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Counsel: incumbents should hold separate 'Coffee with Candidates' events to avoid Sunshine Law issues
Summary
After District Counsel's written response, the board was advised that incumbents interested in attending candidate events should arrange separate events per seat to avoid potential Sunshine Law violations; the Florida Election Commission was flagged for questions about campaign complaints.
Board members discussed District Counsel's written response to questions about a proposed "Coffee with Candidates" event. Chair Kathleen Lonergan read counsel's guidance aloud: "If any incumbent Supervisor is interested in participating they will need to ensure compliance with the election code and I think it would be a fair request for them to ask them to arrange separate events per seat to avoid any potential Sunshine Law violations."
Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes said "our guy" would not attend under that interpretation and the board noted that portions of the Florida Statute and the Florida Election Commission's role are relevant. Members also contrasted the District Counsel's advice with the HPCA attorney's differing opinion and discussed referring specific legal questions about campaign conduct to the Florida Election Commission, which enforces complaints but does not provide advisory opinions.
The board did not take a formal vote on the matter but recorded counsel's recommendation and discussed next steps for event planning and candidate engagement.
