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Board reviews counsel guidance on proposed "Coffee with Candidates" events amid Sunshine Law concerns
Summary
District Counsel advised incumbents to ensure election-code compliance and suggested separate events per seat to avoid potential Sunshine Law violations; supervisors voiced differing opinions and noted a differing view from the HPCA attorney.
The Heritage Pines CDD Board discussed counsel’s written response regarding a proposed "Coffee with Candidates" event during the Oct. 15 meeting. District Manager Chuck Adams asked whether further discussion was needed after receiving District Counsel’s guidance. Vice Chair Arthur Rhodes said an incumbent supervisor likely would not attend under counsel’s reading of campaign and Sunshine statutes.
Chair Kathleen Lonergan read aloud District Counsel’s email advising that “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.” Board members noted the HPCA attorney had a different opinion on portions of the statute and discussed whether some questions raised by Supervisor Rhodes should be directed to the Florida Election Commission, which enforces complaints rather than providing advisory opinions.
No formal action or vote was taken; the discussion concluded with direction that supervisors and staff consider counsel’s guidance and the differing views before deciding how to proceed with any candidate events.
