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Civic Government In Florida

Civic Government In Florida. By: The Broward League of Cities. Table Of Contents. What governs U.S. citizens ? What governs Florida citizens? How are Florida c ities established? What is a c ity charter? What is the role of city government? Who governs a city?

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Civic Government In Florida

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  1. Civic Government In Florida By: The Broward League of Cities

  2. Table Of Contents What governs U.S. citizens? What governs Florida citizens? How are Florida cities established? What is a city charter? What is the role of city government? Who governs a city? Who helps run a city? How can we learn what cities are doing?

  3. What Governs U.S. Citizens?

  4. What Governs U.S. Citizens? As citizens of the United States, we are all governed by the United States Constitution. The United States Constitutionis the supreme law of the United States of America and outlines our rights and obligations as citizens.

  5. What Governs U.S. Citizens? The very first paragraph of the Constitution begins with the Preamble. The Preambleconsists of a single sentence that introduces the document, its purpose and the reason for the U.S. Constitution.

  6. Preamble To The United States Constitution We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense,promote the general welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty, to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

  7. What Governs Florida Citizens?

  8. What Governs Florida Citizens? State of Florida Constitution • In order for a territory to become a state, it must draft a constitution of its own and be approved by the U.S. Congress. • The original constitution for the State of Florida was first signed into law in 1838. • Similar to the U.S. Constitution, the Florida Constitution begins with a Preamble and Declaration of Rights.

  9. Florida Constitution’s Declaration Of Rights SECTION 1.  Political power - All political power is inherent in the people. SECTION 2.  Basic rights - All persons, female and male alike, are equal before the law and have inalienable rights, among which are the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, to pursue happiness, to be rewarded for industry, and to possess and protect property; No person shall be deprived of any right because of race, religion, national origin, or physical disability. SECTION 3.  Religious freedom - Religious freedom shall not justify practices inconsistent with public morals, peace or safety. No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution. SECTION 4.  Freedom of speech and press - Every person may speak, write and publish sentiments on all subjects but shall be responsible for the abuse of that right.

  10. Government In The Sunshine Any gathering of two or more members of the same board to discuss some matter which will possibly come before that board for action is governed by the Sunshine Law. Under the Sunshine Law, meetings of a public board must be open to the public. Reasonable notice of such meetings must be given. All meetings of the city commission and City Advisory Boards are governed by the Sunshine Law.

  11. How Are Florida Cities Established? FACT: Today there are more than 400 cities, towns and villages in Florida

  12. How Are Florida Cities Established? Cities are established to provide citizens with a variety of services and a close level of government. To create a city, a community must first create a city charter. • In Florida, the procedures for forming a city or town are governed by the State of Florida constitution.

  13. What Is A City Charter?

  14. What Is A City Charter? • The city charter is the document that governs and controls each city. • Every charter is unique and reflects the characteristics of each municipality.

  15. Items Found In A City Charter Articles of Incorporation Boundaries Powers of city officials Structure and form of government Administrative organization and function City election procedure Financial powers and general government provisions

  16. Can A Charter Be Updated? In [INSERT CITY], every [INSERT NUMBER] years the City Commission appoints a group of volunteer residents to review the city’s charter and make recommendations for revisions or changes. The current city charter was originally adopted in [INSERT MONTH][INSERT YEAR]. A great deal has changed affecting our community and the charter since [INSERT FOUNDING YEAR].

  17. Example: [YOUR CITY] [CITY PHRASE] Created by [HOW] on [DATE] [INSERT WEBSITE] [INSERT CITY PHOTO]

  18. [YOUR CITY] Founder: Born on [INSERT INFORMATION] Named for him/her because…. [INSERT INFORMATION] City was founded in ….. [INSERT INFORMATION]

  19. What Is The Role Of City Government? To protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents of the city.

  20. Who Governs A City?

  21. [YOUR CITY] Elected Officials • Mayor [INSERT NAME] • Commissioners: • [INSERT NAME] • [INSERT NAME] • [INSERT NAME] • [INSERT NAME]

  22. Powers Of The Mayor And Commissioners Determine tax rate needed in order to operate the city. Approve the spending of money in order for the city to provide services to the residents. Approve plans for building of new homes and businesses. Provide public parks and recreational facilities. Provide public safety services – police, fire and code enforcement.

  23. Mayors And Commissioners Promote Community Input And Involvement Commission meetings are held monthly to promote dialogue between elected officials and residents. Public workshops are held to invite community input on city issues. City Advisory Boards are created to provide valuable information on citywide issues to its residents. Residents are recognized for outstanding achievements in the community.

  24. Who Helps Run A City?

  25. City Departments City Manager Legal Counsel City Clerk Finance Department Growth Management Building Department Public Works Public Safety Recreation Utility/Engineering Department

  26. Role Of The City Manager The city manager is the chief administrative officer (CAO) of the city. The city manager is held responsible to the city commission for the administration of city business on a daily basis as outlined by the city charter.

  27. Role Of Legal Counsel The city attorney represents the city in all legal matters and provides legal advice concerning city affairs.

  28. Role Of The City Clerk’s Office Official custodian of the city’s seal and keeper of all records covering everything that has happened in the city through the years. Along with the mayor, the city clerk signs all ordinances and resolutions. The city clerk’s office coordinates all elections in cities. Most residents go to the clerk’s office for assistance with city needs. The clerk’s office has the highest volume of contact with citizens. 

  29. Role Of Finance Department The finance department is responsible for: the accounting and recording of all revenues and expenditures for all city financial activities; overseeing purchasing and the acquisition of items for city use and property control; handling all utilities customer services.

  30. 2010/2011 Budget

  31. Role Of Growth Management: Planning And Zoning Division The growth management department reviews development applications and permits for compliance with a city's comprehensive plan and its zoning code of ordinances. The department works closely with residents and prospective residents, developers, business owners and other real estate industry professionals.

  32. Role Of The Building Department The function of the building department is to review permits and inspect structures for compliance with the Florida Building Code and a city’s code of ordinances.

  33. Role Of The Public Works Department The public works department is responsible for the maintenance of city-owned buildings, parks, roadways, sidewalks and swale trees.

  34. Role Of Public Safety Cities have their own forces, or work with the Broward Sheriff's Office to offer residents services for the provision of police, fire rescue and code compliance.

  35. Role Of The Recreation Department The goal of the parks and recreation department is to provide a broad range of quality park facilities and leisure and enrichment activities for all community residents. Cities offer fields, public parks, sports complexes and other sports venues for residents to use.

  36. Role Of The Utilities Department The utilities department operates water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants to meet the needs of all residents. City crews also maintain the water distribution system and wastewater collection system.

  37. How Can We Learn What Cities Are Doing?

  38. Find Us At: INSERT YOUR CITY’S INFORMATION HERE: Website Phone Address PIO Email

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