Dozens of local elected officials in municipalities across the state are resigning from office because of a new requirement that requires them to disclose more details about their finances, including any assets valued over $1,000.
In Reddick, the city is operating under the town clerk after the entire Town Council, including Mayor John Vetter, resigned. The majority of the City Council in North Palm Beach Village – including the mayor – have also quit.
Four out of five members of the St. Pete Beach council have resigned, as did four of the five Town Council members in Macintosh. Cory Coler is no longer the mayor of the city of Eagle Lake. He submitted his resignation Dec. 14, and his final day in office was Dec. 29.
Atlantic Beach City Attorney Jason Gabriel provided an update during the Jan. 8 City Commission meeting.
“In the last legislative session, as of Jan. 1, you are now a Form Six financial interest form filer. You used to be a Form One. What that means is that you are all now required by law to file your financial disclosure forms by July 1 or before. It’s a more specific form that requires you essentially to portray your net income value. Before, you were just disclosing sources of income. Now, for $1,000 or more, you are describing in detail your income.”
Gabriel said the Florida League of Cities provides an informational link. The Florida Commission on Ethics also offers some instruction. Depending on the complexity of finances, he said some city leaders may wish to seek guidance from a CPA or attorney.
“I do have some experience in that realm, but now municipally, elected officials are being required to do it in addition to county and state officials,” said Gabriel, regarding his previous work with the city of Jacksonville, which as a city with its own consolidated form of government has always operated under the Form Six requirement.
“If you resign today, you still have to do it for at least this year.”
Former Jacksonville Beach City Councilor Cory Nichols resigned effective Dec. 31, making him exempt from the new financial disclosure requirement. All of the Form Six information is available online.
Gabriel said he’s not aware of any move to modify or overturn the law.
“There’s been a lot of hoopla about this. There’s been a lot of resignations. This is statewide,” he said. “I know the governor’s office is aware of it, but I don’t know. We’ll have to see.”
