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Lighthouse Point schedules town-hall on charter amendments after attorney warns communications to "electors" are restricted
Summary
Citing a changed statute that limits use of public funds for communications "sent to electors," the city attorney recommended factual website posts and public forums. The commission agreed to hold a town-hall/workshop Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. to present the charter amendments and answer resident questions.
City Attorney Mike Cerullo told the Lighthouse Point City Commission on Sept. 24 that recent statutory changes narrow what local governments may spend public funds to communicate about referendum issues, particularly communications "sent to electors." Cerullo said the city may still post factual information on its official website, host public forums and respond to inquiries, but must avoid advocacy language and targeted mailings aimed at electors.
"It just prohibits us from using funds to do a political advertisement or to send any other communication sent to electors regarding an issue or referendum," Cerullo said, noting the law has not been fully interpreted or litigated but is currently on the books.
Commissioners discussed options for informing residents and one commissioner said, "I feel my First Amendment rights being violated," reflecting concerns about restricting discussion. The body reached consensus to schedule a town-hall-style workshop on Oct. 8 starting at 5:30 p.m., to be followed immediately by the regular commission meeting. Staff was directed to post factual materials on the city website, include links to a timed PowerPoint, and encourage residents to attend in person or via Zoom.
The forum is intended to present the charter amendments in redlined and clean language, allow Q&A, and avoid advocacy phrasing. Cerullo said the city's newsletter or mailed materials could risk falling into the "sent to electors" prohibition if targeted to registered voters, so the safe approach will be website posting and a public forum. Commissioners asked staff to be mindful of mail-ballot mail-out dates and to schedule the forum soon so residents receive information prior to mailing of ballots.
What happens next: Staff will prepare a factual presentation and post materials to the city website and social channels as allowable by law. The town hall/special workshop was scheduled for Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.; commissioners encouraged outreach that is informational, not advocative.
