1. Current Events in Florida Local Governments
Lynn Tipton
FACC Fall Academy
Lake Buena Vista South Embassy Suites: October 10, 2016

2. AGENDA Introduction to several timely subjects Discussion
Team-work at tables and reporting back on recommendations, where applicable

3. Intergovernmental Clashes: School Boards
Should a school district decide it does not have to pay fees to another local government?
Example: Marion County and its storm water fees to the school board
Example: same for other school districts
Legal battles cost everyone!

4. Fiscal Pulse: Is Your Economy Growing, or at Least Stable?
Property valuations: stable in 2015 to now?
Have you returned entry-level positions to the organization and budget?
Raises, pay classifications – recovering since the Recession?
Warning from UCF Economist: heading to another recession, but not as severe as the Great Recession

5. Public Records Requests: Can we find legislative relief?
2016 Session: legislation to change the mandate of attorney’s fee from ‘must’ to ‘may’ - trying again in If you had a magic wand, what would you do with the law, process and the issue of harassing requests/frivolous requests?
Discuss
Report back recommendations

6. Finding Qualified, Willing Candidates
Is your city ‘growing your own’ leaders through advisory committees, boards or citizens academies?
Other means to ‘grow your own’?
What type of orientation do you give candidates – does that help ferret out any unserious candidates?
Discuss
Report Back

7. Forms of Government Discussion: Position of Clerk
Municipal terms from city charters: Mayor-Council municipalities; Council-Manager municipalities; Commission form
Clerk: evolved as the form evolved
Most prevalent form: Council-Manager (also called Commission-Manager) – about 275 of 412.
Half have clerk reporting to council; half to manager
Discuss the pros/cons in each scenario
Report Back

8. Some Lessons and Ironies in the Ethics Training Requirements
Elected Municipal Officer: means more than just the mayor and council if your municipality has other elected posts
Commission on Ethics is doing first municipal investigations about those alleged to be ‘non-compliant.’ No penalty applied yet – but soon
Where to get the class: local/regional leagues; at FLC events; Institute of Government; FLC video – but ANYONE can instruct it (COE hasn’t limited this in any way)
Even ‘trained’ officials are breaking the laws
It is the same class each year (3 chapters of state statute); updated of course if the chapters are changed legislatively

9. What Training Does your Municipality Need?
Help recommend webinars, regional workshops, summits and Orlando Training Center classes
What I hear: Parliamentary Procedure, or Holding Better Meetings (discuss this and report back)
Holding a ‘Clerks Day’ at the OTC
Holding a ‘Clerks Day’ at one of your regions: you set it up and I’ll come facilitate!
What else?
Help us to help your city, town or village!

10. Open Discussion
Comments, Questions or Concerns?

11. Thank You!
We appreciate your flexibility with this session!