION 2025-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA STATE LEGISLATURE TO
ENACT LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION FOR
MUNICIPAL CLERKS AND EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM MUNICIPAL
ELECTIONS WORK OR HAVE ANY PART IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT
FUNCTIONS OF A MUNICIPALITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, many municipal staff members who perform duties that include, or result in,
investigations into complaints regarding election fraud, legal enforcement of hearings that could lead
to a criminal prosecution or code enforcement actions are exposed to threats and other acts of
violence; and
WHEREAS, municipal clerks often administer elections and some election workers have been
targeted for threats and violence due to the nature of materials they are responsible for; and
WHEREAS, municipal clerks are often involved in legal enforcement proceedings in actions related
to violations of codes and ordinances and, occasionally, these proceedings have led to retaliation and
threats by violators/defendants; and
WHEREAS, Florida law currently contains public records exemptions for local personnel who either
investigate, enforce, or otherwise provide a service that can result in contentious interactions with
members of the public, and municipal clerks and their staffs fall within the need for a window for
greater protection; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Association of City Clerks has expressed great concern for the safety and
well-being of the municipal clerks and their staffs who serve the public on a daily basis and are,
oftentimes, the first contact of citizens with municipalities; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council determines that the adoption of this Resolution urging a public
records exemption for municipal clerks and their staffs is in the interests of the public health, safety,
and welfare.
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 hereby ratified and incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council for the Village of North Palm Beach hereby urges and encourages
the Florida State Legislature to enact legislation to provide a public records exemption for municipal
clerks and employees who perform municipal elections work or have any part in the code enforcement
functions of a municipality.
Section 3. The Village Clerk is hereby directed and authorized to send a certified copy of this
Resolution to Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Mack Bernard, Representative Mike Caruso, the Palm
Beach County League of Cities, and the Florida League of Cities.
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Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
CED THIS 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025.
VILLAGE CLERK
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MAYOR