Heritage Pines supervisors ask counsel to review ‘Coffee With Candidates’ after Sunshine Law concerns

The Heritage Pines Community Development District Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 17 to ask the District Manager and District Counsel to review an upcoming “Coffee With Candidates” event after Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes raised concerns the event could amount to a campaign activity and potentially run afoul of Florida’s Sunshine Law.

Rhodes said a memo from Kim Norton showed candidate bios and résumés for three candidates — Mr. Steele, Mr. Putman and Mr. Kleeman — had been distributed in connection with an Oct. 9 event. Rhodes questioned what authority the separate Heritage Pines Community Association (HPCA) had in scheduling a district-focused event and whether board members’ attendance could create a Sunshine Law violation. Board members approved Rhodes’s motion directing a review and a legal opinion from District Counsel.

The board’s discussion included summary statements attributed to the candidates: Rhodes reported that Mr. Steele said the district needs “Necessary changes from current direction, priorities and results,” Mr. Putman said he would “work together to enhance the community,” and Mr. Kleeman said he had observed “discord between the CDD and Heritage Pines.” HPCA General Manager Herb Hurley said the candidates requested the event but declined to answer further questions at the meeting, and District Manager Chuck Adams said he would ask District Counsel to prepare a memorandum on the matter.

The board was advised that sitting supervisors face Sunshine Law limits on attendance at candidate events: one board member may attend a public forum but multiple board members attending together could present a violation, and a Supervisor-elect may be subject to the same constraints when acting in an official capacity. The board will consider District Counsel’s written opinion when it is provided.