Cities 101

FLC Annual ConferenceWorld Center Marriott - Orlando

August 11, 2011

Welcome! Course designed for newly-elected and

newly-appointed officials Philosophies of public policy, Home Rule,

citizen engagement and public service Fundamentals of municipal government

structure and function Resources and FL-specific information

Dr. Mike Abels – former city manager and faculty member at UCF in Public Administration; ICMA-Credentialed Manager

Dr. Bob Lee – former city manager, faculty at FSU and director of CFLGE – Center for Florida Local Government Excellence; also ICMA-Credentialed Manager

Lynn Tipton – FLC staff (20 years) and trainer/presenter with FLC and IOG

Packet includes: Power points from three presenters Resource pages Glossary of terms and abbreviations Intergovernmental Piece – “Know the

Players” Brochures for other training on back table

Charter, Home Rule and Sunshine Law – with attorney

Fiscal review – budgets, audit, CAFR, debts (if applicable)

Facilities – tour; service delivery discussions Meetings – review of process, agenda,

materials

410 active cities, towns and villages in FL – no legal difference in municipal name

One pending dissolution Independent, public corporations – best

definition Range: 7 to 821,000 populations; 60% are

10,000 or less and median is 5,628 51 of 410 are 50,000 and above population Incorporated versus unincorporated – only

choices: currently 50/50

Elected bodies: councils, commissions – range of titles

Terms: 2, 3 or 4 year; some mixed Part-time (unless charter says otherwise)

and non-partisan for elected body Every charter is unique! Services vary greatly Incorporations: 23 since 1990

Falling property valuations – impact on property tax (levied by 90% of cities)

Balancing demands and resources Doing More with Less: service consolidation,

service elimination – innovation! Competing for Legislature’s attention Intergovernmental issues Financing Infrastructure – ‘catch up’ from

peak growth years

FLC Web Site: “FL Municipal Officials Manual” – sent to you as DVD; can be down-loaded

Institute for Elected Municipal Officials: weekend training class

For Staff: associations – conferences, programs (see FLC web site)

Training with your Institute of Government and CFLGE

Local and regional league meetings

Mike, Bob and Lynn will take questions and comments

We appreciate your attendance at this program!

These power points will be posted on the FLC web site after August 15th for access