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R2018-07 Home RuleRESOLUTION 2018-07 A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO IMPEDE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT FLORIDA'S CITIZENS HAVE ENJOYED FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS TO GOVERN THEMSELVES UNDER MUNICIPAL HOME RULE POWERS; OPPOSING THE LEGISLATURE'S PERSISTENT INTRUSION INTO LOCAL FINANCES, WHICH ARE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES UNIQUELY REQUIRED BY MUNICIPAL RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE CLERK TO TRANSMIT A CERTIFIED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, THE PALM BEACH COUNTY LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, it is the expressed will of the voters of Florida to have the right to govern themselves under municipal Home Rule powers; and WHEREAS, Floridians have possessed this constitutional right of local self-government for nearly 50 years; and WHEREAS, as the only form of voluntary government, Florida's municipalities are the embodiment of the Florida Constitution's right of local self-government; and WHEREAS, municipal Home Rule powers include all governmental, corporate and proprietary powers necessary to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions and render municipal services for the unique benefit of the people who live and work within a municipality; and WHEREAS, Floridians exercise their Home Rule powers by voting to incorporate and be governed under a municipal form of government for a variety of reasons, including increased services, a unique business and residential environment, and greater voice in how their government is run; and WHEREAS, municipal citizens further exercise their Home Rule powers by voting on a charter that specifies the desired form, functions and powers of their municipal government; and WHEREAS, Floridians' constitutional right to govern themselves locally, under municipal Home Rule powers and pursuant to their adopted municipal charters, is being increasingly eroded and limited by actions of the Florida Legislature; and WHEREAS, these actions of the Florida Legislature take power away from Florida citizens to ensure their chosen municipal government provides their desired level of services, offers their desired quality of life and otherwise meets their needs in a timely and effective manner; and WHEREAS, municipalities are authorized by the Florida Constitution and by general law to levy ad valorem and other forms of local taxation, and are further authorized by general law and their Home Rule powers to impose special assessments and fees; and Page 1 of 2 WHEREAS, municipal residents and local businesses pay local taxes, assessments and fees for the specific purpose of obtaining and enhancing their desired level of municipal services and amenities; and WHEREAS, intrusion from the Florida Legislature into municipal finances prohibits elected municipal leaders from meeting the expectations of their residents and local businesses that local revenues will be used as intended; and WHEREAS, the Florida League of Cities has included the protection of local self-government under municipal Home Rule powers as one of its 2018 Legislative Priorities. 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 ratified as true and incorporated herein. Section 2. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach urges all members of the Florida Legislature to oppose legislation that limits Floridians' constitutional right to govern themselves under municipal Home Rule Powers. Section 3. The Village Council of the Village of North Palm Beach urges all members of the Florida Legislature to oppose legislation that would interfere with or intrude into municipal finances. Section 4. The Village Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Florida League of Cities, the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation and any other interested parties. Section 5. All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. Section 6. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Resolution is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall in no way affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Resolution. Section 7. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 8' DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2018. (Village Seal) MAYOR ATTEST: VILLAGE CLERk Page 2 of 2