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City attorney explains limits on outreach about property-tax amendment; council opts to keep transition article in charter
Summary
Staff reviewed a Florida statute restricting mailings to electors but allowing factual reporting on official actions; council discussed outreach and chose not to repeal Article 6 of the charter at this time.
City staff reviewed a Florida statute on municipal outreach about a property-tax constitutional amendment and told councilmembers that while mailings to electors are restricted, local governments may post factual information on websites, host public forums and respond to inquiries in a fair, impartial manner.
The staff presentation noted a 2022 amendment to the statute clarifying that reporting on official actions in a factual way is still permitted and that elected officials retain personal First Amendment rights. "You all still have your First Amendment rights even as elected officials," the presenter said.
Separately, staff described a proposal from the charter-review committee to repeal Article 6 (a transition article) and recommended leaving it in place because grandfathered deeds, ordinances or resolutions may rely on it. Council indicated concurrence with retaining Article 6 and announced further public forums on property-tax reform outreach and related meetings with community groups.
Next steps: staff will prepare outreach materials consistent with statute guidance and schedule public forums and one-on-one briefings on potential property-tax changes.
