Incorporation
We must have community support as it is required to prove to the legislature that Siesta Key wants to incorporate – this means petitions signed by Siesta Key residents and letters signed by community organizations.
We have completed and submitted the feasibility study as required by the state of Florida.
We Formed a Charter – Chapter 165 Formation of Local Governments – Click for More Info
Chapter 165, Florida Statutes, was revised after the ratification of Home Rule (1973), and new cities incorporating since that time have done so under the revised law. Chapter 165 outlines a Feasibility Study that is required for any incorporation to be considered as a special act of the Legislature. This study contains fiscal elements, intergovernmental relationships, a draft charter, estimates of service delivery and other elements to ensure that the community has fully explored its options and completed its due diligence. The study is first received by the community’s House and Senate members (the local delegation), and if approval is received, the study and special act are filed with the Florida House and Senate. If the special act is heard and acted upon by both bodies, the usual course since the 1970s has been for the special act to establish a date for the community’s referendum vote. If it passes, the municipality has an effective date to begin its governing.
Local & State Communication
Below is a list of local and state authorities which have been contacted about the intent to incorporate Siesta Key.
Admin JRL
Admin Lewis
Asst Admin Cunningham
Asst Admin Johnson
Building Department
CFM Botelho
Circuit Court Comptroller KER
Administrator Lewis
Chief Regnier
Commissioner Cutsinger
Commissioner Detert
Commissioner Maio
Commissioner Moran
Commissioner Ziegler
Representative Buchanan
Representative McFarland
Representative Michael Grant
Senator Gruters
Sheriff Hoffman
Tax Collector BFC
Environmental Dept
Parks & Rec Director
Planning Committee
Procurement Dept
Property Appraiser Bill Furst
Public Utilities Dept
SKA
SKC
SKCC
Superintendent of Schools Asplen
Supervisor of Elections RT
Zoning Committee
Government
What is a charter? The municipal charter is an essential and fundamental element of every Florida municipality. No municipal government may be created without a proposed charter, and no municipal government may exist without a charter.
Borrowing from the English municipal model, America’s cities, towns and villages are governed by a legislative body known as a city council (or city commission). This elected body has several responsibilities, which are specified in the charter or incorporating documents. In Florida, each municipality has a charter; this document specifies the composition of the elected body and duties of appointed officials.
The council is responsible for creating and enforcing laws, called ordinances, of the city. The council also has an oversight role that varies in its responsibilities based upon the form of government specified in the charter. The council also adopts and appropriates the city’s funds. In addition, the council is expected to have a vision for the city’s future, which may or may not be detailed in a strategic plan. In Florida, each municipality is also required to have a comprehensive plan, known as the “comp plan” for land-related decisions within its boundaries. Lastly, the city may choose to be a service provider for a utility, utilities or other services, as guided by the citizens and the council.
What are the different forms of government?
Council-Weak Mayor Form
Council-Strong Mayor Form
Commission Form
Council-Manager Form
Municipal-Government Forms in Florida – In Florida, a municipality is free to adopt any of the basic municipal-government forms identified above or any variation thereof. State law does not prescribe one or more permissible forms, nor does it prohibit any. The Florida Constitution requires only that “each municipal legislative body shall be elective”; state statues require only that an acceptable proposed municipal charter is one which “prescribes the form of government and clearly defines the responsibility for legislative and executive functions.” In Florida cities, members of the council or commission are elected by the voters of the city. Click for More Info
