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Heritage Pines CDD orders legal review after dispute over "Coffee With Candidates" event
Summary
The Heritage Pines CDD board voted unanimously to direct the district manager and counsel to review an HPCA-scheduled “Coffee With Candidates” event set for Oct. 9, 2024, after Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes raised potential Florida Sunshine Law conflicts and questioned HPCA involvement.
The Heritage Pines Community Development District Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 17 to request a legal opinion and a formal review of a candidates' event scheduled for Oct. 9, 2024 after concerns were raised about the event's scheduling and possible Sunshine Law implications. Arthur Rhodes, Vice Chair, moved for the review and Carol Vaughan seconded; the motion carried "with all in favor." The board also approved asking District Counsel for a memorandum on whether attendance by supervising members or a Supervisor-elect could violate Florida's Sunshine Law.
Rhodes said a memo showed Kim Norton had been instructed to schedule the Oct. 9 event and that candidate bios were requested, and he questioned "what authority the HPCA, a separate legal entity, has in scheduling a Heritage Pines CDD campaign event" and whether the event "could result in a violation of the Florida Sunshine Law." HPCA General Manager Herb Hurley said the candidates requested the event so they could be known as candidates. District Manager Chuck Adams said he will ask District Counsel to prepare a memorandum and reminded board members not to reply to the event email. The board record shows resumes and bios from candidates Mr. Steele, Mr. Putman and Mr. Kleeman were attached to the distributed memo.
