HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2010-172 Opposing November Election Fees RESOLUTION NO. 2010-172
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE IMPOSITION OF ADDITIONAL
CHARGES BY THE BROWARD COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
TO MUNICIPALITIES HOLDING NOVEMBER ELECTIONS; PROVIDING
FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Broward County Supervisor of Elections ("SOE") is required by state
law to conduct an election in November of every even numbered year for federal, state and
county elections, and
WHEREAS, historically, some municipalities have placed items (candidates or
referenda) on the November ballots; and
WHEREAS, the addition of election items by municipalities on the November ballot
does not result in material additional cost to the SOE, and provides a cost savings to
municipalities by avoiding the cost of a stand-alone election; and
WHEREAS,historically,the SOE has either not charged municipalities for placing items
on the November ballot, or has charged a nominal charge for ballot set-up to add the municipal
items; and
WHEREAS, now, for the first time, the SOE has advised municipalities that a portion of
the cost of running the November election will be passed on to municipalities that place items on
the November ballot; and
WHEREAS, specifically, the SOE has recently notified eighteen Broward municipalities
that have items on the November ballot that they will need to pay an amount equal to 15% of the
applicable cost of the November election, resulting in a total bill to the 18 municipalities of Two
Hundred Twenty-Seven Thousand Four Hundred ninety-Two Dollars ($227,492.00); and
WHEREAS, the SOE failed to provide a schedule of fees, including the new charges to
the Broward municipalities prior to the first work day in April of the prior calendar year (2009),
as required by Section 9 of Chapter 75-350, as amended; and
WHEREAS, the decision to impose these additional charges on the municipalities is
inappropriate because the taxpayers already pay for SOE services through their county taxes, the
SOE already has the responsibility to hold the November election, and there is no material
additional cost to the SOE for adding the municipal issues to the November ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission urges the SOE to reconsider and rescind these
inappropriate charges, and urges all other affected municipalities to join the City of Dania Beach
in opposing the charges;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DANIA BEACH,AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The foregoing WHEREAS clauses are ratified and confirmed as being
true, and the same are made a specific part of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Dania Beach opposes the additional
charges imposed by the Supervisor of Elections as mentioned above; further, the Supervisor of
Elections must recognize its responsibility to fund all of the election costs and to not impose
additional charges to the municipalities. The City Commission requests all municipalities in
Broward County to support this Resolution.
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to provide a true copy of this Resolution to the
Broward County Supervisor of Elections, the Broward League of Cities and all towns, villages
and municipalities in Broward County.
Section 4. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on October 12, 2010.
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F S;, . K. McELYEA
YOR-COMMISSIONER
ATTEST: \\ _
CA ntL� -�q A o�
LOUISE STILSON, CMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED S T ORM AND CORRECTNESS:
THO AS 4. ANSBRO
CITY ATTORNEY
2 RESOLUTION#2010-172