25-3483 Urging Florida State Legislation to Enact a Public Records Exemption for Municipal Clerks

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RESOLUTION 25-3483 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, 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 CODE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS OF A CITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY, AND EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, many municipal staff 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 administer local 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 defendants; and WHEREAS, currently public records exemptions in Florida include those for local personnel who either investigate, enforce or otherwise provide a service that can result in contentious interactions when action is taken and Municipal Clerks and their staffs fall within the need for a window of greater protection; and WHEREAS, the Florida Association of City Clerks (FACC) is very concerned 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 City of Casselberry has complied with all requirements and procedures of Florida law in processing and adopting this Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. The City Commission of the City of Casselberry hereby adopts the recitals set forth in this Resolution (whereas clauses) as the legislative findings of the City Commission. SECTION II. The Mayor and City Commission of the City of Casselberry 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 code enforcement functions of a municipality. SECTION III. The City Clerk is hereby directed and authorized to send a certified copy